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Curtain Call For Emmary Brown

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OPINION

The scene was at the Acts Centre, Accra, the year was 1988 March. The event was the much talked about highly publicized theatre performance of the award-winning play “FOR THE LOVE OF A WOMAN” by the Latest theatre sensation in Accra “Theatre Mirrors” directed by Emmary Brown. Time circa 7:30pm.

Reader, there was tension at the Acts Center. The Acts Center was full, audience including Joyce Aryee, PNDC Secretary for Information, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, first lady – but there was a problem.

KALSOUM SINARE, the super star toast of the production as Queen Notaya was not yet in. Everybody was worried, we can’t keep the audience waiting. It was now 7:45pm.

Director told me: Captain, you have to drive to Labadi to find out where is Kalsoum Sinare? Those days mobile phones were yet to come. Without hesitation I sparked my car and set off for South LabadiEstate, just beyond Osu.

When I got to her house, I saw Kalsoum’s father standing at the entrance to their house, and with the engine still running without ceremony, I asked, rather impudently –WHERE IS KASOUM??

With shock the father replied:

“Captain Kalsoum left here at 4pm for the Acts Center!!

Unknown to me, just as I left the Acts Center, Kalsoum pulled up – it was now 10 minutes to 8pm – now we have to wait for Captain. Ten minutes to start time.

I was told that Director was so worried that at the back stage standing near some pillar, Director said: where is Captain? Then he hit his head against the pillar!!1 Oh Director!!!

Emmary Brown, senior staff of the Acts Center, executive number of the Ghana Actors Guild directed Theatre Mirrors from 1988 all through the years until 2015 when as a result of old age and physical weakness he had to go on retirement.

It was he who picked raw talent and made them super stars on stage and screen – Kasoum Sinare, Jojo Mills Robeson, Emmanuel Armah, NatBanini – the list is endless.

At the old age of 87 years, Emmary Brown crossed the river in December 2023 and the funeral was set for February.

The man spoke Ga so fluently that I always assumed that he was a Ga, so I was shocked when upon his death I was told we have to go to his family house in Cape Coast!! He was a Fanti – Emmary Kwesi Acheampong Brown!!!

He was brought from the morgue and laid in state in his residence at Kasoa and his group Theatre Mirrors was on hand to keepwake all night on Friday 23rd February 2024. They did three performances – CONFESSIONS A MOTE IN THE EYE and the true story of MEDICAL BILLS: At one stage people were laughing so much that it was inconsistent with the wake keeping, dead body lying in state!!

To spice up the night was the sensational Ammamere Cultural Troupe who gave wonderful performance.

I left the wake keeping at 0400 hours to the house to change my costume and by 0800hours we were at the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-DaySaints at Kasoa for the burial service.

Far back in Achimota School in the late 1960’s, I was a member of the extra curriculum group, called COMPARATIVE RELIGION SOCIETY where we were introduced to several religionsin this world – CHRISTIANITY, MOSLEM, BUDDHISM, HINDUISMand so on.

For that background I am perfectly at home in any religious environment, but even so, the Kasoabranch of the Church of Latter-DaySaints – the MORMONS– very neat clean environment, polished white, with almost military style of doing things- hymns, tributes, remarks- finish – all over within one hour no anything like “kyries”, “responsorial psalms”, “sermons” and what have you.

From the cemetery, we converged at the Kasoaresidence of Emmary Brown where the good old evergreen sensational WULOMEI was on hand to entertain the mourners.

The NDC Parliamentary candidate for Awutu Sanya East Constituency turned the funeral into a rally ground as she kept rolling out. “Eye Zu, Eye Za in a speech, marred by electricity black out, so we could hardly hear her.

Finally, at almost 5:00pm all proceedings were over and the final curtain call of actor- Director Emmary Brown came to an end.

For the records he had five children two of whom predeceased him. The remaining three children all happily married were around with their husbands and children. One of his daughters, a prison officer, brought a Ghana Prison Service bus full of mourning prison officers who displayed at the grounds with Jama songs.

