Moshie claims that Schwarzenegger faced life-threatening situations due to her confrontational behavior toward prominent figures in Ghana.
He noted that her verbal attacks led to threats against her safety, prompting her to express concerns about her security, including criticizing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare.
During an interview with Fiifi Pratt on Kingdom, Moshie elaborated that Schwarzenegger’s decision to move to the US stemmed from the escalating nature of the threats against her life.
He highlighted her public statements indicating that her safety was at risk, attributing these dangers to her past contentious remarks toward influential individuals.
Moshie emphasized the distinction between criticism and insult, advising against disrespectful language toward public figures.
Schwarzenegger, known for her controversial comments on social media, has not yet officially commented on the reasons behind her relocation.
Watch video below:
Why Afia Schwarzenegger 'fled' Ghana to US – Avram Moshie discloses#sms UPSA | Afronita and Abigail | Prophet Suddenly | Awaakye | Ursula Owusu | Efia | Labadi Beach Hotel | King Promise pic.twitter.com/TIqZJZ7FOV
— THE SOCIAL MEDIA SHOW (@Tsocialshow) May 31, 2024
Ms Machado won an important election to become the main candidate for the opposition party in the 2024 presidential election.
However, on Friday, Venezuela’s highest court decided that Ms Machado is not allowed to run for public office for 15 years.
The oil industry is very important for Venezuela’s economy.
The US put limits on Venezuela’s oil business after President NicolĂÂĄs Maduro began his second term in 2019. Many people didn’t think the election was fair.
The US made the sanctions less strict in October after the Maduro government and the opposition agreed to work together. This agreement is a step towards having fair and free presidential elections in the second half of 2024.
Not long after the agreement was made in Barbados, the US Treasury gave permission for a short time to do business with Venezuela’s oil and gas industry.
But it said that Venezuela needed to keep its promises about the elections in order to renew the license. This included allowing MarĂÂa Corina Machado and other opposition candidates to participate.
The oil exception will end on April 18th. The US said it won’t renew it unless the government and the opposition in Venezuela make political progress, especially by allowing all candidates to run in the upcoming election.
The US said it would put sanctions back on Venezuela’s state-owned gold mining company, which helps the Maduro government get foreign money.
Ms Machado won the opposition’s primary in October by getting more than 90% of the votes. This has given hope to Venezuelans who want a new government that she could become president – if the election is fair.
As part of the Barbados agreement, the Maduro government agreed to let people from other countries watch the election.
The Supreme Court, controlled by Maduro supporters, decided to keep Ms Machado banned. This has led many people, including Ms Machado herself, to believe that the Barbados deal is no longer going to happen.
Ms Machado promised to stay strong and said she was given a job in the primary that she will do. She said “We will win and they will lose. ” They can’t have an election without me.
Jorge RodrĂguez, a friend of Mr. Maduro, who spoke for the government in the Barbados discussions, said that the government did what it promised. He said, “Those who wanted to appeal appealed and also promised to accept the decision. “
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahanta West, Ebenezer Kojo Kum, is preparing to step down from his position.
Kojo Kum has communicated his intention to resign to the national NPP leadership twice, citing health reasons as the primary cause.
Despite the party’s leadership expressing a desire for him to continue, Kojo Kum’s family is adamant that he should resign due to his health condition.
Kojo Kum’s health struggles date back to 2021 when he fell ill, and he has been confined to his bed since then.
As a result, he previously resigned from his role as the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs on February 3, 2023, due to his deteriorating health.
If Kojo Kum indeed resigns, it would prompt the 3rd by-election of the 8th Parliament of Ghana. So far, the parliament has already witnessed two by-elections: the Assin North and the Kumawu by-elections.
Jacob Olalekan Ponle, also known as Woodberry, has been sentenced to 8 years and 3 months in prison by the United States of America.
Woodberry, according to sources, will be deported to Nigeria after his involvement in a multimillion-dollar swindle.
Woodberry, an associate of imprisoned online fraud kingpin Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, pleaded guilty to one count brought against him in court, while the remaining seven counts were dismissed in April following a plea agreement.
Following his conviction, he agreed to hand over $8 million in wire fraud gains, as well as his luxury automobiles and watches, to the US government.
Woodberry was sentenced on July 11 by Justice Robert Gettleman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago, according to the Peoples Gazette.
âThe defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of 100 months as to count,â Mr Gettleman said in a court filing.
Woodberry was ordered by the court to surrender to the US Marshals Service for transfer to the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut.
It has been reported that he will be granted visitation rights by his family members, particularly his American fiancĂŠe.
The judge also stated that Woodberry would be “surrendered to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation immediately following his incarceration.”
The internet fraudster will be ordered to pay $8 million in compensation to seven victims, and his 152 bitcoins will be sold following a public notice of 30 days for anyone with an interest in the assets to register claims.
Woodberry was known for his extravagant lifestyle, taking to social media to flaunt his fortunes obtained through illegal operations.
Property in Dubai police possession, such as a Rolls Royce, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G55, four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, and three Audemars Piguet watches, are among the assets he forfeits.
Three gold and diamond-studded rings, five gold bracelets and two gold bracelet keys, six gold neck chains, one gold and diamond-studded necklace, one small gold nugget, two bank cards, roughly $1,835 in Emirati dirhams, and approximately $15.45 in South African rands are among the other items.
On June 10, 2020, Woodberry was arrested in Dubai alongside Hushpuppi, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence in the United States for fraud.
The indictment, filed with the Bucharest court, says the four defendants âorganised a criminal group with a view to committing the crime of human trafficking on the territory of Romania, but also in other countries, such as the United States of America and Great Britain,â the force said.
It names seven alleged victims, each accusing the Tate brothers of recruiting them with âmisleadingâ claims about love and marriage.
âThe loverboy method,â the directorate says.
After being taken to Ilfov, the county that surrounds Bucharest, the indictment says the victims were âsexually exploitedâ and made to produce pornography.
The tapes were, police said, then distributed over social media. The victims were also made to undergo âforced labourâ.
Tate has been charged with raping one of the victims, while his brother faces allegations he initiated violence.
The incident says Tristan sought to âpunishâ one of the victims after they refused to continue making pornography and asked to leave.
The four are also indicted for âillegal access to a computer system, altering the integrity of computer data, instigation to assault or other violence and assault or other violence.â
It has also requested that a raft of Tatesâ assets be confiscated, including â15 lands and buildings located within the counties of Ilfov, Prahova and BraĹov, 15 luxury cars (and) 14 luxury watchesâ.
In response, Tate tweeted: âIâm sure this case has absolutely nothing to do with stealing my wealth.â
Itâs unclear when the defendants will stand trial, though the trial could take several years.
A Romanian judge now has 60 days to look over the case files before they can be sent to the courts.
A spokesperson for Andrew Tate said: âWe embrace the opportunity it presents to demonstrate their innocence.â
The self-crowned âking of toxic masculinityâ, Tate has long bragged to his mostly young male followers about this wealth while telling them that men are victims of feminism.
He has, among other things, said that women âbelongâ to men, that they are âbarely sentientâ and that women who are raped are partly responsible for the attacks.
Tate was removed from the reality TV show Big Brother in 2016 after a video showed him hitting a woman with a belt emerged.
