Certain members of the Minority Members of Parliament have expressed their view that Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, acted unlawfully by keeping significant amounts of money in her house, which has allegedly been stolen by her house helps.
The Minister and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, were reportedly robbed by two of their house helps, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, between July and October 2022.
The house helps have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, involving large sums of money in different currencies and valuable items.
Three other individuals, including a plumber, a trader, and an unemployed person, have also been charged for dishonestly receiving stolen funds.
The accused allegedly used the stolen money to finance various purchases and properties.
In court, one of the house helps, Sarah Agyei, was granted bail, and the case has been scheduled for further investigation.
Speaking in parliament the Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, , Yussif Sulemana, called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately dismiss the Minister while investigations into the source and legitimacy of the money take place.
He emphasized that such actions would demonstrate a commitment to fighting corruption within the government.
The NDC MP for the Kumbungu constituency, Hamza Adam, also expressed shock at the situation, stating that if proven true, the Minister’s possession of such large sums of money at her residence would be unlawful.
Both MPs have demanded a thorough investigation to ascertain the origin of the funds and appropriate legal actions to be taken.
The Right to Information (RTI) Commission has introduced its ambitious “Pathway to Open and Transparent Governance” plan, aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and public access to information from government institutions.
Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, commended the Commission’s forward-thinking approach and emphasized the significance of their comprehensive five-year strategic plan during the unveiling event in Accra on July 20, 2023.
Executive Secretary, Yaw Sarpong Boateng, highlighted the plan’s commitment to fostering a culture of openness and responsiveness in public institutions and called for continued support from all stakeholders to achieve improved information dissemination, empowered citizens, and a more inclusive approach to governance over the next five years.
He said, ” I want to, in particular, commend the RTI Commission for putting up this five-year strategic plan. They’re not only thinking about year by year what they are doing, but they have decided to think through the medium term and outline this five-year strategic plan that we want to outdoor. That is why we need to commend them strongly.”
The Member of Parliament (MP) representing Bole Bamboi, Yussif Sulemana, has accused the government of causing financial losses to the state through its decision to import semi-processed sugar for refining at the Komenda Sugar Factory in the Central Region.
In 2016, Parliament had approved a substantial amount of $24 million for the cultivation of sugarcane, with the intention of providing sufficient raw materials for the factory. However, the government failed to utilize these funds effectively, leading to the factory becoming non-functional.
After the Minister for Trade and Industry, KT Hammond, addressed questions concerning the factory in Parliament, Sulemana spoke to journalists, expressing his concerns about the missed opportunities for the nation’s youth due to the government’s inaction.
He pointed out that the government’s choice to import semi-processed sugar instead of supporting local production is detrimental to the country’s economy. The approved facility’s funds were intended to be drawn down for the benefit of sugarcane farmers, but the government allegedly refused to do so, resulting in a lack of necessary resources for cultivation.
By relying on imports rather than promoting domestic production, the government has denied citizens potential livelihoods and the employment opportunities that the functional factory could have created for them. Sulemana emphasized that this decision adversely affects the people and their aspirations for better job prospects and economic growth.
“Today, you are importing semi-processed sugar. Isn’t that a loss for us? Parliament approved the facility and asked that you should draw down the funds. You arrogantly refused to draw down the money. Today, we are unable to give the needed resources for the farmers to be able to cultivate the sugarcane,” he said.
“So, what you are now doing is to import semi-processed sugar. What you are doing is denying the people a source of livelihood. What you are doing is that you are denying people the needed jobs that we had wanted to create for them,” he underscored.
Ghana’s education financing is facing severe challenges, stated by the Executive Secretary of the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST-Ghana), Peter Partey Anti.
The difficult financial situation has compelled headmasters and headmistresses to adopt innovative methods to sustain children’s education.
Unfortunately, the efforts of these school administrators are not being fully appreciated by the education management.
During an interview with the media on Thursday, July 20, Mr. Partey Anti discussed the issue in response to the interdiction of Dr. Mrs. Shine Agatha Ofori, the headmistress of West Africa Senior High School.
“Unfortunately, a lot of us who have raised these issues have not gotten the needed support from the authorities and that is why some of the headmistresses and headmasters also are finding ways and means to ensure that they are able to still sustain the kids and provide them with the needed kind of education.
“Unfortunately, the managers of our education do not appreciate these gestures, these innovative ideas, and ways of solving problems and therefore they always see these as illegal.”
NAGRAT President, Angel Carbonu, advised the heads of various senior high schools to maintain a distance and let the existing challenges in the schools persist.
According to him, this approach is necessary to draw the government’s attention to the actual problems within the educational system and prompt them to take appropriate actions for resolution.
He believes that if school administrators always take the lead in resolving issues, the government may mistakenly assume that everything is in order, and thus neglect the underlying problems that need attention and action.
“Sometimes I also blame the heads, they are too enthusiastic to ensure that there is education for the students. I will advise in the current situation, the heads of the schools should also stay aloof.
“Maybe they are not staying aloof enough for the government to see that there is a problem, they are being moved by the need to provide good education and take action that will get them into trouble. We are calling for the reinstatement of the headmistress of West Africa SHS because the problem is bigger than the incident that occurred in WASS,” he said at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, July 20 while reacting to the interdiction of the Headmistress of West Africa Senior High School.
Football pundit, Charles Taylor, has heavily criticized Black Stars head coach Chris Houghton, citing his lack of tactical abilities and calling for his removal.
Taylor believes Houghton cannot create opportunities for talented Ghanaian players and has been using older players, leading to poor results.
“Chris Hughton doesn’t deserve to be the Black Stars coach; his tactical abilities are very low. He can’t create competition among the players, he always uses old players, getting abysmal results. He needs to be sacked”, he told Angel TV.
Houghton was appointed as Ghana’s head coach in February and has won one and drawn two games during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
However, there is growing criticism about his performance, and his next challenges are the AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Ghanaian Banabas Tagoe, aged 19, has joined Malmö FF with a three-and-a-half-year contract after impressive trials with the U19 youth team.
The left-back caught the club’s management’s attention through his outstanding performances in U21 friendly matches and intensive training sessions with the U19 set-up.
“Malmö FF strengthens the academy with Banabas Tagoe.
The 19-year-old Ghanaian has spent the past few months on trial with the association’s U19 team.
During his first time in MFF, Tagoe has been tested as a left-back but also has experience of playing in more offensive positions.”
“Initially, Banabas Tagoe will train with the P19 team. He has signed a contract that runs until the end of 2026. We warmly welcome Tagoe to Malmö FF!”
Hearts of Oak is looking at former Ghana international Laryea Kingston for the coaching position ahead of the upcoming football season.
Currently the team is without a permanent head coach after parting ways with David Ocloo.
Reports suggest that talks are underway with the assistant coach of the Ghana U-17 team to take over as head coach for the 2023-24 season.
Laryea Kingston previously played for the Accra-based team for two seasons, in 2001-2003 and 2012-2013.
Earlier this year, he was selected to replace Paa Kwesi Fabin’s backroom staff as the Black Starlets’ assistant coach and led the team to victory in the UEFA four-nation tournament in 2023.
With the new season expected to begin in September, Hearts of Oak is looking to finalize the coaching position to prepare for the upcoming challenges.
