Australia’s premier off-spinner, Nathan Lyon, has been ruled out of the remaining Ashes series against England due to a calf injury sustained during the second Test at Lord’s.
With 496 Test wickets to his name, Lyon’s absence is a significant blow for the Australian team. Additionally, batter Matthew Renshaw has also been omitted from the squad for the remaining Tests.
Australia lead the series 2-0 having won by 43 runs at Lord’s and by two wickets in the first Test at Edgbaston.
Spinner Todd Murphy, who took 14 wickets on a tour of India earlier this year, could replace Lyon for the third Test, which starts at Headingley on Thursday.
“As you saw [on Sunday], at certain times, we had to do it differently without Nathan Lyon down the other end, which we’ve been so used to,” said Australia coach Andrew McDonald.
“At times it looked a little bit chaotic so we do like to have that spin option.”Murphy, 22, had only played seven first-class matches before his Test debut against India in February.”His stock ball is good enough in international cricket,” said Lyon.
“We have seen that in India in arguably the hardest place to bowl spin.”It will be a different challenge with the England batters.
“If they do come at him, it provides Todd with a decent challenge. But a chance to leave his footmarks here in England. It is a big Ashes series, he is excited by the opportunity.”
In the first Test at Edgbaston, Nathan Lyon showcased his bowling prowess by claiming eight wickets, contributing to Australia’s victory.
During the second Test at Lord’s, Lyon reached a milestone in his career by taking his 496th Test wicket, dismissing opener Zak Crawley.
Unfortunately, Lyon’s remarkable run came to an abrupt halt on day two of the second Test when he suffered an injury while fielding.
Despite his injury, Lyon displayed determination and courage by coming out to bat on day four, contributing four runs in a partnership of 15 with Mitchell Starc.
Renowned Ghanaian musician and radio presenter, Abubakar Ahmed, popularly known as Blakk Rasta, has expressed shock at the airing of ‘Try Me’ released by Sarkodie on television.
Speaking to the media, the Barack Obama hitmaker expressed concerns about the content of the song, describing it as vulgar, and childish.
The comments by Blakk Rasta come on the back of the airing of the ‘Try me’ song by the Accra-based television station.
The song which happens to be Sarkodie’s response to Yvonne Nelson after he was indicted in her book titled ‘I am not Yvonne Nelson’, contained some explicit words.
He criticised Sarkodie and the song for its explicit content and questioned the decision to air it on national television, emphasizing the potential negative influence it may have on the younger generation.
“I am really shocked this song is being played on TV. Vulgarity, immaturity, childishness, 3ye ya paa to wit [its hurtful]. Because this thing is going to come online for them to watch. You can get access to this, you can say it’s night so I will air it, but the daytime it’s vulgar,” he said.
In responding to the hostess’ justification for airing the song on TV, Blakk Rasta said it gives the song a wider reach.
“if you ask me that, you are trying to endorse the fact that you are giving it milage. Maybe on his platform, only people will watch but a huge fat programme like this, you’ve given it more mileage,” he said.
“I thought that there will be a clean version. What you played is the dirty version,” he added.
Some days after Yvonne Nelson launched her memoir, ‘I am not Yvonne Nelson’, Sarkodie released a song to respond to claims made in the book against him.
A Brand Communications Expert, Dr. Ike Tandoh, has stated that books like Yvonne Nelson’s autobiography, “I am Not Yvonne Nelson,” which reveal personal secrets and intimate details, are not yet fully embraced by Ghanaians.
According to him, Ghanaian culture has not fully accepted such candid writings, leading to the surprise and controversy surrounding the book.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Tandoh acknowledged that Yvonne Nelson’s book may have unsettled some individuals due to its emotional content, but he believes she did not have malicious intent towards anyone.
“Communication is also culture. Our culture has not come to accept that tell-it-all kind of book writing. It is not part of the Ghanaian culture. That is why that kind of surprise element is there…I think that she was not on a destructive mission in writing the book,” he said.
Yvonne Nelson’s book, “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson,” has sparked a debate on the boundaries of disclosure in literature. The revelation within the book that she became pregnant in 2010 by rapper Sarkodie, but chose to terminate the pregnancy due to his alleged reluctance to take responsibility, has stirred up social media.
This was followed by Sarkodie’s response in a song, suggesting that she was promiscuous and questioning the paternity of the pregnancy.
The book primarily focuses on Yvonne Nelson’s relentless quest to uncover her father’s identity, which has remained elusive.
It also delves into her acting and directing career in the movie industry, as well as her personal relationships.
Former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwasi Nyantakyi, has voiced his opposition to the practice of imposing players on national team coaches.
Speaking to the media, the former FIFA council member emphasized the importance of respecting the professional judgment of coaches.
“It is very important for us to know that coaches are professionals just like any other professional you may engage to work for you, a surveyor, an architect, a teacher, an engineer or even a doctor,” he said in an interview with GTV.
“And when you employ any of them you do not tell the person how to do the work because once the person is certificated to do the work, it is presumed that he has deep knowledge and experience in the work and can perform satisfactorily to achieve the set objectives.
He added that “it is unprofessional for anyone to tell a coach to recruit a player and field him in a game, however, there is nothing wrong for anybody to suggest that a certain player is good and that the coach should look at him but it is wrong for a management committee to allocate to themselves players per member in the team.
“The final decision should always rest with the coach and anything that compromises his independence and decision-making is interference and must be resisted,” started.
The popular musician, Mzbel, also known as Belinda Amoah, marked the arrival of her baby girl with a beautiful and intimate traditional outdooring ceremony on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
Instead of a typical christening, Mzbel chose to honor her Ga heritage with a kpodziemo, a traditional Ga naming ceremony.
Dressed in a stunning all-white outfit symbolizing purity, Mzbel exuded grace and elegance throughout the event. The presence of wulomei, or priests, added a sense of protection and guidance as they accompanied Mzbel and her baby.
The ceremony was a heartfelt tribute to Mzbel’s Ga roots and a way to embrace the rich traditions passed down through generations. Mzbel carefully selected the name Ohemaa Akosua Sikapa Tweneboa for her daughter, which holds deep cultural significance and reflects her hopes and values for the child.
The outdooring ceremony provided a meaningful gathering for Mzbel and her loved ones to express gratitude and invoke positive energy for the well-being and future of the newborn.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has issued a strong warning to food vendors and sellers of medicinal products, emphasizing the importance of strictly adhering to approved food safety standards.
Non-compliance may lead to severe consequences imposed by the FDA.
To ensure adherence, the FDA has intensified monitoring of electronic and social media platforms for advertisements.
This increased surveillance has already resulted in several arrests.
Speaking to the media, John Laryea Odai Tettey, the Ashanti Regional Head of the Food and Drugs Authority, advised food vendors to register their businesses and emphasized the need to retain receipts or purchase documents.
He also urged vendors to prioritize the safety of the food they prepare for human consumption.
“We have collaborated with the environmental health unit of the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and inspected the vending points as well as the food preparation points of these street food vendors. The advice for the vendors is that you will have to ensure that whatever you put out there for sale is safe for human consumption.”“If it’s the process of food, then you have to make sure that it has to be registered, and you must always take the receipts or purchase documents from wherever you get it from,” the Ashanti Regional Head of the Food and Drugs Authority entreated.
