In a recent court victory against Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, an official of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, found support from an unexpected source – his wife, Nuhela Seidu.
Nuhela, alongside her colleague Raphael Banaagmen, played a crucial role as counsels for the lawmaker, as stated in the final ruling delivered by the court.
Ablakwa emerged victorious in a case where Kusi Boateng sought to restrict him from publishing personal details.
However, the court dismissed the case, reasoning that the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, which the clergyman claimed to be an alias, actually belonged to a different individual.
Consequently, the court ruled that Kusi Boateng lacked the necessary standing to bring the case, given the ambiguity surrounding his real identity.
This marks the second legal battle Ablakwa has won against Kusi Boateng, following the dismissal of a contempt charge weeks prior for kicking court summons.
The final case awaiting resolution involves a defamation suit brought by the clergyman against the MP.
Nuhela Seidu, a lawyer by profession, has made her mark in the legal realm and was a familiar face on television programs like Law Express.
Her appearance as part of Ablakwa’s legal team adds a significant dimension to the case.
Married to Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa since 2011, their wedding initially intended to be “private” ended up making headlines. Additionally, Nuhela is the daughter of former NDC Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Hon. M.A. Seidu.
Notably, in July 2022, she graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she attained an LL.M. Degree, along with two certificates of specialization in Business Law and Intellectual Property Law.
As the legal battle between Ablakwa and Kusi Boateng continues, the involvement of Nuhela Seidu serves as a testament to her expertise and commitment to supporting her husband in his quest for justice.
With her skill and experience in the legal field, she has proven to be a valuable asset to Ablakwa’s legal team, contributing significantly to their recent success in the courtroom.
MultiChoice, the operator of DSTVand GoTV, has announced an increase in subscription prices for its services effective August 1, 2023.
The company has attributed the price hike to Ghana’s inflation rate, which rose to 42.5% in June 2023, well above the central bank’s target band of 6% to 10%.
According to MultiChoice, the increase in prices is necessary to maintain the quality of entertainment and sports content that its customers enjoy.
The new prices are as follows: Access- 70 cedis (up from 60), Family- 130 cedis (up from 110), Compact- 255 cedis (up from 220), Compact plus-380 cedis (up from 325), and Premium- 600 cedis (up from 515). However, there is no price change for Padi subscription.
“One of the big differentiators is the cost of operation in your country, the incident of inflation, the stability of your local currency. Those are some of the big differentiators for us. If some of these indicators change we should see some level of parity between Ghana and Nigeria.
“The inflation here versus Nigeria is quite a big one as well. The stability of our currency is quite an issue but remember that this particular increase is heavily driven by the cost of inflation,” Mr. Dagadu stated.
The Corporate Affairs Manager for MultiChoice Ghana, Nii Armah Dagadu, explained that the prices were also influenced by other factors such as the cost of operation, the stability of the local currency, and the incidence of taxes.
He said that if the company were to reduce the prices, it would not be able to sustain its business and offer the best soccer leagues, movies, local and international series to its customers.
He added that MultiChoice had been in the market for thirty years because it had consistently had a sustainable price in the system. He also said that MultiChoice had seen other players come and go because they tried some things that did not work in this market.
“At this point if we are to touch the price by dropping it. What happens is we are taking the shocks and it is only a matter of time that you might not be able to enjoy the quality entertainment that comes on DSTV and GoTV. We have seen this with other players who have had to market and tried some of the things that didn’t work ten, twenty years ago that didn’t work in this market.
“I don’t just want to mention the name of some of these players, in recent times how many players have come into Ghana and collapsed not just Ghana but across the Africa continent. We have sustained this for thirty years because we have consistently had a sustainable price in the system. That is why you continue to enjoy all the fourteen leagues, the great movies, local and international series.”
The Ministry of Health has launched a national policy to ensure the production and provision of medical oxygen to various health facilities across the country.
The policy aims to establish a framework and a strategy that would scale up production, availability, access and use of the oxygen, which is essential for the treatment of patients with lung and other diseases.
The nation faces a high rate of death due to the lack of access to oxygen, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased medical oxygen demand by about three to sevenfold.
The policy will also help deal with the wide range of diseases where hypoxemia (insufficient oxygen in the blood) arises as a complication, such as pneumonia, which is the third highest cause of death in children under five years in Ghana.
According to the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, studies have shown that improved supply and utilisation of medical oxygen could reduce mortality from childhood pneumonia by 35 per cent.
The policy will also establish a regulatory system for the production, procurement, installation, distribution and rational use of the oxygen, strengthen the supply chain management systems and establish a robust monitoring and evaluation regime for management of the oxygen.
The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, who launched the policy in Accra yesterday, said per the new policy, hospitals would be constructed with adequate facilities for medical oxygen supply, distribution and delivery to patients, while existing facilities would be equipped with the needed equipment to achieve the objectives of the policy.
She also urged all health facilities, both public and private, to adopt the government digitalisation agenda to effectively maintain and manage data on oxygen resources in order to prevent shortages.
She said the provision and expansion of priority healthcare infrastructure to increase access to quality care in the country had been the focus of the government for which reason it introduced the Agenda 111 health projects policy.
The World Health Organisation (WHO’s) representative in Ghana, Dr Francis Chisaka Kasolo, said the unavailability of medical oxygen could not be solved by a single entity or organisation and pledged the support of WHO to ensure the policy succeeded.
He said it required a collective effort from the government, healthcare providers, manufacturers and the international community. “We must act swiftly and decisively to bridge the gap between oxygen supply and demand,” he said.
One hundred master craftsmen and trainee artisans in the Effutu Municipality have participated in the National Vocational Training Institute’s (NVTI) skills proficiency examination to enhance their employability prospects.
The initiative, spearheaded by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament for the Effutu Constituency, aimed to provide certification for the artisans and increase their credibility in the job market.
The examination, conducted in collaboration with the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) of the Effutu Municipal Assembly, assessed the competencies of the beneficiaries across various vocational skills such as flora and decoration, hairdressing, tailoring, dressmaking, make-up artistry, carpentry, masonry, auto-mechanics, tile laying, general welding, Information and Communication Technology hardware, and general electricals.
Linda Amoaning, the BAC Officer of the Effutu Municipal Assembly, highlighted the importance of the NVTI certification in enhancing the employability and credibility of the artisans.
She praised the contribution of the MP in equipping young people with the necessary skills to establish their own businesses, fostering economic independence.
Alexander Afenyo-Markin emphasized the significance of certification in making artisans marketable and instilling confidence in their field of work.
He has consistently supported livelihood empowerment programs that equip the youth with technical and vocational skills in the Effutu area.
Beneficiaries of the program expressed gratitude to Alexander Afenyo-Markin for his support in obtaining certification, which will open up new opportunities for them.
Priscilla Ohenewaa Kumah, one of the beneficiaries, regarded the examination as a validation of her abilities and thanked the MP for his gesture.
Nicholas Essoun, another beneficiary, stated that the certification boosted his confidence and skills, providing prospects for further career advancements.
The program reflects the commitment to harnessing the potential of youth in technical and vocational training, ultimately contributing to the growth of the local economy and improving the living conditions of Effutu residents.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called on mining stakeholders to invest in value addition throughout the mineral value chain to ensure Ghana maximizes the benefits from its abundant mineral resources.
Speaking at the 2023 Ghana Mining Expo in Takoradi, Minister Jinapor emphasized the importance of value addition in unlocking the true potential of minerals.
He cited the significant price difference between bauxite and aluminium ingot, highlighting that the value-added process increases the price by over 3,000 percent.
The government has been implementing policies since 2017 to promote value addition in the mineral sector.
Through public-private partnerships, a gold refinery has been established, and efforts are underway to secure London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) certification, which will enable Ghana to trade locally refined gold internationally.
Additionally, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation and Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation have been established to promote integrated aluminium, iron, and steel industries in the country.
Minister Jinapor stressed the importance of developing an integrated aluminium industry with Ghana’s estimated bauxite resource base of 900 million metric tonnes. Such development would contribute to the country’s economic growth and create job opportunities.
Furthermore, the government is working closely with stakeholders to ensure that raw bauxite and iron ore are not exported in their unprocessed state.
Value addition is key to enhancing the country’s mineral resource development and achieving socio-economic growth.
The minister revealed that Cabinet is currently considering a policy proposal for the exploitation, management, and utilization of green minerals.
The objective is to retain a significant portion of the value chain of future critical minerals within Ghana.
Minister Jinapor also emphasized the importance of diversifying the mineral resource base to include lesser-known minerals, especially those required for the green energy transition.
The Ghana Geological Survey Authority has conducted extensive geological investigations into these minerals, making them viable investment opportunities.
The theme of the event, “Sustainable Mineral Resources Development and Well-Being of Mining Communities,” focuses on responsible and sustainable mining practices and their impact on the well-being of people living in mining communities.
The minister emphasized the need for value maximization, environmentally responsible extraction, best practices, exploration expansion, and optimizing all stages of the mining value chain to support holistic national development.
Minister Jinapor underscored the government’s commitment to developing mining communities and called on all stakeholders, particularly mining operators, to fulfill their responsibility in ensuring sustainable mining practices and the well-being of host communities and the environment.
The 2023 Mining Expo provided a platform for stakeholders in the mineral resources value chain to showcase their products and innovations.
One of the technologies featured was the government’s introduction of Gold-Kacher for the community mining programme.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced the addition of 7.70 tonnes of gold to the country’s reserves, with the aim of increasing gold as an asset cover to provide additional buffers against future economic shocks.
This move is part of the central bank’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP), which seeks to double the gold reserves over a five-year period.
Speaking at the 2023 Gold Expo in Takoradi, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, highlighted the progress made since the launch of the DGPP in June 2021.
He stated that the central bank has added over 7.70 tonnes of monetary gold to the reserves as of June 30, 2023.
With the spot price of gold estimated at $63,000 per kg, the value of the added gold could exceed $485 million. This brings the total gold in Ghana’s reserves to 16.47 tonnes.
Dr Addison also provided insight into the sources of the gold in the reserves, revealing that mining firms contributed approximately 80%, while the remaining 20% was sourced from the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector through an approved aggregator.
The Gold Expo, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, facilitated discussions and showcased success stories within the mining sub-sector.
It aimed to boost investor interest and promote responsible and safe mining practices.
Dr Addison expressed confidence in exceeding the target of doubling the central bank’s gold reserves by the end of the year, highlighting the organic growth of foreign reserves through the refining of purchased gold.
He also emphasized the potential of the DGPP to support price stability and the central bank’s liquidity management efforts.
Furthermore, the DGPP benefits the ASM sector by providing competitive prices for gold purchases.
Dr Addison outlined the responsible sourcing and due diligence framework developed by the BoG to promote responsible and sustainable mining practices.
The increased gold reserves not only diversify reserve assets but also improve risk-adjusted returns for the portfolio.
The central bank intends to leverage the gold holdings to raise funds at competitive terms for foreign exchange liquidity management, thereby catalyzing investments in the gold mining sector.
Governor Addison also highlighted the G4O initiative, which leverages the DGPP to support the importation of petroleum products by purchasing gold from licensed small-scale miners.
This initiative proved crucial during the recent economic crisis, facilitating cheaper fuel prices and easing inflationary pressures.
The Bank of Ghana’s gold reserves program showcases its commitment to strengthening the economy, promoting responsible mining practices, and leveraging gold as a strategic asset to support various sectors, contributing to Ghana’s economic growth and stability.
Ghana’s youngest DJ, Erica Armah Bra-Bulu Tandoh, known as DJ Switch, has shared some amazing photos of her encounter with former US First Lady Michelle Obama.
DJ Switch, who rose to fame after winning Talented Kidz in 2017, has been making waves on the international music scene with her skills and passion.
Last year, she performed for the Obama Foundation’s ‘Get Her There’ Campaign, which aims to empower girls around the world through education.
DJ Switch used her talent and voice to support the cause and inspire other girls to pursue their dreams.
In a recent post on Instagram, DJ Switch revealed that she also met Michelle Obama, who is the co-chair of the Girls Opportunity Alliance, a program of the Obama Foundation.
She shared some stunning photos of herself posing with the former First Lady and holding a handwritten note from her.
DJ Switch captioned the post: “The time I performed and met the wonderful and brilliant former First Lady of the United States @michelleobama at the @obamafoundation of the @girlsopportunityalliance #GetHerThere.”
