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Tinubu swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as CJN

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Moses Chidi

A chieftain of the Labour Party, LP, in Abia State, Onuoha Moses Chidi has said that many lawmakers elected on the platform of the party would not be re-elected in 2027 if they fail to convince the electorate with ‘solid performance’.

Chidi, while speaking to DAILY POST in Umuahia on Monday, expressed surprise that many legislators in the Abia State House of Assembly and the National Assembly have failed to live up to the expectations of the people that voted them into office.

According to him, many of the legislators elected on the LP platform are only hoping to ride to victory in 2027 using the name of Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti.

He warned that the people will only vote for those that performed well, and not failures.

Chidi, who is the Coordinator of the Liberation Movement in Umuahia, said Abia people will be careful in 2027 by voting for only candidates that would work for the people and reject those that failed.

“Any lawmaker hoping to cash in on the popularity of Governor Alex Otti and Mr Peter Obi will fail woefully in 2027. We are going to apply the strategy of how to vote and how not to vote in 2027.

“You can’t use our structure to win election and then abandon the people that voted you or be hiding from us. Many of them hoping to use the good performance of Governor Alex Otti to win election would be disappointed as we will only work for those that performed, not failures,” the Obi Liberation Movement leader said.

Chidi advised Abia lawmakers to attract solid projects to the people, make themselves accessible to and stop hiding from those that voted for them.

“Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti remain popular because of their performance but the lawmakers should work convincingly to attract life saving projects to their constituents if they hope to be re-elected.”

Source: dailypost.ng

Nigerian professor escapes from abductors

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Gunmen

A Nigerian professor, Monday Igbafe, who teaches at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, has escaped from his abductors, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Igbafe was reportedly ambushed on Saturday night at the entrance of his residence in Ekpoma by some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The armed men were said to have hijacked his Toyota Highlander and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

According to the NAN report, the gunmen took their eyes off the victim. They were more concerned about their escape because of the pressure from operatives of the police division in Ekpoma who were searching the forest for the gunmen.

The police spokesperson in Edo, Moses Yamu, on Monday confirmed Mr Igbafe’s escape from his abductors.

“The command is aware of the report. Operatives of the Ekpoma Division mounted pressure on the kidnappers, which led to the escape of the victim.

“We are on the trail of the suspects to ensure that they are brought to book,” Mr Yamu, a police superintendent, said.

Mr Igbafe is the Benin Zonal Coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Abduction for ransom is now one of the dominant crimes across various Nigerian cities.

Politicians, entrepreneurs, and anyone with good financial worth, including school children, are easy targets.

Twelve medical students from the University of Jos and eight from the University of Maiduguri were kidnapped on 15 August while travelling to Enugu for a convention.

The students, who were on their way to the annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students gathering, were ambushed and abducted in Otukpo, Benue State.

Source: www.premiumtimesng.com

Mbah swears in 17 elected council chairpersons in Enugu

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Governor Peter Mbah

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State swore in 17 newly elected local council chairpersons and vice chairpersons on Monday, charging them with transforming their areas for the benefit of rural dwellers.

The chairperson and their council areas are Jude Chinedu Asogwa, Nsukka; Joel Onyemaechi, Enugu South; Ugo Ukwueze, Igboeze South; Obiora Obeagu, Isi-Uzo; Ibenaku Onoh, Enugu North; Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, Aninri; Eric Odo, Igbo-Etiti; and Akachukwu Eze, Udenu.

Others are Uche Ogalla, Igboeze North; Chijioke Ezugwu, Uzo Uwani; Hyginus Agu, Udi; Uche Okoro, Awgu; Belove Dan Anike, Enugu East; John Ogbodo, Nkanu West; Vitals Ndu, Ezeagu; and Sydney Edeh, Nkanu East.

Mr Mbah, who performed the ceremony at the Government House, Enugu, before the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State, Kingsley Udeh, described their emergence as “deserved victories”.

He noted that there were challenges across all sectors, and as such, the state has no tolerance for local government chairperson who would not govern from their council areas.