In his Republic Day message, former President John Dramani Mahama, who is also the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), emphasized the importance of upholding Ghana’s core values of “Freedom and Justice.”
He encouraged Ghanaians to embrace these principles as they strive for a fair and prosperous future. Furthermore, Mahama called on citizens to actively combat injustice and support freedom of speech, regardless of social status.
Below is Mr. Mahama’s full message
“Freedom and Justice” is not and cannot just be a mere adornment on our Coat of Arms. It must be a moral compass and a guiding light leading every Ghanaian.
Imagine a Ghana where freedom and justice are not just empty words but a powerful force guiding every citizen towards a brighter future.
A Ghana where every person, no matter their background or circumstance, is protected and provided for.
A Ghana where our institutions and courts are trusted to defend constitutional rights and deliver impartial justice.
A Ghana where speaking up against injustice is not criminalised but allowed and encouraged.
Let us renew our commitment to building this flourishing Ghana we all dream of, with the bold colours of our flag as a constant reminder of our shared values and ideals.
1st July is and shall remain Ghana’s Republic Day.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning when a 23-seater Sprinter Bus, registered as GR-6046-21, experienced a tire burst while transporting passengers from Ablekuma to Kasoa.
The bus was reportedly speeding at the time of the crash, causing it to somersault three times near Awoshie Water Works.
Numerous passengers also suffered varying degrees of injuries. Eyewitnesses reported the prompt arrival of the police and ambulance to transport the deceased and injured to the hospital.
The driver, who escaped unharmed, attempted to flee the scene but was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement.
A flagbearer hopeful of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto will on Monday, July 3, 2023, begin a nationwide campaign tour starting with the Greater Accra Region.
The two-term Member of Parliament for Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region will first visit the Shai-Osudoku constituency, Ningo-Prampram constituency and then Ashaiman constituency where he will meet with polling station executives and delegates to sell his vision for the party and Ghana to them.
On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, he will visit Domeabra-Obom, Ayawaso East and Ayawaso North Constituencies where he’ll convince the delegates to vote for him to become the party’s Presidential Candidate for the 2024 election.
The former Minister for Food and Agriculture will then move his campaign to the Central and Eastern Regions.
He will be accompanied by two Co-campaign Chairmen, Alfred Boye, a former Greater Accra NPP Regional Chairman, and KEN-WUUD Norwusu, also former NPP Volta Regional Chairman, the National Coordinator of the campaign team, Peter Oteng Darko and Campaign Spokesperson, Dr. Prince Sodoke Amuzu.
The New Patriotic Party on May 26, 2023, opened nominations for its Presidential Primary and closed on June 24, 2023.
The Member of Parliament for Yendi, Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama, has generously donated a brand new Mitsubishi pickup truck to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in support of his 2024 presidential campaign.
With Dr. Bawumia being a strong contender for the NPP’s flagbearer position, campaign activities are gaining momentum, and Aliu Mahama, a staunch supporter of Bawumia, is demonstrating his commitment by providing this high-performance vehicle for the campaign.
The pickup truck will play a vital role in facilitating operational activities for the Bawumia 2024 campaign, particularly in the Eastern Corridor region, encompassing constituencies such as Yendi, Bimbila, Zabzugu, Wulensi, and Kpandai, among others.
Already, the truck has been adorned with striking campaign branding, prominently displaying pictures of Dr. Bawumia and a captivating slogan, “Next To Lead,” emphasizing his vision and leadership qualities.
Known for his political prowess, Aliu Mahama has solidified the NPP’s stronghold in the Yendi constituency, triumphing in the past two elections by significant margins.
He has pledged to leverage his influence, along with that of other Members of Parliament, to provide unwavering support and ensure a resounding victory for Dr. Bawumia in the upcoming NPP primaries.
In the meantime, Dr. Bawumia is scheduled to face the party’s vetting committee, which will evaluate presidential aspirants in their quest for the nomination.
The Founder and Presiding Bishop of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, has urged Christians to remain vigilant and prepared for spiritual battles against evil spirits.
He emphasized the importance of being spiritually equipped to confront and overcome the forces of darkness. The Archbishop’s admonition serves as a reminder for believers to be steadfast in their faith and to rely on spiritual weapons to combat spiritual challenges.
He said: “Whether you like it or not, as a Christian, you are in spiritual warfare with the enemy.”
“For as the Bible says in Ephesians 6 verse 12, we did not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, rulers of darkness and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
His message was titled: “Who Rules the Cosmic Ream 1: The Cosmic Realm and the Christian”.
According to Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, every town, city, and village is influenced by evil spirits and principalities.
He stressed that as believers, Christians should be ready to engage in spiritual warfare against these forces.
The Archbishop emphasized that as children of God, believers possess the necessary tools and equipment to triumph over the enemy in these battles. He encouraged Christians to be equipped with spiritual discernment, prayer, and the Word of God to effectively confront and overcome the influence of evil spirits. The Archbishop’s message underscores the importance of spiritual preparedness and reliance on God’s power to overcome spiritual challenges.
The teachings, which are in series, are to help Christians to be well prepared and equipped against the spiritual enemy.
The refurbished Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, worth $3.5 million, will be inaugurated on July 4, 2023, by President Akufo-Addo.
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, after 25 years without significant improvements, has undergone a much-needed facelift.
The park’s fountains, a major attraction, were not functioning properly, and the museum’s leaking roof posed challenges for visitor tours.
The VIP lounge, corridor, and washrooms were also in poor condition. Recognizing the importance of tourism, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo secured a loan to develop the sector and allocated funds for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the park.
On July 4, 2023, the park will be officially commissioned by President Akufo-Addo, highlighting the New Patriotic Party’s understanding of its historical significance and its contribution to Ghana’s history.
Hence, the Government sparing no efforts in its quest to ensure that the monument is uplifted to a status befitting of the first President of Ghana whilst also generating the needed resources for the country.
CEO of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has funded a mock examination for approximately 2,400 BECE candidates in Akuapem North Municipality, Eastern Region.
The sponsorship covers students from both public and private schools.
Sammi Awuku, in his sponsorship of the mock examination, covered the printing of question papers and answer booklets, as well as procuring 2,400 mathematical sets for the candidates.
He also provided financial support for the supervision of the examination. During the handover of the items to the Akuapem North District Directorate of Education, Sammi Awuku emphasized the significance of the mock examination in boosting candidates’ confidence and helping teachers identify their strengths and weaknesses for targeted interventions.
As someone aspiring to the parliamentary seat in the area, he highlighted the importance of educational support in the community.
“We expecting that this mock examination will prepare the candidates well, build their confidence into the main exams to impact and improve upon the results even though last year was impressive we expect this year to be of greater impact. What I personally seek to achieve is to build confidence of the people before they take the exams because for many of them they may get to experience how to use the mathematical set on the day of their exams and it will be new to them how to use the compass and all those things,” said Sammy Awuku
He added that “the tension alone in exams room can let you fail at the sight of of these mathematical instruments but once they have their confidence built ,practice on how to use this mathematical set and with the mock exams on all subjects that they are going to be examined on it will help know their strength.This mock exams are questions set by their own teachers and external examiners so these are standard questions they may end up facing it in the BECE.”
Sammi Awuku, prioritizing education in Akuapem North, has undertaken various interventions such as constructing sports facilities, providing generator plants, school buses, and roofing support, as well as recommending schools for government initiatives.