Laryea Kingston’s experience as a former player and his coaching success make him a potential candidate to lead the team in the upcoming Ghana Premier League season.
Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie, has revealed how he coped with Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson’s abortion claims and the passing of his lawyer, Cynthia Quarcoo.
In an interview with American radio personality Angela Yee, he shared that he had to navigate through the actress’ allegations while dealing with the unfortunate loss of his lawyer, who typically provided guidance during such challenging times.
“In the heat of the moment the first to hit me up was my lawyer, so early in the morning I was trying to tease her and I sent her Mama Cee don’t you care about what is happening because you would hit me and say what are we doing. The sad news is that she was dead at the same time. I saw two ticks go, because she would have responded within 5 minutes. It took hours and then I heard she is no more. So just within that short period was tough,” he added.
The loss of Madam Cynthia, the visionary behind Africa 1 Media, was a significant blow to the entertainment industry, as she played a vital role in managing Ghanaian musicians.
Touching on the motive behind composing a song in response to Yvonne’s assertions Sarkodie explained that the topic of abortion was sensitive, and he would have preferred not to discuss it in the media under normal circumstances.
However, he felt hurt by the public’s response and how his name was dragged through the mud due to Yvonne’s claims.
As a way to cope with his emotions, he decided to express himself through a song, initially with no intention of making it public.
The rapper clarified that he wasn’t influenced by anyone to compose the song and kept his management unaware of his plans.
He stressed that it was a personal decision to channel his feelings into music and address the situation in his own way.
“I sneaked to the studio to record it. I didn’t want to hear any advice, I wasn’t like the whole team sat down and said this is good to go. I did it personally for myself,” he added.
Yvonne Nelson’s memoir, launched on June 18, 2023, brought the issue to light. In her book, she disclosed her past relationship with Sarkodie, stating that she had an abortion because both of them at the time were not ready to be parents.
Sarkodie’s song, ‘Try Me,’ sparked mixed reactions, with some criticizing his use of vulgar words while others defended his right to respond to the allegations.
As Sarkodie shares his journey through challenging times, fans are left in awe of his candidness and resilience in the face of controversy. The interview offers an engaging insight into the emotions and experiences that fuel the artistry of the talented rapper.
Ghanaian dancehall star Stonebwoy will be visiting the Accra Technical Training Center (ATTC) to provide an unforgettable musical experience to the students, free of charge.
The students impressed Stonebwoy and netizens with their viral dance video to his hit song “Apotheke.”
In response to their energetic performance, Stonebwoy promised the students a free music show once he returns to Accra from his tour.
Stonebwoy encouraged the students to reach out to his team directly to coordinate the event, and they eagerly accepted his generous offer, looking forward to the much-anticipated music show.
Stonebwoy, known for his powerful and energetic performances, is a multiple award-winning musician with a dedicated fan base both in Ghana and internationally.
His gesture exemplifies the power of social media in connecting artists with their fans and serves as an inspiration for other musicians to give back to their communities through their art.
The date for the free show is yet to be announced, and the students at ATTC are eagerly anticipating the exciting event.
Michael Owusu Addo, known as Sarkodie, has revealed that his tell-it-all track, ‘Try Me,’ was leaked by unknown individuals, prompting him to release it on his YouTube page.
According to him, he had recorded the song in response to Yvonne Nelson’s memoir, but he had only shared it with close individuals and kept it private from his team.
One night, around 2 am, Sarkodie noticed the song had gone viral on Twitter, and people had already shared it.
“Yes,” he responded when the host said: “It felt like somebody leaked it first, maybe you didn’t even intend to put it out.”
He was taken aback as he hadn’t intended to release it at that time. However, given the situation, he decided to officially publish the track.
Sarkodie clarified that his team had no knowledge of the song’s release, and he didn’t seek their approval before its publication.
“It was in the middle of the night, around 2am and I see on Twitter it’s gone crazy and people have put out the record. I have no idea because I didn’t give it to…
“I did it just to hold on to it, then when it came out, I was just like let me put it out,” he added.
Unfortunately, during this time, his lawyer, who would usually provide guidance in such situations, passed away, leaving him without her support and advice.
This was Sarkodie’s response to Yvonne Nelson’s memoir, ‘I am not Yvonne Nelson,’ which delves into the details of their past relationship and an abortion that the actress and movie producer had.
American radio personality, Angela Yee has expressed disappointment after listening to Sarkodie’s song ‘Try Me,’ which was a response to Yvonne Nelson’s claims that he impregnated her and later drove her to have an abortion.
Angela, who interviewed Sarkodie on Way Up, was taken aback because she believed the rapper preferred to avoid addressing personal issues publicly.
She questioned Sarkodie’s decision to make the song, considering his usual stance of separating personal life from music.
Angela referred to the song as a “diss song” and found it harsh, sharing that it saddened her when she heard it.
She conveyed her reluctance to engage in a back-and-forth exchange on such sensitive matters.
“I cannot believe you did that because I felt you tried your hardest to not engage; you’ve even said you want to keep your personal life separate from music,” she said, adding, “But in this particular situation, you’ve had to address things that have been said about you.”
“What’s your decision in making this song? People are calling it a diss song. It is harsh, I’ll say because it hurt my heart when I heard it; I’d not want to go back and forth with Sark on an issue like this.”
Sarkodie acknowledged that some may have mistaken his leniency for weakness. He explained that the issue of the abortion was sensitive, and he refrained from discussing it in the media to maintain control over how he wanted to present his perspective.
Sarkodie admitted that responding with an entire track was not his typical approach to addressing issues, but he felt compelled to do so in this particular situation.
“It is a sensitive conversation,” he said of the abortion episode, adding “The reason why I didn’t do any media or press thing around it is because I might lose how I will like to present what I will like to present, what I feel about it.”
He clarified that he might not be proud of everything in the song, but it was an authentic expression of his emotions at the time.
Sarkodie emphasized that the matter was personal, and he preferred not to discuss it publicly.
However, he believed that some people took advantage of his silence and made unfounded claims, leading him to respond with the song ‘Try Me.’
“With this situation, I am not going to sit here and say I am super proud of everything. It is just in the moment how I felt, whether being my truth, there should have been a way you could have said it, that is why I don’t like to speak about it,” he added.
“This is a conversation between two people; we could have a conversation if you want to talk about it because it involves me as well. But because people know that Sark doesn’t speak, people think they can say something and get away with it.”
Yvonne Nelson’s memoir, launched on June 18, 2023, brought the issue to light. In her book, she disclosed her past relationship with Sarkodie, stating that she had an abortion to avoid her child growing up without a father, similar to her own experience.
Sarkodie’s subsequent song ‘Try Me’ was met with mixed reactions, with some criticizing his use of vulgar words and others defending his right to respond to the allegations.
Ghanaian artiste Razak Amissah, popularly known as Zack Gh, has confidently stated that he holds the title of the most successful actor cum musician in the entertainment industry.
With over a decade of experience, he has been part of numerous top-notch film and musical projects and is also a music label owner.
Zack Gh believes that successfully navigating both music and acting requires dedication and hard work.
“Doing both music and acting is not an easy venture. You must dedicate your time and be hardworking to become successful. I once managed a record label called BossNation, which brought up many artistes.
