TIG Post

Tag: Christmas

  • Christian Association of Nigeria kicks against title of Ini Edo’s new Christmas movie

    Christian Association of Nigeria kicks against title of Ini Edo’s new Christmas movie

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted angrily to the title of a new movie by actress Ini Edo, called “A Very Dirty Christmas.”

    According to CAN, the title is insulting and shows a lack of respect for the Christian faith.

    The group explained that Christmas is a holy period for Christians because it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It stands for things like purity, peace, love and salvation. CAN believes that using the word “-dirty” to describe Christmas takes away its spiritual value and turns a sacred celebration into something cheap and attention-seeking.

    In a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN said it supports creativity and artistic freedom, but stressed that such freedom should be used carefully and responsibly, especially in a country like Nigeria where people practice different religions.

    CAN said creative works should promote unity and understanding, not offend people’s deeply held religious beliefs.

    The association also expressed concern that a movie with such a title was approved by regulators without proper checks.

    Because of this, CAN has asked the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to explain how the title was allowed, especially since the film is being released during the Christmas season.

    CAN further called on bodies like the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and other Nollywood stakeholders to speak up against the use of religious themes in ways that can offend believers.

    In addition, CAN asked the producers and promoters of the movie to change the title, apologise publicly, and make sure religious symbols and sacred periods are treated with respect.

    The association also appealed directly to Ini Edo to show understanding and respond to the concerns raised by Christians.

    CAN concluded that at a time when Nigeria is already dealing with serious moral and social problems, actions that make light of sacred values only increase division and reduce mutual respect.

    Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Lilwin’s movie based on Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has been surrounded by several controversies since production began.

    The film, titled Captain Ibrahim Traoré: The Last African Hero, first drew attention after its production was violently disrupted in Kumasi. During filming, a group of masked men riding motorbikes reportedly stormed the set, ordered the crew to stop work and caused damage. Following the incident, the property owner withdrew permission for the location to be used, forcing the production team to suspend filming temporarily.

    Amid the disruption, Lilwin claimed he was approached with an offer of $20,000 to abandon the project. According to him, the offer was meant to stop the movie from being completed. He said he rejected the money and decided to continue with the film, insisting that he believed in the project and its message.

    The movie also became part of public debate after its scheduled premiere date clashed with a national candlelight vigil organised in honour of the late highlife musician Daddy Lumba. Lilwin described the situation as unfair and expressed concern that the vigil would overshadow the premiere of his movie, a comment that sparked criticism from sections of the public.

    Beyond these incidents, the film attracted mixed reactions online, with some critics questioning the approach, production choices and overall direction of the project. Others debated whether the story was told in a way that could appeal to a wider international audience.

    After the premiere, Lilwin further accused some Ghanaian media houses of ignoring the film, despite what he described as international interest and recognition. He expressed disappointment over what he saw as a lack of local media support for the project.

    In response to the challenges, Lilwin also announced that he was open to selling the broadcast rights of the movie to Ghanaian television stations in order to increase its reach and generate revenue.

    Despite the setbacks and criticism, Lilwin has maintained that the film will be completed and distributed, describing the controversies as part of the challenges that come with telling bold and unconventional stories.

  • GAUA holds Christmas party for Anumle Cluster of Schools

    GAUA holds Christmas party for Anumle Cluster of Schools

    The Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) on Tuesday, December 17, brought joy to the students of the Anumle Cluster of Schools near Achimota as they hosted a heartwarming Children’s Christmas Party.

    The event which serves as the University Administrators’ Community Social Responsibility (CSR) featured a mix of engaging activities aimed at educating and entertaining the children.

    As part of the activities, the children benefitted from talks on health and hygiene, helping to instill lifelong habits of cleanliness and wellness.

    Additionally, insightful discussions on career choices were conducted to inspire students, particularly final-year Junior High School (JHS) learners, to explore future academic and professional pathways.

    The event also included a counseling session for JHS students, offering valuable guidance to prepare them for life beyond basic education.

    The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the day concluded with fun games, music, and lots of gifts distributed to the children. Smiling faces reflected the success of the event as students relished the opportunity to learn and celebrate in a festive environment.

  • 37 lives lost due to road carnages during Christmas, New Year celebrations – Report

    37 lives lost due to road carnages during Christmas, New Year celebrations – Report

    During the festive period spanning December 24 to December 26, 2023, and December 31, 2023, to January 1, 2024, a total of 37 lives were tragically lost in road crashes, as reported in the National Road Traffic Crashes and Casualties report.

    This represents a 21.28% decrease compared to the 47 deaths recorded during the same period in 2022.

    The breakdown reveals that 29 out of the 37 deaths occurred between December 24 to December 26, 2023, while December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024, accounted for eight deaths.

    The victims were predominantly male, with 30 males (81%) and seven females (19%) losing their lives. Additionally, 19% of those killed were below 18 years old, while 81% were adults above 18 years.

    A total of 236 cases were reported during the period, involving 417 vehicles and 50 pedestrian knockdowns. This signifies a 16.26% increase in reported cases compared to the 2022 Christmas festivities, which recorded 203 cases.

    Private vehicles constituted the largest proportion of vehicles involved in crashes (46%), followed by commercial vehicles (31%) and motorcycles (23%).

    The Greater Accra Region had the highest number of crashes (83) and reported nine deaths, while the Ashanti Region came second with 66 cases and 15 deaths.

    Specific locations in the Greater Accra Region, such as Kaneshie, Kpeshie, Madina, Odorkor, Weija, Baatsona, Ayimensah, and Amanfrom, experienced fatalities during this period.

  • Madrid City Hall issues apology for videos of Blackface Epiphany

    Madrid City Hall issues apology for videos of Blackface Epiphany

    Madrid’s city hall said sorry for sharing videos of a white actor in blackface for a popular festival.

    In one of the videos, a man with black makeup on his face was speaking in a strong accent, which made some people think it was being racist.

    Madrid’s deputy mayor said sorry for the “bad mistake” and blamed the company that made the videos.

    Blackface is when white people made fun of black people for fun.

    On January 6th, Christians celebrate Epiphany. It’s the day when the Magi – also called the Three Kings or Wise Men – visited Jesus. This day is a big celebration in Spain.

    Children clean their shoes the night before a special day called “El Dia de los Reyes” (the Day of the Kings) and leave them out for the Three Kings – Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – to put gifts inside.

    For a lot of people in Spain, the day is very important, like Christmas.

    The Three Kings parades happen every year on 5 January and are a popular part of Christmas in Spain.

    Before this year’s event, Madrid City Hall paid a company to make special video messages from the kings for the kids in the Spanish capital.

    The deputy mayor said that around 20 to 30 video messages were sent out.

    The group Afrofeminas strongly criticized the videos and said they were very wrong and irresponsible.

    Blackface is a very old tradition that started about 200 years ago. Many people think it’s racist and really offensive.

    Many times, it means that someone, usually with white skin, paints their face darker to look like a black person.

    Many important people, including the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have been involved in blackface controversies recently.

  • Okyeame Kwame’s wife and children do not celebrate Christmas, but he does

    Okyeame Kwame’s wife and children do not celebrate Christmas, but he does

    Popular Ghanaian rapper Okyeame Kwame has talked candidly about his experiences celebrating Christmas with his wife and kids, who are Jehovah Witnesses and don’t commemorate the holiday.

    Okyeame Kwame stated in a TV3 interview that he respects his family’s religious convictions and does not coerce them into participating in his celebrations.

    He stated that he did not want to renegotiate his decision to allow his children to follow their mother’s beliefs at this time because he made it before he married her.

    “My family, my wife, and my children are complete individuals. Independent of what I like and what I don’t like. So the beauty of that is the diversity or the unity in that diversity where we all let each other be.

    “So you celebrate this one. Go ahead and do it. It’s not about forcing people to like what you like. After all, the fewer, the merrier,” he said.

    Kwame also said that he does not see celebrating Christmas as a big deal and that he focuses more on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ than on his birth or death.

    “Plus, celebrating Christmas or not is not consequential. It’s not about the death or the birth for me; it’s more about the life; it’s more about the forgiveness; it’s more about the service; it’s more about the kindness. It’s all about enlightenment and being kind. I look at the life of Christ and the quality of life. Can I be Christlike? That is where my focus is,” he said.

    Well-known in Ghana as a rapper and performer, Okyeame Kwame is best known for hits like “Woara,” “Woman,” and “Made in Ghana.”

    In addition, he is an activist and a philanthropist.

    He was married to Annica Nsiah-Apau in 2009, and the two of them have two kids, Sir and Sante.

  • Travel insurance alert after £100k bill received by family in UK

    Travel insurance alert after £100k bill received by family in UK

    A family is telling people to be careful with their insurance. They made a mistake on a form and their policy was not valid when their daughter got sick on vacation. They had to pay a £100,000 medical bill.

    Katya Katalinic, who is 18 years old, from Midhurst, West Sussex, had a bleeding in her brain in South Africa in February.

    She remained in Africa after a family trip to Kenya during Christmas.

    Axa, their insurance company, said the policy was not valid because the family gave the wrong information.

    Miss Katalinic said she woke up in the hospital with strangers around her.

    “I couldn’t talk or read anymore, so I felt like a baby when it happened,” she said. “I didn’t know anything. ”

    Marsha Katalinic, her mom, made sure the whole family had insurance for their trip to Kenya in 2022.

    When her parents went back to the UK in the new year, Miss Katalinic chose to continue with a course to learn how to work on a yacht in South Africa.

    Her dad, Roberto Katalinic, got more insurance for her. They tried to use it when she got sick and they rushed to Cape Town.

    Mr Katalinic said he told the hospital manager about the policy.

    “MrKatalinic looked at the screen and told me, ‘You’re not going to like this email,’”

    “Axa told him that they would not pay, so the parents will have to pay for the cost. ”

    Axa said the insurance was not valid because Miss Katalinic’s trip to South Africa began in Kenya, not the UK.

    Mr Katalinic said that he thought the journey had to start in the UK, and that’s where it did start.

    “The journey began here, in Midhurst in the UK. ”

    Miss Katalinic is telling people to be prepared for bad things that could happen to them. She says that even though you may hear about bad things happening to others, you might not think it will happen to you. She wants everyone to make sure they have everything they need to be okay in case something bad happens.

    Axa said in a statement that when you buy the insurance, you need to confirm that everyone on the policy is going to and coming back from the United Kingdom and that your trip has not started yet.

    “On this occasion, the answers given didn’t match Miss Katalinic’s situation and this was only discovered after she made her claim. ” We stopped the policy because we found out it wasn’t valid. We gave Miss Katalinic all her money back.

    According to deputy editor Sam Richardson, consumers are given the information they need, but it’s hard to find and requires a lot of effort to discover.

    It’s worrisome that 25% of claims aren’t paid. It shows that these products could be improved so people understand them better.

  • Bawumia celebrates New Year with dance moves at Crossover service

    Bawumia celebrates New Year with dance moves at Crossover service

    A video of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, showcasing his dance moves during the 31st all-night celebration has popped up.

    In a notable series of events, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), made visits to several churches in Accra that hosted 31st Night services, actively participating in ushering Ghanaians into the new year, 2024.

    Demonstrating his gracious demeanor, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia actively engaged in singing and dancing during the 31st Night services he attended, coupled with delivering inspirational New Year messages to uplift Ghanaians.

    Despite being the sitting Vice President of Ghana, Dr Bawumia seemed unfazed by the criticisms directed at him for his frequent visits to churches and the comments made during these visits, despite his Muslim faith.

    At the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC) in Kokomlemle, Accra, Dr Bawumia could be seen dancing as he entered the centre with the chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Ghana, Apostle Eric Nyamekye.

    The vice president and team, who were all in white clothing, were joyously dancing to ‘We Shall Sing Hosanna’ as they were waving their white handkerchiefs.

    The Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, who was also with her husband, could also be seen dancing to honour God for the gift of 2024.

    Dr Bawumia, in his New Year’s message at the PIWC, urged Ghanaians to jealously guide the democracy the country enjoys as it heads into an election year.

    He urged all stakeholders in the 2024 general election to resort to the court to resolve any grievance they have and not resort to violence.

  • Eating ‘gob3’ on New Year’s day brings success, chicken comes with bad luck 

    On December 29, 2023, I saw something on CNN that got me interested. The health titbits report that eating traditional beans ensures good luck in the New Year.

    I was surprised. Since everyone looks towards the New Year with hope for good health, happiness, and good luck, especially after the past couple of years we’ve had, I decided to write to inform you about good luck foods for this new year.


    I notice that every food has a spiritual background but I never knew beans were linked to success in the new year.

    Helyn Trickey, CNN.com Interactivity Editor(2000) also revealed that if you bear a grudge against someone, sip a soup. If you want to banish hunger from your home, throw a cake at your door. Chocolate, too, is rumored to be a sign of richness, and is consumed to ensure wealth in the coming year, says food historian and cookbook author Ruth Adams Bronz.

    But, if it is good sex you seek — nothing beats an oyster.
    “A good oyster is like a poached egg, you just warm it, but you don’t cook it all the way,” says Bronz as she recalls her grandmother’s Oyster Pie.

