I am convinced that now is the critical moment to scrutinize the supply chain and ECG’s unilateral distribution of electricity in certain regions of Ghana. Addressing ECG’s challenges in revenue collection from the public and its commercial losses should be a top priority for ECG and all involved stakeholders.

It is quite worrying to learn that an increase in electricity prices led to a decrease in ECG’s revenue. This outcome does not come as a surprise. Like the effects observed in the taxation Laffer curve, the combination of raised electricity prices and the proposed 15% VAT on electricity charges will likely exacerbate ECG’s financial difficulties.

While revenue collection remains a significant issue for ECG, it is worth considering the introduction of competition in power distribution to the consumer. There is a widespread belief, backed by evidence, that competition fosters efficiency. This is evident in the British electricity market. Under the regulation of the electricity spot market, efficiency was obtained in the production and distribution of electricity due to competition (Green & Newbery 1992; Newbery, 1998). Should PURC function as mandated, this is achievable.

Given ECG’s critical role, the notion of it failing is not an option. However, it is time to contemplate dividing ECG into smaller, more manageable entities and privatizing their operations. By listing approximately 60% of these entities on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), there could be an enhancement in managerial efficiency and an improvement in their financial health. These smaller companies would then be able to concentrate on enhancing collection efforts and reducing distribution losses.

Credit: Nii Darko Asante

A summary of Nii Darko Asante’s articles

Background and Problem:

The power sector payment gap in Ghana primarily results from the inability of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to collect sufficient customer revenue to pay their electricity suppliers​​. This shortfall has led to unpaid bills and a growing debt burden, adversely affecting the ability of generation companies to pay for fuel and GRIDCo to pay its regulatory fees​​. ECG, as Ghana’s largest distribution company, contributes significantly to this payment gap. It often paid itself full of collected revenues before distributing any remaining funds to its suppliers, exacerbating the sector’s liquidity challenges​​.

Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) Introduction and Development:

The CWM was introduced to address the payment inequity and liquidity issues in Ghana’s energy sector. Its development spanned five years, focusing on simplifying implementation by moving away from securitization towards voluntary compliance​​. The CWM aimed to ensure equitable payment allocation based on the prevailing PURC tariff, despite challenges in understanding these tariffs​​. A key principle of the CWM was to make payments directly to ultimate beneficiaries, rather than through ECG’s contractual counterparties, to increase liquidity across the value chain​​.

Implementation and Outcomes:

In its first two years, the CWM improved equity and predictability in payment cycles. However, it didn’t resolve the overall payment gap, as a significant portion of the required revenue remained unpaid, leading to substantial debt accumulation​​. ECG, unable to retain as much revenue as before, became hostile to the CWM. This hostility, along with other challenges, led to the mechanism’s virtual collapse after two years​​.

Issues like delays in disbursement by ECG and a significant drop in declared revenue for allocation further weakened the CWM​​. Additionally, a ransomware attack on ECG in September 2022 severely impacted revenue collection, leading to ECG’s non-compliance with the CWM​​.

Revised CWM and Continuing Challenges:

In 2023, discussions to restore the CWM led to a revised payment structure. Despite this, ECG did not fully comply with the new formula, impacting the payments to other beneficiaries in the value chain​​. The situation was exacerbated by declining revenue collections declared by ECG and continued non-compliance with the CWM, indicating ongoing challenges in managing the sector’s payment gap and debt​​.

Overall, the document highlights the complex challenges in Ghana’s power sector, particularly around revenue collection, debt management, and the effective implementation of mechanisms like the CWM to address these issues. Despite efforts to improve the situation, problems such as revenue shortfalls, inequitable distribution, and non-compliance persist, affecting the stability and financial health of the energy sector.

Reference:

Asante, N. D. (2023, December 13). The cash waterfall mechanism (CWM): Part 2: First two years of CWM. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cash-waterfall-mechanism-cwm-nii-darko-asante-fwule/?trackingId=z5zyheEbT2ucNmoGL8q8oA%3D%3D.

Asante, N. D. (2023, November 20). The cash waterfall mechanism (CWM): Part 1: The Power Sector Payment Gap – Genesis of the CWM. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cash-waterfall-mechanism-cwm-nii-darko-asante-n3gwe/?trackingId=z5zyheEbT2ucNmoGL8q8oA%3D%3D.

Asante, N. D. (2024, January 23). The cash waterfall mechanism: Part 3: Challenges, Death & Resurrection.LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cash-waterfall-mechanism-nii-darko-asante-skqte/?trackingId=CkqyZzhhQlysryfE6mwymQ%3D%3D.

Green, R. J., & Newbery, D. M. (1992). Competition in the British electricity spot market. Journal of Political Economy, 100(5), 929-953. https://doi.org/10.1086/261846.

Newbery, D. M. (1998). Competition, contracts, and entry in the electricity spot market. The RAND Journal of Economics, 29(4), 726. https://doi.org/10.2307/2556091.

Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah says she is not a custodian of any state money and, therefore, could not have used public money to run her campaign or buy votes in the parliamentary primary.

Corruption Watch last week published what they said were findings of alleged vote-buying during the NPP parliamentary primaries weeks earlier.

Mahama Zakariah was accused of distributing “state money under the MASLOC loans to delegates…” an allegation she flatly rejected as baseless.

The Corruption Watch investigations revealed the Deputy CEO of MASLOC engaged in an act of vote-buying by giving incentives to induce voters during the NPP primaries.

Abibata Zakaria has, however, justified her actions by indicating that persons who took the loans are eligible.

She said there are well known laid down procedures for the disbursement of loans under the scheme.

“On the said date an event was organized to present loans to 35 groups of 25 each and as is the practice, and as someone from the area, I supervised the disbursement and addressed the gathering.

“I advised the beneficiary groups to utilise the loans judiciously and to invest in their farming activities. I explained that I had to plead with my bosses to release their disbursements ahead of time because it was the farming season and they needed to till the soil and sow their crops,” she said.

According to her, that was a public event and quizzed “How could I have organised such an event to distribute state money?”

Mahama Zakariah who narrowly lost the slot to Farouk Aliu Mahama said the beneficiaries were not chosen on political grounds as claimed by the publication.

“When the lady called me from Corruption Watch, she said from their information, ‘delegates from the Yendi constituency were given MASLOC loans.’ In a very candid response I said, ‘of course, there were delegates [as] part of the beneficiaries but they were not only delegates.”

The Deputy MASLOC CEO said despite this clear and unambiguous statement, Corruption Watch without any contrary evidence stated categorically that the beneficiaries were all delegates, which is patently false.

“I must emphasise that the beneficiaries were not delegates as claimed. Unless they were purposely excluded, some of the beneficiaries of a transparent loan scheme were always going to be members of the various political parties including the NPP and some would be delegates.

“So to generalize that all the beneficiary groups were party delegates because some of them may have been was utterly unfair,” she said in a rejoinder issued in Accra.

Explaining her comments that she secured early release of the loans to the beneficiary groups, the failed parliamentary candidate said, “I did that because it is in the interest of the scheme itself that beneficiaries get the loans when they need them.

“It is the only way they can repay. With May being the most critical period of farming in the northern parts, it was the most prudent thing to do to give them their loans at that time.

