The Ghana Chamber of Mines says it is pleased with the ongoing engagements among government, civil society, media, and the larger population regarding the lithium deal. The following is a full statement it issued in Accra yesterday;
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has been following the national discussions on the mining lease for the Ewoyaa project with keen interest.
We are pleased with the ongoing engagements among government, civil society, media and the larger population.
The Chamber lauds the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Minerals Commission for their manifest commitment to promoting constructive public discourse, inclusive development, and transparency.
In the same vein, we commend the civil society community for their important contributions to seeking a fair share of the benefits associated with the development of lithium resources for the country.
The conflation of the views of the different stakeholders is expected to enhance the outcomes of the project, without hurting the country’s ability to attract requisite private capital to develop mineral endowments responsibly. Accordingly, weurge circumspection in the discourse on the subject.
Further, the Chamber finds it unfortunate that some commentators have inaccurately portrayed the mining sector as shortchanging the country in terms of the distribution of mineral rents. Apart from the significant value that is retained in-country through employment and purchases from local suppliers, a plethora of studies has shown that a more than proportionate share of mineral rents accrue to the government.
For instance, a model by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) suggests that the government’s share of mining rents is “just over 50%” which “falls comfortably within the 40% to 60%” profit-sharing ratio recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for mining countries.
The Chamber recognises that the current arrangement where some fiscal inflows from the mining sector are commingled with other taxes in the Consolidated Fund impedes the visibility of the developmental impact of the mining sector.
Against this backdrop, the Chamber has been advocating for the sequestration of fiscal payments by mining companies in a manner that is akin to the practice in the oil and gas sector.
More so, the Chamber has been championing the plough-back of a commensurate portion of mineral revenue to host communities in a timely manner to complement the voluntary corporate social investment initiatives of its member companies to enhance socio-economic development.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines wishes to assure the country of its unalloyed commitment to continue working with stakeholders to leverage the country’s mineral endowments for inclusive and sustainable development. The development of mineral resources should lead to outcomes that are beneficial to both the host country and investors.
In 2016, Ghana produced 900,000 metric tonnes of cocoa beans for the international market, and part of the success has been attributed to the application of lithovit liquid fertilizer on mature cocoa trees.
Dr Gilbert Anim Kwapong, a former Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), said in the three years that lithovit liquid fertiliser was applied to cocoa trees, there was no adverse or negative impact on cocoa beans, but the country experienced a great output.
Testifying as the 8th Defence Witness (DW8) for Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, a former Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), he said during the period 2014 and 2016, the quality of Ghana’s cocoa beans continued to it being used as the benchmark on the international market.
He, therefore, told the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Aboagye Tandoh, on Monday, 18th December, 2023 that it is not true for anyone to suggest that Ghana’s cocoa yields went down because of lithovit, and with that the efficacy of lithovit is not in question.
According to him, CRIG’s own assessment that enables them to renew certificates indicated that Lithovit met the requirements of the Committee for Testing Chemicals and Machines (CTCM), and, therefore, recommended that the certificate of the product be renewed.
He added that the assertion that the testing of fertilizer must last at least three years before it is certified is wrong, explaining that the Scientists have procedures for testing fertilisers and during the process, if they find it appropriate to terminate the trial at a certain point, they do so and draw their conclusions.
This answer was in response to a question posed to him by Benson Nutsukpi, Counsel for the other accused persons – Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited – during cross-examination.
The question was purposed to neutralise an assertion by Dr Yaw Adu Ampomah, 3rd Prosecution Witness (PW3), that lithovit did not go through the full three years testing period and that, the process was micro managed by Dr. Opuni in favour of the supplier of lithovit, Mr. Agongo and his company.
The Witness added that CRIG Scientists are always determined to prolong testing of agro-chemicals for several seasons, if their active ingredients are novel, but same does not apply to the molecules that they know. The product will, however, be benchmarked against their standard.
Dr Kwapong added that while they have had cause to discipline some Scientists who deviated from the practiced norm, the Adu Ampomah ad-hoc committee’s recommendations has the potential to undermine the hard won reputation of CRIG as a center of excellence, for developing technologies that enables all stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the Ghana cocoa industry.
He said undermining the credibility of the Scientists who carried out chemical and machine testing at CRIG is an indictment that would go a long way to damage CRIG’s reputation.
DW8 added that CRIG takes all the necessary professional steps to ensure the integrity of its test.
Mr Nutsukpi told the court that fertilizers such as Bi Grow Liquid Fertilizer, Cocoa Sett, So Abapa, Number 10 and Acarp Compost for raising cocoa seedlings, Fertegre Cacao Super, Cocoa Wura and Green OK, just like Lithovit, the testing periods were between one and two years.
Counsel added that the records of these agrochemical testing periods defy the logic of the three years established CRIG protocol, suggested by PW3, who also was a former deputy Chief Executive of Agronomy and Quality Control (A&QC) at COCOBOD.