The governor said the “talking” and campaign, as well as the “honeymoon,” was over, and it was time for them to “walk the talk.”

“What you did here today is executing your own part of the social contract that you have with the people. Those promises that you made to them, this is time for action.

“It is time for you to think out of the box on how to creatively generate wealth, employment, and source for money to deal with all the developmental challenges within your council areas,” he said.

He admonished them to lead a people-focused government by ensuring that people were at the centre of their governance module, as well as nurturing a sense of inclusion to banish feelings of alienation.

Source: www.premiumtimesng.com

GSA must protect importers, exporters -indigenous freight forwarders

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A cross-section of the protesters holding placards

Dr Mawuli Tettey Ayenu, the spokesperson for Indigenous Freight Forwarders, says the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) cannot be insulated from exploitative practices by shipping lines operating in the country.

Last Tuesday, hundreds of members of importers and exporters hit the streets of the Tema Main Harbour enclave to demonstrate against the exploitative practices by shipping lines operating in the country.

The demonstration, dubbed: ‘Shipping Line Demo’, among other concerns, gave the shipping lines fourteen days to scrap the imposition of all arbitrary charges such as local administrative fees, container cleaning fees and empty container fees, which the protesters described as ‘silly’ charges that needed immediate scrapping.

He called for the immediate cessation of demurrage charges on weekends and public holidays, which said unfairly penalised businesses during non-working days when clearance processes are halted and a refund of all demurrage fees that have been levied during these periods because the charges are unjustifiable and harmful to businesses.

“Who says the Ghana Shippers Authority is not oblivious of these disturbing concerns of the demonstrators? You see, because some people in high authority might be beneficiaries of the exploitation, the GSA and government have demonstrated reluctance to protect our businesses at the ports,” Dr Ayenu said

For the GSA not ‘whipping’ the shipping lines to cease the exploitation of the logistics players, when the former is not oblivious of the happenings at the port, Dr Ayenu said it is time the leadership of Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) mobilised them [logistics players] to protest against and petition the GSA for its failure to protect them.

“So, I want to commend my leadership for mobilising us to shake the shipping lines for milking us and giving them a fourteen-day ultimatum to stop exploiting us, but I would appeal to my leadership to charge us to pour on the streets to spit fire at the GSA for not protecting us.

“They [GSA] and government cannot be innocent. If shipping lines cannot do in Nigeria what they are doing here in Ghana, where the laws protect the logistics players then why can’t our government and GSA do the same?” Dr Ayenu asked.

NPA set to achieve 50% gas usage target by 2030

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Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Chief Executive of NPA

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is confident in its ability to help the government achieve its goal of converting 50% of Ghanaians to the use of gas for cooking by 2030, according to Dr Joseph Wilson, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the NPA.

Dr. Wilson explained that this effort aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which aims for universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services by 2030.

He noted that the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) is a critical part of this strategy.

Speaking at a sensitization program in the Western Region, Dr. Wilson, who represented the NPA’s CEO, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, emphasised the importance of shifting from traditional fuels like firewood and charcoal to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

This shift, he noted, would not only improve public health but also contribute to environmental preservation.

The CRM involves the centralised refilling and distribution of LPG cylinders, replacing the traditional method, where individuals refill their own cylinders at fuel stations.

Under this model, pre-filled LPG cylinders are distributed to various parts of the country, offering a safer, more efficient and convenient way to access gas.

Dr. Wilson stressed that to ensure the success of the CRM, the NPA is working with the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders to guarantee the availability, accessibility and affordability of LPG.

One major advantage of CRM is its potential to reduce deforestation and land degradation caused by the widespread use of firewood and charcoal in rural areas.

The shift to LPG would help preserve the country’s forest cover and lower Greenhouse Gas emissions, contributing to the global fight against climate change.

Dr. Wilson also highlighted the severe health risks associated with the use of biomass for cooking.

The burning of firewood and charcoal releases harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter which can cause respiratory diseases.

Women and children, who are typically more exposed due to their role in household cooking, are particularly vulnerable.

By expanding access to LPG through the CRM, indoor air pollution would be significantly reduced, improving public health in rural communities.