While only recently on Twitter, Tristan claimed that âwealthy menâ are âtargetsâ in society today.
In the weeks before his arrest, Tate got into an online spat with Greta Thunberg, the teenage environmental activist.
Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, the founder and leader of Perez Chapel International, on June 15, held a meeting with officials from the United States government in Washington.
The Archbishop revealed this in a Facebook post but did not indicate the purpose of the meeting.
However, he indicated that the meeting which involved representatives from the office of US President Joe Biden was successful.
Additionally, he shared that he had the privilege of serving as the main celebrant at the Sub-Saharan African delegation program during his visit to the US.
âThanking God for a productive meeting with President Bidenâs administration yesterday at the US Department of State Headquarters.
âI gave a speech; God honoured me, and I was the chief celebrant of the Sub-Saharan African delegation. Thanks for your prayers,â the Archbishop wrote.
Meanwhile, back home, the 14-day ultimatum the chiefs of Nogokpo gave for Agyinasare to appear before them over his âNogokpo is the demonic headquarters of the Volta Regionâ statement expires today, Friday, June 16, 2023.
During the Supernatural Summit held at the Perez Chapel headquarters in Accra on May 25, 2023, Archbishop Agyinasare preached about divine protection and the existence of evil forces. In his sermon, he cited several examples to support his teachings, including an incident where his team experienced spiritual attacks after hosting a crusade in the Volta Region.
âDuring this crusade in Aflao⌠we slept at Agbozume; that was where our hotel was, and you have to go through Nogokpo. And Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters in the Volta Region.
âWe only have not said it, but the second night I made Bishop Yaw Adu talk about witchcraft, and we disgraced the witches and wizards. When we were driving from Aflao to Agbozume, immediately we got to Nogokpo, Bishop Yaw Aduâs four-wheel drive, the tyre came out from under the car,â he recounted.
Agyinasare’s statement went viral, leading to criticism from sections of the public.
In response, a press conference was held at the Royal Palace of the Dufia of Nogokpo, Torgbui Saba V.
The chiefs demanded the presence of Archbishop Agyinasare within the given period, accusing him of making derogatory remarks against them. They said he was to appear before them to explain the comments he made.
A highlife musician Kofi Kinaata, is getting ready for his upcoming US tour, which will take him to places like California, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, Arizona, Michigan, and Virginia.
The tour is to get him closer to his fans in the United States of America.
Apart from USA, Kofi Kinaata will tour some European countries all in the name of getting close to his fans who have supported him over the years.
In a chat with Graphic Showbiz, the Confession hitmaker said âI donât usually do tours but it has become necessary that I do it this time around. I have a huge fan base in USA and other countries who are waiting to see me and I am also ready for them. My team and I have decided to visit the USA and tour some states to be with his fans over thereâ, he said.
Giving more details on what he will be doing during his tour, Kofi Kinaata said he will perform all his popular songs.
âI am rehearsing with a band to get my act right. Everything is on course come next month and I canât wait for the tour. This will the first time I am visiting some of the states in USA and I canât wait to get thereâ he said.
Kofi Kinaata, a musician and song writer has done major collaborations with artistes such as Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, Samini, Stonebwoy, Kwesi Arthur, Jayso, Castro, Becca among others.
However, the collaboration that blew him to mainstream music and into the limelight is Odo Pa by Castro which also featured former Ghana Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan.
Kofi Kinaata real name Martin King Arthur has a good number of hits. Some of them are Things Fall Apart, Sweetie Pie, Adam and Eve, Thy Grace, Susuka, Last Show, Oh Azaay and recently Effiakuma Love.
Gun regulation and racial crime have been two of the most contentious problems in the United States of America in recent years.
Mass shootings, racially or religiously motivated gun attacks have always brought to the fore how the country should treat guns in private hands but before the politicians agree on anything, the next attacker or assailant strikes.
Ghanaian immigrants and or Ghanaian Americans have been victims of gun violence in the last few years, GhanaWeb tracking shows that three Ghanaians have so far been killed in the US this year alone.
They are:
May 2023 – Ghanaian cab driver murdered by three teenagers in New Jersey
A cab driver was shot and killed by a group of young teenagers during a robbery incident in New Jersey, with police identifying the victim as 57-year-old Ghanaian immigrant, Koffi Addo.
Addo came to the U.S. from Ghana in 2006 determined to work hard â and he did, six days a week, driving a school bus by day, a taxi by night. On the night he died, three teenagers reportedly called All Brunswick Taxi and said they needed a ride to the movie theaters. But evidently, their motives were much more sinister.
“He was a beautiful soul to be taken away from us so soon. He had so much more on this Earth to do,” said his widow, Kecia Banks.
Addo had done so much already, having brought his two sons here from Ghana to give them a better life. He also worked to send money back to his village to help others do the same.
He was behind the wheel of his taxi the night of May 18 when he got the call to come to a quiet block of Franklin Township â unaware that three teenagers, just 13 and 14 years old, allegedly lay in wait.
The three teenagers who are charged with killing him are in juvenile detention. His widow, an educator, said that despite her familyâs pain, she prays for them.
“Those are someoneâs babies and my heart goes out to their families as well. I pray they have strength,” said Banks.
February 2023 – Ghanaian-American councilwoman killed in New Jersey
The New Jersey Republican Party (NJGOP) in the United States issued a statement confirming the murder of one of its members, Councilwoman, Eunice Dwumfuor, a Ghanaian-American.
According to multiple reports by news portals in the US, the 30-year-old, from Sayreville, New Jersey, was found inside her car with multiple gunshot wounds just before 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2023.
The police have since said they believe she was the intended target of the shooting, but they do not have a clear motive, the report added.
Eunice Dwumfour, who was a business analyst and part-time EMT, is said to have been elected to the council in 2021.
January 2023 – Ghanaian-American soldier killed at Alabama military base
A Ghanaian-American family based in the US is mourning the passing of their son who died under strange circumstances at a military base in Alabama.
According to the military, the 21-year-old soldier, Pvt. Abdul-Nafsu Latifu was killed in an âaltercation with another soldierâ at the Alabama Army post, Fort Rucker where he was training to become an Army air traffic control operator.
A source close to the family revealed that news about his demise was published on local websites in Alabama as early as 11:30 am CST, even though his next-of-kin was officially called four (4) hours later to report that he had been hospitalized and in critical condition.
Pvt. Abdul N. Latifu until joining the US Army lived in New York. He is described as very smart and respectful by all who have encountered him. As relatives, friends, and neighbours visit his New York home to mourn with the family, eulogies and questions continue to pour in.
Son of Ghana’s first President, Sekou Nkrumah, has waded into the LGBTQ+ conversation. He says the United States of America should not push their position on Ghana and other countries since we have different cultures and believes.
He further averred that not everyone in the United States accepts same-sex relationships despite it being legal.
Sekou Nkrumah speaking on the raging LGBTQ+ debate said like Ghana, the US had a strong conservative base and a religious population that did not believe in same-sex relations.
He added, however, that the liberals are those championing and advocating for such rights.
“Not everyone in America accepts homosexuality, and also America has a large conservative and religious population, but at the same time there are also many liberals who keep or maintain the balance in the society! And I think that is a good thing,” his post of April 2, 2023 read in part.
