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Fidelity Bank commits to promoting quality education

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Fidelity Bank, Ghana

Fidelity Bank has undertaken impactful educational initiatives to enhance access to quality education, particularly for the underprivileged.

This is towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goal 4:”Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.”

This is in a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra to mark International Day of Education which falls on January 24.

This year’s theme is: “Learning for Lasting Peace,” designated by the United Nations, which serves as a reminder of the transformative impact education holds in fostering global peace and development.

“At Fidelity Bank Ghana, ‘Learning for Lasting Peace is not just a theme but a call to action.”

“It is a promise whispered in classrooms, echoed in playgrounds, and etched in the hearts of every child, who dreams of a world where knowledge is their weapon and education their shield,” the statement said.

The Bank’s flagship Orange Impact Initiative, which marked its 15th anniversary, supported 15 underprivileged schools, from constructing classroom blocks to distributing teaching materials.

Schools like Duose D/A Primary, Mamprobi Ebenezer 4, and Okogyeasuo M/A Basic, the statement said, were already experiencing the transformative power of the initiative.

In line with the commitment, the Eco-Schools Project, in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Transformation Ghana, reflects the Bank’s dedication to sustainability.

The statement said through employee training and volunteering, the project fostered sustainable practices and awareness in selected Orange Impact Schools, aiming to leave a positive impact on both the school and the local community.

Initiatives such as supplying refurbished computers to the ICT lab at the Andylynn School in Kumasi, elevated the learning experience and digital skills of students, it said.

The statement said the Bank had contributed to the growth and development of children at the Fidelity House of the Herman SOS Village, sponsored empowering programmes like the Empower Her Bootcamp and Creativity for a Change Project, and actively engaged in community initiatives, with a particular focus on the education and development of young minds.

An example of this commitment is the “Making Learning Happen” project, where the Bank ensures the provision of desks and chairs to underprivileged schools across all regions in Ghana.

According to UNICEF data, approximately 283,000 primary school-age children and 135,000 lower secondary school-age children were reported to be out of school in 2020.

“On this International Day of Education, Fidelity Bank exhorts all of us to join hands, break down barriers, and ensure that every child and every adult has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to a world where peace reigns supreme,” it said.

GNA

Dannso Community kicks against mining operation at village

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The spokesperson for the Concerned Group of Dannso, Mr. Kwaku Tawiah, aka Ahoufe, speaking at the news conference at Dannso

Tension is brewing at Dannso, a community in the Bosome-Freho district of the Ashanti region over the introduction of a community mining scheme in the area.

The irate residents are of the view that mining in the town will threaten the existence of their only source of drinking water-River Dane.They have, subsequently, called on His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene.

Addressing a news conference at Dannso, which is a farming community, Mr. Kwaku Tawiah (Ahoufe),Spokesperson for the Concerned Group expressed worry over the intention to introduce mining in the area.

Ahoufe indicated that mining at Dannso will threaten their very survival and that it could result in the drying up of River Dane.

Ahoufe, who spoke in the Twi dialect, accused the chief of Dannso, Nana Opoku Kyei, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bosome-Freho, Kofi Adu Amoateng and the Member of Parliament for the area, Akwasi Darko Boateng (ADB) for orchestrating what he described as “Environmental Suicide”.

“This menace involves the chief of Dannso, Nana Opoku Kyei, and other leaders like Akwasi Darko, Member of Parliament for the area and the DCE of Bosome-Freho, Kofi Adu Amoateng,” Ahoufe alleged at the news conference.

According to him, the former DCE for the area was dismissed because of galamsey related issues, and when President Akufo Addo appointed Adu Amoateng as the new DCE, they were hoping their new DCE would take a cue from what happened to his predecessor, but that is not the case.

“The former DCE was axed due to galamsey and we thought we had gotten a new DCE to end this galamsey. Alas, it has exacerbated. We are against this community mining at Dannso because it will destroy our land, water and our livelihood.

A placard appealing to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene in the Dannso community mining programme.

“We have only one water body in our community, which we use for several purposes. We drink from River Dane, use it to water our crops and for domestic uses”, he said.

Reacting to the complaints of the Concerned Group of Danso, the Chief of Danso, Nana Poku Kyei denied his involvement in deliberations which led to the introduction of community mining in the area.

He argued that as a traditional leader, he has no locus to bring community mining to Danso.

Asked if indeed River Dane would be affected by community mining, he could not give a definite answer, except to say that the programme was introduced by the government through the assembly.

According to him,during the inauguration of the community mining, he was not even allowed to speak, so he could not talk about it.