Fans and celebrities react to DJ Switch’s post DJ Switch’s post attracted a lot of praise and admiration from her fans and fellow celebrities.
They congratulated her for her achievements and wished her more success in the future.
Cookieteegh commented: Aaawwwnnnnnnn go GIRL.
emeliabrobbey commented: Congratulations, my love .
iamadwoasaahint commented: Awwwww got goosebumps, you are anointed and blessed for this. Love you and I pray that God continues to enlarge your coast.
abraham_klutsey commented: This great beautiful sista.afia commented: Awww keep scoring baby girl❤️.
beverly_afaglo commented: Well done, girl .
panaoh181922 commented: TV3 best in everything @tv3_ghana for the platform u gave her.
DJ Switch is indeed a star in the making and we are proud of her achievements. Way to go, DJ Switch!
In a push to create fiscal space, the World Bank has called on the government to take decisive action in reducing subsidies in certain sectors of the economy.
However, the bank emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive economic and social analysis before implementing subsidy reforms, to ensure that their removal does not disproportionately affect jobs and the livelihoods of vulnerable groups.
Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank, Anna Bjerde, explained that subsidies not properly targeted impose a burden on the national budget and limit the government’s ability to allocate resources for critical investments.
“It is much better to have targeted subsidy regimes that protect those who truly need assistance, rather than relying on general subsidies as a rule of thumb. The recommendation is to identify where subsidies exist and gradually reduce them in a responsible manner, commensurate with the necessary adjustments,” Bjerde stated.
The call from Ms. Bjerde aligns with a recent World Bank report, “Detox development: Re-purposing environmentally harmful subsidies,” which revealed that globally, trillions of dollars are spent on inefficient subsidies in sectors such as agriculture, fishing, and fuel.
The report emphasized that these subsidies are counterproductive, as they contribute to environmental pollution.
Since the implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) policy in 2017, the Ghanaian government has dedicated significant funds to provide subsidized seedlings and fertilizers to farmers.
Last year, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed that the government spent GH¢2.47 billion on the PFJ program between 2017 and 2021.
With the expenditure of GH¢614 million in 2022 and GH¢660 million in 2023, the total subsidy expenditure now stands at GH¢3.74 billion.
When asked about Ghana’s subsidy administration, Ms. Bjerde acknowledged that the decision to remove subsidies is a challenging one but emphasized its importance.
The World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Pierre Laporte, aslo expressed the bank’s commitment to providing technical support to the government in removing subsidies in the agriculture sector.
Laporte stated that the bank’s active portfolio in Ghana amounts to $3.6 billion, underscoring its dedication to helping the country overcome economic challenges.
Additionally, Laporte emphasized the need for the government to review its high tax exemption regime to generate the necessary revenue for accelerated development.
The World Bank is currently working on a budget support package of around $300 million, expected to be approved by the end of the year, to assist Ghana’s economic reform program.
They also anticipate financial sector support cooperation of $250 million before year-end, demonstrating their commitment to supporting Ghana in addressing its current challenges and advancing its economic growth.
The US has pledged to invest $48 million this year to help train and equip the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to combat piracy and illegal fishing in the Gulf of Guinea.
The US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, said the US was committed to supporting Ghana’s efforts to ensure a safe and secure maritime domain for the benefit of the entire region.
“We know security threats don’t just come from the Sahel; piracy and illegal fishing in the Gulf of Guinea pose persistent threats to the nation’s prosperity,” she said.
She was speaking at a ceremony to commission new structures and equipment for the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) of the Ghana Navy at the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) at Nutekpor, near Sogakope in the Volta Region last Friday.
The US provided the SBS with two interceptor vessels – 38” Defender Class Safe Boats, named “Kofi Faidoo” and “Seth Amoama”, worth $6.4 million, as well as a replacement of a landing jetty known as pontoon pier.
Ms Palmer also cut the sod for the construction of an SBS Mobile Training Camp, which will be supported by the first persistent Engineering Detachment (Seabees) to work on naval infrastructure projects in Ghana.
Other projects include the construction of an SBS boat storage facility and other infrastructural developments.
In addition, Ms Palmer said the US had donated two patrol ships to Ghana, which would be commissioned later this year.
She also said that a team of US Special Operations Forces Africa Combat Divers would visit NAVTRAC to conduct a joint exchange training with the SBS.
“Our partnership has never been stronger, the Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron programme is thriving, and Ghana’s maritime security is being fortified,” she added.
She further said that Ghana-US relations were productive and mutually beneficial, and that the US would continue to work with Ghana as a leader in West Africa on regional security, inclusive economic development and protection of democratic institutions.
Danish support
Meanwhile, the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Tom Norring, also inaugurated a mobile camp at NAVTRAC, which was donated by his country and valued at about €1million.
The structures were transported from Mali to Ghana about a year ago.
Mr Norring stressed the importance of enhancing capacity within the maritime domain and assured his country’s readiness to support initiatives that would promote maritime security.
Appreciation
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, expressed gratitude to the US and Denmark for their assistance, which he said would strengthen the friendship between Ghana and the two countries.
“This act of goodwill and generosity reflects their deep commitment to promoting peace and security in our maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea in general,” he said.
He said the structures and equipment donated would enhance the capability and efficiency of the SBS and protect them from hazards in their operations.
The Flag Officer Commanding NAVTRAC, Commodore Bright Emmanuel Kofi Atiayao, also described the gesture from their benefactors as heart-warming.
A new three-unit classroom block for Nutekpor DA Basic School, sponsored by the US government, was also inaugurated.
G-Pak Limited, a leading commercial and packaging printer in Accra, has marked its 50th anniversary with the launch of a new logo and a state-of-the-art machine.
The company, which is a subsidiary of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), unveiled its anniversary logo inspired by the theme: “Experience our heritage,” and a Pantera machine capable of producing over 15,000 books in an hour at a ceremony on its premises last Friday.
The Board Chairman of G-Pak, Ato Afful, said the company was committed to maintaining its position as a leader in the industry by adhering to best practices and delivering quality services to its customers.
He also said the company would continue to increase shareholder value and develop its human resources.
About G-Pak
G-Pak was established in 1973 as Graphic Packaging, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCGL, then known as Graphic Corporation.
It started off with the production of quality labels and skillets for some of Ghana’s renowned manufacturing firms, such as Unilever Ghana Limited and Pioneer Tobacco Company (PTC), later rebranded as British American Tobacco Company (BAT).
In 2000, GCGL recapitalised G-Pak by inaugurating new offset presses and created conditions for it to operate as a fully autonomous limited liability company.
Since then, G-Pak has acquired several modern machines, including five-colour Heidelberg CD 102 and SM 74, four-colour Heidelberg SM 74, two-colour Heidelberg SM/SX, one-colour GTO press machine, four stall/MBO folding machine and various laminating and binding equipment.
The company’s vision is to be a sustainable market leader in its three lines of business — bookwork, packaging and commercial printing.
Tribute
The acting General Manager of G-Pak, Kingsley Mate-Kole, paid tribute to both past and present management and staff of the company for their foresight, professionalism and sacrifices over the years which he said had kept the company focused on its vision.
The Production Manager of G-Pak, Vincent Kusi-Appiah, said the company currently had 140 production staff who worked diligently to ensure quality outcomes.
Some clients of G-Pak also commended the company for its capacity to deliver quality work on time.
They included Heidelberg Ghana, Geniusloci, Town and Country Books Services, Jebacosi Company Limited and the Ghana Paper and Converters Association.
The President of the Ghana Printers and Paper Converters Association, James Appiah-Berko, said the association was proud of the achievements of G-Pak and for its excellence.
Some past and present staff of the company also graced the event.
Access Bank, arguably Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, has agreed to acquire Standard Chartered’s subsidiaries in five sub-Saharan African countries, in a deal that will expand its footprint and presence in the region.
The deal, which was announced on Friday by Standard Chartered, will see Access Bank take over the British bank’s shareholding in its subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.
Access Bank will also buy Standard Chartered’s consumer, private and business banking business in Tanzania from Access Bank Tanzania, a subsidiary of Access Holdings.
The value of the deal, which is expected to be completed by July 2023, was not disclosed. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals in each of the countries as well as in Nigeria.
Standard Chartered said the deal was part of its global strategy to achieve operational efficiencies, reduce complexity and drive scale by focusing on faster-growing markets in Africa and the Middle East.
“This strategic decision allows us to redirect resources within the AME region to other areas with significant growth potential,” Sunil Kaushal, Standard Chartered’s regional CEO for AME, said in a statement.
He said Access Bank would provide a full range of banking services and continuity for key stakeholders including employees and clients of Standard Chartered’s businesses across the five countries.
Access Banksaid the deal would help it build a strong global franchise focused on serving as a gateway for payments, investment and trade within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world.
“With our recent European expansion and our deepened presence in key trading corridors across Africa, we will bridge the gap between cross-border and domestic transfers across all business segments,” Roosevelt Ogbonna, Access Group managing director said in the statement.
Access Bank is Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, with operations in 12 African countries and offices in the UK, China, India and Dubai. It has over 40 million customers and more than 600 branches.
Standard Chartered is a British bank with a strong presence in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It has been operating in Africa for over 150 years and has over 7 million customers and more than 400 branches across 17 countries.
What do you think of this news? Do you think Access Bank will benefit from acquiring Standard Chartered’s businesses in sub-Saharan Africa? Do you think Standard Chartered is right to exit these markets? Share your views in the comments below.
Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC), Kwaku Agyemang Duah, has expressed concerns over the challenging financial situation faced by a significant number of OMCs in Ghana. He attributed their struggles to the current state of the economy.
During an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express Business edition on July 14, 2023, Duah highlighted the difficulties faced by OMCs, stating, “At the beginning of the year, we had almost about 40% of them who were struggling such that month-on-month they were not making anything. They were only trying to survive to make sure that they just break even, and others are even under the water now and they’re trying to struggle to come up.”
Duah explained that the high inflation rate and the depreciation of the cedi have had a detrimental impact on the pricing of petroleum products. However, due to the fiercely competitive nature of the oil market, OMCs do not have the flexibility to adjust their profit margins as they see fit.
He emphasized that this inability to increase margins further affects their profitability. “And you know in Ghana prices of goods and services are just rising just like that. And obviously for you to compete or be able to survive, you need to up your scale in terms of the margin that you’d have to put on, but we’re not able to do that because of the market,” Duah explained.
He further elaborated on the challenges faced by OMCs in Ghana, stating, “The market is so competitive that if you decide to increase your margin, obviously it will affect your price. When you increase your price, you’re out of the game. So, it’s really a tough hurdle that we have now.”
The struggle to generate profits amid a challenging economic climate poses significant concerns for the oil marketing sector in Ghana. The AOMC and its members will need to navigate these obstacles to ensure sustainability and continued contribution to the country’s energy sector.
The Transport Minister, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has announced that the new terminal building at the Tamale Airportwill be operational by July 31, 2023.
He made this announcement in Parliament on Friday, July 14, in response to a question by Mr Musah Abdul-Aziz Ayaba, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Mion.
The completion of the Tamale Airport Phase II project was reported to have been largely achieved in August 2022.
Following that, an Operational Readiness and Transfer program was initiated in the same month.
This programme aimed to ensure a smooth transition from the construction phase to the operational phase, mitigating potential risks and preventing any performance issues that could tarnish the country’s reputation.
Originally, the terminal’s “Go-Live” date was set for December 2022 to facilitate operations and seamless integration of airport systems. However, this timeline had to be adjusted to allow for comprehensive training, Site Acceptance tests, and systems integration.
Transport Minister Asiamahshared the exciting update with Parliament, stating, “Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform this August House that, having completed all these, the ‘Go-Live’ for operationalization of the New Terminal Building is scheduled for July 31st, 2023.”
In response to another question from Mr. Ayaba regarding Phase 3 of the Tamale International Airport, Minister Asiamah explained that it is currently in the conceptual stage.
An Expression of Interest is being prepared for an Engineering, Procurement Contractor, and Financing (EPC+F) to support the next phase of development.
The upcoming operationalization of the new terminal building at Tamale Airport is a significant milestone for Ghana’s aviation sector. It promises improved facilities and services for travelers, ensuring a more seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (CCJ) has dismissed a suit against the Government of Ghana (GoG) over the controversial Agyapa deal, a gold royalties monetisation transaction that has been widely criticised by civil society groups and anti-corruption campaigners.
