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Government releases GH¢700 million for investors of defunct asset management companies 

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Business

Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister for Finance, has announced that his outfit has processed GH¢700 million of the additional GH¢1.5 billion for bailouts to investors of defunct asset management companies, including Black Shield.

The minister said he had instructed the controller and accountant-general to release the funds to mitigate the stress on affected persons.

The announcement was made at the monthly press briefing on Ghana’s economy and an update on payments to defunct fund management companies.

The Security and Exchange Commission revoked the licenses of fifty-three (53) fund management companies, including Black Shield.

The Commission cited several regulatory breaches, including the inability to return the client’s fund estimated at GHS 8 billion, noting that the licenses were revoked to protect investors and the integrity of the capital market.

However, investors of the defunct companies have been persistently picketing the office of MOF for their locked-up funds to be paid.

In a related news report by the Ghana News Agency, the investors bemoaned the suffering occasioned by the revocation of the licenses of the defunct asset management companies.

The GHS1.5 billion, the minister said, would be released in three tranches noting that this amount will bring the number of investors to be fully settled under Blackshield to over 82,000.

According to the minister, the disbursement represented 92 per cent and over 12,000, representing 78 per cent of the rest of the companies.

He said this would bring the total number of investors fully settled under the bailout scheme to 94,165, representing 90 per cent of the total validated claims of 105,000.

This intervention, he mentioned, was being done despite the tight fiscal space, adding that it was evidence of the government’s commitment to provide relief to investors in the defunct AMCs, especially the pensioners.

By Jibril Abdul Mumuni

GNA

Shatta Wale challenges Stonebwoy to a battle at Stadium

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy

Dancehall Artiste Shatta Wale has thrown a challenge to arch-rival, Stonebwoy to meet him at the Accra Sports Stadium for a battle to prove who is supreme in the dancehall game.

Shatta Wale, who made this known in a post shared via social media, remarked that if Stonebwoy rejects the offer, then he is a reggae artiste.

This call for a battle comes after Shatta Wale has, throughout the week, taunted Stonebwoy over his calls to be acknowledged in an article talking about pioneers in hiplife in Ghana.

His call in a post on social media reads: “I am issuing a formal challenge to @stonebwoy and his fans to meet me at the Accra Sports Stadium to resolve the ‘Dancehall King’ title dispute.

If he and his fans decline this invitation, he should refrain from identifying as a dancehall artiste, as I consider him a reggae artiste. I assure the nation’s leaders that this will be a structured and healthy competition. Interested sponsors can contact our management teams.”

Having multiple wives isn’t a bad practice – Mr. Beautiful

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Mr Beautiful

Popular comedian and actor, Clement Bonney, popularly known as ‘Mr. Beautiful’, has stated that having multiple wives isn’t a bad practice.

During an interview on Property FM, the Kumawood actor said only broke men perceive polygamy as a waste of money.

According to Mr. Beautiful, most people who regard having multiple wives as unnecessary might be broke because rich men don’t see it as such.

“In this world, if you don’t have money and people are talking about having multiple wives, you would see it as a nonsense issue.

“When you are broke or poor and they’re discussing people who have married about two or three wives you would get angry and say it’s stupid,” he stated.

He continued, “Because you don’t have money that’s why you are angry and raining all manner of insults but if you were rich, you’d see that having multiple wives is so sweet.”

Aubrey Aidoo’s maiden book, “I Wrote – A Lesson in Poetry” officially out

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JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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Mr. Aubrey N. N. Aidoo

Mr. Aubrey N. N. Aidoo, an emerging poet, has officially released his debut book titled:“I Wrote – A Lesson in Poetry”, published by Olympia Publishers (UK).

The book, which was released on Thursday, July 29,2024 is available worldwide and can be purchased via www.annawrote.com.

The cover of the book

This compelling collection of poems, spanning diverse themes and styles, offers readers an intimate glimpse into the multifaceted life of the author and his journey as a poet.

In a recent interview, Mr. Aidoo shared insights into his motivations, creative process and the profound experiences that have shaped his poetic voice.

Aubrey’s decision to compile a single volume encompassing various themes and styles, stems from his desire to present a holistic narrative. “I feel these were all part of one story,” he explains.

The loss of his mother was a pivotal moment, prompting him to accelerate the release of this work, which encapsulates his essence as a writer and poet.”I thought if someone wanted to identify me as a writer, as a poet, I just needed one book to summarise everything,” he says.

Two standout poems in the collection, “Pieces” and “Maame and Paapa”, embody different facets of Aidoo’s identity.

