A Public Health Professor has stressed the importance of the public making deliberate endeavors to address the factors that contribute to the high prevalence ofnon-communicable diseases(NCDs) in the country.
During the 2023 Joseph S. Agyepong Distinguished Lecture on Public Health in Africa held in Accra, Professor Peter Lamptey emphasized the personal responsibility of individuals in controlling the alarming levels of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
He stated that the causes of these diseases are often attributed to the actions and inactions of those who suffer from them, highlighting the need for individuals to take control.
Professor Lamptey pointed out that while Africa still grapples with a significant burden of communicable diseases, there is a rapidly increasing prevalence of NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and mental health disorders.
Consequently, there is an urgent need to address the risk factors associated with NCDs.
The professor highlighted tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy dietary practices, and physical inactivity as some of the risk factors.
He stressed the importance of personal responsibility in disease prevention rather than relying solely on medical professionals and healthcare systems for cure.
In summary,Professor Lamptey emphasized the need for individuals to personally take charge of reducing the risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases and acknowledged the growing burden of NCDs in Africa alongside the existing burden of communicable diseases.
“We cannot rely on doctors or the health systems, the onus is on us,” he said.
AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), a prominent mining company, has delivered a disability-friendly washrooms with a seating capacity of 20 to the Anyimadukrom and Kwabrafo communities.
The AGA responded to the communities’ plea for improved sanitation and hygiene by undertaking the initiative,costing GHS 630,000.
The project aims to bring transformative and positive change to the lives of the beneficiaries. Mr. Edmund Oduro Agyei, AGA’s Stakeholder Engagement Superintendent, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to uplift its host communities despite the challenges they face.
AGA’s Social Investment Policy aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on health, education, and water and sanitation.
Mr. Oduro Agyei emphasized AGA’s intention to enhance living standards in Obuasi and urged locals to cultivate a maintenance culture for long-lasting facilities.
The construction of disability-friendly washrooms has brought relief to the community, alleviating strain on resources, improving sanitation, and reducing the spread of infections.
Mr. Jones Agyemang, a representative of the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Obuasi East, expressed gratitude to AGA and all involved in the project.
Nana Takyi Mensah, representing the Queen Mother of Akrokeri, appreciated AGA’s generosity and called for more similar initiatives.
The completion of these washrooms signifies a step forward in promoting better sanitation and hygiene practices, demonstrating AGA’s commitment to positive and sustainable impact in the region.
An energy consultant, Dr. Yussif Sulemana, has advised policymakers to collaborate with independent power producers (IPPs) to find a long-term solution to the impending power crisis.
His request comes in response to a mandate issued to its members by the Chamber of Independent Power Producers on June 30 to reduce supplies to the national grid starting on July 1.
In an interview with the media, Dr. Sulemana expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on businesses if the IPPs, including Sunon Asogli, Cenpower, Karpowership, AKSA, Twin City Energy, and CENIT, proceed with their threatened actions.
“If people of such nature are threatening to take your power from your national grid, you have every cause to worry. If they should stay on course and go by their threat, we are going to have serious problems, as in dumsor. I think nobody wants to go back to such an era. We all know what the dumsor era came with.”
“When it happens, definitely businesses are going to be affected, SMEs, domestic holders, industry are all going to be affected. I just want to urge policymakers to engage these IPPs in good faith, so that an amicable solution will be reached, so that the IPPs will not take power from the national grid. If they do that, the situation is going to be dire. Government should negotiate in good faith,” the Energy Consultant opined.
Dr. Sulemana underscored the non-negotiable nature of addressing the concerns raised by the IPPs and recommended that the government consider a middle ground to engage with them.
“Dealing with IPPs now is non-negotiable, and we cannot joke with, so I want to urge the government to see to whatever the problems are, come together with the IPPs and even meet them halfway. From the time they [IPPs] started talking about this issue, nothing concrete has come out of it,” Dr. Yussif Sulemana.
Dr. Sulemana expressed his concern over the contrasting perspectives presented by the government and the IPPs, describing the situation as “worrying.” According to him, the divergent narratives paint a disconcerting picture of the overall situation.
Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakyehas stated that specific human activities are impeding the government’s efforts to achieve effective outcomes in flood prevention measures.
Despite allocating GH¢450 million for drain construction and desilting since 2018, the government claims that these activities have made it challenging to tackle the recurring issue of flooding.
The minister highlighted issues such as the obstruction oflagoons and wetlands for development purposes, construction on drainage channels that impede stormwater flow, dumping of waste in drains that reduce their capacity, and inadequate enforcement of planning and building laws by local authorities.
“It has become more evident that human activities are severely impeding the government’s efforts to tackle flooding. The observation includes blocking of lagoons and wetlands with construction materials for development purposes, building on drainage channels and blocking the free flow of stormwater, dumping of solid waste in drains thereby reducing their capacity to hold stormwater and the gap in the enforcement of planning and building laws by the various MMDAs,” Mr Asenso-Boakye bemoaned while providing a brief to Parliament on measures by the government to contain the situation.
The Minister further intimated that flooding in the capital is considered a national security issue and his Ministry is engaging with other relevant agencies to resolve the issue.
“Cabinet noted the need to consider flooding in Accra as a national security issue since effective law enforcement has a role to play in resolving the issue. Subsequently, the Cabinet constituted a committee to develop a comprehensive plan with appropriate measures to strengthen the enforcement of laws relating to lands and siting of buildings
“While the Committee does its work, my Ministry will continue its engagement with the National Security Ministry in seeking support for the Assemblies to enforce planning laws and building regulations.”
He also gave an update on the progress of projects aimed at mitigating the effects of flooding in Accra.
“Since 2018, the government has committed more than GH¢400 million to address flooding under a special progaramme. Under this programme, 384 desilting projects and 202 channel projects were initiated.
“Today, 370 desilting projects representing 96 percent have been completed and 84 drainage channel projects have been completed, with the remaining 118 at various stages of completion and the effects have been the mitigation of flood hazards in beneficiary communities.”
The Ministry of Roads and Highways has announced its plans to repair all deteriorated roads leading to petroleum tanker yards across the country within six months.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Nasir Ahmad Yartey, explained that the road leading to the Tema Oil Refinery, which triggered the agitation, was in the process of being repaired.
Unfortunately, the work was interrupted by heavy rains, rendering the road impassable.
“I must state that the road in question has a contractor who is currently widening it. The challenge was that, usually, the culvert and drainage have to be built before the main road construction begins, but unfortunately, the contractor could not begin before the rains set in.”
The Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Tanker Drivers made the decision to halt their sit-down strike due to the unsatisfactory condition of the roads.
Following this development, Mr. Yartey, the Ministry’s spokesperson, stated that arrangements have been put in place to provide extra machinery at the construction sites. These additional resources are intended to support the ongoing road construction efforts and enhance the smooth movement of trucks.
“The contractor will increase the number of machines on the road and start improving the surface of the road. It will take three weeks to improve the surface of the road, but the main road will be rebuilt to the specifications in the contract, which will take about six months. The contract will stick to that work schedule.”
“The temporary measures he will add are to ensure that while he works on the culverts and drainage system, he should improve the riding surface of the road during this rainy season to make sure that the tankers have a smooth ride as they do their work.”
Raymond Aflo, the secretary of the Ghana National Petroleum Drivers Union, emphasized that the suspension of the strike is contingent upon the commitment of both the government and the contractor to remain on-site until the completion of the road work.
The union expects a firm dedication from the government and the contractor to see the project through until its conclusion. This commitment is crucial for the resolution of the strike and the successful completion of the road repairs.
The Electoral Commission (EC), has reported a significantly high voter turnout in the by-election in the Assin North Constituency.
Speaking to the media, Director of Elections,Dr. Serebuor Quaicoe said polling stations recorded over 50% voter’ turnout before midday.
“Almost all the centers I visited have clocked 50% as of now, so the turnout is very high. You could see that the people are still in the queue,” he said.
At least 41,168 voters in 99 polling centers are taking part in the election to elect an MP for the area.
The seat became vacant after the Supreme Court declared null and void, the processes that led to the election of the embattled incumbent Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, over dual citizenship issues.
Mr. Quayson, who is contesting the seat again, faces opposition from his closest contender, the New Patriotic Party’s Charles Opoku, and Bernice Enyonam Senenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
Some electorates at the Endwa Community Center, Catholic Primary School, and Asempaneye Catholic JHS polling stations, gathered at about 4:00am to participate in the voting which started at 7:00 am.
Mr. Quaicoe believes that the Electoral Commission could record one of the highest voter turnouts in recent times in any by-election which are known for recording low voter turnout.
“I wouldn’t want to project, but it seems we are going to have one of the highest voter turnout in the Assin North,” he said.
Mr. Quaicoe attributes the high voter turnout to effective campaigning adopted by political parties participating in the election, intensified police presence and patrols that assure electorates of adequate security, and media and the proactiveness of the Electoral Commission.
“That is what happens when political parties tend to do proper campaigning instead of attacking one another. If you go to the people with a good message, the people will respond.”
“I will also give some of the credit to the police because the police have flooded everywhere. So you realize that you can go about your business without any form of intimidation.”
“Also the media is working, the Electoral Commission is working” he observed.
The CEO of Ghana Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL), Kwesi Korboe has stated that Ghana needs innovative solutions to unlock agricultural potential.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, June 27, Mr Korboe said while progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to fully unlock the potential of agriculture in the country.
Mr Korboe emphasized that the agriculture sector in Ghana is in need of innovative solutions and increased investment to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.
Access to modern farming techniques, advanced machinery, and quality inputs such as fertilizers and seeds is crucial for the growth of agribusiness in Ghana.
Another major challenge Mr Korboe highlighted is access to land for farming by the private sector. He added that insufficient road networks and limited access to markets make it difficult for people to invest in the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, Mr Korboe added that access to finance remains a significant hurdle for many small-scale farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs. Limited access to credit, high-interest rates restrict the ability of farmers to invest in their operations, expand their businesses, and adopt modern technologies.
Korboe also highlighted the need for effective policies and supportive government interventions to promote agribusiness development. This includes policies that prioritize agricultural research and development, provide incentives for private-sector investments, and create an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector.
Despite these challenges, Mr Korboe acknowledged the immense potential of Ghana’s agricultural sector.
The country, he said has favourable climatic conditions, fertile land, and a rich biodiversity that can support diverse agricultural activities. With the right investments, infrastructure development, and policy support, Ghana can harness its agricultural resources to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and ensure food security for its population.
Tuesday’s forum was under the theme ‘Understanding and leveraging Agribusiness Value Chain’.
This year’s edition of the Citi Business Festival is powered by Citi TV and Citi FM in partnership with Absa Bank and is proudly sponsored by MTN MOMO, MTN Business and Zeepay with support from GIRSAL.
Founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Miracles Church International, Rev Bishop Isaac Owusu Bempah, has made a surprisingrevelation by claiming ownership of the voice on a leaked audio tape that went viral earlier this month.
The tape, purported to be him, contained threatening remarks towards the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akufo Dampare, and had received widespread criticism from Ghanaians.
In the audio, some of the menacing statements directed at the IGP included references to the speaker’s arrest and alleged mistreatment in 2021, suggesting it as the motivation behind the threats.
“Maame, tell Dampare that Akufo-Addo is aware of my contributions to his success, and now that I have started making noise, he is feeling the pressure. Tell Dampare that I am saying that he will regret becoming IGP, and tell him I said what I will do to him in Ghana he will regret. Let him know that if it wasn’t for me Akufo-Addo couldn’t have become president.