The suit was filed by three anti-corruption groups — Transparency International, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) — in December 2020, seeking an order to halt the implementation of the Agyapa deal.
They argued that the deal was dominated by “politically exposed persons” and violated the rights of Ghanaians to have permanent sovereignty over the country’s natural resources as provided under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
However, the court, sitting in Abuja, Nigeria, last Tuesday, ruled in favour of the government and threw out the case of the three civil society organisations. The court said the detailed reasoning for its decision would be made available later.
The Agyapa deal, which was approved by Parliament in August 2020, involves the creation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) called Agyapa Royalties Limited to receive a percentage of Ghana’s gold royalties from mining companies and use it to raise funds on the London Stock Exchange.
The government says the deal is intended to maximise the country’s mineral wealth and invest it for the benefit of Ghanaians. However, critics say the deal is opaque, unfair and prone to corruption.
The deal was also opposed by the former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, who resigned from his post in November 2020 after releasing a scathing report on the deal. He accused the government of interfering with his work and warned of “bid rigging, corruption activity including the potential for illicit financial flows and money laundering”.
The Leader of the Alliance of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the extractive sector, Dr Steve Manteaw, has described as misleading the reports concerning the ECOWAS court’s ruling on the Agyapa deal.
He said that the ruling was mainly centred on the human rights and sovereign rights of Ghanaians over their natural resources and not the merit of the Agyapa deal.
“Misleading in the sense that the case before the ECOWAS court was not for the court to determine the merit of Agyapa. It bordered heavily on human rights and sovereign rights of citizens as to what is done with their natural resources and this is what the court pronounced on and not the merit of Agyapa or not,” he was quoted by citinewsroom.com.
He also said that there was an extensive quotation on the African Charter on Human Rights which clearly indicated that the matter before the court had more to do with human rights than corruption.
Transparency International and its Ghanaian chapter have expressed disappointment at the ECOWAS court’s ruling, saying that it leaves people’s rights at risk.
They said that they remain convinced that the proposed sale would serve corrupt interests and not the people of Ghana, and called on the government to terminate the already stalled Agyapa deal once and for all.
They also said that they will analyse the court’s reasoning once it is available in writing and decide on their next steps.
Every month, at least three medical doctors leave their positions at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital‘s (KBTH) Department of Surgery in search of better opportunities abroad, according to Professor J.E Mensah, the department’s head.
This trend is not unique to the KBTH Department of Surgery, but is observed in other departments of the hospital as well.
The exodus of healthcare professionals from Ghana has intensified since the outbreak of COVID-19.
According to Professor J.E Mensah, Western countries actively target bonded nurses and doctors and entice them with irresistible salary packages.
The KBTH and other healthcare facilities in Ghana possess a wealth of skilled medical expertise that these countries are keen to acquire. The primary obstacle remains the significant salary disparity between Ghanaian doctors and their foreign counterparts.
According to a Business and Financial Time (B&FT) report, medical doctors working in KBTH or other national hospitals in Ghana earn less than $400 per month.
Even senior doctors with decades of experience and who may serve as medical school lecturers earn less than $1,500 per month, including salaries and allowances. In contrast, Forbes reports that expert doctors employed in the United States earn an average annual salary of $165,347 or more in some fields.
The high demand for specialized medical staff and critical expertise worldwide has prompted healthcare professionals, particularly critical-care nurses and doctors, to seek opportunities abroad.
This phenomenon has affected not only doctors but also experienced nurses and other healthcare professionals. Pantang Hospital in Accra alone has witnessed the departure of nearly 150 nurses and health professionals in the past six years.
Among them, 100 are specialized psychiatric and general nurses, while the remainder consists of doctors, pharmacists, technicians, and other experienced personnel in the healthcare sector.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) reports that over 3,000 nurses and midwives left the country in 2022 alone in pursuit of better opportunities overseas.
The lure of attractive salaries offered by hospitals abroad, particularly in Europe and North America, poses a significant challenge to retaining healthcare professionals in Ghana. The competitive hiring procedures and remuneration packages offered by Western countries make it difficult to convince experts to stay.
Despite the allure of higher salaries abroad, some doctors are determined to remain in Ghana and contribute their services to the country.
Professor J.E Mensah emphasizes the need for the government to invest in training more doctors and expedite their employment. This approach, coupled with efforts to address the salary gap, can encourage doctors to stay and provide their expertise locally.
The United States court handling the trial of socialite Hajia4Reall has rejected her request to have her bail conditions relaxed, denying her the opportunity to take her daughter out to fun places.
Previously, Hajia4Reall had asked the court to ease her bail conditions so she could enjoy outings with her 9-year-old daughter, Naila, who currently resides with her in a New Jersey condominium.
As per the existing bail terms, Hajia4Reall is required to remain within the residency and wear a GPS tracker on her ankle to monitor her movements.
Claiming that the restriction on her movements was negatively impacting her daughter and making her feel like a prisoner, she sought permission from the court to take her daughter shopping and to amusement parks.
She also requested the ability to move around her New Jersey neighborhood and certain areas of New York, highlighting that the tracking device on her ankle was sufficient to monitor her activities.
However, the court has denied all of these requests and instead instructed her to provide her daughter with a treat within their residence.
A report from KofiTV stated that the court conducted a background check on Hajia4Reall’s social media and found that she was associated with a network, raising concerns that she could potentially flee with the assistance of her allies.
As the cases have yet to commence, the court denied the modification of her bail conditions and intends to proceed with the trial, unless her lawyer files an appeal.
Hajia4Reall, whose real name is Mona Faiz Montage, was extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States to face allegations of involvement in a $2 million romance scam targeting older, single Americans.
Despite the seven charges leveled against her, she maintains her innocence.
Please note that this information is based on online sources and should be verified with official news outlets.
When actor Adjetey Anangand his wife Elom faced the challenge of not having a child six years into their marriage, they found solace in the support of their family.
However, it was the comments from certain church members that ended up hurting Elom, even though she acknowledges that these remarks were not made with ill intentions.
After enduring numerous failed procedures and medications, Elom found herself becoming increasingly moody and emotional.
Any comment related to the subject of having a child would deeply affect her.
Elom candidly shared her experience in Chapter 11 of her husband’s memoir. She recounted how seemingly innocent comments from well-meaning church members had a profound impact on her emotional well-being.
Comments like “When is the baby coming?” and “We can’t wait to see Jnr Adjetey” may have been meant harmlessly, but they were hurtful reminders of her struggle to conceive.
Now a mother of one, Elom emphasizes the need to discourage such questions and remarks. She describes them as insensitive and an invasion of privacy, regardless of their seemingly innocent nature.
In her words, “The communal culture of looking out for each other in our part of the world has made many people believe that it’s okay to ask sensitive questions and feel a sense of responsibility to get involved in private matters. But I believe we all need to be a little considerate in our comments of other people’s business and respect their privacy always.”
Elom also shared some embarrassing moments they faced, including someone approaching them after church to pray for them in the car park, which she found humiliating and insensitive. She mentions that well-intentioned people offered various solutions, making their journey even more challenging.
Adjetey Anang recently celebrated his 50th birthday by launching his memoir titled ‘Adjetey Anang: A Story of Faith, Imperfection, and Resilience.’
The memoir delves into his journey to stardom, the lessons he has learned, the struggles he has faced, and the sacrifices he has made throughout his career.
It offers a glimpse into the person behind the captivating screen characters he has portrayed over the years, including the iconic Pusher from the beloved TV series ‘Things We Do for Love.’
CEO of Hempire Association of Ghana, Nana Kweku Agyemang, believes that the cultivation of industrial cannabis, commonly known as ‘wee,’ has the potential to address the pollution caused by illegal small-scale mining activities, known as ‘Galamsey.’
According to him, industrial cannabis cultivation can absorb harmful chemicals present on farmlands affected by Galamsey, contributing to their purification and restoration.
Nana Agyemang’s comments come in response to the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023 on July 12, 2023, granting the Ministry for the Interior the authority to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes.
He explains that growing cannabis along the banks of water bodies can also contribute to the purification of rivers, making the water suitable for domestic use once again.
By absorbing toxins over time, industrial cannabis can help reclaim polluted lands and enable farmers to resume cultivation of high-value crops.
“Our water bodies can also benefit from the cultivation of industrial cannabis. The plant’s growth in these areas can help clean up the water bodies, allowing us to utilize them for our everyday domestic needs,” Nana Agyemang states.
In addition to environmental benefits, the CEO highlights the health advantages associated with industrial cannabis cultivation.
He mentions its potential use in treating epilepsy, emphasizing the oil extracted from cannabis as a possible solution for epilepsy-related seizures.
Prior to the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin expressed concern over the country’s loss of potential revenue due to the absence of a cannabis cultivation license.
He noted that Ghana had been unable to tap into the economic opportunities offered by cannabis cultivation.
The Supreme Court had previously declared the law allowing cannabis cultivation unconstitutional, as it had been passed without the required parliamentary debate.
Speaker Bagbin expressed his dissatisfaction with the ruling and stressed the importance of consulting Parliament on such matters to ensure informed decisions.
The passing of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill opens the door for regulated cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes, potentially bringing environmental, economic, and health benefits to Ghana.
A High Court in Accra has dismissed a case brought by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, against Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Member of Parliament for North Tongu.
Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is a secretary and board member of the National Cathedral project, had sought to stop Ablakwa from making further publications about his alleged involvement in conflict of interest and criminality.
However, the court ruled that Ablakwa had uncovered two distinct and separate identities used by Rev. Kusi Boateng in a manner that was not transparent and bordered on criminality.
The court also awarded a cost of GH¢10,000 against Rev. Kusi Boateng, who had earlier lost another case against Ablakwa for contempt of court.
Ablakwa celebrated the ruling on his Facebook page, dedicating it to the masses who supported him in his quest for transparent and accountable governance.
He also thanked his legal team and said he was ready for the third and final case of defamation filed by Rev. Kusi Boateng.
How did he do it?
According to the summary of the judgment, Ablakwa had conducted investigations and published documents that showed that Rev. Kusi Boateng had used two different names and identities in various transactions and dealings.
For instance, he had registered a company called Power Chapel Worldwide Limited as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, but used Victor Kusi Boateng as his name in other official documents.
He had also acquired properties and bank accounts under both names, without any evidence of change of name or alias.
The court said that this was not a simple case of using two different names, but rather two independent and totally separate identities to conceal his dealings in a manner that was not obvious.
The court rejected Rev. Kusi Boateng’s argument that using two names was not a crime under Ghanaian laws, saying that it was a pattern of duplicity that depicted a lack of transparency and this conduct bordered on criminality.
What does this mean for the National Cathedral?
The National Cathedral project is a controversial initiative by the government to build a multi-faith worship centre in Accra.
It has faced criticism from some sections of the public who question its necessity, cost and location.
Rev. Kusi Boateng is one of the key figures behind the project, as he is a secretary and board member of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.
His exposure as having a double identity raises questions about his credibility and integrity, as well as the transparency and accountability of the project.
It also casts doubt on his role and influence in the project, as well as his relationship with other stakeholders and donors.
Kevin Spacey broke down in tears in court on Thursday as he denied sexually abusing four men in their 20s and 30s between 2001 and 2013.
The Hollywood star, 63, told Southwark crown court that his “world exploded” when sexual abuse allegations against him first emerged in 2017, saying: “I lost everything.”
He said his acting work dried up and his fortune dwindled in the face of mounting legal bills. He said there was a “rush to judgment” and that he lost his job, reputation and everything in a matter of days.
Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner, appeared in the witness box as he gave evidence in his month-long trial. He faces 12 charges, which include seven of sexual assault, three of indecent assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
He denies all the charges and claims that any sexual contact he had with the complainants was consensual.
Wearing a charcoal grey suit and a blue tie, he recounted his career and how he had gone to acting school with Val Kilmer. He shared showbiz anecdotes including buying Dame Judi Dench a ping-pong table and purchasing “the most expensive Mini Cooper ever” at a charity auction hosted by Elton John.
But he became emotional as he described feeling “crushed” when he found out that a man he had been “intimate” with had accused him of assaulting him in the early 2000s.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has claimed that on one occasion he was driving Spacey to a party hosted by Elton John when Spacey grabbed his penis with such force that he almost crashed.
Spacey denied assaulting the man on the way to the singer’s white tie and tiara ball, saying: “No, I was not on a suicide mission in any of those years.”