“Me, as a lover, as a son, as a friend,” he enumerates, adding that some poems also reveal his philosophical side.He aims to avoid disjointed narratives, where separate works on varied themes could dilute the cohesive story he wanted to tell.

“I wanted something for everybody out there in one book,” he asserts. His life has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, some eerily prescient. “There are some things I hadn’t experienced but I had written something similar to them,” he recalls.

A tribute to his mother, penned while she was alive, gained deeper resonance after her passing, illustrating the temporal bridge his poetry often spans.His romantic experiences, familial background, and the city of Tema, where he grew up, all contribute to the rich texture of his work.

His creative process is dual-faceted: sometimes driven by the sheer pleasure of rhyme, and other times by a deeper, more contemplative exploration of words. “A word sounds like it means something more than it does and my mind just wanders,” he reflects.

His inspirations come from myriad sources—movies, music, video games and even football. “Sometimes while the thing is going on, I get this feeling that this could happen this way and it inspires me to create something based on what is happening,” he explains.

Despite his passion and dedication, Aubrey has faced challenges, particularly regarding reception and relatability.

“There are times I feel whatever I’ve written is not relatable and may not be fully accepted, especially in the African environment,” he confesses. The fear of his work being undervalued or misunderstood often held him back from sharing his poetry.

Now that his book is out, he hopes readers will find resonance in his poems, drawing comfort from the shared human experiences of love, pain and joy.

“Some people think they are alone in whatever they are going through, even in happiness,” he observes, aiming for his book to reassure readers that they are not alone.

Aubrey’s engagement with his audience through a blog and social media has been instrumental in shaping his work. “I used that to test the market to see what people are actually interested in,” he says.

The feedback influenced his editing process, helping him strike a balance between originality and accessibility. Now that the book is released, Mr. Aidoo is optimistic. “I think this is the right time for it,” he affirms, reflecting on his decade-long hiatus from writing.

The current literary landscape, with its supportive tools and platforms, offers fertile ground for his work to flourish. “I feel very free, very liberated by the experience,” he shares, eagerly anticipating the book’s reception.

While “I Wrote – A Lesson in Poetry” is his first major publication, Mr. Aidoo hints at future projects, including a second book already in the works. “I’m not going to stop writing,” he declares, though he suggests it may not be another poetry collection.

As he embarks on this new chapter Mr. Aidoo remains grounded, yet hopeful that his words will find a lasting place in the hearts of readers.

Brazil’s top court threatens to ban Elon Musk’s X

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Elon Musk

Brazil’s top court has threatened to ban X unless its billionaire owner Elon Musk names a legal representative in the Latin American country within 24 hours.

Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes said in an order made public on Wednesday that failure to appoint a legal representative could result in the “suspension of the social network’s activities”.

The order is the latest development in a months-long feud between Musk and de Moraes, who has led a crackdown on alleged misinformation and disinformation in the nation of more than 200 million people.

De Moraes has ordered the suspension of more than 100 X accounts in recent years, including some belonging to supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who lost the 2022 election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva after peddling unsubstituted claims that Brazil’s electronic voting machines are prone to fraud.

In April, De Moraes accused Musk of waging a “disinformation campaign” and disrespecting Brazil’s sovereignty after the Tesla CEO decided to stop complying with the court orders to block certain X accounts.

Musk, a self-described free speech absolutist, has accused de Moraes of stifling free speech and violating Brazil’s constitution.

X announced earlier this month it would shut its operations in Brazil, saying de Moraes had threatened one of the company’s legal representatives with arrest if it did not comply with his takedown orders.

Credit: aljazeera.com

 

Tunisia court allows former minister Znaidi to run for president

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Former minister Mondher Znaidi

A court in Tunisia has upheld an appeal by former minister Mondher Znaidi, allowing him to stand in the October 6 presidential election.

The Tunisian Administrative Court said on Thursday that it had decided to accept Znaidi’s appeal, overturning the decision of the Independent Higher Election Authority (ISIE), which had barred the politician from standing owing to insufficient ballot signatures.

The decision adds Znaidi to a list of legally accepted opposition candidates that also includes Abdelattif Mekki, Ayachi Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui. The court had returned Mekki to the race on Tuesday, his candidacy having also been rejected by the ISIE.

The ISIE, which barred 14 people from standing for president, is expected to announce a final list of candidates next week.

The court’s decision to allow Znaidi to run could restore momentum to the election race, toughening the contest for President Kais Saied.

Saied was democratically elected in 2019 but orchestrated a sweeping power grab in 2021 and is now seeking a second presidential term. A number of his political opponents and critics are currently in jail or are being prosecuted.