When Mr. Kofi Adu Amoateng,the District Chief Executive (DCE) for BosomeFreho was contacted last year, hedisclosed to The Chronicle that nobody had reported any issue of potential environmental challenge associated with the community mining at Danso to him.

“Personally, I do not know the rationale behind the demonstrations the community has been staging. As I sit here, I would ensure that their water project is completed before they start the community mining project.

The community mining, according to Adu Amoateng, started long before he was sworn into office as the DCE for Bosome-Freho.

“The processes of launching the community mining started sometime in March (last year) and I assumed office in August”, he said.

He denied accusation that River Dane risks being polluted, emphasising that work had not commenced.

“I do not have any idea that there is a galamsey activity going on along River Dane. It is just that some people are only trying to be saboteurs. Some people are trying to gamble with these lands for illegal mining activity and the MP of my community stopped it.

“Those people who wanted to conduct illegal mining are the same people who are rallying against the community mining.”

Asked about when the community mining will start, Kofi Boateng told The Chronicle that he did not know the exact time. When this reporter further asked him about financiers of the mining project, he answered that “I don’t know. I know that some people started this programme before my coming, so I know that some people are going to do the work.”

Mr. Akwasi Darko Boateng (ADB), the Member of Parliament (MP) for BosomeFreho, when contacted, told this reporter that he works in Accra and that, it is the DCE who works at the district level, so he cannot comment on the issue.

 ‘Buga’ song almost becoming Nigeria’s second national anthem, says Nigeria Vice President

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Kizz Daniel

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has said Kizz Daniel and Tekno’s 2023 hit song, ‘Buga,’ is almost becoming the country’s second national anthem.

Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Shettima whose ‘Buga’ dance video went viral last year, explained that he joined the challenge because Nigeria needs to showcase its arts and culture to the world.

He said the government has a vision called “Nigeria Destination 2030″ and remains committed to promoting arts and culture for the actualization of the grand vision.

He said “We have a grand vision called ‘Nigeria Destination 2030.’ We can not run away from the fact that Nigerian arts and culture are creating waves in the global scene. And Nigeria has been out of the global scene for quite some time. This is an avenue for us to reintroduce Nigeria. And the ‘Buga’ dance is almost becoming our second national anthem. So we have to showcase Nigeria.”

Credit: dailypost.ng

Omah Lay reacts to fans calling his music ‘depressing’

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Omah Lay

Nigerian singer Stanley Omah Didia, popularly known as Omah Lay, has reacted to fans tagging his style of music as “Afro-depression.”

Speaking in a recent interview with The Beat FM, London, United Kingdom, the singer said he doesn’t care about whatever tag his music is given as long as fans are enjoying it.

He added that he would never argue with the opinions of fans. Omah Lay said, “I just make my music how I want to make my music. I try as much as possible to stay away from titles and everything the world is trying to put on you. Because as my guy would always say, ‘When the smokes clear, then you see clearly.

“So when you identify with those things [titles and tags] it just… I just make my music, I don’t care what anybody wants to tag it to enjoy it as long as you enjoy the music. If you feel like it’s Afro-depression, I am okay with that as long as you enjoy the music. Some other people would dance to it.

“It’s art. That’s what I make and I just leave the world to enjoy how they want to enjoy it. The fans have their own opinions, I would never argue with that. If that’s how they enjoy it, that’s how they enjoy it.”

Credit: dailypost.ng

Thomas Partey, girlfriend welcome baby girl

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Thomas Party's girlfriend with the baby

Ghanaian footballer Thomas Partey is a father! The Arsenal midfielder and his girlfriend Janine Mackson welcomed their new bundle of joy, a baby girl. Earlier in September 2023, Janine announced her pregnancy with a photo of her baby bump.

On Tuesday, January 23, she announced the baby’s birth on her Instagram page, sharing a picture of her baby in a cot with her and Partey’s hand reaching out to the baby.

Thomas Party’s girlfriend with the baby

“The biggest blessing,” she captioned the post. Partey reshared the announcement on his Instagram story.

Janine also shared a picture of herself holding her baby. In another post, she noted that she was thankful for the love and support received so far following the announcement.

The new mother, Janine Mackson, wore a classy long-sleeve sweatshirt with a front zipper and matching pants while holding her adorable baby. The supermodel looked gorgeous in coloured African print braids while flaunting her makeup-up face, and she used her one hand to hold her newborn baby.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

Most girls are happy on social media but sad in real life -Moesha Boduong

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Moesha Boduong

Actress and socialite Moesha Bodoung has expressed her belief that a significant number of attractive women who are not married to wealthy men do not feel content with their lives.