Additionally, the CRM would promote the safer handling of LPG, reducing accidents related to improper refilling and transportation of cylinders.

Dr. Wilson urged the public to support the transition to LPG by spreading awareness among friends and family. He reiterated that the switch to gas would not only safeguard the environment but also protect the health of loved ones.

The sensitisation program, held in Takoradi, was attended by a wide range of stakeholders including nurses, students from Takoradi Technical University and Holy Child School, members of the Wives of Officers Association and various other groups.

Representatives from the Western Regional Fire Service also demonstrated safe practices for using LPG in the kitchen, emphasising the dos and don’ts to prevent accidents.

Earlier in the program, a Supervisor with the Gas Directorate at the NPA, Mr Johnson Gbagbo, took the audience through the CRM value chain from the bottling plants through the exchange points to the consumer.

The Ghana National Fire Service, a critical ally to the NPA in the sensitisation of the public on the safer use of LPG, took the audience through basic drills on how to handle LGP at home as source of fuel for cooking.

The Western regional Manager of the NPA, Madam Sandra Aido gave the welcome address

The Head of Consumer Services department of the Corporate Affairs department, Madam Budu Nyarko, under whose auspices the program was organized by Head of Communication, Sandra Aido and Mohammed Abdul-Kudus respectfully.

Youth schooled on business skills and AfCFTA opportunities, operations 

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Nelson Owusu Ansah explaining the purpose of the training to journalists

A Day’s ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Training Programme for AfCFTA Opportunities’, under the auspices of the National Youth Authority (NYA) and UNDP, has ended at the Youth Resource Center, near Ahinsan Estates in Kumasi.

A section of the youth at the training

The training was meant to enhance the business skills and knowledge on the operations of AfCFTA and also to promote youth involvement in intra-African trade and market opportunities, with the target as young men and women with entrepreneurial drive to create economic livelihood for themselves and others.

Mr. Nelson Owusu Ansah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NYA, explained that the purpose of the training was to support young people who have taken the initiative to venture into entrepreneurship, because employment is the expectation of every youth in the country.

He said sometimes, it was the difficulties and the frustrations associated with such entrepreneurial initiatives that the NYA and the UNDP decided to partner to support such young entrepreneurs.

Mr. Owusu Ansah disclosed that the training is replicated in ten regions across the country with two districts benefiting in each region.

About 400 young people from 20 districts in the country are expected to benefit from the piloting stage of the programme.

The CEO said lots of young men and women did not either know, hear or understand anything about the Continental Free Trade, let alone to take advantage of it and so the training explained how young entrepreneurs can access the AfCFTA market and thereby expand their trade.

He advised the Ghanaian youth to become businessmen and create their own businesses without looking up to anybody to employ them because all the billionaires of the world started with their own small businesses.

Two of the young entrepreneurs engaged in the manufacture of beads designed handbags and an innovative farmer who manufactures organic liquid fertilizer himself, were excited about the training programme, which they said have broadened their horizon on a lot of opportunities they hitherto did not know.

 From Thomas Agbenyegah Adzey, Kumasi 

University Professor challenges KNUST Committee findings, report in court

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KNUST

A report of a fact finding Committee constituted by the Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, is being challenged in a Kumasi High Court.

The applicant, Prof. Rexford Assasie Oppong, per his Counsel, Derrick Adu Gyamfi, has filed a notice on motion for application for an Order for Certiorari against the Registrar of KNUST, for the purposes of quashing the findings and report of the Prof. Samuel I.K. Ampadu fact-finding Committee.

The court would be moved on October 14, 2024 to hear the matter.

The applicant claims the committee’s findings and report on August 13, 2024 and October 2023 breached procedural and substantive standards of the respondent’s statutes.

The applicant is also seeking an order to be directed at the respondent Registrar to withdraw the August 13, 2024 findings and issue a circular to the effect that the applicant is not guilty of the charges and accusations levelled against him.

The action by Professor Rexford Assasie Oppong, who is the head of the Department of Architecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), centres around allegations of improper disciplinary procedures and breaches of university regulations.