Sekou also asked the US to stop pushing the narrative that LGBTQ+ is a human rights issue because that will not be accepted by Ghanaians for cultural reasons especially.
He weighed in on the recent “LGBTQ+ is a human rights” comment as used by visiting US vice president Kamala Harris.
“Before visiting Ghana for example the American veep should have had discussions with Ghanaians who live and work in America over these sensitive matters.
“I genuinely believe that unlike the US, we are largely a conservative society and for most educated or otherwise it will be difficult to accept the practice of homosexuality,” he added.
On whether or not Ghanaians will come to accept homosexuality sometime in the future, he posited: “Therefore, my suggestion would be to allow Ghanaians time to develop their critical thinking and come (on their own) to accept that homosexuality is a human rights issue, and allow those who practice it the right to do so.”
Ghana is currently awaiting the passage of an anti-LGBTQ+ law which will criminalize same-sex relations and their attendant advocacy.
Read his full post below:
Recently I had a discussion over this matter of homosexuality and I told the person that the Americans should not push this agenda ( homosexuality as a human rights issue) on Ghana because we come from a different culture!
Before visiting Ghana for example the American veep should have had discussions with Ghanaians who live and work in America over these sensitive matters.
I genuinely believe that unlike the US, we are largely a conservative society and for most educated or otherwise it will be difficult to accept the practice of homosexuality. Therefore, my suggestion would be to allow Ghanaians time to develop their critical thinking and come ( on their own) to accept that homosexuality is a human rights issue, and allow those who practice it the right to do so.
Not everyone in America accepts homosexuality, and also America has a large conservative and religious population, but at the same time there are also many liberals who keep or maintain the balance in the society! And I think that is a good thing.
So time and not haste should make us wiser concerning these matters.
As hundreds of tornadoes create devastation and turmoil across the nation, the number of people killed by storms in the South and Midwest of the United States has risen once more.
As a result of catastrophic weather that uprooted trees and tore the roof off an overflowing music venue in Illinois, at least 26 people were murdered in large cities and small towns spread across eight states.
Little Rock, the state capital of Arkansas, was among the locations affected. According to city officials, one tornado’s path passed through more than 2,600 buildings there.
In one Tennessee county, at least nine people were killed, while three deaths were recorded in Sullivan, Indiana, and four in Illinois.
Other people were also reported to have died as a result of the storms in Alabama and Mississippi.
In Wynne, a small town with a population of around 8,000 people located 50 miles west of Memphis in Tennessee, the death toll was four.
The local high school was seriously damaged by the weather, with the roof torn off and windows blown out.
Local woman Ashley Macmillan said she huddled with her family and dogs in a small bathroom as the storm passed, âpraying and saying goodbye to each other, because we thought we were deadâ.
A worker was seen guarding a liquor store against looters after a tornado in Sullivan, Indiana, which led to the deaths of at least three people (Picture: Shutterstock)The fierce winds blew down three and destroyed homes and businesses (Picture: Shutterstock)Sullivan also recorded eight people who were injured in the bad weather (Picture: Shutterstock)
The family was unhurt, although a falling tree damaged their home.
A 50-year-old man died shortly after being pulled out of rubble after part of the Apollo Theatreâs roof collapsed during a heavy metal concert in Belvidere, Illinois.
Gabrielle Lewellyn, who was at the gig, told WTVO-TV: âI sat with him and I held his hand and I was (telling him), âItâs going to be okay.â I didnât really know much else what to do.â
Officials said 40 others were hurt in the incident, including two with life-threatening injuries.
Tennessee governor Bill Lee said the storm had capped the âworstâ week of his time in office.
It came just days after a school shooting in Nashville that killed six people, including a family friend whose funeral he and his wife attended earlier in the day.
Yesterday, after driving to McNairy County where at least nine people died, he said: âItâs terrible what has happened in this community, this county, this state.
âBut it looks like your community has done what Tennessean communities do, and that is rally and respond.â
Dozens of people were killed in Mississippi last weekend during the first wave of deadly tornadoes in the region, while a storm in Georgia led to a pair of tigers escaping their enclosure at a zoo.
According to a market access report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have reached an agreement under which the items would be allowed onto the Ghanaian market.
The report, which is available to the B&FT, indicates that âMoFA acknowledged receipt of the FSISâ proposed certificate of export for pork and pork products, and confirmed its acceptance, adding: âThe Ghanaian market is now officially open to US exports of pork and pork products in addition to other meat products from the United Statesâ.
The agreement was reached as a result of a request made by the USDAâs FSIS on October 24, 2022 for Ghana to allow pork products to be imported into the country in huge quantities.
The deal has however sparked concerns among stakeholders of possible dumping and the risk it poses to local meat production and the cedi. Livestock industry players are also worried over whether there are designated laboratories in place to check the wholesomeness of these impending imports.
âAs it stands, pig farmers are finding difficulties in sustaining the industry due to high feed and operational costs, and now an undue advantage is being offered to American producers who have subsidies from their country as well as cheap technology to produce more,â lamented CAGâs CEO, Anthony Selorm Morrison.
According to the report, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Veterinary Services Directorate of MoFA signed and responded to the request on January 12, 2023 â that the country will not only accept pork products onto its market but also other meat products including beef, goat, lamb and poultry, among others.
Pork products have become a major delicacy for many Ghanaians in recent years, with some piggeries in the country, according to CAG, exporting the commodity to the Chinese market â the largest pork consuming nation in the world.
CAG however disclosed that lack of data on the livestock industry, particularly pork production, has been a major problem in the country: âData would have informed government about the gains being made, and whether we need to import in large quantities or rely on government for funding in order to expand productionâ.
The Chamber also lamented the lack of consultation with stakeholders by government before entering into the pact.
Pork import
Ghanaâs imported pork and pork products market was valued at US$16million in 2021, according to the USDA.
Total imports have increased progressively from 2017, hitting 15,000 metric tonnes in 2021 as the market is dominated by the EU, with the United States not being a significant player â not even counted among the top-ten importers into the country.
The USDA has however noted that opening the market to US pork and pork products is an opportunity that will be exploited by businesses from that country.
About 70,000 metric tonnes of pork and pork products have been imported into the country in the last six years â from 2017 to 2022 â according to Trade Data Monitor LLC, with the top-ten countries being Belgium, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, the UK and France.
A Ghanaian based in the United States of America has been stabbed at Winneba in the Effutu Municipality of the Central Region.
Charles Kwesi Amissah who lived and worked in the US and has returned home after retirement narrowly escaped death when he was attacked by two unknown assailants on Friday, January 20, 2023.
The victim is in critical condition and receiving treatment at the Winneba Special and Trauma Hospital.
Information gathered by Kasapa News’ Yaw Boagyan indicates that two young men entered his compound at Low-cost, a suburb of Winneba, and one pointed a gun at him only to realize after a careful look that the gun was a toy one.
He, therefore, took the risk to fight him when he demanded for his car key, but in the process, the other thief joined the attack and stabbed him with a knife rendering him helpless.
He attempted to prevent them from driving his V6 Toyota car away by standing behind it but the robbers reversed with speed knocking him down under the car.