Tell Dampare that he has met his match, and he will see what I will do to him. If it wasn’t for me, Akufo-Addo wouldn’t have become president, never. …Tell him that I will never forgive him on this earth… Tell Dampare that he will regret his position as IGP,” parts of the audio revealed in the local dialect, Twi.
Following the release of the audio and the subsequent backlash, Rev Owusu Bempah issued a statement denying any knowledge of its creation and refuting the validity of the voice attributed to him. He expressed disbelief that any right-thinking person would boast about committing atrocities or heinous crimes as confidently heard in the audio.
“My attention has been drawn to an audio circulating on social media, alleged to be my voice. I wish to emphatically state that I have no knowledge about the creation of the said audio and I also deny categorically that the voice of the speaker in the audio is mine.
“To the best of my knowledge, I have not at any time spoken with any person, whether on phone or in an interview where I have made any such comments attributed to me. I do not believe that any right-thinking person would proudly go about telling others about atrocities or heinous crimes he/she has committed with such confidence as is heard in the audio,” part of the statement said.
He expressed his strong belief that the audio was concocted by individuals with malicious intentions, seeking to damage his reputation and incite public disaffection towards him.
However, the founder of Glorious Word Power Ministry International has now recanted his earlier submission on the content of the audio. He now says, the voice in the audio is actually his.
During a recent address to his congregation, Rev Owusu Bempah clarified that the portion of the audio implicating the President Akufo-Addoin an alleged murder on the Tema motorway.
“Someone’s car somersaulted on Tema Motorway, ask him if the time I met with Akufo-Addo he was there. Ask him if he knows the relationship I have with Akufo-Addo, “ the voice in the audio said.
Rev Owusu however said, “The voice that I went with Nana Addo to commit murder is not my voice, but the voice about the IGP Dampare is mine. After our arrest, I made some comments about the treatment I received. I am not above the law and the law must deal with me when I am found guilty.”
Rev Owusu Bempah also expressed concern over the current focus on statements he made about two years ago, emphasizing that those remarks were made during a time when he was dealing with his arrest. He clarified that he currently harbours no ill feelings towards the IGP.
He recounted the distressing details of his arrest and the mistreatment he endured at the hospital while still under arrest.
“You cannot take the law and abuse the person. That I be handcuffed when there is a drip on me. The handcuff is placed where the drip is, I have been cut by the handcuffs, and I am bleeding. I am seeking answers and the officer is nonchalant, aggravating my pain with the handcuffs. He says it is ordered from above.
“The car that came with eight armed and hooded people had not been addressed, at the time, I spoke out of pain and poured my heart out to whoever came to me, I did not understand why I had to be treated like an animal,” he lamented.
Rev Owusu Bempah was arrested on September 12, 2021, by the Accra Regional Police Command for allegedly creating and circulating multiple videos that contained threats, brandishing of weapons and assault on police personnel.
The arrest followed a heated confrontation between Rev Owusu Bempah and a converted fetish priestess, Nana Agradaa, over the weekend. Rev Owusu Bempah and some of his followers reportedly stormed the premises of Nana Agradaa and threatened her with guns.
Rev Owusu Bempah and three other suspects, namely Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene and Nathaniel Agyekum, were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court on September 13, 2021. They pleaded not guilty to charges including disturbing public peace, offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace, threat of death and assault of public officers.
Rev Owusu Bempah fell ill on September 13, 2021, while in police custody and was taken to the Police Hospital for treatment. He spent two hours at the hospital before being discharged and returned to the cells.
He later claimed that he was maltreated by the police and handcuffed to his hospital bed.
The Muslim community has been encouraged by the Greater Accra Regional Director for Environmental Health, Douglas Tagoe, to consider poultry for this year’s Eid-Ul-Adha celebration.
Mr Tagoe, in an interview with the media, the outbreak of Anthrax in the country, said that alternative had become necessary to curb the spread of the disease.
Talensi and Binduri in the Upper East Region in May 2023, recorded cases of Anthrax, which led to the death of 20 sheep and four cattle, with several others infected.
One person is reported dead after consuming meat from an infected animal.
Mr Tagoe said to be on the safer side, the Muslim community must consider other alternatives.
Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria and affects both humans and animals.
People who come into direct contact with infected livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, or their byproducts, run the danger of contracting Anthrax.
Although there are rumors that grilling and frying could get rid of the bacteria in the meat, Mr Tagoe said that was not possible.
He said the bacteria was not visible and could only be detected through laboratory tests, hence the suggestion that the bacteria could be eliminated through cooking was misleading.
Mr Tagoe said cooking infected meat in most cases did not kill the bacteria in them, hence the need for great caution in consuming such meat.
He urged Muslims who would want livestock for the celebration to check the health of the animals before buying just as the Quran and the Prophet Mohammed thought them.
‘’ When buying the animals, make sure you do the necessary checks. Make sure that the animals do not look sick, lean, have a runny nose or blood oozing from the nose or any part. ‘’
Meanwhile, when the GNA visited the James Town cattle and sheep market on Monday, it saw scores of people buying livestock in preparation for the celebration.
Mr Zubeiru Aliyu, a sheep vendor at the Jamestown Cattle Market, said they were not aware of the outbreak of any disease in animals, adding that veterinary officers screened all animals before they were sold.
To deal with the outbreak, the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council had imposed a region-wide one-month prohibition on the transportation of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, and their byproducts to curtail the spread of the disease.
Eid-Ul-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice is the second and the largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr).
It honours the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismail) as an act of obedience to God’s command.
It is celebrated annually on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, on the Islamic calendar. Muslims across the globe mark the day by sacrificing a goat, sheep, or battle.
The 2023 Eid-Ul-Adha celebration falls on June 28, and marks the culmination of the hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Minā, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, but celebrated by Muslims throughout the world.
Chiefs inAkatsiSouth municipality in the Volta Region have bemoaned the rise of murder cases in the area.
More than 12 persons in the area have been killed between the last quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of this year.
Statistics suggest that the deaths are due to robbery, vehicular accidents, police brutality and domestic violence. On Tuesday 21 June, a 30-year-old man, Nelson Mandela Zanu, met his untimely death around 8pm.
He was shot twice and killed by unknown gunmen in his neighbourhood while he was on his way home after work.
Zanu, an Okada rider (commercial motorbike operator), owned a mobile money business near Akatsi College of Education.
According to his friends, Zanu left the Okada station to drop off his employee (mobile money operator) at home at about 7:30pm. News of his demise came an hour after the two had left the station. Zanu’s employee alleged that he (Zanu) left the station with seven smart phones and more than GHC18,000 cash in his bag.
The unknown perpetrators took away Zanu’s money,phones and motorbike with registration number VR-436-13 after shooting and killing him. The police have recovered a pistol from the scene believed to have been used to commit the crime.
Friends of the deceased describe him as a calm and visionary young man. He was survived by two children – a seven-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy –, and a 34-year-old widow, Georgina Adifu.
The deceased’s father, Steven Senugbe, said his family has been depressed and short of words since the incident occurred. He has appealed to the police to speed up investigations and serve justice.
Senugbe bemoaned the immoral lifestyle of some youth in Akatsi, saying “…crime is increasing in Akatsi and this one is too painful. I plead for a military camp in this area. Maybe with that, the town will be safe.
“It’s risky going out to town…you see young people with weird hairstyles, smoking marijuana day and night without any fear. If you are not careful, they’ll easily attack you.”
On a visit to the deceased’s house, women from the neighbourhood had gone to commiserate with the widow. She pleaded that her late husband’s assailants be arrested and punished.
The deceased’s two-year-old son busy playing with toys and riding a bicycle, knowing nothing about the whereabout of his father. Press conference by traditional rulers
Three days after the murder, the Avenor traditional council held a press conference on the case, condemning the crime with a GHC20,000 ransom on the head of the perpetrators. The traditional council and Avenor Senior Peers Chambers raised the GHC20,000 ransom.
Torgbui Dorglo Anuma VI, the president of the council, said, “The Avenor traditional council expresses its deep condolences to the spouse, children and the entire family of Mandela Zanu.”
The traditional rulers called for calm amidst investigation, saying, “The Avenor traditional council calls for calm in these difficult times of recurrent incidents of loss of civilian lives and the consequent police-civilian tension.”
Torgbui Anuma IV called off a planned protest by the Akatsi South youth parliament in honour of the deceased.
He said, “The planned demonstration by the Akatsi South youth parliament should be called off with immediate effect. It is feared that fall outs from the intended demonstration may have the unintended consequence of diverting focus from ongoing investigation on the murder of Mandela Zanu, which we are aware has commenced.”
Daniel Amuzu Kale, speaker of the youth parliament, in a separate press briefing said “As a respectful and listening youth leadership, we have accepted the call by the Akatsi South police command and the traditional council to call off the demonstration.”
The youth, however, gave a two-week ultimatum to authorities to arrest the perpetrators.
For the bereaved family and many residents of Akatsi, Zanu’s case should be the last in the area.
Numerous farmers in the Sissala region have bemoaned the scarcity of maize seeds for planting.
Only those that bought the commodity in the dry season can sow now.
It came to light when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) went to selected Agro input shops in Tumu, Gwollu, and Welembelle to find out about the alleged shortage of some hybrid seeds demanded by maize farmers.
It came out that the major maize seed often used by the farmers included: ‘Pioneer’, ‘Lake’, ‘Pan 53’, ‘Kabamanoj’ and ‘LG 336’ which have become known seeds among farmers for their good yields and drought-resistant nature were out of stock.
A farmer, Asmiru Kwesi told the GNA he wanted pioneer seed but it was not there so he would wait for a few more days to see if they would be available ‘but today being the 21st of June if I don’t get it, I will be forced to go for anything available’.
At another agro shop, WY Farms, Mr Waris Ibrahim, representative of LakeSeedd, said he was expecting 1600 bags of the 50kg seed to come into the Sissala area in the next few days for farmers to buy and gave the assurance that they still had some quantities of the yellow lake seed available.
In an interview with Mr Isaac K. Razak, the Municipal Agriculture Extension Officer, he mentioned that over the years, the farmer’s preference for the Pioneer, Lake, and the LG 336 seed made their absence suggest there was no seed for farmers.
Mr Razak disclosed that there were other seeds such as ‘Seedco’, ‘kabamanoj’ and ‘Mastrop’ in some of the Agro shops including the ones produced by the Savannah Agriculture Research Institute of the Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI) which included ‘Wandata’, ‘Bihilnfa’ and encouraged the farmers to buy and plant as they could give equal yields.
Attempts to speak to Pioneer representatives were not successful except for dealers of their products including agro-input dealer Paapa and BB Slows Enterprises who assured the farmersthey were working hard to get the seed for the farmers.
The situation of shortage of pioneer and lake seed product was reported in Tumu, Gwollu, Welembelle, and Funsi where thousands of acreage of maize field is expected to be cultivated around this farming season.
Following the Ghana National Tankers Drivers’ Union strike, the Tema petroleum Company has reported that more than 7.6 million liters of petroleum are stuck in its tanks.
The drivers are demanding rehabilitation works on various roads near fuel depots across the country.
Head of Finance and Stock at the Tema Fuel Company, Nana Adwoa Kumi Duah, says their operations may grind to a halt if the strike continues.
“We have an empty track that was supposed to be loaded today as a result of the tanker driver union strike, which means that we have lost revenue.
