Residents of Nimain Accra have given the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly a 30-day deadline to repair all of the community’s dilapidated roads and abandoned projects.
The residents who held a demonstration on Thursday, May 4, say the Nima community has been neglected for long.
The residents clad in red bands and holding placards walked through the principal streets of Nima to express their anger over the state of their roads and infrastructural challenges in the community.
The spokesperson for the Concerned Nima Residents, Alhaji Issah Maiga said the government must come to their aid immediately or face their wrath.
“We are petitioning the government through the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly to as a matter of urgency give the Nima Highway a befitting facelift that it deserves, refurbish all bad roads linking the Nima Highway and complete theKawu Kudi Hospitalto benefit our soccer team”.
“We are therefore giving the authorities a 30-day notice to do the needful else we shall continue with the demonstration.”
Ghana andFrance have reached an agreement to boost the country’s health sector.
Under the agreement, additional support will be offered to the country for scientific research into the most appropriate way to implement secondary prevention of cervical cancer among women living with HIV.
The €2.8 million grant, which was made possible through Expertise France to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), will also support the country’s response against diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The agreement was signed between the two countries at the Residence of the France Ambassador to Ghana in Accra last Thursday.
The Director-General of the GHS,Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, initialled on behalf of the beneficiaries, while the Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy in Ghana, Julien Lecas, signed for his country. Investment
Mr Lecas, who represented his ambassador, said Ghana had received support from the Global Fund for over 20 years, with significant investment on HIV, tuberculosis and malaria pandemics.
“And as you may know, France is a major donor to the Global Fund. This week, the team of L’Initiative from Expertise France is here in Accra, together with the Global Fund country team.
“It is our hope that this visit will trigger further development of L’Initiative’s portfolio in Ghana.
“We at the French Embassy in Ghana are very pleased to be able to officially launch the two programmes funded by L’Initiative to strengthen and evaluate the quality of health services by the GHS on one hand.
“And on the other hand, it is also aimed at supporting the secondary prevention of cervical cancer among women living with HIV through the NMIMR,” he said.
The Technical Director at Expertise France Groupe, Eric Fleutelot, said his outfit was pleased to support Ghana improve on its health care.
“And I know that we are already making progress”, however, more efforts were needed to reduce vertical transmission of HIV, he added. Community scorecard
Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the grant was offered through a community scorecard initiative by the GHS.
He said the initiative, which was introduced in 2018, was aimed at strengthening community participation in health care and also improving accountability in service delivery.
According to him, the grant would help extend the scorecard implemented to include HIV and tuberculosis.
An Associate Professor in charge of Medicine, Molecular, Microbiology and Virology at NMIMR, Prof. George Kyei, said there was the need for a national policy to integrate cervical cancer screening into routine HIV care.
74-year-old, King Charles III, who will be installed on Saturday, was the oldest royal to ascend the throne in a1,000-year-old lineage when he replaced his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, following her death in September. The late Queen ruled ruled for 70 years.
Charles does not enjoy the same support as his widely admired mother, but his public approval ratings are generally positive. An opinion poll last week showed many more people hold favourable views of him than negative although there is also a wide segment expressing indifference.
Republican sentiment – which was almost entirely absent publicly during Elizabeth’s reign – has become visible with eggs thrown at the king and his wife, Camilla, on one trip and small groups of protesters voicing opposition at others.
Buckingham Palace has supported research into the monarchy’s links to slavery as calls grow for apologies and reparations, not least from some of the 14 Commonwealth realms, where Charlesis also king.
The Guardian newspaper has run a series of articles raising questions about the opaque nature of the wealth and finances of the institution and the royal family, an issue that resonates at a time when Britons are facing a cost of living crisis.
A 7-year-old Charles sits with his mother and younger sister, Princess Anne, as they watch the final match of the Smith’s lawn polo cup in Windsor, England, on June 23, 1956. [File: AP]
In this July 27, 1958, photo, Prince Charles wears his school uniform. He became the first heir apparent to the British throne to attend school rather than have a private tutor. [File: AP]Prince Charles arrives at London Airport from Glasgow on April 2, 1964, at a time when he was a student at Gordonstoun School in northeast Scotland, which his father, Prince Philip, also attended. [File: AP]An 18-year-old Prince Charles leaves Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth in a state coach on October 31, 1967, for the opening of parliament. It was the first time the prince took part in the ceremony. [File: AP]Queen Elizabeth II crowns her son the Prince of Wales during his investiture ceremony on July 1, 1969, at Caernarfon Castle in Wales. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is seated at the right, and British Home Secretary James Callaghan stands next to the prince. [File: AP]Prince Charles and Tricia Nixon, daughter of US President Richard Nixon, discuss baseball at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, on July 18, 1970, during a trip the prince made to the US capital with his sister, Princess Anne, after they had visited Canada with their parents. [File: AP]Prince Charles walks with Imelda Marcos, first lady of the Philippines, in Katmandu on February 24, 1975, at the coronation ceremony for Nepal’s King Birendra. [File: AP]Prince Charles drinks from a freshly cut green coconut at Haripur village, which he visited during a one-day trip to Bhubaneswar, India, on December 4, 1980. The prince is wearing a marigold garland, which was given to him by villagers. [File: Santosh Basak/AP]Prince Charles wed Diana, Princess of Wales, on July 29, 1981. The couple appeared with his parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London after their marriage at St Paul’s Cathedral. [File: AP]Charles and Diana take home their firstborn son, Prince William, from St Mary’s Hospital in London on June 22, 1982, the day after his birth. [File: John Redman/AP]Charles and Diana made their second trip to Australia together in 1985 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the state of Victoria, named after Charles’s great-great-great-grandmother. [File: AP]Charles greets models wearing clothing from a local designer during a tour of Soweto, South Africa, on November 3, 2011. [File: Kim Lubbrook/pool/AP]Charles speaks after a performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra at St James Palace in central London on December 12, 2011. [File: Lefteris Pitarakis/pool/AP]After preparing for the crown his entire life, Charles was king on April 28, 2023, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police presented him with a horse named Noble as he accepted the role of commissioner-in-chief of the police force at Windsor Castle. At the age of 73, he had become the oldest person to ever assume the British throne when Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022. [File: Andrew Matthews/pool/AP]
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor II, aspiring Parliamentary Candidate forSekyere Drobonso, has stated that the residents in the area are eager for his leadership.
He disclosed this after a successful vetting and balloting ahead of the Parliamentary primaries on the 13th May 2023.
“The vetting was very smooth. I picked number 2 on the ballot paper which is divine selection because I’m Kwabena Duffuor II’’ he said.
According to Dr. Duffuor, the move to contest the primaries in the area was as a result of calls from the people of Sekyere Drobonso Constituency.
He added that the constituents are aware of the many years of his contribution to the party in the farming community.
“The People of the Sekyere Afram Plainshave been crying for me for a long time. It’s been 12 years of hunger since we created the constituency, 12 years of hardship, 12 years of visionless leadership and it is time for one of their own to lead them,” he stressed.
Dr. Duffuor II also stated that he will mobilize the needed resources for the Constituency for the branches to work with.
“We don’t need an MP who is going to sit in Parliament and wait for the salary to come. The constituency needs a businessman who can take risks and make this happen. That’s what we need. The constituency is so far behind in terms of development that we don’t need a business as usual MP. We need someone who is passionate about the constituency who feels for the people he is leading.
“My polling station Chairman is here with me, and has been in the constituency since 2012. We have a teak plantation in the constituency, a factory that has employed people in the Sekyere Afram plains including delegates, and other members of the district. How can I be alien? There are people who were not even present during the 2020 general elections. They never campaigned for the party, they didn’t participate in any activity all of the sudden they are in the register but we leave that to God, God is the ultimate Judge,” he added.
The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, and Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan, and his wife, First lady Linda Ramkalawa will join the Ashanti ruler, Otumfuo Osei Tutu and his wife, Lady Julia to witness King Charles III’s coronation, this is according to the full list of invitees released by townandcountrymag.com.
Members of the Royal Family attending the coronation:
Members of the House of Windsor will be in attendance, including Charles’s sister, Princess Anne; his son, Prince William; and daughter-in-law Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Prince George, his grandson, will be a page of honor at the coronation. His other son, Prince Harry, will attend, but Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will not be in attendance.
All the members of the British royal family we can expect to attend include:
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis
Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence
Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and their children Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex
Prince Andrew
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall
Peter Phillips
Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent
Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael of Kent
Princess Alexandra
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
Princess Margaret’s children Lady Sarah Chatto (and her husband, Daniel Chatto) and David Armstron
The king of the Ashanti kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, may, perhaps already be in the United Kingdom now, ahead of the coronation of Charles III as the new monarch.
This follows the official invitation that was sent to the king, as was confirmed through a statement issued by the Chief of Staff of the Manhyia Palace, John Badu, that said that the Asantehene had been invited for the coronation ceremony, which is slated for May 6, 2023, with his wife, Lady Julia.
It added that Otumfuo Osei Tutu and Lady Julia will meet the British monarch before the coronation on May 4 at Buckingham Palace and also attend the King’s official reception on May 5, 2023.
The coronation of King Charles III would also be done with that of Queen Consort Camilla.
Already, about 2,000 people have been confirmed to attend the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
On behalf of his Minister, the deputy minister of sanitation, water, and resources, Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, has received the Danish ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Tom Noering, the Executive Vice President of GrundfosDenmark, Mr. Stephane Simonetta, and other officials at the ministry of sanitation’s conference hall.
The Minister noted in his Facebook post that Grundfos is a leading water technology company in Denmark but established an office in Ghana ten years ago and the Accra office also doubles as their West African office.
He recounted that, in April 2020, Grundfos and the ministry signed an MoU establishing cooperation relating to the implementation of solutions for sustainable water supply to the people of Ghana. The minister sighted.
He further stated the purpose of the meeting, “Today’smeeting was to review the progress of the MoU and to renew our commitment to fulfilling the content in the MoU”.
According to Hon. Issahaku, “The ultimate goal of the cooperation is for us to establish a public-private partnership for water service improvements and energy efficiency projects and also reach one million people through 300 small water systems”.
The Deputy Minister signed the renewal of the MoU on behalf of his boss and the Executive Vice President of Grundfos also signed on behalf of Grundfos Company Denmark.
