Asanko Gold, Rabotec Ghana sign $400 million contract to boost local content agenda

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the current government to fast-track the completion and operationalisation of all stalled hospitals under the Agenda 111 project, a programme initiated during his administration to expand healthcare access across Ghana.

Speaking over the weekend at the Centenary Celebrations of the Kyebi Government Hospital, organised by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional State and the hospital, former President Akufo-Addo emphasised that completing these facilities would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.

“We must also be honest: not every project was realised, not every project was completed. At some facilities, we reached advanced stages that could not be finished before our term ended. Agenda 111 must be continued. Continuity, not disruption, is how health systems succeed,” he stated, stressing that healthcare should not be politicised.

The Agenda 111 initiative aims to construct 111 modern hospitals across the country, particularly in underserved areas, to reduce the gap in access to quality healthcare services.

At the event, the Overlord of Akyem Abuakwa, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, echoed the call for urgent improvements at the 100-year-old facility.

He highlighted persistent infrastructural deficits, including the absence of a scan machine and a fully functional laboratory.

“I am not the only one frustrated, but the nurses and doctors over there are equally frustrated. 100 years later, there is no scan machine in Kyebi Hospital, there is no quality laboratory in Kyebi Hospital,” he said, urging all stakeholders to contribute to upgrading the hospital.

The Medical Superintendent of Kyebi Government Hospital, Dr. Isaac Adu-Opoku Antwi, also raised concerns over overcrowding, noting that children are currently sharing wards with pregnant women, a practice that compromises patient care and safety.

Dr. Adu-Opoku Antwi appealed to the government to construct a dedicated maternity block, a children’s ward, a physiotherapy unit and staff accommodation to improve service delivery and working conditions for health professionals.

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All 6 politicians I prayed for in 2023 won their elections – Pete Edochie

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March 31, 2026

Veteran Nollywood Actor, Pete Edochie has claimed he was instrumental in the victories of six Nigerian politicians in the 2023 general elections.

The film icon revealed that six politicians, who visited him to seek his blessings with gifts of a ram and kolanuts, all emerged victorious after he prayed for them.

Pete Edochie stated this while receiving popular streamer, Peller, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Enugu residence recently.

“Two years ago, six people who were running for political offices came to my house; they brought me a big ram and Kolanuts. I prayed for them, and they all won their elections,” he said.

Edochie noted that he is grateful to God because “each time I make a request from God, he always grants it.

He added, “All the people I have prayed for have all succeeded in everything I have prayed for them for.”

The movie legend prayed for Peller and wished him a successful career.

Responding, Peller thanked Mr Edochie for the warm reception and his kind words.

Jay Z explains why he refused sexual assault settlement

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March 31, 2026

Rap mogul Jay-Z has spoken publicly for the first time about the intense anger he felt after being sued for sexual assault, explaining why he refused to settle the case.

The lawsuit, filed in 2024 by a Jane Doe, alleged that Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulted her at a 2000 VMAs As an afterparty when she was 13. Both men strongly denied the claims. Jay-Z later sued Jane and her lawyer, Tony Buzbee, for malicious prosecution and defamation. Jane eventually dropped her suit last year, and Jay’s case was dismissed a few months later.

In a new GQ interview, Jay-Z described the ordeal as draining and said it made him angrier than he had been “in a long time.

“You don’t put that on someone — that’s a thing you better be super sure about. Especially a person like me… There was a line: no women, no kids. That meant a lot to me,” he said.

Despite having the option to settle the case quickly, Jay-Z said, “I can’t take a settlement — it ain’t in my DNA… I can’t do it. I would die.”

The rapper also revealed that he relied heavily on support from those around him during this period, choosing not to channel his anger into music, which he felt could have added negativity to the world.

“I’m not sure people needed me to add to the negativity. Any music I tried writing then was all bad,” he admitted.

Since 2017’s 4:44, Jay-Z has not released a solo album. He said he has instead focused on collaborating with his wife, Beyoncé, supporting her recent projects.