“And for the avoidance of doubt, many constituencies in the northern region and elsewhere had far larger number of MASLOC loan beneficiary groups than Yendi and this is verifiable. Tamale Central – 117 groups; Tamale South – 69 groups; Tamale North – 56 groups; Yendi – 35 groups,” Hajia emphasised.

Touching on the accusation of conflict of interest and abuse of office, Hajia Abibata said she does not determine who benefits from MASLOC loans and whose application is approved.

“I had no power to manipulate the process and I couldn’t possibly say people whose applications have been approved by the Board should be denied because they are delegates. That would be unfair and unconstitutional discrimination.”

She said the claim by Corruption Watch that when they “contacted her for her response, she admitted to the findings but insisted that I didn’t err in her decision to give state money to induce delegates,” is most unfair and unethical.

“I made no such admission. I specifically refuted the claims that I gave state money to delegates. I said so repeatedly because I did not give, could not have given, any state money to delegates. And yet Corruption Watch unfairly claimed I made an admission.”

Mahama Zakariah said residents of Yendi applied for loans as many other citizens and were assessed and granted the loans which they will pay back. I, therefore, did not buy any votes with state money.

“I didn’t admit to giving state money to delegates to induce them because that did not happen. I couldn’t possibly admit to something that didn’t happen.

“I ran the campaign on my own meagre resources and lost. If I were capable of, and minded to, use state money for my campaign, I would not hold a public gathering and distribute the money on tables as the videos indicate.

“Corruption Watch simply picked publicly available information, distorted and sensationalised it, causing grave and unjustified injury to my reputation,” the Deputy MASLOC CEO said.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

For the second year in a row, Ghana did not get any nomination in the ‘Best International Act’ category of the annual Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.

Just like last year, the category has been dominated by artistes from Nigeria and France.

Grabbing nominations in this year’s category are AKA (South Africa), Aya Nakamura (France), Burna Boy (Nigeria), Dave (U.K.), Dosseh (France), Giggs (U.K.) and Mr Eazi (Nigeria).

READ ALSO: VGMA Artiste of the Decade: Stonebwoy marks Samini; Bulldog anoints Shatta Wale

This is the second time that Ghana has missed out on a nomination, since the creation of that category in 2010.

Sarkodie won the award in 2012

Since the introduction of the Best International Act category nine years ago, Ghana has received a nomination every year and has gone on to win that award twice – in 2012 and 2015.

Nominated for the Best International Act Award last year were Casper Nyovest (South Africa), Distruction Boyz (South Africa), Davido (Nigeria), Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DR Congo), Stormzy (UK), J Hus (UK), Booba (France), J Hus (UK), Stefflon Don (UK), and Niska (France).

Davido last year made history by becoming the first international act nominee to receive his award live on stage during the main Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards.

Last year, Hip-hop artiste, Kwesi Arthur gave Ghana something to celebrate when was nominated for ‘Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act’ category. He lost out to South Africa’s Sjava.

ALSO READ: I married my best friend – Mrs Dumelo

Also in the ‘Best New International Act’ category, Ghana also did not get a nomination.

Headie One (U.K.), Jok’Air (France), Nesly (France), Octavian (U.K.), Sho Madjozi (South Africa), Teni (Nigeria) got nominations in that category.

Let’s look past Ghanaian nominees at the BET Awards:

2010 – Kojo Antwi (lost to Dizzee Rascal of UK)

2011 – D-Black (lost to 2Face Idibia & D’Banj of Nigeria)

2012 – Sarkodie (He jointly won it with Nigeria’s Wizkid)

2013 – R2Bees (lost to Ice Prince of Nigeria) 

2014 – Sarkodie (lost to Davido of Nigeria)

2015 – Stonebwoy (Won)

2016 – MzVee (lost to Black Coffee of South Africa)

2017 – Stonebwoy (lost to WizKid of Nigeria)

Source: myjoyonline.com

Residents of Kasoa Ano-town, New Market Down and Peace Town have been displaced after a number of houses in the area submerged after two hours of heavy rainfall in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of the Central region.

In an interview with Adom News, some of the affected persons called on the government to come to their aid by dredging all the water bodies in the municipality to allow free flow of water.

“We become scared anything the weather gets cloudy due to the situation over here so we will urge the Member of Parliament, Hawa Koomson and the assemblyman to help solve our problem for us,” they appealed.

ALSO: Photo: Kasoa Police gun down two armed robbers during gun battle

Meanwhile, some drivers plying the Kasoa Old-timers to Ano-town road said, they are forced to drop passengers in the middle of the road when it rains and appealed to the government to construct bridges and gutters in the area.

However, the Municipal Chief Executives for Awutu Senya East, Michael Yaw Mensah blamed the residents for being part of the problem they are facing.

READ: Audio: Reflect on the gaffe; the ridiculing is too much – Kwakye Ofosu tells CID boss

“You warn people on constructing in waterways but they wouldn’t listen and as at now, we have a lot of court cases we are dealing with on people building without permits. The fact that government is there to solve our problems doesn’t mean we should be reckless,” he urged.

“You will sometimes summon these people but they won’t come and when you storm the site, they will pull guns out and will try to attack you,” he said.

Source: Adomonline.com | Adom News | Kofi Adjei

Rapper Medikal is known for jumping jump and lip-synching during some of his stage performances.

But with the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards coming up, a fan is requesting for something different.

@Quophi_Trilla took to Twitter to tell Medikal he wants an epic performance and not the usual jumping and sing-alongs.

READ ALSO: Photos: Chris Attoh’s slain wife had twins

He wrote, “You for give we killer performance. Not them sing along regular jumping, jumping on stage some.”

However, the rapper was quick to clap back at the user saying he has nothing new to offer apart from his usual.

“Same thing I go do Massa, notin I get????,” he wrote.

ALSO READ: I married my best friend – Mrs Dumelo

You for give we killer performance ??
Not them sing along regular jumping jumping on stage some

— Your Ex (@Quophi_Trila) May 15, 2019

@Quophi_Trilla came back with a response, “I’m laughing like killer. He says nothing I get. U for spice am small Some stage craft uno.”

Same thing I go do Massa, notin I get ? https://t.co/NuBwIiO3Wm

— MEDiKAL (@AmgMedikal) May 15, 2019

Many fans were quick to defend the rapper like @Say_Tray_xx tweeting, “????????????do am pls…i like it when u jump around.”

@ZeticalGh also wrote, “MDK @AmgMedikal My Guy ride motor go stage den add trampoline, go do acrobatics or gymnastics with the motorcycle, whiles the DJ Dey play de song mk u no sing along wai, abi he say killer performance?? I fit call am com stage den flip over am with the motorbike too…”

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Maintaining relevance in Ghana’s music sphere is somewhat the headache of Ghanaian singer, Kurl Songx.

The singer, blessed with outstanding vocal prowess, passed by Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM Friday and discussed his music career.

He said at certain times his songs do not transcend far as his heart desires, hence he feels his career has been sidelined despite his talent.

Not being able to be at par in the news with acts like Kuami Eugene, Kidi, and Kwesi Arthur, Kurl Songx said got one of his fans rant to the extent of pelting him with water. (Video above)

SEE THIS: I’m not a fan but will ‘play’ with my wife’s backside – Dumelo (Photo)

“Last time
someone poured water on me. They feel like I’ve slept on my career. When I go to
places, they tell me I am sleeping,” he told Andy Dosty.

Asked if he wanted out of the contract signed with Kaywa so he could test the waters with other managers interested in pushing his career beyond the borders, Kurl Songx said no.