TheSecurities and Exchange Commission(SEC) has pledged to resolve the concerns of Gold Coast Fund Management Company Limited’s customers.
The aggrieved customers on Thursday, May 4, returned to the premises of SEC to picket for the third day in a bid to demand payment of their locked-up funds.
The leaders of the aggrieved customers presented a petition to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Authority to consider releasing their funds to them.
The collapsed financial institution under the name BlackShield Capital Limitedhad about 55,000 customers whose funds were locked up shortly before the regulator revoked its license.
Charles Nyame, the Convenor said their members need their monies to pay for hospital bills and take care of emergency needs.
Speaking to Citi News, the Director of Communications at SEC, Dr Godwin Ansah, assured the group that the petition will be relayed to the appropriate quarters.
He further refuted claims that the Director General of the Commission has deliberately withheld the Funds of the aggrieved customers as explained that the funds reported to have been released by the government were disbursed to the affected 47 financial institutions.
“We cannot agree with the numbers by their representatives, but we were very clear in terms of what we have done so far. Over 73, 000 claims have actually been paid with about 1.3 billion Ghana cedis. Also, as far as 61, 000 claims have been covered with 750 million Ghana cedis which have been used to settle these customers”.
“So whiles we know that a lot has been done it is also important to say that we remain important to the process.”
A member of the New Patriotic Party‘s (NPP) publicity team, George Ayisi, has said that the $170 million granted loan will aid government focus on addressing national challenges.
Even though majority of Ghanaians are not happy with the borrowing habit of the government, Mr. Ayisi believes the government is on the right path.
“There are times you find yourself in a precarious situation that you may need some little push to stabilize your position and then have proper focus to deal with the situation properly.”
Bernard Oduro, a member of the NDC opposed Mr. Ayisi’s statement.
“From the financial economy point of view, it is not wrong to go into debts.”
Responding to Mr. Oduro, Mr. Ayisi said; “I disagree with him(Bernard Oduro) for claiming I’m defending the government for no good cause even though I’m not surprised at that.”
“There are certain areas that government will invest in that will generate phenomenal returns,” he added.
On May 2, 2023, parliament approved an amount of $910.6 million loan at an emergency sitting in the absence of about fifteen minority members.
Aspirant flagbearer of the oppositionNational Democratic Congress(NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has stated that the large reduction in Ghana’s cocoa production is concerning, given that the commodity represents the foundation of the economy.
Ghana achieved a historic feat of more than 1.14 million tons of cocoa production, about 45% increase in the 2020/2021 crop season.
However, dropped significantly in the 2021/2022 crop season though COCOBOD was yet to provide official figures.
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) recent report said cocoa production during 2021/2022 dropped in the two world leading cocoa countries – Cote D’Ivoire (-6%) and Ghana (-34%) owing to multiple factors including devastating effect of swollen shoot disease and climate change.
Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has forecasting about 750,000 tons of cocoa production in the 2022/2023 crop season higher than the 2021/2022 production.
According to Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, his sources indicate Ghana may not meet this target for the season.
He said current happenings in the cocoa sector will ultimately affect the economy and cocoa farmers.
“Our leaders have failed us. What I am hearing is that Ghana may not be able to get 500,000 metric tons of cocoa this year. In 2010/2011, we had one million metric tons. We decided to sustain the gains and increase it so we become number one producer of cocoa in the world. We came up with a policy to distribute 20 million free cocoa seedlings to farmers annually. It was captured in the 2011 budget and we started implementing it. So hearing that we may not get 500,000 metric tons saddens me. It means cocoa farmers are going to suffer”.
Dr. Duffuor stated that “NDC is going to win the election at all cost and when we assume power, we will resume the distribution of 20 million free cocoa seedlings annually so we beat Ivory Coast to occupy the top spot as world largest producer of cocoa. We can’t let the cocoa industry collapse. It is the backbone of the economy”.
Dr. Kwabena Duffuor said this when addressing delegates of the NDC in Akim Manso in Asene Manso Akroso constituency in the Eastern region as part of his 4-day campaign tour.
At Upper West Akyem Constituency, Dr. Duffuor assured Cocoa farmers in the area that the next NDC government will help bring to life an abandoned 48-million-dollar Jute Factory at Adeiso.
The factory established by an Indian group call Ganges in partnership with government in 2008 sits on a 12-acre size land at the Upper West Akyem District.
When completed would be the largest jute factory in Africa with a monthly capacity of 600,000 sacks. This would have reduced Ghana’s $215million annual spending on importation of jute sacks to about $70 million.
Again, the factory was expected to provide job opportunities for 2,000 people.
Successive governments after President Kuffuor made efforts to ensure the project is completed for operationalization of the factory, however, the Akufo-Addo led government has failed to pay attention to the final stage of completion leaving the fledging factory to rot in the bush.
Chiefs, cocoa farmers and youth in the area continue to demand state attention to the factory but to no avail.
The Naval Officer, Ishmael Mahama, is reported to have died on May 2.
Even though there are no details as to what caused his death, the PNC party has expressed its deepest condolences to their leader.
In a statement, the party said, “We feel how weak and fruitless our words would be in our attempt to beguile you and your family from the grief of your son but we cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation in the Bible that, nothing happens in this world without the knowledge of God, and he has a reason for everything,” his party said in a statement on Wednesday, May 3.
“We pray the God of Abraham would appease the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only with the cherish memories of your son.”
Funeral arrangements for Ishmael Mahama will be announced in due course, 3news.com has gathered.
“Once again, kindly accept our deepest condolences, Your Excellency,” the PNC statement issued by General Secretary Janet Asana Nabla concluded.
Dr Mahama has led PNC in a record five presidential elections in the Fourth Republic.
Ghanaian singer Black Sherif has reminded his followers of his efforts to the music industry once again.
In a post urging his fans to rally behind him in the upcoming VGMAs, Blacko, who has been nominated for the ultimate category, took to social media to emphasize that his works are evidently stronger to give him the upper hand.
Highlighting his efforts, Black Sherif said Ghanaians have been witnesses to his roller-coaster journey including how he rose from nothing to greatness.
In a Facebook post on May 3, 2023, Blacko said he deserved the most coveted ‘Artiste of the Year’ award because he had given it his all in the industry.
“You’ve seen my blood, sweat & tears. You’ve seen the ups & downs of my journey. I’ve had my lips shut, and my eyes opened ever since I stepped in the game. I don’t plan on changing that, not today, not tomorrow. Let’s go, VGMA,” he stated.
Black Sherif, the youngest nominee among the likes of Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Camidoh, KiDi, Piesie Esther, Joe Mettle, and King Promise up for the most prestigious award.
He is contesting for eight other categories including the Most Popular Song of the Year, Best Hiphop Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year and Best Afropop Song of the Year.
TheMilitary High Command has established a 12-member Quality Management Committee to supervise services provided at the 37 Military Hospital.
The formation of the Committee according to the Chief of Defense Staff is due to the numerous lawsuits against the hospital.
Inaugurating the Committee, Chief of Defense Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama said the public is losing confidence in the Hospital.
“In recent years, we have witnessed a number of complaints from the public about the quality of service some leading to avoidable loss of lives and its resultant loss of public confidence in the Ghana Armed Forces services and its facilities”.
“To forestall this trend and revive public confidence in the Ghana Armed Forces medical services, the military high command saw it imperative to set up a committee to promote quality assurance for the improvement of quality of care at the Ghana Armed Forces medical facility.”
The Hospital in recent years has suffered several lawsuits due to medical negligence. In July 2021 the family of a patient, Solomon Asare-Kumah, who died after being admitted at the 37 Military Hospital at age 48, sued management of the facility over alleged medical negligence.
The Court in July 2021 also slapped an amount of GH¢1,075,000, in damages, on the 37 Military Hospital for the negligence it caused the bereaved family of a 27-year-old woman during childbirth in November 2015.
Government has expressed sincere gratitude for the media’s substantial contributions to the country’s growth.
The government in a statement issued by Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday May 3 called for stronger emphasis on economic rights, considering the recent global challenges.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day is on the theme ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights.”
“The media has been instrumental over the years, in highlighting various rights that require attention for full enjoyment.
“The work of the media also in highlighting instances of abuse of some rights by sections of society has led to redress in many instances. We urge the media to remain resolute on this path.
“The quest to have all citizens fully access their economic rights is yet to achieve full effect especially as the world faces dim economic forecasts following recent global challenges.”
“While urging the Media in Ghana to keep the spotlight on all human rights, we encourage an even sharper focus on efforts to ensure that the economic rights of citizens are fully actualized,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a former Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) president, Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, has urged the media to prioritise the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, given the devastating impact the canker is having on the environment.
The Veteran Broadcaster made the call at an event held in commemoration of the International Press Freedom Day held on May 3, 2023, at the Ghana International Press Centre (GiPC) in Accra.
During her speech, she called on all media houses to join in the fight and ensure the menace is significantly brought to a halt.
“I believe all media houses should continually highlight the challenges until the menace is brought to a minimum,” she said.
This comes on the back of recent revelations about how Ghana’s mining sector is being exploited.
First, was a documentary aired by Al Jazeera dubbed “Gold Mafia.” It was revealed in this piece that gold worth $40 million is smuggled out of the country annually.
Second is the leaked Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) report authored by Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng that exposed a number of government officials as either being involved in galamsey or interfered in the galamsey fight during his tenure as chairman of the defunct Committee.
Madam Afenyi-Dadzie during the gathering acknowledged the media’s important role in highlighting the dangers. She, however, bemoaned how the fight has become tough due to ‘powerful’ figures engaged in the menace. That notwithstanding, she urged the media not to give up the fight.
“The media played and is still playing its role in raising concern about the dangers of galamsey which threatens our existence as a people. Subsequent developments have shown that the beneficiaries of galamsey are very powerful and will not easily give up irrespective of the danger to our water bodies and environment.
“On this occasion, it is relevant to remind ourselves that based on the happenings we know now, the agenda to stop galamsey should be treated as a major existential threat that should go beyond the coalition that first highlighted the menace,” she added.
Galamsey’s impact on the environment
Illegal Mining also known as galamsey over the years has had a devastating impact on communities where such activities go on. It is also destroying the country’s virgin forests and water bodies.