The sponsorship of the mock examination was commended by Lawrence Dzah, the Akuapem North municipal Education Director, who expressed plans to organize a simulation mock in the future.
The performance of BECE candidates in the municipality has been historically poor, with a significant number of failures and low aggregate scores. Although there was improvement in the pass rate in 2022, it still fell short of the municipality’s target of 70%.
President Akufo Addo has given his assurance that the nursing and teacher training allowance in Ghana will not be impacted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) extended credit facility program.
This statement comes after the approval of a $3 billion arrangement with the IMF, with the first tranche of $600 million already disbursed.
The IMF program aims to address economic challenges and promote sustainable growth, but concerns were raised about the possible cancellation of the nursing and teacher trainee allowance to create fiscal space.
However, President Akufo Addo has emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting this social intervention program during negotiations with the IMF.
In May 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 36-month arrangement with Ghana, providing a total of US$3 billion in financial support. The first tranche of US$600 million was immediately disbursed.
However, this IMF bailout package comes with certain conditions aimed at addressing economic challenges, ensuring fiscal discipline, and promoting sustainable growth in Ghana.
Some economists have suggested that the payment of nursing and teacher trainee allowances should be cancelled to create fiscal space.
Nevertheless, Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo-Maafo, speaking on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, emphasized during a public event that the government has strongly protected the nursing and teacher trainees allowance as one of its social intervention programs during the negotiation process with the IMF.
“Teacher trainees present, I know that the difficulty in the economic landscape which has resulted in government’s signing up for a program with International Monitory Fund IMF may cause you some concern. But none of the allowances of the teaching profession will be affected with our program with IMF. There were certain things which are not to be touched and the teacher allowances was on of such protected allowance. The difficulty in prompt payment is coming from our own mobilization of resources and not the IMF once you have it you can be sure that teachers allowances and the rest of it will be honoured appropriately”.
He expressed commitment of government to the teacher education and profession to ensure quality education.
President Akufo-Addo mentioned for instance that the introduction of licensing for teachers is a step to restore dignity in the profession.
“The introduction of licensing examination for teachers for example was done in the utmost good fate. It is aimed at lifting the image of the profession and avoiding situation where unqualified persons could pose as teachers and in the process bring the profession into disrepute”.
He added that “it is my expectation that interventions such as the distribution of laptops and payment of continuous professional development allowance to teachers will systematically improve the capacity and morale among the teaching profession and our teachers”.
This week, the anti-LGBT measure, also called the Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill, is expected to be discussed in parliament.
Last Friday, the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, made it clear that the absence of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee prevented the House from conducting the second reading of the bill as ordered by Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, last week.
The bill aims to outlaw LGBTQ+ and associated acts, as well as any propaganda, advocacy, or promotion of LGBT and related activities. It also aims to protect and support children, as well as anyone who have been wrongly accused or victimized by LGBT or related activities.
On June 27, when the MPs were supposed to debate the issue, the House was empty because the majority of MPs from both the majority and minority parties were in Assin.
Today, Monday, July 3 the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will begin the vetting process for its presidential aspirants ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Among the candidates to be vetted today are Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Kwadwo Poku, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The vetting will continue on July 4 with other candidates including Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
The remaining candidates will undergo vetting on July 5 and 6. The NPP will hold a special congress on August 26 to select five candidates for the primary elections scheduled for November 4.
The vetting process will be overseen by a nine-member committee chaired by Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of Parliament.
The Director of Programmes and Policy Engagement at CDD-Ghana, Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has stated that the recent victory of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Assin North Constituency by-election has boosted the party’s confidence for the 2024 general election.
Dr. Asante believes that the party’s victory provides them with a sense of competitiveness as they approach the upcoming general elections.
“I think we are a long way from December 07, 2024. So, there are still many things to resolve. The NPP’s own internal party primaries have to be resolved to know who’s their candidate. That would help assess the strength of the candidates going into the election.
“For me, this [Assin North] election does give the NDC some more confidence about its own sense of competitiveness going into the 2024 election,” he said.
Dr. Asante suggests that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should learn from its mistakes in the by-election.
He emphasized the need for the party to reassess its approach to utilizing the advantages of being in power, warning against creating impunity among voters as allegedly witnessed in Assin North, as it could have negative consequences.
Regarding the issue of vote-buying during elections, Dr. Asante proposed conducting undercover investigations to expose those involved.
He believes that relying solely on individuals voluntarily reporting such cases would be challenging, making it necessary to take proactive measures to address the issue.
“I’ve tried to press on the Special Prosecutor who is charged with dealing with politically exposed persons to get into the space because I really think it’s not just about vote-buying. I think it’s vote selling and vote-buying.
“So, I think this example has to be set in terms of even the citizens who are also receiving the money. But I think the tactics should also include undercover because you’re not going to really get people coming forward to say we’re receiving cash,” he added.
The Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Limited Company (BOST), Edwin Alfred Provencal, has been honored as Africa’s Most Respected CEO in the Petroleum (Storage and Distribution category) for the year 2022.
The Managing Director of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Limited Company (BOST), Mr. Edwin Alfred Provencal, was named Africa’s Most Respected CEO in the Petroleum (Storage and Distribution category) for the year 2022.
The prestigious event took place at the Intercontinental Resort in Balaclava, Mauritius, under the auspices of the Business Executive and the Economic Development Board of Mauritius.
The awards platform recognizes corporate leaders who contribute to the advancement of Africa and its population. Mr. Ladislaus Matindi, the Managing Director of Air Tanzania Company Limited, also received recognition as Africa’s Most Respected CEO 2022 in the Air Transport category.
Mr. Provencal dedicated the award to the Board, Management, and Staff of BOST, acknowledging their significant role in the company’s turnaround.
The citation highlighted Mr. Provencal’s efforts in revitalizing BOST, bringing it from years of losses to profitability and transforming the company’s assets.
The event emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors for Africa’s progress, with a focus on leveraging the opportunities presented by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
The Africa’s Most Respected CEO Awards seeks to honor exceptional leadership in both the private and public sectors as Africa strives for socio-economic development.
Management of St. Monica Senior High School (SHS) has begun an investigation into the death of one of its students.
In a report by The Chronicle Newspaper on May 29, 2023, it was revealed that a student, Patience Amaning, who was studying General Art at the school, had been unwell for a period of time.
Despite her attempts to obtain permission to seek medical attention outside of the school, her request was reportedly denied, leading to her unfortunate demise.
In response to this tragic incident, the school authorities have established a committee of inquiry to investigate the cause of the student’s death.
Nations FC, a newly promoted team, has appointed Kasim Ocansey Mingle from Bechem United as their new Head Coach for the upcoming 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season.
After successfully earning promotion from the Division One League, Nations FC has set its sights on becoming a prominent club in the top flight.
Johnson Smith, the former coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, who played a crucial role in securing the promotion, will join Mingle as an assistant coach.
— Nations Football Club (@nationsfcgh) June 30, 2023
The team is optimistic about their new coaching staff and aims to make a mark in the Ghana Premier League.
Kasim Mingle has established himself as one of the top coaches in the domestic top-flight following back-to-back performances in the league with the Hunters.