“I have acted and produced numerous award-winning movies, and I believe I am the most successful actor to venture into both acting and music,” he said.
As a former manager of the record label BossNation, he has nurtured many talented artists.
Besides his achievements in acting, he has also produced numerous award-winning movies, solidifying his position as a highly accomplished entertainer.
Recently, Zack Gh released the “Shine” Extended Play (EP), featuring a star-studded lineup of Ghana’s finest musicians such as Ras Kuuku, Fameye, Kweku Flick, Strongman, Rashid Metal, and Apya, among others.
He sees this project as an opportunity to showcase his versatility as an artist and is eager for his fans to stream and enjoy the good music.
“This music project is one of the biggest so far, and I’m glad to feature some of Ghana’s finest musicians.
With this EP, Zack Gh aims to further solidify his position as an unparalleled talent in the Ghanaian entertainment scene.
Nigerian musician, Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has emphasized that she never dated rapper Falz The Bahd Guy.
She clarified that they had a working relationship, and any rumors suggesting otherwise were spread by fans who noticed their chemistry.
In an interview on MTV Base Africa’s program, Official Naija Top 10, Simi recalled how Falz featured in her song “JAMB Question Remix,” and they later collaborated on “Soldier,” which further fueled speculations about their relationship.
However, Simi explained that they never intended to give the impression of dating, and the rumors arose from fans’ interpretations of their artistic collaboration.
They saw the opportunity and decided to embrace the chemistry by releasing a joint project titled “Chemistry.”
She said, “He [Falz] did a verse on my song, ‘JAMB Question Remix’. And I was like, ‘Ah! Me and this guy, there is a vibe there.’ So, we did ‘Soldier’, and everybody was like, the chemistry is so amazing.
“We never saw that. People bought what we were not selling. And we were like, okay, this is a strategy. So, we did ‘Chemistry’ on the album. People gave us the name and the idea. We never actually came and say, oh, we are dating.”
Simi eventually got married to singer Adekunle Gold on January 9, 2019, in Lagos, and the couple welcomed their first child, Adejare, in 2020.
The Executive President of the Center for Employment of Persons with Disabilities (CEPD), Alexander Kojo Tetteh, has expressed concern over the misuse of Disability Funds, which are intended to support Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
The District Assemblies are mandated to allocate three percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund to the Disability Funds for the welfare of PWDs within the districts.
The funds are meant to help PWDs establish businesses, cover medical expenses, and pay for education. However, Mr. Tetteh highlighted that the money is not regularly paid and is often insufficient.
Moreover, some district assemblies divert the funds for unrelated purposes, including waste collection, rather than using them to benefit PWDs.
In the past, the funds were lumped together with the Common Fund for the Assembly. Advocating for change, the CEPD championed the creation of separate accounts for the Disability Fund in all districts.
Yet, the power to withdraw from these accounts remains with the Chief Executive, Administrator, Coordinating Director, and the Accountant.
Mr. Tetteh revealed that investigations by Parliamentary Committees have confirmed the misappropriation of the funds.
Many disabled individuals have reported that their funds have not been received, but investigations have shown that the money was transferred.
In reality, it had been borrowed for other purposes, leaving the PWDs to suffer the consequences.
“Some of the district assemblies borrow the money for their activities; some borrow for waste collection. There have been Parliamentary Committees that have investigated and found out this” he added.
“Some of the disabled people sometimes go on demonstration that their monies haven’t come and the assembly tells them the money hasn’t been paid but if you follow up to the District Assembly Common Fund administrator you will realize that the funds have been transferred. So when you go deep then you will find out the money has been borrowed for other things and disabled people will be suffering” Mr. Tetteh lamented.
Recent incidents related to witchcraft accusations, including the conviction and sentencing of two women involved in the tragic lynching of Akua Denteh, underscore the pressing need for legislation and a coordinated response to combat this social menace, which primarily targets older and vulnerable women.
The coalition, consisting of the Sanneh Institute, Songtaba, Women International League for Peace and Freedom Ghana, ActionAid Ghana, Legal Resource Centre, and Amnesty International Ghana, emphasizes that enacting this law will protect countless innocent individuals, promote social harmony, and demonstrate a commitment to justice and equality for all.
In a statement issued in Accra, CAWA called on all individuals and groups to support its appeal for the swift passage of the bill into law, seeking to put an end to this deeply ingrained social problem.
Ahead of the Mid-Year Review of the 2023 Financial Year’s Budget Statement and Supplementary Estimates to Parliament, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (EduWatch), Mr. Kofi Asare, is advocating for a 100% increment in the Capitation Grant for basic schools nationwide.
This measure, he believes, will address the challenges associated with achieving universal education in the country.
During an Economic Forum in Accra, Mr. Asare emphasized the need for the capitation grant to be raised from ¢10 to ¢20.
“We expect to hear a 100% increment in the capitation grant from ¢10 to ¢20,” he said. “We also want an assurance from the Finance Minister that the disbursement regime where the grant is disbursed as a token ends and that there is a clear disbursement roadmap to assure stakeholders that the grant will not be in arrears.”
Additionally, he called for an assurance from the Finance Minister that the current disbursement regime, where the grant is provided as a token, will be replaced with a clear disbursement roadmap to prevent delays.
“We also want to hear from the Ministry of Finance about plans to pay the arrears that have accumulated over the years. There are headteachers who have taken loans to run schools, and they are owing in their communities. We don’t want to encourage that,” he added.
Addressing the issue of accumulated arrears, Mr. Asare urged the Ministry of Finance to outline plans for settling these outstanding payments.
Many headteachers have been burdened with loans to run schools, leading to debts in their communities, a situation that EduWatch seeks to discourage.
Furthermore, Mr. Asare highlighted the urgent need for the government to announce a supplementary budget to support the provision of desks in schools.
The lack of desks has been a significant challenge in the education sector, affecting over two million children.
He emphasized the importance of real commitment in the supplementary budget to address this pressing issue and support the procurement of desks through the GETFund Formula.
“One of the biggest challenges in the education sector is the issue of desks. Over two million children have been struggling with the issue of desks. We’ve seen some efforts by some stakeholders, district assemblies, and others to support, but the most recent data we have from the Ministry of Education suggests that we need one million desks. So we want to see some real commitment made in the supplementary budget to support the limited amount of funding that was made available for the procurement of desks in the GETFund Formula,” he added.
Spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia‘s Campaign, Miracles Dennis Aboagye, has clarified that the Vice President is not opposing the petition from the remaining nine flagbearer hopefuls of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to centralize the special delegates’ congress scheduled for August 26th.
During an interview with the media, Mr. Aboagye stated that Dr. Bawumia remains indifferent to the matter and will honor whatever decision the party’s National Council arrives at.
“The Vice President’s position is to accede to whatever guidelines and decision that the National Council will come up with. The Vice President is indifferent,” he stated.
As a member of the National Council, the Vice President cannot simultaneously act as a “referee” and a “player” in the decision-making process, ensuring the right course of action is followed.
Mr. Aboagye emphasized that Dr. Bawumia’s primary focus is on communicating his message to the delegates and polling station executives, rejecting any involvement in propaganda aimed at discrediting his candidacy or message.
“Once you begin to say that the party must take a decision according to how you feel, you begin to create problems for the party, which has the potential of disorganizing the party,” he added.