At a press briefing held at the Information Ministry on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, John M. Allotey, stated that thirty-four (34) of the country’s forest reserves are under threat to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Majority of these reserves under threat, he said, were in the Ashanti region.
He noted that out of the 16 regions of the country, seven have been experiencing some form of illegal mining.
The High Courtin Accra has postponed the sentencing of En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, until the trial for all accusations leveled against her is completed, despite pleading guilty to the allegation of unlawfully entering Ghana.
The galamsey queen was convicted after she changed her plea in the immigration offence she is facing at the High Court to guilty.
She had earlier pleaded not guilty to four counts of undertaking a mining operation without license, facilitating the participation of persons engaged in a mining operation, the illegal employment of foreigners and entering Ghana while she had been prohibited from entry.
But after eight months of trial,Aisha Huang decided to change her plea in the last charge but her plea to counts on illegal mining remain not guilty.
She was arrested in 2022 for re-entering Ghana, engaging in illegal mining despite her deportation in 2018 for a similar offence.
The state in an attempt to prove the four charges have so far presented eleven witnesses consisting of immigration officers, police officers and community leaders to testify against the Galamsey Queen.
The last witness Superintendent of Immigration, Divine Ahumah Ocansey was put to the stand on Tuesday where he testified to the immigration and illegal mining offences of the accused person.
The decision of Aisha Huang to change her plea with respect to the immigration offence, followed the testimony of the eleventh witness. Even though Aisha Huang has been convicted, her sentencing has been deferred until the final determination of the matter.
TESTIMONY ON FALSE MARRIAGE
Superintendent of Immigration, Divine Ahumah Ocansey in his testimony revealed that he was tasked by the Ghana Immigration Service to investigate the immigration status of Aisha Huang when she was arrested in 2017.
During investigations, Superintendent Ocansey indicated that it emerged that Aisha Huang entered the country in May 2010 with a thirty-day visitor’s visa and had been travelling in and out of the country until she obtained a dependent permit on November 25, 2010, as the wife of one Anthony Fabian, a Ghanaian.
According to the witness, upon further checks on the processes leading to the acquisition of her indefinite residence it was discovered that ‘most of the documents supporting her application, like the Ghana Passport Biodata pages of Anthony Fabien and the marriage certificate of her alleged marriage to Anthony Fabian were forged.’
The witness further revealed that the bank account statement belonging to Anthony Fabien which was used to support the accused person’s indefinite residence application was found to be dormant and the said account was opened with the forged Ghanaian passport.
TESTIMONY ON ILLEGAL MINING
Superintendent of Immigration Ocansey indicated in his evidence in chief that his investigation established that the accused was conducting mining operations at Bepotenten where some four Chinese males were arrested in 2017.
He revealed that the four Chinese males during interrogation in 2017 admitted to having been employed by Aisha Huang to work on a mining concession and equipment belonging to her.
TESTIMONY ON IMMIGRATION OFFENCE
On the immigration offence, the witness testified that “the accused was deported on December 19, 2018, and arrived in China on December 20, 2018, and was directed to stay out of the country until any future approval by the comptroller-General”.
The accused is however said to have returned to Ghana in 2022 and investigations into her re-entry commenced on September 9, 2022.
The witness revealed that while Aisha Huang was deported with a passport bearing the name En Huang, she returned with another passport under the name Ruxia Huang. The second passport according to the witness however had no Ghana Visa Permitting her travel to Ghana.
Superintendent of Immigration Ocansey further testified that the “edge of the biodata page of the new passport had been cut and the last page slit meaning it was invalid”.
PROSECUTION CLOSES CASE
The prosecution closed its case after the cross-examination of the eleventh witness and the case has been adjourned to May 25 for a determination of whether prosecution has proved a prima facie case against the accused.
Meanwhile, Aisha Huang and his lawyers are expected to file their submission of no case by May 16 while prosecution is expected to respond by May 24.
Economics lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor William Baah-Boateng, has bemoaned the latest report from the Ghana Statistical Service(GSS).
Data from the Ghana Statistical Service indicates that about 1.76 million persons were unemployed by the third quarter of 2022.
The report further indicated that two out of every 3 persons employed during the period were in vulnerable employment.
Sharing his view on the statistics in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News, Prof. Baah-Boateng said, “The figure is higher than what is expected. For me, the 1.76 million figure is supposed to be alarming, it’s not small.”
He added that, the figure could guide policymakers to address the issue of unemployment.
He charged the Akufo-Addo government to put measures in place to absolve the teeming unemployed graduates.
“As a country, we have not sat down to look at the causes of unemployment. It’s recent that GSS has up its game so high by providing accurate data on unemployment to be able to inform policies. To be able to solve unemployment, we need to look at it from the demand and supply sides. On the supply side, we are doing well because many people are going to school”.
“There are issues that government needs to look at, people are getting out of schools so early that the labour market is not prepared for them. We need to prepare the labour market for them so that when they come out, they will be able to get something to do. There should be policies that will get the demand side to work, by being able to create employment opportunities for people. Government has a role in employing people,” the economist opined.
He further urged governmentto create an enabling environment for the private sector to also offer jobs to the unemployed.
“Government should be able to create an enabling environment, so the private sector can take advantage of that to reduce unemployment to the barest minimum,” he advised.
Dr Yaw Twerefour has been appointed as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency byPresident Akufo-Addo.
His appointment, made in accordance with Article 195(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 100(1) of the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829), will see him in charge of the licencing, control, and regulation of facilities involved in the storage, transportation, and disposal of human remains.
The new appointee is a public health specialist and a medical practitioner with over ten years of experience.
He previously worked as the Medical Superintendent of Anyaa Polyclinic and in various capacities at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region.
He has also served as an external consultant to the National Health Insurance Authorityand has worked as a resident medical and COVID support doctor at GHACEM and other corporate institutions.
Profile
Dr. Yaw Twerefour obtained his bachelor’s degree in medicine at First Moscow State Medical Academy.
He also holds Certificates in Occupational Health Safety (Nebosh International, United Kingdom) and Global Health Project Management and Leadership Management from the University of Washington in the United States.
Dr. Twerefour pursued postgraduate certificate courses in Health Administration and Management (HAM), Monitoring, and Evaluation, both at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra.
He holds a master’s in public health (MPH). He is a member of the Ghana Medical Association and the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra.
Dr. Twerefour has co-authored two Medical Publications in the Lancet Medical Journal and the Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases.
His appointment awaits the ‘advice of the Governing Board of the Agency, in consultation with the Public Services Commission,” a letter signed by the Secretary to the President indicates.
Executive Secretary of the Ghana Refugee board, Tetteh Padi, has revealed that his outfit has registered over 1,000 Burkinabe immigrants.
According to him, his outfit was conscious of the recent influx of Burkinabes into the Savannah region and was on top of its game to ensure that lives and properties close to the community are protected.
“We registered over 1,000 Burkinabes who have actually gone through the right process but we also know that there are several more that are coming in given that the situation is not getting any better. We do not compromise the procedures at all and make sure that whatever needs to be done to maintain our own safety and that of the refugees, is done,” he said.
His comments come on the back of concerns raised by members of the Fufulso community in the Savannah region about the invasion of the community by some 500 people, who now live as residents.
However, speaking in an interview on JoyFm’s Topstory on Wednesday, he explained that although the refugee board was aware of the presence of the about 500 Bukinabes in the community, they have not registered them yet.
Meanwhile, he assured that his outfit had people on the field to begin the registration.
“Our staff are in the field registering people who have been cleared for us to register,” he said.
The influx of Burkinabesin the region is attributed to violent activities in their country.
When asked about safety, Mr Padi said during registration his outfit usually collaborated with the police to ensure maximum security.
“We are working very closely with the security. We do not go into the field without protection as I said, we don’t take anything for granted at all so we make sure that before we deal with any group … they are cleared.
“In fact, we do not do any registration unless we have security clearance. When we are registering, our people are trained to look for certain signals. If there is any doubt or suspicion we pass people out to the security services,” he added.
The Executive Secretary also said after registration, those who live close to the border will be relocated to other areas in the community.
Former England midfielder,David Beckhamhas noted that he sometimes acted abnormally in his marriage due to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
David Beckham and Victoria have been married for years and know each other perfectly well.
“Everything must be ordered in a straight line and [things] must always be even,” Beckham said.
“When I put soft drinks in the fridge, they must be even numbers, if they are odd I remove one and put it in a different cabinet. If I go to a hotel, before I relax I have to put all the pamphlets and books in the room in a drawer.”
Beckham will soon release a documentary on his illustrious career. It will be produced by Netflix and directed by Fisher Stevens.
The release date has yet to be announced but everything suggests that it will be at some point this year. According to the first information that came out, David will discuss about the hours he spends cleaning and tidying his house before going to sleep and we will see him every night aligning the light switches or cleaning candles.
“It’s tiring going around every single candle cleaning it,” he noted.
“I clip the candle wax, I clean the glass, that’s my pet hate, the smoke around the inside of a candle… I know, it’s weird.
“The fact that when everyone’s in bed I then go around, clean the candles, turn the lights on to the right setting, make sure everywhere is tidy.”
These habits have led to many arguments with Victoria. Some of these disagreements will be shown in the series.
One of the reasons the couple argues is leaving the salt out of place in the kitchen. In addition, both of them in front of the cameras will exchange opinions on this matter in a funny and sarcastic way.
Throughout the series, we will get to know Beckham better as he will show unpublished images of his childhood and home videos of intimate moments of his family.
He will also discuss his professional career and remember his best matches, as well as the goal he scored against Greece to help England to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
Ukrainehas been accused by Russia of a thwarted conspiracy to assassinate its President, Vladimir Putin, in a nighttime drone strike on the Kremlin.
Moscow claimed Ukrainian forces targeted Russia’s parliament with two unmanned drones, but said these had been taken out by the military.
The Kremlin said the alleged attack, which it branded a “terrorist act”, did not cause any damage or casualties.
A statement said that Mr Putin was not inside the Kremlin at the time of the alleged attack. He is safe and continues to work with his schedule, it added.
The Kremlin did not present any evidence of the alleged attack and its statement included few details.