It seeks a range of legal remedies, including an injunction against the implementation of a directive issued by the vice-chancellor based on the recommendations of the committee in question.

The applicant states that on March 23, 2023 he received a letter from the registrar of KNUST informing him of a petition submitted by several senior members of his department.

The petition accused him of multiple infractions, including harassment and intimidation of staff, making unilateral decisions without consulting the department board, violating the School of Graduate Studies’ regulations on postgraduate studies and disrupting mid-semester exams held on March 1, 2023.

Prof. Oppong maintains that the allegations are baseless and that the process used to investigate them was procedurally flawed.

According to him, the fact-finding committee formed by the vice-chancellor, led by Professor Samuel I.K. Ampadu was not constituted in accordance with the university’s statutes, which require a disciplinary committee for such matters rather than a fact-finding committee.

Prof Oppong further argues that the committee’s formation and procedures violated his constitutional right to a fair hearing as he was not given the opportunity to cross-examine the petitioners during the committee’s interactions.

He said despite providing oral and documentary evidence refuting the claims against him, the fact-finding committee proceeded with its investigations and submitted a report to the Vice Chancellor upon which the VC reportedly gave directives as communicated  to him by the Registrar of the respondent university on August 14, 2024.

Prof. Oppong, however, has refused to comply with the directive, asserting that the committee’s findings were biased and lacked credibility.

He describes the report as flawed and claims that it failed to meet professional standards, alleging that the committee’s work was characterized by procedural impropriety.

In an affidavit in support of his statement of claims, Prof. Oppong saw the findings and recommendations of Prof. Samuel I.K. Ampadu Fact- Finding Committee as bias and irregular with complete disregard for laid down rules and available evidence on record and prayed for a judicial review of same.

He believes the respondent did not follow laid down procedures and rules under its statutes thus render the Committee and the resultant directives by the VC null and void.

The legal action filed on September 19, 2024 by the applicant is, therefore, seeking an order of the court to invalidate the actions taken by the fact-finding committee and to prohibit the implementation of the Vice Chancellor’s directive.

He is also seeking an injunction to prevent any individual from acting in a public office for which they are not legally entitled.

Prof. Oppong claims that the university’s actions and procedural violations have severely impacted his professional standing and caused him unjust harm.

The respondent is yet to file defence against the applicant’s claims, as well as enter appearance.

Court restrains Asante Akropong chief from undertaking activities on disputed land

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Nana Sarfo Kantanka Appiah - Chief of Asante Akropong

The Mankranso District Magistrate Court has ordered Nana Appiah Sarfo Kantanka, the Chief of Akropong, not to undertake any form of activities or any development or cultivate any new farms or alienate any part of the land in dispute, till the final determination of the case pending before it.

An interlocutory Injunction ordered by the Court, presided over by Her Worship Juliana Millicent Ocran, the District Magistrate also restrained the defendants, their agents, assigns and privies from cultivating any new farms or alienating any part of the land in dispute.

Yaw Sarfo, Akosua Dufie and Albert Osei-Banahene, Head of the Aduana Family (the plaintiffs) have sued the defendants for declaration of title to and ownership of all parcels of land in dispute situated between Akropong and Kunsu.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages for trespass, recovery of possession and perpetual injunction to restrain the defendants, their assigns and agents from interfering with the title, ownership and possession of Aduana Royal family of Yabi that acquired the said land from the then chief of Akropong, Nana Kwabena Sarfo in 1925.

The said land is bounded on the North by Kunsu, on the South by Akropong, on the East by the main road leading from Akropong to Kunsu and on the West by Akropong land.

The Akroponghene (second defendant) claims to have sold the land to Nana Kwadwo Asuman Kubi, the first defendant.

The court heard that when the third plaintiff went to the land in dispute, he realised that the first defendant was undertaking illegal mining on the land while the substantive case was pending before the court.

As a result, the plaintiffs filed a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants and their agents from undertaking any illegal mining activities on the land in dispute.