He later became a Special Adviser on Cocoa to the then Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Afriyie Akoto.
Law Court Complex, Accra
He also believed that his clients are being targeted, as none of the products that did not meet three years assumed testing period had been a matter of concerned to the prosecution.
The following are excerpts of the cross-examination
Q…
A. My Lord I didn’t have the privilege of seeing previous…but chemical testing at CRIG is an important component of the work we do at CRIG. I believe that information on chemicals testing being part of the handing over notes is very important because that provides a lead or guide on chemical testing to anyone who is taking over.
Q. But the one prepared by Dr F.M Amoah did not have this component?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Please tell this honourable court if you can remember who gave you the directive to give your handing over notes to the president’s representative at COCOBD?
A. I received my letter on the 20th January, 2017 informing me of my transfer from CRIG to Cocoa House. And in that letter, I was directed to hand over to His Excellence the President’s representative at the Ghana Cocoa Board.
Q. Sir, can you remember who signed the letter?
A. My Lord, I cannot recall.
Q. Please in the normal course of operation at CRIG, who is your direct boss and who do you report to?
A. My Lord, my direct boss is the deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control, and it is the office I report to.
Q. Where does the office of the presidential adviser on cocoa fix in the organogram of COCOBOD?
A. My Lord I don’t know
Q. I am suggesting to you that the position of presidential adviser on cocoa doesn’t exist in the organogram of COCOBOD?
A. My Lord, the letter I received stated the president’s representative. I don’t know.
Q. Please tell this court whether the president’s representative on cocoa exists in the organogram of COCOBOD?
A. My Lord I don’t know
Q. Again I’m suggesting to you that that position does not exist in the organogram of COCOBOD?
A. My lord, I indicated that I don’t have any idea.
Q. And further, the presidential adviser or representative on cocoa is a political creation that only came into being in January 2017 out of the transitional team. That is correct?
A. Thank you for the information my Lord. My Lord, I don’t know.
Q. But know as a fact that the position either as adviser or representative did not exist before January 2017 that is correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Tell the court if you know. The presidential adviser and or representative on cocoa, PW3, Dr. Adu Ampomah, and Dr. F.M Amoah were all on transitional team on cocoa. Is that correct?
A. My Lord I don’t know.
Q. And that was the origin of all the investigations of Lithovit at the transitional committee. Do you know?
A. My Lord I don’t have any idea.
Q. I’m suggesting to you that the investigation into lithovit started at the transitional team on cocoa?
A. My Lord I’m hearing it for the first time.
Q. Page 134 of Exhibit 130, it is true that you were very clear that a number of fertilizers (11) fungicides and insecticides (18) were undergoing testing before your assumption of office as the Executive Director?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Is it also true that since the 5th of September, CRIG received 32 fertilizers formulation samples for evaluation, is that correct?
A. My Lord, that is correct.
Q. CRIG also received 28 and 32 fungicides and insecticides formulation respectively for testing?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Now, from January 2017, when you handed over as Executive Director of CRIG till today, how many of those fertilizers, the 11 and 32 making it 43, had been investigated?
A. My Lord I don’t know.
Q. Now apart from lithovit, have you heard of any other being investigated?
A. My Lord, I have not heard anything about any fertilizer or chemical being investigated.
Q. Again have you heard of any of the 20 fungicides and 28 … being investigated after the January 2017?
A. My Lord I don’t know of any investigations ongoing.
Q. Kindly tell this honourable court, what about the insecticides, do you know of any investigations going on with respect of that?
A. My Lord I don’t know.
Q. I’m suggesting to you that there are no investigations going on in respect of the fertilizers, fungicides and insecticides that were submitted to CRIG before your coming to office, and those submitted after you coming to office?
A. I don’t have any idea.
Q. Sir, please go to Exhibit 13 of page…you said CRIG has for 79 years built the reputation as a World class Centre of excellence in cocoa research, is that correct?
A. That’s correct.
Q: Do you still stand by that?
A. That is correct and I stand by that because that continues to be the mission and vision of CRIG.
Q. And you said CRIG has facilitated and fostered very strong linkages and collaborations with world renowned organizations, agencies, universities and major stakeholders in the world’s cocoa industry, you said so?
A. My lord, that is correct.
Q. And you still stand by that?
A. My Lord I still stand by the statement.
Q. Now let me put you on the spot, so what would you say to the recommendation by the Adu Ampomah committee for the inclusion of scientists in the universities in the research of CRIG. Is it meant to be an indictment on CRIG?
A. My Lord, I don’t have a full recollection of the statement made by Adu Ampomah.
Q. Page 8 of the report of the ad-hoc investigations/disciplinary committee that investigated alleged malpractices of the testing of agro chemicals (Exhibit H). Would you consider the recommendations F of Exhibit H an indictment on CRIG?