The state-owned Tass news agency quoted the statement as saying that the Kremlin considered the development to be a deliberate attempt on Mr Putin’s life ahead of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May.
The statement said: “Two unmanned aerialvehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were put out of action.
“We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president’s life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned.
“The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit.”
A senior Ukraine President’s Office official denied Kyiv had anything to do with the attack.
Officials said two drones were aimed at Kremlin, Russia’s parliament (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Officials said two drones were aimed at Kremlin, Russia’s parliament (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
It comes amid tit-for-tat attacks between the two sides as Ukraine prepares for an expected counter-offensive that analysts predict could be launched within weeks.
Earlier on Wednesday, Russia said a massive blaze broke out at an oil depot near a key bridge in the annexed Crimea region.
The oil depot erupted in flames in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, located east of the Russian-held Crimean Peninsula, according to Krasnodar governor Veniamin Kondratyev.
He did not say what caused the fire, which was described as extremely difficult to put out. But some Russian media outlets said it was likely caused by a Ukrainian drone attack overnight. There was no official comment on that possibility.
Local residents heard an explosion shortly before the fire erupted, Russian news site Baza said.
Explosions were heard in Kyiv and elsewhere during the night as Ukrainian air defences shot down 21 of the Russian drones, Ukraine’s Air Force Command said.
No damage or casualties were reported in the third attempt in six days by the Kremlin’s forces to hit Kyiv.
Both sides reportedly have experienced ammunition shortages after a winter of long-range shelling and missile strikes as the conflict became bogged down in a war of attrition.
Analysts believe Ukraine is targeting supply lines in the Russian rear as Kyiv gears up for its counteroffensive amid improving weather conditions and as it receives large amounts of weapons and ammunition from its Western allies.
Allison Holker, who had Weslie, 14, Maddox, 7, and Zaia, 3, with her late husband, Stephen Boss, has acknowledged it’s been “really hard” to digest the DJ’s suicide over five months ago because the ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ star’s external persona revealed no signs of his inner anguish.
She told People magazine: “No one had any inkling that he was low. He didn’t want people to know. He just wanted to be everyone’s Superman and protector.
“It’s been really hard because I can’t understand what was happening in that moment [he died].”
The 35-year-old dancer is determined to stay strong for the sake of her kids and is encouraging them to be open about their emotions.
She said: “I could allow myself to go to a really dark place right now, and that would be valid and fine. But I want to choose a different way for myself and the kids…
“I’m trying to teach them — and myself — that if you’re angry or sad, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. We’re coping together, and that requires trust and being really vulnerable.
A man‘s images showcasing his feminine traits have gone viral on the internet.
Siphosethu Sihawu, who goes by the username @siphosethusihawu8 on TikTok, has gained massive attention from netizens worldwide with his photos showing off his baby face and curvy hips.
In his posts, Sihawu proudly flaunts his feminine body shape while making it clear that he is a fully grown man. The South African has sparked a lot of curiosity among his followers who have been left wondering how he ended up with such unique features.
The images of Sihawu have gone viral, and his followers have expressed mixed feelings about the man with the feminine features. Some netizens were amazed by his stunning appearance, while others made fun of him.
@tymerjnr5 wrote, “If ladies and gentlemen is a human being.” While @everyone_changed expressed their own struggles, saying, “I have curves too. They always laugh at me.” Others like @o.d.obaddest seemed to mourn for Sihawu’s masculinity, stating, “We lost another bro.”
The attention that Sihawu is receiving is unprecedented. Despite the mixed reactions, he has remained unbothered by the comments, continuing to share more photos and videos showcasing his unique features.
The man with feminine features has become an overnight sensation, with his account receiving thousands of new followers daily. As a result, he has gained notoriety across social media platforms as his photos continue to be shared by users worldwide.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Sihawu, but he is enjoying his newfound fame while continuing to share his remarkable story with the world.
Females account for two-thirds of the unemployed in Ghana, according to the 2022 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey Third Quarter Labour Statistics Report, which was released on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
The Government Statistician,Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, emphasized at the report launch that the high rates of female unemployment were not solely due to their gender.
He stated that the unemployment rate for females was almost double that of males. “Unemployment among females was close to twice of males,” he said.
In the first three quarters of last year, about 157,000 individuals, which accounted for roughly 13.2% of the labour force, experienced a spell of unemployment lasting one or more days.
Other findings
According to the report, around 7.5 million individuals held their jobs continuously for three quarters out of approximately 11 million employees in each quarter. This suggests that roughly 3.5 million individuals were experiencing employment fluctuations over the three quarters, indicating vulnerability.
67% of jobless Ghanaians are women
Another important discovery was that the likelihood of shifting from informal employment to unemployment is five times greater on average than transitioning from formal employment to unemployment.
In Q3, two out of every three individuals who were unemployed but had been employed in Q1 were in precarious employment during the first quarter.
Lastly, the group of people who are burdened by the triple threat of being unemployed, food insecure, and multidimensionally impoverished increased by almost 55,000 between Q2 and Q3.
To restore public trust regarding theNational Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS), the ministry of health has cautioned health service providers not to charge patients for services already covered by the scheme.
The sector Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, said co-payment — a separate charge imposed by service providers for conditions already covered by the scheme — had become a major challenge for the scheme, and called on service providers, particularly, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), to help address the situation.
“Co-payments have been banned.
The President hates to see poor patients being charged out of pockets for healthcare services,” he said.
“Maternal services such as deliveries are supposed to be free, but some facilities are charging patients as high as a GH¢1,000 for the service, and that is unacceptable.
When it happens that way, to the end-user it will look as if the scheme is not working,” he added.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra, the sector minister said co-payments created a barrier to access, and so the ministry was working to end the illegality through meaningful engagements.
“Fortunately, the government has, in recent times, been doing well with timely payments.
We have been doing frequent monthly payments in bits to ensure service providers get monies frequently.’’
“The arrears gap have been bridged over time.
Service providers are owed about four or five months as compared to the situation that persisted some years back when they were owed 12 months and beyond.
“Service providers have, therefore, no justification to indulge in co-payments.
The act amounts to extortion, and that is illegal,” he said.
The minister said the NHIS was still effective and continued to provide unfettered access to healthcare delivery.
He said the government would continue to invest in the scheme, and added that the scheme had not shown any signs of crumbling. Call on GHS
MrAgyeman-Manuurged managers of the GHS, who constitute about 70 per cent of healthcare provider agencies under the ministry, to combat the canker that could make the NHIS unattractive.
“From the end-users’ point of view, it looks like the scheme is not working as a result of the extortions.
This statement is not meant to insinuate that health insurance is not working, but is an admonition to the managers of the Ghana Health Service to help end this criminality by every means possible,” he said.
The minister said the government was investing to strengthen the scheme, especially to deliver on the universal health coverage, a policy that seeks to ensure that there were no barriers to accessing health care.
“With huge investments and efforts being made, there is no way I would, in any way, suggest that the scheme is ineffective as being speculated,” he said.
NHIA caution
In January this year, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, cautioned facilities against co-payment arrangement or risk losing their accreditation.
“I am announcing confidently that very soon the accreditation of health facilities which additionally charge active NHIS patients with impunity will be revoked.
“The NHIA annually injects GH¢120 million into the health sector, an average of GH¢1.5 million is paid to each health facility every month across the nation.
“So we are pumping so much into the health sector on a monthly basis, and, therefore, we demand that patients who visit the hospitals should be taken care of and not be made to pay for services covered by the NHIS,” he said.
Admitting that there were often delays in the payment of claims, Dr Okoe Boye, however, attributed the delay in the payment of claims partly to the fact that “some of the tariffs are high and unrealistic.”
In February this year, the MoH and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) reviewed upward the prices of medicines and services paid to the service providers and suppliers on the health insurance scheme to prevent them from making losses or refusing to offer services.
He said that the reviews were in accordance with the National Health Insurance Act, 2012 (Act 852), explaining that they were necessary to enhance service delivery for subscribers and give providers value for money to avoid certain gaps in accessing medications and services under the scheme.
Customers of the defunct Gold Coast Fund Management Companypicketed at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today, Wednesday, May 5, 2023 in order to seek the release of their frozen funds.
The collapsed financial institution under the name BlackShield Capital Limitedhad about 55,000 customers whose funds were locked up shortly before the regulator revoked its license.
Addressing the media on the Day 2 of the picketing, the convener of the aggrieved customers, Charles Nyame alleged that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and Rev. Ogbamey Tetteh of the Securities and Exchange Commission have deliberately withheld the funds reported to have been released by the government.
“Yesterday, we were here, and we were expecting to hear something good from the government after yesterday’s picketing but up till now, we haven’t received any official information or message from the government; either the Ministry of Finance or the Securities and Exchange Commission. But there is a new development where after the picketing we had a call from a key official trying to console us and told us that the monies have been released just as the president had advised and that the money is with Ofori-Atta and Rev. Ogbamey Tetteh.”
The aggrieved customers also called on the International Monetary Fund to investigate the delays in paying the monies owed them because the government in its official documents to the Fund told it that it had used over GH¢25 billion to settle the debts of customers of collapsed fund management companies.
The majority chief whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has stated that the vice president Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has called for support from theNew Patriotic Party(NPP) members of parliament (MPs) ahead of elections.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh described the action of the vice president as a respect for the NPP lawmakers.
He expressed the appreciation on behalf of the Majority to Dr Bawumia.
For & on behalf of the Majority Caucus, I wish to express our profound gratitude for the numerous support and particularly your wonderful show of respect to us by your decision to seek for our blessings as you decide to lead our great party towards the 2024 General elections.. pic.twitter.com/FgRWoku6f0
— Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh (@FAnnohDompreh) May 3, 2023
In a tweet, the Nsawam Adoagyiri Lawmaker said “For and on behalf of the Majority Caucus, I wish to express our profound gratitude for the numerous support and particularly your wonderful show of respect to us by your decision to seek for our blessings as you decide to lead our great party towards the 2024 General elections.”
Mr Annoh-Dompreh earlier said that Dr Bawumia was the man for the job.
In a tweet ahead of the Dr Bawumia’s address at the Harvard University, he said “(He) is the man for the job.”
Former President,John Dramani Mahamahas pledged to wage a vigorous anti-corruption campaign when voted into power.