Additionally, when we load the big tanks, we create space for the vessels to discharge their products into the tank. If we are not loading, then we are not able to create the space, and the vessels will have to lie down for longer periods than anticipated,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union in the Ashanti Region has clarified that its nationwide strike is not aimed at sabotaging the Akufo-Addo government.
In an interview with the media on June 26, the AshantiRegional Chairman of the Union, Edmund Baba, emphasized that the strike is primarily aimed at safeguarding the country’s road networks from further deterioration.
“What we are doing, we are not trying to sabotage the government, we are not politicians, we are not talking politics, we all have our individual political opinions. We want to save Mother Ghana from what is happening,” Edmund Baba clarified.
The British Council has honored top performing Ghanaian students at the Bright FutureAwardsevent in Accra, Ghana.
Twenty-seven top-performing students from Ghanaian schools have received a total of fourty seven awards from the British Council in honour of their exceptional performance in the Cambridge International exams.
The ceremony took place at the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday (24 June) and was attended by the students, their families, school leaders, and teachers from the 82 British Council Partner Schools in the country.
Top achievers who received the Star Performer Awards are:
Joel Owuraku Nkrumah – from Angela Specialist School International with a record of 10 A-stars in IGSCE
Elisabeth Yetimget Demissie – from African Science Academy with a record three A-stars at the A-Level exams
Some of the other winners were:
Jash Prakash Shah, East Airport International School, IGCSE Accounting
Naana Ekua Adokua Annan- Galaxy International School, IGCSE Information and Communication Technology
Chrisma Thania Ewurabena Egyirwaa Fabin, Ghana Christian International High School, GCE O Level English
Gabrielle Nartey, Delhi Private School International , IGSCE Literature in English
Two schools received The Best Performing Schools award:
Angels Specialist School International – Overall IGSCE School
African Science Academy- Overall A Level School
School director, of Angels Specialist School, Joel Duncan Idun, was delighted to be recognised and noted that “We are exceptionally proud of the achievements of these dedicated students. Their awards are a testimony to the hard work put in by them and our teachers.”
Country director for the British Council Ghana, Nii Doodo Dodoo said: “The British Council Partner Schools community is a network of over 2000 educators across the world, including leaders of forward-thinking schools with an international outlook, and teachers committed to a modern, student-centred approach to teaching. Ours is a community that extends beyond the classroom to support parents and carers who want to improve the life chances of their children.”
“British Council Ghana has partnered with 82 schools, 120 school leaders and 2500 teachers to bring the Cambridge qualification to young Ghanaians and I am proud of the accomplishments of the 33 award winners today.”
Six Chinese individuals operating at an illegal mining site have been arrested by the Operation Halt II team in the Amansie Central Districtof the Ashanti Region.
The suspects, six Chinese and a Ghanaian, were found engaging in illegal mining in defiance of the government’s ban on activity, popularly known as galamsey.
They have wreaked havoc on the environment and water bodies, including River Offin.
Since Tuesday, June 6, the Operation Halt II team has mounted a sustained operation.
They have patrolled Apamprama Forest Reserve, Oda Forest Reserve, Bosomtwe Forest Range and other galamsey sites in Ashanti Region.
Districts visited included Amansie Central, Amansie South, Bekwai Municipal and Bosome Freho District.
Those arrested were galamsey operators mining off reserve area of Bosomtwe Range Forest, illegal mining sites and other unauthorized sites.
The team seized 30 excavators with some of them being decommissioned.
Other machines for illegal mining were also burnt by the team during the operation.
Their mission is to fight against illegal mining in forest reserves and river bodies.
Some Changfan machines, water pumping machines fuel storage tanks and other improvised mining equipment and structures were all affected.
The six Chinese arrested were handed over to the Immigration Officers in the Bekwai Municipality whilst the excavators were taken to the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces in Kumasi.
The Deputy Commander of the Operation Halt II, Lt. Col. Louis Boakye, said the exercise was to conduct confirmatory patrols in areas visited.
“We are undertaking confirmatory patrols to check whether we have illegal miners within our forest reserves we visited last time,” he stated.
He expressed worry on how the illegal miners have invaded forest reserves and destroyed economic trees and water bodies.
According to him, the action of illegal miners poses threat to farmers and security.
He appealed to the people to desist from negative practice.
He assured that “we fight to win and never give up”.
The Ring Leader of the Rapid Response Team of the Bekwai Forest District, Ebenezer Appiah, expressed serious concern about the way information is leaked to the galamsey operators when they are embarking on a patrol.
“We are doing our best to protect the forest reserves,” he said.
He said the continuous attacks on Team by the illegal miners pose serious threat to members.
The Ghana Health Service’s (GHS) Kadjebi District Directorate will begin the Seasonal Malaria Chemo-prevention (SMC) exercise on Monday, June 26 through to Friday, June 30.
The exercise targeted 14,450 children between 3-59 months to be dosed during the period.
The SMC exercise aimed to reduce morbidity and mortality among children under five years in the district.
The District Director of Health Services, Mr Eric Nana Takyi, disclosed these to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Kadjebi in the Oti Region.
He said “the registration target is 90 per cent and closing target 95 per cent “and that the exercise is in four rounds; round one in June, round two in July, round three in August and round four in September which are peak malaria transmission periods.
Nana Takyi said “there was much reduction in malaria mortality during the SMC period as compared to the non-SMC period in the previous year’s”.
“Morbidity among children under five reduced from 32 per cent in 2021 to 22 per cent in 2022” and “no death among the under-five in 2022 as compared to 2021 where one death was recorded”, he said.
The District Director of Health Services said SMC is a proven intervention to reduce malaria morbidity during rainfall and that the medication is not harmful and is free of charge.
He said every child needs to receive three doses for three continuous days to completion and thus, called on all parents and caregivers to make sure their wards benefit from the exercise.
Since the launch of her memoir, “I am Not Yvonne Nelson,” Ghanaian actress and movie producer Yvonne Nelson has sparked numerous conversations and discussions.
The 262-page book has 24 chapters dealing with various aspects of her life. However, Chapter 8, titledAbortion, which is about her alleged pregnancy for rapper Sarkodie and subsequent abortion is what has generated the most talk.
While some praise her for her ‘bravery’ and see nothing wrong with Yvonne spilling the beans, others like music producer, Wei Ye Oteng, believes that was ‘over-divulging’ of information in the public space.
Wei Ye Oteng who is obviously not amused with the pretty actress, posted on his Facebook wall on the morning of Tuesday, June 20 writing, “Obaa, this is not not, u have and will lose a lot of respect from now on, all these dirty sexcapades, and you think it is the right time for attention? There are a lot of great things you have done and can motivate the youth with but you choose this path, it is sad and sickening. Is your agenda to break homes or tell how open you were in bed to people u were attracted to?”
Wei Ye Oteng went further to elaborate his stance on the issue when Graphic Showbiz touched base with him.
“We live in a society where some things are meant to be kept and not told and we should not forget one thing that whatever we are leaving behind today, irrespective of how damaging or how good it is, will live on for generations to come.
“Sex is something that is done in private, Yvonne, you were not raped, everything that you did with Sarkodie was in agreement. So if there was a situation and you went to abort the pregnancy or whatever, I think it is confidential so it needs not come out in the public domain. When that thing happened, if she was not happy with it at that time, she could have taken Sarkodie to court.
“She dated Iyanya too, why is she bringing these names up? Is she trying to say they are the only people she dated who let her down? Why isn’t she mentioning the others? Not to mention that she said in an interview on Adom FM in 2019 that she lost her virginity in 2017 which was captured, so how could all this have happened then? Is she even telling us the truth?
“In fact, Yvonne could have talked about these things without mentioning names. What she’s done, is like you are going down the drain and dragging well established people along with you by using their names. It’s not right. Yvonne should have held back a bit because a lot of people look up to her”, he added.
Does he think Sarkodie will be affected as a result of all this? “Sarkodie could be affected, we see people lose ambassadorial deals because of some of these things, so it could affect him so badly.
“If tomorrow Sarkodie gets an endorsement deal that has to do with social vices, somebody can easily use this against him. It is very irresponsible on Yvonne’s part”, he stated.
Asked if Sarkodie should let the whole thing slide or speak on the issue to ‘clear’ himself, Wei Ye Oteng said, “At times, it becomes very necessary to clear your name, there are two sides to the story—Sarkodie’s and Yvonne’s so it won’t be bad hearing from the other side as well.
“There is no clear evidence that even though Sarkodie was with Yvonne then, he was responsible for her pregnancy so it will be very good if we could hear from him. I think this has to do with image so Sarkodie should release a statement to clear the air,’’ he said.
Nigerian music sensation,Joeboy has disclosed that he his fond of vibrant women.
The ‘Body & Soul’ crooner said this in a recent interview with Stand Out TV.
Joeboy, however, clarified that he did not mean evil women but “hot energy” women.
He said, “There is this thing I say, I say I like wicked women. When I say wicked, I don’t mean like the person has to be evil. But there’s a certain… I don’t know how to describe it.
“Me saying wicked women is just like… I love women that have this hot energyaround them.”
The singer stressed that reassurance and words of affirmation are important in a relationship.
A talent manager and entertainment pundit, Bullgod, has voiced his disappointment in actress Yvonne Nelson for publicly discussing personal family matters involving her mother.
According to Bullgod, the actress telling her story has ‘opened her mom up for public ridicule’.
Yvonne Nelson recently launched her book which sparked social media uproar over some deep revelations in the book.
Many netizens and industry actors have equally shared their thoughts on the content of the book.
Various opinions have been aired by persons applauding her courage and others with a nonaccepting opinion of the shocks of revelations.
Bullgod speaking on UTV’s Showbiz Night submitted that the struggles of her mother had her take some decisions, however, putting her mother up for ridicule was not appropriate.
“A mom has the biggest duty in shaping a child, her mom did very well in raising her. but I am disappointed with the expose of her mom”
“I am told she is at loggerheads with her mom, I love Yvonne but believe she could have filtered some bit of the details to protect the mother’s status”.
Two first year students of the Daboase Senior High Technical School in the Western Regionhave lost their lives after drowning in the Subri River.
The body of one other student has since not been retrieved from the river.
The victims, all first year students had sneaked out from the dormitory to swim in the Subri River which has overflown its banks due to the incessant rain on Saturday afternoon, June 23, 2023.
The DCE for Wassa East, Emmanuel Boakye who confirmed this sad news to the media indicated that the three were in the company of four others who went to swim.
Two of the bodies have since been retrieved by a combined team of Police and Fire personnel in the district.
The bodies have been deposited at the Effia Nkwanta Hospital Morguewhile a search continues for the other missing victim.
“Seven students sneaked to swim in the river. Three of them drowned and two have been retrieved remaining one. We have since deposited the two bodies at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital whilst search is still on to retrieve the other one dead or alive. We have since informed their parents”, he indicated.
The Hajj Board is diligently working to arrange alternative means of transportation for the 27 individuals who were unable to secure a spot on the last flight.
The final flight carrying 430 Ghanaian Hajj pilgrims arrived safely inJeddah after taking off in Accra Saturday morning.
The final flight was originally scheduled to take off on Thursday but the Hajj Board rescheduled it to Saturday to pave way for the processing of more documents for a full flight.
In the end, the decision paid off as the final flight, which left Accra on Saturday, was full with 430 passengers on board.
Unfortunately, 27 passengers were unable to make it as the last flight was oversubscribed.
The Chairman of the Hajj Board,Ben Abdallah Banda, has expressed disappointment about the inability of the 27 to join and he confirmed that in spite of the tight schedule and how close the Hajj is, the Board is trying its best to find a suitable alternative for the 27.