    This delicacy is generally reserved for the first day of the year and is eaten to ensure an active libido in the year to come.


    There seem to be certain foods that have taken on cross-cultural symbolism. Let’s take a look at some traditional foods that bring good luck and how you can spice them up!

    Black-Eyed Peas

    Black-eyed peas are a very common side dish for a New Year’s Day meal thanks to their long history with good fortune. It is believed that African Americans celebrated the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation by feasting on dishes that included black-eyed peas.

    It is also said that in Ancient Egypt, black-eyed peas were eaten as a way to show humility to the gods, therefore bringing good luck to those who ate them.

    Beans represent luck and greens represent money. Typically, collard greens and black-eyed peas are served as sides but, in Charleston, a rice and bean dish called Hoppin’ John is popular.


    It is also believed that beans and other legumes are eaten because their shape resembles a coin, and they are said to bring wealth and prosperity in the coming year.

    In Italy, Brazil, and much of Europe, residents eat lentils – with rice, in soups, or mixed with sausage.

    Lentils have added good luck because they swell when cooked, adding the imagery of growing wealth. Sweet black beans called kuromame are usually on the menu in Japan.


    This means that Gobe is a New Year’s meal. Besides, you can also eat the beans alone or with a few rice.

    Greens

    In parts of Europe and the southern US, cooked greens resemble cash, and are eaten on January 1st to bring wealth. From Sauerkraut in Germany to kale in northern Europe, to collard greens in the American south, people eat plenty of greens hoping for a financially prosperous year – and the added health benefits surely can’t hurt!

    Pork

    Pork is known to bring good luck for a very interesting reason– the way that pigs behave. Animal theorists say that while most animals scratch backward, pigs bury their snout in the ground and move forward– the same way we want to go into the New Year. Per German and Eastern European traditions, pork is often eaten on New Year’s Day with cabbage. For example, sausage and sauerkraut is a popular New Year’s Day meal.

    Noodles

    In Japan, long soba noodles are eaten to ensure longevity. Because only unbroken noodles are said to bring long life, they are cooked in a soup and then slurped.

    Fish

    Germans and Scandinavians eat pickled herring at midnight. Their abundance in parts of Europe is hoped to bring abundance in the New Year, and their silvery color is reminiscent of silver coins. In China, eating a steamed fish cooked whole for the Lunar New Year (different from our January 1st New Year) is thought to bring a long, healthy life.

    Fruit
    In the Philippines, it is common to celebrate New Year’s Eve with fruit. Filipinos use twelve different types of fruit to symbolize each month of the year. These typically include round fruits, but can sometimes also include mangoes and watermelons.
    In Mexico, they celebrate the New Year by eating grapes at midnight. This stems from a Spanish tradition known as Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte, or “the Twelve Grapes of Luck”. When the clock strikes midnight, you eat one grape for each stroke of the clock for prosperity and good luck.

    Rice Pudding

    Rice pudding is served in Sweden and Finland with an almond hidden somewhere inside. The lucky finder of the nut is said to be guaranteed a lucky new year — and some families even give them a prize, according to Global Table Adventure.

    What Not to Eat

    Chicken! Interestingly, in Ghana, we eat chicken. However, it has been reported that because chicken and other poultry scratch backward, they are considered bad luck to eat on New Year’s Day in most parts of the world. Eating chicken would mean moving backward in the upcoming year – something no one wants to do.

    The writer is a Professor of Naturopathic Healthcare, a Medical Journalist, an author, and a science writer. E. mail: professor40naturopathy@gmail.com. For more about me, Visit: profnyarkotey.com

    Source: Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu

  • Enyan Essiam constituents celebrate Christmas with Ato Forson

    Enyan Essiam constituents celebrate Christmas with Ato Forson

    During the Christmas festivities of 2023, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, joined constituents in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency to share in the joy of the season.

    Dr. Ato Forson acknowledged that the holiday celebrations rekindled his energy and dedication to serving Ghana, with a commitment to advancing the prosperity of its citizens.

    In a subsequent social media post on Thursday, December 28, the former Deputy Finance Minister reiterated his pledge to hard work in the upcoming year.

    He highlighted his determination to hold the Akufo-Addo government accountable and strive to improve the lives of Ghanaians through the efforts of NDC MPs in Parliament.

    “I celebrated Christmas with my cherished constituents across the communities in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam constituency.

    The meaningful interactions and genuine warmth from my constituents fuel and strengthen my commitment to work for Ghana,” he conveyed on social media.

  • Muted Christmas in Bethlehem: A city shrouded in silence

    Muted Christmas in Bethlehem: A city shrouded in silence

    In Bethlehem, a city synonymous with the joy and festivity of Christmas, there’s a palpable sense of emptiness this season. The vibrant celebrations and influx of tourists and pilgrims that usually animate Manger Square are conspicuously absent.

    Local resident Madeleine captures the somber mood, noting the stark lack of festivity. “The city is empty from happiness, from joy, from kids, from Santa. There is no celebration this year,” she laments. The West Bank city, under occupation, finds itself unusually quiet, its iconic Christmas tree and the usual carols and markets nowhere in sight.

    In a poignant representation of the current climate, the traditional nativity scene in the square is replaced with a display symbolizing solidarity with the children of Gaza. It depicts the infant Jesus amidst large rocks and barbed wire, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict.

    Father Eissa Thaldjiya, a priest at the Nativity Church for over a decade, expresses his sorrow over the city’s transformation. “I’ve been a priest in this church for 12 years. I was born in Bethlehem, and I’ve never seen it like this – even during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he shares. Despite the challenging circumstances, he finds solace in uniting with others in prayer, particularly for those in Gaza.

    The story of Jawdat Mikhael, a Bethlehem resident with family trapped in Northern Gaza, further illustrates the widespread impact of the conflict. His relatives, including parents and a brother, have sought refuge in the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, an area heavily affected by Israeli bombardments.

    As Jawdat recounts his family’s plight, a phone call from his father, Han’na Mikhael, interrupts, bringing a personal and immediate connection to the ongoing strife that overshadows this year’s Christmas in Bethlehem.

    The connection is marred by crackles, and the stability is questionable, but he persists, clinging to the hope of catching a glimpse of his father.

    Han’na tells his son the family is doing ok. He says he’s managed to venture out of the church for the first time in more than two weeks to try to find some food. He says that all is left around the church is rubble and that all the shops are burned. “It’s total destruction,” he says.

    He wells up as he says that communications are down and that there is no water. Food is scarce, too – “enough to keep you alive – not to fill your stomach,” he says.

    Han’na cries as he tells me about how different Christmas was last year.

    “On days like this, we’d be decorating the church. There’d be carols. People would come over to help. But now we’re just praying to make it out of here alive.”

    The family has already suffered a terrible loss.

    A week ago, Jawdat’s grandmother, Naheda Khalil Anton – who was also sheltering in the church in Gaza – was shot twice in the stomach as she was on her way to the bathroom. His aunt Samar Kamal Anton rushed to help her and was shot in the head.

    Jawdat shows me pictures of the immediate aftermath and the funeral.

    Two bodies covered in white sheets lay in a church, surrounded by people
    Image caption,Jawdat says his grandmother and aunt were killed by Israeli snipers while sheltering in a Gaza church – Israel says it’s investigating

    His family had been sheltering in the Holy Family Church since the beginning of the war. Now, they’ve buried their loved ones there.

    The family blames Israeli snipers for their death. The IDF says it will continue its investigation.

    Through tears, Han’na says that his two family members died before his eyes: “It was a shock… It was unbearable.”

    He apologises to me for crying, and for not being able to speak much: “I’m sorry, but it’s just so difficult. We’ve endured so much.”

    A big bang is heard as we are talking, then a second sounds out before Jawdat reluctantly says goodbye to his dad.

    This morning in Bethlehem, church bells have been ringing as some locals gathered around the Jesus in the rubble installation and Arabic songs played out on the speakers, one calling for salam – peace – for children.

    Dozens of people are in the middle holding a big Palestinian flag – waving it up and down.

    The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, is in Bethlehem for his traditional address. He was wearing the traditional black and white chequered Palestinian scarf.

    Before he entered the Church of Nativity, he said this was “a very sad Christmas”.

    The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in Bethlehem
    Image caption,The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is in Bethlehem for his traditional address

    “We are in a war, a terrible war. Our thoughts go first and foremost to Gaza, to our people in Gaza… Two million are suffering,” he said.

    He added that “a ceasefire is not enough”.

    “We have to stop these hostilities and turn the page because violence generates only violence.”

    A few steps away from Manger Square, souvenir shops line Star Street on both sides but without the usual bustle of buying, selling and haggling. The famous Palestinian stitch scarves, cushion covers and artefacts hang outside shops, untouched.

    This is normally high season for the market. Not this year.

    “We cannot celebrate with a lot of people killed in Gaza,” says Abood Subouh, a shop owner in the local market just off Manger Square.

    He tells me that, sad as it is to see his city and his business this way, celebrating Christmas feels wrong this year: “We can’t be happy because we are not on the other side of the world. We are still in Palestine.”

  • This festive season is a dry, dull and boring one – IEA director of research

    The Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr. John Kwakye, has contested President Akufo-Addo’s claim that Ghana’s economy has turned the corner toward recovery.

    Despite the government citing indicators like the decline in inflation as signs of recovery, Dr. Kwakye contends that the ongoing Christmas festivities reflect a different economic reality.

    In a social media post, he expressed, “This is an Xmas to forget. Dry, dull and boring. Millions of Ghanaians can’t afford even one decent meal as a chicken costs 100gh. Yet we are told inflation is low and the economy has turned the corner. Really? Maybe it’s turned the corner for a few but not the majority.”

    Dr. Kwakye’s post follows President Akufo-Addo’s assertions in his 2023 Christmas message, highlighting the recent decline in inflation, a relatively stable exchange rate, and overall economic growth as signals of a rebound.

    President Akufo-Addo stated, “We continue to attract investments in our economy both domestic and foreign, reinforcing our position as the gateway to Africa and remain a beacon of democracy, peace, and stability in Africa. The country is not yet completely out of the woods, but there is a growing sense of confidence that with hard work and determination, Ghana will make it, and collectively, we will secure our futures.”

    “…The country is not yet completely out of the woods but there is a growing sense of confidence that with hard work and determination, Ghana will make it and collectively, we will secure our futures,” he added.

  • It’s not wise to drive a Landcruiser and stay in a rented house – Archbishop Agyinasare

    It’s not wise to drive a Landcruiser and stay in a rented house – Archbishop Agyinasare

    In a Christmas Eve sermon at the Perez Dome, founder of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, delivered a message urging Christians to remain within their financial means and lead noble lives.

    The Archbishop emphasized the importance of celebrating Christmas in a modest manner, discouraging extravagant spending and the use of dubious means to impress others.

    During the sermon, he conveyed that even simple items like ‘koobi’ could be used for Christmas celebrations, stressing that it is unnecessary to buy new clothing just because it is the Christmas season.

    Drawing parallels to Mary’s contentment with delivering baby Jesus in a manger, he encouraged a similar attitude of contentment and living within one’s means during Christmas celebrations.

    Expressing concern about the lack of nobility in contemporary society, the Archbishop highlighted the need for people to avoid overspending, citing examples of individuals driving luxury cars while residing in rented houses.

    Sharing personal experiences, he mentioned instances where landlords adjusted rental agreements based on tenants’ spending behaviors.

    The Archbishop cautioned against impractical lifestyle choices, such as driving an expensive car while living in a rented residence.

    Addressing family issues, he urged married men to treat their wives with respect and avoid humiliating them.

    Denouncing the practice of boasting about promiscuous behavior, the Archbishop encouraged men to adopt the nobility of Joseph, who remained silent about Mary’s situation.

    He advocated for understanding and peaceful separation in cases where trust is broken in a relationship.

    “Unfortunately, there are guys telling others the number of women they have slept with. They think it is pride; they are rather cheap. Joseph didn’t say anything about Mary to people. He was a noble man,” he said.

    “I am not saying women must indulge in promiscuity; however, if you are a man and your wife did that and you don’t love her anymore, don’t beat her; let her go in peace,” the Archbishop added.

  • It’s not mandatory to buy new dresses just because it’s Christmas – Archbishop Agyinasare

    It’s not mandatory to buy new dresses just because it’s Christmas – Archbishop Agyinasare

    The founder of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, has delivered a message urging Christians not to exceed their financial means.

    He emphasized the importance of living noble and honest lives, suggesting that Christmas should be celebrated within one’s means to avoid engaging in ungodly activities.

    The Archbishop discouraged extravagant spending or resorting to dubious means to impress others during the Christmas season.

    In a Sunday service sermon at the Perez Dome on Christmas Eve, he emphasized that even simple items like ‘koobi’ could be used to celebrate Christmas.

    The Archbishop underscored that it is not obligatory for individuals to purchase new clothing solely because it is Christmas.