Mr Mahama contends corruption is one of the channels through which state resources are wasted.
Addressing NDC delegates at Garu in theUpper East Region, the NDC flagbearer hopeful stressed that any individual found engaging in corrupt practices under his administration will be dealt with regardless of his or her party affiliation.
“NDC is going to come into office, and we are going to launch a strong fight against corruption because we all know that corruption is one of the waste pipes in this country. People who appropriate the money of the state must be brought to book and sanctioned and NDC is going to do that”.
“It doesn’t matter whether the people are our own or from some other party, we will make sure that the sword is slammed equally and anyone who takes the people’s money must suffer for it.”
Mr Mahama also promised to repair Akufo-Addo’s problematic Free SHS policy and the National Health Insurance Scheme if he is re-elected President in the 2024 elections.
He said reviewing the two policies will ameliorate the plight of Ghanaians and enhance the policies.
“Free SHS is not working properly, the benefit it is supposed to give the parents, they are not getting. I can tell you today that the money we are spending on our children to go to school is far more than when we used to pay school fees”.
“We are going to repair the free SHS and make it better and create the situation when where school reopens, all the children will go together and when they vacate they all come home together.”
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and Lord Boateng of the UK House of Lords’ International Relations and Defense Committee has bemoaned the security situation.
The speaker in an engagement with Defense Committee of the UK House of Lords, the Rt. Hon. Lord Boateng of the International Relations said the likelihood of it extending to other parts of West Africa is high.
The duo further called on the UK Parliament, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), and the Parliaments in Africa to work together to prevent the potential impact of the current insecurity in parts of the continent in order to give growth and development a chance in Africa.
The two were speaking during a private meeting at the UK Parliament in Westminster, London, where the Speaker of Parliament had led a parliamentary delegation to discuss various areas of cooperation and collaboration. The two parliaments discussed how to conduct parliamentary business effectively, manage hung parliaments and narrow majorities, make parliamentary scrutiny and oversight more efficient, and promote a collaborative work environment in parliament.
Rt. Hon. Bagbin said resolving the security situation in the Sahel region deserves a lot more attention now, else it could engulf the entire sub-region. He referred to the current security situation in Burkina Faso and Togo and said the safety and protection of the citizens in the two countries appears to have been compromised due to what is believed to be a huge infiltration by extremists and other elements.
He said the situation in the Sahel and in West Africa poses serious threats to Ghana’s security and democracy. What is required is the right strategies and structures that will make Ghana proactive and preemptive when it comes to security and the integrity of her borders.
The Speaker commended Rt. Hon. Lord Boateng for his outstanding public work in the United Kingdom and said he has continued to be a great ambassador of Ghana in all his work outside the country.
Rt. Hon. Lord Boateng said such conflicts as in Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Mali among others have the potential to fuel migration and its attendant dangers and risks, hence the concern. He added that if steps are not taken to mitigate these conflicts, they will deal irreparable damage to Africa and hold the continent back.
He indicated that the UK was looking to use the framework of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and also work through other institutional arrangements to enhance trade with Ghana and with other African countries, and to support efforts at improving intra-continental trade.
Lord Boateng was impressed with the relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom and was optimistic that it will continue to grow from strength to strength.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker was accompanied to the meeting by the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, the Assistant Deputy Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Djietror, Legal Counsel to the Speaker, Hon. Magnus Kofi Amoatey, the Director of Communication of the Speaker’s Secretariat, Mr. Gayheart Mensah and the Deputy Director of Parliamentary Relations, Mr. Charles Dery Tenzagh.
The Sahel is a region in Africa that spans across several countries including Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, and Eritrea.
In recent years, the Sahel has faced a number of challenges, including political instability, conflict, and environmental degradation.
These issues have had a significant impact on the region’s people and economies, and have led to increased migration and displacement.
Efforts are underway to address these challenges and promote sustainable development in the Sahel region.
A Kenyan woman, Yvonne, has got social media buzzing after calling off her marriage because her fiance ordered her to cease communicating with her old boyfriend, who is also the father of her child.
The lady said she was not willing to sacrifice the relationship her daughter has with her father all in the name of pleasing her fiance.
The news has since caused a stir on social media with netizens asserting that the lady is still in an amorous relationship with her baby’s father.
To them, the refusal to break off contact with her ‘baby daddy’ speaks volumes.
Others however commended Yvonne for taking “the bold step” as, in their opinion, it is the best course of action to prevent unanticipated catastrophes.
Read the comments here:
bobby.boye: “Most men nowadays dey ment seriously…. I’m glad the lady quickly took that bold step …that’s the sure way to avert unseen future disasters”
emmalekay01: “It’s no red flag folks , there might be reasons tho. Maybe old taker fit still dey take or lack of transparency. Well if she had a thought about the child in the first place she’d have gone back to her baby daddy if she really need that bond of a child and father thing . For me I’ll let this girl just go to her baby daddy she ain’t ready”
arigbabudollardeji: “There must be a solid reason Y the guy is asking her to cut off the relationship.. Maybe he suspected something fishy different from what we all thinking”
de_overflow: “Then she shud go ahead and marry the so caring baby dady then”
daddyfreeze: “The man isn’t comfortable with thebaby daddy situation…. It sounds like OKAFOR’s law fit happen there”
soulmateshotelsandsuites: “It’s refreshing to see someone prioritizing the well-being of their child over their own desires. Yvonne’s decision to call off her marriage shows that she is a responsible parent who puts her child’s needs first. It’s not easy to navigate complex relationships, but choosing to maintain a healthy relationship between her daughter and her father is a courageous and selfless act. It’s important to remember that children should never be used as pawns in adult relationships, and Yvonne’s stance on this matter is a testament to her love for her child. It’s essential that we applaud and support individuals like Yvonne who prioritize their children’s emotional well-being over their own desires.”
Two individuals have lost their lives after drowning in the Volta Lakein the Krachi West Municipality of the Oti Region.
The unfortunate incident occurred when the two deceased persons, Edu Sampson (a teacher in his 30s) and Afua Nyarkowaah (a woman in her 40s), and another male teacher were returning from Kete Krachito their island community, Chinekope.
Eye witnesses say the passengers had been left stranded at Kotokoli (an island community) because of a storm on the lake.
When the storm subsided, they decided to continue with their trip. When they got to Kotoku Gyane, an island community, there was another storm on the lake.
The the boat operator, also a fisherman, negotiated a curve to escape the storm, but he lost control and the boat capsized.
The boat operator and the other teacher escaped to safety, leaving Sampson and Nyarkowaah to drown.
Their bodies have been recovered and sent to the Krachi Government Hospital morgue for preservation.
Last year, residents of the Sene East District in Bono East Regionwere left in a state of mourning after eight children drowned in the Volta Lake.
The 8 children, unfortunately, met their demise on Tuesday, January 24, after the boat they were travelling with capsized.
They were among about 20 passengers moving from Atikagome to Wayokope.
The deceased comprise five males and three females, believed to be between the ages of 5 and 12.
The Sene East community members deposited the remains of the deceased at Atikagome.
Former general secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyepong has remarked that no one can claim to be the party’s principal funder because the party has been sponsored at various times by different people for various reasons.
This is in response to a recent back and forth with Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, over the latter’s claim that he supported the party with a US$3m loan in 1992.
Kwabena had earlier disputed the claim citing the logistical challenges that he was privy to in 1992 and the unfavourable political conditions at the time.
In the wake of confirmation of the transaction by a partner of the Assin Central MP, Mr. Oppong Bio, Agyepong has conceded that he may have been oblivious to certain details but that it was immaterial to the extent that the party is supported by all members with the capacity so to do.
Kwabena Agyepong and Ken Agyapong
“He mentioned the names of persons including President Kufuor, indicating that President Kufuor led them to take a loan for Adu Boahene’s campaign. President Kufuor is alive and so is Kwame Mpianin…I don’t want to go further into the matter.
“If you claim certain things happened and some persons are aware, it is possible. But don’t go about bragging that you initiated it and paid off a loan for campaigns in 1992.
“There are a lot of people who have supported the party in one way or the other”, he said.
Vice President,Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged African leaders not to give up focus of the fourth industrial revolution.
He believes that modern technology and artificial intelligence have the potential to change African economies.
In an interview with the Africa Policy Journal, Dr. Bawumia stated that Africa cannot continue to fall behind and that the continent must actively engage in the fourth industrial revolution by leveraging technology advancements to accelerate socioeconomic growth.
“We were left behind in the first, second and third industrial revolutions, but we should not be left out in the fourth industrial revolution. I think that artificial intelligence applied properly will be a big boost to Africa to help us leapfrog and help us catch up in many areas. I think that AI should be seen as a tool to assist us”, he said.
Touching on key areas of transformation, Dr. Bawumia noted that health, education and agriculture should be critical areas for the digitization revolution on the continent.
“I see three main areas that we in Africa can use AI; health. If we have many doctors and nurses using ChatGPT 4 to ask questions, they can get very accurate answers in providing healthcare. We already have drones supplying essential medicines, vaccines blood supplies to remote areas in saving lives.”
“These are practical benefits of AI, and we need to embrace it. Also in education, it is not everywhere we have teachers but with these tools, we can get teachers. The same can be said with agriculture. So, I think that if we focus on some of these areas, Africa can always benefit.”
With the introduction of sophisticated technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and advanced automation, the fourth industrial revolution has the potential to increase productivity and efficiencies.
“In terms of these technologies, Africa comes to the table with no legacy systems. We can find many areas to leapfrog that the developed countries will find difficult to follow. So, we should not use the developed countries as a measure. We have to chart our own course because they have a different set of facts on the grounds from us. So, we shouldn’t be intimidated.”
Organised Labour has urged the government to consider giving theSaglemi housing project to employees in order to meet their housing needs.
The government in November 2022 announced plans to wash its hands off the Saglemi housing project to allow a private developer to refurbish the housing units and sell them to potential owners.
Sector Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye said the decision was taken because it was exhausted and handicapped and cannot make further commitments to the Saglemi project.
Speaking on behalf of Organised Labour at the 2023 May Day Parade at the Independence Square in Accra, the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the Council of Labour, Freda Frimpong said the government must make meaningful use of the project.