Farewell, Emmary Brown

Theatre Mirrors is a living legacy of your handiwork.

written by

Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey

Tepamanhene advocates promotion of peace for development 

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Nana Adusei Atwenewaah Ampem II, Omanhene of Tepa

Nana Adusei Atwenewaah Ampem, the Omanhene of Tepa in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality of the Ashanti region, has urged political parties to help promote peace to ease political tension towards development.

According to him, a lot of development has been going on in the area of socioeconomic development to improve the living standards of the people.

It is for this reason that the chief is imploring political parties to promote peace and attract investors to the area.

Speaking to newsmen at his Palace, Nana Atwenewaa Ampem indicated that Nananom and the traditional Authorities are for development and that it is the responsibility of the youth and the two main political parties – the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) – to support Nananom to achieve their developmental agenda.

According to him, the total development of the area depends on the peaceful co-existence between both inter-parties and intra- parties because no development can take place in a violent atmosphere.

Nana Adusei Atwerewaah Ampem indicated that, in terms of education, Tepa has chalked a lot of successes and can boast of a Senior High School, Nurses and Midwives training school, Immigration Training school and currently College of Education, which is yet to acquire an accreditation.

AGA, Ghana Army Constructing Military Base at Obuasi

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Stakeholders jointly break the ground to commence the project

AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine has collaborated with the Ghana Army to construct a Military Forward Operating Base at Ayankyirem in Obuasi.

The project, estimated to cost over US$6.9 million will be executed in three phases, over a period of two years, under the supervision of the Director, Engineer Services of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of the project, Mr. Awie Frey, the Acting Managing Director of AGA Obuasi mine, said the initiative was in line with the company’s commitment to support improvement of the security of the people of Obuasi and its environs.

“The Military Forward Operating Base project is not just a mere construction of facilities, but a symbol of our commitment to enhancing security measures in Obuasi and by extension Ashanti and the Northern Region of Ghana,” Mr. Frey said.

Major General Bismark Kwasi Onwona speaking at the function

Chief of Army Staff, Major General Bismark Kwasi Onwona, on his part noted that the opening of the Military Forward Operating Base in Obuasi fits into the strategy of the Ghana Army to expand its footprints across the country.

“This Forward Operating Base is but one of several others to be built across the country mainly along the Northern frontiers and it is to position the Ghana Army to better deliver on its constitutional mandate,” he said.

Major General Onwona said the opening of the Forward Operating Base will guarantee that potential threats to security of AGA are timeously identified and measures put in place to avert their escalation.

The facilities at the Base, he said, will include offices, accommodation for all ranks, a multi-purpose hall, administration block, a helipad, recreational areas, medical posts and garages.

Nana Boakye Yiadom, Bekwai Mmawerehene, who deputized for Nana Osei Kwadwo Ababio, the Bekwai Omanhene, called for peaceful co-existence between the military and the people of Ayankyirem.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi

Research analyst petitions President to implement research policies

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SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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President Akufo-Addo

A Kumasi-based research analyst, Mr William Grant, has appealed to the President for assistance to enable him implement his research policies after a decade of technical and environmental research in economics, social and political analysis in the interest of Ghana.

Mr Grant, an Electrical Engineer with Business and Economic management background, indicated in a petition dated December 17, 2023 to the President that his policies would help solve energy and sanitation and help grow the economy.

According to him, he has not received the needed encouragement from the appropriate institutions or persons over the years, hence the petition.

The Petitioner stated that he had invested his own resources in the compilation of 17 scopes under his research policies, which have scientific meaning with Technical and Administrative implications needing persons with requisite expertise to successfully implement them at the National level.

He mentioned the said research policies as Stabilisation of the local currency (the cedi), Sound Economy and System of Taxation, Local Government and Bye-Laws, National Identification and Security, National Service Reformation and Creation of Jobs, Formal/Informal Education and Quality Training and Youth and Prison reform.

Other research policies are Health system with our Doctors and Nurses, National Health Insurance reformation, Planning of Good Roads and Road Safety measures, Public Transportation, Energy, Environment, Sanitation, Water Services and Crisis.

