Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has urged President Bola Tinubu to cut the cost of governance in order to pay better wages to workers.
Ezeokafor,who spoke to journalists in Awka on Tuesday, expressed displeasure over the N62,000 minimum wage offered by the Federal Government.
He stated that the proposed wage is poor considering the high cost of living in the country today, adding that even N100,000 minimum wage was not enough to meet the basic needs of Nigerian workers.
He said: “It is unfortunate to hear about the minimum wage debates. To me, N100,000 is even not enough, looking at how some persons siphon monies meant for every Nigerian.
“It is a question of living in a very big blessed country and at the same time the workers and masses are suffering because some individuals are taking home what belongs to society, leaving the workers and the general public to be gnashing their teeth.
“Let us look at the N62,000 proposal. From it, someone will take care of his health, transportation, accommodation, feeding and everything about life per month and one month is 30 days on the average.
“Will that person ever be able to have a roof over his head? And yet they see it as too much to be paid to the people. I do not believe that we are telling ourselves the truth.
“When I hear people say that if government starts paying N62,000 it cannot sustain it, I think such people may be selfish. If they are looking for where to source the money from, they should slash the National Assembly Members’ jumbo salaries, the governors’ and the Federal Government’s salaries and emoluments itself.
“Cut down the cost of governance. Use the money to settle workers and poor Nigerians.”
The cleric warned that there could be a revolution if the welfare of workers is not guaranteed.
He added, “See how the Burkina Faso President is managing the economy of the country. The President of Uruguay, see how he is managing their economy.
“What extra job are they doing to warrant such jumbo salaries? Labour should tell them that they can pay the money. Let them cut down the cost of running the government.
“You see somebody debating paying N62,000 while they are going home with N30 million monthly. If government is sincere they should reduce the money they are sharing to themselves. If not, there could be a revolution.”
Members of the Crop Rate Negotiation Committee in Ahafo North
Crop compensation is a critical mechanism designed to ensure that farmers receive fair remuneration for losses of their crops and lands due to alternative uses. In Ghana, the practice is not only a legal requirement but also a key aspect of maintaining the delicate balance between the economic benefits of mining and the sustainability of local agricultural livelihoods.
The significance of such a framework lies in its ability to provide a structured and equitable platform for farmers to be compensated, thereby mitigating the livelihood impacts that such alternative land uses can have on communities.
A session with members of the Crop Rate Negotiation Committee in Ahafo North
The recent agreement reached by Newmont’s Ahafo North Project, marks a landmark in the ongoing efforts to harmonize the interests of the agricultural and mining sectors. The establishment of the consensus on crop compensation rates for the 2023/2024 period is the result of transparent and inclusive negotiations facilitated by the Crop Rate Negotiation Committee. This committee, a multi-stakeholder entity, plays an essential role in ensuring that the voices of the local farmers are heard and considered in the decision-making process.
The process is guided by the legal framework set forth in the Minerals and Mining Act 2006(Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Compensation and Resettlement) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2175), which dictates the principles and the manner in which compensations should be determined and distributed.
The negotiations are a testament to the importance of fostering strong, positive relationships between the mining company and the host communities, acknowledging the indispensable role that each plays in the country’s socioeconomic fabric.
Newmont’s proactive and collaborative approach to engaging with the host communities has been an important component of its operational excellence. By striving to reach just and fair compensation outcomes, the company has shown its dedication to community welfare and its commitment to sustainable mining practices.
The company’s recognition of the contributions made by the Crop Rate Negotiation Committee through awards and the provision of farming tools further illustrates its commitment to supporting the agricultural sector.
The committee itself is a model of inclusive and transparent governance, comprising elected representatives from the Ahafo communities, community valuers, and government officials. Its composition ensures that the negotiation process is not only fair but also reflective of the diverse interests and concerns that exist within the local context.
The committee’s ability to manage these complex negotiations effectively showcases a system that values varied expertise leading to resolutions that are beneficial to all parties involved.
The successful resolution of the crop compensation rates negotiation sets a benchmark for future engagements, exemplifying the potential for the mining industry to operate in harmony with host community livelihoods.
The positive outcome of this negotiation not only serves the immediate interests of Newmont’s host communities but also stands as an exemplar for other mining operations in the region, promoting a model where economic development is pursued with a conscientious regard for social and environmental responsibility.
The Supreme Court has, by a majority decision, upheld an FDA directive that prohibits celebrities from endorsing alcoholic drinks.
This ruling comes in response to a lawsuit brought by Mark Darlington Osae, CEO of Black Kulcha Music, ending a highly publicised nineteen-month legal battle.
Wednesday’s ruling by the Supreme Court means that well-known personalities and professionals are now permanently barred from appearing in advertisements promoting alcoholic beverages.