The robbers however failed to drive off because of a heap of bricks on the compound, forcing them to run away leaving the car when he shouted for help.
Some neighbours heard his shouts and rushed to his aid and took him to the hospital.
The case has been reported to the Winneba Police station for an investigation.
This move will also broaden the African Diaspora community’s commercial engagements in the U.S. toward supporting transactions that are essential to the economic development of both the U.S. and Africa.
The two banks will support trade and economic integration in Africa and across a broad range of trade-enabling sectors, including helping to revive and strengthen the African aviation sector.
Both parties will also facilitate trade and investments in healthcare, power, digitisation, Agriculture and Agro-processing, and transportation infrastructure including rail and road projects, as well as investments in renewable energy projects, most importantly, scaling support for industrial development across the African continent.
Afreximbank and U.S. EXIM will also cooperate with other U.S. departments and agencies through the Prosper Africa initiative, a U.S. Trade and Investment Initiative that aims to increase trade and investment between the U.S. and African countries.
The Prosper Africa initiative also targets other organisations, businesses and investors from the African Diaspora community in the U.S.
âWith the signing of this memorandum of understanding, we move from intentions to action and set the stage for our two institutions to serve as anchors for a renewed, vibrant U.S. â Africa trade and investment relationship,â said Afreximbank President and Chairman Prof. Benedict Oramah during the signing ceremony.
âAs the political actors from the U.S. and Africa renew their commitments to a stronger alliance in todayâs fractured world, our two institutions must convert the political intentions into concrete business, trade and economic gains for the expectant African and American people. The time to act is now! By entering this MoU with U.S. EXIM, Afreximbank is helping to open wide that window of opportunity,â he concluded.
On her part, U.S. EXIM President and Chair Reta Jo Lewis said the partnership that U.S. EXIM and Afreximbank have undertaken is very much part of the present administrationâs commitment to revitalising partnerships and collaboration with Africa.
According to her, the MoU will be to partner with Afreximbank in an effort to create economic opportunity and job creation in Africa and the United States, as well as engage Americaâs African Diaspora â which will be strengthened and encouraged to maintain close, familial, social and economic connections with the continent.
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. Afreximbank deploys innovative structures to deliver financing solutions which support the transformation of Africaâs trade structure â accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, and thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa.
A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin implementation of the AfCFTA.
Afreximbank is working with the AU and the AfCFTA secretariat to develop an Adjustment Facility to support countriesâ effective participation in the AfCFTA. At the end of 2021, the Bankâs total assets and guarantees stood at about US$25billion, and its shareholdersâ funds amounted to US$4billion. Afreximbank disbursed more than US$51billion between 2016 and 2021.
The Bank has ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moodyâs (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has retrieved thirty-seven vehicles suspected to have been stolen from the United States of America (USA) and Canada.
The exercise which was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), was based on an intelligence-led operation.
In a press statement, EOCO said these vehicles were retrieved from some garages in Ghana, on December 9, 2022 and the suspects have since been questioned and granted bail.
âThe Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), carried out an intelligence-led operation for the retrieval of various specifications of luxury vehicles suspected to have been stolen from the United States of America (USA) and Canada.
âOn Friday December 9 2022, thirty-seven (37) of such vehicles were retrieved from some garages in Accra during which ten (10) persons were arrested. The suspects have since been questioned and granted enquiry bail,â the statement further added.
EOCOâs statement comes following allegations by some importers of used vehicles that the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and National Security unlawfully raided their garages and seized their cars.
The importers claimed that over three hundred vehicles belonging to their members were taken from them to an unknown location by EOCO.
The union had given a three-day ultimatum for government to put on hold the exercise or risk forceful retrieval of their cars even if they are auctioned.
âEven if it has been alleged that the cars have been stolen, to us we know we are not selling such cars. The cars that we are selling were completely bought. We ship them from America and Canada. We clear them here in Ghana, we have all the necessary documents to support whatever we are saying.
âWe are only sending a signal to government that what they are doing does not help us as business people,â General Secretary of the Union, Clifford Ansu said, as quoted by myjoyonline.
A 23-year-old Ghanaian identified as Aaron Mensah has been shot and killed by the Frederick County Sheriffâs deputies in the United States of America.
A report by wtop.com disclosed that the Sheriffâs office had responded to the area after Aaron Mensahâs sister called 911 and told them he was stabbing their parents at about 2:15 am.
According to the Maryland State Police, Mensah was instructed to “drop the knife” after he was found with the weapon he used to inflict the wounds on his parents. “After that, one officer shot him with a bean bag round from a shotgun,” wtop reported.
“That, the attorney generalâs office said, was followed by Mensah ‘rapidly moving toward the officer’. Multiple officers deployed their stun guns and three officers fired on the man with their guns.”
The Attorney General of the state of Maryland, Brian Frosh, identified the deputies involved in the shooting.
They were Deputy First Class Cassy Boettcher, who has been with the sheriffâs office for two and a half years; Deputy Travis Stely, who has been with the sheriffâs office since September and has six years of law enforcement experience, and Deputy Nathan McLeroy, who has been with the agency since July and has three yearsâ law enforcement experience.
Froshâs Independent Investigations Division is investigating the incident adding that the security personnel who fired their guns were not wearing body cameras.
However, other officers involved had theirs on and their devices captured portions of what happened.
“The video will be released in 14 days unless it is deemed to be problematic to the investigation,” the report stated.
The portal further reported that Aaron Mensah’s father died later at the hospital while his mother is being treated for the injuries.
The requiem ceremony will be place at the Ebenezer United Methodist Columbus Ohio – 3330 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43224 – from 9:30am to 11am, according to an obituary seen by GhanaWeb.
At Glen Rest Memorial Estate, Britney Boateng’s mortal remains will be buried.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, it was reported that Britney Boateng was shot dead by her sister-in-law, Tyona Dodson after an argument.
She was pronounced dead at 1:12 a.m., the Columbus Division of Police said.
A report by 10tv.com said that âofficers were called to the 400 block of South Weyant Avenue, just north of East Main Street, around 1 a.m. Police found Britney Boateng with a gunshot wound, who was pronounced dead at 1:12 a.m.â
The police have since charged Tyona Dodson with murder.
The Central Bank has attributed some of Ghanaâs current economic crisis to external factors that arose as a result of the United States of Americaâs (U.S.A.) efforts to stabilise their economy.
This was stated in a report issued by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) following its 109th Monetary Policy Committee meeting on November 28.
The BoG, in its report, made sure to emphasise the USâs role in escalating economic conditions for several countries around the world, including Ghana, while citing a number of factors that have contributed to Ghanaâs current economic situation.
According to the Central Bank, when the US Federal Reserve revised some of its policies, it resulted in âtight global financing conditions and a stronger US dollar against major international currencies.â
In September 2022, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.75 percentage points, the third increase in a row, bringing the Fed rate to 3%-3.25% By doing so, the US central bank, as part of efforts to check its inflation (8.2% as of September), increased demand for the dollar from foreign investors attracted by the higher returns available in the country.
Since the US dollar is the existing currency for global trade, emerging markets faced a rise in the cost of imports.
According to the Bank of Ghana, these external shocks have had severe consequences on the Ghanaian economy, reflected in high and rising inflation and depreciation of the local currency.