“I am not waiting for anyone and neither do I want out of the contract but if someone wants to help and move Kurl Songx from this level to this level, that’s fine but not label to label.

“I feel like my song is not being pushed that much. I am still with Kaywa and at the end of the day whoever comes and wants to help me push then it depends on Kaywa. I don’t do distribution of music. I don’t get my music across. I am just an artiste,” he noted.

ALSO SEE: Why I cut off my manhood – Bobrisky reveals

Kurl Songx was crowned the winner of MTN Hitmaker season 5. He overpowered other finalists, F9, Eugene and Sir Tino to win a GH¢100,000.00 recording deal.

He inked a deal with Kaywa’s Highly Spiritual record after the competition in 2017, and caused traffic with his maiden song, ‘Jennifer Lomotey’ which featured rapper Sarkodie. Kurl also worked with late Rufftown records signee, Ebony Reigns.

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Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr has expressed disappointment at Criminal Investigations Department (CID) boss, Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah’s gaffe concerning the three missing Takoradi girls.

Mr Baako said like many Ghanaians, he was hopeful the three girls will be found after Madam Tiwaa’s press conference that the police knew the whereabouts of the girls and were working hard to rescue them.

READ ALSO: Photo: Kasoa Police gun down two robbers during gun battle

“I have tried to be very soft and charitable on her case because I sat here feeling reassured with her keep on keeping on comment. I kept encouraging the public to understand what she was saying because I was of the view that they knew what they were doing and were within range of rescuing the kidnapped girls,” he said.

“Based on all my experience as a student of intelligence and history and how things have turned out, I feel very devastated,” Mr Baako said on Accra-based Metro TV, monitored by AdomOnline.com.

According to him, even though he has had no personal encounter with Madam Tiwaa, his research about her showed she was a brilliant woman who has risen through the ranks of the Ghana Police Service but it now looks as though she has fallen apart.

READ ALSO: Video: Contractor sacks pupils from classroom; kids forced to study under trees

Commenting on the CID boss’ desire to become an IGP, Mr Baako said: “I looked into the crystal ball and didn’t see her as part of the IGP role.”

Source: Adomonline.com/Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

Opposition political parties in the country are livid, following the presence of heavily armed security personnel at the Electoral Commission (EC) during an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

The parties were particularly unhappy with the presence of heavily built security personnel and the thorough screening of representatives of political parties and even staff of the EC.

The reports suggest the representatives were asked to leave their bags behind before entering the meeting room.

READ ALSO: Kojo Oppong Nkrumah peddled palpable falsehood – Agalga fires

It, however, appears that the most affected of all the representatives were the National Chairman of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah, who told the press after the meeting that he felt intimidated by the presence of the armed policemen at the meeting.

Narrating his ordeal on Adom News, Mr Monah his little bag, which contained his packed lunch, kenkey and fish was confiscated by the security personnel during the search.

“They took my kenkey and fish and I’m not sure I will eat it again because I don’t know what they might have done with it,” he fumed.

READ ALSO: Video: Contractor sacks pupils from classroom; kids forced to study under trees

Mr Mornah also accused the EC of using such tactics just to intimidate outspoken representatives of political parties.

He said he was particularly unhappy with the strange manner in which a police officer who was in the meeting looked at him anytime he made his submissions, indicating that he felt intimidated to the extent that he had to tell the meeting that he was not comfortable.

READ ALSO: No evidence to prosecute Central Medical Stores arsonists – Minister

“This is the first time I have come across this and I raised it at the IPAC meeting,” Mornah stressed.

Source: Ghana|Adomonline.com|Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman

“The New Ghana I want to build has no space for conflict and unnecessary violence and I hope to see conflicts cease in this new North East Region to enable development take place,” President Akufo Addo has said to the people of Chereponi.

The president was speaking to the people of Chereponi during his tour of the newly-created North East region where he asked the people to open their doors to eternal peace to ensure it comes to stay with them.

READ ALSO: Audio: Reflect on the gaffe; the ridiculing is too much – Kwakye Ofosu tells CID boss

“I am hoping to see the current peace in Dagbon reign across the country because there are a lot of opportunities in Ghana which need to be harnessed but cannot be done in the midst of conflicts,” he stated.

The North East region forms part of the six new regions that were created through a referendum on December 27, 2018 in Ghana with Nalerigu as the capital.

Source: Adomonline.com/Adom News/Illiasu Abdul Rauf

The clock is ticking for music’s biggest night on Saturday, May 18 and all is set for the celebration of Ghanaian music.

Every year, since the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) began some 20 years ago, there has always been conversations about who will host the event.

This year is no different, as there have been lots of speculations about who will host the 20th edition of the awards.

SEE THIS: Ghana we’re sick in the head – Akwaboah laments over song features

Many names were put out by bloggers and entertainment pundits, but guess who organisers finally settled on to end weeks of speculations.

And when the cat came out of the bag, it’s the Chairman General himself.

Ace broadcaster, Kwami Sefa Kayi has accepted to host the 20th anniversary edition of the VGMAs after reports made rounds that he initially turned down the offer, adomonline.com can confirm.

ALSO SEE: Video: Nsoromma’s Ashley Chuks teams up with Kuami Eugene on ‘Show Me Love’ track

The Chairman General is not new to the VGMA, having hosted the awards many times in the past; from 1999 through to 2007 when he handed over the mantle.

He comes with decades of experience in broadcasting, presentation and emceeing.

The show, which comes off this Saturday, May 18 at the Accra International Conference Centre promises an exciting night to celebrate Ghanaian music.

Host of 3FM Drive, Giovani Caleb will pair Sika Osei for the Red Carpet experience.

Source: 3news.com

A Belgian court has ruled that Albert II, the former king of Belgium, will be fined €5,000 ($5,600) every day until he takes a DNA test to determine whether he fathered a child during an alleged affair.

Delphine Boel, a Belgian artist and sculptor, claims the king had an affair with her mother, Sibylle de Selys Longchamps, resulting in her birth in 1968. 

Albert married Paola Ruffo di Calabria, later Queen Paola of Belgium, in 1959. He became king in 1993.

In 2013, at the age of 79, he abdicated the throne in favour of his son Philippe, citing concerns over his age and health. 

That same year, Boel launched a legal case to see the former king recognized as her father.

In October of 2018, the Brussels Court of Appeal ruled in her favour and ordered Albert to submit to a DNA test, but so far he has not done so. 

Albert must now submit to a test by a court-appointed forensic expert or face a fine, the appeals court ruled Thursday. 

At Boel’s request, the result of the DNA test will be kept confidential until the legal proceedings conclude. Her lawyer, Marc Uyttendaele, told the AFP news agency that she “suggested this option in order to calm the situation and avoid a media storm.”

“I can’t imagine for a second that he doesn’t submit to the test,” Uyttendaele said. 

Albert’s lawyer, Guy Hiernaux, told CNN that the former king is currently “out of the country” until Sunday and has not yet responded to the ruling. 

“We will probably be in touch Monday or Tuesday to discuss things further,” Hiernaux said.

“I think he will accept the test because it will be confidential so there is no reason to not do it,” he added. “It has been his position since the beginning that the DNA test was premature but he never refused to do it. But we had to wait for this verdict before getting the DNA test done.” 