Over all, the Board has airlifted 4,190 Ghanaain pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj from Tamale and Accra, with both the northern and southern zones doing 5 flights each.
The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) management has affirmed that the Torentco dealis the optimal choice for revitalizing the refinery and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
TOR, a crucial entity in Ghana’s energy sector, has faced significant challenges in recent years, including operational inefficiencies, financial constraints, and the need for infrastructure upgrades.
Recognizing the urgency to address these issues, TOR’s management in a statement disclosed that it embarked on an extensive evaluation of potential solutions.
According to the management, after careful consideration and rigorous analysis, the management team concluded that the Torentco deal offers the most promising path forward.
Several Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) have raised concerns about the lease agreement negotiations between Torentco and the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
ACEP revealed that Torentco, a newly established local Ghanaian company formed in January 2023, lacks the track record in the petroleum business and does not have the capacity to effectively take over TOR.
“This is a new local Ghanaian company formed here in Ghana in January 2023, with no track record. If they fail to deliver, how do you hold them accountable? They don’t have any track record of dealing in petroleum businesses,” Mr Boakye said in an interview on Citi News.
But TOR in an official response said the proposed deal entails a strategic partnership between TOR and Torentco, with the aim of modernizing the refinery’s operations, optimizing efficiency, and enhancing its competitive position. The collaboration will involve substantial investments in infrastructure, technology upgrades, and capacity expansion.
According to TOR’s management, the Torentco deal will ensure a reliable supply of crude oil, a critical input for the refinery’s operations.
TOR added that the Torentco deal is expected to bring much-needed financial stability to the refinery by leveraging Torentco’s financial resources and access to capital markets, the refinery will have the necessary funding for infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and working capital, ensuring uninterrupted operations and improved financial performance.
Furthermore, the collaboration will prevent some of the brightest engineers in the company from leaving.
The management of TOR is confident that the Torentco deal represents a transformative opportunity for the refinery and Ghana’s energy sector as a whole. They believe that this strategic partnership will reposition TOR as a vital contributor to the country’s economic growth, job creation, and energy self-sufficiency.
“The proposed transaction serves to achieve the following: Allow TOR to move from being an annual loss-making entity to sustained positive net cash flow during the term of the lease. Demonstrate that crude oil can be processed at the refinery, achieving industry-accepted yields if managed efficiently.
A major problem engulfing the last two counterparties to have processed crude oil at TOR was the issue of product recoveries below the contractual yields, resulting in cash penalties against TOR that are currently outstanding and stem the tide of the continuous exodus of our valued engineering staff who leave every month for more secure opportunities in the Middle East and other parts of the world.”
A conferencefocused on exploring cutting-edge innovations in technology and policies for the sustainable development and transformation of the energy sector in Africa has been initiated at a high-level.
Dubbed the “Africa Energy Technology Conference”, it would converge, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators from across Africa to foster collaboration and innovation in the field of energy technology within the continent.
To be held on the theme: “Africa at the Forefront of Energy Technology and Policy Integration in a Just Energy Transition”, it would also serve as a platform for stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions, exchange ideas, and explore sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by the energy sector in Africa.
Spearheaded by Africa Energy Technology Centre(AETC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, the three-day exhibition would take place in Accra from Tuesday, August 8 to Thursday, August 10, 2023.
The Special Guest of Honour for the event would be the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, with other guest speakers, including the wife of the Vice-President, Samira Bawumia and the Minister of Energy, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, among other dignitaries.
Addressing participants at the launch of the conference in Accra, last Wednesday (June 21), the Deputy Minister of Energy, Herbert Krapa, stated that Africa’s energy challenges were not unknown to us, as we lacked the industrial base required to drive large-scale energy consumption at the cheapest prices.
Energy transition
Concerning the energy transition, he said the country was on a pathway towards transforming the global energy sector from fossil-based fuel to zero carbon by 2070.
However, we achieved a 2.4% Renewable Energy penetration and a 95 per cent conversion of thermal plants from liquid fuels to natural gas.
“In the midst of this, the demand for energy in Africa is rising, and will continue to rise, and if energy systems in Africa will grow to meet this rapidly growing demand, technology is the answer. Technology that is efficient, reliable, resilient and affordable is the answer,” he explained
Mr Krapa, thus, said that the conference was timely, as the continent could use it as an opportunity to open up new policy paradigms for the energy sectors.
“So as technology costs for renewables are going down and global investment is shifting, let us join forces to use technology for change,” he stated.
Transition
The Board Chair of AETC, Dr Thomas Manu, said in recent years, many countries, especially developing countries, were in talks about energy transition and Africa, which had its challenges in terms of quality, was crying out for a just energy transition.
That, he said, was because Africa could not transition as the developed countries; hence, the need for the continent to look out for homegrown technologies and the adaptation of other technologies to transition in a way that would not affect the economies of the participating nations while taking into consideration energy security and how to address energy poverty to actively industrialise to promote economic growth.
In a speech read on his behalf by a representative of AETC, a Deputy Director of Renewable and Nuclear Energy at the Ministry of Energy, Dr Robert Sogbadji, said the conference was to engage stakeholders within the continent to address the pertinent issue of what was available for Africa to transition successfully on its own terms.
The Founder of AETC, Emelia Akumah, also added that the conference will provide a unique platform for stakeholders to come together, share knowledge, and explore innovative solutions that can propel Africa to the forefront of energy technology and policy integration.
“Our aim is to facilitate a just and equitable energy transition that prioritises sustainability, inclusivity and economic growth for the African continent,” Ms Akumah added.
TheApostolic Church-Ghana has held a ceremony in Accra on Saturday, June 24, 2023, to officially induct its new leaders into office.
Thousands of members of the church attended the event held at the Apostolic Resource, Conference and Retreat Centre, Frafraha near Adentan.
Apostle Dr. Aaron Ami-Narh, the President of the church was ushered into office for the second term together with the Church’s new Vice President, Apostle Christopher Affum-Nyarko and General Secretary, Apostle Alex Boateng.
The trio were elected for their respective positions in March 2023.
Former president of The Apostolic Church-Ghana, Apostle Ebenezer Nsesa Abebrese, administered the oath of office and inducted the new officers into office.
He congratulated them on their election and urged them to take the church to the next level.
Apostle Abebrese also inducted thechurch’s executive team.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Apostle Ami-Narh promised not to let the members of the church down.
Apostle Ami-Narh said he would initiate the second phase of his Shift Agenda, which was introduced during his first term in office.
“Only God can do this,” he said.
“Apostolic church, let’s give Him glory for a smooth transition of power. We are not taking our periods of peace for granted. We accept this responsibility with humility because we know that no one is sufficient for this work. In all our insufficiency, we tend not to look at the difficulties, but we look up to the God who says by Him all things are possible.”
“We’ve gone through Shift Agenda one, which I see as God taking us through our Red Sea experience, but Jordan is staring at us and stands between us and our Promised Land. So I know there’s going to be a Shift Agenda two, to take us through our Jordan into our Promised Land. I can tell you that we’ve spied the land, and we choose to be the two spies who came with a good report and not the ten. And we tell you that, Apostolic church, God has good things in stock for His church.”
The special guest of honour, Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Ghana’s 7th Parliament, congratulated the new leaders of The Apostolic Church-Ghana.
He urged them not to lord their positions over their members.
“God is expecting you to do things people believe are impossible,” he said. “That’s the challenge of leadership. It’s very important, not for only the leaders of the church but also for the leaders of the nation. So when we start blaming each other, it shows a deficiency in leadership. We as leaders must put the interest of our followers ahead of our own interest.”
Bagbin also urged the church in general to speak up against ills in society and those perpetuated by politicians.
“Over the years, a shortcoming that has had severe consequences on the country’s moral and social fibre is the church’s waning interest in national and political matters,” he said.
“Please, the politicians are part of the flock, you can’t abandon them. We cannot continue to close our eyes, take a back seat and rely solely on your prayers as a replacement for discipline, hard work, and a sense of duty as patriotic citizens. While I do not doubt or question the power of prayer, prayer backed by little or no action further exacerbates our current hardships. Those are defeatist attitudes,” Bagbin noted.
An entertainment pundit, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, has stated that Yvonne Nelson employed a strategic approach by utilizing rapper Sarkodieas the central marketing element for her recently published book, ‘I am not Yvonne Nelson’.
Submitting on UTV’s Showbiz Night, the pundit stated that, the actor’s smart way of telling her story was an intentionally thought strategy to generate conversation.
“If you want your memoir to be a topic for conversation, there should be an element of surprise, it should be explosive. many successful authors with a memoir had an element of explosive shocks that triggered conversations”
“Yvonne was strategic with the content in the book, and Sarkodie’s spill was the focal marketing point of the book, it was an intentional thought to create an uproar amongst readers”.
“Sarkodie is a big export, riding on his clout was not a digression but a thought-out curve to sell. We need to applaud Yvonne for her boldness. just in a couple of days, her book is a best seller on Amazon and Apple Books”
“Yvonne told her story but ultimately her goal was to sell, this is a revenue-generating point in the industry, Kudos to Yvonne”
Ace actress, producer, and entrepreneur Yvonne Nelson recently launched her book ‘I am Not Yvonne’ which sparked social media uproar over some deeprevelations in the book.
The book she themed ‘I am not Yvonne Nelson’ encapsulates the actor’s life experiences and a journey to finding peace and healing.
The heavy downpour on Friday night, June 23 has claimed the life of a National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) officer,Sulemana Ahmed at the Ashanti Region.
The victim was tragically swept away along with his motorbike in Duase, located in the Kumasi Metropolis, while he was on his way home from work.
After an extensive search, residents in the area discovered his body in a drain Saturday morning.
Sulemana Ahmed, in his 40s, not only served as an officer with NADMO but also held the position of former Organizer of the National Democratic Congress in the Old Tafo Constituency.
The unfortunate incident marks the fifth fatality caused by the relentless heavy rains this week.
Prince Osei, the Assembly Member for the Duase Electoral Area, informed Citi News that several residents spotted the body in the drain and promptly reported the incident to the police. With their assistance, the body was successfully recovered from the drain.
The police have taken custody of the deceased and transported the body to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
The government and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are scheduled to hold a meeting to address the issue of outstanding debts owed to the producers.
The Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in a letter threatened to suspend power supply from July 1, 2023, if an interim payment of 30% of the outstanding debts is not made.
The IPPs have expressed their inability to continue powering the national grid beyond June 30 unless they receive the outstanding payment.
To avert a potential shutdown that could have severe consequences for the power supply, the government has recognized the urgency of the situation and arranged a meeting with the Minister of Finance, which is set to take place next week.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Power Producers, Distributors, and Bulk Consumers, Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, has expressed his frustration over the delay in payment.
He emphasized that the IPPs expect to receive a payment within the agreed credit days for the services they have provided.
However, there have been issues with the CashWaterFall system, and the Ministry of Finance has now assumed responsibility for energy sector payments, prompting the IPPs to direct their communication to that department.
Given the IPPs’ concerns and their reliance on timely payments, the upcoming meeting with the Minister of Finance aims to establish a payment plan that will address the outstanding debts and ensure an uninterrupted power supply to the national grid.
The IPPs are eager to find a resolution to safeguard the sustainability of the power supply and mitigate any potential negative consequences that could arise from a shutdown.
Artiste manager, Bullgodbelieves that mothers make significant sacrifices from conception through childbirth and throughout the years of raising their children.