He said he was a “flirt” and a “big flirt” and that he had a sexual but not penetrative relationship with the man. He said it did not happen in a “violent, aggressive, painful way” but was “gentle and touching and in my mind romantic”.
He said he was “stabbed in the back” by the man who made the allegations 20 years later.
Spacey also addressed an October 2017 BuzzFeed article that featured an allegation by the American actor Anthony Rapp, who accused Spacey of an unwanted sexual advance. The allegation was found not proven in a civil court in October last year.
Spacey told the packed courtroom: “My world exploded.” He said there were further rumours in the wake of the article and that his sponsorship deals and contracts were “abandoned”.
He also addressed the public statement he made in the wake of the allegation in which he came out as gay. He said members of the LGBTQ+ community were upset because he came out while he was responding to an accusation. He said he now understood why it was read that way but he had not put those two things together.
Spacey denied claims made by three other men who accused him of sexually assaulting them in different occasions and locations.
One man claimed that Spacey met him at a West End theatre in the mid-2000s and grabbed his crotch “like a cobra” after making a “barrage of vile comments”.
Spacey denied the attack, saying: “I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him, and wouldn’t, and never have to anyone in my life.”
Another man claimed that Spacey drugged him before performing a sex act on him while he was asleep in 2008.
Spacey said they had shared “an intimate” moment before the man became “suddenly awkward and fumbling”. He said: “I believe I performed oral sex on him. I remember the end of the evening and that was what stuck in my mind because we had a consensual and, I believe, a very nice and lovely evening.”
The fourth man claimed that Spacey sexually grabbed him after meeting him at a pub near Oxford in the early 2010s.
Spacey said he had “primarily” no issue with the man’s testimony. He said: “I made a pass and I’m only happy that he testified that the moment he told me he was not interested, I stopped.”
It’s the battle of the billionaires that no one saw coming. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Elon Musk are reportedly gearing up for a potential fight that could settle their long-standing rivalry once and for all.
Zuckerberg has made a surprising move in his preparations by hiring professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters to train him for the possible showdown.
UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanovski were spotted arriving at Zuckerberg‘s residence in Northern California right after the UFC 290 showcase in Las Vegas.
Social media users were stunned by the photos that emerged online, showing Zuckerberg’s transformation from a nerdy tech mogul to a ripped and athletic fighter.
The photos captured the trio posing together while showing evidence of the intense training regimen.
Photo credit: Israel Adesanya [@stylebender]Photo credit: Israel Adesanya [@stylebender]Photo credit: Israel Adesanya [@stylebender]
Here's a highlight video of Mark Zuckerberg and I training jiu jitsu. I look forward to training with @elonmusk as well. It's inspiring to see both Elon and Mark taking on the martial arts journey. See the full video here: https://t.co/G1ubUuxILKpic.twitter.com/WsLaRiFf1o
Meanwhile, Elon Musk was seen training alongside accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt holder Lex Fridman, who claimed that Musk was eagerly anticipating the possibility of a clash with his rival, Mark Zuckerberg.
I did an impromptu training session with @elonmusk for a few hours yesterday. I'm extremely impressed with his strength, power, and skill, on the feet and on the ground. It was epic. It's really inspiring to see Elon and Mark doing martial arts, but I think the world is served… pic.twitter.com/cq00A9Xnmw
As their rivalry continues to captivate the public’s imagination, their sudden interest in combat sports has added fuel to the fire. With each CEO proclaiming their elite team of fighters and honing their physical abilities, it remains to be seen whether this extraordinary showdown will come to fruition.
What do you think? Who would win in a fight between Zuckerberg and Musk?
The Ministry of National Security has issued a press release to refute reports of a deliberate and targeted operation, spearheaded by the Ghana Armed Forces, to forcibly repatriate Burkinabe refugees from Ghana.
The Ministry said the reports were false and should be disregarded by all.
“The Ministry refutes such claims and wishes to state that Ghana is committed to accommodating Burkinabe nationals who have been displaced into the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana due to the prevailing security situation in southern Burkina Faso,” parts of the release from the Ministry of National Security said.
The Ministry explained that through collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a temporary reception centre had been established in the Upper East Region, capable of holding an estimated 2,100 displaced people from Burkina Faso.
It said at the moment, 530 displaced Burkinabes were being accommodated at the reception centre.
“Additionally, Ghanaian official entities ensure that the displaced persons have access to free food and medical care.
“Also, as part of measures to enhance containment efforts, a 30-acre land has been acquired for the establishment of housing facilities to host displaced persons,” the release added.
The Ministry of National Security noted that contrary to the false reports that displaced Burkinabes were being forced out of Ghana, a repatriation process had been instituted at the reception centre to aid the movement of Burkinabes who wished to return to their country.
The repatriation process according to the Ministry was consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees and had so far, been implemented in collaboration with Burkinabe Immigration Authorities along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border.
Read the full release below:
PRESS RELEASE The Ministry of National Security has taken note of media reports and publications that suggest a deliberate and targeted operation, spearheaded by the Ghana Armed Forces, to forcibly repatriate Burkinabe refugees from Ghana.
The Ministry refutes such claims and wishes to state that Ghana is committed to accommodating Burkinabe nationals who have been displaced into the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana due to the prevailing security situation in southern Burkina Faso.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has accordingly established a temporary reception centre in the Upper East Region, capable of holding an estimated Two thousand, one hundred (2,100) displaced people from Burkina Faso.
Currently, five hundred and thirty (530) displaced Burkinabes are being accommodated at the reception centre. Additionally, Ghanaian official entities ensure that the displaced persons have access to free food and medical care. Also, as part of measures to enhance containment efforts, a 30-acre land has been acquired for the establishment of housing facilities to host displaced persons.
Contrary to claims that displaced Burkinabes are being forced out of Ghana, a repatriation process has been instituted at the reception centre to aid the movement of Burkinabes who wish to return to their country. The repatriation process is consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees and has so far, been implemented in collaboration with Burkinabe Immigration Authorities along the GhanaBurkina Faso border.
The Government of Ghana, while reaffirming its determination to safeguard the peace, stability and territorial integrity of the country, and promote the welfare of the citizens of the country, would continue to undertake the necessary operations without compromising values, such as respect for human rights, including the rights of refugees and displaced persons from neighbouring countries.
A presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has boasted about being the only person in Ghana to have challenged the renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
Speaking to members of the NPP at the Berekum East Constituency in the Bono Region, Ken Agyapong claimed that he saved the party from the clutches of Anas.
He alleged that Anas had recorded some NPP leaders in Dubai and was planning to use the footage to blackmail them and prevent them from seeking a second term in 2020.
He added that Anas had put a lot of Ghanaians, including politicians, civil servants and security officials, into hiding with his exposés, but he (Ken) had silenced him.
“When Anas recorded NPP leaders in Dubai, February 8, 2018, (4:30 pm Dubai time) and he was bragging that he (Anas) had the NPP in his hands like an egg and that he would not allow the party to go for a second term.
“He (Anas) silenced judges, soldiers, police officers, officers of the GFA (Ghana Football Association), every Ghanaian was afraid. I’m the only man in this country who challenged Anas. Today, I have silenced him.
Ken Agyapong, who is also the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, said that Ghanaians trust him because of his handling of Anas, among other things.
He urged the NPP supporters to choose him as their flagbearer for the 2024 elections.
“If I had not challenged Anas, he would have gotten so much power that at some point, he would be determining when people should go to sleep. It took only Kennedy Agyapong to challenge Anas. And so, Ghanaians believe in me,” he said.
So far, ten people in the NPP have filed nominations to contest in the yet-to-be-held presidential primaries.
Candidates include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; a former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen; Kwadwo Poku, an energy expert; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey; a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; a former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; a former MP for Offinso North, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; and a former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.
Defamation suit
The Accra High Court recently dismissed a GH¢25 million defamation suit against Ken Agyapong brought by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
The investigative journalist sued the MP in 2018 for allegedly making false and defamatory statements about him after he released his investigative piece #Number 12, which exposed some rot in Ghana football.
The court presided over by Justice Eric Baah ruled that although the words spoken by the MP were factual and capable of defamation, Anas could not prove them.
The court also described Anas as an “investigative terrorist” who uses blackmail to extort money from his opponents and people he does not like.
The MP has hailed the ruling as a victory for straight talk over investigative terrorism, while Anas has expressed grave misgivings about it and described it as a travesty of justice.
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Pianim, has called on the elders of his party to support all the 10 presidential aspirants who are vying to lead the country in 2024.
The Ghanaian economist said that the 10 flagbearer hopefuls of the NPP have the necessary qualities to manage the affairs of the nation and turn its fortunes around.
Kwame Pianim explained that it is not easy to sacrifice oneself to become a flagbearer of a party, hence the need to show equal support for those who have stepped forward.
“I hope the founding members of the party and all the elders will support all the 10 people who are offering themselves as flagbearers. I was there to encourage Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, just like I’m encouraging all the others to come out and sacrifice to lead the nation.
“It’s not easy to be a flagbearer, these young people will go round the country and spread the message. They are the ones who are going to energise the people at the party base. Hopefully, to give them confidence not to lose hope in the political system. It’s the only thing we have, to go and fight and preserve the democratic dispensation, free press, civil liberties that we want at a hard cost to a lot of people,” he said on Eyewitness News on Citi FM.
Meanwhile, the NPP has cleared all of its 10 aspiring presidential candidates to prepare for the Super Delegates Congress slated for August 2023.
NPP delegates will vote in that congress to reduce the number of presidential aspirants from 10 to 5.
This will be followed by polls in November 2023 where the substantive presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections will be decided.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has warned that his caucus will intensify its protest against the criminal trial of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs have been boycotting sittings of the House whenever the embattled Assin North legislator is due to appear in court for his ongoing trial on charges of forgery and perjury. The MPs have accused the government of persecuting their member and have demanded that Quayson’s trial should be dropped.
Dr Ato Forson, in an interview on JoyNews on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, said that they would do more than just boycott sittings of the House starting from next week.
He said that the government would have to choose between its business in Parliament and prosecuting Quayson on a daily basis.
“If we sit unconcerned for the government to pick our members one by one and persecute them like the way they are doing to our colleague James Gyakye Quayson, they will come after every one of us.
“We have decided as a caucus to ensure that every day or any day that our colleague will be invited to go to court, we will go with him. They (the government) will have to contend with that. If they want him to be in the courtroom on a daily basis, we will also be there on a daily basis.
“The government will have to choose government business against Gyakye Quayson’s appearance on a daily basis. If they want us to assist the government to run, then they will have to choose wisely… This is our first activity that we are doing. We may escalate to signal our displeasure to the government and there are so many other things we are going to do in the coming days,” he said.
Ato Forson, who is also the MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam, rejected the claim that his caucus is hurting Ghanaians with their decision.
He said that it is the “insensitive” Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government that is making the people of Ghana suffer.
Background
James Gyakye Quayson is facing trial for allegedly making false statements to the Passport Office and the Electoral Commission (EC) when he applied for a Ghanaian passport and filed his nomination as a candidate for the Assin North seat in 2020.
He is accused of holding dual citizenship of Ghana and Canada at the time of filing his nomination, which disqualified him from contesting as per the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 1992 Constitution.
He had initiated moves to renounce his Canadian citizenship before the 2020 election but had not received his renunciation certificate at the time of filing with the EC.
His election was subsequently annulled by a Cape Coast High Court and a by-election was held on June 27, 2023. He won the by-election after receiving his renunciation certificate and is set to be sworn in as MP for Assin North.
However, his criminal trial is still ongoing at an Accra High Court, which has ruled that it will hear the case on a day-to-day basis starting from July 4, 2023. His lawyers, led by Tsatsu Tsikata, have filed an appeal against this ruling.
The body of a US citizen of Ghanaian origin has been discovered in a room in Takoradi, a city in the Western Region of Ghana.
The 72-year-old man, identified as Anthony Wolfgang Hammond, was found dead in his kitchen after neighbours noticed a foul smell and houseflies coming from his two-bedroom apartment. He had been living alone in the rented accommodation for the past three years.
The Assembly Member of the area, Joana Barton Oduro, confirmed the incident to 3news.com. She said that the landlord broke into the room and realised that Mr Hammond was dead. His microwave was left open beside his body.
She added that the police were called and the body was taken to the Takoradi Government Hospital. She said that they believed he died about two weeks ago.