    Drawing parallels to Mary’s contentment with delivering baby Jesus in a manger, he encouraged a similar attitude towards Christmas celebrations—living within one’s means and finding contentment.

    Expressing concern over the lack of noblemen in contemporary society, he stressed the need for people to avoid overspending, citing examples of individuals driving luxury cars but residing in rented houses.

    The Archbishop shared personal experiences, highlighting instances where landlords adjusted rental agreements based on tenants’ spending behaviors.

    He cautioned against impractical lifestyle choices, such as driving an expensive car while living in a rented residence.

    Addressing issues of family creation and togetherness, he urged married men to treat their wives with respect and avoid humiliating them.

    The Archbishop denounced the practice of boasting about promiscuous behavior and encouraged men to adopt the nobility of Joseph, who remained silent about Mary’s situation.

    He advocated for understanding and peaceful separation in cases where trust is broken in a relationship.

    “Unfortunately, there are guys telling others the number of women they have slept with. They think it is pride; they are rather cheap. Joseph didn’t say anything about Mary to people. He was a noble man,” he said.

    “I am not saying women must indulge in promiscuity; however, if you are a man and your wife did that and you don’t love her anymore, don’t beat her; let her go in peace,” the Archbishop added.

  • Even if it’s ‘koobi’ that you have, you can still celebrate Christmas – Archbishop Agyinasare

    Even if it’s ‘koobi’ that you have, you can still celebrate Christmas – Archbishop Agyinasare

    The founder of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, has delivered a message urging Christians not to exceed their financial means.

    He emphasized the importance of living noble and honest lives, suggesting that Christmas should be celebrated within one’s means to avoid engaging in ungodly activities.

    The Archbishop discouraged extravagant spending or resorting to dubious means to impress others during the Christmas season.

    In a Sunday service sermon at the Perez Dome on Christmas Eve, he emphasized that even simple items like ‘koobi’ could be used to celebrate Christmas.

    The Archbishop underscored that it is not obligatory for individuals to purchase new clothing solely because it is Christmas.

    Drawing parallels to Mary’s contentment with delivering baby Jesus in a manger, he encouraged a similar attitude towards Christmas celebrations—living within one’s means and finding contentment.

    Expressing concern over the lack of noblemen in contemporary society, he stressed the need for people to avoid overspending, citing examples of individuals driving luxury cars but residing in rented houses.

    The Archbishop shared personal experiences, highlighting instances where landlords adjusted rental agreements based on tenants’ spending behaviors.

    He cautioned against impractical lifestyle choices, such as driving an expensive car while living in a rented residence.

    Addressing issues of family creation and togetherness, he urged married men to treat their wives with respect and avoid humiliating them.

    The Archbishop denounced the practice of boasting about promiscuous behavior and encouraged men to adopt the nobility of Joseph, who remained silent about Mary’s situation.

    He advocated for understanding and peaceful separation in cases where trust is broken in a relationship.

    “Unfortunately, there are guys telling others the number of women they have slept with. They think it is pride; they are rather cheap. Joseph didn’t say anything about Mary to people. He was a noble man,” he said.

    “I am not saying women must indulge in promiscuity; however, if you are a man and your wife did that and you don’t love her anymore, don’t beat her; let her go in peace,” the Archbishop added.

  • Celebrate Christmas with what you have, don’t exceed your budget – Archbishop Agyinasare advises

    Celebrate Christmas with what you have, don’t exceed your budget – Archbishop Agyinasare advises

    The founder of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, has delivered a message urging Christians not to exceed their financial means.

    He emphasized the importance of living noble and honest lives, suggesting that Christmas should be celebrated within one’s means to avoid engaging in ungodly activities.

    The Archbishop discouraged extravagant spending or resorting to dubious means to impress others during the Christmas season.

    In a Sunday service sermon at the Perez Dome on Christmas Eve, he emphasized that even simple items like ‘koobi’ could be used to celebrate Christmas.

    The Archbishop underscored that it is not obligatory for individuals to purchase new clothing solely because it is Christmas.

    Drawing parallels to Mary’s contentment with delivering baby Jesus in a manger, he encouraged a similar attitude towards Christmas celebrations—living within one’s means and finding contentment.

    Expressing concern over the lack of noblemen in contemporary society, he stressed the need for people to avoid overspending, citing examples of individuals driving luxury cars but residing in rented houses.

    The Archbishop shared personal experiences, highlighting instances where landlords adjusted rental agreements based on tenants’ spending behaviors.

    He cautioned against impractical lifestyle choices, such as driving an expensive car while living in a rented residence.

    Addressing issues of family creation and togetherness, he urged married men to treat their wives with respect and avoid humiliating them.

    The Archbishop denounced the practice of boasting about promiscuous behavior and encouraged men to adopt the nobility of Joseph, who remained silent about Mary’s situation.

    He advocated for understanding and peaceful separation in cases where trust is broken in a relationship.

    “Unfortunately, there are guys telling others the number of women they have slept with. They think it is pride; they are rather cheap. Joseph didn’t say anything about Mary to people. He was a noble man,” he said.

    “I am not saying women must indulge in promiscuity; however, if you are a man and your wife did that and you don’t love her anymore, don’t beat her; let her go in peace,” the Archbishop added.

  • Video: Kwame Nkrumah’s Christmas speech while in exile

    Video: Kwame Nkrumah’s Christmas speech while in exile

    A viral video of Ghana’s inaugural president, President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, delivered a poignant Christmas message to Ghanaians while in exile in Guinea Conakry following his overthrow by the security forces in 1966.

    The recording, retrieved from Radio Guinea’s Voice of the Revolution, captures Nkrumah’s heartfelt sentiments during the festive season, particularly in the aftermath of what he describes as the setback of Ghana’s development and progress.

    A video recording available on the YouTube page Talking Africa, titled “Kwame Nkrumah Christmas Day Speech From Exile,” shows Kwame Nkrumah extending warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year despite the challenging circumstances faced by Ghanaians.

    Speaking from Conakry over Radio Guinea’s Voice of the Revolution, Nkrumah acknowledged the reflective mood among Ghanaians during the festive occasion, considering the tumultuous events that transpired in the country that year.

    “Fellow country men, chiefs and people, comrades and friends. Christmas is here with us again. I am speaking to you in the spirit of the season from Conakry over a radio Guinea’s Voice of the Revolution. In spite of your suffering and humiliation, I wish that you could have a merry christmas and a happy new year.

    “This is normally a festive occasion but on this year’s christmas day, Ghaians cannot help reflecting what a fateful year this has been for them. You have seen an unfortunate and sordid chapter in your history. It is a chapter of treachery and betrayal; of greed and hypocrisy; of tint and blunder. It is dark days for Ghana, it is exactly 10 months today, when certain officers in the Ghana Army and Police turned their guns at the very constitution and legal government which they solemnly swore on their honour to protect and defend,” he said.

    The ousted leader expresses profound disappointment at the betrayal, emphasizing that those who orchestrated the coup could never have acted in the true interest of the people.

    “You know anyone who is capable of such outrageous betrayal of trust, for no reason at all, could never have been motivated by the true interest of the people. Events in Ghana since then have confirmed this beyond any doubt.

    “Within 10 short months, the traitors who make up the so-called National Liberation Council, have shown that, it was their morbid lust for money and power and their desire to escape from the just consequences of their corruption and crime which made them commit such despicable act of treason against the State and the people of Ghana. When you look around yourself, their only achievement has been the sordid reversal of Ghana’s development and progress,” he added.

  • Ukraine marks its first Christmas celebration on December 25 2023

    Ukraine marks its first Christmas celebration on December 25 2023

    As Russian forces make strides outside Kupiansk, soldiers are gearing up to mark Christmas.

    For the first time this year, many Ukrainian Orthodox Christians are set to celebrate Christmas on December 25.

    Traditionally following the Julian calendar, shared with Russia, where Christmas is observed on January 7, Ukraine has made a significant shift.

    It now celebrates Christmas according to the Western, or Gregorian, calendar used in its everyday life, marking another departure from Russian practices.

    Christmas Eve services were attended by Orthodox Christians at Kyiv’s St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky changed the law in July, saying it allowed Ukrainians to “abandon the Russian heritage” of celebrating Christmas in January.

    In a Christmas message issued on Sunday evening, Mr Zelensky said all Ukrainians were now together.

    “We all celebrate Christmas together. On the same date, as one big family, as one nation, as one united country.”

    In the capital Kyiv, married couple Lesia Shestakova, a Catholic, and Oleksandr Shestakov, who is Orthodox, are celebrating Christmas together.

    The pair – who until now marked Christmas twice, with their respective parents – attended the Sunday morning service at the city’s Catholic cathedral (pictured above).

    “There is finally a day in Ukraine which my husband and I can spend together in the cathedral and thank God that we are together, alive and in good health,” Lesia told Reuters news agency.

    The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), established in 2019 as an independent church, has shifted its Christmas celebration to December 25.

    This change comes following its formal separation from the Russian Orthodox Church, a move triggered by Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine.

    On Sunday, people across the country engaged in prayer and candle-lighting ceremonies.

    In Lviv, a western city relatively untouched by the war, children adorned in traditional costumes sang carols and participated in joyful processions on the streets.

    Children in Lviv don traditional Ukrainian attire, singing carols as part of the Christmas festivities.

    In Kyiv, Ukraine, citizens come together to decorate a Christmas tree near Independence Square.

    While the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) has attracted numerous worshippers in recent years, millions still adhere to the historically Russia-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), choosing to celebrate Christmas on January 7.

    In 2022, the UOC claims to have severed ties with Moscow due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, although skepticism remains among many.

    Notably, there are expected to be Ukrainians who choose to celebrate Christmas twice – the more, the merrier.

  • Video: Akufo-Addo’s Christmas message to Ghanaians

    Video: Akufo-Addo’s Christmas message to Ghanaians

    President Akufo-Addo has a message for all Ghanaians as they celebrate this Yuletide season.

    The president has emphasized the critical role of Ghanaians in ensuring a transparent and credible 2024 general election.

    Recognizing the significance of the upcoming ninth General Election on December 7, 2024, as a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic history, the President stressed the importance of responsible conduct by all citizens.

    He called on Ghanaians to approach the democratic process with a sense of duty, highlighting the collective responsibility to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and openness in the electoral system.

    President Akufo-Addo reminded the nation of its unique standing as a beacon of stable constitutional governance on the African continent, particularly within the context of the Fourth Republic.

    “Next year is an important year in our democratic journey, we will hold on 7th December 2024 the ninth General Election in the history of the 4th Republic. Which has witnessed the longest period of stable Constitutional governance in our entire history.

    “We all have a duty to conduct ourselves in such a manner that we have a free, fair and transparent election that will enable the Ghanaian people to choose in peace and serenity the person who will manage the affairs on their behalf for the next four years,” Mr. Akufo-Addo stated.

  • Parliament adjourns sine die

    Parliament adjourns sine die


    Parliament adjourned sine die for Christmas and New Year after passing 2024 Appropriation Bill

    Parliament wrapped up its Third Meeting of the Eighth Parliament with an all-night sitting, concluding on December 23, as opposed to the initial plan to adjourn on December 22 for the Christmas break.

    The session concluded with the passage of the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

    In his closing remarks, delivered by First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu, Speaker Alban Bagbin reminded MPs of their role as ambassadors of Parliamentary democracy.

    He urged them to engage in local Parliamentary diplomacy to strengthen the bond between Parliament and citizens. Bagbin advised MPs to prioritize safety during the holidays and reflect on the significance of Christmas.

    Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu expressed gratitude to MPs for their dedication to parliamentary business during the Third Session.

    He acknowledged differences but emphasized the democratic value of agreeing to disagree.

    The Majority Leader commended the Speaker and deputies for maintaining decorum and urged MPs to rest during the recess.

    Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah commended MPs for their dedication, especially Minority Members. He expressed pride in their commitment to the people of Ghana.

    “Mr Speaker, your commitment and dedication to your constitutional mandate in steering the affairs of the House is not lost on me,” the Majority Leader said.

    “I have sometimes disagreed with you on matters of policy and sometimes even the interpretation of the Standing Orders and Constitution. But that is the hallmark of democracy: agreeing to disagree.”

    “Mr Speaker, I cannot express my appreciation enough to you and your able deputies for your management of the House, even when the House had to sit during weekends.”

    The Minority thanked the Speaker for guiding the House successfully. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year, Buah urged caution on the roads.

  • 12 children saved from drowning at Gomoa Nyanyano

    The lives of 12 children were saved by the police who received a distress call from residents of Gomoa Nyanyano during a drowning incident on Saturday.

    Unfortunately, two school children, estimated to be between 10 and 15 years old, lost their lives in a drowning incident.

    These students who were on Christmas break from Kasoa, went swimming in Gomoa Nyanyano.

    Unfortunately, one child is still missing. Authorities, including personnel from the Ghana Education Service (GES), have visited the affected families and the school owner.

    The Municipal Chief Executive for Awutu Senya East expressed sorrow over the tragic incident.