The rest of the proposed policies are Farmers and Market Policy, Partisan Politics and Social Activities and Information Policy.

Mr Grant said he had on September 3, 2010 presented a 19-page document for consideration by Parliament as part of our National Policy Program with copies to then Speaker of Parliament, Mrs.  Bamford Addo, then Majority leader, Alban Bagbin and then Minority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

He also claimed he sent a copy to the then President and Vice President, in the persons of the late President Mills and Ex-President Mahama at the Castle, Osu, but did not receive any response from these personalities, except that the Majority and Minority in Parliament allegedly adopted some of the policies in their national agenda for their election 2012 and 2016 campaign programmes.

The research analyst hoped the President would consider his petition in the interest of mother Ghana.

Mr. Grant,  also  appealed to the two main political parties, (NPP and NDC), House of Parliament and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) who adopted his research policies, to consider a befitting compensation  for his input  towards  efforts  at nation building.

‘How I lured, killed 7 ladies for money ritual through hookup app’ –Suspect

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Police arrest suspected ritual killer

A suspected ritual killer, Adebayo Olamide Azeez, on Thursday revealed how he lured seven women through a dating app, “mychat” to their untimely death for ritual purposes.

Azeez, 32, confessed to being a member of a ritualist gang which specialised in killing women and selling their body parts for money rituals.

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command had earlier arrested and paraded members of the gang, namely, Moses Abidemi Awuraji, Oluwo Samuel Monday, Peter Oluwalolese, Jamiu Yusuf, Akinwunmi Ifatosin, SherifffAgbai and OsojieahenAlioneitouria.

They were all arrested for allegedly killing a 35-year-old woman, Sulaimon Adijat, for money ritual.

Azeez, who had been on the run, but was later arrested by the police, said he joined the gang in September last year and has participated in the killing of seven women.

He spoke when suspected criminals were paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu.

Alamutu said the suspect conspired with Moses Abidemi Awuraji, a herbalist, to kill the victims for money ritual.

“The suspects strangled their victims to death and dismembered their body parts and sold them to Oluwo Monday Samuel and Alfa Ariwo (who is still at large) for ritual purposes.

“The three suspects confessed to the killing of ten different ladies at the Igbo Olomi residence of Moses Abidemi,” Alamutu said.

Narrating how he lured and killed the victims, Azeez said, “I got the ladies from MyChat, which is a hookup app. I just told them that I wanted to hook up with them whenever Moses Abidemi Awuraji contacted me that they needed human body parts.

“They will call me and say that they need body parts, I will go on the app and chat with the ladies for a hookup. I didn’t know the ladies before, we didn’t have any conversation before, I only talked to them on the app. I ask if they are available and we negotiate on the amount they want to collect. When we reach an agreement, I will send my address to them and they will come over to me at Atan-Ota.

“I will pick them up and call Moses Abidemi Awuraji that they are around, I will then take them to Moses Abidemi Awuraji’s house in Igbo Olomi, Atan-Ota, and inside his sitting room, we will kill them.

“Abidemi’s wife (Awuraji Mariam) will pin their legs down while I strangle them.

“I joined the gang in September in 2023 and we have killed seven ladies. These are the ladies that I brought to the house that we killed.

“I don’t know what they use the corpses of the ladies for, my job is just to source for the ladies and bring them in. They don’t usually tell me the amount they will give, at times, they will pay me N30,000, other times, they gave me N40,000.

“I can’t say no to them whenever they ask me to bring the ladies. I don’t know who they sell the body parts to and I don’t ask them about it, my own is just to source the ladies and collect my money.”

Meanwhile, Alamutu said the Command is working assiduously to unravel the identity of other victims.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Tinubu to send ’emergency fiscal bill’ to National Assembly -FIRS Chairman

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FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji

President Bola Tinubu will dispatch an “emergency fiscal bill” to the National Assembly within the next two weeks for consideration, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has said.

Mr Adedeji disclosed this on Wednesday while defending the budget of the Service before the House Representatives Committee on Finance.