If Albert is proven to be the father, Boel would be entitled to go by the name of Delphine Van België, and, by royal decree, might also take the title of princess, CNN affiliate VTM Belgium reported.

CNN

It is a fight that could end the way of Lucky Dube’s hit song, ‘It’s not easy’ or to bring it close to home, the 1970 Ghanaian movie classic ‘I told you so.’

But it has also ended in parents eating humble pie in accepting that their experienced fears are still not facts as the marital choices of their sons and daughters get justified by time.

Here is the story on one such battle which Daniel [Not his real name] faced when he brought home his fiancée from another African country.

“She is beautiful, she is so graceful…she is a Christian and she is good,” the stricken-lover gushed like the powerful force of freshly dug wells.

“I completely fell in love with her,” the confession was complete.

Daniel says his would-be bride flew into Ghana to have lunch with his family on Saturday and the reception was flawless.

Great smiles flashed around the lunch table as his mother, siblings and relatives played their roles as hospitality ambassadors.

“They were just being nice. They were pretending,” Daniel would later realise the lunch demeanour was nothing more than scene 1, act 1 of a box office movie.

There was a brutal grilling later. “What is wrong with you?” ‘Why can’t you find a woman in Ghana?’ “You can lose your children if ever there is a custody battle in a divorce!’ – the blitz of disapproval swallowed his every explanation.

The full force of the family, the full force of psychology in pleadings and beggings, the full force, of course, prayer and the full force of experience thundered against the ‘naïve’ heart of an eager bachelor boy.

“It was a very crazy argument,” Daniel remembered those moments.  He would go ahead and insist marriage is a personal decision.

“I went ahead with them.”

His mother would take the cue and let it remain personal by not showing up on his son’s wedding day in a country far off. Daniel said he has always shared a special bond with his mother and her absence hurt.

“Seeing her happy would have made me happier,” he confessed that one decision that he could not take to keep mummy happy.

His siblings would, however, book a flight to make the journey to give a semblance of family support for the marriage even if that support looked fragile.

Daniel’s brothers and sisters would return and impress on their mother to accept her son’s choice because they had witnessed he was happy.

She began to warm up. “She came to like her very much,” Daniel told of the change and the return of peace.

But while peace prevailed in the extended family, it was not all peaceful in Daniel’s nuclear setting.

He called it “bumps” in a way that sounded euphemistic and masked. There were “battles” – he settled into a more accurate description of how feisty young marriages can get.

But Daniel’s real challenge was who to talk to without getting “you were told not to marry this girl and you went ahead” – the feedback he got when he tried to reveal his need for counsel and help.

“I had to redefine the people I talked to,” Daniel found strategy in retreating from family counsel.

His mind began to play tricks on him – playing Lucky Dube’s track. Was his family right after all? Should he have listened to experienced counsel? ‘Mummy said this would happen.

The mental game and the second-guessing can be relentless.  But Daniel knew marriage is hard work and despite those effusions of frustrations and those ‘I-want-a-divorce’ moments, he would continue to work things out with his wife.

“There was no time I opened up and went to my mum or siblings to say, mehn, you guys were right.”

“It made me work hard,” he revealed a life of concessions and compromise all necessary to keep a marital promise.

“I have no regrets,” Daniel distilled his experiences.

While nationality was a challenge in Daniel’s marriage, James would consider Daniel’s challenge ‘chicken change’

His family did not approve his marriage to a woman because of her ethnicity, social status, religious background and there was a child she was bringing into a new marriage.

“There were very serious questions.” 

Listen to his story and Daniel above:

Pupils and teachers of Ampeyoo-Krofrom D/A Junior High School, near Kumasi in the Ashanti region have been displaced after fire razed their classrooms and offices on Thursday.

The fire, which is believed to have started around 2:am on Thursday, destroyed three offices and classrooms in the school as well as furniture, computers, books and other school materials.

In an interview with Adom News, the headmistress of the school, Joyce Osei Manu, recounting the lost lamented how it was going to affect teaching and learning, especially the final year pupils.

ALSO: Video: Contractor sacks pupils from classroom; kids forced to study under trees

“I had to report here around 3:15 am because of the fire only to realise we have lost everything; our teaching and learning materials, laptops and other valuables,” the troubled headmistress said.

Meanwhile, the assemblyman for the area, Bismark Addai Dumoh explained temporary measures were being worked on to get the pupils back to the classroom.

“We are hoping in a month or two we would be able to get new classrooms for the pupils but for now, the assembly has decided they will join a nearby school, Ampabame R/C to enable them continue with their studies,” he assured.

ALSO: NHIS to cover cancer treatment

Though the cause of fire is still not known, Mr Dumoh disclosed he suspects arson.

“I can say that it was someone who did that because we came to meet part of the classroom window cut off so there is no way this can be an electrical fault,” he claimed.

Source: Adomonline.com| Adom News

The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it will not rely solely on the prediction by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) that the party will secure re-election in 2020.

General Secretary of the party, Mr John Boadu said despite the prediction, the party will continue to be on its toes to ensure victory in the 2020 polls.

“We won’t rely on the report, we are not going to be complacent but rather work and ensure that we win the 2020 elections,” he said on Accra based Neat FM monitored by Adomonline.com.

ALSO: NDC will not sleep on EIU report – MP

The EIU has predicted that the NPP will secure re-election in 2020.

The EIU in its country report on Ghana released on May 13, 2019, said it will be difficult for the opposition National Democratic Congress under former President John Dramani Mahama, to portray itself as the better custodian of Ghana’s economy, especially as the country’s growth outlook looks fairly strong.

The EIU has over the years released similar reports and predictions on Ghana’s elections, which in a number of cases have turned out to be right and other times wrong.

READ: Kojo Oppong Nkrumah peddled palpable falsehood – Agalga fires

To Mr Boadu, the prediction by EIU is not surprising to both the party and the government knowing very well that they have done enough to improve the economic situation in the country since President Akufo-Addo took over in 2017.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

The prosecution of 12 people said to be the arsonists behind the Central Medical Stores fire in Tema is still in limbo.

The situation, the Minister of Health has explained, is due to lack of evidence for a successful prosecution.

READ: Top Newspaper Headlines: Friday May 17, 2019

Hon. Kwaku Agyemang Manu on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Friday revealed that, even forensic auditors employed to undertake the investigations have been unsuccessful.

The Central Medical Stores in Tema containing every conceivable drug imported into the country before onward distribution to the various regions was razed by fire on January 13, 2015.

Ghana’s stock of medical supplies that was lost after the fire was estimated at GH¢237 million.

READ: Two arrested at Kasoa over counterfeit money scam

A report released after the fire by the Bureau of National Investigations attributed the incident to arson.

Four years after the fire, prosecution has not been successful; a situation that donor partners like the Global Fund and US-Aid had expressed worry about.

But, the Health Minister said they are cracking their brains to find watertight evidence against the 12 suspects.

READ: 2.5m children at risk of sanitation, water-related diseases

“Two days after the incident occurred, all the evidence was cleared so it has become very difficult to back our claims with evidence,” he bemoaned.

This notwithstanding, the Minister said they won’t rest on their ores in finding evidence to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.

Source: Ghana|Adomonline.com|Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman

Former Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs says he won’t blame President Nana Akufo-Addo for the closure of Radio Gold and Radio XYZ which was undertaken by the National Communications Authority (NCA).