  • Accra’s Business District choked with ‘Christmas shoppers’

    Accra’s Business District choked with ‘Christmas shoppers’

    Shoppers navigate the bustling streets from Roxy Cinema through Tudu to Makola and Kantamanto Market due to heavy traffic, opting for a walk through the bustling shops under the sun’s intense heat, creating a lively Christmas shopping atmosphere in the heart of Accra’s business district.

    The continuous hum of activity, swift movement of people, and the transportation of goods, including ‘Christmas goats’ and ‘fowls,’ paint a vibrant picture of Makola and Kantamanto Street or Market just hours before Christmas.

    Despite the festive excitement, challenges arise. Price fluctuations are noticeable as demand peaks, prompting shoppers to exercise caution, verify prices, and negotiate with traders feeling the pressure of closing time.

    Cash transactions take precedence during this busy period, emphasizing the need for shoppers to adapt to the evolving dynamics of the holiday rush, where many traders prefer the efficiency of cash over mobile money.

    Security is visibly heightened with strategically deployed police officers from the Accra Regional Command in the Kantamanto Market area, aiming to ensure law and order and create a secure shopping environment.

    Despite the holiday cheer, the perennial concern of pickpockets persists. Shoppers are reminded to stay vigilant and safeguard their belongings, underscoring the importance of personal responsibility during the bustling shopping spree, even with a visible police presence.

    Transportation poses an additional challenge, with taxis charging elevated fees and online car services proving elusive. Securing a ride becomes time-consuming, emphasizing the need for shoppers to plan ahead and be patient amid the traffic in the central business district.

    In some instances, spending about 30 minutes in one spot without moving is a common occurrence. Commuters are advised to explore alternative means of transportation, including the cautious use of motorbikes.

    Many shoppers are observed adhering to health measures by wearing face masks, showcasing a positive response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s educational efforts during the harmattan season.

  • Police heighten security measures with increased patrols as festivities begin

    Police heighten security measures with increased patrols as festivities begin


    In a strategic move to ensure public safety during the festive season and beyond, the Ghana Police Service has intensified security measures in the capital of the Ashanti Region, Kumasi.

    The police have increased their presence through vehicular, motorbike, and horse patrols, specifically focusing on the Kumasi Metropolitan area.

    The primary objective of this deployment is to enhance visibility and security, creating a secure environment for residents and safeguarding their properties throughout the yuletide period.

    The police service, in a press release, outlined plans to extend these security measures to cover other regions.

    A comprehensive rollout of patrols, including motorbikes, horses, and the K9 Unit (dogs), is scheduled to span across the entire country.

    This systematic approach is designed to gradually expand coverage region by region, ensuring that every corner of the nation benefits from an increased and visible police presence.

  • Ukraine moves Christmas from Jan 7 to Dec 25

    Ukraine moves Christmas from Jan 7 to Dec 25

    Ukraine has decided to move its Christmas celebration from January 7 to December 25. This move, seen as a departure from a historical association with Russia, reflects a deliberate choice by Ukraine to align its festivities with the internationally recognized date, underscoring the country’s pursuit of cultural autonomy.

    Breaking a tradition that dates back to 1917, Ukraine is now observing Christmas on December 25 for the first time.

    The decision goes beyond a mere shift from January 7, the traditional Christmas date in the Julian calendar used by Russia.

    It signifies an ongoing and substantial cultural transformation within the nation, representing the most recent effort to eliminate Moscow’s influence in Ukraine.

    The adoption of the Western, Gregorian calendar is also a sign of Kyiv’s continuing bid to align itself with Europe.

    Whether in war or peacetime, Christmas always comes.

    Klavdievo-Tarasove’s decorations factory, in a small town outside Kyiv, used to be one of three which supplied the whole of the Soviet Union.

    “We used to have many people – not any more,” Leokadia tells us. She’s worked on this production line since 1978.

    She effortlessly blows glass baubles using a gas burner fixed to her desk. It’s a welcome source of heat in these cold, industrial surroundings.

    .

    Leokadia

    After years of shrinking output, this factory stopped completely when Russian forces occupied this area for a month soon after the start of the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    “It was very scary when tanks drove down the street,” Henya, another worker, explains. “We couldn’t go outside. We had no information, we were cut off from the world. It was terrible.”

    And yet, despite only a third of the team having returned, decorations are still being made. Small pieces of Christmas cheer are carefully built and sent out around the country.

    And what is Henya’s wish for Ukrainians living under Russian occupation this Christmas?

    “You have to believe, hope – and liberation will happen, it will be like that.”

    Henya works on the more artistic part of the process: she and her colleagues caringly hand paint each individual bauble.

    You immediately notice a military theme. Miniature soldiers, MIG fighter jets, even a Ukrainian tractor pulling a Russian tank – all hang from a shelf, destined for a Christmas tree.

    Baubles

    “I think that everyone who will take a look at such a bauble will hope for the victory of our country sooner,” says Tamila with a defiant tone now typical here in Ukraine.

    Ukraine and Russia share countless cultural ties, and they will always have to live next to each other. Yet the former’s identity is only being strengthened by the latter’s aggression.

    Fewer places know that aggression better than the town of Bucha, a couple of miles from the decoration factory.

    As the Russian advance towards Kyiv slowed last year, invading troops were accused of killing more than 500 civilians in one of the worst atrocities of the war so far.

    Some of their names appear on a silver memorial next to the Church of St Andrew. As its golden domes glisten in the winter sunshine, you can still see where grass has struggled to regrow.

    It was here that a mass grave appeared during Russia’s occupation. The bodies of those who died could only be exhumed after they retreated.

    “Unfortunately for many people in the world, Ukraine is linked to Russia. And Ukraine is always viewed in the context of being a neighbour of Russia,” explains Father Andriy in the candlelit crypt of St Andrew’s.

    Father Andriy

    Unfortunately for many people in the world, Ukraine is linked to Russia… But I think that we are more a neighbour of Europe

    “But I think that we are more a neighbour of Europe,” he says. “And the fact that we’ve now changed the calendar is not shifting away from Russia. It is us returning back to Europe, where we belong.”

    Given Russia will always be close by, I ask whether he could ever forgive the invading country for what it’s done to his homeland.

    “God forgives a sinner, but only those who repent. We do not see yet that the Russians are trying to repent for their sins and mistakes, so I think it’s too early to talk about forgiveness.”

    For Ukraine, any Russian repentance must start with an end of its ongoing invasion. There is still no sign of that happening.

  • Prices of onions, tomatoes are declining for the first time in the history of Christmas – Retired economist

    Prices of onions, tomatoes are declining for the first time in the history of Christmas – Retired economist

    The cost of staple foods, including onions and tomatoes is currently recording a decline on the market this yuletide season for the very first time, according to a retired economist.

    This assertion was provided by a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Otchere-Darko, in an X post on December 21.

    According to him, a retired economist made these facts known to him during a conversation on December 20.

    “People forget that this is the first time in the history of Christmas in Ghana that the price or virtually ALL food staples is either stable or on the decline. Vegetables, Onion and Tomatoes, rice, maize…”

    Not willing to blindly accept the assertion, Gabby Otchere-Darko turned to users on X to share their experiences at the market.

    “People forget that this is the first time in the history of Christmas in Ghana that the price or virtually ALL food staples is either stable or on the decline. Vegetables, Onion and Tomatoes, rice, maize…” A retired economist said this to me yesterday. From your own experience will you agree or not? Wishing you all a better Christmas in 2023 than 2022!

    In response, some users noted that on the contrary, the prices of goods are exacerbating.

    On @Kwamealeh wrote, “Gabby Gabby Gabby!!! The basket of tomatoes my mum who is trader bought for Ghc330 two weeks ago cost her Ghc450 just yesterday. Please next time if you have a conversation with that so called economist please let it stay between the two of you.”

  • Payment of December salary may delay – Parliament tells staff

    Payment of December salary may delay – Parliament tells staff

    As the Christmas holiday approaches, officers of the Parliamentary Service have been informed that there might be a delay in the payment of their December salaries.

    The Parliamentary Service has not yet received the transfer notification for December salaries as of December 20, 2023.

    In a notice signed by Daniel T. Chirawura, Director of Finance, officers were notified that the salaries for December may not be disbursed before the Christmas holidays.

    However, the Parliamentary Service has made financial arrangements to provide support to officers, and this assistance will be available before the House rises on December 22, 2023.

    The notice expresses appreciation to the officers for their patience and understanding during this period.

    “Consequently, Officers of the Service may not be paid their salaries for the month of December before the Christmas holidays.

    “Given the circumstances, the Service has made the necessary financial arrangements to cushion Officers during the Christmas holidays. The support will be made available to Officers before the House rises on 22nd December 2023,” a notice signed by Daniel T. Chirawura, Director of Finance said.

  • Creative Arts Council urges public to patronize local music this Christmas

    Creative Arts Council urges public to patronize local music this Christmas

    As Ghana prepares to celebrate the Christmas season, the Creative Arts Council is encouraging all Ghanaians to prioritize local music in their festivities.

    Chief Executive Officer of the Creative Arts Council, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo, has emphasized the need to place Ghanaian music at the forefront of celebrations, as it is often overshadowed by the promotion of other cultures during the holiday season.

    Gyankroma highlighted the yuletide as an ideal opportunity to showcase the richness of Ghanaian music culture to both local and international audiences.

    By making local music a central part of the Christmas celebrations, the Creative Arts Council aims to not only celebrate the country’s cultural heritage but also attract and engage international tourists who choose to spend the festive season in Ghana.

    “This month’s festivities for Detty December, we need our artists to push to the forefront, to be prioritised in the night clubs and airwaves. Let that choice not sample just the best jollof in the world but the best artist too,” she said.  

    The Chief Executive Officer of the Creative Arts Council has announced the council’s support for the ‘#PlayGhana’ campaign.

  • Woman detained for stealing van full of doughnuts

    Woman detained for stealing van full of doughnuts

    A woman in Australia has been accused of taking a delivery van filled with 10,000 Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

    The van was stolen from a gas station in a Sydney neighborhood on the morning of November 29th.

    The police found the car a week later in a parking lot. Inside the car, there were thousands of old and bad-smelling doughnuts.

    On Thursday, the police took into custody a 28-year-old woman. She was not allowed to leave jail and is accused of stealing a car and driving without a license.

    Video from a security camera shows a woman staying at the gas station around 4:00 in the morning. She then gets into a delivery van that was left unattended and drives away.

    It’s not clear if she knew there were 10,000 doughnuts in the van. She got some really yummy Christmas and regular doughnuts, according to News. comau

    Krispy Kreme told the police about what happened and told customers that they were making more donuts to replace the 10,000 that were stolen.

  • Sunak under pressure from Tory splits and spats

    Sunak under pressure from Tory splits and spats

    I know Christmas is coming soon, and you probably don’t want to think about politics right now. You might have to.

    The ruling party has to. The Downing Street operation is in big trouble.

    And even though it may have sounded a little crazy when we discussed it last week, it’s not unreasonable to think that the Conservatives are in such a bad situation that some of them are considering if they need a new leader.

    Take a moment to think – most people don’t think it’s a good idea to randomly choose the sixth prime minister since the EU referendum by rolling a dice. But now, more people are starting to believe it for some very good reasons.

    Rishi Sunak is really stressed. He has to go to the Covid investigation on Monday, and on Tuesday there is a vote on a plan he supported that didn’t work out well.

    Issue one: The Conservative party can’t decide on how to fulfill the Prime Minister’s promise to ‘stop the boats’.

    That saying is now commonly used in politics, but Rishi Sunak’s catchphrase has become a burden for his administration.

    The plan was to stop people from coming to the UK by telling them they would be sent to Africa instead. The problem had some problems at first, but now Parliament has approved it.

    However, it faced real-life and legal problems. Over the past few days, some people in Mr. Sunak’s own party have been against his new plans to make his long-time wish happen.

    He didn’t go as far as some of his MPs wanted to make sure planes can fly without legal problems, but his new laws are still more than some of his colleagues are happy with.

    Similar to Theresa May’s Brexit deals, it doesn’t make everyone on the right of his party happy, and it makes people on the more moderate side feel uncomfortable.

    The outcome He’s stuck in the awkward middle of an issue that he decided to adopt as his own.

    This weekend, all types of MPs in his party are thinking about whether to support the plan or not. Be careful about the headlines saying there will be a disaster, because many less important members of parliament are likely to let the proposals pass in the first debate, but then try to change them, break them apart, or even get rid of them after Christmas.

    Issue number two: it’s not only the people you can predict who are upset. The prime minister’s friend and the minister in charge of handling the problem have left. Robert Jenrick will be in the studio with us on Sunday. He says the plan won’t work and he has big doubts about the government’s approach to managing migration from abroad.

    Issue three: Number 10 has to deal with a mix of different groups who all have their own beliefs and ideas, causing tension.

    It’s hard to make everyone happy and it’s unlikely that they will all agree with Number 10. One member of parliament making fun of the different groups describes them like this: “The ‘One Nation’ would be the smart kids in school. ” The person who always does everything right. The European Research Group (ERG) are like old-fashioned, traditional people, while the New Conservatives are like unruly kids in parks. The Truss lots are very scary.