The FIRS chief explained that the bill aims to provide clarity on the fiscal direction of the president amid the current economic hardship the country is grappling with. He said the bill is awaiting approval of the Federal Executive Council but that once it is done in the next couple of days it will be transmitted to the National Assembly.

Mr Adedeji did not disclose the content of the bill but stated that the Finance Minister, Wale Edun, will engage with lawmakers to discuss its content before presentation to the National Assembly.

“If not for change, I know one should have come yesterday. It was listed at FEC. Hopefully, we will have the first one that we will label an ‘emergency bill’ that addresses those critical issues,” he said.

Nigeria is facing a challenging macroeconomic environment, marked by inflationary pressure, foreign exchange volatility, and a food crisis.

In recent months, the Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso, has been notably active in addressing the monetary aspects of the crisis, while the fiscal front has remained relatively quiet.

The hardship has triggered protests in some parts of the country. On Tuesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held a nationwide protests across the country over economic hardship.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

Nestlé Nigeria in financial distress after naira’s free fall

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Nestlé Nigeria

Nestlé Nigeria reported that its liabilities loomed past assets by N78.1 billion (13.4 per cent) last year after a free slide in the value of the naira-stressed operations.

The development threw the company into record loss, according to its audited accounts published on Wednesday.

Total liabilities for 2023 accelerated to N659.8 billion from N384.8 billion a year ago in reaction to a monumental surge in foreign exchange loss.

Fellow multinational PZ Cussons Nigeria made a disclosure of a similar nature last week, where it declared a negative net asset position of N23.2 billion, a mark of record hard times for foreign companies in Nigeria, where inflation is near its 30-year peak and the dollar is barely available for businesses.

Following the woes that the storm has caused, Nigeria is seeing a continued flight of international companies including Procter & Gamble as well as GSK – maker of Ribena, Panadol and Sensodyne – away from its shores.

Loans denominated in US dollars constituted more than 60 per cent of Nestlé Nigeria’s total liabilities, during a year when the naira shed half of its value against the currency.

It means the consumer goods giant’s debts shot to N402.3 billion from N155.3 billion within a year when converted into local currency.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

Development Bank Ghana to invest GH¢700m in women-led businesses

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Participants who attended the Development Bank workshop

Development Bank Ghana is to invest GH¢700 million in women-led businesses in the next three to five years to enhance growth.

The commitment is about 10 per cent of DBG’S funding, signalling a strong support towards women-owned businesses.

“DBG’s vision is to accelerate inclusive and sustainable economic transformation by fostering the growth of a competitive private sector,” Michael Mensah-Baah, Deputy CEO said at a stakeholder’s workshop on Barriers and Opportunities to Women’s Access to Finances in Ghana.

The bank is also committed to ensuring that 20 per cent of all the businesses that receive DBG funding are owned by women.

The workshop was to enable stakeholders to embark on a collective effort to address the critical issue of gender mainstreaming in the financial sector.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as local Corporates constitute more than 90% of businesses in Ghana yet are only able to access less than 10 per cent of their financial needs through financial institutions.

According to the Mastercard Index of Women’s Entrepreneurship (MIWE), 46.4% of businesses in Ghana are owned by women.

Despite the critical role women play in economic development, access to finance has been a major constraint for women-owned businesses.

Mr Mensah-Baah said inclusivity was extremely important to ensure all sections of society benefit and thrive.

The Gender Mainstreaming Accelerator Programme (GMAP) -under the ICR facility in collaboration with partners and stakeholders aims to provide capacity-building programmes for DBG & targeted Participating Financial institutions.

This Programme presents a platform for creating a more equitable and inclusive financial ecosystem that serves the needs of all Ghanaians, particularly our women entrepreneurs.

He said the Gender Mainstreaming Scan (GMS) conducted by the GFA Consulting Group had provided valuable insights into the existing gender disparities and barriers within institutions and the broader financial landscape.

Through extensive data collection and analysis of DBG & five selected PFIs comprising commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions, the GMS has shed light on the key gaps and challenges hindering women’s access to finance, as well as the institutional, legal, and structural barriers that must be addressed to promote gender equality.