“Hon. Minister, please do whatever you can to make the Saglemi Housing project useful for Ghanaians, we cannot allow that project to go to waste when so many workers who have contributed to Ghana’s development cannot have places to lay their heads.”
The Saglemi housing project was started in 2012 under the NDC government where 5000 housing units were targetted.
This did not materialize due to the alleged misappropriation of funds.
Currently, a former Works and Housing Minister under the Mahama administration, Collins Dauda, is standing trial together with four others for allegedly causing financial loss to the State in the controversial housing project.
Mr. Dauda and the four others are facing 52 counts of criminal charges for intentionally misapplying public property, wilfully causing financial loss to the Republic, and dishonestly causing loss to public property.
Alhaji Collins Dauda and his successor Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, have been accused of spending over $196 million on the Saglemi housing project when investigations revealed that the cost of works executed on the site, including consultancy services, was about $64,982,900.77.
The Police have arrested the supervisor of the three-story building that collapsed at Adentan in Accra on Monday.
The structure, which was under construction, led to the death of one person and also left three other persons with injuries.
Two of the injured persons have, however, been treated and discharged.
The Municipal Chief Executive for La-Nkwantanang Madina, Jennifer Agyabeng has subsequently directed the confiscation of the equipment of the contractors after it emerged that the project had no permit.
The NADMO director for the Assembly, Foster Arthur, in an interview with Citi News, said the police have commenced investigations into the matter.
“It was revealed that they didn’t have a permit, so I invited the police to arrest the supervisor or the site foreman, Ganiyu Abdul, and he has been sent to the Adentan Police station.”
The collapsed building was a three-storey building close to the Kpogas furniture and the Adentan footbridge around the SDA church junction and the West African Hardware Company.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has disclosed that the three-storey building collapsed due to a crush of one of the pillars of the building by a concrete mixer resulting in a loss of balance in the building.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwahas insisted that his campaign against the contentious National Cathedral project is not motivated by personal gain.
He said his quest is to protect the State’s scarce resources and not allow a few people to misuse same.
According to him, over $58 million has been taken from state coffers and invested into the project.
The former Deputy Education Ministersays his focus is to ensure state funds are used with appropriate approvals for the right projects for the Ghanaian people.
“Let me be clear that the emphasis will not be on cost or monetary gain. This has never been about the monetary gain and that is not money that is going to come to me.
“It is about justice. It is about accountability. Public funds are being expended without accounting to the people. Over $58 million has been taken out of our coffers without parliamentary approval. That is my concern,” he said in a JoyNews interview on Tuesday, May 2.
Early on in the day, the High Court dismissed a contempt case against Mr Ablakwa for refusing service of court processes because according to him, it was not a proper service.
According to the court, the evidence presented by the plaintiff, Victor Kusi Boateng is fraught with inconsistencies and doubt.
It added that the contempt application, therefore failed to meet the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey speaking shortly after the ruling said the case was an exercise in futility.
The Forestry Commission has disclosed that illegal mining activities known as ‘galamsey‘ are threatening 34 of the country’s 288 forest reserves.
This comes at a time government’s fight against the menace has been questioned following a report put together by the former chairman of the defunct Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, accusing government officials of engaging in the menace.
The report by Prof. Frimpong-Baoteng raised concerns over permits given to mine in some forest reserves and buffers.
Speaking at a press conference on the state of Ghana’s Forest Reserves, the CEO of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey said the level of devastation in the affected reserves is dire.
“34 out of 288 reserves have been affected. These are areas we have significant illegal mining. The total area mapped is about 4,726.2 hectares. This is only the size of the surface, some of these impact is fully in whole. And they excavate lots of materials that will impact the forest. It’s not only the size but the impact on our water bodies and the depth of the holes created. A lot more would have to be done to be able to reclaim the land,” he stated.
Reacting to Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s report, Minister in Charge of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor says the government’s fight to clamp down on illegal mining activities should not be judged based on portions of the report.
“I found the work of the IMICM valuable, and I am working with my team to factor into the things we are doing today. There are things about the work I may not adopt today for many reasons because the terrain may have changed and so on and so forth. The report doesn’t capture my stewardship till today. I have heard people say that the report shows that government has failed, that I have failed, the report didn’t capture my tenure. The report cannot be sacrosanct, what is important is that we remain focused,” he said.
Social media is buzzing with comments after nollywood actress, Tonto Dikehrevealed that she has undergone another liposuction treatment.
The outspoken actress was captured in a viral video entering the operating room amidst reactions from fans on social media.
Tonto outlined her efforts to lose her “stubborn” tummy fat, saying that it had not been simple.
The mother of one claimed that she was negligent with the healing procedure following the initial surgery.
She wrote, “Finally sharing this exciting news I have aggressively tried to burn my stubborn tummy fat, but it has not been easy. After my first Lipo, I was so careless with my healing process and I lost guard on my stomach. So it grew back.”
While some praised her for making such a courageous decision and wished her luck in the process, others criticized her for undertaking such a life threatening decision again.
Tonto Dikeh has already undergone two plastic surgeries and this will be the third one.
Read the comments below:
tracyforbi: “One of the reasons I like her. Others will do it and tell u they drink 46 gallons of water a day. U will drink yours and end up with edema why they stay snatched 247”
sexy_amanda22: “D best aesthetics clinic in the southeast their warnreception and professionalism is top notch”
sparklifeafrica: “Why do you want to destroy your beautiful body? hmmm, they won’t tell you the after dangerous effects, in the near future you will be running here and there.There are laser machines , you could have bought one and use at home, they are just using you for advert amidst the impending future danger.”
beautiful_berrygold: “We are waiting for you… get someone like that lady in your life,,,,we are waiting for you,her voice speaks are intentions in a sharing and loving way (We )but in real sense we know they are no We is I will be awaiting for you…get well soon my”
joynkechi51: “Please you guys should be calming down o people are dieing everyday cos of this process, hmmm the fear of death is the beginning of wisdom”
pauliina_adewale: “Another Liposuction Again???? Hey Gawd oooo. Please my love Tonto, you are already too beautiful, biko stop already o, let’s not talk sad stories about you. These repeated surgeries are so scaring”.
King Charles III and his ‘mixed’ family to be on display at coronation on May 6.
Also undoubtedly in the spotlight at Westminster Abbeywill be members of Charles and Camilla’s blended family, a first in British history.
“This is the first time that a divorced man and divorced woman have been crowned alongside each other in Britain,” said ABC News royal contributor Victoria Murphy. “So this is a first for two families coming together in this way for this ceremony.”
Charles and Camilla had two children each when they entered their marriage in 2005.
Charles is the father of Princes William and Harry, his children with the late Princess Diana.
Camilla is the mother of Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, her children with ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
PHOTO: The Prince of Wales and his new bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, with their children (L-R) Prince Harry, Prince William, Laura Parker Bowles and Tom Parker Bowles at Windsor Castle, April 9, 2005, after their wedding ceremony.
Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA/WireImage via Getty Images
All four of their children will attend the coronation, along with many of their combined 10 grandchildren, some of whom will take part in the service.
William’s eldest son Prince George will serve as a Page of Honor for Charles at the coronation.
Tom Parker Bowles’ son, Master Freddy Parker Bowles will join his cousins, Master Gus Lopes and Master Louis Lopes, the twin sons of Lopes, as Pages of Honor for Camilla.
“Camilla’s family are very much front and center at this event, and that is interesting as this is a state occasion and they are usually totally private,” said Murphy. “Camilla’s family being so involved and visible does send, I think, a message about just how important she is to Charles’ reign and very much reminds us that this is their coronation, not just his.”
PHOTO: Tom Parker-Bowles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall watch The Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard at the Royal Albert Hall on April 7, 2019 in London.
Tom Parker-Bowles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall watch The Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard at the Royal Albert Hall on April 7, 2019 in London.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images, FILE
Though the families of Charles and Camilla will be a united front on coronation day, they are not “especially close,” according to Murphy.
“Apart from at each other’s weddings, we have pretty much never seen them together in public and we are not aware, for example, that Camilla’s children have ever socialized with William and Harry,” she said. “However, Camilla’s granddaughter Eliza Lopes was a bridesmaid at William and Kate’s wedding, so that does signify an understanding of the significance of each other’s families, if not a specific closeness.” PHOTO: (L-R) Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, Eliza Lopes, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, April 29, 2011, in London.
(L-R) Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, Eliza Lopes, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, April 29, 2011, in London.
John Stillwell-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Murphy noted that Camilla kept her own property after marrying Charles, and it is there that she often spends time alone with her children and grandchildren.
“I do think in some ways they keep things quite separate,” Murphy said. “As a couple, Charles and Camilla actually do enjoy time apart as well as together, and that’s one of the things that people have often cited as being what makes their relationship work.”
In recent years, Charles has faced a divide within his own family, one that spilled into public view in 2020 when Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped down from their senior working royal roles.
The coronation will be Harry’s first public interaction with William and Charles since the January release of his bombshell memoir “Spare,” in which he shared details of his ongoing tensions with his brother and father.
PHOTO: The British royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Trooping the Colour, June 08, 2019 in London.
The British royal family stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Trooping the Colour, June 08, 2019 in London.
Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Murphy said the coronation will be an unlikely place for “meaningful family discussions,” even behind the scenes.
“I think that Charles will be very focused on the public-facing aspects of the role,” Murphy said. “However, I think it will mean a lot to him that both his sons are there and I’m sure there will be exchanges if not long conversations.”
Noting how far apart Harry and William appear to still be, Murphy added, “This will be a public show of unity between Harry and the family, but I think it’s clear that the brothers remain deeply divided.”
Neither Buckingham Palace nor Kensington Palace have commented on the claims made in “Spare.”
Artiste manager and CEO of Media Excel Productions, Kwesi Ernest, has counseled gospel performers on how to best present a comprehensive picture of themselves on stage in order to secure corporate sponsorship.
According to him, only a handful of gospel artistes are able to garner sponsorship as a result of their large fan base and showmanship when they hit the stage.
“Now that it is not very easy to get corporate bodies to support gospel shows, the onus lies on gospel musicians to do the needful by putting their acts together and making sure that they are attractive enough to catch the eye of sponsors.
