Soyinka expresses concerns over Agunloye’s safety at Kuje Prison

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January 12, 2024

The 2023 Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria needs 60 per cent reduction in the cost of governance.

Obi said the decision of President Bola Tinubu to reduce the cost of Federal Government’s official entourage during trips was scratching the surface.

He wondered why the government had not disclosed how much would be saved as a result of the reduction.

On Tuesday, Tinubu had announced a slash in the travel expenditure of government officials by 60 per cent.

This reduction affected his entourage, Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Remi Tinubu, and ministers.

Reacting, Obi posted on X: “The just announced 60% cut in the size of federal official entourages on travels is one positive step towards the reduction of cost of governance and a way of halting wastage. But this measure is just scratching the surface as It is limited in scope and can only lead to a very negligible saving.

“We are yet to be told how much savings this will amount to. While this modest step may be somewhat commendable, what is desirable should be both a 60% reduction in federal official overseas trips as well as a 60% reduction in the size of delegations.

“Most importantly, what our current economic reality demands is a 60% reduction in the total cost of governance at the Federal level. This implies that the recently passed federal budget needs to be revised to cut all wasteful and unnecessary items.

“This is the level of cost-cutting and savings that can meaningfully impact the present state of the economy. This level of cut in the cost of government should lead to substantial savings.”

Credit: dailypost.ng

GRA Achieves 2023 Revenue Target

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January 12, 2024

Commissioner, Customs Division, GRA, Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah

The Commissioner of the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, has announced that the Ghana Revenue Authority achieved its revenue target of 109 Billion Ghana Cedis.

He also revealed that despite a year characterized by decreased volumes of imports, the Customs Division of the GRA were only short of its revenue target by 1.2 billion.

The Customs Boss said, “for those of us in international trade this year was a very challenging year we had. All the targeted volumes of trade were not met. The volumes of goods that came to Tema was less than what was expected. But because of the enforcement measures we put in place we were able to get in Tema here 24.4 billion out of the 25.6 Billion. GRA was able to achieve the national target of 109 billion.”

The Commissioner of Customs was speaking during an awards’ parade organized by the Management of the Tema Collection of Customs to award hardworking staff for their tremendous efforts in the year 2023.

Held at the Authority Block at the MPS Terminal 3, the vibrant parade saw permanent and contract, operational and administrative staff of various units of Tema Collection as well as some exceptional taxpayers presented citations and gift items.

The Sector Commissioner of the Tema Collection of Customs, Christiana Odi Adjei acknowledged the difficulties in mobilizing revenue for the year 2023.

She urged her staff to give off their best in the discharge of their duties in the year 2024 towards national development.

“Though this year was very challenging as far as revenue mobilization is concerned we have made a significant milestone. We have worked very hard. Sometimes we have to go overboard to stay behind to make sure that we were able to mop up the revenue that we needed so much for the year,” the Assistant Commissioner expressed.

Expert Predicts Cedi Stability; Calls for Prudent Economic Management

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January 12, 2024

West Africa Director, CUTS International, Accra, Appiah Kusi Adomako

With the misfortunes of the early 2020s finding their way into 2023, it is not uncommon for people to predict continued economic hardship in the new year of 2024.

Two weeks into the new year and the war in the Gaza strip has already escalated to epic proportions. Thus, it is not strange to imagine doom in the minds of observers.

Commercial sea-going vessels have been the subject of fatal attacks by Yemeni armed rebels along the Red Sea route, causing severe apprehension among businesspeople and ordinary consumers. The economic effect in Ghana is yet to be quantified, but if experts could take a cue from similar events in recent years, we should not expect a pleasant song.

Nonetheless, trade expert and West Africa Director for CUTS International, Accra, Appiah Kusi Adomako has expressed some optimism for 2024 so far as the economic outlook of Ghana is concerned, in light of global happenings.

Reviewing the year 2023, and prospecting for 2024 on the Eye on Port TV Program, Mr. Adomako has predicted a relative stability of the cedi in the new year.

He said with the United States Federal Reserve reportedly likely to cut interest rates, investors will redirect funds to emerging economies like Ghana. This, according to him, would have a positive effect on the value of the cedi.