“We are supposed to bury the body looking at its decomposing nature but we have still not identified his relatives and so we have pleaded with the hospital to help us keep the body for some time whilst we keep searching for his family members,” she said.
She also said that a search in his room revealed some items, including passport pictures, laptops, phones, and a passport indicating that he was a US citizen.
“His phone has been switched on but nobody has called him since and all the contacts we have seen don’t relate to any close friend or relative. We realised he tried to register for a Ghana Card and on the registration sheet his mother’s name is captured as Agnes Prah and Anthony Hammond as his father but they are all deceased,” she said.
She described Mr Hammond as a quiet person who did not interact with anyone in the house. He had also not been seen with any friend or relative since he moved in three years ago.
“He is the quiet type who does not relate to anybody in the house. He has also not been seen with a friend or relative in the house he rented three years ago. We also found passport pictures and a passport indicating he is now a US citizen,” Madam Barton Oduro added.
The Assembly Member said that they had his passport picture in their possession and appealed to anyone who knew him or his family to contact them.
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez had a whirlwind romance that made headlines and broke hearts.
The two stars wrote many songs about each other, expressing their love, pain, and confusion.
Even after they parted ways, fans still wonder if they still have a spark. And when he writes a song for his wife, Hailey, some people think it’s secretly about Gomez.
But let’s forget about the drama and focus on the music. Could these Justin Bieber songs be about Selena Gomez?
Ghost
Let’s start with a song that we’re not sure if it’s about Gomez or not. Ghost was never confirmed by Bieber to be about her, but fans and media have dissected every word and detail to find clues. They think it’s about him missing her and settling for Hailey’s memories. But he says the song is about losing someone you love and that he wrote it for his grandmother, according to a Vogue interview.
Who knows the truth? Maybe he does, maybe he doesn’t. But we doubt he’ll ever tell us. The song was a hit anyway, reaching number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2022, his 26th song to enter the Top 10 of the chart.
Mark My Words
Mark My Words is the first song on Bieber’s Purpose album, which was mostly about Gomez. He admitted that this song, along with Sorry and What Do You Mean?, was written for her on The Ellen Degeneres Show. It was a heartfelt vow that he would never give up on her and their love.
The song earned a gold certification from the RIAA in 2016, which is impressive for a song that wasn’t as popular as some of the other ones on the same album.
Love Yourself is an obvious reference to Gomez’s tattoo on her back that says “love yourself first” in Arabic. It was one of the many songs from Bieber’s 2015 album that was about her, as they had been through many ups and downs and had a lot of history together.
The song was a bittersweet farewell to Gomez, as he realised that she needed to leave him to find herself and be happy. He pretended to be fine, but he also showed his pain and frustration with her attitude and actions. He wished her well, but he also wanted her to know that he didn’t need her anymore.
The song was a huge success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and spending 41 weeks on the chart.
Boyfriend was a bit of a mystery when it came out. Bieber and Gomez were already dating when he released it, but he probably recorded it before they got together. So who was he talking to? Who did he want to be his girlfriend?
Some fans think it was Gomez, as he had a crush on her for a long time before they started dating. He was trying to impress her and convince her that he would be a great boyfriend for her. He was confident and flirty, but also sweet and romantic.
The song was the lead single from his 2012 album Believe, and it was a big hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending 20 weeks on the ch
Bad Day
Bieber and Gomez had their fair share of bad days in their relationship, but they also had good ones. Bad Day was a song about one of those bad days when they fought and broke up. He was sad and angry, but he also took some responsibility for what went wrong.
He blamed himself for being out of line, but he also blamed her for making up her mind without listening to him or giving him another chance. He felt betrayed and hurt by her decision to leave him.
The song was part of his Music Mondays series and later appeared on his 2013 compilation album Journals. It received a gold certification from the RIAA in 2016.
Nothing Like Us
Nothing Like Us was the opposite of Bad Day. It was a happy song about all the good times they had together and how they were perfect for each other. It was one of the new songs on his second acoustic album Believe Acoustic, and he confirmed it was about Gomez in an interview with Billboard.
He said he was proud of their relationship and how they overcame many challenges together. He said there was nothing like them in the world, and no one could ever replace them.
Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker was another song from his Music Mondays series that first appeared on his Instagram account. It was widely speculated to be about Gomez, as he expressed his sorrow over losing her and how much he missed her.
He said she broke his heart, but he also said he still loved her and wanted her back. He said he was sorry for whatever he did to hurt her, and he hoped she would forgive him and give him another chance.
The song was a moderate hit on the charts, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending two weeks on the chart. He said the song was for anyone who was going through a heartbreak.
All That Matters
All That Matters was another song from his Music Mondays series that he confirmed to be about Gomez in a radio interview. He said he wrote the song when they were still together and happy, and he wanted to show her how much he cared for her and how she was all that mattered to him.
He said he was loyal and devoted to her, and he would do anything to make her smile. He said he was grateful for having her in his life, and he would never let her go.
The song was a bigger hit than Heartbreaker, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending eight weeks on the chart. It also received a gold certification from the RIAA in 2016.
Hold Tight
Hold Tight was another song from his Music Mondays series that first appeared on his Instagram account. It was not confirmed to be about Gomez, but many fans and critics thought it was a message to her. He said it was a romantic song from a hopeless romantic, describing how being in love makes him feel.
He said he wanted to hold on to the person he loved and never let them go, because they were his soulmate and the most important thing in his life. He said he was addicted to their touch and their kiss, and he couldn’t get enough of them.
The song was a decent hit on the charts, reaching number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charting in several other countries.
What Do You Mean?
What Do You Mean? was a huge hit for Bieber, and one of the many songs from his 2015 album Purpose that was about Gomez. He admitted that she inspired a lot of the songs on the album in an interview with Ryan Seacrest.
This song marked the point where he started to realise that he didn’t understand her, and that their communication was breaking down. He was confused and frustrated by her mixed signals and indecision. He wanted to know what she meant by her words and actions, and what she wanted from him.
The song became his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top of the chart in 2015 and spending 31 weeks on the chart.
Sorry
Sorry was another hit from his Purpose album, and another song that he confirmed to be about Gomez on The Ellen Degeneres Show. It was an apology for all the mistakes he made in their relationship, and how he wished he could make things right.
He said he was sorry for hurting her, lying to her, cheating on her, and letting her down. He said he knew he had done wrong, and he wanted to change for the better. He asked for her forgiveness, and hoped she would take him back.
The song also became a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart in 2015 and spending 42 weeks on the chart.
Friends
Friends is another song that we can’t be sure if it’s about Gomez or not. He never confirmed it, but fans and media have speculated that it is. He released it in 2017 with BloodPop, announcing it on Twitter with a tweet saying “Can We Still Be Friends?”.
The song was a big hit in the UK, peaking at number two on the UK Singles chart and number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
It sounded like his earlier work, especially Sorry, with a catchy club beat and pop vibe. It was about wanting to stay friends with an ex after breaking up, and asking how they were doing and how their family was. Some fans think it was a way of reaching out to Gomez and trying to keep in touch with her.
Where Are Ü Now
Where Are Ü Now is one of the most obvious songs that Bieber wrote for Gomez. He sings about praying for an ex who didn’t care for him, and wishing someone would comfort him when he was lonely. He originally wrote it for his Purpose album, but he sent it to Skrillex and Diplo to remix it into an electronic dance tune that was amazing.
The remix with Jack U came out in 2015 and became one of the best songs of the year according to many critics and publications. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
It peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and made it into the Top 10 in eight other countries.
Critics immediately saw it as an open letter to Gomez, expressing his pain and resentment over their breakup. He felt like she abandoned him when he needed her most, and he wondered where she was now.
Sexually abused children need immediate medical attention before reporting the case to the police, parents have been told.
This will help the victims to receive physical and mental care, as well as medication that can prevent HIV and other infections.
Harriet Odoley Klufio, a Child Protection Specialist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, said if the abuse was reported within 72 hours, anti-retroviral drugs could be given to stop HIV infection.
She warned parents not to delay or try to settle the case at home with the perpetrators.
“You should not dilly-dally trying to get money from the perpetrators to settle the case at home,” she advised.
She said while the abuse was a criminal act that needed police intervention, taking the child-victim to the police station first could scare them.
“So, we prefer that the victims are brought to the hospital first for us to stabilise them psychologically and physically so that they will be able to narrate the incident in a calm state of mind.”
She said the Child Protection Unitof the hospital was child-friendly and had trained staff who could get the necessary information from the victims.
She said the police could visit the victims at the clinic, home or crime scene after they had been discharged.
Trauma and damage
Mrs Klufio, who is also the first Ghanaian Forensic Nurse, described child sexual abuse as a very bad act that caused trauma and damage to the victims.
She said some of them had to undergo several surgeries to repair the opening between the vagina and the rectum caused by the abuse.
She advised parents to educate their children to run away from sexual predators and not to believe their threats.
She said the hospital recorded an average of 40 cases of child abuse every year, with 80 per cent being sexual abuse.
The rest were physical abuse and neglect.
Abandonment of newborns
She also disclosed that abandonment of newborn babies was rising in the hospital due to economic hardships.
She said some women, especially adolescents, delivered their babies and left them at the hospital, claiming they had no money or support.
“They do it all the time. It is not everybody that will have an abortion. They may not even have money for safe abortion so they carry the pregnancy to term, come and deliver, abandon the baby and go back home to say they lost the child.”
She said the National Health Insurance Scheme did not cover everything after delivery and some mothers could not afford diapers and other essentials for their babies.
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has announced that road crashes and deaths have reduced by 16 per cent and 11 per cent respectively in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.
According to the NRSA statistics, 1,086 people died and 7,807 were injured in 6,904 road crashes from January to June this year. This is lower than the 1,300 deaths and 8,007 injuries in 7,687 crashes recorded in the first half of last year.
The statistics also showed that the number of vehicles involved in road crashes dropped from 13,248 to 11,763, while the number of pedestrians knocked down decreased from 1,356 to 1,205.
The Director-General of the NRSA, David Osafo Adonteng, told the Daily Graphic that the reduction in the road crash indicators was “great news” but more needed to be done to prevent road carnage.
He said it would take collective responsibility and positive attitude from all stakeholders and the public to ensure road safety.
He commended the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and the media for their roles in law enforcement and public education.
He said the NRSA would intensify its initiatives, especially the “Stay Alive” campaign, to curb road crashes.
He urged drivers to obey road traffic regulations and ensure that their vehicles were in good condition. He also advised passengers to speak up against reckless driving.
Regional breakdown
The statistics further revealed that private vehicles accounted for 46 per cent of vehicles involved in crashes, followed by commercial vehicles with 32 per cent and motorcycles with 22 per cent.
All these vehicle types recorded a decrease in their involvement in crashes compared to last year.
The Greater Accra Region had the highest number of crashes (2,886) and deaths (231), followed by Ashanti Region with 1,619 crashes and 194 deaths.
The Eastern Region had 711 crashes and 196 deaths, making it third in crashes but second in fatalities.
The Upper East, Bono East and Western regions recorded increases in deaths by 75 per cent, 20.3 per cent and 14.8 per cent respectively compared to last year.
The North East Region recorded no change and the rest of the regions recorded decreases, with Oti Region having the highest percentage decrease of 60 per cent.
In a recent development, World Athletics has decided to uphold its testosterone regulations for female athletes, despite the landmark win of South African champion runner Caster Semenya at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday.
Semenya’s lawyer, Schona Jolly KC, expressed disappointment with World Athletics’ reaction to the court’s decision, emphasizing the significance of the ruling not only for Semenya but for athletes worldwide.
“This is a landmark win, obviously, for Caster (Semenya, Ed.), but for athletes more widely. And the reason for that is because until now, athletes, operated and sporting people more generally in a sort of human rights vacuum. It was in the gift of sports federations and organisations like World Athletics to say, well, we decide if human rights may or may not apply to you. It’s up to us”, said Schona Jolly KC.
The ECHR ruled that Semenya had faced discrimination due to track and field regulations that required her to medically lower her natural hormone levels to participate in major competitions.
However, World Athletics announced that it would maintain the controversial regulations despite the court’s decision.