“Artistes such as MOGmusic, Diana Hamilton, Ohemaa Mercy, Joe Mettle, Piesie Esther and a few others are doing great out there. However, more needs to be done if we want good sponsorship for gospel events” he told Graphic Showbiz.
Kwesi Ernest also appealed to corporate bodies to be welcoming when gospel musicians seek support from them for their events.
“I don’t want to mention names but I have been to some of these companies and it is boldly written at their front desk that they don’t sponsor gospel events. I would want to use this opportunity to encourage them to be welcoming. Sponsorship helps a lot, especially in these hard times,” he added.
Asked about his view on the current gospel scene, Kwesi Ernest said the sector is doing great. “I say this because it didn’t use to happen. To have three Gospel artistes in the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) Artiste of the Year category is a huge deal. Now, most of the categories have a gospel artiste in there—Best Collaboration, Best Female Vocalist, Best Video, Most Popular Song, among others,” he stated.
Kwesi Ernest, who has managed a lot of artistes including Becca, Praye, Stella Seal, Francis Adjei and currently manages ACP Kofi Sarpong and Abena Ruthy, said he is confident Piesie Esther will win the Artiste of the Year at this year’s VGMA because she worked harder than all the other artistes competing for the ultimate prize.
“Some Ghanaians will not agree with me but the truth is that she deserves it.
Her works in the year under review are unmatched and she deserves it one time,” he added.
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital‘s surgical block needs urgent attention due to the building’s unappealing state.
Pictures circulating on social media revealed the facility is deterioating due to failure by management and the Government to pay attention to it.
The facility seems to have not seen any major renovation works for a long time, making it dirty.
Meanwhile, social mediahas chided the ministry of healt and management failure to find ways of bringing back the faciity to suit its current purpose.
In 2021, management handed the block to Katalon Ghana Limited for extensive renovations.
The renovations included restoration of all cracks, removal of deteriorated metals, external painting, replacement of mosquito nets and casting of concrete to shield the first floor from rain.
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, was founded on October 9, 1923, has 2,000 beds instead of its original 200.
Currently ranked as Ghana’s top national referral center, it is the third-largest hospital in Africa.
Under the leadership of Sir Gordon Guggisberg, the then-Gov. of the Gold Coast, Korle Bu, which translates to “the valley of the Korle lagoon,” was established as a general hospital to serve the needs of the indigenous population.
There has been an increase in hospital visits in Korle Bu as a result of population expansion and the effectiveness of hospital-based care.
The government was obligated to establish a task committee in 1953 to investigate the issue and offer recommendations for the hospital’s development because the demand for its services had reached such an all-time high.
The UGMS and five other constituent schools are now subsumed under the College of Health Sciences to train an array of health professionals. All the institutions of the College however, undertake their clinical training and research in the Hospital.
At the moment, the Hospital has 2,000 beds and 17 clinical and diagnostic Departments/Units. It has an average daily attendance of 1,500 patients and about 250 patient admissions.
Clinical and diagnostic departments of the hospital include Medicine, Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pathology, Laboratories, Radiology, Anaesthesia, Surgery, Polyclinic, Accident Centre and the Surgical/Medical Emergency as well as Pharmacy. Other Departments includes, Pharmacy, Finance, Engineering, General Administration.
The Hospital also provides sophisticated and scientific investigative procedures and specialisation in various fields such as Neuro-surgery, Dentistry, Eye, ENT, Renal, Orthopaedics, Oncology, Dermatology, Cardiothoracic, Radiotherapy, Radio diagnosis, Paediatric Surgery and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns.
The Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burn Centre, the National Cardiothoracic Centre and the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine in particular also draw a sizeable number of their clientele from neighbouring countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Togo.
The BBC News Arabic World program will launch an emergency radio program for Sudan on Tuesday.
The pop-up radio service will be broadcast twice daily for three months, providing news and information for people in the war-tornAfrican nation.
It will include eyewitness accounts and news on diplomatic efforts, the BBC said, and help counter disinformation.
BBC director general Tim Davie said the move was “crucial at a time of great uncertainty”.
The programme will be broadcast live from London, with input and analysis from teams in Amman in Jordan and the Egyptian capital Cairo.
Black smoke seen over the city of Khartoum after recent explosions
It will be available on shortwave radio in Sudan, as well as online, where listeners will be able to hear information on how to access essential supplies and services, the BBC said.
“The World Service provides an essential lifeline to many around the world where access to accurate news and information is scarce,” Mr Davie said in a statement.
“The enhanced emergency service for Sudan will be crucial at a time of great uncertainty in the country.”
Fighting that has erupted in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the country’s military leadership.
The clashes are between the regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Liliane Landor, director of the World Service, said: “The situation in Sudan has escalated quickly with its citizens seeking clear, independent information and advice at a time of critical need.
“BBC Arabic’s Emergency Radio Service for Sudan will bring vital live updates of the situation on the ground and inform listeners of life-saving resources.”
The programme will broadcast at 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on 21,510 kHz and 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on 15,310kHz. The first programme will be available on Tuesday afternoon.
Following the failure of last-minute wage negotiations with major studios, thousands of Hollywood screenwriters for television and movie will strike on Tuesday.
A Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, the first in 15 years, will see more than 9,000 writers – 98% of voting members – walk out from midnight.
It is expected to affect Tuesday’s late-night shows, while forthcoming shows and films could face delays.
Picketing will begin on Tuesday afternoon, the Guild also said.
In 2007, writers went on strike for 100 days, at a cost of around $2bn to the industry.
This time around, writers are clashing with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) – which represents the major studios, including Disney and Netflix – in demand of higher pay and a greater share of the profits from the modern streaming boom.
On Monday evening, the WGA said the decision was made after six weeks of negotiations produced a “wholly insufficient” response to “the existential crisis writers are facing”.
Key issues in the talks have been how writers get paid for shows which often remain on streaming platforms for years, as well as the future impact of artificial intelligence on writing.
‘Sticking points’
The WGA criticised studios for creating a “gig economy” that aims to turn writing into an “entirely freelance” profession. “For the sake of our present and our future, we have been given no other choice,’ the guild stated in a lengthy document.
It called for a TV staffing minimum, ranging from six to 12 writers per show, as well as a guaranteed minimum number of weeks of employment per season.
In their own statement on Tuesday, the AMPTP called those the two “primary sticking points”.
For their part, the collective studios previously said they must cut costs due to financial pressures, while noting how the overall “residuals” payments to writers hit an all-time high of $494m (£395m) in 2021.
They noted on Monday they had been been willing to increase compensation and streaming residuals but for “the magnitude of other proposals still on the table that the Guild continues to insist upon.”
The AMPTP also rejected a guild demand that the use of AI bots be banned from writing or rewriting material, instead offering to hold “annual meetings to discuss advancements in technology”.
Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight ShowImage source, Getty Images Image caption
Late night TV might be the first to go
On Sunday evening, the Deadline Hollywood outlet reported that production on late-night shows including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (pictured above) will all come to a halt.
Arriving at Monday night’s Met Gala, Fallon said he hoped the strike would not go ahead, but at the same time wanted to see “a fair deal” agreed for writers. “I need my writers real bad, I got no show without my writers”.
Late Night host Seth Meyers expressed his support for the strike on the corrections segment of his show on Friday.
“I also feel very strongly that what the writers are asking for is not unreasonable,” Meyers said. “As a proud member of the Guild, I’m very grateful that there is an organisation that looks out for the best interests of writers.”
Alex O’Keefe, writer on the comedy-drama series The Bear and a member of that union, told the BBC on Monday that half of all writers were paid the minimum by studios.
He said the creative output of his writing colleagues was better than ever, matching the demands of the streaming age, but writers are paid less than ever.
“And writers like me, especially young, black writers, indigenous writers, writers of colour have brought a whole new wave of creativity to the process.
“But we are finding ourselves unable to survive in places like New York City and Los Angeles, where we need to be to be in writers’ rooms.”
‘Underclass in Hollywood’
O’Keefe went on to stress that while there are some writers who are “doing very well”, many writers, including some showrunners on big shows, were not.
“I wouldn’t classify all writers as being poor or broke, but I can say myself I have $6 in my bank account,” he said.
He said that when he and his colleagues won best comedy series at the Writers Guild of America Awards, he went to the ceremony in a suit bought for him by his friends and family.
“The bowtie was bought on credit, I didn’t have any money, I had a negative bank account,” he explained.
Stars of the TV series The Bear, including Jeremy Allen White (front row, second left)Image source, Getty Images Image caption
Stars of the TV series The Bear, including Jeremy Allen White (front row, second left)
When he worked on The Bear, he did so from his “tiny” Brooklyn apartment.
“My heat was out, I had a space heater, I plugged in the space heater, [and] sometimes all the lights would go out. I’d end up in the public library, writing this show that has now become a huge hit and made lots of money for some people… a couple of people.
“But not for the people who were the creators, who really poured their hearts and their souls into the characters and into the stories and the moments that you remember.
“So there is a huge underclass right now in Hollywood.”
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA and the directors’ union DGA have voiced solidarity with striking writers.
An entertainment analyst, Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, as well as other professionals in the field have criticized the Ghanaian gospel musician, Broda Sammy for a recent promotional video he released ahead of his album.
The musician implored heavily endowed women to twerk in a video aimed at inviting people to his upcoming gospel event, which has led to widespread condemnation.
In response to the backlash,Broda Sammy defended his actions, stating that it was a way of winning souls to Christ rather than leading them to temptation.
However, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo has criticized the stunt, stating that it is not in line with the teachings of Christ and should not be entertained.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before in all my years growing up in the church. This is a gentleman inviting multitudes to the church through evangelism and this is how he goes about it??,” he quizzed
Asamaoh-Baidoo during a discussion on UTV’s showbiz night held no prisoners as he descended on the Gospel singer for his debased actions.
“This is madness, this is silly and he has the effrontery to defend this. If we were in the old days when God wasn’t so forgiven, he’d be cleared off easily because you cannot do this in the house of the Lord. It is abominable,” said Baidoo
Arnold was of the view that Broda Sammy’s notoriety over the years has been allowed to continue because he’s not faced any consequences for his actions by religious leaders and musical bodies.