“In 2022, the cedi was stable until the US also decided to increase its interest rates so people were moving all their investments from emerging economies and Ghana was suffering a lot because every day, investors were withdrawing their investments from Ghana and whenever they withdraw their investment and convert to dollars, a lot of pressure on the cedi.

This year we expect the government to reduce interest rate and most likely we are going to have a lot of dollars coming in into emerging economies and Ghana could benefit.”

He added that Ghana is meeting its external creditors for Extended Credit Facility programme “and we hope that once they are able to agree on a good deal for us we will end up getting the $600 million. In fact, the president said that we hope to get $1.6 Million by end of May.”

All won’t be rosy in 2024, however, according to the West Africa Director of CUTS International Accra, who calls for a sense of caution and preparation in 2024.

He says while it is fair to acknowledge the effects of global events like COVID-19, the War in Ukraine, among others on the local economy, government is not absolved from blame.

Mr. Adomako urged government to strategically introduce policies such as import restriction in proportion to the local capacity to produce.

He said proper planning and accountability can have a mitigating effect on the impact of global shocks on the economy.

According to Mr. Adomako, Russia has shown no signs of withdrawing from the war in Ukraine, and the potential regionalisation of the Israeli-Palestine war may require economic resilience from governments around the world.

He urged government to be circumspect in its expenditure in 2024, especially as the country prepares to head to the polls in December.

He said government must abide by the Fiscal Responsibility Act in order not to return the state into an economic quagmire in 2024.

Ghana Blind Union members in Sekondi-Takoradi empowered through ‘Vision Project’

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January 12, 2024

Members of Ghana Blind Union with sponsors of the Vision Project

To support initiatives and businesses of members of the Ghana Blind Union (GBU) in Sekondi-Takoradi and Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly, 233times.net has launched the ‘Vision Project.’

Speaking at the 5^th anniversary of the ‘Jawuley with the Visually Impaired’ (an annual new year party for the GBU Members) on 6^th January, 2024 at the Anaji Choicemart in Takoradi, Founder of the project, Nana Kwesi Coomson mentioned that, “marking the 5^th year anniversary of this party, we are launching the ‘Vision Project’ to empower you to be more independent.”

“The Vision Project is a seed grant of GH5,000 to support your individual businesses and initiatives. Through our engagements with you, we found out that some of you need GHc500 and others need GHc1,000 to start and scale up your businesses. The highest amount we have heard from you to start a business is GHc1,500. This inspired us to come up with this project which will support your initiatives and businesses” Mr. Coomson who is also the CEO of 233 times.net added.

Explaining how members of the GBU can access the grant, Mr. Reuben Nana Mbra, a committee member of the ‘Vision Project’ told the GBU Members that; “You have up to 25th January to let us know what you would want to embark on so that we can assess it and give you this grant. Channel all the proposals to the President of your union who will let us have them by 25^th January so that the committee can make a decision on it and give you the grant.”

Yaa Amoako-Adu, CEO of Integrity Logistics and Consult Limited, Mr. Kwame Adu Mante, CEO of Focus One Media and Distribution, Philip Osei Bonsu, host of ‘Ekosiisen’ on Asempa FM and OBPR CEO, Nana Kwesi Coomson, founder of the project and Nana Mbra, CEO of Nana Care Medical Outreach are the committee members for the ‘Vision Project.’

On his part, Mr. Emmanuel Ampaabeng who collaborates with 233times.net through the Westline Entertainment expressed profound gratitude to the sponsors who have committed to the party which has eventually scaled up to financially supporting initiatives of the GBU Members.

Tiwa Savage to release feature film shot in Ghana

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January 12, 2024

Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has announced that her highly anticipated film ‘Water and Garri’ will be released in 2024.

The singer, in a Twitter post, revealed that the production of the film ‘Water and Garri,’ named after the 2021 EP, spanned over a two-year period.

“…I must say this is probably one of the most adventurous, fulfilling things I’ve done,” Tiwa Savage wrote in her post.

This feature film will also mark the ‘Somebody’s Son‘ hitmaker’s debut in the movie industry with her first acting role.

“I feel blessed and honoured not only to be making my debut as a lead actor but also to have executively produced this film. I honestly can’t wait to take you guys along with me on this next phase of my life and art… I’m just getting started,” she added.