After 34 matches in the Ghana Premier League this season, Kasim Mingle’s Bechem United amassed 54 points in 34 matches, where they finished 3rd on the league log behind Aduana FC and eventual Champions Medeama SC.
Karela United Club‘s Director of Operations, Lawrence Cudjoe Saforo, has revealed plans for a major overhaul ahead of the 2023/24 betPawa Premier League season.
The club aims to significantly improve its performance by bringing in high-quality players and parting ways with some existing ones to create space for new signings.
Saforo emphasized that this process of restructuring the squad is a routine procedure undertaken at the end and beginning of every soccer season to optimize team dynamics.
The objective of this shake-up is to build a formidable and fearsome side that can fiercely compete in all competitions and reignite the passion of their fans.
Karela United concluded the 2022/23 season in 7th place with 47 points earned from 34 games, comprising 13 wins, 13 defeats, and 8 draws.
The upcoming changes are aimed at positioning the club for greater success and dominance in the league.
The legendary Ghanaian footballer, Asamoah Gyan, has shared valuable advice with the players of Ghana Black Meteors on how to excel in their football careers.
He emphasized the importance of being team players and explained that their ability to contribute to the team’s efforts when not in possession of the ball is vital for success.
Gyan believes that football is not solely about individual talent but requires collective teamwork.
Expressing his disappointment, Gyan acknowledged the potential of the Ghana Black Meteors to progress further in the tournament.
However, he attributed their early elimination to the presence of pride and selfishness among certain players.
These character traits, according to the iconic Ghanaian skipper, are detrimental to modern football and hinder the team’s overall performance.
Gyan urged the players to change their mindset and embrace a more selfless approach to the game.
He stressed the significance of not only showcasing individual skills but also actively defending and supporting the team when not in possession of the ball.
Gyan highlighted the evolving nature of football and emphasized that success comes from collective efforts rather than individual brilliance.
The veteran footballer’s advice serves as a reminder to aspiring players that true greatness in football is achieved through teamwork and selflessness.
Gyan’s words of wisdom carry weight, given his extensive experience and success in the sport. His message resonates with the need for players to prioritize the interests of the team above personal glory, as this is the key to unlocking their full potential and achieving remarkable results in modern football.
He said, “What I saw in this Black meteors team is some players think they are bigger than the whole team. Small hype and fame? SHM.”
Arsenal is considering a potential move for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker, Kylian Mbappe, whose contract is set to expire next season.
Reports suggest that Mbappe has indicated he will not extend his contract, which could force PSG to sell him to avoid losing him for free.
Football Transfers indicates that Arsenal is contemplating making an offer to Mbappe’s representatives with the intention of acquiring him in 2024.
While Mbappe has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, a transfer in this window would depend on PSG lowering their asking price.
If Real Madrid fails to secure a deal, Arsenal could seize the opportunity and secure one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history.
Mbappe, who joined PSG from Monaco in 2017, has an impressive record of 212 goals in 260 games across all competitions, consistently finishing as Ligue 1’s top scorer in the last five seasons.
Additionally, Football Transfers suggests that if Arsenal fails to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton or Romeo Lavia from Southampton, they may reignite their interest in Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
A six-year-old KG2 pupil, has allegedly been defiled by a well-known fetish priest, John Afedzi in the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District of the Central Region.
The mother of the victim, Madam Sarah Antwi, noticed changes in her daughter’s walking and crying during urination, prompting her to inquire about the issue. Shockingly, she discovered that her child had been defiled.
Madam Sarah Antwi promptly reported the incident to the Twifo Ampekro Shed unit committee, and subsequent investigations by the committee pointed towards the alleged involvement of John Afedzi.
The victim’s parents took her to the Twifo Praso District Hospital, where it was confirmed that the child had experienced forceful friction in her genitals. The child is currently suffering from severe pain while urinating and has difficulty walking.
The Hemang Police in the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District are currently investigating the matter.
Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu has said that his successor, Kissi Agyebeng lacks understanding with regards to the duties and responsibilities of his office.
According to him, the “OSP was not established as a corporate fisheries entity to go into the oceans, rivers, and other water bodies of crime, casting its net widely to scoop in every fish the net can catch, and then decide which type of fish meets its fancy to be retained as game or food for sacrifice to the gods of persecution and which to release back into the oceans.”
His comment follows the arrest and subsequent bailing of former Environment Minister, Fimpong-Boateng.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng was invited by the OSP on May 16 as “a person necessary for the investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of the activities and expenditure of the dissolved Inter-ministerial Committee on illegal mining, IMCIM.”
Although this action by Mr. Agyebeng has been widely criticised especially by the minority NDC, the former has defended the arrest, insisting that the former Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Prof Frimpong-Boateng is not the only person being investigated and neither is he the only government appointee who has been invited.
He argued that he has a charge to keep.
“I respect the credentials of the Professor, and I doff my hat to him. You know me very personally, I am an academician as well, and so I respect such people on all scores. I mean the CV is unbelievable, I respect that, and I applaud him for that, but I have a charge to keep. The charge I have to keep is to the Republic of Ghana and to the public. I have been put in this office to investigate corruption and corruption-related offences, to recover assets for the country.”
But rubbishing this defense, the citizen vigilante said, the “deficiencies in the investigatory and prosecutorial experience of Mr. Kissi Agyebeng is what has haunted him into overdrive to think that he can earn the trust of Ghanaians by appearing to talk tough and threatening to investigate and prosecute “everyone and every person” on mere suspicion of the commission of a corruption offence without first establishing reasonable grounds for such suspicion as though he was on a fishing expedition.”
In Mr Amidu’s write-up sighted by JoyNews, he explained that, “the ethics governing professional investigators as well as prosecutors do not permit such specialized public officers to intimidate and frighten citizens with threats of arrest and prosecution for the generic offence of corruption and corruption-related offences created under the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) without indicating to a suspect the specified crime(s) committed or about to be committed within the generic corruption offences.
Again, “There is no crime under Act 959 known as “alleged or suspected corruption and corruption[1]related offences”. The mandate of the OSP is to “investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences” (Emphasis supplied). The specific cases of offences the OSP is enjoined to investigate and prosecute are defined under Section 79 of Act 959. Consequently, the citizen is entitled to know from the invitation letter or at the point of arrest the specific offence of alleged or specified suspected corruption and corruption-related offences for which he is reasonably suspected of having violated. The Ghana Police Service which hitherto was responsible for investigating all criminal offences under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), is not permitted to invite or arrest a citizen for the commission of crime generally without specifying the particular crime or offence for which the citizen is reasonably suspected of commission or about to commit,” Mr. Amidu added.
In the view of the first Special Prosecutor who resigned from the role after a clash with the government, “The fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizen to fair and impartial investigation and prosecution upon reasonable suspicion of the commission of crime are guaranteed under the Constitution and the Special Prosecutor cannot decide at his whim when and how the guaranteed rights may be enjoyed by the citizen on account of the mandate of his office to investigate and prosecute specified cases of alleged or suspected corruption.”
A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has successfully secured a tractor manufacturing plant deal for Ghana, aiming to enhance mechanized farming and promote agricultural growth.
The deal is expected to benefit other countries in the West African sub-region as well.
Discussions between Dr. Akoto and Hattat Traktör directors during his visit to Turkey focused on creating an enabling environment for the business, policy formulation, and accessibility and affordability issues.