He believes that despite whatever unanswered remains between a mother and her child, it is not prudent for a child to expose her mother as actress and movie producer Yvonne Nelson did in her memoir ‘I am not Yvonne Nelson.’
Contributing to the discussions on UTV’s United Showbiz programme June 24, 2023, Bullgod submitted: “Her mom did very well with her by the small reading that I have done, it is just that Yvonne herself is inquisitive and wants to find out a lot of things.
“Her mom did her best, (and) what pains me is how she exposed her mom because I know what women go through to take care of their kids, it is a difficult job. So, if she has catered for you from childbirth till now… Yvonne you be my girl but no matter the pain, your mom has been through hell.”
His view aligns with that of Afia Schwarzenegger and Kwame A Plus, who had very stern critique of Yvonne Nelson’s book especially the parts that relate to what she wrote about her mother’s role in her yet-to-be resolved search for her real father.
“I Am Not Yvonne Nelson” is an explosive and riveting account of a young woman who sets out to discover herself but finds out that she has been living with a false identity.
The drama and the twists and turns of this moving story have all the markings of a spellbinding movie script, except that the protagonist, who is an actor, is contending with a reality that intermittently soaks her pillow with tears.
Uncharacteristic of an autobiography, the author comes to her audience stark naked. The book opens the door widely into the life of the author and exposes the good, the bad, and the ugly sides, not only of her life but also of the make-believe world of celebrities.
The launch was graced by many industry stalwarts, businessmen, and politicians, including John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and Becca. Also present were media personalities, including Manasseh Azure Awuni, Sammy Forson, and GhanaWeb Entertainment Editor Benefo Buabeng popularly known as Abrantepa.
Jonathan Lee Pratt, better known by his stage name “JZyNo,” a multi-award winning Liberian Afropop sensation based in Ghana, has delved deep into his humble beginnings.
Speaking to the media, the “Butta my bread” hitmaker revealed that coming from Liberia, a country where war had derailed the brighter future and opportunity for young people. He had no option than to come Ghana to seek a better life.
According to him, at the time he was in Liberia, he sold charcoal, gari and others to survive on the hustling field.
But, added that despite, having being in Ghana since 2015 to start his music career, he had his first hit song in 2019 when he returned to Monrovia.
Glory be to God, Jzyno has created a buzz in the music industry and captured the awareness of listeners with his breakthrough hit single “Butta My Bread.”
Registrar of the National Teaching Council (NTC), Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, has stated that the council is actively working on revising the entry requirements for colleges of education nationwide.
According to him, NTC has approached the Ministry of Education and Parliament to begin discussions into the matter.
He explained that some actions needed to be taken to tackle the issue of students transitioning from Senior High Schools into the tertiary institutions without genuine grades.
The registrar said some private senior high schools use foul means to pass their students into higher educational institutions.
This, he said also accounted for the poor performances in the recent teacher licensureexams.
According to Dr. Addai-Poku, stringent measures must be adopted to prevent such students from transitioning into higher educational institutions.
“We’ve been working behind the scene trying to find a way of dealing with this. That is why we are bringing a reform in the licensure examination. We have even approached the Ministry of Education, we have approached parliament trying to see how we can restructure the entry requirement to the colleges and so on.
“We have a challenge. I must also concede that even they go beyond the training institutions. Sometimes you have to also look at the foundational level; right from the basic school to the senior high to the university, because if the person is really good at the senior high and really deserves theWASSCE result that the person used to enter college, then the person shouldn’t have had difficulty in going through the licensure exam,” he said on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday.
The education sector has been hit by news of massive failure of students who sat to write the recent Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination conducted in May 2023. Out of a total of 7,728 student teachers who sat for the exam, a staggering figure of 6,451, constituting 83.5% failed.
Some students have expressed concerns that the areas of questions did not match their specific fields of study.
However, some authorities have welcomed the failure, with some referring to it as a “good omen.”
The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, says the failure is a positive development since it sieves unfit teachers from the system.
“It is never a failure, it is a good omen for basic education because if you look at the whole issue, licensing teachers was to ensure that professional teaching standards are enhanced and so if you want to professionalise teaching, you need to raise the bar,” he said.
Meanwhile, authorities have noted that there will be some changes in the mode of the teacher licensure examination. The subsequent examinations will seek to assess teachers more on their areas of expertise.
The advent of distance learning courses at institutions of education is to be blamed for the mass failure of the teachers license examination, according to Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the ranking member of Parliament’s Education Committee.
According to him, the distance programme particularly those for mature students have opened the floodgates for persons even with the most deplorable WASSCE results to earn a place at the colleges of education.
This he says is partly to be blamed for the mass failures at the colleges of education.
Speaking to the media, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe said it was time for the Ministry of Education to rethink the admission processes of colleges of education in the country.
“Entry requirements to colleges of education as the registrar said, yes the minimum is 36, that is C6 in all the six subjects and you’re good to go. But when you go to distance programmes there is one entry requirement they call mature students, that is where the problem is.
“So you can get the E8 all along and once you’re 25 years you qualify to do the programme and they are the ones creating the problems in the service. So they’re mature students, but the years for you to be a mature student I think it’s about 35, 40 but they’ve brought it down to 25. So when they go there they’re not able to do well,” he said.
He further called for a total scrap of the distance programmes.
According to him, the education of future leaders should not be placed into the hands of persons who do not go through the colleges of education full time.
He expressed concern that most of the educators being graduated from these colleges may have not fulfilled the required credit hours as a result of the distance learning programme.
“We also have a problem with this distance programme, you see, you go to the nursing programme I don’t think they run any distance programme or sandwich. No, you go to the college of nursing and you’re trained as a nurse because you’re coming to deal with human life.
“So if we’re to teach and you want us to do the course by distance, no, we have been telling the minister that the ministry must do something about it because there is a mass production of teachers.
“ So they’re producing teachers on mass basis and they’re unable to pass the examination because I don’t even see the credit hours that they even earn, whether they earn it genuinely, I don’t know. So there’s the need for the Ministry of Education and GTEC to sit up,” he said.
Teacher training colleges, according to Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, Registrar of the National Teaching Council (NTC), are to blame for teachers failing their license exams in large numbers.
According to him, these institutions did not train thestudentsin the requisite skills needed to manage and teach in classrooms.
This, he stressed makes the students victims.
“When you look at NTC data over time, at any point you will see an average of between 50% and 65% of the people who fail are distance and sandwich mode. Regular candidates tend to do better in the exam.
“The challenges are many but for me, I always say that the candidates are victims because the institutions are supposed to train them, and bring them out well refined and fit for purpose because you have admitted people for a programme, a professional programme,”
Speaking to the media, he explained that most institutions offered long-distance programmes and sandwich courses. However, NTC data showed that these people were in the majority of the failures recorded during the examination.
He stressed that these colleges failed at churning out students to fit well into the teaching profession.
Again, he added that if teachers did not have command over the English language and the skills needed to teach it was a major concern for the NTC.
“If a person is not well adapted in the knowledge, in the skills that the person is supposed to use in delivering, then we have a huge challenge. That is why these basic things that the people are not able to do is a problem,” he said.
Dr Addai- Poku said these failures started in 2018, since the licensure exam began, and the body has since taken steps to find lasting solutions to the problem.
Meanwhile, he said his outfit has been working behind close door to improve the process of the examination and reduce the failures.
This, he said had led to the NTC reforming the examination.
Key stakeholders have in the past week shared a similar view as the Registrar of NTC.
Notable amongst them is a former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Managementand Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof. Stephen Adei who urged critics and the public to desist from creating the impression that all teachers in the country are hopeless.
‘We shouldn’t see all teachers as hopeless over a few failures in licensure exam’ – Prof Adei
His comment follows revelations by the NTC that about 83.5% of candidates failed the teachers’ licensure exams held in May 2023.
Speaking to the media, on June 22, Prof Adei noted that the number of teachers that failed the exam is a small section compared to the over 300,000 teachers in the country, many of whom have successfully passed the exam.
He added that the teachers that failed in the 2023 May exams are those who failed previously in their multiple attempts to get through the exams.
The NTC noted that out of the 7,728 teachers who participated in the re-sit exams, only 1,277 passed.
The assessment in numeracy, literacy, and professional knowledge is to enable qualified teachers to get a professional license, while attracting young graduates with the required professional knowledge and skills to teach.
The US Secretary of the Treasury, Janet L. Yellen, has lauded President Akufo-Addofor his unwavering dedication to Ghana’s economic reforms.
That, she said, was of essence to boost economic growth and resiliency, particularly in the wake of the country’s progress on debt restructuring under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programnme.
Ms. Yellen commended the President during a meeting with the latter on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, in France, on Thursday, June 22.
President Nana Akufo-Addo was one of the key global personalities invited for the Summit, organised by French President, Emmanuel Macron.
A report by Reuters on the sidelines of the meeting, monitored by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the two personalities discussed efforts to evolve the multilateral development banks to combat 21st Century global challenges.
They also deliberated on work to mobilise climate and infrastructure financing for Ghana and other African countries during the engagement.
The IMF, in May this year, congratulated the West African nation on the US$3 billion IMF-supported programme approved by the Executive Board.
“We stand with Ghana as it implements reforms to address the current economic and financial crisis and help build a better future for all Ghanaians,” a statement by the Fund noted.
The June 2023 Summit for a New Global Financial Pact is borne out of the cascading consequences of concurring climate, energy, health and economic crises, particularly in the most vulnerable countries.
It aims to propose solutions to finance issues that go beyond the climate question, including access to health and the fight against poverty.
The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and their successive consequences have reduced the fiscal and budgetary space of many countries – affecting their ability to finance their populations’ access to basic social services.
As a result, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) noted a decline in human development in nine out of ten countries around the world in 2022, mainly due to a drop in life expectancy and an increase in poverty.
In a statement, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, declared the Summit would aim to “build a new contract with the North and the South”, in order to facilitate the access of vulnerable countries to the financing they needed to address the consequences of ongoing and future crises.
Issues at stake at the Summit encompass restoring fiscal space to countries facing short-term difficulties, especially the most indebted countries, as well as fostering private sector development in low-income countries.
The event also seeks to encourage investment in green infrastructure for the energy transition in emerging and developing countries, and mobilising innovative financing for countries vulnerable to climate change.
In a bid to eradicate examination irregularities, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has modified its rules and regulations.
Mrs Wendy E. Addy-Lamptey, Head of National Office, WAEC, said the revision had become necessary because of the new trends in examination malpractice.
“The revised rules will take effect here in Ghana from this year’s diet of examinations. They include the following: Registration of unqualified candidates, destruction of exhibits by candidates, posting of live questions on the internet, refusal to grant timely access into school premises and misconduct of examination officials at examination centres.
“The revised rules have been sent to all participating schools and are available on the council’s website, www.waecgh.org.”
She said this at the 39th WAEC Distinction Awards Ceremony for 2022 WASSCE School Candidates held in Accra to honour candidates who excelled and distinguished themselves.
Mrs Addy-Lamptey noted that the issue of examination malpractice continued to be “a bane for the Council…”
“Cheating has become the norm for some schools and perpetrators go to any lengths to engage in malpractice. What is most disturbing is the involvement of some school authorities, supervisors and invigilator in this canker, which is eating away the moral fibre of our society.”
She said collusion detected in scripts continued to be the most reported type of examination malpractice adding “out of the total number of candidates that sat for the WASSCE 2022, collusion was detected in the scripts of 24, 070 (5.74per cent) of the candidates”.