Although she did not reveal the release date, Tiwa Savage noted that ‘Water and Garri’ will be available on Amazon Prime. This comes nearly a year after she announced the film was in production. Tiwa Savage stars in the film and co-directs alongside Nigerian filmmaker Meji Alabi.

Meanwhile, according to Screen Daily, ‘Water and Garri‘ portrays Tiwa’s character, Aisha, a fashion designer in the US, returning home to confront her guilt.

The website revealed that the film was shot in Cape Coast, in the Central Region of Ghana, and produced by the African production company Unbound Studios and its subsidiary JM Films. Credit: myjoyonline.com

Bulldog lied, I don’t know Medikal’s mother’s house —Shatta Wale’s mother

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January 12, 2024

Popular entertainment pundit and former manager of iconic Dancehall artist Charles Nii Armah-Mensah Jnr better known as Shatta Wale, Bulldog recently posted on social media that the artist’s mother does not have a place to sleep.

About two years ago, Shatta Wale’s mother Madam Elsie Avemegah, popularly known as Shatta Mama, was evicted from her East Legon apartment over unpaid rent.

Shatta Wale has been boasting about being the richest artist in the industry. But Bulldog believes if the ‘Ayoo’ hitmaker claims to be the richest musician as he wants everyone in the country to believe then he should get his mother a place to sleep.

According to Bulldog, known in real life as Lawrence Asiamah Hanson, Shatta Mama is now perching with people to be able to get a place to sleep, and the last time he checked, she was staying with Medikal’s mother.

In response to Bulldog’s claims, Shatta Mama told GhanaWeekend: ”Bulldog is lying… I don’t even know Medikal’s mother’s house… He should stop lying about me… I am living in an apartment which was given to me by the owner of Visa Radio in Dunkwa, Dr Rev Victor Gadri”.

The mother of the self-proclaimed richest Ghanaian musician warned Bulldog to stop spreading lies about her.

Credit: citinewsroom.com

‘They want me to die’ –Black Sherif on illuminati rumours

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January 12, 2024

Celebrating his 22^nd birthday on January 9, 2024, Black Sherif has opened up about his life and career so far in a new single, addressing illuminati rumours.

The reigning VGMA ‘Artiste of The Year’ released the track titled ‘January 9′ as part of his birthday celebration.

Due to arts that have been displayed on stages Black Sherif performed at, it was speculated that he joined the infamous one-eye dark world group known as Illuminati.

Reacting to these rumours Blacko via the opening lyrics of his birthday song said “It’s not my time to leave, but they want me to die, they don’t want me alive, yeah, they want me to go. Trying to survive through the evil eyes. They don’t wanna leave me alone, Tryna get me to believe I don’t deserve my life”.

“I used to be shocked but these days I don’t, It’s been a couple years so I don’t be surprised, I’m not a, baby anymore Whole lotta superstitions about the guy,” he continued.

“Said I’m working with the devil and I’ve been doing a whole, Whole lotta sacrifices and tings at my shows, But I say nada ’cause heaven knows Yese easy on,Black Sherif emphasized in the song.

The song has received scads of reactions by music lovers online as many people praise him for his lyrical prowess.

Comoros President seeks fourth term in January 13 election

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January 12, 2024

Comoros will vote in an election on Sunday that is expected to deliver a fourth term to President Azali Assoumani, a former military officer whose opponents accuse him of muzzling dissent in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.

Nearly 340,000 people are eligible to vote in the country of fewer than one million people.

Assoumani, 65, who held the rotating chairperson role of the African Union for the past year, will face five competitors. Other opposition leaders have called for a boycott, accusing the electoral commission of favouring the ruling party.

The electoral commission has denied this and said the election will be transparent.

Regional observer missions, including from the African Union, said the last election in 2019 was riddled with irregularities and lacked credibility.

The earlier vote followed constitutional reforms that removed a requirement that the presidency rotate among the country’s three main islands every five years, and thus allowed Assoumani to seek re-election. The changes sparked months of sometimes violent protests.

Assoumani, who first took power in a 1999 coup before stepping down in 2002 and then winning election 14 years later, would be required to step down in 2029.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Taiwan hits back at China for ‘repeated interference’ in upcoming elections

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January 12, 2024