He added that the Vice President avoids engaging in discussions that may lead to insinuations and name-calling, dismissing any attempts to label his supporters as cowards.
“These are issues that Dr. Bawumia does not want to discuss because he is busy with the delegates and the polling station executives. He is not ready to engage in casting insinuations and name-calling, and this issue of trying to say that anyone following the Vice President is a coward is laughable,” he added.
Following the recent revelations of construction lapses in the dams built under the ‘One Village, One Dam’ policy by the governing New Patriotic Party, (NPP) Minority MPs have strongly criticized the initiative, labelling it a mere political gimmick.
They argue that the policy was hastily implemented without proper consideration.
The criticism from the Minority MPs comes in the wake of JoyNews’ documentary, titled ‘Thirsty Dams,’ which exposed the poor condition of the dams constructed during the Akufo-Addo government’s tenure.
Among those expressing their concerns was Samson Ahi, the NDC MP for Bodi Constituency in the Western North Region.
According to Mr. Ahi, the ‘One Village, One Dam’ policy lacked careful planning and was primarily used as a propaganda tool to deceive the Ghanaian public.
He pointed out that despite the government’s claims of having built dams, many of them were unable to retain water even during the rainy season, indicating poor execution.
Furthermore, the MPs accused the NPP government of prioritizing fulfilling a manifesto promise over the well-being of the communities affected by the dams. They emphasized that the policy’s rushed implementation led to subpar construction, causing ongoing challenges with water supply in those areas.
Henry Yiadom Boakye, the NDC MP for Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region, echoed these concerns, highlighting the failure of the dams to deliver on their promised benefits.
He lamented that despite significant financial investments exceeding 200 million, the project failed to provide any meaningful returns or benefits to the communities.
The MPs argued that such resources could have been better utilized in other sectors like education, instead of being wasted on a project that did not meet its intended objectives.
They concluded that the evidence presented in the documentary reinforces their initial opposition to the ‘One Village, One Dam’ policy and calls for a more responsible approach to infrastructure development in the future.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the High Court has the authority to investigate the revocation of licenses of banks and specialized deposit-taking institutions (SDIs) by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), especially in cases involving alleged breaches of fundamental human rights.
The court’s decision was based on the understanding that Section 141 of the Banks and SDI Act, 2016 (Act 930), which stipulates arbitration as the means of seeking redress for those aggrieved by the BoG’s license revocation, does not exclude the High Court’s jurisdiction to assess the propriety of such revocations.
In a unanimous decision, a five-member panel of the apex court overturned the ruling by the Court of Appeal, which had upheld that an arbitration tribunal, not the High Court, was the appropriate venue for seeking redress against BoG’s license revocation.
The appeal was brought by Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, the Founder of the now-defunct GN Savings and Loans, who challenged the revocation of GN’s license by the BoG in 2019.
Dr. Nduom and two affiliated entities approached the High Court with a human rights application, arguing that the license revocation was unfair and unreasonable, violating their right to administrative justice as guaranteed under Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution.
The BoG objected to the jurisdiction of the High Court, citing Section 141 of Act 930 as the provision that mandated arbitration as the proper venue for seeking redress against license revocation by the central bank.
However, the High Court dismissed the objection, leading the BoG to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.
On June 2, 2022, the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decision, ruled in favor of the BoG, holding that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case due to the explicit provision of arbitration as the means of seeking redress under Section 141 of Act 930.
The Court of Appeal halted the proceedings at the High Court and referred the dispute to the Ghana Arbitration Centre.
Dissatisfied with this outcome, Dr. Nduom appealed to the Supreme Court, which eventually ruled in his favor, upholding the jurisdiction of the High Court to inquire into the matter of BoG’s license revocation.
On Thursday, July 20, the National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) held a crucial meeting at the Alisa Hotel and unanimously rejected a petition from nine aspirants seeking a centralized venue for the party’s Special Delegates Conference.
The petitioners wanted the number of presidential aspirants, currently scheduled for Saturday, August 26, to be reduced to a central location.
The National Council cited the party’s constitution and a precedent set in 2014 as crucial factors that needed to be respected.
The General Secretary of the party, Justin Kodua Frimpong, addressed journalists and announced that the NPP would proceed with its initially planned decentralization for the election.
The NPP’s constitution states that if there are more than five aspirants after the nomination and vetting process, a special delegates college should be held to reduce the number of candidates to five. The vetting committee had submitted their recommendations to the National Council, which was unanimously approved.
The nine flagbearer hopefuls, excluding Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, argued that a centralized election would be more efficient and transparent. They were not in favor of the plan to limit the voting to only 900 delegates at the regional level.
Despite their arguments, the National Council, which is the second highest decision-making body of the party, did not support their petition. As a result, the NPP will proceed with its plan to trim the list of presidential aspirants from ten to five on August 26, in accordance with its constitution.
Before the election, the party stated that a new register would be necessary to remove the names of delegates who have passed away or are no longer available to participate. General Secretary Justin Koduah assured that the new register would be finalized by the end of the week, and it would comprise between 900 and 1,000 delegates. This registration process aims to ensure a fair and accurate electoral college for the special delegates’ election.
Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation company (BOST) has generously gifted 10,000 exercise books to seven government basic schools in Bolgatanga municipality, Upper East Region.
This initiative falls under BOST’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, aiming to enhance education in schools located near their depots nationwide.
The donation benefited schools like Bolgatanga Anglican Kindergarten, Primary and Junior High Schools, Tindonsobligo 31st December Kindergarten, Kalbeo-Tindonsobligo Kindergarten School, and Kalbeo-Tindonsobligo Primary and Junior High Schools, where 1,998 pupils received five books each.
Yaw Antwi Dadzie, BOST’s government relations, corporate social responsibility, and protocol manager, emphasized the company’s commitment to provide similar donations to other basic schools across the country as part of their initiative to distribute a total of one hundred thousand exercise books nationwide. So far, 60,000 books have been distributed in the Northern sector, including the Upper East, Savanna, and Northern regions.
Dadzie also mentioned that BOST is supporting the university education of fifty brilliant but needy students through their scholarship program, with the aim of cultivating future leaders for the country.
The headteachers of the beneficiary schools expressed their gratitude to BOST for the valuable donation. They shared the pressing needs of their schools, including the lack of essential facilities such as toilets and information communication technology centers.
One headmistress urged the government and corporate entities to provide the school with IT tools, especially computers, to enhance teaching and learning in the modern era.
Ghanaian Gospel musician, Amy Newman has credited humility as the cornerstone of her enduring marriage.
According to her, her husband proposed when she was 18, and despite having previous relationships, she recognized God’s guidance in accepting his proposal.
Reflecting on their different backgrounds, she shared how they eventually married after a 6-month courtship, despite his high societal standing compared to hers.
Amy highlighted the significance of humility in maintaining their relationship, acknowledging that it wasn’t always smooth sailing.
“I had friends. God has a way he deals with everyone. God made me understand that the partner I was with at the time was not His choice for me. So, at the age of 18,19, my husband saw me, asked for my hands in marriage and I accepted because sometimes, it is important to look at their backgrounds,” she disclosed.
She embraced the importance of apologizing during heated arguments to restore peace and joy in their home.