According to her, the increasing number of impersonation cases in school examination was also a great cause of worry.
She said at the WASSCE for school candidates (2022), 126 impersonation cases were recorded and reported to the Police.
“Another developing trend, which is pushing itself ahead of the pack in examination malpractice is solicitations to join groups and websites to study some ‘purported WAEC confirmed topics’.
I will categorically state that the Council has not confirmed topics or sanctioned any such confirmed topics from or for any group or organisation.”
Mrs Addy-Lamptey, therefore, advised the public not to click or join any group or site, which shared or taught the so called “WAEC Confirmed Topics”.
She said the Council would continue to adopt stringent measures to preserve the integrity of its examination and called for support of all stakeholders.
“We are all being cautioned not to enter our telephone numbers at such websites as they make use of the numbers to get back to you. Curbing examination malpractice and preserving the integrity of our examinations is a collective responsibility.”
She assured 2023 WASSCE candidates that they could pass their examinations without cheating and congratulated the awardees, saying they were “examples of perseverance and hard work”.
The Excellence and Distinction Awards was instituted by the WAEC Endowment Fund to recognise and publicly acknowledge candidates who performed in the Council’s national and international examinations.
Alex Opoku Manu and Benjamin Eyram Nana Kwame Degbey, both formerly of St James Seminary Senior High School, Sunyani, were adjudged first and second overall best winners respectively in the WASSCE for School Candidates.
Abena Afriyie Poku of the Holy Child School won the third position.
Alex Opoku was adjudged the best student in General Science, Mubarak Illiasu, former student of T.I Ahmadiyya Senior High School, was the best student in General Arts, Ato Kwamena Quansah, a former student of Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, Legon, was adjudged the best candidate in Business and Ewura Esi Adobea Otieku-Boadu, a former student of Wesley Girls High School, was best student in Home Economics.
The awardees took home cash prizes, lap top computers, certificates, and plagues.
Their former schools were also given desktop computers and plagues.
A total of 422, 883 candidates took part in the 2022 WASSCE.
Manu and Degbey have picked up their international wards at the recent 71st Annual Council meeting held in the Gambia in March this year.
A Nollywood actress,Iniobong Edo, has expressed regret over her decision to get married.
Recall that Ini Edo got married to American-based businessman, Philip Ehiagwina on November 29, 2008.
The marriage lasted for a period of five years, and they finally divorced in 2013.Speaking in a recent interview with popular media personality, Chude Jideonwo, the actress said she got married in the first place because of “family pressure.
”She said, “I regretted my decision to get married because it wasn’t just the right move to make.”The thespian, however, said she would get married again “if the right person comes.”
On why she chose to welcome her baby via surrogacy, Ini Edo said, “I chose surrogacy because I had couples of miscarriages. And I just got tired of trying.“I don’t have a husband. So, I’m like, I want a child for myself whether I have a husband or not. So, what other options would I have? And I wanted it to be my child. My eggs. Thankfully, my eggs are good. So I did that.”In 2021, Ini Edo announced the arrival of her first child, a girl through surrogacy.
The Upper East Regional Public Health Emergency ManagementCommittee (PHEMC) has received 100,000 anthrax vaccines from Zipline Ghana Limited.
These vaccines will be utilized to vaccinate cattle and ruminants throughout the Region.
The vaccines, expected to boost the ongoing vaccination exercise across the Region, would check the spread of the anthrax virus recently recorded in some Districts of the Region, which led to a ban on slaughtering and movement of cattle and ruminants.
Speaking to journalists at the drone delivery point at the Regional Hospital, Stephen Yakubu, the Regional Minister and Chair of the PHEMC, said the Region earlier received about 40,000 anthrax vaccines out of the 100,000 to beef up the ongoing vaccination exercise.
He said the vaccines were manufactured in Pong-Tamale in the Northern Region with the support of government and development partners, “We have the 100,000 vaccines, and Zipline is helping us to move them across the entire Region.
“Already, they have delivered about 40,000 of the vaccines to areas in critical need. We hope that these100,000 will help us meet the 70 per cent target to be able to lift the ban. Hopefully by the weekend, we would evaluate to know how many we have vaccinated so far, for the technical people to advise accordingly,” he said.
Mr Yakubu said the PHEMC was working to ensure the ban was lifted before the Eid-ul-Adha celebration, “That is what we are working towards, but nothing is guaranteed,” he said, and disclosed that two animals had earlier died in the Bolgatanga Municipality prior to the vaccine delivery, and samples were taken for investigation.
He emphasized that the vaccination exercise was free of charge and urged animal owners within the animal category to make their animals available for the vaccines.
Dr Henry Nii Ayi Anang, the Regional Veterinary Officer, said the vaccines would immediately be dispatched to the field to continue with the vaccination exercise, adding that the exercise was ongoing smoothly, as some of the Zipline drones were delivering the vaccines across the various Districts.
Dr Anang, who could not give an estimated number of animals vaccinated so far, however indicated that about 5,000 animals were vaccinated each day, and said until the entire exercise was concluded, his outfit could not give the number of animals vaccinated.
“We collect our data at the close of every vaccination,” Dr Anang noted.
Mr Abdul-Jalil Abdulai, the Community Integrations Lead for Zipline for the Walewale Central in the North East Region, said the delivery service was a collaborative effort between the Veterinary Services Department and Cowtribe, a Non-Governmental Organization.
He said Zipline was to provide instant drone delivery services, “So we have a state-of-the-art warehouse where we have cold chain equipment. We take stock of the vaccines from the Veterinary Services Department, process the orders, and deliver same to the various distribution drop points.”
It was Ghanaian actor,Kwaku Manu‘s hope that he and his lovely wife, Okailey, would remain together “until death do them part” when they got married some 14 years ago.
His dream was, however, shattered two years ago when their nuptials took a nosedive and he and his wife had to go their separate ways, although he believes they did everything to make it work.
This is the reason why the comic actor believes there is no formula for a successful marriage.
“It is the wish of every married man to live happily ever after, with the woman he loves, especially when they have children together.
“I know a lot of Ghanaians want to find out what led to the breakup of my marriage but all I can say for now is that no happy couple will love to break up, especially when they share children between them.
“You see, what might work for one couple may not work for another. I wouldn’t want to go into details about what led to the divorce, all I can say is that I am single for now,” he told Daily Graphic in an interview.
Kwaku Manu disagreed when it was pointed out to him that celebrity marriages often crash because they are in the limelight, and that might be the reason why his didn’t work out.
He explained that marriage itself is an institution whose future no one can predict. “I have come to realise that one cannot predict whether one’s marriage will work or not. So, whether it is a celebrity marriage or not, it depends on the two individuals to make it work. But if it doesn’t, there is nothing one can do but let it go.
“Every marriage has its own challenges and I can tell you for a fact that there is no perfect marriage. Ministers, lawyers, professors and even marriage counsellors all have problems in their marriages. But because we don’t know, we might think everything is kosher with their union,” he added.
My life would have been worse off after the divorce if I didn’t have my children with me
No more friends
It seems divorce is not the only challenge he has had to deal with in recent times. According to him, due to backbiting and some bad experiences he encountered in the movie industry, as well as from some friends, Kwaku Manu disclosed he didn’t have any friends.
“For the past seven years, it has been me, my children, my family and no friends. As we speak now, there is no one I can call a friend. I am mostly at home minding my business and making sure my children are okay.
“These days, I only step out if work demands I go to shoot skits or do interviews. I am most times at home spending time with my children. In fact, my life would have been worse off after the divorce if I didn’t have my children with me. I forget about my worries when I see them. So I don’t joke with them at all,” he revealed.
Politics
With the general elections coming off next year, there are no doubts most popular creatives will be approached by political parties to join their campaign train. When asked if he has yet been approached by any political party, Kwaku Manu answered in the negative.
Kwaku Manu, who has acted alongside Agya Koo, Lil Win, Nana Ama McBrown, Vivian Jill, Akrobeto and Emelia Brobbey, among others, said no political party can pay him to campaign for them.
“I am not bragging, but no amount of money can influence me to campaign for any political party, whether NPP or NDC. Unless they are willing to pay me over $1 billion, which I know they wouldn’t. I vote every four years but I believe as a celebrity, it is good not to disclose the political party you support.
Banned for 5 years
Although he will make the list when Kumawood comic actors are called, Kwaku Manu ‘reigned’ for about only three years in the movie industry, unlike colleague comic actors such as Lil Win, Agya Koo, etc. He attributes it to a five-year ban slapped on him at the peak of his career.
“Till today, I can’t tell you the reason why I was banned from the movie industry. Maybe it was because I was rising so quickly and the movie producers did not like that. They thought that banning me will be the end of Kwaku Manu but God works in a way no one can understand. I am making it today and it is all the blessings of God.”
“There is so much hatred and backbiting in the movie industry and it is about time we stopped it because it doesn’t help in any way. We are supposed to be united and fight for a common goal, but here we are fighting each other all the time. How can we expect it to grow?” he queried.
Aggressive Interview
When he wasn’t getting roles in movies, he started posting skits on YouTube. However, little did he know it was a stepping stone to something bigger.
Kwaku Manu, who is the host of the popular Aggressive Interview on YouTube, said his fans and followers started asking for interviews anytime he posted short skits and he decided to give it a try.
“I don’t have any regret starting Aggressive Interview. Instead, I have benefited a lot from meeting prominent people through the show. Aggressive Interview is not for only celebrities but anyone who has a good story to tell. I interviewed some celebrities on the show and I had pretty good comments,” he said.
Through his Aggressive Interview, Kwaku Manu has interviewed celebrities like Asamoah Gyan, Funny Face, Kyeiwa, Oboy Siki, Nana Ama McBrown, Emelia Brobbey, Vivian Jill, Wayoosi, Koo Fori, Shatta Wale, Coded, King Promise, Kofi Kinaata, Agya Koo, Shugatiti and Obinini, among others.
He revealed that YouTube pays him a lot of money, hence the motivation to always do more interviews.
“I am motivated to talk to these celebrities because Youtube pays me very well. In addition to the financial rewards, I love to hear the stories my guests tell and it is not surprising how my interviews always make headlines. I am blown away by some of the revelations they make on the show”.
Who is Kwaku Manu
Kwaku Manu was born in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region to Agya Yaw Nimo, a cobbler, and Madam Afia, a trader.
The second of six children, Kwaku Manu attended Obuasi SDA School but was unable to complete it due to financial constraints.
Kwaku Manu, who has produced movies including Poor No Friend and Don King, said he has one principle he lives by, which is to set targets for himself and make sure he achieves them. He said it had helped him a lot.
“When I plan to do something, I make sure I achieve it even if it takes me several years. I believe setting a target for yourself helps you to plan well,” he said.
Also, Kwaku Manu now wants to live a quiet life and one of the things he has done towards that is to stop posting his children on social media.
The deputy general secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has commended the government’s efforts to build new roads in Assin North but insists that these initiatives alone won’t guarantee the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) victory.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, recently commissioned the Assin Fosu to Assin Praso stretch, which spans 31.2 kilometres and connects Ahwian Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region to Yamoransa in the Central Region.
However, the NDC has accused the government of undertaking these projects solely to gain votes in the upcoming by-election on June 27.
In an interview with Selorm Adonoo on the Eyewitness News, Mustapha Gbande welcomed the construction works in the area but argued that they would not significantly improve the livelihoods of the constituents.
Gbande pointed out that the roads leading to the villages within Assin North have not been tarred, making it challenging for farmers to transport their produce.