Dr. Akoto, emphasizing Africa’s potential as an investment destination, highlighted the benefits of establishing the manufacturing plant in Ghana, including access to the ECOWAS community market.
The directors of Hattat Traktör plan to visit Ghana to present their proposal officially to the government. Hattat Traktör, established in 1998, produces tractor models with advanced technology and has received awards for its designs and performance.
Dr. Akoto, prioritizing the agricultural sector, believes public funding and mechanized farming can drive Ghana’s economic development.
The growth of mechanization in Ghana’s agricultural sector has been relatively low, and efforts to modernize and increase mechanization are crucial for sustainable productivity.
The potential establishment of the Hattat Traktör assembling plant in Ghana would significantly contribute to mechanized farming, bolstering food security in the country and the ECOWAS community at large.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has inaugurated its presidential primary vetting committee, chaired by former Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rev. Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye.
The vetting committee was established at the Party’s Headquarters on Friday, June 30, 2023 by Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of the Party.
He asked the committee members to maintain a free, fair, and transparent vetting process while reiterating the importance of upholding the Party’s Constitution.
In line with the provisions of the Party’s Constitution, the Members of the Vetting Committee are as follows:
NAMES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND DESIGNATION
Rt. Rev. Hon. Prof. Mike Aaron Oquaye – Chairman
Hon. Kwasi Amoako Atta – Member
Mr. Stephen Abankwa Sekyere – Member
Hon. Osei Bonsu Amoah – Member
Lord Oblitey Commey – Member
Lawyer Frank Davies – Member
Mad. Rita Talata Asobayire – Member
Hon. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman – Member
Mad. Adelaide Ahwireng – Member
Hon. Osei Bonsu Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North Constituency and a member of the Vetting Committee, has been appointed the Spokesperson for the Committee. Mr. Evans Nimako, Director for Research and Elections of the Party has also been appointed as Secretary for the committee.
Residents in Bokankye, Akropong, and Esaso of the Atwima Nwabiagya North District in the Ashanti region have expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the terrible state of roads in the area.
The communities argue that the road, which serves as an alternative access route to northern regions, has been neglected for an extended period.
Speaking to the media the residents described their daily commute as frightening and dangerous due to the poor road conditions.
The inadequate road network is adversely affecting their daily activities, health, and local economy. They hold Member of Parliament, Benito Owusu-Bio responsible for the road’s disrepair, as he has served in parliament for two decades without resolving the issue.
The Assemblyman for Bokankye, Malik Osei Kwame, assures the residents that the Bokanye-Esaso road has been contracted out, urging them to be patient.
However, residents remain skeptical, as previous contractors have failed to initiate construction. District Chief Executive Rebecca Yeboah reassures the residents that the contractor is now on-site and committed to fixing the road promptly.
Chairman of Mines and Energy Committee in Parliament, Samuel Atta-Akyea, has stated that the government is taking steps to prevent power plant shutdowns by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) on July 1.
According to him, the government is taking the necessary precautions to avoid the disastrous effects of the IPPs cutting power.
Speaking to the media in Parliament, Samuel Atta Akyea refuted allegations that the GH1.7 billion debt owed to the IPPs was paid in part.
“The independent power producers are concerned about the necessity that they should be paid and if you pay one, and you don’t pay the other and the power is withdrawn, what will be the consequences, and so I don’t think that the Minister of Finance will do that kind of thing of paying some and not paying others.”
“The government is acutely aware of the implication of withdrawing power from the system and so the government is doing everything to ensure that it doesn’t come to that.”
He also called on the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta to engage with the IPPs to clear outstanding arrears owed to the IPPs.
“It is a financial matter and the Finance Minister must find a way to ensure that even if they will be met in some reasonable terms, they should do it. If you don’t have the money, but there is goodwill to pay some of the money, it will urge them to give you the power and so that is the whole point of the matter but when you take a stand against you not paying them at all, then you are trying to dare them to cut the power.”
On Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 5 p.m. PT, the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles will host the Grammy 2024 Awards ceremony.
The ceremony will be televised on the CBS Television Network and streamed live and on-demand on Paramount+, according to a Thursday morning announcement from CBS and the Recording Academy.
The organizations said that the release of this year’s Grammy nominees will take place on Nov. 10, which is another significant occasion in the approaching awards season.
The Recording Academy revealed its annual revisions to its policies earlier in June during a board of trustees meeting. Best African music performance, best alternative jazz album, and best pop dance recording are the three new categories that were added by the group.
The four top categories—album, song, record of the year, and best new artist—were downsized from 10 nominees to eight, marking a significant change. The action signified a turnabout after the sudden increase in the field from eight to ten nominees in 2021. In order to account for AI, The Recording Academy also established a regulation stipulating that only human inventors are qualified to receive Grammy awards.
Beyoncé became the artist with the most Grammy awards in history at the 65th Grammy Awards in February thanks to four wins for “Renaissance” and the track “Cuff It” pushing her career total to 32.
Harry Styles won Album of the Year, Lizzo won Record of the Year, and Bonnie Raitt won Song of the Year, making up the top three categories.
American singer, Madonna has postponed her world tour following a dangerous bacterial infection that requires hospitalization.
The 64-year-old pop icon was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and remained there for several days.
Her manager, Guy Oseary, stated that while she is improving, she still requires medical care and must pause all commitments to recover.
Originally, Madonna’s 84-date “Celebration” tour was set to commence in Vancouver, Canada, on July 15, commemorating the 40th anniversary of her breakout single, “Holiday.” The tour would have included performances in North America, Europe, and Latin America.
This is not the first instance of Madonna having to postpone a tour due to health issues.
In 2019, she cancelled several shows of her “Madame X” tour due to knee and hip injuries.
While Madonna is “deeply sorry” for disappointing her fans, her focus is currently on her health, and she eagerly anticipates returning to the stage soon. As of now, there is no new start date announced for the “Celebration” tour. Madonna’s fans are expressing their well wishes and prayers for her speedy recovery during this time.
Ghanaian songstress, Mzbel is steadfast in her decision to keep the identity of her baby’s father private, despite public curiosity.
She recognizes the potential harm that social media can inflict on personal relationships and chooses to shield her child’s father from online scrutiny and judgment.
In an interview with Emmanuel on OBI TV, Mzbel candidly explains her stance, highlighting the negative effects of social media and its pervasive presence in people’s lives.
She firmly believes that such platforms should not be the primary means of sharing precious aspects of one’s life.
With the recent arrival of her daughter, Mzbel emphasizes the significance of the child’s father in her life. She expresses her desire to protect their relationship and maintain privacy, considering the potential consequences that can arise from public exposure.
Mzbel goes on to discuss the damaging effects of social media on individuals, citing broken marriages, fractured friendships, and other negative outcomes. She emphasizes the need for responsible and cautious use of these platforms to safeguard personal relationships and well-being.
Through her decision to keep the identity of her baby’s father undisclosed, Mzbel showcases her commitment to protecting her loved ones from the potential harm of social media.
Her perspective serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining privacy and considering the potential consequences of sharing personal information online.
She explained by saying, “I can’t reveal his identity. Because of what I have seen on social media, I will never post anything that’s very dear to me on such a platform. Someone got married and announced it on social media and a few days later, it was revealed that her husband is a carpenter, make-up artiste, macho man, and other things, and eventually, the couple divorced.”