    Putting aside the playful jokes, how can a leader make sure that everyone follows the rules, even on topics that aren’t controversial. It’s important to remember that political parties are made up of different groups working together. It’s silly to think that they always agree and get along perfectly. One former minister in the Tory party said in 2023 that there is no unity among the members of parliament – they don’t like each other and don’t get along.

    Issue four: The Conservative Party is not happy and in disarray, and now they are dealing with a new opponent.

    The Tories were always arguing when Theresa May was in charge and also when Boris Johnson took over. The seats across from them were filled with unhappy groups that supported Jeremy Corbyn.

    The work situation has changed, and the Conservative party is aware of it.

    I heard some secret recordings of Greg Hands, who used to be a Conservative leader, talking to student activists in Oxford at the end of October.

    He said that people who vote are not happy with all the problems in the government at Number 10. “We have upset them, especially because last year we had three different prime ministers. ”

    He said that even though people may not be super excited about Keir Starmer, they don’t see Labour as a threat to their votes anymore.

    In the recordings, he says that many Conservatives who like liberal ideas were scared to vote for anyone other than the Conservatives because they didn’t want Corbyn to become prime minister.

    When he talks about keeping voters, he says that Starmer is not like Corbyn because he doesn’t scare people. Our challenge now is to keep those voters on our side. Mr Hands said that there are Conservative voters who still might come back to the party.

    In reply to that recording, he says: “Like I said in Oxford, Sir Keir Starmer hasn’t won over the British people – and the Conservative Party can still be victorious in the next general election. ”

    Similar to Neil Kinnock in the 1980s, Sir Keir Starmer is not as left-wing as the person before him, but still too left-wing for the British people. When people pay attention to him, they will see that he is not a good fit. He changes his opinion on all the important topics just to make his audience happy, like the monarchy, the EU, tuition fees, and taxes.

    Rishi Sunak’s friends might say that the prime minister made things peaceful after a period of disorder.

    However, considering what has happened recently, it’s obvious that was not strong enough to win. And maybe he’s starting to undo all the progress he made with his many resets. The splits now feel very painful.

    Perhaps, that’s because some Conservative Members of Parliament have been behind in the polls for a long time. They might prefer to prioritize their own beliefs over the party’s success.

    Maybe it’s because Rishi Sunak hasn’t been able to convince them that working together is important.

    Perhaps it’s because the party has been in power for a very long time and has constantly changed itself that it is not certain about its purpose anymore.

    It could be a combination of all of those things, and maybe even more.

    Actually, Rishi Sunak is still in charge of a party that has a lot more members in the House of Commons than any other party. The next election is not for another year. People who vote are unstable these days, and the public feelings can change very quickly.

    The prime minister’s special skill of ending the chaos from Truss and Johnson’s time has been greatly damaged. Breaking up and fighting are happening again. The people don’t like it when political parties are split.

    Currently, this is one of the few things that Conservative MPs can agree on politically.

  • No flooding can stop us from celebrating Christmas – Mepe Queen Mother

    No flooding can stop us from celebrating Christmas – Mepe Queen Mother

    The Queen Mother of the Mepe Traditional Area in the Volta Region, Mamaga Adzo Sreku IV, has stated that despite the challenges posed by the Akosombo Dam spillage and subsequent flooding in the Mepe community, they will celebrate Christmas.

    In an interview with Adom News, the Queen Mother shared that the residents of Mepe have restored their joyful and resilient spirit, particularly as the water in many flooded areas has receded.

    This positive development has enabled many residents, including shop owners and other business operators, to resume their normal activities.

    “I always say Mepe people are very happy people. When you look around, you wonder whether we are the ones that went through the disaster. We know how to keep up and God also knows how to keep us. We will celebrate Christmas. We will have fun. It’s a Merry Christmas after all,” Mamaga Adzo Sreku IV added.

    Mamaga Adzo Sreku IV, expressed gratitude for the significant kindness shown by Ghanaians who provided essential provisions after the community was affected by the floods. While acknowledging that some residents have been able to resume work, she highlighted the struggles faced by others who lost their businesses to the floods.

    Mamaga Adzo Sreku IV appealed to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and philanthropists to extend their support to these residents, particularly in efforts to save and rebuild their businesses.

    ”People have lost fish farms. Personally, I have lost my fish farm. People have lost water factories. These things are buried in the mud. There’s no way you can start immediately unless somebody comes to our aid.”

    “We’ve been kept alive by Ghanaians. Ghana has been good to us but we need more than that. We need to be resettled. We need to go back to work,” the Queen Mother noted.

    Mamaga Adzo Sreku IV, highlighted that the Volta River Authority (VRA) has not provided Mepe with information regarding the possibility of a recurrence of the flood incident. This lack of information has left the community in a state of uncertainty about the future.

    “We need some information from VRA. Is the water coming again? Will it ever come again? Can we start our fish farms? Can we start working? We need information. We need a whole lot and we need to be engaged so we would be understood better,” the Queen Mother added.

  • ‘Huge risk of Christmas terrorist attacks’ – EU warns

    ‘Huge risk of Christmas terrorist attacks’ – EU warns

    A high-ranking EU official said there is a big chance of terrorist attacks in the European Union during the upcoming holiday season.

    Ylva Johansson, from the European Home Affairs Commission, said that the fighting between Israel and Hamas is making people more divided and increasing the chances of violence.

    She made these comments a few days after a visitor was killed by being stabbed in Paris.

    The EU is giving an extra €30m (£26m) for more security, said Ms Johansson.

    She did not say if there was any particular information that caused the warning.

    “We recently saw it in Paris, and we have seen it before too,” she said before a meeting of EU interior ministers.

    German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the EU needs to watch out for threats and propaganda, as there is a high risk of violent Islamist attackers becoming more emotionally charged and radicalized.

    Several European countries have experienced an increase in hate crimes after Hamas gunmen attacked Israeli communities, resulting in about 1,200 deaths and many people being held hostage in Gaza. Israel went into Gaza and more than 15,000 people have been killed, according to the health ministry run by Hamas.

    European Union ministers met after a violent attack happened near the Eiffel Tower on Saturday. A 23-year-old German tourist named Collin B was killed, and his girlfriend and a British tourist were injured in the attack.

    The young German couple went to Disneyland Paris and the Louvre, and took pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower before the attack.

    Police said that the 26-year-old French suspect, named Armand R, who is from a non-religious Iranian family, promised to follow the Islamic State group.

    The man who was caught at the place had been in jail before for making a plan to cause terror in the La Défense area of Paris.

    In 2020, the French police talked to him because he was in contact with Abdoullakh Anzorov, who killed teacher Samuel Paty.

    The prosecutor in charge of stopping terrorism, Jean-François Ricard, said that Armand R’s mother was worried about his actions, but there wasn’t enough proof to do anything about it at that time.

    Germany is very worried about a possible attack and is being extra careful.

    Two boys were stopped in different places in the country last week because the police thought they might be planning to do a militant Islamist attack on a Christmas market in Leverkusen.

    A 20-year-old person from Iraq, who came to Germany last year, is being held by the police for allegedly planning to carry out a knife attack at a Christmas market in Hannover.

    The leader of German intelligence in the state of Thuringia, Stephan Kramer, said that people who support Hamas could be very dangerous. He thinks they could cause problems at big events like the Paris Olympics and Euro 2024 football championships, not just at Christmas markets.

  • Volunteers donate 7,200 Christmas gifts to Ukrainian youngsters

    Volunteers donate 7,200 Christmas gifts to Ukrainian youngsters

    One hundred people gave their time to wrap 7,200 Christmas gifts for kids in Ukraine who live in a place damaged by war.

    Local businesses donated gifts like toys, books, and puzzles for the second year in a row.

    The “wrapathon” happened at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, Suffolk on Saturday.

    The organizers said they will send the supplies to different parts of Ukraine, even in places where Russia’s military is in control.

    Save the Children charity said that over four million kids in Ukraine still need urgent help, even though the war started almost two years ago.

    Jeremy Fish, a business owner in the area, and one of the founders of the Plant and Hire Aid Alliance, organized the wrapathon. He mentioned that this year’s fundraiser was harder than the one before.

    “I believe that the media is not focusing on the war in Ukraine as much, and people are getting tired of hearing about it,” he said.

    “But things are still hard for the people in Ukraine. ” Actually, things are getting worse, especially now that winter is here.

    Six weeks ago, Mr. Fish helped to bring 750 boxes of supplies to Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the front line in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

    A group of soldiers was hit by a Russian missile and 19 of them died during an awards ceremony.

    The group had sent flags to thank the Plant and Hire Aid Alliance for their support. The flags arrived at Mr. Fish’s house after the attack.

    Mr Fish said it was very upsetting.

    Maryna Porgyan was one of 100 people who helped wrap presents.

    She said: “Many kids don’t have parents and many parents can’t afford to buy gifts for their kids. ”

    “It’s really hard. ” There are no jobs, no money and things cost more.

    Mr Fish said gifts will be sent from Ipswich next week and given to people in Ukraine by Rotary International before Christmas.

  • ‘We will protect you and all your belongings’ – IGP promises ‘double overdose of security’ ahead of Christmas festivity

    ‘We will protect you and all your belongings’ – IGP promises ‘double overdose of security’ ahead of Christmas festivity

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has promised members of the general public an upgrade in security as the country prepares for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    During a meeting with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the Police Headquarters on Wednesday, October 25, the IGP noted that this year’s festivity will be memorable as the crime rate will be brought to its bear minimum.

    “We want to assure you that this Christmas will be awesome. I assure you that the police will give you a double overdose of security,” Dr Dampare said.

    Confident in the efficiency of his officers, Dr Dampare made a clarion call to international and local tourists to find their way to the various tourist sites across the country to be abreast of the Ghanaian culture.

    “So Ghana is ready, to all the tourists I want to assure you that Ghana is ready, the police is ready, come and enjoy our hospitality,” he added, while emphasising that “we will protect you and all your belongings.”

    On his part, the Secretary General of the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), Anthony Yaw Baah, expressed his appreciation for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, and the police service’s leadership. He commended their ongoing efforts to engage with pertinent stakeholders in Ghana.

    He further noted that the police service’s new leadership approach is exemplifying the institution’s motto: “Service with Integrity,” in a meaningful way.

    He said, “The approach that the new police leadership has adopted is giving real meaning to service with integrity motto of the police. With this approach, everyone will see Ghana police service as a service with integrity.”

    “We are happy that you keep engaging all stakeholders. We are informing our members of the relationship you’re building with us,” Baah added.

    Wednesday’s meeting was part of the police administration’s ongoing efforts to engage with key stakeholders in preparation for ensuring security during the holiday season.

    Earlier in the week, the IGP and the Police Management Board (POMAB) had meetings with Muslim leaders on Monday, October 24, and engaged with members of the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union and the Creative Arts industry on Tuesday, respectively.

  • Journalist from Algeria, Ihsane el-Kadi, now faces seven-year prison sentence

    Journalist from Algeria, Ihsane el-Kadi, now faces seven-year prison sentence

    Ihsane el-Kadi, a well-known independent journalist in Algeria, has had his prison term dramatically increased by an appeals court in Algiers.

    Earlier this year, el-Kadi was handed a three-year jail term, with two years suspended, on charges related to allegedly receiving foreign financing for his media group.

    However, the appeal court has now revised the sentence to a staggering seven years, with five years to be served behind bars.

    The journalist’s arrest took place on Christmas Eve last year, accompanied by an order to shut down his media company. Throughout the legal proceedings, el-Kadi’s legal team vehemently refuted the charges leveled against him, asserting that the sole foreign money transfer originated from his daughter, who is both a partner in the company and resides in the United Kingdom.

    The increased sentence is met with deep concern and criticism from human rights advocates and press freedom organizations, who view it as a severe blow to independent journalism in Algeria. Many fear that such a harsh penalty will have a chilling effect on journalists and further restrict freedom of the press within the country.

    The case of Ihsane el-Kadi underscores the challenges faced by journalists operating independently in Algeria and the broader implications for freedom of expression. International entities are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need to protect journalists’ rights and ensure a conducive environment for independent media to thrive.

    As news of the heightened sentence spreads, supporters and activists are rallying behind el-Kadi, calling for justice and advocating for the preservation of media freedom.

    An appeal court in Algiers has significantly increased the prison sentence of Ihsane el-Kadi, a prominent independent journalist in Algeria.

    Earlier this year, el-Kadi was handed a three-year jail term, with two years suspended, on charges related to allegedly receiving foreign financing for his media group.

    However, the appeal court has now revised the sentence to a staggering seven years, with five years to be served behind bars.

    The journalist’s arrest took place on Christmas Eve last year, accompanied by an order to shut down his media company. Throughout the legal proceedings, el-Kadi’s legal team vehemently refuted the charges leveled against him, asserting that the sole foreign money transfer originated from his daughter, who is both a partner in the company and resides in the United Kingdom.

    The increased sentence is met with deep concern and criticism from human rights advocates and press freedom organizations, who view it as a severe blow to independent journalism in Algeria. Many fear that such a harsh penalty will have a chilling effect on journalists and further restrict freedom of the press within the country.