Znaidi has held numerous government jobs, including the minister of public health, transport and commerce and secretary of state for trade and industry.

He served under President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was ousted in the 2011 uprisings. Znaidi has presented his experience as an asset for debt-stricken Tunisia. He is said to be counting on those angry with Saied’s rule over the past five years to win votes.

Experts consider him a significant contender with an ability to win votes from the main opposition parties, including Ennahdha, which was the largest party in Tunisia’s parliament before Saied dissolved the chamber in July 2021.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Millions told to evacuate as typhoon batters Japan

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Three people are still missing after a landslide in Aichi prefecture

Japan has issued its highest level alert to more than five million people after the country was hit by one of its strongest typhoons in decades.

At least four people have been killed and more than 90 injured after Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in the country’s south-west. Hundreds of thousands of people have been left without power.

The level five order issued in parts of the southern island of Kyushu told residents to take immediate life-saving action by moving to a safer location or seeking shelter higher in their homes. In other areas, people have been advised to leave.

After making landfall, the typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm and is pummelling its way north-east, bringing torrential rain and severe disruption to transport services.

Shanshan landed in Kagoshima prefecture, in the southern island of Kyushu, at around 08:00 local time on Thursday (23:00 GMT Wednesday), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

It has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with many buildings damaged and windows shattered by flying debris, trees uprooted and cars overturned.

Late on Tuesday, three people from the same family – a couple in their 70s and a man in his 30s – were killed by a landslide in central Japan ahead of the typhoon’s arrival. Their home in Gamagori was swept away, while two other female relatives were rescued.

The fire brigade rescued the man around 50 minutes after the incident but he later died in hospital. The JMA recorded 110mm of rainfall in the area around the time of the incident.

Credit: bbc.com

UN calls for de-escalation as Israeli West Bank raids continue

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The Israeli military conduct raids in a number of cities

Five more Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in a second day of raids in the occupied West Bank, with the UN calling for de-escalation.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they were “five terrorists who had hidden inside a mosque” in Tulkarm, near the boundary with Israel.

Israel began what it said was a major counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank on Wednesday. There have been conflicting death tolls as the operation unfolded across multiple cities.

The IDF said yesterday that nine militants had been killed, five in Jenin and Tulkarm, and four in al-Faraa refugee camp. The Palestinian health ministry said on Thursday that 12 people had been killed in IDF attacks so far.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on Israel to immediately halt its operation, saying it was “fuelling an already explosive situation”.

He urged Israeli forces to “exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable”.

The IDF said the five Palestinians were killed after “exchanges of fire” in Tulkarm.

It identified one of the fatalities as Mohammed Jaber – also known as Abu Shujaa – who was reportedly the local leader of the Tulkarem Brigade, which is backed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group.

The IDF said Jaber was linked to a number of attacks on Israelis, and was planning more.

Elsewhere, in Jenin, ambulances are stopped and checked by military jeeps parked around the government hospital as security forces continue their operation in the city’s refugee camp.

The camp is a base for armed groups, as well as a home to unarmed civilians, and has been the scene of many fierce gun battles in the past.

There’s little news coming out from the camp at the moment, with Israeli forces blocking access and Palestinian phone networks down.

Credit: bbc.com

What your semen says about your health

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Just like urine and stool, semen can provide important clues about a man’s health. Variations in its color, texture, smell and volume can signal underlying health conditions. Understanding these signs can help men maintain their overall well-being and address potential issues early on.

What is normal for semen?

It is normal for semen to have minor changes in color, texture or smell. The quality may also vary from day to day or ejaculate to ejaculate — no two are exactly the same. Semen, or seminal fluid, is a mixture of fluid from the prostate, seminal vesicles and testicles.

Normal semen parameters include a sperm concentration of at least 15 million sperm per milliliter, with at least 40% of the sperm showing motility and 4% having normal morphology or appearance, according to the World Health Organisation.

It typically has a slightly thick, gel-like consistency. It has a faint, bleach-like smell due to its alkaline pH. The volume of ejaculate typically ranges from 1.5 to 5 milliliters per ejaculation. Semen liquifies within minutes after exiting the body, going from thick gel to smooth liquid to support the movement of sperm.

Simply said, each ejaculate has millions of sperm; not all of them have to be gold medal swimmers, and not all of them have to look normal.

Also, it’s important to note that abnormal swimmers or appearance does not equal abnormal genetics or higher risk of congenital anaomolies.

Semen is usually whitish-gray in color. The color may change as it mixes with urine, blood or other fluids in the urinary or reproductive tracts.