“If you have something you cherish, you are happy about it, and wish to keep it forever, then please social media should be the last place to make people know about it but for my daughter’s father, I wouldn’t post him for an ordinary person to disrespect and associate him with false information”, she added.
Resolute in her decision, Mzbel affirms that she will not succumb to the pressure of revealing her baby’s father to the public, determined to protect him from unwarranted disrespect and false associations.
The Ghanaian music duo, DopeNation, has made a comeback with their latest track titled “Check My Zingo.”
This sensational release combines the infectious rhythms of Afrobeat and Highlife with the pulsating beats of Amapiano, creating a captivating fusion that transcends borders.
“Check My Zingo” showcases DopeNation’s dynamic talent and their ability to blend different genres seamlessly.
The song is a perfect blend of Afrobeat, Highlife, and Amapiano, three genres that have been dominating the African music scene.
The duo’s versatility and creative prowess shine through as they effortlessly merge these styles, resulting in a captivating and exhilarating musical experience.
The production of the track is top-notch, featuring groovy basslines, rhythmic percussion, and captivating synths that create an irresistible sonic landscape.
DopeNation’s flawless vocal delivery adds an extra layer of charm, as they ride the waves of the beat and infuse their unique style into every verse and chorus.
“Check My Zingo” is a testament to DopeNation’s commitment to pushing musical boundaries and delivering exceptional music.
It reflects their artistic growth and evolution, showcasing their versatility as musicians.
The track not only highlights their undeniable talent but also contributes to the ever-evolving landscape of Afrobeat, Highlife, and Amapiano music.
With their latest release, DopeNation continues to captivate audiences and solidify their position as one of Ghana’s most innovative music acts. “Check My Zingo” is a must-listen for fans of Afrobeat, Highlife, and Amapiano, as well as anyone who appreciates unique and boundary-pushing music.
Maintaining privacy is a constant struggle for many celebrities, despite their efforts to keep their personal lives out of the public eye, their issues often find their way on social media platforms.
While some celebrities have successfully shielded their relationships and marriages from public scrutiny, others have faced situations beyond their control, resulting in social media drama that captivates Ghanaians.
This article focuses on a few high-profile entanglements that generated significant drama on the timeline.
Medikal and Derby
In 2018, Ghanaian celebrities Medikal and Deborah Vanessa, also known as Sister Derby, ended their relationship after captivating fans with their public displays of affection. The young and aspiring actress Fella Makafui, known for her role in the series YOLO, managed to win over Medikal’s heart, despite the significant age difference between her, in her 20s, and Derby, in her late 30s.
Prior to their sudden breakup, social media users in Ghana and the court of public opinion had already predicted an unfavorable outcome for Sister Derby. However, she remained defiant and disregarded their warnings. Many believed that their age disparity alone was a cultural barrier that would ultimately lead to the demise of their relationship.
The breakup between Medikal and Sister Derby stirred up a great deal of drama on social media, with the topic trending for weeks and capturing the attention of their fans and the public alike.
Shatta Wale and Michy
Michy and Shatta Wale were a very fine couple who interested many Ghanaians. They lived together for about 8 years and they ended up with a baby boy named Majesty. Unfortunately, this beautiful relationship collapsed about two years ago. Shatta Wale who appeared to be so much into Michy consistently sent people to go to Michy and plead on his behalf, all to no avail.
Sarkodie and Yvonne Nelson
These two have given us a lot of drama in the past weeks and more is still unfolding. Yvonne Nelson in her newly released memoir alleged that she slept with Sarkodie, got pregnant for him and they aborted the baby.
Sarkodie who did not like the fact that he was exposed, released a 3:16 second audio track released to give his account of what happened with Yvonne Nelson.
The lyrics read “You can’t just play the victim and paint a picture that she was just looking for love” from all her previous amorous relationships, part of the lyrics went.
“I’m not gonna sit here and lie, we had a thing. First I thought you were cool till I had a hint,” he sang in English before stating in Twi that he thought he had gotten a good girl only to realise there were others in the queue after him.”
The chorus to the song is translated thus: “If you don’t love me, leave me. Why are you pestering me? What is meant for me you have gone to give to Kwame. I have become teary.
“If you don’t love me, leave me let me be. Someone else is longing to be with me, when you were leaving me you failed to notify me. Baby girl don’t try me.”
He also add that He did not ask Yvonne Nelson to abort the baby and that it was her sole decision.
He asked her to keep the baby but she chose her education above the baby,
He asked his doctor to examine her but she refused the offer, and she opted for an abortion doctor prescribed by her friend and also Yvonne recently tried to get them to talk about the episode but he turned down her terms.
As the drama still unfolds, she awaits the outcome of these revelations.
Elikem and Pokello
Their marriage lasted for just two years although they were perceived as a ‘power couple’.
The ‘Big Brother Chase’ lovebirds Elikem Kumordzie and Pokello Nare became the envy of every relationship, particularly when the former proposed to the latter live on stage at the 2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs).
However, in the same capacity, social media witnessed their dramatic fallout which resulted in Pokello relocating to Zimbabwe with their son, Tristan.
On reasons why their marriage failed, Pokello stated in an interview sometime in 2020, “Elikem is not ready to be a husband and unfortunately, after 4 years of trying to be patient with all his transgression, I just couldn’t do it anymore”.
Afia Schwarzenegger and Lawrence Abrokwa
Afia and Lawrence’s divorce counts among the nastiest and most scandalous in the history of Ghanaian celebrity divorces. Their marriage blossomed with an envious show of love and romance until after about a year when Lawrence caught Afia red-handed on their matrimonial bed with another man, videoed their naked bodies, and let it loose for all to see!
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a warning to the public regarding fraudulent online recruitment and enlistment exercises.
In a press release, the GAF stated that they have observed a fake press release circulating on social media, instructing interested applicants to send their summary reports and contact details to a fraudulent email address: ghforces37@gmail.com.
Furthermore, the false document references a supposed press release from the Finance Ministry to the GAF, claiming that recruitment of new officers in all sectors has been postponed due to financial constraints faced by the government.
The GAF strongly advises individuals to be cautious and refrain from engaging with such fraudulent activities.
They emphasize that the official channels for GAF recruitment will be duly announced through the appropriate channels and not through unofficial means.
The GAF encourages the public to verify any information regarding recruitment exercises directly from their official sources to ensure accuracy and legitimacy.
By raising awareness of this issue, the GAF aims to protect aspiring applicants from falling victim to scams and maintain the integrity of their recruitment process.
“Additionally, the fake document makes reference to a purported press release by the Finance Ministry to GAF about holding on recruitment of new officers across all sectors due to financial constraints on the part of government,” the statement reads.
The 63rd Republic Day will be celebrated on Saturday, July 1 with a parade, according to the National Cadet Corps Ghana in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Education Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, other Security Services, and the National Youth Authority.
The event will take place in the famous Black Stars Square, which stands for the nation’s pride and unification.
‘Esprit De-Corps, Our Strength and Purpose’ is the subject for this year’s festival.
The main objective is to emphasize the value of patriotism, accuracy, discipline, volunteerism, unity, teamwork, and a common sense of purpose in promoting national growth and advancement among Ghana’s youth, who represent the country’s future.