Delivering an abridged version of the ruling at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo stated that the FDA directive does not contravene the constitution.
The Supreme Court ruled 5-2 in favour of the FDA in this case, affirming the directive against alcoholic advertisements by celebrities.
Background
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in 2015 effected a directive meant to regulate the use of alcohol among Ghanaians. That aspect of their guidelines bars celebrities from advertising for alcoholic beverages.
The Authority had explained that due to the influential nature of these showbiz personalities, alcoholic advertisements they are involved in could push minors into alcoholism.
On November 11, 2022, Mark Darlington Osae, the manager of Reggie ‘N’ Bollie and Skrewfaze, issued a writ at the Supreme Court, describing the FDA’s 2015 regulations against alcoholic advertisement of celebrities as discriminatory against the creative arts industry.
The plaintiff, Mark Darlington Osae, a music publisher at Perfect Note Publishing, is also the Chairman and co-founder of Ghana Music Alliance, a group aimed at streamlining systems, structures and institutions of the creative industry through activism.
The writ indicates that the FDA directive which orders that, “no well-known personality or professional shall be used in alcoholic beverage advertising,” is inconsistent with and in contravention of articles 17(1) and 17 (2) of the 1992 Constitution.
He contends that, Articles 17(1) and 17 (2) of the 1992 Constitution guarantee quality before the law and prohibit discrimination against persons on grounds of social or economic status, occupation, among others, and consequently null, void, and unenforceable.
Creative industry people including Wendy Shay, Shatta Wale, Brother Sammy, Kuami Eugene, and Camidoh, had all spoken against the law and had called on powers that be to repeal it, prior to the court action initiated by Mark Darlington.
According to the stakeholders of the culture and creative industries, endorsements or advertisements of alcoholic beverages are one of the very few income streams available to them at present, therefore, any law that restricts their engagement in such activities robs them of their livelihood.
Today, Ghanaian genre-defying recording artist Black Sherif releases his much anticipated single, “Kilos Milos” through his record label, RBA/Empire.
The track, which has been teased on his social media platforms for weeks, is now available on all major streaming platforms.
With its catchy hooks and thought-provoking lyrics, “Kilos Milos” is already generating buzz within the music industry and receiving praise from fans. The single promises to be another chart-topping hit for Black Sherif, further solidifying his status as one of the most promising talents in African music.
Known for his unique blend of Afrobeat and Hip Hop, Black Sherif continues to captivate audiences with his raw lyricism.
“Kilos Milos” showcases his versatility as an artist, delivering powerful verses layered over a mesmerizing production heralded by Kwame Agger and Joker Nharnah. This follows the release of his widely received street anthem, ‘Shut Up’.
Black Sherif continuously hints at the release of his sophomore album, which is due this year. He recently won the award for Best Hip hop and Hip life Artiste at the 25th Telecel Ghana Music awards and headlined one of the biggest festivals in Africa, Afrofuture. Adjudged as the second most streamed artiste globally on Audiomack in 2023.
Black Sherif keeps defying the odds and breaking new grounds for music emanating from Africa on the global stage.
A native of Konongo, a small mineral-rich town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Black Sherif, born Mohammed Ismail Sharif Kwaku Frimpong, has risen against all odds to become the country’s biggest star.
Embracing a diverse musical palette, he bridges the gap between Afrobeats, highlife, and Ghanian drill, showcasing his wordplay, storytelling, and linguistic versatility. The breakout success of “First Sermon” and “Second Sermon” in 2021 propelled Black Sherif onto the international stage, with “Kwaku The Traveller” earning him superstar status in 2022.
Since the release of his debut album in 2022, The Villain I Never Was, Black Sherif has solidified his place as one of Africa’s most powerful creative voices and amassed massive global streaming numbers, which made him the most streamed Ghanaian artist of 2022 and 2023 on Spotify and the most streamed Ghanaian artist of all time on popular African streaming platform Boomplay.
Black Sherif has reached these pinnacles in record time—being an integral part of the front runners pushing the sounds coming from Africa globally.
Abigail and Afronita (in sashes) upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport
Following their success at the just ended Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) in London, Ghanaians celebrated with immense pride as dance stars Afronitaa and Abigail received a hero’s welcome at Kotoka International Airport in Accra.
The duowas greeted by a massive, cheering crowd. Afronitaa, 20, and her 9-year-old protégé, Abigail, impressed both judges and audiences with their energetic routines, securing a spot in the finals and ultimately placing third.
Their arrival was met with enthusiastic fans waving banners and singing praises, reflecting national pride in their international success. Afronitaa expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, while Abigail shared her excitement and thanks.