“The European Court (of Human Rights, Ed.) said that’s not okay. It’s not okay for a whole category of people in this instance, professional sportspeople, just to be excluded from the protection of the convention. Professional sports people like Caster are entitled to have their fundamental rights properly considered, properly analysed. In this case, the violations of her rights were articles eight and 14, in other words, her right not to be discriminated against. Her right to a private life. Her right to a professional life. Her right to a personal life. All of those were fundamental rights, and she deserved to have those properly considered, properly scrutinised. They were not by World Athletics. They were not by the Court of Arbitration of Sports. And they were not by the Swiss Federal Tribunal. The court said that can’t happen. That can’t happen anymore. There is no more human rights vacuum for professional sportspeople”, explained the legal expert.
Semenya has been prevented from competing in her preferred 800-meter race since 2019 due to her refusal to artificially suppress her testosterone levels.
Consequently, she has lost four years of her career at the peak of her performance.
While the legal battle continues, Semenya’s case has brought attention to the complex intersection of human rights and athletic regulations. The decision by World Athletics to maintain its testosterone rules underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the inclusion and fair treatment of athletes with naturally higher testosterone levels.
As the sports world grapples with these issues, the future of regulations and the protection of athletes’ fundamental rights remains a subject of intense discussion and potential transformation.
A flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has unveiled a business plan that aims to provide financial resources to the party and create employment opportunities for its members.
The plan involves setting up businesses owned by the party at the national, regional and constituency levels.
Dr Akoto, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, said these businesses would compete for contracts in the market and generate profits for the party and its members.
He said this would end the suffering of the party members and make the party more robust and competitive in the global environment.
He called his plan: ‘Linking party to government’.
Interaction
Dr Akoto shared his visionwith the party delegates from the Cape Coast South constituency during his Central Regional campaign tour last week.
The tour, which started at Gomoa West constituency, also took him to Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency.
He was accompanied by two co-campaign Chairmen, Alfred Boye, a former Greater Accra NPP Regional Chairman, and Ken-Wuud Nuworsu, a former NPP Volta Regional Chairman; the National Coordinator of the campaign team, Peter Oteng Darko, and Campaign Spokesperson, Dr Prince Sodoke Amuzu.
Dr Akoto, a former two-term Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, told the delegates that workers in all the party-owned businesses would be party members.
“At the constituency level, the managing director of the company will be the constituency chairman while the board members will be the council of elders or elders of the party.
We [referring to the government] will award contracts to these businesses to make them profitable.
You are going to be gainfully employed in this setup, and all your suffering will be a thing of the past”, he said.
He added “with this machinery in place, when something happens at the constituency level, you don’t need to call anybody to bring their contributions because there will be enough to take care of contingency issues”.
Deception
Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto urged the delegates not to fall for candidates who promised to pay salary to polling station executives or give 10 appointments each to all the 275 constituencies if they became flag bearer of the party and President of Ghana.
“Don’t let anyone deceive you of paying you salary when he is elected.
It is a fallacy.
What I have outlined is sustainable and the best way to resource you financially.
My vision is the best.
It is globally accepted and is done in the US, UK, and South Africa and all the advanced countries.
When the companies are set up, we will give the contracts to executives to generate profit to take care of our members”, he explained.
He further said none of his competitors had a better solution for their plight than him, stressing that “I have served the NPP well in all capacities and I feel your burden more than any other of the flag bearer aspirants.
A vote for me will bring all these sufferings to an end because I understand what you are going through at the polling stations”.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has rebuked the Minority caucusfor boycotting Parliamentary proceedings without official permission, saying that this violates the Standing Orders of the house.
The Standing Orders of Parliament stipulate that a Member of Parliament who is absent for 15 sittings without the Speaker’s permission and without a valid reason must vacate their seat.
The Speaker made this remark in response to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, who raised concerns about the absence of Minority representation in the Votes and Proceedings of Parliament. The Speaker said such a gesture was unacceptable.
The Speaker also noted that some MPs had been marked as absent without permission, and there were questions about the meanings of “walk-out” and “boycott”.
“Some MPs have been captured for being absent without permission, some concerns have been raised on the definition of walk-out and boycott. The deputy Minority Whip has raised a very serious matter on the fact that from his knowledge, some members were not present yesterday, but they have been captured as present, as it’s an indictment on the officers of Parliament,” he said.
The Speaker further stressed the importance of attendance, citing Article 97 (1C) as the guiding principle for the presence of members in the house.
He explained that attending or not attending was a personal choice, but when a member chose not to attend, depending on their actions, they could be marked as absent or absent with permission.
“On the issue of attendance, Article 97 (1C) is very clear and that is what guides attendance of the house. So you can choose to attend or choose not to attend. When you refuse to attend, depending on your own action, you could be marked as absent or absent with permission. The burden now falls on the group to show evidence that my good self has granted you permission to absent yourselves in writing, not verbally; that any time a colleague of yours wants to attend court proceedings, you will solidarize with that colleague and that you will be absent so that the official report will capture that”, he explained.
This is not the first time that the Minority in Parliament has boycotted business activities in solidarity with James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament for Assin North, who is facing trial over his dual citizenship.
Ghana has passed a new law that allows the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes, under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior.
The Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2023, was passed by Parliament on July 12, 2023, after a Supreme Court ruling that struck out a section of the previous law as unconstitutional.
The section in question gave the Minister the power to grant licenses for the cultivation of cannabis, popularly known as “wee” in Ghana, based on the recommendation of the Commission.
The court ruled that this provision violated the constitutional requirement for parliamentary debate before passing a law.
The new bill, which consists of a single clause, empowers the Minister to grant licenses for the cultivation of cannabis with a THC content not exceeding 0.3% on a dry weight basis.
The bill does not legalise the recreational use of cannabis, which remains illegal and punishable by law.
The bill aims to regulate the cultivation of cannabis and harness its potential benefits for industrial and medicinal purposes.
Cannabis is a versatile plant that can be used to produce fibre and seed for various industrial applications, such as textiles, paper, plastics, building materials and biofuels. Cannabis also has medicinal properties that can be used to treat various conditions, such as chronic pain, epilepsy, glaucoma and cancer.
The passage of the bill is expected to open up new opportunities for the development of a well-regulated cannabis industry in Ghana, ensuring that its cultivation and usage adhere to strict guidelines and quality standards.
Renowned music producer, sound engineer and CEO of Highly Spiritual record label, Kaywa, has said he has no hard feelings towards his former artists who left him after he invested heavily in their careers.
Kaywa, whose real name is David Kojo Kyei, has seen some of his artists, such as Lasmid and Mr Drew, part ways with his label recently.
He said this was a painful experience for him as a record label owner who helped them to become popular and profitable.
However, he said he has chosen to leave them in God’s hands rather than curse them or speak ill of them.
He said he was happy to have made an impact in their lives and hoped they would become successful like Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy.
“I know how painful it can be to invest in new artists only for them to leave when they reach their peak but that is life. If I should consider all these, I would not sign on any artist again but one thing I tell myself is that I am building national assets.
“Everyone knows the role I played in the lives of all the artists who left my record label. The little impact I made in their careers is enough joy for me and if they become like the Sarkodies, Shatta Wales and Stonebwoys, I will take the credit for that. Dr Duncan might not be very wealthy but everyone knows what he did for Sarkodie”, he told Graphic Showbiz.
Kaywa also lamented the problem of poaching in the music industry.
He said some individuals or other record labels would lure his artists away with attractive offers without consulting him.
He appealed to such poachers to respect his work and collaborate with him instead of using backdoor means to snatch his artists away.
He also said he would not work with any of his former artists again if they ever wanted to come back.
He said his policy at Highly Spiritual record label was that once an artist leaves, there is no return. He said he could still be friends with them but not work with them again.
Kaywa said he was not discouraged by the challenges he faced with losing his artists. He said he was still passionate about discovering and nurturing new talent and making a positive difference in the music industry.
The Joint Cybersecurity Committee (JCC) has arrested 422 people for engaging in illegal digital lending activities that violated the rights and privacy of their customers.
The JCC, which comprises the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), conducted a swoop last Monday at the premises of four suspected illegal digital lending companies in the Greater Accra Region.
They are Mascedi Consult, Valley A. Consult, Makto Technology Limited and FourCredy.
The JCC also seized 654 mobile phones, 22 laptop computers and about 800 SIM cards from the suspects.
The swoop followed 270 complaints of cyber bullying, harassment and death threats received by the JCC’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) from victims of these platforms within the past six months.
The Director-General of the CSA and the chairperson of the JCC, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, announced this at a press conference in Accra yesterday.
He said the illegal digital lenders and their financiers had infringed on the constitutional rights of individuals and violated the data protection principles under Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843).
He assured the public that the perpetrators would be punished according to the law and that the JCC would continue to sensitise the public on how to avoid such attacks.
He also said the success of the swoop showed the government’s commitment to sanitising the country’s cyberspace and enabling the public to transact business safely.
The Executive Director of EOCO, Commissioner of Police (COP), Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, said investigations had identified 150 unlicensed digital loan application platforms that used death threats and non-consensual distribution of private messages, images and videos to harass their customers.
She said they did that by exploiting the authorised permissions granted by unsuspecting victims who patronised their platforms.
She cautioned the public to desist from engaging with unlicensed financial entities online and advised them to be careful about what they clicked or installed on their devices.
The First Deputy Governor of the BoG, Dr Maxwell Opoku-Afari, said in a speech read on his behalf that the BoG had observed a growing trend of unlicensed entities providing credit products to the public through mobile applications in contravention of the law.
He said this posed risks to consumer protection, data privacy, identity theft, money laundering and terrorism financing, among others.
He said the BoG had established regulatory and supervisory systems to promote a digital financial service space of integrity that safeguarded the interest of consumers.
Ho, the regional capital of Volta, was submerged in floods last Saturday, after a downpour that was the heaviest in three decades.
The rain, which lasted for six hours, measured 189.2 millimetres, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The second highest rainfall recorded in Ho during the period was 152.2 millimetres in 2006.
The floods affected several areas, including Ho-Bankoe, Ho-Donokodzi, Ho Barracks-New Town, Ho-Adzimakope, and Ho-Powerhouse. More than 1,000 people were displaced and many properties were damaged.
The EPA and the Ho District Meteorological Office attributed the floods to choked and narrow drains, as well as structures built on waterways.
The EPA Regional Director, Hope Smith Lomotey, warned that the people living in low-lying areas along water courses must relocate to higher grounds as soon as possible, as more rains were expected in the coming days.
He also urged the residents to respect the environment and dispose of their rubbish properly to avoid blocking the gutters.
He said the final destination of flowing water was the sea and once its course was blocked the result was often disastrous.
“We must all respect the environment to avoid a repetition of this kind of horror in future,” he said.
The Ho Central MP, Benjamin Kpodo, blamed the Ho Municipal Assembly for failing to enforce its environmental by-laws and building regulations.
He said the assembly was negligent in allowing people to build on waterways and not clearing the drains regularly.
He called on the assembly to take immediate action to prevent further floods in the area.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is still assessing the damage caused by the floods and providing relief to the affected people.
The Regional Programme Manager of the WMO, Dr Ernest Afiesimama, said Africa was already facing severe challenges from climate change such as floods and droughts, which were affecting the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people.
He warned that the situation would worsen in the coming years, as Africa was more vulnerable and less resilient to the effects of climate change, due to its high exposure, fragility and low capacity.
Dr Afiesimama was speaking at a workshop in Accra last Tuesday, where climate experts from across the continent gathered to review the annual state of climate (SoC)report for Africa.
The report is a comprehensive assessment of the climate variability, trends and impacts in Africa, produced by the African Union Commission and the WMO, with technical support from the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development and other regional climate centres.
The three-day workshop aimed at refining the report and exploring additional products to provide relevant and reliable information for optimal climate actions to support Africa’s negotiation positions on mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage.
Gaps
Dr Afiesimama, who presented the report, said that about 60 per cent of people in Africa lacked access to early warning systems, which made them unable to take preventive measures to protect their lives and properties from climate hazards.
He cited some examples of the devastating impacts of climate change in Africa, such as the drought-related hazards that killed more than half a million people and caused over $70 billion in economic losses in the past 50 years.
He also mentioned the drought in Southern Africa in 2015 that led to up to two per cent reduction in GDP growth in some countries, as well as the floods caused by heavy rains and cyclones that affected millions of people and resulted in billions of dollars in losses and damages across the continent.
He said Ghana was not spared from these climate threats, as it experienced severe flooding in many parts of the country last year.
“So this is the message to all governments; we need to begin to do things differently to avoid these climate threats. In this workshop, we expect experts to come up with how we can do things differently,” he said.