According to him, he does not want to believe that President Akufo-Addo was aware of the shutdown of the radio stations but he should come out and speak on the issue.

“When you are in power, it is about rule of law and when you are in opposition, it is about witch-hunting. I will not want to believe that Akufo-Addo is behind this closure of the radio stations but he should come out and speak on the issue to allow the issue to rest.

ALSO: Audio: Churches urged to move beyond prayers

“I will not point accusing finger at Akufo Addo,” he said on Adom FM’s Morning Show ‘Dwaso Nsem,Tuesday.

The NCA, which is a regulator of spectrum in the country, on Thursday stormed the premises of the two opposition affiliated stations and shut them down as they were broadcasting live a press event by the NDC’s Council of Elders.

READ: We’ve passed stage of regime of fear – Baako

“Radio stations operating without valid
authorisations as determined by the 2017 FM Broadcasting Audit are being shut
down with immediate effect as enforcement action in view of the decision of the
Electronic Communications Tribunal,” the NCA said.

However, Mr Jacobs, who describes himself as a social commentator, said the timing for the exercise was bad.

READ: Over 1.7bn tonnes of iron ore found in Yendi

He believes the President rules through the lenses
of people around him and he suspect’s people are using their status to stifle
people’s expressions and advocacy.

“We need the radio stations to operate and so when you have people around the President making decisions without him knowing it is very bad and should not be entertained,” he noted.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

The Works and Housing Minister, Mr Samuel Atta-Akyea has disclosed that his Chief Director at the Ministry, Zimblin Yakubu paid a sum of $5 million on the Saglemi Housing Project without his authorisation as a Minister.

“He was the Chief Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) I came to meet and worked with him till June 2017, so it is not the director I came with,” he said.

To Mr Atta-Akyea, he is positive in due time, all persons and entities involved in the botched Saglemi Housing deal will soon be called out to answer questions on allegations of causing financial loss to the State.

ALSO: Video: Rosewood Chinese suspect had stakeholders in her pocket – Taskforce member

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr Atta-Akyea stated that though it is within the power of the Minister to authorise any financial statement, he cannot for any reason fathom why the $5 million payment went pass him.

“It has come out in a very pathetic way that Zimblim paid the money without the Minister’s permission, but I can assure you there is trouble looming and we will soon find out how the money was paid without the Minister’s authorisation and who at the Ministry of Finance paid that money,” he said.

READ: Mahama feels partly responsible for Ghanaians’ problems – Sam George (Audio)

“Do you even know Ziblim also signed a second agreement changing the terms of the original contract of the Saglemi project on December 21, 2016 barely weeks after the NDC lost the general election? He quizzed the host of the show, Osei Bonsu, popularly known as OB.

Mr Atta-Akyea expressed hope that all the ills surrounding the Saglemi Housing project will soon be exposed.

Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Otchere

A youth group, which identifies itself as East and North Ayawaso Youth for Development, has vowed to resist any attempt by the State to give Nima and Maamobi a ‘villagio-like’ facelift if no stakeholder consultation takes place.

According to the group, there has been no consultation over the project with their Member of Parliament (MP) or their Imam who they consider as the key stakeholders in the area.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, the Convener of the group, Nazir Iddris stated that until these consultations are done, they will not rescind their decision to resist the redevelopment of the area.

ALSO: Don’t give in to pressure to marry – Actress

“Before any development takes place, there are some processes that must take place and this includes consultation with stakeholders. We also want to know who the contractors are and the terms involved in that development.

“There should have been a committee with the youth and Imams involved. We see this as one of the sloganeering things they want to do. We will resist any attempt to demolish any house without due process,” he said.

Meanwhile, the MP for Ayawaso North, Yussif Issaka Jajah has said the government has not provided him and all other relevant stakeholders with the necessary information about the redevelopment project.

ALSO: Charcoal toothpastes ‘don’t whiten teeth’

“As the MP for the area, I have never heard of this until the last time the President came to give his State of the Nation Address. I thought after all the debate on the State of the Nation Address; this thing will come before us as stakeholders of this project.

“Till now, I don’t know anything about it. I don’t know how they are going about it, the timelines and whether they have engaged the landlords – I am not aware of it as an MP,” he said.

Source: Adomonline.com |Gertrude Otchere

Rigworld Training Centre (RTC), an indigenous Ghanaian company has signed an accreditation partnership with the Regional Maritime University (RMU) to train personnel on International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.

Under the accreditation partnership the two parties will collaborate for the training of people on IMO mandatory short courses hence issue two certificates; one jointly signed by RTC and RMU and secondly solely signed by the Ghana Maritime Authority, certificate of competency from Ghana Maritime Authority.

The partnership, which was signed by Prof. Elvis Nyarko, Vice Chancellor of the RMU and Kofi Amoa-Abban, Director of the RTC.

Among some of the courses that would be offered as part of the training program include Elementary First Aid, Personal Survival Techniques, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities as well as Basic Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting.

Others are International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, Oil/Chemical Tanker Familiarization, Efficient Deck Hand, Lifeboat, Proficiency in Survival Craft Rescue Boat, Radar/ARPA Simulator Training as well as International Safety Management.

The RMU is an international institution owned by the Republics of Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone under the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA). The overall objective of the RMU is to promote regional co-operation in the maritime industry focusing on the training to ensure sustained growth and development in the industry.

The RTC on the other hand is an indigenous Ghanaian company accredited by various international bodies to train people and students in safety and survival skills in the oil and gas industry here. 

Samuel Dowuona

The Kasoa Divisional Police Command in the Central Region has arrested two persons, for their alleged involvement in a counterfeiting scam.

Kelvin Bright, a Nigerian national, and Godfred Mensah, a Ghanaian, are suspected to be part of a gang that prints fake currencies in the Central Region. The third suspect Steven Boahene is on the run.

Speaking to Citi News in an interview, the Kasoa Divisional Crime Officer, DSP Owusu Dwomoh, explained that a printing machine, pieces of papers suspected to be used in printing the fake currencies and some toners were retrieved from the suspects’ hideout.

ALSO: NDC gave permit for importation of arms – Minister

“The two suspects told the Police that the third suspect Steven Boahen was the one who was printing these fake currencies but currently he is on the run and we are looking for him,” DSP Dwomoh told Citi News Calvis Tetteh.

There were also some fake euro, dollar and cedi notes found on them.

“We found a lot of money in their hideout at Safari, some were dollars and others were euros even including the 20 cedi note,” the crime officer said.

According to the crime officer, personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Counter Terrorist Unit, upon a tip-off, arrested the suspects at Safari along the Nyanyano road in Kasoa.

The suspects have been granted bail whilst investigations proceed.

DSP Owusu Dwomoh also advised residents of Kasoa not to hesitate in reporting suspected criminals to the Police, adding that by doing this, the public could help the police fight crime in the region.

READ: Ambulance driver in court for transporting cannabis with van

“The public must always report the criminals to us and we will act upon it to help fight the high incidence of crime in the region,” he said.

‘Businessman’ busted

A 24-year-old self-acclaimed businessman has also been arrested over suspected production of fake Ghana Cedi notes.

He has since been remanded into custody by the Konongo Magistrate Court, in the Asante-Akim Central Municipality.

Prince Adebayor, the suspect, was caught red-handed by the police at Konongo engaging in the illegal activity, following a tip-off.