According to her, these women may appear satisfied with their public activities, but in private, they grapple with dissatisfaction and unease.

Moesha Bodoung asserts that despite the outward facade, many women who act as mistresses, side chics, or concubines to affluent men are not genuinely happy in those roles.

She suggests that even if people can act nonchalantly about such situations, the reality of being involved with someone else’s partner leaves a lasting impact.

In her own words, she stated, “So many women are not happy being mistresses, side chics, or concubines to wealthy men, so if God has touched me and is changing my story, may God change everyone’s story because, deep down, many women don’t like the lives they are living.”

Moesha Bodoung, who has been open about her personal experiences, believes that there is an unspoken reality that many people are not proud of, and she hopes that by sharing her story, she can contribute to bringing about positive change in the world.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Sri Lanka Parliament passes bill to regulate online content

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Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Sri Lanka’s Parliament has passed a hastily proposed bill to regulate online content, sparking criticism from rights groups and opposition politicians that the government is trying to crack down on dissent and stifle freedom of speech ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections this year.

The measure was passed on Wednesday by a 108-62 vote, the speaker announced. Under the Online Safety Bill, content creators deemed to be posting “illegal” material by a five-member commission will be punished with jail sentences. It also holds companies such as Google, Facebook and X accountable for content posted on their platforms.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government said the bill, presented to the legislature just one day before Wednesday’s vote, was aimed at battling cybercrimes, including child abuse, data theft and online fraud.

The country logged 8,000 cybercrimes last year, said Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, who denied the legislation would impact freedom of speech.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Controversy after Ukrainian-born model is crowned Miss Japan

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The newly-crowned Miss Japan, Carolina Shiino

“There have been racial barriers, and it has been challenging to be accepted as Japanese.”

That’s what a tearful Carolina Shiino said in impeccable Japanese after she was crowned Miss Japan on Monday.

The 26-year-old model, who was born in Ukraine, moved to Japan at the age of five and was raised in Nagoya.

She is the first naturalised Japanese citizen to win the pageant, but her victory has re-ignited a debate on what it means to be Japanese.

While some recognised her victory as a “sign of the times”, others have said she does not look like what a “Miss Japan” should.

Her win comes nearly 10 years after Ariana Miyamoto became the first bi-racial woman to be crowned Miss Japan in 2015.

Back then, with a Japanese mother and African American father, Ms Miyamoto’s victory raised questions about whether a person of mixed race should be eligible to win the competition.

Now, the fact Ms Shiino has no Japanese parentage has upset some on social media.

Credit: bbc.com

Backlash after MP calls for UK Prime Minister to go

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Rishi Sunak, UK prime minister

A senior Tory MP has called for his party to replace Rishi Sunak as prime minister or be “massacred” in the general election. Writing in the Telegraph, former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said the Conservatives had lost “key voters” by failing to be bold on immigration.

But his article was criticised by several other ex-ministers.

Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel accused Sir Simon of “engaging in facile and divisive self indulgence”.

And Sir David Davis, a former Brexit secretary, said: “The party and the country are sick and tired of MPs putting their own leadership ambitions ahead of the UK’s best interests.”

Lee Anderson, who joined Sir Simon in rebelling over the Rwanda Bill last week, said there was “no chance” of Mr Sunak being removed before the next election.

He urged his colleagues to get behind the PM, telling the Telegraph “our only chance to win the next election is by keeping Rishi in No 10”.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said he “could not disagree with [Sir Simon] more on this particular issue”.

Credit: bbc.com

Six dead after liquified natural gas tanker crashes in Mongolia

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Hundreds of firefighters rushed to the scene of the large blaze

Six people have died – including three firefighters – after a truck carrying 60 tons of liquefied natural gas crashed and exploded in the Mongolian capital.

Hundreds of firefighters had been sent to battle the blaze following the collision with a car in Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday morning, officials said.

At least 11 people were injured, with the fire spreading to nearby buildings.

One local resident described how he initially thought a plane had crashed.

Erdenebold Sukhbaatar, a 40-year-old lawyer, told Reuters news agency the crash, which took place just after 01:00 local time (17:00 GMT on Tuesday), had felt like an earthquake, but was followed by a bright light.

“It was very strong. And then I’ve never seen such kind of, like, strong [explosion]. It was like 60, you know, tons, which means 60,000, litres [of gas] you know. It was like huge liquid gas.”

He watched the ensuing fire spread to “almost three different buildings”, climbing at speed.

Credit: bbc.com

The Ghanaian Chronicle