“It’s good news for the people of Ghana, that this non-performing government has at least commissioned the road. I have plied the road and it’s a beautiful road. What does this road mean to the people? The people cannot move their cocoa produce to the main city of Assin North.
“The roads leading to the villages have not been tarred. One will question if what the government has done will put food on the table for the people of Assin North. We want to see Ghanaians being disburdened, and see the standard of living in the lives of the people of Assin North improved.
He further asserted, “We are talking about the majority of Assin North who this road does not mean anything to them. 80% of the people there are farmers, they cannot boast of farm inputs, fertilizers, high yields, nor buy medicine. As far as I’m concerned, this is a very useless government, and so if they have done this road, they deserve some commendation for completing the road. How that this translates into the people’s lives ?”.
You can choose from a wide variety of beverages to stay hydrated all day long.
Although plain, old water is an obvious choice, some people also turn to sports drinks and coconut water to keep their body hydrated.
Other drinks that many of us tend to consume on a daily basis, such as coffee and various types of alcohol.
These drinks tend to get us dehydrated rather than getting us hydrated. Here are 4 drinks are actually dehydrating your body:
Beer, wine, and cocktails
Consuming alcohol will leave you dehydrated, leading to symptoms like pounding headache, dry mouth, and low energy. In case of wine, the average person produces 350 ml of urine for every large (250 ml) glass drunk. This results in a net loss of a third of a liter for every bottle drunk.
So if you are planning to drink alcohol, make sure you hydrate yourself with water before, during and after drinking the alcohol. Added sugar in cocktails will make them more dehydrating.
High-protein smoothies
High protein content in your healthy smoothies, along with any added sugar in the form of sweeteners, flavored yogurts, or juices, will produce dehydrating effects. Dark-colored urine and unexplained fatigue are signs of dehydration to watch out for.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the most dehydrating drinks due to its caffeine content. However, one or two cups of copy will not leave you completely dehydrated. As per reports, you would need to drink nearly five cups of coffee per day to experience serious hydration impacts.
Soda
A study found that enjoying chilled carbonated beverages increased consumer perception of hydration. However, these refreshers actually dehydrate the consumer due to their diuretic effects because of the sugar and caffeine content.
A member of parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has emphasized the importance of maintaining one’s privacy when dealing with difficult life events.
His comments were part of his views on actress and movie producer Yvonne Nelson’s memoir ‘I am Not Yvonne Nelson,’ which was released earlier this week to massive reviews.
“I still hold the view that certain things ought to remain private no matter how blatant or bold you want to be. That is why there is a word called privacy,” Sam George stated on the AM Show on JoyNews on June 22.
“I will leave the jury out on that,” he replied when asked whether by the content of the book the actress had showed lack of emotional intelligence.
He also posited that the book comes across as a tell-it-all type yet in his opinion it really was a selective tell-it-all.
“Yvonne Nelson’s book is a very bold attempt at a tell-it-all, however, following all the commentary coming up, it appears it is not a tell-it-all, it is a selective tell-it-all.
“There are questions about some of the narrations that have been made, we are beginning to see a lot of pushback on social media, people disputing a lot of things that she is saying and people adding things,” the lawmaker added.
About Yvonne Nelson’s book
“I Am Not Yvonne Nelson” is an explosive and riveting account of a young womanwho sets out to discover herself but finds out that she has been living with a false identity.
The drama and the twists and turns of this moving story have all the markings of a spellbinding movie script, except that the protagonist, who is an actor, is contending with a reality that intermittently soaks her pillow with tears.
Uncharacteristic of an autobiography, the author comes to her audience stark naked. The book opens the door widely into the life of the author and exposes the good, the bad, and the ugly sides, not only of her life but also of the make-believe world of celebrities.
The launch was graced by many industry stalwarts, businessmen, and politicians, including John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and Becca. Also present were media personalities, including Manasseh Azure Awuni, Sammy Forson, and GhanaWeb Entertainment Editor Benefo Buabeng popularly known as Abrantepa.
Over GHS 700,000 worth of Tramadol120 and 225 have been intercepted and destroyed by the Aboabo Pilots-Fong, a local organization dedicated to the elimination of illicit drugs in Tamale.
There has been a surge in incidence of Tramadol and other drug abuse cases in the greater Tamale metropolis over the past years.
Speaking to journalists in Tamale, chairman of the watchdog committee Jamal Yahaya Iddi narrates how they intercepted the drugs.
“We had information and have to track the ‘pusher’ who is from Accra for over a week before getting him at his house on arrival with the drug.”
He assured the committee is poised on flushing out drug pushers in the metropolis.
“Tamale is becoming a hub for drug trafficking which is a looming disaster and that’s what we are fighting. If not in the next five years this town will be doomed.
“We are committed to doing the work and insha Allah we will fish them out and make sure they are properly punished.”
He laments how Tramadol abuse is destroying the youth.
“Tramadol is killing the youth. They are all going mad and behaving abnormal and this we must all work to stop.”
The illicit drugs eradication committee was constituted in January this year by the Gulkpe Naa of Tamale with approval from relevant stakeholders.
The formation of the committee was premised on the alarming rate of intake of Tramadol and other related hard drugs.
Several quantities of drugs have since been destroyed by members of the committee.
The Aboabo forest in Tamale has in recent times become a hub of illicit drug activities.
In Ghana, only 50 and 100 grams of Tramadol has been approved for use.
However, there is a surge in the use of 120 and 225 grams by the youth which is seemingly destroying them.
Actress Regina Daniels’ husband, Ned Nwokohas disclosed that his national responsibilities prevented him from participating in the ill-fated Titan submersible adventure.
Nwoko, a Senator representing Delta North in the country’s South South zone, is known to be friends with one of the deceased persons aboard the submersible, Captain Hermish Harding.
He posted on his social media handles on June 23 that he had lost a friend and business partner, detailing a number of past adventures that they had undertaken.
On the issue of the widely-reported upon submersible and the invitation extended to him by Harding, he wrote: “he also invited me on his space shuttle last year and this very Titan ill-fated adventure but I was tied down with national duties.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have been mocking the account of Nwoko with some asking what national assignment in particular had obstructed him.
Read Nwkoko’s full post on Instagram below
I have lost a very dear friend and business partner. Captain hermish Harding. We both went on a very dangerous expedition to the Southpole Antarctica few years back.
He was a gulf stream pilot who flew across the world in a record breaking expedition by Guinness world record for circumnavigation of the earth some years ago.
He descended into the Mariana. he also invited me on his space shuttle last year and this very Titan ill-fated adventure but I was tied down with national duties.
Above all he was a partner on the various researches into eradication of malaria in Africa project. He was very enthusiastic about it and always gave his support at every given opportunity.
His last message to me was this last Sunday when he told me they were ready to dive to the titanic if the weather permits. He loved adventure and challenges. My heart bleeds for his dear wife and kids who have become familyfriends over the years. We will surely miss his wealth of experience.
Reuters report about the accident
A deep-sea submersible carrying five people on a voyage to the century-old wreck of the Titanic was found in pieces from a “catastrophic implosion” that killed everyone aboard, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday, ending a multinational five-day search for the vessel.
A robotic diving vehicle deployed from a Canadian ship discovered a debris field from the submersible Titan on Thursday morning on the seabed some 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the Titanic, 2 1/2 miles (4 km) beneath the surface, in a remote corner of the North Atlantic, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters.
The Titan, operated by the U.S.-based company OceanGate Expeditions, had been missing since it lost contact with its surface support ship on Sunday morning about an hour, 45 minutes into what should have been a two-hour dive to the world’s most famous shipwreck.
“The debris field here is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vehicle,” Mauger said.
Even before the Coast Guard’s press conference, OceanGate issued a statement saying there were no survivors among the five men aboard the Titan, including the company’s founder and chief executive officer, Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan.
The four others were British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, 58; Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, both British citizens; and French oceanographer and renowned Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, who had visited the wreck dozens of times.
The Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya South,Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere, has refuted claims that he was chased away by angry constituents in the aftermath of a resident’s death.
A video that has gone viral shows the MP being whisked away by the police from being attacked by an angry mob during a visit to his constituency.
The angry mob slammed the MP after the body of a 57-year-old man, John Kwame Asumang, who drowned following Wednesday’s downpour was recovered.
The deceased is said to have drowned after crossing a bridge during the rains.
Residents attributed his death to the poor state of roads and a broken bridge in the area.
Rejecting claims of being mobbed during an interview, Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere, clarified that he was rather hooted at by his constituents and not chased away as reported in media circles describing such claims as misleading.
He appreciated the concerns of his angry constituents and expressed sympathies to the bereaved family.
The legislator admitted the bridge has become unmotorable.
“The story is misleading, I wasn’t chased away, I didn’t go there to commiserate with the family, even though I had planned to do that at another time. The Divisional Police Commander ACP Joe Owusu called me on my phone and informed me that there had been some agitations at the bridge as a result of the death of a motor rider, who intended crossing to go and do his business, so they won’t allow anyone to cross, so I should go over”.
He further recounted, “When I went there, policemen were there, the Commander and his officers were 10 in number, just to have a discussion as to how best we can solve the issue. When it rains, the place gets flooded, they can’t use it, the bridge is not passable, and the unfortunate happened. I wasn’t chased away, though when I went there, the residents started massing up. They hooted at me. I do appreciate their concerns, in view of the fact that it involves the loss of life. I wasn’t chased away or pelted with stones. The police escorted me to my car and I drove away”.
He admitted that there was a splash of water but denied the stone was pelted at him.
“I saw a splash of water, I saw an object fall into the water, but I cannot say it was targeted at me or not,” he further clarified.
He said all efforts to get the bridge fixed proved futile.
Fifteen observers have been deployed by the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) for the by-election in the Assin North constituency of the Central Region slated for Tuesday June 27.
The deployment, according toCODEO, is in part fulfilment of its mandate to mobilise citizens of Ghana to actively participate in the electoral process and to complement the efforts of the Electoral Commission in ensuring transparent, free, fair and peaceful elections
A statement issued Friday by the coalition said 13 of the observers will be deployed to 13 polling stations within 12 purposefully selected electoral areas, while the two others will be roaming observers on election day, with one of them observing proceedings at the collation centre.
“They will observe the polling station set-up, voting and counting procedures, and also file reports on any incidents they observe throughout the day,” the statement said.
Three candidates are contesting the seat, declared vacant by the Electoral Commission aft the Supreme Court annulled the election of Mr.James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress in the 2020 elections.
The candidates for Tuesday’s by-election are; Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), and James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
National President of the GSFP, Mrs Charlotte Ashiakie Asante made this known at a press conference.
She apologised to all affected schools for the inconveniences over the period during which caterers were not working.
But Mrs Asante said they still stand by their earlier demand for an increment in the amount allotted to every child.
“We still stand by our earlier demand that the governmentwould facilitate the necessary processes to still increase the amount from the proposed GH¢1.20 to GH¢3, considering the prevailing cost of items on the market,” she added.
Mrs Asante also urged the caterers to work effectively and efficiently when school resumed.
Again, she reminded the caterers that the programme had only one association acknowledged by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the national secretariat for which reason they were to remain united and have a common goal.
“The National Executive would like to strongly admonish all caterers to henceforth desist from spreading falsehood and using the media for wrong purposes or as a tool to denigrate the programme, instead of using dialogue and the acceptable rules of engagement,” she added.
More so, Mrs Ashiakle requested that the gender ministry engaged with the caterers to bridge gaps within the programme.