“My husband is an aristocrat. He had a high level in society unlike me. Looking at where I come from and the kind of person he is, I just gave in and we went to meet my parents. After meeting my husband, in 6 months time, we got married,” she indicated.
Recalling her modest financial background, she humbled herself before marriage and emphasized the vital role of humility in their lasting union.
As a devoted mother of eight, Amy chose to prioritize her children’s care and put her music career on hold.
“When I started my submission, I mentioned that my financial background was not the best so going into marriage, I had to humble myself. It is all about humility. Even if I get into a heated argument with my husband, when I notice he is angry, I apologize so that we let things go. So, there is always peace and joy in the house. In marriage, there are definitely quarrels sometimes. It’s not that easy but humility is key. Looking back, I knew I have no one except God whom I look up to and that’s why it is important to be humble,” she mentioned.
She dedicated herself to being a full-time housewife until her children reached adulthood.
Celebrated sound engineer and music producer, Kaywa, has stated that he spends over Gh¢100,000 on crafting and launching a single hit track.
In an interview with the media on Tuesday, July 18, the ordained man of God disclosed that producing a successful hit single incurs significant expenses, with the bulk of the budget allocated to shooting music videos rather than promotional activities.
“More than 100,000 for one hit single. (Between videos and promotions, which one takes most of the money?) Videos. Sometimes we can shoot videos worth 70,000. Sometimes, some people don’t understand the conversation. You put in a lot of money,” he openly shared.
Addressing the financial constraints, the head of Highly Spiritual Music acknowledged that despite occasional funding challenges, he finds it difficult to let go of talented individuals he believes in.
“Sometimes, there is no money, but when you see the talent, you just can’t allow it to go to waste, so you do everything to make it work,” he emphasized.
During the interview, Kaywa also emphasized that his line of business can be lucrative, though it comes with risks, particularly when nurturing new talents. Nevertheless, he considers it a worthy investment, as some of these talents possess extraordinary potential that should not be ignored.
“It really is, if you do it well. Check your streaming platforms and ask any artiste that does it pretty well; you’ll know that there is some great money coming in if you are doing it well. It’s business but it’s a risk. Putting money into fresh talents is not an easy job, but we trust the process. Sometimes, there is no money, but when you see the talent, you just can’t allow it to go to waste, so you do everything to make it work,” he concluded.
Socialite, Avram Ben Moshe has revealed that the recent video about his broken heart with his fiancée, Efia Dragon, was all staged.
As the Leader of Common Sense Family, where he challenges religious beliefs, particularly among Christians and Muslims, Avram stated that he will never experience a broken heart until his death, though he acknowledges vulnerability to it.
He clarifies that the staged video was an experiment to gauge how Christians and Muslims perceive him, given his critical stance towards their beliefs. Many rejoiced over his broken heart, attributing it to divine punishment.
The video was also aimed at dispelling misconceptions about Ghanaian men, as Avram believes men should be able to express their emotions freely without facing judgment.
He emphasizes that men’s grievances should be heard, as holding them in can lead to early death.
In a previous video, Avram Ben Moshe expressed frustration after his girlfriend allegedly left him for another man, even though he had showered her with gifts and financial support.
The Ghana Music Awards UK 2023 launch ceremony will take place on Friday, August 4, 2023, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
Industry players, including Alodia Promotions executives and musician managers, are expected to attend the event.
Music fans, promoters, industry players, and entertainment journalists will also grace the occasion.
The award program aims to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of Ghanaian musicians throughout the year.
Since its inception in 2016, it has successfully reached its 7th year. While the event is held in the United Kingdom, it starts in Ghana to create a local connection and raise awareness among Ghanaians in the diaspora.
Submissions for artists, producers, and other music industry members were accepted from April 12, 2023, to May 30.
Last year’s ceremony saw Hip-Hop musician Black Sherif winning five awards, including Musician of the Year. Highlife singer and songwriter Akwaboah received three awards, while Eugy and Headie One each won two awards.
Additionally, Hiplife legend Reggie Rockstone received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and special recognition awards were given to TiC and Zoro King.
The Ashanti Regional Director of the National Road Safety Authority (NSRA), David Akuetteh, has criticized the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGP) directive to withdraw officers from the Police Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) on highways.
Ayatah’s concerns arise due to the reduced enforcement of traffic regulations, leading to alarming incidents of minors and unlicensed road users taking control of roads in the Ashanti region.
He reveals that the decision to withdraw the officers came after numerous complaints and allegations of bribery were made against them, as per his inquiries with the Police Service.
During an interview with the media, Mr Ayatah expressed his observations and worries about the enforcement of traffic regulations in the region.
Former Minister for Trade and Industries and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Alan Kyerematen, has promised to empower two local road contractors in every constituency if elected as the party’s flagbearer and subsequently president.
Speaking to the media, Alan Kyerematen stated that aims to prioritize local contractors over expatriates to boost the local economy and foster growth and development within each constituency.
He also committed to paying all constituency executives once assuming the role of party leader, urging delegates to choose a leader who resonates with the people they represent.
Kyerematen emphasized the importance of engaging floating voters in determining the party’s fortunes at the national level, asserting his capabilities to break the 8 in the 2024 general election.
Nigerian skit maker, Abisi Emmanuel Ezechukwu, also known as Nasty Blaq, has responded to the issue of some Nigerians labeling successful skit makers as fraudsters or ritualists.
On his Insta-story, Nasty Blaq indicated that while fans enjoy watching skits, they often had an issue with skit makers enjoying luxurious lifestyles.
He pointed out the double standards, where musicians can acquire expensive assets within a short time of becoming popular without facing criticism, while skit makers are judged for achieving similar success over a slightly longer period.
Nasty Blaq stressed that skit makers work hard for their accomplishments, and people should appreciate their efforts without making baseless accusations of illegal activities.
Nasty Blaq wrote: “I don’t understand how somebody do skit for over 5 years and finally e buy car, you open your mouth say na ritual and yahoo.
“Seyi Vibez never reach one year wey e blow e don buy house/car and everybody congratulate the guy. Skit maker do the same thing in 3-4 years una go say na yahoo and ritual.”
The first Ghanaian to win a world dance championship in 1986, Adjetey Sowah, has recently revealed a regret from his early career.
Speaking to the media, he expressed his wish to have prioritized education more during his rise to fame.
Despite gaining fame at a young age, Adjetey candidly admitted that his passion for dance consumed him, leading him to neglect his education.
He stated, “I didn’t take my education seriously, which I regret, but apart from that, everything is great.”
Dance had always been a significant part of Adjetey’s life, influenced by his father’s background as a rock and roll dancer in the 1960s.
His talent for dance was evident during his time at Lincoln International School, where he led a traditional dance group in class 5 and realized his calling.
However, looking back, Adjetey acknowledges that he should have found a better balance between pursuing his passion for dance and investing in his education.
Despite his achievements, he believes that focusing more on education could have further enriched his journey.
Adjetey’s unwavering determination, rooted in his Teshie hometown in Accra, Ghana, has undoubtedly contributed to his success in the world of dance.
Ghanaian music producer, Fred Kyei Mensah, has emphasized the importance of celebrating Gospel singer Amy Newman for her music and unique fashion choices.