âThese developments have spilled over into currency pressures and imported inflation, complicated access to external capital markets, and resulted in acute capital outflows, especially in emerging markets and frontier economies,â the Central Bank added.
Per the Bankâs report, the foreign exchange market witnessed increased volatility, with intense pressure on the local currency, especially in September and October 2022.
Other external factors that led to the significant drop in the value of the cedi include; the sovereign downgrades, the de facto closure of the international capital market, portfolio reversals, and increased demand for foreign exchange amid supply constraints.
As of November 24, 2022, the Ghana Cedi cumulatively depreciated by 54.2 percent against the US dollar.
The local currency lost 48.9 percent and 49.9 percent of its value to the Pound and Euro, respectively.
In comparison with the same period of last year, the Ghana Cedi was much stronger.
It depreciated by 2.6 percent and 0.2 percent against the US dollar and the Pound, respectively, and appreciated by 6.6 percent against Euro.
Since revising the interest rate, the US has seen its inflation rate drop to 7.7% as of October 2022.
Yunus Musah, a midfielder of Ghanaian descent, has given an explanation of why he chose to pledge his loyalty to the United States of America over England.
Although he had played for England’s youth squad, the 18-year-old decided to represent the United States.
The Valencia star admitted that he will have mixed emotions about playing England at Al Bayt Stadium and that his decision to represent the USA was also motivated by a desire to play senior football more soon.
In November 2020, Musah received his first call-up from the USA, but soon after, Gareth Southgate declared that he still preferred the adolescent to stay with England.
âI played for England for a few years. I had a really nice time with them, I have a lot of respect for them, for everything they’ve done for me, but Gareth Southgate I never had any conversations with, no,” he said.
âThat decision was very difficult, because, as I said, I had a great time with England and that country did a lot for me, so when the time came to make the decision it was difficult.
âI made the decision because I was born in the US. That was one of the main things. Also I got the opportunity at such a young age, that was something that I wanted to take. It was great when the manager called me and gave me that opportunity.
âI don’t think I know how I’m going to feel [facing England] that day. But it’s a special game for sure because I’ve played for both sides and to be able to be on the pitch with both national teams that I’ve played with is special.”
GhanaWeb has stumbled upon an old newspaper article that describes how the nation’s first president and prime minister, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, also moved for dollars to be invested in Ghana. This is in response to calls for more foreign currency to be pushed into the system to help with the balance.
The newspaper from October 1, 1958, with the headline “Ghana and the U.S. Sign Investors’ Pact…
According to the Daily Graphic account, Peter Rutter, the Charge d’Affaires of the American Embassy in Ghana, met with Nkrumah to “promote the flow of funds.”
âAn Investment Guarantee Agreement Programme designed to encourage private American investment in Ghana was signed between the governments of the United States and Ghana at Government House, Osu, yesterday.
âPremier Kwame Nkrumah and Mr. Peter Rutter, Charge dâAffaires of the American Embassy in Ghana, signed the agreement on behalf of their governments,â it read in part.
âUnder the agreement, private American investment abroad may be guaranteed by the U.S. government against possible losses due to conversions to dollars, expropriation or confiscation and war damages. âThe agreement is intended to get both the United States of America and Ghana governments to agree on procedures regarding local currency and other claims which may be invoked by American investors under the investment guarantee programme.â
More investment into Ghana:
The report continued that the agreement also meant that investors could begin investing in the country with as low as $10,000.
âA U.S. official explained yesterday that guarantee contratcs had been written for amounts as low as 10,000 dollars. The largest guarantee dollars held by an American oil company on an oil refinery in Italy.
âThe official said that since the purpose of the programme was to encourage additional American investment in Ghana, it was not applicable to existing investments,â it added.
The Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana today, November 21, 2022, have shown that the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 13.0990 and a selling price of 13.1122.
As compared to Fridayâs trading of a buying price of 13.0991 and a selling price of 13.1123. At a forex bureau in Accra, the dollar is being bought at a rate of 14.50 and sold at a rate of 14.90.
See the full newspaper clipping below for the full story:
âIâm proud that I, Nana Yaa Henrietta Okora coming from nowhere in Ghana, have a job that I employ even the American people to work for me,” CEO of A& H African and Jamaican Restaurant, New Jersey, United States stated.
Madam Nana Yaa recalls when she relocated to the United States in 2000. She recounted that when her Grandfather and mother picked her up from the airport, she thought she would not walk on sand but sky in America.
âMy grandpa told my mom, âask your daughter and son if they picked any money from the floor. When you people were in Ghana, you thought they were dollars on the floor for picking.â
She narrated that settling into her new home was not easy. Before choosing to open a restaurant, Nana Yaa worked at a tripe store, a military clothing supply factory and a nursing home. She tells how these experiences shaped her perceptions, especially about diseases like Dementia and Alzheimers, that is said to be witchcraft in Africa.
Nana Yaa explained, âThose times I was working there, the minimum wage was like 11 dollars per hour, and I work a minimum of 40 hours a week. It was not that easy. A lot of stuff happened, so I decided I donât want to work for anybody. I noticed that we didnât have any African Restaurant in my area. So I decided to open an African Restaurant and see how it goes.â
A&H African and Jamaican Restaurant sells food indigenous to Africa and the Caribbean, including their best sellers, banku, fufu, omotuo (riceballs), oxtail and jerk chicken.
âAmerica has more opportunities than Ghana. Over here, when you work, you are going to make it,â Nana Yaa continued. âI donât think you can be here in America to be lazy. If you are lazy in America, you will go home with nothing.â
The Member of Parliament of Akyem Oda Constituency has urged the Interior Ministry to make a commitment towards the building of a befitting edifice to house the Divisional Command of the Ghana Police Service which is headquartered in Akyem Oda.
Alexander Akwasi Acquahâs call was made when the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Derry, appeared before Parliament to answer questions from some MPs.
The Akyem Oda MP had filed to ask the Minister what effort his ministry was making to accommodate the Oda Divisional Police Command in a very appropriate premises as the command has been operating in a rented apartment since it was created.
In his answer, the minister recounted that the Police Administration was allocated 89.81 acres of land in 1979 through an executive instrument.
The minister revealed that a group of Oda citizens resident in the United States of America (USA) has proposed to construct the Divisional Police Headquarters on the allocated land.
The Minister said the Police Command is however yet to engage the leadership of the association to discuss the way forward.
Mr Akwasi Acquah said even though he has confidence in his constituentsâ commitment to help the Police Administration in constructing the commandâs headquarters, the minister must give a firm commitment and assurance to his people on the construction of the edifice.
He also wanted to know if the Minister was aware that portions of the allocated land had been encroached upon and any further delays of the project could affect the size of the allocated lands.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumani Babgin, intervened and assured the MP that the assurance committee of parliament was available to ensure that the ministerâs promises are upheld.
Among the first players to touchdown in Doha were representatives from the United States of America, with several members of Gregg Berhalterâs Group B aspirants arriving at Hamad International Airport on Thursday evening.
Like several national team managers, Berhalter announced his squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup this week, naming 26 players on his roster to challenge England, Wales, and Iran throughout the group phase.