Looking ahead, Jay-Z hinted at being ready to play “all offense” in 2026, but whether this includes new music remains unclear. He is scheduled to perform several shows this year, including two nights at Yankee Stadium in New York City.

“I just need to create something honest and timeless that reflects who I am… not just something people like,” he said.

“If they call me, I will do it” –Kafui Dey open to hosting TGMA

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March 31, 2026

Celebrated event host, Kafui Dey, says he is willing to host the Telecel Ghana Music Awards, TGMA, if approached by organisers.

Kafui told Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z that although he is widely known for emceeing corporate events, his strength also extends to music events and award schemes such as the TGMA.

“If they call me I will do it. I have done concerts. I did a concert at the Polo Grounds not too long ago. This was Panji Anoff’s event. He was the producer, he called me on, and I enjoyed it. I am a music person so I enjoy music events and I am an MC too, so if TGMA wants to bring me on, I won’t refuse it,” he said.

Emceeing at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards has always been at the centre of conversations every year after the award ceremony. In recent times, most award attendees have called on the organisers to elevate the hosting experience.

Since its inception in 2000, the Ghana Music Awards has had personalities such as Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, Kofi Okyere Darko, Doreen Andoh, Samini, Obour, Chris Attoh, Kwame Sefa Kayi, Berla Mundi, Naa Ashorkor, Giovani Caleb, John Dumelo, Eazzy, Nana Aba Anamoah, Nathaniel Attoh, among others, as hosts.

Kafui also proposed the use of seat fillers, ideally university students living close to event venues, as a way to reduce delays at events such as the TGMA.

Kafui made the suggestion while assessing the quality of hosting at the event over the years.

While he acknowledged the strides the scheme has made, he noted that one persistent challenge is the late start of events.

“What doesn’t help them [the MCs] is that the event doesn’t start on time. I don’t know why our organisers can’t start employing students from UPSA, UniMAC and UG to be placeholders.

With the Oscars and the Grammys they give free tickets to the student population around the venue. Your brief is to come to the venue in your tuxedo, suit, the women in their gowns, look beautiful, sit in the seats that are empty. If the event starts at 8 o’clock and it is only half-full, the students will fill the seats. So when the stars come, they get up for them to sit down,” he said.

The Telecel Ghana Music Awards is the biggest music event on Ghana’s arts calendar. It brings together thousands of people, including musicians, music executives, the media, diplomats, traditional leaders, politicians and music lovers.

This year’s edition is slated for 9th May 2026.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

Bisa Kdei encourages youth to hold leaders accountable

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March 31, 2026

Highlife musician, Bisa Kdei has called on citizens to actively engage in governance and hold leaders accountable, stressing that leadership comes with both praise and scrutiny.

In an interview on Joy Prime, the ‘Brother’ crooner revealed that he missed voting in a previous election due to illness, despite a strong desire for political change.

“Last two years, I was somewhere, and the voting was happening, and I was actually sick, so I couldn’t vote. I was all for change, and I’m happy the change came,” he said.

Bisa Kdei emphasised that accountability is crucial for national development, noting that citizens have a responsibility to speak up when leaders fail to deliver.

“The thing is, if you work hard, people will praise you. At the end of the day, it’s our money and our country, so we have to speak up. If a leader is not doing their work properly, we have to say it,” he stated.

The musician further highlighted that governance decisions directly affect ordinary citizens, including his own family, particularly in areas such as taxation and economic policy.

“My family is here as well, and when taxes come, we will all be involved,” he added.

Commenting on the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, Bisa Kdei observed that the government appears to be moving swiftly but cautioned that Ghanaians often overlook long-term progress, drawing parallels with trends in the music industry.

“I think Mahama is moving too fast,” he remarked.

Thieves steal paintings in three-minute Italian heist

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March 31, 2026

Les Poissons by Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting

Paintings by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse worth millions of euros were stolen in a heist on a museum near the Italian city of Parma, police say.