During an interview with the media he shed light on Amy Newman’s early days in the music industry, highlighting her collaborations with renowned personalities like Mary Ghansah and Charlie Sam.
Fredyma took the opportunity to delve into the emergence of Gospel music in Ghana, tracing its roots back to the early 60s when Joe Eyison wrote music for E.K Nyame.
“Those that brought Christianity to Ghana all had their music. The Romans, Methodists and the others had their songs. They used to sing hymns but did no recordings. So in the early 60s, a man named Joe Eyison used to write music for E.K Nyame and at that time, we had no Gospel artistes…,” he revealed.
He continued to discuss the significant impact of Amy Newman‘s presence in the late 1980s, during which she gained widespread recognition through shows like ‘Music for your dancing feet,’ where she and Stella C received numerous awards.
“In the 89s, that was when she was all over the place. At the time, there was a show called ‘Music for your dancing feet’ of which she was a part of. Together with Stella C, they used to win awards,” he said.
The music producer stressed the need for Ghanaians to appreciate and celebrate Amy Newman, praising both her musical contributions and her exemplary sense of style.
He concluded by acknowledging her role in bringing elegance and panache to the industry.
The Sector Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, has announced that it outfit is currently developing a legal framework to hold companies accountable for the plastic waste generated during the manufacturing and distribution of their products.
This initiative aims to tackle the pressing issue of plastic pollution and its impact on the environment.
During a press conference in Accra, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie shared insights into the ministry’s plans to address the plastic pollution menace.
He emphasized the importance of this mechanism to encourage responsible practices among companies.
Furthermore, the Sector Minister highlighted that Parliament has already approved the national space policy, which is expected to play a vital role in enhancing the country’s socio-economic growth.
“I am pleased to announce that the national space policy has been approved by cabinet and this policy serves as a framework for utilising space science and technology to drive our national development,” he stated.
The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has congratulated Ghana for developing a strong democratic culture.
He praised Ghanaians for distinguishing out among African nations for their commitment to the rule of law, political stability, and peaceful cohabitation.
“Ghana is not just another country in Africa. You are very special,” President Rebelo de Sousa noted.
He was speaking at a joint press conference in Lisbon, Portugal, with President Akufo-Addo.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is on a three-day State visit to strengthen the two countries’ long-standing diplomatic relations.
The objective is to increase people’s political, cultural, and socioeconomic exchanges.
The West African country wishes to strengthen multilateral collaboration, promote a better world, and solve global concerns related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Portugal maintains strong historical ties with Ghana, dating back to the 15th Century.
President Rebelo de Sousa emphasized his country’s commitment to engaging in business with Ghana, given their shared development experiences and mutual interest in addressing global challenges.
“With these, it is very easy to have good bilateral relations between the two countries,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo thanked the Portuguese government for its commitment to advancing Ghana’s voice and interests inside the European Union.
He hoped that the State visit will give a more robust platform for economic engagement, increasing trade volumes and bringing development to the people.
He stated that his administration was looking forward to expanding cooperation with the Portuguese government as Ghana sought assistance to decrease poverty to the bare minimum.
In addition, the government will collaborate effectively with its European counterparts to eliminate irregular migration, insecurity, and human rights violations.
Ghanaian dancer, Incredible Zigi, has revealed that he used to date numerous women in the early days of his dancing career.
During an interview with the media, he admitted to his past as a womanizer but expressed that he has now chosen to change his ways.
He emphasized that not all dancers are womanizers, but he has decided to put an end to his previous behavior.
“I used to date a lot of women earlier in my career but when you get to a certain stage you want to keep a solid brand so such women issues just don’t get your attention anymore. You can’t just be playing around like you used to because womanizing wouldn’t take you anywhere but I used to womanize when I started dancing.
Incredible Zigi emphasized that he has successfully abandoned such behaviors, acknowledging that they were merely “time-wasters.”
He has learned from his past and has now chosen to focus on more meaningful aspects of his life and career.
“But this is not the time to waste time and energy chasing after women so as for me I’ve paused those kinds of behaviors some years back,” he disclosed on the show.
1,341 recruits from Intake-29 of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) have successfully passed out at the GIS Training School in Assin Fosu, Central Region.
After completing a six-month mandatory training, they are now formally recruited and integrated into the Service.
Deputy Minister for The Interior, Naana Eyiah, praised the GIS for its contributions to national security during the passing-out parade held in Assin Fosu.
She emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s borders, and the significant number of recruits attested to that dedication.
“The increasing security threat that we face in Africa and the West African sub-region calls for recruiting additional personnel to man the country’s borders,” she said.
Naana Eyiah, the Deputy Minister for The Interior, emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring the GIS has sufficient personnel to fulfill its mandate.
She highlighted that the GIS is tasked with managing the entry, residence, work, and ethics of individuals in the country, as well as ensuring the security of the nation’s borders.
Naana Eyiah also pointed out that Ghana faces security threats, including cyber security threats, terrorism, and cross-border crimes, within the West African sub-region.
“The urgent need of the time requires that rapid measures are taken to enhance the territorial integrity of the country,” she indicated.
Ghana’s largest trading partner is China, and it remains a significant source of foreign investment, as stated by the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Lu Kun.
Bilateral trade volume reached an unprecedented high of US$10 Billion, increasing by 7.3 per cent year-on-year.
China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years.
During the donation of relief items to flood disaster victims in the Volta region, Ambassador Lu Kun highlighted China’s commitment to improving Ghana’s economy and the well-being of its people.
He mentioned various efforts and activities, including China’s involvement in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrangement, investment in various sectors, and support for infrastructure projects.
Ghana was among the first countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, China was quick to provide medical supplies to Africa, with Ghana as one of the recipients.
China and Africa have long-standing ties, supporting each other’s national independence and development.
Mr. Stephen Ayensu Ntim, the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), acknowledged the strong ties between Ghana and China, strengthened by the NPP-Communist Party alliance for progress.
A thunder and lightning strike have claimed the lives of 21 cows in Kowie, a community in the Sissala East Municipality, during a rainfall.
Per reports the cows sought shelter under a tree when the thunderstorms occurred.
Sixteen of the cattle belonged to an unnamed herdsman settled in the community, while the remaining five belonged to Mr. Thomas Tipuri, a community member.
In response to the tragedy, traditional priests performed rituals before removing the carcasses. The owners’ families were devastated by the loss.
Community member Mr. Yakubu Abu expressed shock, noting that such an incident had never occurred in the community.
Lightning typically strikes tall objects like trees or poles, but it is possible that the lightning struck a nearby object and traveled through the ground to affect the cows.
The Ghana Meteorological Authority has advised against seeking shelter under trees or tall objects during a storm and recommended finding low-lying areas for safety.
“If you are caught outside during a storm, it is important to avoid sheltering under trees or other tall objects and to seek shelter in a low-lying area if possible”, Madam Francesca Martey of the Ghana Meteorological Authority advised.
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, has announced that Cabinet has approved the National Space Policy.
The policy aims to leverage space science and technology for national development, acting as a framework to drive progress in this field.
During a Minister’s News briefing in Accra, Dr. Afriyie presented the government’s plans to establish the Ghana Space Agency in collaboration with relevant ministries and the private sector.