The USA â a co-host of the FIFA World Cup in 2026 â will feature at their 11th FIFA World Cup in 2022, with their best result in the tournament coming in the inaugural edition in Uruguay in 1930 when they finished third.
Jesus Ferreira, Sean Johnson, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Walker Zimmerman, Ke llyn Acosta, DeAndre Yedlin, Cristian Roldan and Shaq Moore were among the first batch of FIFA World Cup stars to set foot in Qatar, and they will be joined by hundreds more over the coming days as the 32 participating nations get set to pursue world footballâs greatest prize.
Berhalter cannot wait for USAâs FIFA World Cup quest to commence.
âWe believe we have a talented group, a strong team spirit, and one that is ready to compete. We are extremely proud and honoured to represent the United States and appreciate all the amazing support from our fans in Qatar,â he said.
Berhalter and the USA can expect rousing support in Doha. Behind Qatar, residents from the USA have purchased the most tickets for the tournament.
âSeeing players touchdown in D oha, the coaches announcing their squads, and the players reacting with such natural and unbridled emotions as they discovered that they will have the chance to shine at the greatest show on earth has excited the football world,â Infantino said.
âLike many around the world, I have been moved by the amazing stories and achievements of players who have beat the odds during their journey to be selected to play at this FIFA World Cup. Their reactions and excitement reminds us what the FIFA World Cup represents to billions of people and how football unites the world.â
Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Chairman, FIFA World Cup 2022⢠LLC, added: âWe are excited to welcome the first players, coaches and staff to Doha for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We look forward to the players and fans enjoying everything Qatar has to offer during the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world.â
âWe also look forward to welcoming the remaining teams who will be arriving in Qatar in the coming days, as well as their many supporters, for what will be a vibrant celebration of the beautiful game.â
Russia says it is fully committed to preventing nuclear war, stating that avoiding conflict between the worldâs nuclear powers is its first priority.
âWe fully reaffirm our commitment to the joint statement of the five nuclear-weapon states leaders on the prevention of nuclear war and the avoidance of an arms race from January 3, 2022,â the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
That statement by Russia, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and France said they agreed âa nuclear war cannot be wonâ.
Nigerian singer, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy, has launched a cannabis brand in Miami, in the United States of America.
According to reports, the Grammy award-winning musician unveiled the brand, named âBrkFstâ, in partnership with âJokes Up Ice Kreamâ, a weed dispensary and shipping company in the states.
Fans in attendance at the launch got a first look at the merchandise and were also treated to Burna Boyâs music.
This event comes at a time Burna Boyâs country, Nigeria,is still debating the legalization of cannabis for business and medicinal purposes.
It can be recalled that sometime in 2021, Burna Boy spoke against the unwillingness of the Nigerian government to legalize the drug, adding that âeveryone smokes.â
“Itâs just kind of hypocritical out there. They try to make it seem like if you smoke weed youâll just go mad in Nigeria. Everybody smokes it. Itâs just a topic no one wants to talk about. No one wants to talk about it; everybody is cool. Nobody wants to make it a thing to advocate for legalization of weed,” he earlier stated in an interview with Home Grown Radio in Los Angeles.
US presidentâs take on Cannabis
Joe Biden, the US president, on October 6, pardoned all federal offenders convicted of âsimple possessionâ of marijuana.
âAs President, I will decriminalize cannabis use and automatically expunge prior convictions,â he promised.
Check out the post below:
Burna Boy launches his Cannabis brand âBRKFSTâ in South Beach, Miami đ¨ pic.twitter.com/NOAjh4AwCe
According to Harriet Thompson, the UK’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Ghana is not the only nation dealing with economic difficulties.
However, she asserts that in order to succeed, tough choices must be made and nations must band together.
Thompson was responding to a tweet from Vicky Ford, the UK’s minister for international development, who had published a picture of herself with Ghana’s finance minister along with the message, “Ghana is a great ally of the UK.”
âIn my meeting with Hon. Minister Ofori-Atta @MoF_Ghana we discussed the global economic challenges and the support we as the international community can offer Ghana, including a possible new @IMFNews programme.â
Harriet Thompson then quoted the tweet and stated âGhana is not alone in facing economic challenges. We must be ready to take the difficult decisions & come together internationally to get through. We look forward to welcoming you back to Ghana in your new role@vickyford(& weâre glad to see you love your made-in-Ghana jacket!â
Ken Ofori-Atta is in the United States of America, USA, attending the Group of Seven (G7) meeting with selected Finance Ministers from African countries as part of the IMF and World Bank Annual meetings.
Ofori-Atta described the meeting as “quite historic because for the first time, the G7 has called African Finance Ministers to deliberate on the crisis that they see.
â…these are exogenous factors that have really (impacted), even their own economies (and) put it under serious stress and are, therefore, looking for ways in which they can add to the capital needs to make sure that things do not deteriorate. So countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, and Morocco were there,â he said as quoted by 3news.
The G7 is made of an informal grouping of seven of the worldâs advanced economies; namely: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States of America and European Union.
This group invited finance ministers from South Africa, Senegal, Togo, Zambia, Ghana, Guinea, Rwanda, Chad, Tunisia and Morocco for the all-important meeting.
The meeting with the African Financial Ministers brings together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.
Renowned traditional musician, King Ayisoba, is preparing to tour the United States of America (USA) in March 2023 to promote Ghanaian food.
In collaboration with First Page Promotion, an entertainment and events organization, King Ayisoba and his Kologo Spirit band, would perform at the launch of a special event dubbed, Ghana Food Festival, to be held at the E Hotel Banquet & Conference, Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, in New Jersey on March 6, 2023, to promote the consumption and export of Ghanaian food and products among Ghanaians and Americans.
The launch will coincide with the celebration of Ghanaâs Independence Day and would attract Ghanaians living in the USA to a festive carnival.
âGhana Food Festival I a carnival that celebrates Ghanaâs traditions and brings together folks interested in food, arts, and entertainment,â a close source to King Ayisoba hinted.
He said the event would come off annually, bringing together country folks and foreigners to enjoy the various delicious delicacies of the country, adding that, âit is to also help increase food trade, exhibit the good food of Ghana to the world.
Prior to the programme, King Ayisoba will undertake a tour of some areas in New Jersey to raise awareness and boost participation in the Festival.
Known for his traditional songs sung with special local guitar, King Ayisoba is noted for engaging in promotional projects, including the Kente and Batakari Day.
The Ghana Food Festival will feature Kente and Batakari stands, where unique designs of locally manufactured fabric would be widely exhibited.
King Ayisoba is renowned for making an appeal to the Parliament of Ghana to declare May 12 every year as Kente and Batakari Day, to draw attention to the fabrics and promote their patronage among Ghanaians.
The launch of the Ghana Food Festival is expected to be graced by prominent Ghanaians living in the US.
The theme for this year, Celebrating Customer Service the Executive Way, is expected to spark discussions on the myth of customer service and whether or not there is a proven link between providing excellent customer service and generating and sustaining corporate income.
Honoring good customer service
The executive way is to encourage organizational heads and managers to comprehend the importance of front-line employees and their effects on the broader corporate image, and to get organizational leaders to actually engage with consumers to live their experiences.