It is in this connection that DBG decided to harness the collective expertise, experiences, and perspectives of the diverse stakeholders to develop comprehensive and contextually relevant policy recommendations.

“By engaging in open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, we aim to identify tangible solutions that will drive meaningful change and advance our gender mainstreaming efforts,” he said.

“Together, we have the opportunity to shape policies and frameworks that will not only benefit our institutions but also empower women entrepreneurs and contribute to the socioeconomic development of our nation,” he added.

Mr Mensah-Baah said DBG on its part has been involved in the area of gender mainstreaming by building capacity of women and youth-led businesses to thrive in the financial landscape.

DBG is also participating in initiatives such as the 2X Challenge, underscoring its dedication to advancing women’s economic empowerment, contributing to the mobilization of capital for projects that directly benefit women entrepreneurs, leaders, and stakeholders, thus amplifying their impact on the economy.

Additionally, DBG has endorsed the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPS), further solidifying its commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. By adhering to these principles, DBG is actively working to create a more inclusive workplace, marketplace, and community, where women have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.

He expressed gratitude to the Investment Climate Reform (ICR) Facility together with the sponsors of this programme for their unwavering support in advancing gender-lens investing activities within the Development Bank of Ghana.

Mr Mensah-Baah lauded the commitment of stakeholders to fostering inclusive economic growth, saying DBG was truly privileged to partner with them on the journey.

GNA

Even before sing-a-thon, I was already famous; it only exposed me more – Afua Asantewaa

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Afua Asantewaa Aduonum

Afua Asantewaa Aduonum, despite acknowledging that her Sing-A-Thon attempt for a Guinness World Record opened doors of opportunity, has emphasized that fame was not the primary motive.

The journalist, event organizer, and entrepreneur clarifies that she was already famous before the singing marathon held from December 24-29, 2023, at Akwaaba Village, Airport, Accra.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on February 26, Afua Asantewaa asserts that Sing-A-Thon aimed to promote Ghanaian songs globally.

“First of all, Sing-A-Thon was not for fame because I already had it. I meet celebrities all the time and all those who passed through the Akwaaba Village during my singing marathon were people I encounter often.

“I am a journalist and I have interviewed almost all the actors, musicians and celebs who came to show me love at the Akwaaba Village, so it is not like I was seeing them for the first time.

“Although I will not rule out the fact that Sing-A-Thon made a lot more people know about me, I was famous in my own way”, she remarked.

She stated that her aim for embarking on her Sing-A-Thon project was to push Ghanaian songs and she was glad she was able to achieve that even though she couldn’t break and set a new GWR.

“At the end of the day, I was able to make Ghanaian songs popular worldwide because this was a global thing. So many people outside this country started paying attention to our songs after my Sing-A-Thon and it is a plus for the nation, in fact, for all of us” she added.

While the attempt may have enhanced her visibility, she maintains that fame was not the sole driver behind the project, citing her pre-existing celebrity status.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

“Stonebwoy is insanely talented” -Wyclef Jean

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Stonebwoy and Wyclef

Wyclef Jean, a nenownedHaitan-American musician has expressed his admiration for Ghanaian Dancehall Artiste, Stonebwoy.

Wyclef Jean invited Stonebwoy to his New York home while the latter was on his American tour.

In a video making rounds on social media, Wyclef commended Stonebwoy for his enormous contributions to push the African music forward stating that “he is a genius.”

“Insanely talented. Not even talent, how do I define genius? Because I’m genius. I don’t define genius…you’re not forever and you’re doing trends That’s not what makes you a genius.

“A genius is like can you move a generation forward? And long after you have gone. Can that generation keep moving forward?

That’s why I say he is a genius. I’ve watched him for a very long time. What he has done is he has moved Africa forward,” he said.

In another video, Stonebwoy was seen schooling Wyclef Jean on a Ghanaian delicacy, waakye while both enjoy the meal together.

Stonebwoy is currently on a tour in America, Europe and Australia and will climax it when an event at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana.

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