This agency will oversee the development of human capital, infrastructure, and overall growth in the space science sector.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted his Ministry’s work under the Ghana-Korea K-Innovation Partnership Programme, where a comprehensive 10-year masterplan was unveiled to enhance research and innovation commercialization in the country.
Furthermore, Dr. Afriyie emphasized his Ministry’s commitment to global disarmament efforts. In partnership with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the Ministry is actively reviewing the Biological and Toxin Weapons Bill to implement the 1972 Convention on the Prohibition of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons.
An Obstetric Gynecologist, Dr. Alfred Adu-Boateng, has cautioned against the excessive use of aphrodisiacs by women, as it may cause total closure of the vaginal opening.
He emphasizes that this practice can lead to brain damage and increase the heart rate, even potentially resulting in death.
In an interview with the media, Dr. Adu-Boateng highlighted the danger of uninformed and unsupervised use of aphrodisiacs, especially the local ones, which might contain undisclosed ingredients that can interact negatively with existing medications and pose risks to women’s health.
Some vendors confirm that more women are seeking aphrodisiacs, expressing complaints of low libido and other sexual issues.
However, Dr. Adu-Boateng advised consulting with medical professionals before using such products due to the potential dangers associated with their use without proper medical guidance.
Aphrodisiacs are substances that claim to increase libido and address fertility and sexual dysfunction issues.
They often contain herbs, roots, and fruits, but their effectiveness and safety are not scientifically proven, raising concerns about their purity and potential side effects.
The Supreme Court has awarded businessman and politician, Paa Kwesi Ndoum permission to appeal GN Bank’s license revocation to the High Court.
This comes after the Supreme Court overturned an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal that barred it from fighting the revocation in the High Court.
GN Bank, which operated under the Groupe Nduom brand, was one of several financial firms whose licenses were terminated in 2018 as part of a banking sector clean-up effort.
Paa Kwesi Nduom, the bank’s founder, filed an action in the High Court to challenge the revocation.
However, respondents in the case, including the Bank of Ghana, asked the Court of Appeal to rule that the proper mechanism for disputing the revocation under the Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions Act is through arbitration.
The Court of Appeal granted their application, suspended the proceedings in the High Court, and ordered the parties to arbitrate.
Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment, Groupe Nduom petitioned the Supreme Court for a reconsideration of the Court of Appeal’s decision.
After hearing the case, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Paa Kwesi Nduom.
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal and media team, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, has stated that the government’s Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program is causing tremendous hardship for Ghanaians.
This follows the government’s debt to National Food Suppliers and uniform suppliers to public schools under the Free SHS intervention.
In an interview with the media, Mr. Adawudu stated that the policy should be reconsidered in order to prevent the economy from collapse.
“When it comes to the Free SHS, everybody is livid about that. It is bringing untold hardship upon us and this economy. Why is it that the people the government owes, the uniform contractors, cannot even go to court to say that we want our money? Everyone is picketing because citizens are losing faith in our institutions,” he stated.
The NDC has often advocated for a review of the Free SHS program in order to improve it, but the ruling New Patriotic Party remains firm.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is preparing a new register for its August 26th special delegates’ congress.
The party is creating this new register because some of the delegates have passed away.
According to the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong Koduah, the compilation is in its final stages. The special electoral college will consist of around 900 to 1000 delegates.
He explained, “Some of the founding members have died, so we have to take their names out. We also have to look at past national officers. I am sure before the week ends we should have the final list for the special delegates’ election.”
Furthermore, the NPP’s national executive council has instructed all regional executives to stop charging unapproved fees from parliamentary aspirants.
While recognizing the positive intentions, the party emphasized that only the national executive committee has the authority to issue such charges.
The regional committees were directed to halt these charges immediately and await approval from the National Executive Committee as per the Party’s constitution.
“While the national executive body acknowledges and appreciates the otherwise good intentions behind these decisions, you are hereby reminded that directives governing the conduct of elections of the Party can only be issued by the National Executive Committee, the appropriate body constitutionally mandated to do so.
“Accordingly, all Regional Executive Committees are, by this letter, directed to cease forthwith, the issuance of any directives on the conduct of parliamentary primaries unless and until same have been approved by the National Executive Committee in accordance with the Constitution of the Party.”
The date for the Champions of Champions match between Medeama SC and Dreams FC has been scheduled for September 3, 2023.
This information was provided by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The football organization said in a statement on Wednesday that the game will serve as a prelude to the commencement of the 2023/24 season.
“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has set aside September 3, 2023 as the date for the Champion of Champions match to be honored ahead of the 2023/2024 league season.
“This decider game is to be played between the betPawa Premier League Champions Medeama SC and MTN FA Cup winners Dreams FC according to Article 9 of the Premier League Regulations, 2019 (PLR),” parts of the statement from the GFA.
The venue for the important Champions of Champions game will be announced at a later date, according to the communiqué.
Both Medeama SC and Dreams FC will be required to prepare hard in order to compete for the first silverware of the new football season.
Imagine a river that is home to a colony of catfish that can never die. Sounds unbelievable, right?
But that’s exactly what you’ll find in a small town in Nigeria, where a sacred river is worshipped as a goddess and her fishy children are protected by a powerful curse.
The river is called, a town in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The river is believed to have miraculous healing properties, as it can cure over 200 ailments and grant fertility to barren women.
But the most astonishing feature of the river is the presence of hundreds of catfish that live in its waters. These catfish are not ordinary fish; they are immortal.
They cannot be killed, cooked, or harmed in any way. They are considered the children of the river goddess, and anyone who dares to violate them will face dire consequences.
The catfish demonstrate their immortality by floating on the water when bread is thrown into the river. The person who does this must have faith in the river’s power and no evil intentions. If someone tries to take a fish out of the water, they will witness a shocking phenomenon: the fish will never cook, even when cut into pieces. It will regenerate itself and remain alive, no matter how high the fire is.
The river goddess does not take kindly to such attempts, and she will punish the offender by inflicting harm on their youngest family members until they are all wiped out. The only way to appease her wrath is to return the fish to the river and beg for forgiveness.
The immortal catfish of Omi Erin Ayonigba are a fascinating and seemingly unreal phenomenon, but they are not the only creatures in the world that defy natural death.
There is also a species of jellyfish called that can rejuvenate itself by reversing its cells. This unique jellyfish defies ageing and can live forever, unless it is eaten by predators or affected by human activities.
Scientists are still exploring the secrets of these extraordinary life forms, as well as other animals that have remarkably long lifespans, such as certain turtles, sharks, and whales.
However, none of them are truly immortal like the catfish and the jellyfish.
What do you think of these amazing animals? Would you like to visit the river of the supposed immortal catfish? Let us know in the comments below!
Ghana Premier League side, Accra Hearts of Oak, is set to welcome Dutch trainer, Rene Hiddink as the club’s new technical director.
Reports suggest that an agreement has been reached with Hiddink, the renowned brother of former Chelsea and Netherlands manager, Guus Hiddink.
Hiddink will soon arrive in Ghana for his official unveiling as the head of the club’s technical department.
With vast experience as both a footballer and a coach, he has previously worked as the assistant coach of the Maldives national football team and managed clubs in Rwanda, Madagascar, and the Maldives.