Solutions
The Board Chairman of the Ghana Meteorological Agency, Isaac Amoo, said Ghana had been suffering from its share of climate change disasters, such as flooding and tidal waves.
He said while Ghana was dealing with these problems, its neighbouring countries in the Sahara region were facing drought and desertification.
Mr Amoo expressed hope that the workshop would enable the experts to share knowledge, experiences and strategies that would benefit the continent.
Ghana has lost its status as the most peaceful country in West Africa, according to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI) released last week.
The country also dropped from the second to the fourth position in Africa, behind Mauritius, Botswana and Sierra Leone.
The GPI ranks 163 countries, covering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population, based on 23 indicators from reputable sources. These indicators measure the level of safety and security in society, the extent of domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council (NPC), Rev. Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, disclosed this at a two-day national dialogue on improving civilian-security agency relations for the prevention of violent extremism in Ghana.
He said that factors such as armed robbery, attacks on journalists, political violence, land guard menace and public perceptions contributed to the decline in Ghana’s peace score.
He was speaking at the event held at Prampram in the Greater Accra Regionyesterday, which brought together personnel of the Ghana Police Service and representatives from various political parties.
The event was organised by the NPC and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and funded by the Netherlands Embassy. It was part of a project named “Prevention of violent extremism through social accountability (PoVETSA)”.
Enhancing trust
Rev. Dr Adu-Gyamfi stressed the need to enhance trust and confidence between the security agencies and the civilian population to prevent extremism and promote understanding and tolerance in the country, especially ahead of the 2024 general election.
He said that since 2020, the NPC had undertaken several programmes to build resilience against terrorism and violent extremism. These included engaging more than 100 student leaders across the country, training more than 400 youths in all the regions and reaching out to more than 200 fisherfolk and commercial drivers on ways to prevent the insurgents from infiltrating the country.
He also expressed concern about protracted chieftaincy conflicts and unresolved disputes within and between political parties, which he said could create opportunities for violence and extremism.
“Other unresolved conflicts, including intra and inter-party elections at all levels, must be holistically dealt with so that they do not serve as motivation for violence and provide impetus for aggrieved individuals to use unlawful means to seek revenge,” he added.
Challenges
The Country Representative of CRS, Daniel Mumuni, said there had been instances where trust between political parties and security agencies in the country had been strained, leading to a sense of apprehension within the society.
He said such situations endangered democratic processes and undermined national development. He added that establishing a vibrant peace-building infrastructure would strengthen partnerships and promote inclusive and participatory governance.
The Tema Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Daniel Kwame Afriyie, said his outfit had embarked on a transformation agenda to position itself as a world-class institution.
He said this was being done through engaging various stakeholders in communities to ensure law and order prevailed.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has slammed the party for letting down one of its major donors, Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinneh.
He said that Ms Asomah-Hinneh, the owner of Labianca Company, a cold store business in Tema, had generously supported the NPP with funds and vehicles, but was rewarded with neglect and sabotage that led to the collapse of her company.
Speaking to NPP delegates in Berekum as part of his campaign tour, Mr Agyapong revealed that Ms Asomah-Hinneh was so traumatised by the party’s ingratitude that she could not bear to hear the name of a certain minister from the Ashanti Region.
“She paid duty for 80 pick up cars that we used for our campaign… But today, her business is gone under an NPP government. There is one minister who owes her an apology; he thinks he has it all.
“A young minister from Ashanti Region who makes her so sick that whenever she mentions his name, she says ‘Ken, let me visit the loo and come.’
“I swear to God. You can feel her pain for all the sacrifices she made for the party and how NPP has repaid her; very ungrateful human beings,” he said.
Mr Agyapong also accused some members of the party and the government who are loyal to a specific candidate of being unfair to him as well.
He urged the delegates to vote wisely and not to fall for empty promises or they would also suffer in the future.
The NPP on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, cleared all ten aspirants who filed to contest the flagbearership race.
The ten, including Mr Agyapong, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, will face a super delegates congress where the number will be reduced to five before the party’s main congress on November 4, 2023.
Did you know that Shatta Wale, the dancehall king of Ghana, is actually a shy guy in real life?
Yes he is! According to the Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Nadia Adongo Musah Fynn, who recently appeared on TV3’s Today’s Woman show, the Dancehall artiste is reserved in his private life!
During the interview, Nadia was asked about her favorite Ghanaian musicians, and she didn’t hold back in expressing her admiration for several artists, including Prof Atamina, Atembila, Gyakie, and of course, Shatta Wale.
As the discussion unfolded, Nadia dropped the bombshell about Shatta Wale’s hidden shyness, leaving the show’s host, Cookie T, in disbelief.
“You gonna get me in trouble but it’s Shatta I just love his spirit, I think he’s hilarious. He is a very shy person when you know him personally,” she revealed.
Nadia, who happens to be married to Why Fynn, a close confidant of the Dancehall king, assured Cookie T that she knewShatta Waleon a personal level and could vouch for his shy nature.
This revelation surprised many, considering Shatta Wale’s typically lively and humorous personality that shines through in his music and public appearances.
Cookie T, still skeptical about Shatta Wale’s shyness, jokingly mentioned that she would call him later to confirm this intriguing revelation.
However, Nadia stood firm in her statement, emphasizing that she had firsthand experience with Shatta Wale’s private persona.
Of course, Ghanaians couldn’t resist sharing their thoughts on social media. Some expressed disbelief with a series of laughing emojis, while others chimed in with remarks about showbiz and the complexities of Shatta Wale’s personality.
So, the next time you see Shatta Wale lighting up the stage with his energetic performances, remember that behind the confident facade lies a shy and private individual.
It’s this intriguing contrast that adds depth to his artistry and keeps us captivated.
Adjetey Anang and his wife Elom had a long and emotional journey to parenthood.
They had been married for six years without a child and they decided to seek medical and spiritual help. But their visits to the fertility clinics were not always pleasant.
In fact, they were often awkward and uncomfortable.
In his memoir, Adjetey Anang reveals how he and his wife had to deal with the unwanted attention of doctors and nurses who wanted to take selfies with them, while they were going through a sensitive and personal issue.
The actor, who is known for his roles in movies and TV shows such as Things We Do for Love, said he found it hard to cope with the public exposure of his private life.
“My husband is largely a very private person; I’m more friendly and open. So being in the hospital and visiting the fertility clinics wasn’t too easy for him,” Elom said.
She added: “There were incidents where we went for tests and the nurses and doctors would be asking for selfies and pictures with him when we were deep in the emotional roller-coaster of the reasons for these visits.”
She said she felt unsettled by the lack of empathy and sensitivity from the medical staff who overlooked their pain and sought to satisfy their personal desires by taking pictures with Adjetey.
Despite these challenges, the couple did not give up on their dream of having a child. They also relied on the support and prayers of some pastors who encouraged them in their faith journey.
Elom mentioned Rev. Christopher Annor, Dr. Mensa Otabil and Prophet El Bernard as some of the men of God who were pivotal in their difficult moments.
Their prayers were answered in their seventh year of marriage, when they welcomed their son Ryan-Dew Adjei Edem Anang. The couple celebrated their miracle baby with joy and gratitude.
Adjetey Anang, 50, launched his memoir on his golden jubilee anniversary. The memoir titled ‘Adjetey Anang: A story of Faith, Imperfection and Resilience’ tells his journey to stardom, his impact, lessons, struggles, and sacrifices over the years.
Adjetey Anang and his wife Elom had been married for six years without a child. They had tried everything, from medical treatments to prayers, but nothing seemed to work.
They were losing hope and faith, until they met Dr. Mensa Otabil, the founder and leader of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC).
In his memoir, Adjetey Anang reveals how a casual meeting with the renowned preacher turned into a life-changing moment for him and his wife.
The couple, who were members of the youth ministry at ICGC, had gone to see Dr. Otabil to discuss his plans for performing arts in the church. But Dr. Otabil had something else in mind.
He asked them how long they had been married and what the doctors were saying about their situation.
They opened up to him and shared their frustrations and challenges. Then he did something really special. He stopped the discussion and asked them to join him in prayer.
He asked them if they could agree with him that God would give them a child in their seventh year of marriage.
They agreed. He held their hands and declared: “In the seventh year of your marriage, you shall have your baby”. They all agreed and prayed over the decree.
The following year was their seventh year of marriage and coincidentally, the theme for ICGC that year was ‘Perfection’, perfection with reference to the number seven. And lo and behold, Elom conceived in the seventh year and gave birth to their son, just as they had agreed!
Elom also recalls how two other pastors – Rev. Christopher Annor and Prophet El Bernard – had prophesied about their child and how their fervent prayers led to a miracle.
“These three men of God – Rev. Christopher Annor, Dr. Mensa Otabil and Prophet El Bernard – were pivotal in our faith journey and their words of encouragement helped sustain us in our difficult moments,” she says.
Adjetey Anang, 50, launched his memoir on his golden jubilee anniversary. The memoir titled ‘Adjetey Anang: A story of Faith, Imperfection and Resilience’ tells his journey to stardom, his impact, lessons, struggles, and sacrifices over the years.
It also reveals the relatable individual behind the varied captivating screen characters he has played over the years, including the legendary Pusher from the iconic TV series Things We Do for Love.
Nigerian actor and lawyer, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has a strong message for ladies who go for BBL surgery to get bigger buttocks.
The Nollywood legend shared a video on his Instagram page, where he slammed the trend of butt enhancement and questioned its benefits.
He wondered why married women don’t get sponsored by their husbands to do BBL, but only girlfriends get funded by their boyfriends.
He likened BBL surgeryto secondary school romance, saying that only a few of such relationships lead to marriage. He also noted that many ladies who do BBL end up single and unhappy.
“If Bum Bum enlargement was profitable, why are husbands not giving their wives money to do it? Bum bum enlargement is like boyfriend/girlfriend relationship in Secondary School, not up to the 3% end in marriage. Sadly, this But thing many if the ladies, do not end as wives”.
Kanayo then cursed any man who would pressure his daughter to do BBL surgery, saying that thunder would strike such a person.
He advised ladies to be content with their natural bodies and avoid unnecessary risks and complications.
Watch the video below and tell us what you think. Do you agree with Kanayo’s views on BBL surgery?
You may remember the rumours that Ghanaian actress and socialite Efia Odo and rapper Kwesi Arthur were dating a while ago.
Well, it turns out they were just friends, and now Kwesi has a new lady in his life. How does Efia feel about that? She’s happy for him, she says!
In an exclusive interview with ZionFelix, the U.S based assistant nurse who relocated to Ghana said that love is a beautiful thing and she’s glad that her former pal has found it.
Efia Odo and Kwesi Arthur
She also shut down any speculation that she might be jealous of Kwesi’s new relationship.
“Why would I be jealous? He’s my friend and I want him to be happy,” she said.
Efia also revealed that she and Kwesistopped talking before he met his new girlfriend.
Nollywood legend, Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has had enough of his fans and followers treating him like a cash machine. The actor took to his Instagram page to rant about how he gets bombarded with messages asking for money every day.
In a video, the hilarious star said he was fed up with the situation and shared some of the outrageous requests he gets in his DMs. He said some people beg him for huge sums of money, like $35,000 (N26m), while others ask for small change. He said these people act like he owes them something and that he has no problems of his own.
“Guys, I dey vex o. I am not happy. This thing is getting out of hand. How can you people turn my DM to Bank of Industry? If I open my DM every time all I see is ‘oga, bros please…please… please…’ Jesus! It is too much. The way you guys dey beg this thing na like say we no get responsibility, ” he said
Aki pleaded with his fans to stop harassing him for money because even celebrities have challenges and bills to pay. He said he loves his fans but they should respect his privacy and boundaries.
What do you think of Aki’s message?Do you agree with him or do you think he should be more generous? Let us know in the comments below!
Do you remember your first crush? The one who made your heart flutter and your palms sweat? The one who left you wondering what could have been?
Well, you’re not alone. Even celebrities have had their fair share of heartbreaks, and Adjetey Anang is no exception.
In his memoir ‘Adjetey Anang: A story of Faith, Imperfection and Resilience’, which he launched on his 50th birthday, the actor opened up about his first love gone wrong.
He was in secondary school when he met a girl who was “pretty and sweet” and who he enjoyed spending time with. They were friends, but he secretly hoped for more.
He was careful “not to show too much affection, especially in school”. They visited each other’s homes and had fun together.