Their achievement on BGT has not only put Ghana on the map but also inspired many young dancers across the country, showcasing the power of passion, hard work, and determination. The future looks bright for Afronitaa and Abigail, whose captivating performances promise to leave a lasting impact on the dance world.
Gospel musician Philipa Baafi has disclosed that she will not in any way going to compose a song for any political party.
In 2008, her ‘Go High’ song was the campaign song for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) making people perceive that she specifically composed the song for them.
“I won’t accept anything to compose a song for any political party. I know my mission clearly and I will stand by it,” she said.
“I did not do that song for the NPP. It is a song that touched on victory and the party loved it so they hopped on it to use for their campaign and they paid for copyrights.
She added that no amount of money is going to influence her to compose a song for any political party because her goal is to sing for Christ.
“I don’t do songs for political parties. I sing on realities, about God and positivity and that is why my songs usually catch people’s attention.”
Philipa Baafi however clarified that she wouldn’t hesitate to sell the right to the use of any of her songs to any political party that approaches her with the deal.
“If I have a song and a particular political party wants to use it, they just pay for copyrights and go ahead with it. But for me to be paid to compose a song specifically for a political party, that won’t happen,” she concluded.
US Army Staff Sergeant Gordon Black talks with his lawyer
A Russian court has handed a United States soldier a jail sentence as Moscow said it is awaiting Washington’s response to prisoner swap proposals.
The Pervomaisky District Court of Vladivostok sentenced US staff sergeant Gordon Black to three years and nine months in a penal colony on Wednesday for stealing $113 from his girlfriend and threatening to kill her, according to state-run TASS and Sputnik.
The sentencing adds to the list of US citizens jailed in Russia amid the deterioration in relations ushered in by the invasion of Ukraine. A senior official said on the same day that Moscow is waiting for Washington to respond to its latest prisoner swap proposals.
Russia is holding at least a dozen US citizens in jail, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan, musician Travis Leake – arrested last year on drug-related charges – teacher Marc Fogel – sentenced to 14 years in prison, also on drug charges – and dual national Ksenia Khavana.
On Tuesday, a court turned down an appeal by another twin passport holder Alsu Kurmasheva against the extension of her pre-trial detention. The Radio Free Europe journalist was arrested eight months ago and has been charged with spreading “false information” about the military.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is due to face trial behind closed doors on charges of espionage, which he has denied, on Tuesday.
President Vladimir Putin said in February that talks on a prisoner swap involving the journalist were under way, but the Kremlin has not given any details on the progress of the negotiations.
“The ball is in the court of the United States, we are waiting for them to respond to the ideas that were presented to them,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency TASS.
Displaced people take refuge at the Zamzam camp in Sudan
Sudan has accused the United Arab Emirates of arming a paramilitary force in the country’s 14-month civil war, prompting a clash at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Al-Harith Idriss al-Harith Mohamed, Sudan’s UN ambassador, accused the UAE late on Tuesday of arming the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting Sudan’s army since April 2023 and faces accusations of ethnic war crimes. The Sudanese envoy said Khartoum has evidence of the weapons supply and his government will submit a file on UAE actions to the International Criminal Court.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said he had urged the council to “walk the extra mile by naming and shaming the United Arab Emirates”.
Sitting next to Mohamed at the horseshoe-shaped Security Council table, UAE Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab called Sudan’s charge “ludicrous” and designed to distract from “grave violations that are happening on the ground”.
“If they seek an end to the conflict and civilian suffering, then why won’t they come to the Jeddah talks? Why are they blocking aid? What are you waiting for?” Abushahab asked.
In May, the United States and Saudi Arabia sought to resurrect ceasefire talks in Jeddah that stalled last year due to alleged violations of agreements on both sides. Sudan, however, refused to participate.
Aid agencies, which have warned that Sudan is on the brink of the world’s largest hunger crisis, have said aid is being blocked by all of the warring factions in the country.
The Indian capital is reeling under a prolonged heatwave
India’s capital Delhi is reeling under a prolonged heatwave that has sent power demand soaring to a record 8,647 megawatts (MW) this week.
Temperatures have hovered around 44-45C in the city and other parts of northern India for weeks.
The widespread use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners has put pressure on resources, leading to frequent power outages in Delhi.
The capital’s record on Tuesday came a day after northern India saw peak power consumption at 89,000 MW.
Delhi’s electricity demand has broken many records this season, first on 22 May when it touched 8,000 MW.
On Monday, the city’s airport witnessed a power outage that lasted several minutes and impacted service at terminals.
Images shared on social media showed passengers standing in long queues at check-in counters as airline staff waited for their computers to turn on again.