Moreover, alongside the acquisition of Rene Hiddink as the technical director, Hearts of Oak is poised to announce a new substantive head coach for the upcoming league season.
The club has already bid farewell to interim coach David Ocloo after an eight-month stint. Ocloo had taken over on an interim basis following the termination of Serbian trainer Slavko Matic’s contract due to lackluster performance.
Under Ocloo’s guidance, Hearts of Oak achieved a 10th-place finish last season, narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of the league season.
The 2023/24 Ghana National Division One League is set to begin on Wednesday, October 4, and run through Monday, October 9, 2023, throughout all Zones.
This declaration comes after the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Executive Council given their official approval to the planned strategy for the 2017 football season.
Teams from various regions of Ghana will compete across three zones for advancement to the elite Ghana Premier League.
The Ghana Football Association stated in a statement that the fixtures for the 2023/24 Division One League season will be released at a later date.
“By this release, the GFA wishes to inform all stakeholders and clubs participating in the Access Bank Ghana Division One League to take note of the dates accordingly,” the GFA urged the clubs in the statement.
Bofoakwa Tano win Zone One playoff, gain promotion. Nations FC secure Zone Two victory, also promoted. Heart of Lions triumph in Zone Three, completing Ghana top-flight teams.
A well-known Ghanaian socialite, content developer, and relationship guru, Abena Manokekame, has disclosed that despair drove her to create a successful relationship platform on Facebook and other social media platforms.
With the introduction of social media and the internet in both the first and third worlds, there are numerous paths and chances for people to explore and create important effects through the creation of content.
Even while some use it for deviant propagation, there are a few who use their power and connections to put smiles on people’s faces and make a difference in their lives.
During an interview with the media on July 19, 2023, renowned Ghanaian socialite, content creator, and relationship expert, opened up about how her experience with depression in 2016 inspired her to create a popular Facebook relationship page.
Amid her moment of depression, Abena found solace in social media, where she began posting questions and thoughts that crossed her mind. Surprisingly, the responses she received from her followers provided her with the motivation to continue, despite facing her own relationship and job challenges.
Social media became her sanctuary, allowing her to find clarity and express her thoughts without judgment. Although her posts were initially driven by her struggles with depression and heartbreak, her followers and readers perceived it as a safe space to share their own experiences.
This eventually led to the emergence of the famous anonymous posts that took over Facebook some years ago.
Despite her journey from depression to inspiration, Abena Manokekame candidly shared that she encounters a barrage of negativity from social media users and fellow socialites in the country on a daily basis.
However, she empathizes with those who project negativity, understanding that it may be a result of the difficult situations they are facing. Having experienced heartbreak and depression herself, she can relate to their struggles and tries to offer compassion and understanding in response to their negative comments.
A popular Nigerian singer, Olakira, has revealed that he was sacked from church for getting intimate with four choristers.
The 32-year-old music producer said this in an interview with TVC while discussing his transition from gospel vocalist to secular musician.
According to him, he needed to go to counseling because he became depressed after being fired.
He said: “I had my own issues as well. I got depressed at some point. I was unable to focus at some point. Everybody has their own thing. I was a gospel artiste some years back. And I had some experience with ladies. I was in the choir and I had stuff with about four choristers and I was sacked from the church.”
“You know when you sing in church and you are playing keyboard people get inspired. And, when I came into the secular world, the whole thing was just crowded. It was a lot. I went for therapy. I needed to get out of that space because it was very distracting.I was raised by a single mother. So, I feel more comfortable around ladies than guys,” he added.
Renowned economist Kwame Pianim has stated that Members of Parliament (MPs) should not receive their allowances if they choose to boycott their parliamentary duties as a form of protest against situations they are content with.
According to him, lawmakers have no justification for boycotting their responsibilities within the parliament.
“A parliamentarian has no business to boycott parliament. If they boycott parliament their allowances should be taken off,” he said.
“Parliament is young, there is a tendency now to put a lot of burden on the fledgling judiciary which is not fair,” he added.
In response to the Minority in Parliament’s decision to boycott parliamentary sessions as a means of protesting the trial of Assin North Member of Parliament James Gyakye Quayson, Mr Pianim voiced his strong disagreement.
The Minority justified their actions by claiming that they are reciprocating the government’s perceived “persecution” of Mr. Quayson.
However, Pianim maintains that MPs should not resort to such boycotts and instead should fulfill their parliamentary duties, regardless of their concerns or disagreements.
In a statement, the opposition lawmakers expressed their concerns regarding the trial of Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, the Assin North Member of Parliament.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, had requested that the trial proceed on a daily basis, even though there was an application for a stay of proceedings and a pending application before the Court of Appeal against the daily trial.
Despite these circumstances, the High Court ruled in favor of continuing the daily hearings. This decision by the court prompted the opposition lawmakers to react, with their statement highlighting their dissatisfaction with the perceived “persecution” and the subsequent boycott of parliamentary duties in protest.
“In essence, the rulings by the High Court put Hon. James Gyakye Quayson in the same position that he was placed in by the Supreme Court before the Assin North Constituency by-election
“If the Member of Parliament must appear in court every week day for trial, what time will he have to attend to Parliamentary business to represent the people of Assin North? We are therefore, at this point, including all options available to us to defend and protect our colleague. Hon. James Gyakye Quayson is the only person to have been elected twice within a Parliamentary term. He first won the 2020 Parliamentary election in Assin North Constituency, which was declared null and void by the Supreme Court after two and a half years. This triggered a by-election which he won again by an overwhelming 57.56% on 27th.”
On Tuesday, July 18, an Accra High Court rejected Mr. Quayson’s application for a stay of proceedings, which aimed to halt his criminal trial until the appeal process at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court was concluded.
Consequently, the court permitted the cross-examination of the prosecution’s first witness to proceed.
However, Abraham Amaliba, one of Mr. Quayson’s lawyers, raised doubts about the credibility of the prosecution’s first witness in the ongoing criminal trial of Mr. Quayson.
“He swore an oath that his statement was written in English [but] it turned out that when he was shown his own statement he spoke in Twi and it was recorded, that goes to the credibility of the witness, that goes to his mindset.
“So clearly, you notice that the prosecution witness was not helpful to the prosecution at all,” he told journalists after the court hearing on Tuesday, July 18.
On July 19, 2023, Supreme Court rejected an application attempting to halt the passage of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo presided over the nine-member panel, which unanimously dismissed the application filed by Dr. Amanda Odoi, a Research Fellow with the Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy, and Documentation (CEGRAD) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), along with another individual.
The court’s ruling was based on the lack of sufficient reasons provided by the plaintiffs to compel parliament to suspend its proceedings on the anti-gay bill.
Below are the nine Justices who sat on the application:
1. Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo
2. Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
3. Gabriel Pwamang
4. Mariama Owusu
5. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu
6. Yonny Kulendi
7. Barbara Ackah-Yensu
8. Samuel Asiedu
9. George Koomson
Dr. Amanda Odoi withdrew a contempt charge against Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin for allowing the House to proceed with the Bill despite a pending case before the courts.
On July 5, 2023, the Parliament of Ghana adopted the motion of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliament Committee on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill (anti-LGBTQI bill) during its second reading.
Currently, the bill is at the consideration stage, where the House will review it clause by clause and address the proposed amendments made by the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee.