    The case of Ihsane el-Kadi underscores the challenges faced by journalists operating independently in Algeria and the broader implications for freedom of expression. International entities are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need to protect journalists’ rights and ensure a conducive environment for independent media to thrive.

    As news of the heightened sentence spreads, supporters and activists are rallying behind el-Kadi, calling for justice and advocating for the preservation of media freedom.

    An appeal court in Algiers has significantly increased the prison sentence of Ihsane el-Kadi, a prominent independent journalist in Algeria.

    Earlier this year, el-Kadi was handed a three-year jail term, with two years suspended, on charges related to allegedly receiving foreign financing for his media group.

    However, the appeal court has now revised the sentence to a staggering seven years, with five years to be served behind bars.

    The journalist’s arrest took place on Christmas Eve last year, accompanied by an order to shut down his media company. Throughout the legal proceedings, el-Kadi’s legal team vehemently refuted the charges leveled against him, asserting that the sole foreign money transfer originated from his daughter, who is both a partner in the company and resides in the United Kingdom.

    The increased sentence is met with deep concern and criticism from human rights advocates and press freedom organizations, who view it as a severe blow to independent journalism in Algeria. Many fear that such a harsh penalty will have a chilling effect on journalists and further restrict freedom of the press within the country.

    The case of Ihsane el-Kadi underscores the challenges faced by journalists operating independently in Algeria and the broader implications for freedom of expression. International entities are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need to protect journalists’ rights and ensure a conducive environment for independent media to thrive.

    As news of the heightened sentence spreads, supporters and activists are rallying behind el-Kadi, calling for justice and advocating for the preservation of media freedom.

  • How my 20-year-long marriage ended in 10 seconds

    How my 20-year-long marriage ended in 10 seconds

    It’s August in Northern Virginia, hot and humid. I still haven’t showered from my morning trail run. I’m wearing my stay-at-home mom uniform — over-sized Marine Corps sweats, tshirt, Crocs flip flops, ponytail. I feel safe in this uniform. It doesn’t hug any part of my body, allowing me to hide my physical failures.

    In this uniform I can pretend I’m acceptable, tolerable. It says I did something today, I tried. This look combined with toilets I scrubbed until they shine sends the message “I’m not a lazy pig, I’m valuable. Please keep me.” This uniform is enough to make up for my lack of lipstick and style. It walks the line between disgusting and acceptable.

    So far, it’s been enough that my husband is still willing to initiate sex with me once a month. The kind of sex you have because you need to feel worthy. The kind that lets him know you need him. Unfulfilling but purposeful.

    It’s dinner time, so I’m busy in the kitchen slicing tomatoes and onions on the cutting board that I was instructed was to be used exclusively with the very expensive Shun knives I received as a Christmas present.

    He comes in from the deck with a plate of hot burgers.

    My gut said something was off. I pursued because I’m the pursuer. I went to him, hugged him, stepped back, my hands still on his shoulders, looked in his eyes and said “Is everything okay? Are we okay?”

    I know the answer. I always know the answer. I just didn’t know what it would be this time. Is this one forgivable? Can I patch it up again? It’s like a tire with a slow leak. You fill it with air and when it lasts longer than you expect, you just keep driving on it. But eventually the tire goes flat and you’re no longer able to get the car to the repair shop. This — us — cannot get to a place of fixing.

    “I told myself I’d tell you if you asked.”

    No. No. Please, no.

    “There’s this woman from my past… We reconnected during our family trip to San Diego… I thought she’d brush me off again… We started talking… She makes me feel alive.”

    I could feel the panic consume my body. I hate this place. It feels so shameful. I know I’ll do anything. I always do anything.

    “Is it serious? Please don’t do this. We can fix it. We can make it work. What can I do? How can I make it better? Please let me make it better.”

    I beg. I have no pride. I know this about me. He also knows this about me. This is who I am at my core — a desperate woman. A burden. I’m ashamed. Scared. Embarrassed. Angry that I let this happen. This is my doing. I created this. I could be better, but I’m not. I’m a loser, posing as a winner.

    Our marriage was built on fear, and then thrived on it for 20 years. When he proposed, he knew this would guarantee his dying mother’s last wish — to experience being a grandmother in her lifetime. He could avoid his fear of disappointing the woman he’d christened a saint — flawless.

    And when I accepted his proposal, our binding contract assured me that I would not give away another baby as I’d done six years earlier — this one would become mine. I’d create the family I’d dreamed about for nearly fifteen years, when my dad left me, my mom, our family without a word. Marrying a Marine would bring an exciting, nomadic life wrapped in a tightly confined package of government-backed security.

    Now, nearly two decades later, I’ve worn my marriage and family as a medal around my neck — hefty and shiny. I tuck it in my shirt, because it’s not nice to flaunt your wins, but whenever the opportunity presents, I quickly, often self-righteously, pull out that medal and let it shine. But I know the truth about my medal. Every time I pull it out, the shirt rubs a little more of the gold plating off and my neck is green from the cheap metal underneath. My whole marriage is made of cheap metal.

    I continue to beg. He continues to be angry and disgusted.

    I obsess about the plate of burgers sitting on the counter getting cold.

    This was not the plan. We were going to eat burgers — the burgers that needed the buns I asked him to grab on his way home from work. The buns he bought with deep resentment because he shouldn’t have to do this. The buns he put on the counter filled with anger because, for fuck’s sake, he earns all the money, now he has to do everything at home?

    Until now, I pretended the anger and resentment wasn’t there. I was happy to swallow my burger with a helping of self-hatred.

    The plate is still sitting there. Can’t we just eat the goddamn burgers and get back to the business of posing?

    We will not eat the burgers.

    The winning has stopped.

    My shirt was off and everyone — friends, family, the kids — saw my worn medal and green, stained neck.

    Source: medium.com

    DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana

  • Woman given £19k over sexual harassment during Christmas party

    Woman given £19k over sexual harassment during Christmas party

    A woman who claimed she felt unsafe at work after being sexually harassed at a Christmas party has been awarded nearly £19,000.

    Shirley Lyons claimed a Starplan colleague touched her bottom, hugged her from behind without her permission, and made comments about her breasts.

    According to an employment tribunal, this constituted unlawful sexual harassment.

    Ms Lyons worked for a furniture company in Portadown, County Armagh, as a designer and sales consultant.

    The company is one of the biggest bedroom and kitchen design companies in Northern Ireland and also has branches in England.

    Ms Lyons told BBC News NI that she was “still in bewilderment” and “totally disgusted” by her colleague’s behaviour.

    “I made it very clear before I left the restaurant that I was not happy, I was really angry,” she said.

    Shirley Lyons
    Image caption,Shirley Lyons was the only female Starplan employee at the Christmas party in 2017

    Starplan told BBC News NI that it regretted “any distress caused to Ms Lyons”.

    “Starplan vehemently opposes any form of harassment,” it said.

    ‘Company failed to protect me’

    After complaining about the incident, she said she was victimised by some colleagues and that her employer failed to protect her.

    “My workplace no longer felt safe for me and I felt physically sick going into work in the mornings,” she said.

    “I stood up to behaviour that shouldn’t be happening in any workplace.

    “My manager and my employer totally failed to protect me both from the harassment and from being victimised afterwards.

    “I had no option but to resign.”

    The Portadown branch of Starplan
    Image caption,Shirley Lyons worked at the Portadown branch of Starplan

    Ms Lyons, 60, was the only female employee, along with six male employees from the Portadown and Dungannon showrooms, to attend the company’s Christmas party in December 2017.

    She said she had been “surprised and upset” by her colleague’s behaviour at the party, which also included a suggestion that they might have an affair.

    She subsequently complained to her line manager and a grievance investigation was carried out.

    ‘I’ll stand my ground and fight this’

    Ms Lyons later raised allegations of victimisation against three of her colleagues, claiming she was being ignored, excluded, threatened and subjected to intimidating and abusive language and behaviour after making her initial complaint.

    “I was threatened – I was totally isolated by the other ones,” Ms Lyons told BBC News NI.

    “At times I thought it was so hopeless – I thought: ‘What on earth?’

    “But my strength came from I knew exactly what happened.

    “I lived it, I experienced it and that was the biggest thing for me – I could tell the truth and I would be standing by that.

    “I thought if this is the treatment they’re going to give me I’ll stand my ground, I will fight this.”

    Ms Lyons’s complaints of sexual harassment and victimisation were partially upheld by the employment tribunal.

    The tribunal panel found her claim of unfair dismissal was well founded, while other lesser claims were not upheld.

    Geraldine McGahey
    Image caption,Employers must ensure staff attending work parties are safe, says Geraldine McGahey of the Equality Commission

    Ms Lyons, who waived her right to anonymity in the proceedings, was awarded £18,857.18 in compensation.

    The tribunal also found that Starplan had not put in place “any guidelines or instruction for standards of behaviour and the consumption of alcohol for attendees” at the Christmas party and that “the most senior person present was not formally delegated responsibility for supervising”.

    The Equality Commission, which supported Ms Lyons, said her case highlighted important lessons for employers.

    Chief commissioner Geraldine McGahey said work social events were an extension of the workplace.

    She added that the employer should have taken action to prevent victimisation by colleagues after it became known that Ms Lyons had formally lodged a grievance with the company.

    “Work parties and outings can be an important element of reward, recognition and team building,” she said.

    “But like any other area of work, employers must ensure everyone attending is safe and their dignity is respected.

    “If that doesn’t happen and staff have cause to complain they must be protected from victimisation.”

    Most employers realise that behaviour by their staff at work parties “reflects back on the reputation of the organisation”, said Ms McGahey.

    “So it’s really important that employers do step up to the plate and be proactive in these situations,” she said.

    Starplan said it acknowledged that the case “draws attention to key learnings and responsibilities for every employer in relation to staff gatherings”.

  • How a mechanic posed as a ‘borga’ to impregnate a fine girl

    The word ‘borga’ is a local term for middle-aged Ghanaians who return home for Christmas or other festivities.

    These men usually adorn very flamboyant outfits, with huge foot wears, plus multiple ornaments- rings and blinging necklaces.

    Another trait of ‘borgas’ is strong-scented colognes, which can cause onlookers to turn their necks. In sum, ‘borgas’ look exceptionally affluent and uniquely colourful in their appearance and outlook.

    It is worth noting that, another feature of these men is big cars. ‘Borgas’ normally like to drive in vehicles that are huge on the ground. This adds to their grandiose and wealthy outlook.

    At the time Bob was planning his Christmas, he had virtually nothing on him. All he could count was the small amount he had saved from his weekly savings as a roadside mechanic.

    As for the tokens he had gathered from his street performances as a rapper, he had spent all on his daily expenses.

    Bob’s only fortune for Christmas was the 4,000 cedis he had managed to put aside. “How was he going to have a great Christmas with such an amount?”, he thought to himself.

    Lying in a makeshift tent in his mechanic shop, an idea finally popped up! After hours of contemplation, Bob eventually hatched a plan to make the best of the situation.

    Dr Antwi’s car had been at his shop for close to two months. All efforts to reach him had proven futile. It was a sparkling black vehicle that had all the markings of wealth.

    Bob’s plan was therefore to make use of the ride and flaunt it as his private property. After all, nobody would stop him in the middle of the road and question him about the ownership of the vehicle, he presumed.

    Early on 24th December, Frank drove the vehicle to his house after pasting a notice at his workshop about his Christmas break.

    ‘Dear customers, the shop is closed until 1st January. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year’, the hastily written post read.

    In his house, he turned on the speakers of the car in the open, listening to some of his favourite tracks while scrubbing the soles of his sneakers.

    Bob’s plan was to step out that night as a ‘borga’ in Dr Antwi’s car and have the time of his life! It was the 24th night; the eve of Christmas.

    He had been working all year, and he felt he had to treat himself to some real good time.

    Even though the 4,000 cedis was quite a meager amount for his fantasies, he stepped out nonetheless. Arriving at an outdoor partying arena, his eyes were thrilled by a bevy of very pretty young ladies.

    The music at the venue was loud, coupled with singing from the excited participants. Food was also on display, amongst a wide variety of drinks.

    Quickly, Bob got himself comfortable and grabbed a cup of hard liquor to start with. Leaning by a pole, a young lady approached him with a very warm smile.

    Her gestures were very pleasant, and Bob took notice of her dressing immediately. Wearing a bikini with her cleavage visibly exposed, Bob welcomed her pleasantries and the two began a conversation.

    Apparently, she was one of the servers at the venue who had been assigned to take orders from guests and ensure their comfort at the venue. Let’s just say a ‘waitress at a party’.

    She, therefore, took Bob’s request. Even though he had no immediate craving, he deliberately asked for a bottle of wine, which was brought to him by Cindy, the seductive waitress.

    Bob paid for the wine with some fine crispy notes and refused to take the change.

    Impressed by the gesture, Cindy promised to return for a much longer conversation. True to her words, she got back to Bob; this time to keep him company.