“Her presence reflects the government’s commitment to youth development and the recognition of the National Cadet Corps as a vital institution shaping the leaders of tomorrow.”
The Republic Day event promises to be a memorable and inspiring occasion, filled with vibrant displays by Cadets drawn from educational institutions in all 16 regions of Ghana across the country to showcase the training and skills through captivating drills and demonstrations, reflecting the core values of the National Cadet Corps Ghana.
All attendees have been asked to adhere to a formal dress code with a touch of the colours of the national flag – red, gold and green – to symbolize national pride and cultural heritage.
This provision requires the finance minister to present a Mid-Year Review to parliament six months after the main budget is presented for the fiscal year.
The Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, made this announcement on the floor of parliament.
The Mid-Year Budget Review has been marked for Thursday, July 27, 2023, which coincides with the last Thursday of July.
This review provides an opportunity to assess the government’s fiscal performance and make necessary adjustments to the budget.
The finance minister’s presentation will shed light on the country’s economic progress and outline any revisions to revenue targets, expenditures, and policy measures.
In anticipation of the Mid-Year Budget Review, some industry players have expressed concerns and called on the government to withdraw certain tax measures.
They argue that these measures are contributing to excessive hardship on companies.
Their concerns are heightened by the recent passage of crucial bills in Parliament, including the Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill 2022, the Ghana Revenue Authority Bill 2022, and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022.
These bills are significant components of Ghana’s $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
However, the government has defended these tax measures, asserting that they are aimed at enhancing revenue mobilization for the country.
The government maintains that these measures are crucial for sustainable economic growth and development. T
he Mid-Year Budget Review will provide an opportunity for the finance minister to address these concerns and clarify the government’s stance on tax policies.
As the date for the Mid-Year Budget Review approaches, stakeholders, including businesses and citizens, will eagerly await the finance minister’s presentation.
They will be keen to understand the government’s plans to stimulate economic growth, manage fiscal challenges, and alleviate the burden on companies.
The review will also offer insights into the government’s broader economic vision and its commitment to addressing the country’s financial needs effectively.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced that the vetting of its presidential aspirants for the 2024 general elections will begin on Monday, July 3.
The candidates to be scrutinized on the first day include Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, former Minister of Trade; businessman Kwadwo Poku, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the current Vice President.
On Tuesday, July 4, the vetting process will continue with other candidates, including Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, former Energy Minister; Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former NPP General Secretary, and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central.
The statement from the Secretary to the National Presidential Vetting Committee, Evans Nimako, also mentioned that the remaining candidates would be vetted on July 5 and 6. All presidential hopefuls are expected to adhere to the schedule and participate in the vetting process as required by the Committee.
A prominent figure named K. Gyamera, who participated in a panel discussion on Sompa FM, a radio station based inKumasi, has expressed his frustrations over Ghana’s lack of development despite the nation’s abundant resources.
Since achieving independence, Ghana has faced difficulties in effectively managing its affairs without external intervention.
In a widely shared video, the man, appearing to be in his 40s, suggests that Ghana’s leaders have not fully exploited these resources and proposes that it may be more beneficial to allow foreigners, particularly individuals of Caucasian descent, to take charge, as Ghanaians themselves are not fully utilising their own resources.
During a media interview on Friday, June 30, Gyamera passionately remarked that other countries rarely experience economic hardships due to their ability to maximise the potential of their limited resources through effective strategies and utilisation.
“Given that we are failing to harness the potential of our lands, we should allow the Whites to use our bodies as fertiliser by excavating us,” he said passionately.
“The Whites have a knack for making the most of what they have. Just look at the quality of their water—does it appear discoloured? We, on the other hand, are plagued by mismanagement, which is why our water is discoloured,” he added.
Gyamera emphasised the need for Ghanaians to unite and work collaboratively to bring about positive change within the country and on a global scale.
Efforts have been made by successive governments to transform Ghana’s fortunes; however, challenges persist.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi West Constituency, Helen Ntoso has raised concerns about the insufficient supply of toilet rolls in the female washrooms used byMembers of Parliament (MPs).
Speaking to the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, she stated that “Mr. Speaker, if you go to the washroom, there are no toilet rolls since yesterday. There are no toilet rolls in the washroom, so I need to draw the attention of the House,” she voiced her concern on the floor of the Parliament on June 30, following the business statement for the week.
She further called for urgent action to address the issue, stating that Parliament has a responsibility to ensure the availability of basic amenities.
In order to ensure the comfort and convenience of all MPs and guests, the MP’s statement emphasized the significance of maintaining appropriate supplies in the parliamentary washrooms.
The 33-year-old scrap dealer, Nuhu Sulley, who was previously granted GH¢50,000 bail by anAccra Circuit Court for stealing an American rapper, Meek Mill’s iPhone, has been arrested again for another phone theft.
This time, he is accused of stealing a phone valued at GH¢4,000 from a medical officer in Madina.
Sulley appeared before an Adentan Circuit Court and pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal and stealing.
His alleged accomplice, known as Junior, is currently at large. Sulley has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties, and he is expected to reappear in court on July 20 while the police continue their search for the accomplice.
An Attorney from theAttorney General‘s Department opposed the grant of bail to Nuhu Sulley, citing his previous charges of phone theft against American rapper Meek Mill during the Afro Nation concert in December.
The prosecution argued that granting bail to Sulley would pose a risk of him committing a similar offense and potentially fleeing.
Sulley’s defense counsel described him as a law-abiding and peaceful member of society, stating that he had people willing to stand as sureties.
The prosecution presented the case that Sulley, along with his accomplice Junior, allegedly stole a Huawei mobile phone valued at GH¢4,000 from a clinical physician in Madina.
When the complainant felt a hand in his pocket, Sulley was seen running away with the phone. The following day, Sulley was arrested, but he resisted and raised an alarm, resulting in injuries to the complainant and a witness.
In his caution statement, Sulley denied stealing the phone and claimed that Junior was the one who stole it. Sulley stated that he chased Junior and retrieved the phone from him. The prosecution mentioned that an investigation is ongoing.
The ranking member for mines and energy, John Jinapor, has urged the independent power producers (IPPs) to revisit their decision to cease operations on July 1 in an effort to prevent an impending energy crisis.
According to him the manner in which the government is handling the situation, particularly criticizing the Finance Minister’s approach.
He also raised concerns about the selective and discriminatory nature of the payments being made to certain preferredIPPs, while neglecting others.
“The Finance Minister instead of dealing with the Chamber of IPPs is engaged in selective and discriminatory payment, selecting some preferred IPPs, paying them and leaving them to their own fate,” he stated.
Mr Jinapor called on the government to display dedication in resolving the pressing debt problem that has led to this dire situation.
The IPPs, responsible for 50 percent of Ghana’s power generation, have issued a warning that they will cease operations unless the government makes an interim payment of 30 percent of the outstanding debt, which amounts to $1.7 billion, owed to them.
Understanding the seriousness of the matter, Jinapor appealed to the IPPs to grant the government and the nation additional time to address their grievances.
“Please reconsider your decision towards shutting your plants on July 1. Please give the government and the nation some more time,” Jinapor appealed.
Jinapor stressed the urgency of the situation and urged the government, specifically the President, to intervene promptly and ensure a swift resolution.