The prosecutor, Police Detective Princeton Peasah Darkwah told the Court that on May 6, at about 2pm, Police received information that the accused was counterfeiting Ghana Cedi notes in front of a shop at Konongo.

READ: Ghanaians could travel to EU countries with Ghana Card – Prof Attafuah

He said other items found on the suspect were three bottles containing a black liquid, a small bottle with a whitish powder and 12 pieces of white paper, cut into the size of two cedi notes.

He led the police in the course of the investigation to Ejisu, where he claimed his boss was residing, but on reaching there, the police found an empty office.

The accused however refused to name the said boss.

Detective Inspector Peasah said the accused later confessed to the police that he was working alone to produce fake cedi notes and had no accomplice as he had earlier asserted.

He said the accused also admitted counterfeiting two Cedi notes to defraud the unsuspecting public and demonstrated to the police, the process he used to produce the fake currency notes and how he outwits his victims.

The police for the purpose of evidence filmed the demonstration by the accused.

Source: Citinewsroom

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has denied that it was charging teachers GH¢60 for the training on the New Standard-Based Curriculum for Kindergarten and Primary School teachers.

The GES has, therefore, asked teachers to treat the rumour with contempt and go ahead to participate in the on-going training.

The training has begun in the Eastern Region and would later be extended to the other regions.

ALSO: Audio: CID boss spoke English Language, not Greek – Opuni Frimpong

In a press release, signed by Ms Casandra Twum Ampofo, Head of the Public Relations Unit of GES and copied the Ghana News Agency, the GES said the rumour is an attempt by some people to mar the exercise.

“We would like to state unequivocally that it is not true and it is a calculated attempt to undermine the smooth running of the training workshop,” the statement added.

The release explained that a letter purported to back the rumour was not related to the training but another capacity workshop organised in collaboration with a private education consultant.

ALSO: Two arrested at Kasoa over counterfeit money scam

“Management would like to assure hardworking teachers that no amount is being charged for the training workshop on the New Curriculum,” it reiterated.

The statement noted that the Ministry of Education has provided funds to carry out the training for all teachers from Kindergarten to Primary Six.

It said that “GES in collaboration with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is also poised to carry out its mandate to ensure that quality education is provided to the Ghanaian child.”

Source: GNA

Management of Zoomlion Ghana Limited has taken due notice of a publication, circulating in some sections of the media, captured under the banner headline “Auditor-General describes Zoomlion as ‘fraudulent, drain on the country’ ”. The story mainly emanates from the website –(www.myjoyonline.com) and is replicated on a number of other news portals.

The article purports to derive its content from a reply filed by the Lawyers for the Auditor General in response to an appeal filed by Zoomlion against the Auditor General’s decision to surcharge and disallow certain payments made to Zoomlion Ghana Limited in respect of contracts the Company had executed.

We wish to state that the tone of the publication is laced with mischief, actuated by malice and calculated to lower the standing of the company and injure the hard-earned reputation of Zoomlion.

For the record, Zoomlion Ghana Limited has always co-operated with audits into its operations by statutory bodies. It is common practice, however, for organizations to disagree with the outcomes of an audit report – when they strongly believe that it fails to reflect the reality. Drawing inspiration from the preceding point, Zoomlion Ghana Limited is in Court against the Auditor General.

The purported reply on which the (www.myjoyonline) story relies, is at best an expression of opinion by the Auditor General’s Lawyers and not a statement of fact. Until the High Court determines otherwise, it remains an OPINION.

It, therefore, lies ill and mischievous in the judgement of any media house to project suchan OPINION as accurate and seek to use the same as a basis to describe Zoomlion in such objectionable and repulsive terms.

The supplementary reply filed by the Auditor General on April 23, 2019, had not been served on the Company as at May 14, 2019, when the matter was called in Court. We, therefore, wish to restate our position, that we reject such labels in their entirety and urge the public not to confer any seriousness on such ill-educated publications.

As a brand which shares a constructive working relationship with the Media across Ghana, we strive to build bridges. We are also not oblivious of the fact that the public has a right to know, and the Media is the channel through which that right is enjoyed.

However, we will encourage some of our Media collaborators to be circumspect in their reportage and avoid gleeful attempts to twist and spin delicate matters with the intention to prejudge cases, and court cheap popularity for themselves. 

We wish to reaffirm our belief in the judicial process and we will uphold our position for the entirety of this case. 

Zoomlion remains determined in purging Ghana of filth, and will continue the ambitious drive of providing integrated waste management solutions, and investing heavily to bridge the waste infrastructure gap and create employment.

Issued:   15^th May,2019

Communication Directorate

Zoomlion

Holders of Ghana Card will be able to travel to EU countries using only the new ID cards, Chief Executive Officer of the National Identification Authority, Prof Kenneth Attafuah, has said.

This is however dependent on whether Ghana successfully signs onto a pending protocol agreement with the European Union (EU), the NIA boss explained.

“This instant card we are issuing is the first of its kind in any part of the world. You get a passport on it that can make you travel anywhere in West Africa. And when Ghana signs the protocol with the EU, you will be able to travel with the Ghana Card anywhere in Europe,” Prof Attafuah has been quoted as saying on Starr FM, an Accra-based radio station.

Registration of Ghanaians for the Ghana card is currently ongoing.

To be eligible to register, a person must present their passport or birth certificate as a means of identification.

Otherwise, they are to present two witnesses who have been issued with a Ghana card to vouch for them.

President keen on success

Prof Attafuah also said on the radio station that President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is keenly following the progress of the card issuance.

”I can tell you that the President is very interested in what we are doing, it is a key deliverable to him and we are always having meetings over it.

“I met him last week and I have met him this week over it. He wants to know what is happening, what challenges we are facing and why the Ghanaian people are stressing and I feel the pain, too, but we will deliver on this project”, Prof Attafuah said.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Almost three out of every five public schools in Ghana do not have access to drinking water supply facilities while 30 per cent do not have toilet facilities.

This translates into over 2.5 million school-going children being at risk of preventable water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases, a statement issued by the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) has said.

It, therefore, called on the Government to close the access gap in the provision of drinking WASH facilities and services in schools.

The statement, signed by Basilia Nanbigne, the Executive Secretary of CONIWAS, and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday, said closing the access gap involved the provision and upgrading of WASH facilities, which were child, disability and gender sensitive.

It also involves the provision of safe, non-violent and inclusive learning environments for all in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-4a.

The statement said existing evidence showed that the majority of school compounds and WASH facilities, especially toilets, did not meet the required minimum standards.

“What is more alarming was that between 2013 and 2018 access to toilet facilities in schools improved by only one per cent, which implies that if the trend should continue with one per cent every five years, it would take Ghana 150 years to close the access gap of 30 per cent for sanitation in schools alone.”

Meanwhile, it said, the SDGs required countries to provide safe sanitation for all within the next 11 years.

There was a two per cent increase in the access gap of drinking water facilities in public basic schools from 56 per cent in 2013 to 58 per cent in 2018, making the situation more worrying, the statement said.

“Even for the existing toilet facilities, several of them do not have separate changing rooms for girls, forcing menstruating girls for instance, to stay away from school during their periods.’’

“Thousands of school toilet and water facilities are also not disability-sensitive, further complicating school life for pupils with disability.”

This, the statement noted, raised doubts about the sincerity in the national rollout of the Minimum Standards for WASH in Schools, developed by the Ghana Education Service (GES) in 2014.