    “Yeah, I just came from Italy and I decided to pass through town”, Bob said by way of introduction.

    “Italy? … That’s nice. It’s one of my dream countries”, Cindy replied.

    Noting her excitement, Bob proceeded to feed Cindy with lies about his non-existent Italy experience. All he knew about Italy was from some movies he had watched, yet he persuaded Cindy into believing he is a resident there.

    The conversation between the two new friends lasted for a while until it started showering. What started as light showers developed into heavy rains which scattered the charged gathering.

    Everybody started seeking shelter and those who had cars ran into them. Bob’s car, therefore, became the convenient haven for himself and Cindy.

    It had a pleasant smell and the air conditioner in the car created such a warm ambiance.

    One thing led to the other and the two got intimate in the end. Bob’s ‘borga’-like looks wooed Cindy, who felt she had come into contact with a rich young dude.

    Two weeks later, Cindy discovered she was pregnant.

    Now Cindy was a worker at the venue for the party, employed as an attendant.

    At work, she felt uneasy and decided to go out to buy some mints. Exiting the door, she saw a car similar to what Bob had brought.

    But stepping out of the car was Dr Antwi, her boss. At that point, she became slightly confused; wondering what Dr Antwi was doing in her boyfriend’s car.

    “Is everything alright?”, Dr Antwi asked, seeing the disquiet on her face.

    “Oh, it’s nothing; I just like your new ride”, she replied in a soft and humbled tone.

    “New ride, no dear. It’s actually an old one that has been with the mechanic for some months now. I just decided to go for it today”.

    You can imagine Cindy’s look. She was completely distraught! “Bob didn’t own the car? He was just a mechanic??”, she fumed in her head.

    The rest is obvious. Her rather painful discovery tore her emotions apart. She had been deceived into giving in to a fake Italian dude.

    Sorrow was what engulfed her! And a sad end for that matter.

    The moral of this story is for everybody to be careful this Christmas and beyond. Don’t be deceived by an Italian-looking Bob. They’re out there in their numbers!

    Source: Myjoyonline| Paa Kwesi Schandorf

    The author of this fiction is a writer, a corporate MC and JoyNews journalist by name Paa Kwesi Schandorf. You can reach him on (+233) 273141821 or derrick.ayirebi-acuqah@myjoyonline.com.

  • Ghana police deploy officers with K9 dogs to ensure security, safety

    Some officers of the Ghana Police Service have been deployed with their K9 dogs to ensure the security strategy for the festive season and beyond.

    In a statement, the Police said this initiative is to ensure safety for all across the country.

    “The K9 Unit of the Ghana Police Service has deployed its officers with their K9 dogs to ensure the security and safety of commuters on our roads, as part of our grand security strategy for this festive season and beyond, as we work toward ensuring the safety of all.”

    K9, is a term used to describe canines or dogs assigned to the police unit.

    K9’s are trained to assist police and other law enforcement officers to among other things, search for drugs and explosives, locate missing people, find crime scene evidence, protect people, and sometimes to attack criminals who are fleeing from or attacking police officers.

  • W/R: Soldiers brutalize masquerader in Takoradi

    Some soldiers on guard at the Bank of Ghana (BoG) premises in Takoradi, in the Western Region on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, allegedly brutalized some innocent members of a masquerade group who were parading through the streets of the metropolis.

    Narrating the incident to Empire News’ Kwame Malcolm, the victim, Roberta Monkah said she has been left with wounds under her right eye following the assault.

    “We were in a procession and someone lighted firecrackers and rushed back to my fiancé and I. Out of nowhere three soldiers from the Bank of Ghana approached us and started assaulting my fiancé. So it was there I told them that he is not the one who lit it. But out of nowhere a soldier from behind kicked me and I fell and he hit my lower eye with the butt of his gun leaving blood gushing out,” she narrated.

    She was thus taken to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Hospital in Takoradi for medical attention.

    She however added that upon lodging a complaint at the Takoradi Central Police station, she was asked to bring a doctor’s report which she’s yet to obtain at a cost of GHc500.

    The Christmas period in the Sekondi Takoradi metropolis is marked by various masquerade groups parading and dancing to brass band music on the streets of the metropolis.

  • Media personality Oheneni Adazoa celebrates Christmas with ghetto boys

    Ghanaian media personality and news anchor for TeraOne Media, Oheneni Ama Korankye, popularly known as Adazoa has joined some ghetto brethren in Techiman in the Bono East Region to celebrate the Christmas.

    It is an annual celebration known as “Christmas with Ghetto Boys” organized by Adazoa for the youth in the Techiman Municipality who are primarily restricted to the ghettos.

    The occasion this year took place on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, and the popular journalist gave the ghetto brothers nicely parked hot meals.

    Adazoa spent time with them and gave them a message from God to enable them to reintegrate into society. She counseled them on the need to get back to the society as all hope was not lost.

    When asked what inspired her to start this charitable endeavor, she replied that she wanted to brighten the Christmas season for the less fortunate members of society.

    She continues by pointing out that this is a time of the year when we should be loving and kind to one another.

    Adazoa emphasized that those who live in isolated or segregated places are similar to everyone else, except that they have chosen to limit their freedom as a result of past social issues.

    She urged corporate organizations and individuals to offer love to those who were living in ghettos since, in her opinion, doing so would help reshape them and bring them back into society.

    She noted that interacting with them will encourage them to share their personal struggles and life stories.

    She took the opportunity to express her gratitude to everyone who helped her make this year’s program a success.

    The ghetto brothers thanked Adazoa and her crew for the thoughtful act.

    Below are pictures from Adazoa’s visit to the ghetto:

  • You can explore inexpensive interior decoration options this Christmas

    It may seem like a difficult effort, but it may not be, to decorate your space and make your home seem like home to you, your family, or your friends.

    Interior design is frequently seen to be expensive, which, depending on your perspective and where you sit, may or may not be accurate.

    First and foremost, every person has a personal style, and they may choose a décor style that emphasizes that style.

    However, there are some general rules and principles that must be applied to achieve a perfect look. This article seeks to highlight a few ideas that can be employed on a low budget.

    In that light, it is also important to note that achieving a classy look does not mean it should be expensive.

    Here are 7 tips to follow.

    1. Carefully take note of the size of your space

    The size of your space, i.e., home, office, shop, etc is a very important tip to note because space plays a major role in what décor pieces and furniture you can choose.

    2. Ensure your space has enough light

    Lighting plays a fundamental role in every space that you find yourself in. How bright or dim, a place is can be very crucial to its ability to look beautiful.

    Poor lighting can affect the beauty of your space, no matter how expensive your décor is. Investing in lighting does not mean one should break the bank to buy chandeliers and other fancy lights. Getting a stylish light bulb or an inbuilt light can help save some coins.

    Also, you must ensure that the lights are placed in places where the brightness can get to almost every part of the room.

    3. Using mirrors

    Mirrors are able to multiply light in your room and apartment while giving the items a duplicated view. Mirrors make your room sparkle and make your space look great.

    4. Choosing a theme

    Choosing a theme and ensuring that it runs through in your home or space will give off a cool and classy vibe when all is set and done. Some people love one colour type of theme while others prefer to blend colours. Now, the colours you choose may not be a problem, it will only be a problem if they are not arranged in a certain sequence.

    5. Don’t overcrowd your space

    As much as it depends on you, make a conscious effort to hide small pieces of items, such as hairbrushes, combs, plates and bowls, cutlery, worn clothes, etc. Leaving these items unattended can make your space look clumsy, no matter how expensive your décor is.

    6. Paint regularly/Take good care of your walls

    It may be quite inconvenient and difficult to paint your space regularly, therefore, it is important to take good care of your walls and protect them from hands, cobwebs, and foreign agents. Dirty walls defeat the whole purpose of a good-looking space.

    7. After all these are done, just go easy, you don’t have to do much. You don’t have to spend so much. Buy only the essential items you may need and keep it simple and classy.

  • Magic you can do with GH¢100 in 3 days

    In the next 72 hours, the year 2022 would officially be over and the dawn of 2023 will be heralded in but that has not completely ruled out everything that can be done in this year.

    Having been a generally difficult year for many people, many may wonder what they can do with very little money, especially too as the year grinds to an end soon.

    And besides, let us not forget that the first month of every new year comes with its own mysteries – one that many believe is the longest month of the year due to several superstitious reasons.

    The fact that in January, most people would have lavished all their monies on the Christmas holidays and only come to the realisation that there is a whole month ahead of them where they might have to live on almost nothing, makes the matter an even more difficult one.

    If proper financial planning is not put in place, it compounds the situation even more for people.

    GhanaWeb has however devised a strategy around how you can have little and still be able to manage it within a very short period.

    So, have you wondered what you can do adequately do with an amount of GH¢100 in 3 days? This question must be placed in perspective as the present is when standards of living are very high.

    With GH¢100, instead of stepping out these holidays to eat, you can visit the market and consider a stay-at-home plan that will see you making your own food to eat.

    It doesn’t have to be an elaborate meal, much as the temptations of the period could demand it. Sometimes, little is more and there would not be the need to prove any kind of point to anyone with a ‘show off.’

    In more specific terms, you can, for instance, prepare stew (which should not exceed GH¢50, provided you have to buy oil).

    But corn dough for GH¢10 that you can use to prepare banku. That leaves you with GH¢40, from which you can buy bread at GH¢15, leaving you with a balance of GH¢25.

    For the next three days, if you prepare to have any beverage for breakfast, you can get some GH¢9 for either Hausa koko or any of tea replacement.

    With GH¢16 left on you, you can now decide to commit it into purchasing mobile data on your phone just so you are in touch with the social world. It can also be a perfect backup for you in case you really, badly have to contact an emergency contact for some urgent financial support.

    And just in case you are not a banku person, you can either cook a cup of plain rice, buy some kenkey, or get yourself some gari from the shop nearby and prepare your own eba at home.

    At the end of it all, the aim is to stay alive and what you put into your stomach may not mean much to most people as long as you are satisfied so, live within your means.

    Don’t forget that January comes and there can be no certain projection on how well or not it will get for anyone until the next salaries come through, but you can play smart and stay alive.

  • Traders and customers bemoan the sharp increase in the cost of Christmas products

    According to a market survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency, shoppers and merchants have expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of goods for the next holiday season, some of which have experienced price increases of more than threefold from 2021.

    Many consumers told GNA that this year’s Christmas food and non-food prices had increased in comparison to last year, making it harder for them to purchase the items they desired. At the same time, vendors lamented the lack of customers.

    In various markets and shops visited by GNA in the Central Business of Accra and other markets for two days, it was noted that the Christmas items on sale were in abundance, with heavy human traffic, as people massed up to shop.

    The places visited included Makola, Tudu, Malata, Nima, Agbogbloshie, Dome, Kaneshie, Madina, Adabraka and Konkomba markets, where traders tried to attract people to their wares with enticing words, some in the form of songs.

    It was noted that the prices of food items, including rice, cooking oil, vegetables, and frozen chicken as well as Christmas decorations – trees, wreath, ribbons, ‘Santa hat,’ had either doubled or tripled compared to the same period last year.

    Similarly, the prices of lace fabrics, clothes, shoes, bags, dresses, hampers, and jewelleries, which are heavily patronised during festive season had equally seen a sharp rise, compared to the same period last year.

    For example, the price of a five-kilogramme rice, which ranged between GHS45 and GHS60 last year, sold between GHS80 and GHS125, while a five-litre cooking oil, which was sold for GHS70 – GHS80 last year, was GHS270 and GHS280.

    In 2021, a local chicken breed cost as much as GHS50, but one needed about GHS100 for the same this year, while the imported breed, sold between GHS50 and GHS70 within the period, now went for GHS170 and GHS220.

    For vegetables, a full basket of fresh tomatoes, which was sold at GHC35 last year, was GHS50 and a small basket of onion, which was GHS25, going for GHS50.

    The prices of goods and services have been on the rise since the beginning of the year, a situation, the traders attributed to hikes in fuel prices (which recently saw a 15.3 per cent reduction), inflation (currently, 50.3 per cent) and depreciation of the Cedi.

    The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) had earlier warned of soaring prices of goods and services for the yuletide due to the unfavourable trade environment.

    Madam Afia Konadu, who sold vegetables, said the prices of vegetables had increased this time because of the high inflation rate and the depreciation of the cedi.

    Sharing the same a sentiment, Mad Naa Akorkor added that the fare for transporting food stuff from the hinterlands to the cities had increased, forcing them to increase their prices to stay in business.

    Mr Olu Okafor, a jeweller, said: “The prices of jewelleries have increased from five to 15 per cent due to the Christmas festivities, and we have no option than to add something to it so that we can get money to go for them.”

    “I’ve been moving from one place to the other since I came to the market to get some moderate price, but to no avail. I’m not sure the money I brought could get me the things I planned for,” a shopper said.

    Few days back, the Cedi started appreciating against the dollar, leading to a decline in fuel and transport prices, which both traders and consumers said, they expected would lead to some reduction in goods and services.