Medical conditions like liver failure or jaundice, where the entire body appears more yellow, can also discolor the semen. Yellow or green semen might suggest an infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), urinary tract infection or prostate inflammation (prostatitis). Red or brown semen, known as hematospermia, can be alarming but is often benign, typically caused by inflammation, enlarged prostate infection or even riding a bike for too long.Texture and consistency

Normal semen is slightly thick and gelatinous, so thick and clumpy semen might be a sign of dehydration or infection. Men with chronic dehydration often have altered semen parameters, which include texture, which can lead to a decrease in fertility. Watery semen, on the other hand, can indicate a low sperm count or frequent ejaculation, which may temporarily reduce sperm quality.

Smell

Typically, semen has a light bleach or ammonia-like smell due to its slightly alkaline pH. A strong or foul odor can be a red flag for infections such as bacterial prostatitis or STIs. A sweet smell may signal abnormal glucose levels concerning for diabetes.

Volume

The average volume of ejaculate ranges from 1.5 to 5 milliliters—about 1/3 to 1.5 teaspoons—or roughly what you would find in a small packet of ketchup. Low volume can result from frequent ejaculation, low testosterone levels or blockages in the reproductive tract. A high volume of semen may be due to prolonged abstinence or in rare cases, an infection or inflammation.

Frequency of Ejaculation

While regular ejaculation is generally healthy, very frequent ejaculation can affect semen quality. It is well known that men who ejaculate multiple times daily may experience temporary reductions in sperm count and motility, though this typically normalizes with less frequent ejaculation.

Pain during ejaculation

Painful ejaculation can be a symptom of prostatitis, urethritis and conditions like Peyronie’s disease (abnormal penile curvature) or post-vasectomy pain syndrome. A recent guideline review found that 15% to 55% of men with chronic prostatitis may experience sexual dysfunction and/or pain during ejaculation, which can significantly impact their quality of life and virality.

Lifestyle factors

Diet, hydration and overall health profoundly impact semen quality. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking can negatively affect semen health, while a healthy lifestyle can improve it.

Medications and supplements

Certain medications and supplements can alter semen’s appearance and quality. For example, testosterone replacement therapy can reduce sperm production, while supplements like zinc and folic acid can enhance semen quality.

When to see a doctor

Occasional changes in semen are usually not cause for concern. However, persistent changes should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Regular check-ups and open communication with your doctor are crucial for maintaining sexual health and addressing any issues early. It’s important to remind your doctor of any medication or over-the-counter supplements you’re taking.

Semen can provide valuable insights into a man’s health. By paying attention to its color, texture, smell and volume, men can detect potential health issues early. If you notice persistent changes, consulting with a healthcare provider can help ensure your sexual health remains in top shape.

Source: CNN

Feature: Peace Pact- To Sign Or Not

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No man is an island, Entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main… Any man’s death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.  –  John Donne

The frequently asked question (FAQ) “when will Ghanaians learn to tolerate one another” may not be sufficiently answered by party loyalists and apparatchiks; save people consumed by national patriotism.

The National Peace Council last month set up a committee for Code of Conduct on Vigilantism and Election-based Violence. The committee met on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 and earnestly prayed for the political parties to commit themselves to a “Peace Pact”.

All the parties, save the NDC have not expressed demur, indicating their readiness to sign the said pact; they include the NPP, Alan’s Movement for Change, …… Kofi Akpaloo’s Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) Kwame Bediako’s (Cheddar) New Force Movement, Christian Kwabena Andrews’s Ghana Union Movement (GUM).  Their silence is loud enough, for as Thomas More said in 1530; “Qui facet ConsentireVidetur (he who is silent seems to consent).

The NDC led by its loquacious Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia gave six pre-signing conditions prior to committing itself to any peace engagement. The NDC preempts any plea; they will not “let bygones be bygones; We will not be part of any engagement unless you bring together all the parties”.

The conditions set by “General Mosquito” include the following: Government to fully implement the recommendations of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Election Commission of Enquiry; prosecute persons involved in the illegal printing of about one million extra ballot papers during the 2020 elections; the President to declare on a state platform that he will respect the outcome of the 2024 elections; to fully disclose the missing equipment from the Electoral Commission; the President, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief Justice the National Security Coordinator, the Attorney-General to all sign the pact.

Who can force anyone to “let bygones be bygones” (that is, let the unpleasant things that happened in the past be forgotten. In Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” Paulina chastises “repentant” Leontes in a monologue: “thy bygone fooleries were but spices of it”. In a letter by 15th century Scottish churchman, Samuel Rutherford, acknowledging his youthful follies stated: “pray that bygones betwixt me and my Lord may be bygones”.