But then, tragedy struck. One day, during the holidays, he went to see her but she was nowhere to be found. Her sister told him that she had left for South Africa without telling him.
He was shocked and hurt. He felt “a deep pain in his heart” and wondered why she didn’t say goodbye. Was it something he did or said? He couldn’t get over her for a long time.
Fast forward to the present, he recently reconnected with her on social media. He asked her why she left him hanging.
She said she was sorry and that she didn’t know how to break the news to him. She said it was hard for her too because she liked him a lot. They laughed it off and wished each other well.
Adjetey Anang is now happily married to Elom Anang for sixteen years. They have a son called Ryan-Dew Adjei Edem Anang who the book is dedicated to.
The memoir tells Adjetey Anang’s journey to stardom, his impact, lessons, struggles, and the sacrifices which have shaped him over the years.
It also reveals the relatable individual behind the varied captivating screen characters he has played over the years, including the legendary Pusher from the iconic TV series Things We Do for Love.
If you want to know more about this amazing actor and his inspiring story, grab a copy of his book today!
Amidst the intense tension between Sarkodie and Yvonne Nelson, along with the varying opinions from the public, Adjetey Anang has reached out to the actress, advising her to ignore derogatory comments and stay focused on her school and her mission to provide children with a better education.
During an appearance on UTV’s United Showbiz, as monitored by GhanaWeb, Adjetey Anang, who is set to launch his book, emphasised the importance of Yvonne paying no attention to negative remarks, as reacting could potentially harm her.
“I just encouraged her that as much as possible, she should try to be insensitive to the comments,” Adjetey Anang said. “Some people are saying all sorts of things so paying attention won’t help.”
“Her focus should be on her kindergarten; that should give her joy. I encouraged her to cut the responses because some time ago, that was what I did and it landed me into trouble.”
On June 18, 2023, Yvonne Nelson released a memoir titled ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson,’ which delved into various life experiences, including her encounter with Sarkodie and her search for her father. She revealed how she had to make the difficult decision to terminate her pregnancy since Sarkodie did not support keeping the child. She also shared her desire to spare the child from the pain she experienced growing up without a father.
In response, Sarkodie released a song in which he clarified that Yvonne should not portray him as the one pushing for the abortion. He mentioned that Yvonne rejected his doctor’s assistance and opted for a different doctor suggested by her friend, claiming that he was the best. Sarkodie added that Yvonne should not claim to be a good girl as she is involved with multiple men, and he only learned about her sexual escapades recently.
This controversy has sparked a division of opinions, with some criticizing Sarkodie for his nonchalant attitude and disrespect towards women, while others defend him for presenting his side of the story. Adjetey Anang believes that despite expressing opinions, people should remain sensitive.
“It’s very difficult for me that two of the people I admire in a lot of ways are clashing,” he told MzGee. “I can’t condemn anybody; I can’t judge anybody. I just hope that there is a healing; that we won’t dwell on the negativity people are throwing into this. We’re not in their shoes, we can only comment on what we heard.
“Let us have a human touch; be a bit sensitive to these people so we don’t break them apart.”
Actress, movie producer, and author Yvonne Nelson faces potential estrangement from her own family due to revelations in her memoir, ‘I am not Yvonne Nelson.’
According to a report from entertainment portal GhPage, an unnamed member of Yvonne’s mother’s family disclosed that the content of the book has had a severe impact on her mother’s well-being.
The memoir discusses various aspects of Yvonne’s life, including her mother’s role as a single parent, but also highlights the mother’s failure to disclose the true identity of Yvonne’s father, which has caused turmoil within the family.
The concerned relative expressed their distress, stating, “Auntie Maggie, I am very close to her, but since the release of her book, the family has faced disgrace and numerous family meetings have been held. Yvonne Nelson’s mother, whom I am close to, has been admitted to the hospital due to high blood pressure, and we fear the potential consequences. Yvonne has had to display patience in certain instances.”
Furthermore, the relative added, “While Yvonne may think she is protecting her mother from disgrace, ultimately, it is the family that bears the brunt of the repercussions. People are now vilifying the family on social media, and this situation has taken on the nature of a curse.”
About Yvonne Nelson’s book
“I Am Not Yvonne Nelson” is a captivating and revealing account of a young woman’s journey to self-discovery, only to realize she has been living under a false identity.
This enthralling story, filled with drama and unexpected twists, could easily be mistaken for a spellbinding movie script. However, the protagonist, being an actor herself, grapples with the reality that often leaves her pillow wet with tears.
Unconventionally honest, the author bares it all to her readers, providing an intimate glimpse into her own life and exposing not only the good, but also the bad and the ugly sides of both her personal experiences and the glamourous world of celebrities.
The book launch was attended by industry stalwarts, businessmen, politicians, and notable media personalities.
Renowned architect behind projects such as the National Cathedral, SirDavid Adjaye, has been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by three women who were formerly employed by him. The allegations, which have been thoroughly investigated by the Financial Times, shed light on a work culture marked by exploitation and misconduct.
The three women, who share common characteristics of being black, in their forties, and single mothers, joined Adjaye’s firmwith the belief that it would support their families and showcase black talent in the architectural industry. However, their encounters with the architect disrupted their careers, put them in precarious financial situations, and caused severe mental distress. They have come forward to protect other women from similar abuse and shed light on Adjaye’s private behavior.
According to the Financial Times, their investigation involved interviews with colleagues, family members, and friends who were confidants of the women, as well as a review of contemporaneous emails, documents, and text messages. The accounts of the women were corroborated, revealing a troubling work environment marred by exploitation and misconduct.
Prince William bestows knighthood upon David Adjaye at Buckingham Palace in 2017 on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. (Source: Yui Mok/PA)
Two of the women, Maya and Gene, moved to Ghana in 2018 to assist Adjaye in establishing an architectural office in Accra. However, their expectations clashed with reality as the Accra office frequently delayed salary payments and took time to secure work visas, leaving them financially vulnerable. When Maya and Gene confronted Adjaye about these issues during a dinner meeting, the situation escalated.
Maya and Gene allege that after the dinner, Adjaye led them to his corporate apartment where he engaged in sexual assault and harassment. Adjaye denies these allegations, maintaining that the encounter was consensual and limited to a social interaction. However, the emotional impact on the women and their subsequent conversations with friends lend credibility to their accounts.
Maya also alleges that Adjaye sexually assaulted her at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, forcing her into a bathroom and violating her against her will. Adjaye offers a different version of events, claiming that they entered the bathroom to transfer rugs to Maya’s luggage. The stark contrast between the two narratives leaves room for interpretation, but Maya’s emotional trauma and subsequent mental health struggles cannot be dismissed.
The women’s accounts of the events reveal a pattern of abuse and exploitation. Gene said, “I said, ‘No, this is not right’… I said he was our employer. But he persisted. He applied more pressure, and the feeling was, if you don’t do this, you’re silly, you’re stupid.” Maya felt overpowered and violated during the encounter, describing it as an assault. Both women confronted Adjaye about his abuse of power.
Maya’s mental health spiraled into anger, depression, and suicidal thoughts following the incidents, as confirmed by colleagues and family members. She attempted to raise a grievance within the firm but was dismissed without notice. Maya later sent a personal email to Adjaye describing the assault and demanding compensation, which resulted in a cease and desist letter accusing her of extortion.
Gene’s employment also ended in acrimony, with promises of a loan for rent remaining unfulfilled, causing financial distress. She was eventually dismissed from her job and offered a financial settlement. The events have had a devastating effect on her health and family life.
Multiple former employees of Adjaye’s firm have also voiced complaints about the work environment, describing a disorganized and frantic workplace with long hours and inadequate compensation. The business, which has offices in London, Accra, and New York, has faced allegations of prioritizing a personality cult over employee well-being.
The allegations against Adjaye, a highly respected figure in the architectural industry, have raised concerns about the treatment of women and work culture within the profession.
Who is Sir David Adjaye
Sir David Adjaye is a renowned architect who has made significant contributions to the field of architecture. With an impressive portfolio of projects around the world, Adjaye’s designs are known for their unique blend of innovation, cultural sensitivity, and social impact.
Adjaye’s illustrious career reached new heights with the 2016 inauguration of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. (Source: J Byard/Getty Images)Abu Dhabi’s Abrahamic Family House, a project by Adjaye, opens with mosque, church, synagogue, and interfaith forum (Source: Balkis Press/ABACA/Shutterstock).
Born in Tanzania in 1966, Sir David Adjaye spent his childhood in various countries across Africa and the Middle East. This multicultural upbringing greatly influenced his artistic sensibilities and later became a defining characteristic of his architectural style. Adjaye’s interest in architecture began at a young age, and he went on to study architecture at the Royal College of Art in London.
After completing his studies, Sir David Adjaye founded his own architectural firm, Adjaye Associates, in 2000. The firm quickly gained recognition for its innovative designs and commitment to social impact. One of Adjaye’s earliest notable projects was the Idea Store in Whitechapel, London. This groundbreaking community center combined a library, adult education center, and cultural space, all housed in a striking contemporary building.
Sir David Adjaye’s architectural style is characterized by a harmonious fusion of modernism and cultural references. He draws inspiration from diverse sources, including African art, music, and the urban landscapes of the cities he has lived in. Adjaye’s designs often incorporate bold geometric shapes, intricate detailing, and a thoughtful use of light and materials. His buildings stand out as architectural landmarks, seamlessly blending into their surroundings while making a powerful visual statement.
Lady Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye is the global head of research at Sir David Adjaye’s architectural practice. (Source: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Over the course of his career, Sir David Adjaye has worked on numerous high-profile projects that have garnered international acclaim. One of his most famous creations is the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. This iconic building showcases Adjaye’s ability to capture the spirit of a community and create a space that tells a powerful story.
Another notable project is the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway. Adjaye’s design for this museum and exhibition space reflects his commitment to social justice and peace-building. The building’s striking exterior and innovative use of materials make it a true architectural masterpiece.
Despite the controversy surrounding him it remains to be seen how they will impact his future prospects and the perception of his work.
In a night marred by violence, a staggering 249 police officers and gendarmes suffered injuries, according to the Ministry of the Interior. The turmoil unfolded amidst what the French interior minister described as “rare violence,” with emergency services demonstrating commendable bravery in their response.
The aftermath this morning in Nanterre presents a starkly different scene. Where yesterday’s streets were littered with burned, vandalized, and overturned cars, today reveals the aftermath of looting that occurred in various parts of the Paris suburb.
The damage is evident: a broken-into gas station with shattered glass strewn across the floor and smashed security cameras. Across the street, a small tobacco shop lies in ruins. Such acts of looting have extended beyond Nanterre, with incidents reported on Rue de Rivoli, near the Louvre Museum and the Champs Elysées.
Image source: Reuters via BBC
The situation represents a significant escalation in unrest, with no signs of abating. Overnight, a depot in Aubervilliers witnessed the targeting of twelve buses, resulting in severe damage. RATP, the city’s transport company, strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing the essential role these assets play in public services. Passengers are now being warned about the significant disruptions to bus and tram services.
Image source: Reuters via BBC
Transport Minister Clement Beaune expressed his dismay on Twitter, highlighting the impact on the most vulnerable members of society who rely on these public services. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne echoed these sentiments, describing the events in France as “unbearable and inexcusable” following a meeting with ministers this morning. She reiterated her unwavering support for the police and other emergency services, recognizing their courageous efforts amid ongoing unrest.
Image source: @Elisabeth_Borne/Twitter via BBC
Addressing concerns of alleged racism within the police force, a prominent member of one of France’s main police unions staunchly denied the accusations. Thierry Clair, the deputy secretary-general of UNSAD-Police, dismissed claims that the force targets individuals based on their skin color. He emphasized that people are controlled and arrested based on factual considerations rather than racial profiling. While acknowledging isolated incidents of misconduct that led to sanctions or dismissals, Clair asserted that such behavior was marginal, comparable to what can be found in any organization or institution.
Image source: Reuters via BBC
Clair further asserted that his colleagues hail from diverse backgrounds, with many forming relationships with individuals of different races and religions. He unequivocally stated that it would be a fallacy to label the entire police force as racist, as these few instances do not represent the overall character of the institution.
As tensions continue to simmer amidst the ongoing unrest, France grapples with the consequences of a complex situation that demands careful attention and a commitment to address underlying issues of trust and social cohesion.