The caterers of the GSFP across the country have been on strike over demands for better conditions of service and the increment in amount spent on feeding school kids.
The ground has been broken for the construction of a multipurpose abattoir in Jamestown, Accra, which would act as a crucial hub for the processing of animals for consumption by the general public, by the Chief Executive of theAccra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA), Hon. Elizabeth K.T Sackey.
The facility, to be completed in 12 months, consists of an offloading bay, a veterinary, changing rooms, a store, washrooms, freezing bays, a slaughtering and slamming area, cattle lairage, an animal drinking pond as well as a kraal to house the animals until they were examined by a veterinary officer before slaughtering among others.
Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, the Mayor of Accra who was accompanied by the Metro Coordinating Director of AMA, Mr. Douglas N.K Annoful and some other staff of the Assembly said the slaughterhouse when completed would guarantee the production of wholesome meat and public health.
She added that the Assembly had a series of stakeholder engagements prior to the sod-cutting ceremony to ensure the facility to be constructed would be fit for purpose.
She was optimistic about the prospect of job creation for the people of Jamestownand Accra.
“We are very serious about this work because our children and siblings in this neighbourhood will get jobs to do… They will all get work to do to improve their economic lives,” she said.
She was hopeful that the facility when completed would position and restore the area to its original status as a major meat hub in the metropolis and beyond.
Ngleshie Sei Wulomo, Nii Ayite Konko V who was elated about the project expressed appreciation to the Mayor for the idea to revive the slaughterhouse and pledged support towards the project.
Present at the event were, members of the Butchers Association for London Market, representatives from the Ngleshie-Alata Traditional Council and Ga Traditional Council among others.
Ace Anan Ankomah, the legal representative for highlife musician Rex Owusu Marfo, also known as Rex Omar, has sent a letter to singer Akosua Agyapongregarding multiple allegations made against his client.
The letter from the law firm Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah dated 20th June 2023, asks Akosua to retract allegations she has made against Rex Omar in 14 days.
“We have our Client’s instructions to demand from you, and accordingly we demand, that you publicly retract the defamatory statements made against him and render an unqualified apology to him for tarnishing his hard-earned reputation on all the media outlets you have used to defame him, within 14 days from the date of receipt of this letter. We further demand that you desist forthwith from making any further malicious and false public utterances against our Client,” the letter states.
According to Rex’s lawyer, Akosua has on a number of occasions, accused their client of stealing money that belongs to the Ghana Music Rigths Organisation (GHAMRO) a group the ‘Abiba’ singer has worked for as Board Chairman since 2017.
The lawyer says without any evidential and lawful justification, Akosua has described their client, the members of the GHAMRO board and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abraham Adjetey as criminals and thieves.
“On 23 December 2022, you granted an interview on a television programme called, ‘ Time with the Stars’ in Twi, which was posted on one Larry Bozzlz’s facebook page, where you stated that our Client and some Ghamro executives are embezzling Ghamro funds. You also granted an interview to One Captain Smart on Onua Tv, which interview was posted on YouTube on 22 March 2023 where you falsely stated that our Client together with Ghamro executives are embezzling Ghamro funds; and thus are thieves,” he writes.
He also mentions that “on 25 May 2023 in an interview on Power FM, you repeatedly called our Client a thief for stealing Ghamro funds. Further, in the interview, you falsely alleged that our Client has stolen items belonging to his brother-in-law, without lawful justification or proof.”
According to the letter, Rex Omar has denied these allegations of stealing and on several occasions given Akosua Agyapong the opportunity to investigate Ghamro’s expenditure and/or to check the Auditor-General’s report on Ghamro’s expenditure to ascertain whether he has stolen Ghamro’s funds but she has been unyielding.
“Our Client has also demanded that you produce the evidence of the alleged stealing, which you have, till date, failed to do. Yet you have persisted in your malicious desire to publish these blatant falsehoods against our Client,” the letter indicates.
It also notes that Akosua’s utterances against their client have negatively affected and lowered him in the eyes of right-thinking members of society, and further exposed him and his family to public ridicule, contempt and opprobrium.
“Further, your false statements have not only caused harm to his reputation but has also caused him emotional distress and financial losses,” it states.
A lecturer at the University of Ghana (UG) has allegedly been subjected to severe injuries during an armed robbery incident on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
According to a social media user, Raphael Akavani, the lecturer was attacked close to the office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at Legon.
The robbers inflicted cutlass wounds on the hand of the lecturer and other parts of his body as they were trying to rob him.
They managed to steal the lecturer’s laptop, phones and other belongings.
A picture of the victim shared on Twitter showed that his right hand was badly injured.
PresidentAkufo-Addo is set to inaugurate the inaugural Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) in Accra.
The conference aims to delve into innovative and cost-effective energy technologies that can contribute to Ghana’s economic advancement.
The event, slated for August 8th to 10th, 2023, is being organised by the Africa Energy Technology Centre (AETC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, will attract captains of industry, policymakers, researchers, and innovators across Africa.
At the media launch in Accra, Mr Herbert Krapa, a Deputy Minister ofEnergy, said the AETC Conference would offer the opportunity to energy stakeholders to find ways to leverage technology towards accelerating Africa’s economic and industrial growth.
He said about 600 million people on the continent did not have access to electricity, hence it was imperative to explore efficient, affordable and resilient energy technology to meet the electricity needs of the populace.
Mr Krapa said, in Ghana, the Government was diversifying energy sector by including renewable energy and nuclear energy as well as distributing cooked stoves and 350,000 solar bulbs to off-grid communities across the country.
The three-day conference is on the theme: “Africa at the Forefront of Energy Technology and Policy Integration in a Just Energy Transition.”
It aims to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in the field of energy technology within the African continent.
It would also serve as a platform for stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions, exchange ideas, and explore sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the energy sector in Africa.
There would be an exhibition session, keynote speeches, panel discussions, interactive workshops, investment platforms and technology showcase.
Mr Thomas Manu, Board Chair of the Africa Energy Technology Centre, in an address read on his behalf, said the conference would enable stakeholders to adopt homegrown energy technology and other technologies to address Ghana and Africa’s energy requirements.
He cautioned that adopting any energy technology should not cause loss of jobs and adversely affect the economies of African countries.
Ms Emelia Akumah, the Founder and President of AETC, in her opening remarks, said some renowned energy experts and thought leaders would address a wide range of topics, including oil and gas, renewable energy, clean technologies, energy access, policy frameworks, deal rooms, and the role of innovation in driving Africa’s energy transition.
She said: “We are thrilled to host the AETC Africa Energy Technology Conference in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Ghana”.
She believed that the conference would provide a unique avenue for stakeholders to share knowledge and explore innovative solutions that could propel Africa to the forefront of energy technology and policy integration.
“Our aim is to facilitate a just and equitable energy transition that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and economic growth for the African continent,” she added.
Participants will have the opportunity to network, forge partnerships, and gain valuable insights from leading experts, fostering collaboration and driving the transformation of Africa’s energy landscape.
With Africa poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy, the AETC promises to be a significant milestone in accelerating Africa’s energy transition journey, Ms Akumah stated.
Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned the 31.2 kilometres Assin Fosu to Assin Praso stretch that connects Ahwian Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region to Yamoransa in the Central Region.
The N8 highway according to the Vice President will improve travel time for communities along the stretch adding that other auxiliary facilities that come along with the road project will be completed in due time.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who commissioned the road project at Assin Praso indicated that the project was done with support from the Japanese government to the tune of 58 million US dollars adding that the government will continue to secure additional funds to construct the remaining 67 kilometres between Assin Fosu and Yamoransa.
“The 31.2-kilometre Assin Fosu to Assin Praso road has been completed, and it’s a testament to President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to improve road infrastructure across the country. The N8 highway will also connect Ahwian Nkwanta in the Ashanti region to Yamoransa in the Central Region. The project which is at a cost of 58 million US dollars is a grant from the government of Japan to Ghana,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“The upgrading of Assin Fosu town roads which is 50% completed is underway, and I must say that under the NPP government Assin has seen a lot of development. A modern footbridge and other auxiliary facilities will soon be completed,” the Vice President noted.
Dr. Bawumia assured that government will secure additional funds to complete the 67-kilometre road between Assin Fosu and Yamoransa.
“Apart from the construction of the N8 highway, works have also been completed on the 70-metre span steel footbridge at Assin Kushia while a bridge has also been constructed on the Pra river. The rehabilitation of the 32-kilometre Mankessim to Abura Dunkwa road is 80% completed,” Dr. Bawumia added.
The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako Attah indicated that new technologies which are environmentally friendly were used in the construction of the road where the old pavement was recycled and used as a sub-base material adding that the Ministry will replicate this in a subsequent project.
“This new technology used is environmentally friendly since it recycles the old payment and uses it as a sub-base material and this reduces the volume of gravels that will be taken from other adjoining communities,” Amoako Attah said.
Suzuki Momoko a representative of the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana His Excellency Hisanobu Mochizuki indicated that the Japanese government is confident that the construction of the road will ease the burden of traffic.
“I would like to emphasize that in other to keep the road in good shape proper maintenance culture must be inculcated, and I wish to charge the Ministry of Road and Highways to do that. But I must say that the government of Japan will be willing to support Ghana with more technical expertise”.
A cardiologist at theInternational Maritime Hospital (IMaH) in Tema, Dr. Aba Folson, has revealed that approximately 26.1 percent of the adult population in the country is experiencing blood pressure levels that are not within the recommended range.
Dr. Folson added that over 50 per cent of people known to have hypertension were not controlled and stressed.
She noted that most hypertension patients fall under the primary or essential category, which usually occured because of lifestyle practices.
Dr. Folson said this at the weekly “Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility! A Ghana News Agency initiative aimed at promoting health-related communication and providing a platform for health information dissemination to influence personal health choices through improved health literacy.
Dr. Folson, speaking on the topic “Measure blood pressure accurately, control it, and live longer,” stressed that high blood pressure usually developed due to unhealthy lifestyle choices.
An unhealthy lifestyle choices includes lack of physical activity and health conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
The IMaH Cardiologist said hypertension could be prevented or managed through healthy living and continuous check-ups at health facilities.
Dr. Folson reminded the public that uncontrolled hypertension had a higher risk of causing damage to every organ in the body, including theheart, brain, feet, lever, and eyes, among others.
She, therefore, advised patients to make a conscious effort to control their blood pressure by following the instructions of the doctors and taking their medications, as well as following healthy lifestyles such as exercising, having regular check-ups, eating fruits and vegetables, avoiding excessive consumption of salt and meat, avoiding smoking, and many others.
She said a consistent blood pressure above 140/90 was a cause for concern as that could be diagnosed as hypertension, explaining that the upper reading represents when the heart was pumping blood while the lower measure is for when the heart was relaxing.
She encouraged the public to buy their own automated BP machines or regularly check at pharmacies or hospitals to always be within the accepted rate.
She said issues related to hypertension must be of great concern to all as it is the most influential disease all over the world, adding that it also had a lot of long-term effects on the body.
Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Regional Manager of Ghana News Agency Tema, explained that “Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility” is part of a collaborative effort to disseminate health information to the public.
He said existing evidence indicated that mass media efforts to improve public health could help increase awareness of a health problem, raise the level of information about health topics, and make a health topic or problem more salient, thereby sensitizing the public.
Mr. Ameyibor, therefore, called on both the traditional and social media managers to devote some time to engage health professionals to educate the public, saying that “the education we offer today through our media platforms may save a life tomorrow.”