The city is also battling a severe water crisis. Videos shared on social media show crowds holding buckets thronging water trucks. The weather department has said that the heatwave over northern India is likely to persist for the next few days.
Dozens of people have died of heat-related illnesses since March, when summer set in.
In the first week of June, more than 50 people died due to the heat in a span of three days in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and the north-eastern state of Odisha (formerly Orissa).
Summers in India are usually hot and humid, but this year, the heat has been exceptionally harsh with longer, more intense and frequent heatwaves.
On Tuesday, the weather department said the country is also likely to receive below-normal rainfall in June.
The Chief of Abutia-Kpota, Togbe Tsali addressing the media
The chief of Abutia–Kpota, Togbe Tsali and the management of E.P Basic School have appealed to government, philanthropists, churches and public spirited organisations to help rebuild the abandoned teachers’ quarters constructed in the 1970s, to address the accommodation needs of teachers in the area.
One of the dilapidated teachers bungalows at Abutia-Kpota
Togbe Tsali said teachers refused posting to Abutia-Kpota is as a result of lack of accommodation for them, which he said, was affecting quality teaching and learning in the area.
Speaking to the media at Abuti-Kpota in the Ho West District of the Volta region on challenges confronting education in the area, Togbe Tsali explained that the quarters were built by the General I.K. Acheampong led military government to cater for refugees from the Republic of Togo, who escaped to Ghana as a result of conflict that emanated from a coup in that country.
The chief further explained that the abandoned quarters were for teachers of the then Refugees Basic School, now the E.P Basic School, adding that the farming activities of the refugees failed and they were relocated to the national capital, Accra.
Togbe Tsali continued that since then, the quarters had not seen any refurbishment in spite of various appeals made by the chiefs and elders.
The authorities have also failed to complete construction of two bungalows that were started under the European Union (EU) 5th Micro Project programme.
The Chief said the two uncompleted EU bungalows were left without handing them over to the school, thereby allowing the building to deteriorate.
For now, these two buildings must be re-constructed in addition to the teachers’ bungalows to address the accommodation needs of the teachers.
The abandoned staff bungallow
He said the chiefs and people of Abuti-Kpota had never relented in their efforts to find accommodation for teachers through community self-help initiative, with support from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho West, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah.
According to the chief, under the MP’s Development Fund, a 6-unit chamber and hall self-contained houses and single rooms with toilet, bath and kitchen were constructed and handed over to the school authorities.
He disclosed that the kindergarten (KG) at Abutia-Kpota Basic School was closed down, following the withdrawal of teachers at the KG department by the authorities of the Ho West District Directorate of Education, which the community members were uncomfortable with, as clear reasons for the withdrawal, was not made known to them.
Togbe Tsali said as a result of various appeals made to the District Directorate of Education, three teachers were posted to the KG department, which was denied teachers for the past nine months and their presence brought life back to the basic school.
He announced that to ensure quality education at the KG, the community mobilised resources and refurbished the new KG and handed it over to the school authorities to promote quality childhood education in the area.
The Head teacher of Abutai-Kpota E.P Basic School, Mr Nutepe Abotsi, commended the Ho West District Directorate of Education for the quick response by posting the three teachers to the KG department of the school, adding that Abutia-Kpota KG was among five selected KGs in Ghana to benefit from a pilot system of early childhood teaching and learning dubbed – “Right to Play”, under Leadership Community of Practice (LCOP).
Mr Abotsi said as a result, a team of early childhood education officers from Rwanda, led by officers from the Ghana Education Service (GES) visited the school’s KG to observe how teaching and learning was done, as well as classroom layout.
A teacher at the KG department, Ms Mercy Esinam Anyigba commended the Abutia-Kpota community for their communal spirit that had promoted education in the community and promised that she and other teachers would put in their best efforts to educate the children.
A Specialist in Educationist, working with Right to Play Organisation, Mr Kwabena Gao, on his part explained that education is the key to the development of every country and stressed that sound early childhood education would definitely provide a strong foundation for the educational system in the country.
An Opinion Leader in the community, Mr Godwin Ndewu, said the chiefs, elders and people of the community were committed to ensuring that the only basic school in the town would grow to become one of the best schools in the Volta region and the country in general.
The Chairman of Abutia-Kpota Development Committee, Mr David Segbe, disclosed that friends in the Republic of Korea are helping the community to construct a clinic, which was expected to be completed in six months, adding that the project was at the window level and that when completed would have a consulting room, male and female wards, Dispensary, X-ray department and OPD.
Mr Segbe said the community contributed an amount of GH¢65,000 to support development projects at the Abutia-Kpota Basic School and lauded the efforts of the chiefs and people of the community for their willingness to promote quality education in the area.