  • Krachi Nchumuru MP donates to less privilege during Christmas

    The Oti Region’s Krachi Nchumuru District Member of Parliament (MP), Solomon Kuyon, donates to the socially vulnerable residents of his district with a variety of gifts over the holiday season.

    The lawmaker presented 100 bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, tin tomatoes and sardines to the aged, widows, Persons Living with Disability (PWDs) and members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party faithful to celebrate Christmas.

    Speaking with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the MP said this may not be enough but with the little he ‘believed it will go a long in supporting some families to celebrate the Christmas.’

    He said this is the time to make the less privileged, widows, the aged and grassroots especially party supporters smile this festivity season.

    The MP called on the people to use this period to pray for him and the NDC, especially the newly leadership of the party, to wrest power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general elections.

    M Agnes Babayi and some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the MP for the kind gesture, adding that they appreciated the love and care shown to them.

    They expressed their commitment to support the MP and rally behind him to improve development within the constituency.

  • Lend a helping hand to the needy -Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo-Addo has admonished Ghanaians who are in fortunate positions to lend a helping hand to the needy in society during this festive season.

    He further urged Ghanaians to offer some comfort to people who are in distress to avert any untoward circumstances in their lives.

    The President believes the gesture will put some smiles on the faces of the poor and the needy.

    “I urge all of us, to celebrate the season safely and responsibly, if you are in a more fortunate position, remember to lend a helping hand to those who are in need, let each one of us do our bit to help feed those who are hungry and offer comfort to those who are in distress,” the President said this his Christmas message to Ghanaians.

    He expressed hope that Ghana will rise up again as his government works around the clock to prudently manage the economy.

    “I am happy that in spite of it all, we are beginning to emerge out of the difficulties which encourages me to say that with hard work, dedication and continued prudence in the management of the affairs of our nation, we will rise up again,” the President added.

  • Meek Mill posts bail for 20 incarcerated Philly women to reunite families for the holidays

    Meek Mill is bringing cheer this holiday season, as the REFORM Alliance co-founder paid the bail of women currently incarcerated in Philadelphia.

    The women, who were incarcerated at Riverside Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, also received gift cards to buy presents for their families. Five women were released today and will be reunited with their families, with 15 more women to be released in the coming week.

    “It was devastating for me to be away from my son during the holidays when I was incarcerated,” Mill said in a press release. “So I understand what these women and their families are going through. No one should have to spend the holidays in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help these women be with their families and loved ones during this special time of year.”

    It isn’t the first Christmas that Meek has paid it forward to his hometown.

    Last year, the Philly rapper donated $500,000 worth of Christmas gifts to families in need.

    Meek teamed up with Philadelphia 76ers partner Michael Rubin, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and Roc Nation to organize the event, which delivered gifts that included MacBook Air laptops, Amazon Fire HD tablets, bikes and helmets, video game gift cards, board games, winter coats, dolls, play sets, playing cards and gift cards, among countless other items.

    Source: Complex.com

  • Ghana Health Service cautions people to stay safe over the holiday season

    Like every other nation with a significant Christian population, Ghana continues to place a great value on Christmas.

    The day that was originally set aside to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ has evolved beyond its original meaning and is now considered a social occasion honoring family togetherness and love.

    ‘Kill fowl’

    “Bronya akoko” it is called. Across the length and breadth of the country, most homes will at least slaughter a fowl to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ.

    The very rich homes will make do with sheep, cows, or goats but for most homes, fowl will be killed and used to prepare the special light soup.

    Only a few things compare to the excitement of sitting together as siblings de-feathering the fowl for the soup.

    ‘Borga’ will come home

    Whether from the United States, United Kingdom or from the big cities, most homes are likely to host a relative who for the most part of the year was at another place hustling or engaging in some economic activities.

    The ‘borga’ will sponsor the family’s Christmas activities with ‘soft drinks’ on the table.

    Christmas outfit

    Be it the Santa hat, fresh dress from the tailor or dressmaker, a Ghanaian will at least see some Christmas-tuned dress.

    For most Christians, the first Sunday of the festivities is white Christmas so churches are usually packed with people in white clothes while the following Sunday usually sees red-dominated clothes.

    Give out to the needy

    This is fast becoming a feature of Christmas celebrations in urban areas with well-to-do families preparing dishes and presenting them to the less privileged.

    What used to preserve corporate institutions is now being embraced by homes as they donate food to street hawkers and others.

    In the villages, families cook and share with other members who are financially not in a place to at least buy ‘bronya akoko”.

    Non-alcoholic drinks dominate family gatherings

    Alongside the special Christmas, food is special drinks, usually non-alcoholic drinks, as the day of the Saviour is supposed to be kept holy.

    If you happen to be the youngest in such homes, you will most likely get half a bottle of the drink as you cannot share the same amount with your parents and elder siblings.

    Ultimately, the day is marked with loads of fun in Ghana.

  • What these politicians are saying about Christmas this year

    Due to the nation’s economic difficulties, this year’s Christmas appears a little different.

    However, the political authorities in Ghana are urging the Ghanaians to have confidence and hope for the best in 2023.

    The President of the Republic, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a video message shared on social media, expressed optimism about the ability of Ghana’s economy to bounce back.

    “I am happy that in spite of it all we are beginning to emerge out of the difficulties which encourages me to say that with hard work dedication and continued prudence in the management of the affairs of our nation, we will rise up again,” Akufo-Addo said.

    The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, in a tweet he shared, wished Ghanaians well and urged them to work together for a better 2023.

    “May unity in serving the Republic be our mantra in 2023,” parts of his tweet read.

    The Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, in a video message, said, “It is my prayer that this Christmas will fill you and your families with hope, joy, peace and above all good health”.

    Below are some of the Christmas and New Year messages shared by Akufo-Addo, ex-President John Dramani Mahama and other politicians:

    A New Year message from the Minister for Health – Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.https://t.co/zMBzWW3eyX— Ministry of Health, Ghana (@mohgovgh) December 25, 2022

    At the birth of Jesus, a bright star lit up in the sky and the wise men followed it with, gold, frankincense and myrrh. May this X’mas day, speedily bring, gold, frankincense and myrrh, your way in the mighty name of Jesus. I wish us all well. Ghana ???????? will not die. Shalom????❤️????— Samuel Koku Anyidoho???????? (@KokuAnyidoho) December 25, 2022

    pic.twitter.com/hs8J1B6HKH— Ministry of Finance, Ghana (@MoF_Ghana) December 25, 2022

    I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2023. pic.twitter.com/Znr1PSHohW— Yaw Osei Adutwum (@yoadutwum) December 24, 2022

    Merry Christmas to you. pic.twitter.com/DKbukDmLdJ— Justin Kodua Frimpong (@justinkfrimpong) December 25, 2022

    Merry Christmas ???? pic.twitter.com/5J6ymu1e4m— Hon Haruna Iddrisu (@HonIddrisu) December 25, 2022

    Merry Christmas Folks……. pic.twitter.com/jn4tmNMjCL— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) December 25, 2022

    pic.twitter.com/jM5kx0RGRZ— Dr. Clement Abas Apaak (@DrApaak) December 25, 2022

    Wishing everyone in my constituency and beyond a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. May this festive season bring lots of Joy and Happiness in everyone’s life. #TogetherWeCan pic.twitter.com/vuEGC3rqeT— Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey (@AfoDorcas) December 25, 2022

    At the core of this festive season is the message of hope, peace and love. Despite these crushing economic challenges, I respectfully ask Ghanaians to take heart and collectively commit to the spirit of hope in entering the year 2023. Merry Christmas to you and your families. pic.twitter.com/H7rbVolZnW— Dr. Kwabena Duffuor (@DrDuffuor) December 25, 2022

    pic.twitter.com/J6petTebux— Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (@konkrumah) December 24, 2022

    Merry Christmas pic.twitter.com/ykGWTDT5nB— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) December 25, 2022

  • Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya surprises Kenyan wife with SUV on Christmas Day

    A few months after their wedding, Ghanaian YouTuber, Wode Maya surprised his Kenyan wife Miss Trudy with an SUV.

    Wode Maya made the decision to make this Christmas special by giving her a Toyota Fortuner on Christmas Day.

    In a YouTube video, the content producer reveals how he surprised Trudy with the new SUV.

    Maya, who wed Trudy in September, recalled that he had different ideas when he left the house in the morning after promising his wife he was going jogging.

    He went to a vehicle lot instead, where he purchased a new Toyota Fortuner for almost KSh 9 million.

    “We met four years ago and we’ve been through it all. Trudy has never asked for money for hair, dresses, or anything. It is time to give husbands out there pressure. I don’t need a car as I will miss interactions with people I meet and Uber drivers.”

    Then Maya called Trudy, who had moved to Ghana to prepare for him, and said they were going to see his mother.

    Maya informed her that he had scheduled an Uber for them when he got back home.

    But when he got outside, he showed off the black SUV with the ribbons. With her eyes wide open, Trudy assumed her husband was playing a practical joke on her.

    “Babe thank you so much I can’t believe this. This is crazy. I have always wanted big cars like this. Do you know they are rich people’s cars?”

    Maya clarified that he purchased the car so Trudy could tour Ghana. When Trudy saw how far they had come, she said:

    “He had nothing when we met but over the years he has done a lot for his family and many other people. When you meet a boy don’t judge him because of where he is at the moment but where he could be in future.”

    To commemorate the event, the two popped a bottle of champagne.

    “Getting a car was not a priority as we first wanted to build a home. God bless.”

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • King Charles greets crowds at Sandringham after Christmas Day service

    King Charles greeted crowds at Sandringham after attending a Christmas Day church service for the first time as monarch.

    The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, their children and other senior royals at the Norfolk estate.

    Crowds gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church from the early hours.

    It is the first time members of the Royal Family have spent Christmas at Sandringham House since 2019.

    The royal standard is flying above the house, marking a return to traditional royal festivities.

    The sound of the church organ rang out as members of the Royal Family made the short walk from Sandringham House to the church just before 11:00 GMT.

    The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, and the Duke of York and his children Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the service.

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex who last celebrated Christmas at Sandringham in 2018 were not there.

    The King and Queen Consort, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, spoke to crowds following the 45-minute service. Some in the crowd gave them flowers and gifts.

    It is the first year the King has hosted the Royal Family’s traditional gathering at the Norfolk estate since the death of his mother.

    Queen Elizabeth II hosted 32 Christmases at Sandringham but was forced to cancel her annual festivities in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.

    Later this afternoon the King’s first Christmas Day message will be broadcast. It was recorded on 13 December in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the late Queen was buried in September.

    Crowds started gathering outside St Mary Magdalene Church in the early hours hoping to catch a glimpse of the royals and to speak to them as they walked back to the house following the service.

    Sandringham House has been the private home of British monarchs for more than 160 years.

  • King Charles to celebrate Christmas with family at Sandringham for first time since before pandemic

    King Charles will celebrate Christmas at Sandringham with his family for the first time since before the pandemic.

    The last time the Royal Family spent Christmas at their Norfolk estate was in 2019, but the royal standard is flying above the house, marking a return to the festive tradition.

    Today also marks the first Christmas since the death of the Queen in September, aged 96.

    The family will attend a morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church, greeting fans before sitting down to a family dinner with turkey and the usual festive trimmings.

    The King and Camilla are expected to be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children George, Charlotte and Louis, the Princess Royal and her family, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children.

    It is understood that the Duke of York and his former wife Sarah, Duchess of York, are on the estate, but it is not known if Andrew will make a public appearance.

    The 62-year-old’s reputation has taken a beating since he settled a civil sex case out of court.

    Read more:
    King    ‘s first official birthday parade confirmed
    Royal Family – The year in review with Rhiannon Mills

    EMBARGOED TO 2200 GMT FRIDAY DECEMBER 23..Previously unissued photo dated 13/12/22 of King Charles III during the recording of his first Christmas broadcast in the Quire of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Issue date: Friday December 23, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL King. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
    Image: King Charles recorded his Christmas message on 13 December

    The King’s first Christmas message

    King Charles recorded his first Christmas message earlier this month at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

    This will be broadcast during the afternoon.

    King Charles is expected to reflect on the loss of his mother and her legacy.

    In a nod to his long-held commitment to the environment, the King is pictured standing in front of a large Christmas tree, decorated with pine cones and sustainable ornaments made of paper and glass.

    It is a change of scene from the messages recorded by the Queen, where she would traditionally be seated and surrounded by photos of her family.

    No photos for the King this year – but there are floral arrangements in the background using English foliage of holly, ivy, and red skimmia.

    The year is drawing to a close after a challenging few months for the King, facing the fallout from Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary, as well as accusations of racism within inner royal circles.

    Prince George and Princess Charlotte during the 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London. Picture date: Thursday December 15, 2022.
    Image: Prince George and Princess Charlotte singing at the carol service

    Meanwhile, Prince George and Princess Charlotte were seen singing in full voice at the Christmas carol service overseen by their mother, the Princess of Wales.

    The service was filmed at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, but was broadcast on Christmas Eve.

    George and Charlotte were among more than 1,800 people at the televised service, which was narrated by Catherine Zeta-Jones.