“I’ve been waiting for people in the Lord to condemn his actions after seeing the video because we’ve remained quiet and he thinks it’s okay to misbehave,” he pointed out
He was also full of praise for industry colleagues, Piesie Esther and Tagoes sisters who also expressed their disappointment with Broda Sammy’s actions, and described it as a blight to the body of Christ.
The incident has sparked a conversation around appropriate promotional tactics for gospel events and the need for musicians to stay true to their message, with many critics calling for greater responsibility and accountability from artists.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Golden Movie Awardshas announced that the programme may be scrapped due to lack of support from big sponsors.
In a statement on social media, the CEO of Golden Movie Awards, Mimi Andani Micheals revealed that their biggest support has come from industry players, jury members, and individual donors, with few companies stepping in to sponsor once or twice.
“We invested in the industry for 7yrs and there has been close to zero support with ‘SPONSORSHIP’,” she lamented
Despite their efforts, there has been no major support to take even half of the cost for the past seven years.
The lack of support has caused investors to withdraw their funding, and the event will no longer be organized.
“Apart from few companies who sponsored once or twice with their products @starbeer_gh (Not Cash) and @maltaguinnessgh Guiness with a small amount (we appreciate), there has not been any major support to at least take half our cost for 7yrs,” she disclosed
The organizers expressed their appreciation to the actors, directors, producers, and film lovers who have been their biggest support and motivation over the years.
She also thanked those who made individual donations, such as HRH Oscar Yao Doe and Faddick, for their efforts in supporting the industry.
“We appreciate individuals like @hrhoscaryaodoe who donated and supported our nominee announcement in Ivory Coast and @faddick who donated to the scheme once, but how long could we go asking for donations from individuals who just did their best to support but have other responsibilities too?” she quizzed
The announcement has come as a disappointment to many who believed in the Ghana Movie Awards and saw it as an opportunity to put thecountry on the map through the film awards.
However, the organizers emphasized the need to re-strategize and focus on other events that will be more sustainable in the long run.
The Golden Movie Awards attracted participants from several African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Morocco, but the absence of financial support from companies has led to its demise.
In order to assist Ghana in reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board for the 3 billion dollar balance of payment support, President Akufo-Addo has solicited the backing of Japan.
According to Akufo-Addo, Japan which is a member of the Paris Club has a major role to play in Ghana securing the IMF deal.
Speaking at a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida who made a stopover at the Jubilee House Tuesday evening, Mr Akufo-Addo said Ghana will repay Japan’s support.
“Ghana is also counting on the support of Japan in reaching a favourable agreement with the International Monetary Fund which will pave the way for the robust recovery of Ghana’s economy,” President Akufo-Addo said.
In July 2022, Ghana requested for a three-year, US$3bn extended credit facility (ECF) from the IMF. An arrangement was agreed with the IMF in December 2022, with the aim of restoring credibility among investors, building reserve buffers and improving fiscal and debt sustainability.
However, debt restructuring needs to be agreed upon with Ghana’s external creditors before the IMF’s Executive Board can sign off on the ECF.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s hope of securing an IMF board approval is expected to delay owing to prolonged external debt-restructuring negotiations, and the involvement of numerous stakeholders in the process, according to theEconomic Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The EIU in its 2023 Country Report on Ghana, stated that it anticipates Ghana to secure restructuring agreements on its public external debt during 2023-24, involving official and private creditors alike.
It however, notes that, given the country’s pressing macroeconomic crisis, “the conclusion of a domestic debt-swap operation in February and increasing international attention on speeding up external debt restructurings, our core forecast remains that the IMF programme will be approved by mid-2023.”
“We expect Ghana to secure restructuring agreements on its public external debt during 2023-24, involving official and private creditors alike. This will include a combination of write-offs, maturity extensions and reductions in interest rates. We expect official creditors to agree to a deal in 2023, and this, combined with the domestic debt restructuring that has already been secured, should provide enough reassurance to reduce Ghana’s risk of debt distress and allow the IMF to approve the agreed programme”.
“However, there is a material risk that IMF board approval will be delayed owing to prolonged external debt-restructuring negotiations, given the involvement of multiple stakeholders in the process,” it noted.
Two persons have been arrested in connection with some allegedly stolen steel sleepers and train tracks belonging to the Ghana RailwayDevelopment Authority in a viral video.
The suspects Ibrahim John and Bashiru Ibrahim were arrested while transporting the said items to Ferro Frabrik Ltd. yard in Tema.
According to the suspects, their company has been contracted by the Ministry of Railway Development to cart the items to Tema.
Officials of the company who were not met at the premises of the company have been asked to report to the Police Tuesday morning to assist in the investigation.
Contact has also been made with the Ministry of Railway Developmentand officials of the Ministry are expected to report to the Police on Tuesday, 2nd May 2023 to support the investigation.
Meanwhile, three DAF trucks GN 8501 – 15, GT 4705 -15 and GT 6707 -15 which were being used to convey the items have been impounded and parked at the National Police Training School due to the size of the trucks; while investigation continues.
Today, May 2, 2023, members of parliament (MPs) will be in parliament following an order by Alban Bagbin, Speaker of the House, for “urgent parliamentary business.”
Some MPs have claimed that the recall is to compel them to give government clearance to go for another loan.
The House went on break on March 31, 2023, after passing three controversial tax bills into law with the Nanton Member of Parliament involved in an accident on his way to Parliament to partake in the vote to approve the bills.
On the night, the MPs also approved two additionalSupreme Court Justices who had been vetted by the Appointments Committee earlier in the year.
Alban Bagbin in a statement recalling the legislators said: “In exercise of the power conferred on the Speaker by order 42(3) of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, I, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, do hereby direct that Parliament shall notwithstanding anything to the contrary, be recalled from recess to sit on Tuesday, the 2nd day of May 2023, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, at Parliament House, Accra, to consider urgent parliamentary business.”
Minority unhappy with MPs recall from recess
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament is unhappy with the recall.
In a tweet, the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, alleged that the recall is to compel MPs to approve the government’s decision to go on another borrowing spree.
He took a swipe at the government for recklessly borrowing despite the current economic challenges confronting the country.
“I have been inundated with calls asking why Parliament has been recalled for urgent business on May 2, 2023. It is difficult to comprehend why the NPP government has the courage to continue borrowing after its reckless borrowing has completely destroyed the Ghanaian economy beyond recognition for generations to come,” he slammed the government in a tweet.
A collapsed storey buildingat Adentan in the Greater Accra Region has left one person inside.
Three others have sustained injuries and have been rushed to the hospital for treatment after the incident that happened on Monday.
The Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu confirmed the incident on Eyewitness News.
Officials from theNational Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Police Service are having a tough time retrieving the trapped person from the debris as there are no equipment to assist with the rescue operations.
The collapsed building is a three-storey building close to the Kpogas furniture and the Adentan footbridge around the SDA church junction and the West African Hardware Company.
The lawmaker is thus appealing to benevolent individuals with excavators to immediately come in to help.
“According to the NADMO officer, the only excavator available to them at 37 has broken down. Currently, it is a desperate call we are making for help to rescue one person under this rubble, and so we are currently waiting anxiously for support. What is happening doesn’t look like an emergency because it is really disappointing “, he pleaded.
The only option available to the security officers at the scene is the use of shovels and hacksaws in the operations.
The prime minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, is in Ghana for a two-day state visit.
The Japanese Prime Minister is expected to hold a bilateral talks with President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
The Asian country seeks to deepen her strong economic ties and further promote business and investment relations in Ghana, being one of the leading economic centres in West Africa.
Japan has been supporting Ghana’s infrastructure development, especially roads, to improve the country’s transport connectivity.
The Asian country has high hopes for Ghana, which hosts the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to play a critical role in promoting regional integration and trade facilitation.
The development of the bilateral relations cannot be discussed without acknowledging the achievements of Dr Hideyo Noguchi, a Japanese who had played a vital role in the healthcare sector of both countries.
Japan is contributing to the health and medical fields in Ghana and the West African sub- region through the establishment of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and technical cooperation.
The country has also supported Africa’s efforts to achieve peace and stability under the New Approach for Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA).
The Japanese Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity for the two countries to discuss ways to maintain peace and stability in the Sub-region.
As the country holding the G7 Presidency, Japan is also committed to carefully listening to the voices of African countries.
The governmentis making efforts to lessen the effect of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) on the financial industry, this is according to President Akufo-Addo.
Speaking at the 2023 International Labour Day parade he stated that among other things the government has established the Ghana Financial Stability Fund as earlier announced as part of the process of ensuring the finance sector is aided amid the debt restructuring.
This fund he noted would provide, amongst others, solvency and liquidity support to eligible financial sector institutions, which may be affected by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme.
“In addition, the Bank of Ghana and the regulators in the financial sector space have provided some regulatory reliefs to support affected institutions.
“In keeping with our common objective, the government, through the Financial Stability Council, will monitor continuously the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme on financial institutions to enable it to take remedial action, if and when necessary.”
President Akufo-Addo added that this would ensure that measures put in place to safeguard incomes, deposits, pensions, investor funds and assets are effective.
Meanwhile, he also assured organised labour of the protection of their pension funds as the government continues its debt restructuring programme aimed at securing an IMF deal.
President Akufo-Addo noted that his outfit is aware of the impact of the restructuring on workers and as such aimed to explore other beneficial options within debt sustainability limits with the cooperation of both Government and Organised Labour.
He said that “In undertaking the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, we have been very mindful of its potential impact on the pension funds of workers.
“We will not act in any way to short-change workers in protecting their pensions.”
Eunice, a stunning 28-year-old woman who was stabbed to death by her husband last weekend.
According to reports Eunice and her husband whose name has been (withheld) married just last year in a very wedding minimalist ceremony.
It was only after the wedding that Eunice got to know that her husband is a serial cheat and a womanizer also.
Before Eunice filed for divorce from her violent husband, she had suffered a series of both physical and mental abuses.
Although her husband had promised to have a change of his bad character to good but he never did and this is what influenced her to call the marriage a quit.
During one of their many heated arguments over the weekends, her husband used a cutlass to butcher her.
Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead after she was rushed to the hospital to receive treatment.
At the moment, the husband who committed the heinous crime is on the run.
Below are some pictures of the late Eunice, whose gruesome murder has left a lot of social media users who have come across the disheartening story teary.