It emphasised that if the minimum standards were followed and applied to every school, it would not require any miracle to meet the SDGs.

“The question, however, is how much have these standards been rolled out or adhered to even in new school blocks?”

“CONIWAS, therefore, calls on government to, as a matter of urgency, close the WASH in Schools access gaps of 30 per cent for sanitation and 51 per cent for water and adhere to the minimum standards…developed by the GES.”

Source: GNA

Pupils and teachers of Ampeyoo-Krofrom D/A Junior High School, near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, arrived in school Thursday morning to the shocking sight of their burnt classroom block.

The fire, which started at about 2 a.m. ravaged five classrooms and offices, leaving furniture, computers, books and other school materials completely destroyed.

“We are traumatised and have to stop everything,” the headmistress, Joyce Osei Manu lamented.

“We have lost a lot. All the furniture is burnt; everything. Every school record, every textbook is burnt including laptops so that is what we are facing,” the troubled headmistress added.

The school authorities said the incident will negatively affect academic work, especially, as final year pupils prepare for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The griefed pupils were spotted loitering as their teachers sat in groups to discuss the destruction at the time Nhyira FM news crew arrived at the scene.

A few curious ones tried to salvage some burnt books from the debris.

The headmistress has been in school since she received a call alerting her about the fire.

“On Monday we are to write mock exams and this is the situation we find ourselves in. The students are all traumatised,” she added.

Suspected arson?

The cause of the fire is yet to be investigated.

Assemblyman for the area, Bismark Addai Dwomoh, however, suspects arson and has lodged a complaint with the police.

“When the Fire Service came, though they have not released any report for us to know what really caused the fire outbreak…we can really say that it was someone who did that,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, officials of Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly are asking the school to share facilities with nearby Ampabame JHS, pending renovation of the burnt structure.

Ghana I Nhyira FM I Ohemeng Tawiah I ohemengtawiah@gmail.com

The Government has denied claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that it approved the recent importation of a large cache of arms into the country.

The NDC, in a recent statement, raised the alarm that the Akufo-Addo Administration had authorised the importation of the weapons at a time the country was grappling with the threat of terrorism.

But Information Minister, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, told journalists in Accra on Thursday that the permit was signed by the then Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr James Agalga, under the Mahama Administration, on 5th January, 2017.

Quoting from the letter, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said: “The permit granted the importer permission to import twenty thousand cases of five hundred pieces of shotgun cartridges, four thousand pieces of hunting shotguns and five hundred boxes of percussion caps.”

“It is curious that after the election of 2016, two days to the handing over on the 5th of January, at a time of the transition, this permit was issued on the blind side of everyone.”

Mr Oppong Nkrumah, however, said as the consignment arrived it was duly inspected in accordance with standard practice and had been delivered at a designated storage area.

“The state security agencies are ensuring that the consignment does not get into the hands of unauthorised persons” he added.

Source: GNA

Wife of embattled Menzgold boss Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM 1), Rose Appiah Mensah has wished her husband a blissful one on his birthday.

The couple went missing last year when they were declared wanted for failing to pay Menzgold customers their locked up principals after Security and Exchanges Commission and the Bank of Ghana closed the institution for operating without a license.

SEE THIS: Video: I don’t miss Creative Arts Ministry – Catherine Afeku

After staying off the radar some close to a year now, Madam Rose took to her Instagram to wish her husband a happy birthday, thanking him for being part of her life journey.

In an emotional post, she said the following words:

ALSO SEE: Kwesi Arthur’s parents were both singers

“Our journey so far, has been an amazing ride. The best part is that you and me, have been side by side. Being together gives me life’s best views. I’d choose you in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you. Happy birthday love. May God grant you all your heart desires and bless you in all your endeavors. Happy Birthday.”

Some people on social media wondered if this could be a sign that NAM 1 would soon resurface to pay his distressed customers.

Earlier, dancehall act Shatta Wale also indicated that NAM 1 would soon come out from hiding to resolve his matters amicably.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dennis K. Adu

The maiden edition of a sports summit led exclusively by women was held on 15th May 2019 at the Swiss Spirit Alisa Hotel in Accra.

The event themed  
‘’take your place’’ was put together by one of Africa’s influential
sports journalist Juliet Bawuah.

The event brought leading sports names and aspiring ones
together for a one-day session on career and coming from behind to lead.

The objective for the summit was to create a platform for
change, train, mentor and transfer knowledge from accomplished women sports
journalists to aspiring young ones.

Invited speakers for this event included former GFA Normalization Committee Vice President, Lucy Quist, Ghana’s finest women journalists, Nana Aba Anamoah and Eva Okyere. From across the continent, Ugandan Usher Komugisha and South African Carol Tsabalala.

The speakers touched on different topics including; how to challenge the norm, build a media brand, keep the bar up there, be a driving force and succeed in this male-dominated area

The 2019 Africa Women Sports Summit was supported by Swiss Spirit Alisa Hotel, Dr Bates Solutions and Stimuluz.

Story by: Queenster Agyapong

The race for Artiste of the Decade at this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards lingers on and all top artistes nominated for the respected category are sure to win it.

This plaque would not be treated as ordinary as it will reveal a musician who has remained relevant in not one or two but 10 solid years in the Ghanaian music sphere.

READ ALSO: I married my best friend – Mrs Dumelo

The VGMA board throwing more light on the category on Facebook said “Over the last decade, they have had the biggest impact, earned multiple nominations across the years in the VGMAs, have been relevant on the Ghanaian music scene and beyond; been very influential in music and showbiz and their craftsmanship in the industry has been phenomenal!”

Musicians nominated for the category are Becca, Efya, Joe Mettle, No Tribe and Nacee, Okyeame Kwame as well as R2Bees, Samini, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy.

All these acts are urging their fans to support them with votes because they think they deserve the honour.

Samini, during his performance at the VGMA experience concert which happened over the weekend at Independence Square, urged his fans to vote him up since he sees no musician at par with him in the contest.

For Reggae and Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, although he is part of the nomination for the VGMA Artiste of the Decade category, he believes fellow artiste Samini should win.

ALSO READ: I’m not a fan but will ‘play’ with my wife’s backside – Dumelo (Photo)

He told George Quaye on Joy FM‘s Showbiz A-Z on Saturday that he would go for Samini as the winner because Ghana is a witness to his prowess, some of the things he has done and is still doing in the industry.

Speaking to JoyNews’ MzGee at the 93rd birthday celebration of the British Queen here in Ghana, award-winning vocalist, Efya said “everybody that I have seen posting it thinks I deserve to be there. I think I deserve to be as well.”

READ ALSO: Kwesi Arthur’s parents were both singers

Asked if she thinks she has been relevant over a decade, Efya who was full of hope retorted “I’ve definitely been relevant over a decade – talking about her Girl Talk concert, collaborations, and awards among other things that make her fit for the award.

Lawrence Asiamah Hanson, popularly known as Bulldog, however, believes Shatta Wale deserves the Artiste of the Decade award.

According to him, Shatta Wale’s comeback into the music industry after a decade’s hiatus can only compare to the “second coming” of Christ.

READ ALSO: Photos: Criminals impersonate Samira Bawumia

“With all due respect to the rest of the amazing acts on the list of “artist of the decade” category, the above sterling records of Charles Nii Armah Mensah are unmatched and cannot be emulated. Please wait the next decade.”