The Ghanaian critical observer asks: “what would you do if the murdered young men at Ayawaso were your sons.” Or “if you were in the shoes” of Honorable Sam George who was slapped openly how would you react?” There are very good reasons for asking “what provoked the troubles at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-election? What was the “casus belli”. Fortunately, the government set up a committee/commission to probe the despicable episode.

The Commission of Enquiry was composed of eminent and prominent personalities like experienced Emile Short, knowledgeable Professor Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, hard-working ex-Inspector General of Police, Patrick K. Acheampong with ex-Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Kofi Abotsi as Secretary. Do policemen go into action hooded? What about the murders at Techiman South? Obiaransono y3 n’ade (everyone cherishes his/her ‘begotten’ son or daughter). Do we expect the souls of the “departed” to rest in peace?

But who said you make a good politician only when you deliver incendiary speeches or you spew invectives? So that when the opportunity offered itself, all politicians had resorted to the use of “fiery” words, to the point that when the President is alleged to have failed to act, Sam George says on TV3 (24/08/24) he thinks the President has a “deluded” mind!

An otherwise affable personality, Stephen Ntim, NPP Chairman reminds his audience: “If you want peace, prepare for war”, and quickly adds: “it does not mean we have brought cutlasses to kill and maim,” only to spoil the broth by the recidivist speech: “wo de si a, yebetwa” (if you put it there we shall cut it).

The National Peace Council established by Act 818 of the Parliament, the National Peace Council Act 2011 has Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu Gyamfi as Board Chairman, George Amoh as Executive Secretary, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Nana AgyakomaDifie II Mampong Queen, Mrs. Joana Adzoa Opare, Rt. Rev Col. John Kwamina Otoo, Prof. Nana SusubiribiKrobea Asante, Mrs. Magdalene Kamnae, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, Sheikh Salman Mohammed Alhassan, Numo Blafo Akotia Omaetu II, Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu and Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams.

Among its functions are: to harmonise and coordinate conflict prevention, management, resolution and build sustainable peace through net-working and coordination… To promote understanding of the values of diversity, trust, tolerance, confidence building, negotiation, mediation dialogue and reconciliation.

What other type of persons would anyone wish to constitute the council; and what other functions would anyone require the Peace Council to perform? The name of the game is ‘trust’ so one would ask why Sam George calls for its disbandment. Do we need to be reminded that the very existence of the Council is itself a discouragement for “evil thoughts”?

Now that the two major political parties (NPP, NDC) have launched their manifestoes, it is left for political analysts to scrutinise the documents and educate the public on the contents. Two things stand out tall in the documents: digitization/digitalization” (NPP) “24-hour economy” (NDC).

For all of our problems, “digitization” will be the panacea according to Bawumia who appears to have had a full day at the encounter with the Press and Mahama thinks “24-hour” will be a great boost to the economy, especially when a farmer goes to his farm at 6pm for a thief to go there at 2 am, and we eat fufu at 2 am.

Nana Addo must have got the opportunity to fulfill his childhood ambition-to be Ghana’s head of State. He must have done well to have been the First President of Ghana to have maintained his ministers (young, energetic, straight-from-school… the clamour by other aspirants (including ardent supporters of 2008, 2012) notwithstanding.

His insistence that chiefs should get up to greet him was simply to put into action Article 57 (2) of the 1992 Constitution:” The President shall take precedence over all other persons in Ghana…” do not be Sanballath and Tobiah and criticise the President for saying “I am determined to build the Cathedral, come what may”.

Or the payment of $22 million to the respected Ghanaian British architect David Adjaye, for the beautiful design of the National Cathedral, Do we have to ask actor Yvonne Nelson: “… I don’t think any Ghanaian is complaining about where to worship…?” or Professor Gyampo “… Putting religion ahead of development”. What about Rev. Kusi Boateng’s GH¢2.6m refund… or the resignation of Rev. Mensah-Otabil, Rev. Dag Heward-Mills. Houphouet Boigny built the 18,000-seater Yamoussoukro ‘Our Lady of Peace ‘Cathedral with $200 million, only 1,000 attend and Ivorians are not complaining.

The President may have used the Anas’s Principle in secrecy, just as Anas used to do, Who is crooning; “Won a adepaba wo kye di no, eka ba a won arana wo kye tua (those benefiting from a windfall alone, suffer the repayment thereof alone). Does anybody expect that NDC members like some NPP members and other like-minded Ghanaians will behave like robots?

 

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