They claimed the illegal mining activities on the land by the second defendant and the use of heavy earth moving machines including excavators had caused waste to the disputed land and impacted negatively on the vegetation.

The plaintiffs argued that the vegetation of the land had been destroyed by the intrusion and galamsey activities of the defendants and that unless the Court restrained the defendants the entire land would be destroyed by the time the case is determined.

According to the plaintiffs, they had suffered loss and damages from the wrong act of the defendants and that the intervention of the Court is needed to preserve their property from further destruction by the defendants through illegal mining.

They  argued  that if the defendants  are  allowed to undertake illegal  mining on the said land and the case is  determined  in their  favour they would have no land  to take hence the need  to restrain  the defendants  till the final determination of the case.

The plaintiffs  also argued  that  if the defendants  are allowed  to undertake illegal mining  and they (plaintiffs) win  the case, the  damage cannot be compensated  in monetary terms.

The defendants, however, contended that the plaintiffs do not have the requisite capacity to initiate the action against them.They also claimed that the Akropong Stool had been granted the land since 1958.

But guided by Order 13(1) of the District Court Rules, 2009, the Court upheld the application of the plaintiffs on the grounds that they (plaintiffs) had legal or equitable rights in the disputed land which, if not protected by the court, will cause irreparable damage to them.

It said the fact that WuzzahWuna Ghana Limited  had entered  the land, which had been a subject of Gold concession, with earth moving machines to mine the land  is enough evidence that the activities of the defendants  and their agents  will change  the state  of the  land  and  cause the plaintiffs/applications  to suffer  irreparable damage that monetary compensation may not  be adequate  remedy.

The court, therefore, deemed the grant of an injunction as just and convenient and accordingly granted the application for injunction to restrain the defendants until the final determination of the court by the court. Hearing of the substantive case is scheduled for October 9, 2024.

Jailed ex-military officer to spend another 300yrs for armed robbery

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Law Court Complex, Accra

Isaac Amejor, Michael Baffour and Muntakilu Saddick have received an additional 300-year sentence from an Accra Circuit Court after previously being sentenced to a total of 180 years for related crimes.

Isaac Amejor, a former police officer, Michael Baffour, a former Ghana Armed Forces member, and Muntakilu Saddick, a former trader at Kantamanso faced Judge Evelyn Asamoah at the Circuit Court on September 26, 2024.

Isaac Amejor was sentenced to 35 years for conspiracy to commit a crime, 35 years for robbery, 10 years for impersonation, 20 years for preparation to commit a crime and three years for being on premises for unlawful purposes.

Michael Baffour received the following sentences; 35 years for conspiracy to commit robbery, 35 years for robbery, 10 years for impersonation, 20 years for preparation to commit a crime, one year for the unlawful use of military uniform and equipment, and three years for being on premises for unlawful purposes.

Muntakilu Saddick was sentenced to 35 years for conspiracy to commit robbery, 35 years for robbery, 20 years for preparation to commit a crime and three years for being on premises for unlawful purposes.

The court ordered that these sentences run concurrently. As a result, Amejor, Baffour and Saddick will each serve a maximum of 35 years. They are required to serve their sentences in hard labour. The convicts pleaded not guilty to the charges, allowing the court to conduct a full trial.

In court, DSP Evans Kesse explained that Amejor was dismissed from the Ghana Police Service, while Baffour resigned from the Ghana Armed Forces in 2014. Their accomplice, Saddick, was previously a trader at Kantamanso, Accra. Kesse noted that Amejor and Baffour resided in Kasoa in the Central Region, while Saddick lived in Asamankese in the Eastern Region.

The prosecutor informed the court that the trio became friends and decided to form a syndicate that would regularly engage in robberies targeting innocent citizens, particularly those visiting financial institutions to withdraw money.

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, the accused met at the Kasoa toll booth and took a taxi to Dansoman to carry out their planned robberies targeting clients of financial institutions.

They began surveying various banks from Bortianor, seeking potential victims.

Ultimately, the three convicts focused on the GCB Bank branch at Dansoman for their unlawful activities.