As Ghanaian business professionals, “we are highly focused in the bottom line, but we most frequently forget that we are dealing with emotional people, and emotions need management therefore, customer service,” Priscilla M. Wellington, CEO of Customer Service Africa remarked.
The conference will also present an opportunity for a masterclass session where participants will be empowered on topics such as Bridging the Service Recovery Gap, Customer Service Parameters for Consumer, Building Customer Service Teams, Professional Business Telephone Ethics, and Customer Service Parameters for Revenue Sustainability of Hospitality establishment with seasoned experts within the service delivery space.
The Keynote speaker for the occasion is Dr. Damien L. Duchamp, an online pedagogy from the United States of America, with support from Ghanaian guest speakers namely: Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike jnr, Dr. Joseph Mensah Ansah, Dr Birago Antwi-Adjei, Jerry N. Halm and Stephen Essien.
The International Customer Service Summit is a gathering of CEOs, General Managers, public office holders and renowned business owners spanning across industries; hospitality, telecommunications, government agencies, retailers, health practitioners, banking, insurance, mining and manufacturing industries to celebrate customer service week and have a conversation on global service delivery in the wake of globalization.
This year’s summit is proudly partnered with Ellaven Consult, Afrimass, Infocus Bcw, Sales Support, Jayset Consult, Green Trek Tours and Saline Consult and sponsored by Alisa Hotel, The African Regent Hotel, TSG Drive, Easy Tag, Events by Yidel, Loaflovers and Enosuas Heart. Media partners include Mx24, Joy Business, Joyfm, ISUBSAHAR Magazine and Green Savanna Cable.
Jobs growth in the US has slowed for a second month, in a sign that the labour market in the world’s largest economy may be starting to cool.
US employers added 263,000 new jobs in September, the fewest since April 2021.
Despite the lower figure, analysts said the US central bank will need to do more to slow the economy if it wants to rein in rapidly rising prices.
The dollar strengthened following the report, as investors expect interest rates to continue to rise.
This strengthening pushed the pound down to $1.11, having been above $1.12 before the jobs figures were released.
The labour market in the US is being closely watched, as the US central bank raises borrowing costs sharply.
Officials hope the higher interest rates will cool demand for big-ticket items such as homes and cars, and ease the pressures that are pushing up prices at the fastest pace since the 1980s.
They have warned that the slowdown in activity is likely to lead to some job loss, but say they hope to avoid a sharp economic downturn.
Analysts said that Friday’s report from the US Labor Department showed the jobs market remains relatively tight, as a backlog of unfilled positions pushes companies to continue to hire despite fears of wider economic slowdown.
Restaurants, bars and health care firms led the job gains last month, while the unemployment rate fell from 3.7% in August to 3.5%, returning to a 50-year low.
The average hourly wage in September was also 5% higher than a year earlier.
While that lags the inflation rate, analysts said the gains still put upward pressure on prices, especially as the pool of workers with jobs or looking for work has remained stubbornly below pre-pandemic levels.
“Although this month’s jobs report is weaker than the figures recorded last month, the labour market remains relatively strong,” said Richard Flynn, managing director at Charles Schwab UK.
“The Fed has been increasingly clear that substantial weakness in the economy may be the expense for a return to lower inflation. As rate hikes feed through to the real economy in the months ahead, the labour market may weaken further, reflecting investors’ recessionary concerns.”
Consumer spending – the main driver of the US economy – has held up in recent months, despite the spike in prices eroding purchasing power.
But anecdotal reports of job losses are rising, as firms announce job cuts or hiring freezes, especially those in the housing and tech sector. Peloton this week announced its fourth round of job cuts this year, shedding another 500 positions – or roughly 12% of its workforce.
Some retailers have also scaled back hiring plans. Walmart, for example, has said it is hiring 40,000 workers for the holiday season, after taking on 150,000 last year.
The United States of America’s Department of the Treasury hosted the annual gathering of the top executives from the public, corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors.
To advance strategies that release the economic potential of Black, Latino, AANHPI, and Native communities, Secretary Jack Lew founded the forum in 2015.
It also gives opportunities to others that have experienced limits on their ability to fully participate in the US economy.
Dr. Nduom who attended the programme as a corporate attendee was also a participant in a VIP Private Sector Leader Breakfast (VPSLB) with Secretary Janet Yellen.
Corporate Attendees who graced the occasion are; Asutosh Padhi, [North America CEO, McKinsey], Christopher Gorman, CEO, [KeyCorp], David Clunie, Executive Director, [Black Economic Alliance], Eric Taylor, CEO, [Trident], Jeffrey Hirsch, CEO, [STARZ], and John Rogers, Co-CEO, [Ariel Investments].
The rest included Papa Nduom, Chairman, [GN Bank], Rajiv Shah, President, [The Rockefeller Foundation], Rip Rapson, CEO, [The Kresge Foundation], Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO, [Micron Technology] and Sharon Bowen, Chair, [NYSE].
Speakers included senior Biden-Harris Administration officials, corporate and philanthropic CEOs, and leading advocates and practitioners.
Other Biden-Harris Administration Attendees are as Secretary Janet Yellen, [United States Treasury] Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo, [United States Treasury] Ambassador Susan Rice, [White House Domestic Policy Council] and Janis Bowdler, Counselor for Racial Equity, [United States Treasury].
Tagoe had on October 4, 2022, made a routine post about the governmentâs intervention in the health sector when the user by the name of Mo Barhama jumped into the comment section with his âattack.â
âThe $10000 you wasted on a plane ticket only to get deported could have been put to good use in this regard,â he responded to Tagoeâs post which was an artwork with a child and a caption that read: âThe government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has developed a strategic framework to end child marriage in Ghana,â
A clearly unenthused staffer responded: âMo Barhama I just went through your pictures and I wonât say anything again. Kwasiaaaaa saaa no. Internet has worried us paaaaa.”
An unrepentant Mo Barhama will not back down, going ahead to share the purported boarding pass of Tagoeâs trip and a cedi conversion of US$10,000 while responding to other commenters who were defending the presidential staffer.
One such defender by the name of IK Bonney was then asked by the presidential staffer to stop minding Barhama.
âIK Bonney You have time to waste on this idiot? You paaaa. Hunger will continue to kill idiots like that. Donât waste time and energy,â Tagoe replied.
Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe was reported by The Herald Newspaper to have been deported from the United States in mid-September, hours after he arrived in the country.
He has not denied making the trip but has flatly denied having been deported and threatened to sue the paper and its publisher Larry Dogbe.
Dogbe has since published supposed flight details and dared Tagoe to follow through with his promise to sue.
According to the GRAMMY boss, to win a GRAMMY, one needs to live in the United States of America and be a part of the GRAMMY Academy.
âIn order to win a GRAMMY, first, you’ve got to be part of the Academy and then the membership of the Academy will vote for you.
âIf you are a member of the Academy, you’ve got to be a professional in the United States, for now, the United States,â he disclosed.
He also noted that once an artiste makes music and will live in the US, he can now submit his works to the GRAMMY Academy board which is made up of different artistes.
When the submission is finished, he referenced that these artistes assess their own companions and get to pick whose music they like better.
âRight now, if you are a working professional in the United States, you become a member of the Recording Academy, once you are a member of the Recording Academy, all the music is submitted, the members listen to it and you are evaluated on the quality of the art.