Four masked men entered the Magnani Rocca Foundation villa on 22 March, police said, making off with Les Poissons by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Still Life with Cherries by Paul Cézanne and Odalisque on the Terrace by Henri Matisse.

The gang was in and out in three minutes, Italian media outlets have reported, and was only interrupted by the museum’s alarm system, preventing them from stealing more.

The institution is the latest to be subject to a heist, following the brazen daylight robbery of priceless jewels from the Louvre in Paris last October.

The thieves involved in the robbery forced their way through the main door to the Villa dei Capolavori, nestled in the Parma countryside, and nabbed the paintings from the French Room on the building’s first floor, Italian media outlets have reported.

The foundation was quoted as saying the gang appeared “structured and organised”, and seemed to have intended on stealing more were it not for the private collection’s alarms going off and police being called.

The criminals escaped by climbing over a fence, according to regional public broadcaster TGR, which first reported the theft.

Credit: bbc.com

Russian oil tanker reaches Cuba after Trump appears to loosen blockade

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March 31, 2026

Many petrol stations in Havana have remained closed amid the shortages in Cuba

A Russian tanker carrying oil to Cuba has entered the waters off the Communist-run island, Russian news agencies report.

The oil shipment – the first to reach Cuba since January – comes hours after US President Donald Trump said that he had no problem with countries, including Russia, sending supplies to the island.

Trump’s remark appeared to signal a loosening of a de facto oil blockade his administration had imposed on Cuba since January.

Cuba has been experiencing a series of nation-wide blackouts as the blockade exacerbated existing fuel shortages.

Russian media reports the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin was carrying a “humanitarian shipment” of 100,000 tonnes of crude oil.

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned that severe fuel shortages meant that Cuban hospitals were struggling to maintain emergency and intensive care services.

Cuba’s situation has deteriorated rapidly since 3 January, when US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro – a staunch ally of the Cuban government – who had been providing the island with oil under highly preferential terms.

Trump also threatened to impose tariffs on any nation sending oil to Cuba.

Just over a week ago, the US Treasury Department added Cuba to a list of countries barred from receiving oil deliveries from Russia.

But in an apparent reversal of his strategy, Trump told journalists on board Air Force One on Sunday that he had “no problem” with Russia delivering oil to Cuba.

“We have a tanker out there. We don’t mind having somebody get a boatload because they need… they have to survive,” he said.

Credit: bbc.com

Spain closes airspace to US aircraft involved in Iran war

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March 31, 2026

The control tower at Adolfo Suarez Airport in Madrid, Spain

Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, Madrid’s Defence Minister Margarita Robles has said.

“We will not authorise the use of Morón and Rota [military bases] for any acts related to the war in Iran,” she said, adding that Spain had “made this clear to the American government from the beginning”.

Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares stated that the aim of the decision was to “not do anything that could encourage an escalation in this war”.

The US did not immediately comment but President Donald Trump has previously threatened to impose a full trade embargo on Spain over its opposition to the Iran war.

Since the start of the war in late February, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been one of the most vocal opponents of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as “reckless” and “illegal”.

Earlier in March, Sánchez said Spain had denied the US use of the two jointly run military bases at Rota and Morón, both in Andalusia.

Last Wednesday, he also announced that “all flight plans that involved actions related to the operation in Iran were rejected – every single one of them, including those of refuelling aircraft.”

“We are a sovereign country that does not wish to take part in illegal wars,” he said.

Some US bombers involved in operations in Iran are stationed at the RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire in the UK, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on 1 March that the UK had agreed to the request from the US.

Planes taking off from there will be forced to bypass much of the Iberian peninsula – either by flying over the eastern Atlantic or France.

Spanish newspaper El País reported that aircraft would only be able to transit through Spain’s airspace or land at the bases in case of emergency.

Credit: bbc.com

Russia expels British diplomat over spying allegations

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March 31, 2026