So the questions stands, “Who wins Artiste of the Decade” award?”

Source: Adomonline.com/ Dennis K. Adu

Families of the three girls kidnapped in Takoradi, have descended heavily on Founder and Leader of the Glorious Word and Power Ministry International, Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah for his alleged comment on the missing girls.

The controversial prophet, who had earlier indicated that he knew where the kidnapped girls are being kept, but will only disclose their location if the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo calls on him to do so, appears to have lost interest in helping to find the girls.

ALSO: Inflation goes up slightly to 9.5% in April

But, spokesperson for the families of the three kidnapped, Michael Hayford Grant, has vowed to physically attack him (Owusu Bempah) should he fail to reveal the whereabouts of the girls.

“I will slap this man. I don’t mind going to jail because of that man [Rev Owusu Bempah]. What is he telling us (that until the President asks him to, he will not out of his own volition, disclose the whereabouts of the missing girls)?” he angrily questioned in an interview on Accra based Neat FM monitored by Adomonline.com.

ALSO: Mahama feels partly responsible for Ghanaians’ problems – Sam George (Audio)

But, his remarks seemed to have incurred the wrath of Rev Owusu Bempah, who on the same station dared Mr Hayford to walk his talk.

According to him, “the girls will continue to go missing forever,” he said.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

Former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Dr Kwabena Opuni Frimpong has called on the police hierarchy to immediately apologise to Ghanaians for COP Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah’s gaffe.

His comment follows the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, COP Addo-Danquah’s statement that she was misunderstood when she announced the three kidnapped Takoradi girls had been located.

To Dr Frimpong, COP Addo-Danquah spoke English when she said she knew the whereabouts of the children.

ALSO: Who is really behind closure of Radio Gold and Radio XYZ?

“It is not as simple as we didn’t understand her. COP Maame Tiwaa spoke English Language when she made those comments and not Greek and so coming back to say that we misconstrued you was such a blunder,” he stated in an interview on Joy News’ morning show, Tuesday.

COP Addo-Danquah has explained that when she said that the police knew where the three kidnapped Takoradi girls were, she explained that it gave the police hope of rescuing them.

According to her, the girls have not been found and that the police were working assiduously to locate them.

ALSO: Audio: Widow of lynched teacher speaks

The CID boss at a press conference in Accra on April 2, 2019, said the police knew where the three missing girls were and that the police would rescue them to enable the girls reunite with their families.

She said: “We know where the girls are.”                 

In an audio recording played on Joy FM’s midday news on Monday, May 13, 2019, however, the CID boss is heard saying in Twi that people had misconstrued her earlier statement that the police had found the three missing girls.

ALSO: Man fights best man after hugging bride during wedding ceremony

Dr Frimpong added that the Police hierarchy owes Ghanaians apology.

“People are deeply hurt. I take these children as my own and I feel the pain of the children. Whatever hope she wanted to give must be sustained and so I expect the police hierarchy to apologise to Ghanaians for that gaffe,” he maintained.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

The Ghana Police Service says it is taking steps to deal with the profiling of Rastafarians by some of its men.

The Police Management Board on Wednesday met with members of the Rastafari Council, Ghana, to discuss the incessant Police harassment of Rastafarians and persons with dreadlocks in the country.

This follows a petition sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the matter by the Rastafari Council.

READ ALSO: Don’t give in to pressure to marry – Actress

At the meeting, the Director-General in charge of Legal and Prosecution at the Police Headquarters, COP Prosper Kwame Agblor, assured them that their concerns have been noted and will be addressed accordingly.

The President of the Rastafari Council, Ghana, Ahuma Bosco Ocansey, said they are quite satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and are hopeful that the situation will improve.

“All we discussed at the meeting indicated that profiling or stereotyping Rastafari has no place in their work as the police. That alone was indicative of their recognition of the need for some actions to be taken to address the problem,” he said.

READ ALSO: Rastafarians call off May 8 ‘weed demo’ after court injunction

There have been several instances of police harassment of persons with dreadlocks in the country as in some cases, such people are denied access to national services.

Recently, the Western Regional Director of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Emmanuel Narh was heard on a radio discussion in Takoradi saying that the office does not give license to just any Rastafarian.

“We don’t give license to just any rasta. You need to prove that you belong to a credible rasta faith before we can grant you a license. Or you need to prove that you belong to a family with roots and enough grounds not to cut your hair,” he said.

ALSO READ: Photo: Rastafarians to embark on weed legalisation 

The comment angered the Rastafarian Council who launched a vigorous campaign to have the director removed from office.

Source: Citinewsroom.com

A teacher at the Asiakwa Salvation Army School has narrated has pinned the attack and subsequent death of his colleague down to the theft of snails reared by their school.

The teacher alleged that the attackers of his colleague gathered the snails from the school’s farm.

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He said on realising that they were the ones responsible for the theft, they were asked to pay GHc1000, a figure that was reduced to GHc 600 after several negotiations.

He believes this might have infuriated the young men who may have harboured hatred for the teachers of the school.

He said the rest of the teachers were in fear as felt their lives were at risk because their deceased colleague told them the attackers said they would come for them.

He also revealed that even after their colleague’s attack, some unidentified persons he believed may have connections with the attackers went to set fire and cooked in the school.

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He called on the Ghana Education Service to give him and his colleagues a mass transfer because the attackers have relations in their school and he feared that they may be tempted to treat them harshly because of the sins of their brothers.

George Somuah Bosompem, a teacher at the Asiakwa Salvation Army School died at the St Joseph’s Hospital, Koforidua, in the Eastern Region following an attack on him by some youth of the town.

The four, Richard Anani, 18; Emmanuel Mireku, 18; Philip Okodie, 18; and Paul Boadu, 19, have since been remanded in police custody.

Source: Adomonline.com/Getrude Otchere

Talk about unity in Ghana’s music space and lots of musicians would say “it barely exists unlike Nigerian acts do” and the latest to join the wave is Ghanaian singer, Akwaboah.

The Sarkcess record label signee has taken a swipe at some of his colleagues for taking too much time to do song features with him.

Akwaboah isn’t the only musician lamenting as most of the female songstresses cry over how most male a-list musicians request for sex for song features.

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According to Akwaboah, he was surprised a non-Ghanaian act sent him a verse in two days while his Ghanaian brothers kept him begging to jump on his song.

In a post on Facebook, which has caused a stir on social media, Akwaboah said, “Funny how u wanna put your own brother Ghanaian on a song… they keep flexing you… send same song to a bigger non Ghanaian act… and you have your verse in 2 days… Ghana we’re sick in the head.”

But, one entertainment personality who disagreed with Akwaboah was Mark Okraku Mantey, the President of the Creative Arts Council.

Speaking on the Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, Mr Mantey explained that it takes more than enough for two musicians to do a song together.

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“I do not think it’s an issue. And it’s because taste varies. I defended same on Sark and Meiway song. It will be difficult for Sark to sit on Meiway’s song because if he does not take time he would disgrace himself.

“Anytime Sarkodie matches the mature acts, he conforms because his groove is more of drums. If you give Sarkodie something which is melodious, he struggles to fit and that is his weakness. So if you want someone to feature on your song, it’s their prerogative… Akwaboah thinks anytime he wants it to happen it should but we must communicate,” he Mark.

Read Akwaboah’s post below:

Source: Adomonline.com | Dennis K. Adu