âNot the sales, not the streams, not the how many fans, not the how many followers but purely on the opinion, and it’s very hard. As you all know because it’s subjective,â he added.
He, moreover, expressed that artistes needn’t bother to be with a recording label or have a huge fanbase, simply their unadulterated ability is sufficient to win them an award with the GRAMMY.
âSo Best Song, Best Record, just the opinion of the membership in that particular year and that’s how you win a GRAMMY.
âThat’s it, the vote is the vote. Thereâs no committee, there are no journalists, no labels, just music professionals voting for their peers. Period,â he noted.
Present at the dinner were the likes of Efya, Sarkodie, Tems, Edem, MOG Music among many other artistes.
Dubbed ââŹĹGhanaian Genome (GhGenome) ProjectââŹÂ, the initiative will focus on early detection of the diseases to enhance their treatment.
It will involve building the capacity of health professionals in genetic medicine across the country.
With a target of affecting 1,000 children, GhGenome will also seek to shine a light on the root causes of rare diseases and developmental delays in children.
Other planned activities for the project include a nationwide public lecture series to create awareness of sickle cell diseases, childhood cancers and the prospects of the initiative.
This will be coupled with free genetic health screening for sickle cell conditions, breast and prostate cancers and developmental delays.
Event
The launch was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo; the Divisional Head Chief of Okyeman Gyaasehene and Kwabenghene, Daasebre Anyimadu Kantamanto II, who represented the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the patron of the project; some traditional rulers of the Ga State, heads of various institutions of the university, students and captains of industry, among others.
In line with objectives
Prof. Amfo said the components of the project were in line with the key strategic objectives she had outlined for the university, which included the conduct of impactful research for the benefit of the country and the world.
ââŹĹThis work will be transformative not only in Ghana but on the African continent as it would be among the fi rst population sequencing in this part of the world,ââŹÂ she added.
Daasebre Kantamanto, who launched the project, commended the university for its efforts in leading the country to join the human genetics revolution via the launch.
He added that it would enable Ghanaians to become more intimate with their genetics and understand its impacts on all aspects of their lives.
Decoding
In a brief lecture, the Lead Director of the project, Prof. Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, said despite the fact that Ghanaians knew more of their genetics than they received credit for, there were other genetically inherited traits that brought sadness to many people.
He added that the burden of undiagnosed diseases and very low genetic information had led many people to jump to conclusions.
Prof. Ofori-Acquah said in the face of those challenges, ââŹĹit is the duty of Ghanaians to decode and unravel their DNAââŹÂ.
Beijing’s actions are perceived as a direct retaliation to the US House speaker’s visit to Taiwan when he complimented the self-governing island for having “one of the freest societies in the world.”
According to the defense ministry, Chinese military drillsstaged close to Taiwan constitute a blockade of the island’s air and seaspace and have invaded its territory.
The exercises by the Chinese navy and air force are seen as a direct response to the visit to Taiwan of top US politician Nancy Pelosi, the most senior American politician to visit in 25 years.
The Taiwan Defense Ministrysaid China had broken UN rules and it would counter any incursions into its territory.
It said the live-fire exercises in the sea and airspace around Taiwanwere “endangering international shipping lanes, challenging the international order, undermining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and endangering the area”.
And it accused Beijing of using psychological warfare, urging people to report “fake news” to the authorities.
Ms. Pelosi had earlier praised Taiwan for being “one of the freest societies in the world” as she addressed the self-ruled island’s parliament during the visit that infuriated Beijing.
Ms. Pelosi also met with Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, in the capital of Taipei on Wednesday.
Ms. Tsai thanked Ms. Pelosi for her concrete actions to support Taiwan and said the island will not back down in the face of heightened military threats.
The Taiwanese leader also told Ms. Pelosi she is one of the island’s most devoted friends and thanked her for her unwavering support on the international stage.
Ms. Tsai added that Taiwan is a reliable partner of the United States and will continue to work with them to strengthen collaboration in security, economic development, and supply chains.
The US House speaker’s unannounced visit to Taiwan has attracted fierce criticism from China and prompted Beijing to summon the US ambassador.
Ms. Pelosi arrived in Taipei late on Tuesday on an unannounced but closely watched trip, saying that it shows unwavering US commitment to the island that Beijing says is part of China.
“We commend Taiwan for being one of the freest societies in the world,” Ms. Pelosi told Taiwan’s parliament.
She also said new US legislation aimed at strengthening the American chip industry to compete with China “offers greater opportunity for US-Taiwan economic cooperation”.
A long-time China critic, especially on human rights, Ms. Pelosi is reportedly set to meet with a former Tiananmen Square activist, a Hong Kong bookseller who had been detained by China, and a Taiwanese activist recently released by China.
While Ms. Pelosi is not the first house speaker to go to Taiwan – Newt Gingrich visited in 1997 – her visit comes as relations between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated sharply and with China a much more powerful economic, military, and geopolitical force than it was a quarter of a century ago.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has never renounced using force to bring it under its control.
The United States has warned China against using Ms. Pelosi’s visit as a pretext for military action against Taiwan.
Early on Wednesday, China’s customs department announced a suspension of imports of citrus fruits, chilled white-striped hairtail, and frozen horse mackerel from Taiwan.
On Tuesday, Beijing’s ambassador to London, one of his country’s most senior diplomats, warned the United States it is performing a “highly dangerous trick” over Taiwan and “those playing with fire will get burned”.
Zheng Zeguang made the comments in a news conference, hastily convened, to respond to the arrival of Ms. Pelosi in Taiwan in defiance of Chinese demands to stay away.
He said the visit “seriously violated” a long-standing “one China” principle that means democratically-governed Taiwan must not be treated by the United States as an independent authority.
Mr. Zheng also had a warning for the UK not to “dance to the tune” of the United States.
Millions of women in the US will lose the legal right to abortion, after the Supreme Court overturned a 50-year-old ruling that legalised it nationwide.
The court struck down the landmark Roe v Wade decision, weeks after an unprecedented leaked document suggested it favoured doing so.
The judgement will transform abortion rights in America, with individual states now able to ban the procedure.
Half of US states are expected to introduce new restrictions or bans.
Thirteen have already passed so-called trigger laws that will automatically outlaw abortion following the Supreme Court’s ruling. A number of others are likely to pass new restrictions quickly.
In total, abortion access is expected to be cut off for about 36 million women of reproductive age, according to research from Planned Parenthood, a healthcare organisation that provides abortions.
The Supreme Court had been considering a case, Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, that challenged Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks.
But the court ruled in favour of the state by a majority vote of six to three, effectively ending the constitutional right to an abortion.
Democratic governors of several states including California, New Mexico and Michigan have already announced plans to enshrine abortion rights within their constitutions if Roe v Wade is overturned.
The landmark 1973 Roe v Wade case saw the Supreme Court rule by a vote of seven to two that a woman’s right to terminate her pregnancy was protected by the US constitution.
The ruling gave American women an absolute right to an abortion in the first three months (trimester) of pregnancy, but allowed for restrictions in the second trimester and for prohibitions in the third.
But in the decades since, anti-abortion rulings have gradually pared back access in more than a dozen states.