While loitering around the bank, they targeted Priscilla Quansah, a mobile money vendor, who was there to withdraw cash.

Muntakilu Saddick, disguised as a spy, entered the bank and spotted the victim, Priscilla Quansah, who had just withdrawn GH¢4,000 from her mobile money account.

He quickly contacted his accomplices waiting in a taxi parked nearby, describing the victim’s appearance.

Afterward, he exited the bank to join them.

Isaac Amejor then emerged from the car and approached Quansah as she headed to her business center. He falsely claimed that she had been reported by her employer for an unspecified crime and informed her that she was under arrest.

Forcing her into the back seat of the car, where she was sandwiched between the two convicts in police and military uniforms, Michael Baffour, also known as Mike, asked her how much she had withdrawn. She replied that it was GH¢4,000.

Baffour instructed the driver to move and directed the route until they reached the entrance of a house, where he ordered the driver to stop.

He then forced the victim to hand over her handbag, which contained GH¢950 and two cell phones, claiming he needed to take her to his boss, Mr. Appiah.

Despite her resistance, she was pulled from the car and her bag was forcibly taken. Baffour led her into the house, quickly abandoned her and returned to the vehicle, telling the driver to speed away.

The three robbers paid the driver GH¢410 and divided the remaining money among themselves. Mutakilu Saddick took the victim’s phone, as it was his turn to receive a stolen item, having previously benefited from other phones taken during their crimes.

Saddick also collected the driver’s contact number, assuring him they would continue to work together. The following day, March 23, 2023, he called the driver to arrange a trip to Tema, where they planned to target more victims at financial institutions.

Amejor and Baffour wore their police and military uniforms, while Saddick dressed casually. Meanwhile, a surveillance team from the Ghana Police Service, having received intelligence on their activities, began monitoring them from the Kasoa toll booth area, ultimately pursuing and arresting them.

 

Stonebwoy wins ‘Artiste Of The Year’ at 2024 3Music Awards

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Stonebwoy

Reggae/Afro-Dancehall Artiste,Stonebwoy has been crowned Artiste of the Year at the 2024 3Music Awards

The star-studded music award ceremony, celebrated the best in Ghanaian music at the Palm Convention Centre inside the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on Saturday 28th September, 2024.

A night filled with glitz, glamour and electrifying performances, Stonebwoy competed against many celebrated Artistes, including Sarkodie, King Promise, Kuami Eugene, and Black Sherif.

As the moment of truth arrived, the tension in the auditorium was perceptible. When Stonebwoy’s name was called, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

In addition to winning the flagship Artiste of the year, the ‘Soboloi’ hitmaker also won ‘Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of The Year and Album of The Year.

The other winners included; African Song of The Year – Water by Tyla, Rap Performance of The Year –   5th August 7 by Lyrical Joe, Video of the Year – Oil In My Head by Black Sherif, DJ of The Year – DJ Lord,  Producer of The Year – MOG Beatz, Emerging Woman of The Year – Lali & Lola, Gospel Song of The Year – Aseda by Nacee and EP of The Year – Avana EP by Olivetheboy.

The rest included Breakthrough Act of The Year – Olivetheboy, Reggae/Dancehall Act of The Year – Stonebwoy, HipHop Song of The Year – Otan by Sarkodie, Woman of The Year – Amaarae, Performer of The Year – Black Sherif (Zaama Disco), Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year – Goodsin by Olivetheboy, Hiplife/Hip Hop Act of The Year – Black Sherif, Best Male Vocal Performance of The Year – I Lied by KiDi, Best Female Vocal Performance – Make Me Believe by TiTi Owusu, Reggae/Dancehall Song of The Year – Effiekuma Love by Kofi Kinaata, Gospel Act of The Year – Piesie Esther, Next Rated Act of the Year – Beeztrap KOTM, Digital Act of the Year – Medikal, Viral Song of the Year – Terminator by King Promise, Hiplife Song of The Year – Aseda by King Paluta, Song of the Year – Terminator by King Promise and Collaboration of The Year – Likor by KiDi ft Stonebwoy

The Ghanaian Chronicle