He emphasized that the outstanding debt amounted to around $1.7 billion, causing significant losses for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and substantial foreign exchange losses.
“The debt as we speak now is about $1.7 billion, and it keeps compounding. ECG’s losses today are over 30 percent, forex losses alone account for more than $300 million, fuel supplied that has not been paid runs into hundreds of millions of dollars,” he said.
Parliament was unable to conduct the second reading of the anti-LGBT bill this week owing to the absence of the chairman and ranking member of the constitutional, legal, and parliamentary affairs committee, according to the majority leader in parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Both the committee’s chairman, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, and its ranking member, Bernard Ahiafor, could not be present for the bill’s presentation.
Although the motion appeared on the order paper on Thursday and Friday, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, last week asked the Business Committee to table the Anti-Gay bill this week for a debate. However, the House was unable to comply.Proponent of the bill, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra demanded answers for the delay of work on the bill.“The Bill that was advertised yesterday and today has not found its way to the Business Statement.
The Motion by the eight private members on the Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian family Values, has been advertised yesterday and today but unfortunately, it has not found space.”“It has been advertised for two days and nothing has appeared on the Business Statement, so I want to find out from the BusinessCommittee what they are doing about it.”
This comes after claims that the lack of corn seeds was preventing Sissala from planting.
NASTAG, which has members in each of the country’s 16 regions and provides farmers with high-quality goods and services, is the umbrella organization for all private and public actors in the seed value chain.
According to a statement released by NASTAG’s president, Dr. Amos Rutherford Azinu, there is no lack of maize seed in villages like Tumu, Gwollu, and Welembelle among others.
“The only possible explanation for the news report is that some farmers have been unable to get the specific brand of maize seed that they wanted, which are foreign seeds or imported seeds,” he added.
Therefore, Dr. Azinu urged farmers who were unable to obtain their chosen brand of foreign maize seed to accept and adapt local brands that were readily available and not just less expensive than imported ones.
He claimed that local NASTAG members had developed hybrid seed maize, the majority of which possessed special qualities such as climate intelligence, disease tolerance, nitrogen-water use efficiency, pro-vitamin A, etc.
“However, for some time now there are seed merchants who have emerged in the industry due to bad implementation of a policy, they are only interested in seed importation and refuse to invest in local seed production,” he added.
According to Dr. Azinu, these seed dealers just take advantage of farmers by claiming that the maize hybrids made locally are of poor quality.
“This is an attempt to collapse local seed business because they have no investment in the industry,” he added.
Dr Azinu said that in the past three years, members of NASTAG had invested in infrastructure such as seed processing equipment, irrigation facilities, human resources and were leading the production and dissemination of locally bred hybrid maize varieties, even though most of them were yet to receive full payment of seed supplied under the government programme ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ from 2020 to 2021 farming season.
The Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA), Excise Unit has confiscated cartons of malt, vodka, Coca-Cola, and carbonated beverages.
The GRA estimates that the market value of these drinks is hundreds of Ghana Cedis.
The products were found to be being sold in an open market without the necessary excise stamp, indicating an attempt to avoid tax.
Head of the GRA Excise Unit, Kwabena Apau, announced the seizure and lamented the outrageous rates at which people violate the country’s revenue collection regulations.
“We have intercepted bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, beer such as Heineken, cigarettes etc. and we expect that those products would have been fixed with stamps either manufactured locally or imported and we have noticed that most people are now flouting the law.”
Additionally, he stated that the GRA is committed to upholding the nation’s tax rules in order to stop the evasion of taxes.
The sanitation campaign project launched four years ago in theAdabraka community has come to a standstill due to a lack of funds, according to the Adabraka chief, Nii Tetteh Adjabeng II.
The “Clean Adabraka” project, implemented in the Adabraka community, successfully improved sanitary conditions in the first two years, primarily due to adequate funding.
However, in an interview with the media, the chief, stated that despite the community’s commitment to the project, their efforts were hindered by a lack of equipment and financial support.
“Last four years, I launched the Clean Adabraka Project aimed at educating the community members and encouraging them to clean their environment, but lacked funds and support,” he said.
Nii Tetteh Adjabeng II highlighted that the youth in the community were eager to engage in clean-up exercises and educate residents about proper sanitation practices.
The “Clean Adabraka” campaign consisted of regular clean-up activities, educational initiatives, and enforcement measures to ensure a clean environment in the Adabraka community. However, the lack of funds has stalled these efforts, limiting the progress of the campaign.
“We organised extensive clean-up exercises every month for about two years with some funding from corporate bodies.
However, we have not been regular due to lack of funding to support the exercise and motivate the volunteers,” he said.
Nii Tetteh Adjabeng II expressed gratitude to companies such as the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Jekora Ventures, and Toyota Ghana for their support towards the campaign.
He also appealed to other corporate bodies and individuals to come forward and contribute to theproject, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving a clean Adabraka community.
“Sanitation is one of our top priorities. Adabraka is one of the oldest communities in Accra which used to be one of the most beautiful communities some years back. However, due to increase in population things have changed,” he noted.
The KNUST chapter of the Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH) has issued a statement indicating that if the university management fails to release their members’ dues, they will be compelled to disrupt academic activities as a form of protest.
The association has accused the university management of refusing to recognize them on the university council and other committees after they decided to separate from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) about a year ago.
The union expressed their dissatisfaction during a media address following the swearing-in of the new executives.
The Chairman of TEWU-GH KNUST branch, Charles Arthur, disclosed their intention to strike if the management does not meet their demands, particularly regarding unpaid dues deducted from their salaries.
He emphasized the importance of protecting the social and economic rights of their members as outlined in the Labour Act.
Mr. Arthur highlighted the establishment of TEWU-GH as a breakaway from TEWU-TUC, citing the compromised representation and lack of welfare advocacy as reasons for the split.
He expressed frustration with the university management’s failure to differentiate between TEWU-GH and the previous union and their prevention of TEWU-GH’s representation on various committees.
The union called for the intervention of the Minister of Education and other stakeholders to resolve the matter before any disruptive action is taken. A 5-member executive was sworn into office to lead the KNUST branch of TEWU-GH for the next four years.
A foam mattress manufacturer, Latex Foam, has presented hospital mattresses worth GH¢62,000 to the Ho Teaching Hospital.
The Public Relations Officer of Latex Foam, Gifty Ekeocha Appiah, represented the company during the ceremony and emphasized the importance of quality healthcare in fostering a healthy society.
She underscored the significance of delivering excellent healthcare services to contribute to the overall development and well-being of the community.
“The health of a people is as important as any developmental effort.
In fact, the growth and development of a society is dependent on the health of the people, and that is why
“Latex Foam deems it proper to support the health care delivery system with these quality mattresses for patients,” she said.
“Latex Foam is conscious of the importance of quality sleep, not just for patients but for all of the public.
According to her, the company has always recognized the significance of supporting education and health in the country. She emphasized the crucial roles these sectors play in driving socio-economic development.
Understanding the vital impact of education and health on the overall progress of society, Latex Foam has consistently regarded it as necessary to contribute to these areas.
Their commitment to supporting education and health reflects their understanding of the integral role they play in fostering socio-economic development in the country.
“Our products are therefore, tailored for such purposes to ensure maximum benefit to the user.
We believe that patients, using these mattresses will have the best treat from it,” Mrs Appiah added.