A. My Lord, the statement here has the potential to undermine the hard won reputation of CRIG as a center of excellence for developing technologies that enables all stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the Ghana cocoa industry. Undermining the credibility of the scientists who carried out chemical and machines testing at CRIG, this is an indictment that goes a long way to damage CRIG
Q. So, I’m right to say that you do not agree with that recommendation?
A. My Lord, certainly I’m not in agreement with the recommendation
Q. Sir, you also stated that in Exhibit 130, on page 23, through the effort of CRIG and with the massive support of COCOBOD, the quality of Ghana’s cocoa beans continued to be the benchmark against, which the quality of beans from other origins were assessed. You stated that?
A. My Lord, I did.
Q. Do you still stand by that?
A. My Lord, I still stand by that but as of today, I don’t know what is happening at the international market.
Q. As at January 2017, that statement of the Ghana’s cocoa beans being the benchmark the … is it true?
A. My Lord that is very true.
Q. It is true that 3 years of supply of lithovit did not negatively impact our cocoa beans to change that position, is that correct?
A. My Lord, in so far as there has not been any adverse report from the international market on the quality of Ghana’s cocoa except for a time when there was a report of herbicides contamination (24D name of herbicide).
Q. For the avoidance of doubt, herbicide 24D is not from lithovit?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. The herbicide 24D is also not from the third defendant Agricult?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. You left CRIG in January 2017, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Lithovit was supplied as a fertilizer to COCOBOD between 2014 and 2016, is that correct?
A. My Lord, I don’t know that.
Q. In 2017, you were also at CHED?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Between 2014 and 2017, did anything change that would render Ghana’s cocoa bean …that would be the benchmark on which cocoa beans are assessed on the international market?
A. My Lord, to the best of my knowledge nothing of that sort happened.
Q. So if lithovit was supplied between 2014 and 2016, then I’m right to say it did not adversely affect your assessment you made of Ghana cocoa beans
A. My Lord that is correct and within the period being referred to cocoa production in Ghana is experienced a great output.
Q. Sir, you said cocoa production during the period, and the period being referred to is the period 2014 to 2016.
A. My Lord, I think in 2016 we have over 900,000 metric tons
Q. Sir, indeed 2016 gave Ghana Cocoa Board one of the highest yields in its history, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. So if anybody tells this honourable court that Ghana’s cocoa yields went down because of lithovit, that cannot be true?
A. My Lord, I don’t think that can be true.
Q. Exhibit 129. Please look at page 2 of Exhibit 129. In 2016, CRIG had 35 Research Scientists, is that correct?
A. My Lord, that is correct.
Q. And indeed, your table 1 detailed the number of Research Scientists that have worked at CRIG from 2009 to 2016, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. In fact, as at 2009, you had as many as 44 Research Scientists?
A. My Lord that is true.
Q. And it is also true that throughout the years, page 5, one of the major researched areas was to address the low productivity resulting mainly from low yielding and aged cocoa tree stocks, pests and diseases and decline in soil fertility on farmers’ farms, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. And you see a fertilizer that can improve the yields of mature cocoa, would be welcomed in a situation of this kind of problems?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. So if officials of CHED find that Lithovit improves the yields of matured cocoa that would be in line with the problem complained of?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Did it ever come to your attention while you were the Executive Director that officials of CHED found as a fact that Lithovit was applied to, improved the flowering and yields of matured cocoa trees that it was applied on?
A. That was not brought to my attention but CRIG’s own assessment that enables us to renew certificates indicated that Lithovit met the requirements of the CTCM and therefore, recommended that the certificate of the product be renewed.
Q. Now, it is true that cutting the low productivity in the cocoa industry is always on the front burner of every COCOBOD and CRIG administrations?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Please turn to page 23 of Exhibit 129, look at number 9, So Abapa was submitted in 2013 and the test was completed in 2015, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct
Q. Go to number 11 of Exhibit 129, Bi Grow liquid fertilizer was received in 2012 and recommended in 2013 that is correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Cocoa Sett was received in 2013 and the test was completed in 2013.
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Now, number 10, lithovit was received in 2013 and the test completed in 2014, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. The common denominator of all the four number 9, 10, 11, & 12, they were tested between a year and two years?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. And of all of them the only one investigated and complained of them is lithovit, is that also correct?
A. So far as I know, that is correct.
Q. Go to the next page, page 34 of Exhibit 129, the number 17 Acarp Compost for raising cocoa seedlings that was submitted in 2015 and recommended in the same year 2015, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Fertegre Cacao super was submitted in 2012 and the test completed in 2014, is that correct?
A. My Lord, that is correct.
Q. Number One was submitted in 2013 and completed in 2015, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. The same apply to Cocoa Wura and Green OK, they were submitted in 2013 and test completed in 2015?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. Therefore, any assertion that if a fertilizer is not tested for three years and used on cocoa would be wrong cannot be true.
A. My Lord, that assertion cannot be right.
Q. Any assertion that supplying fertilizer that was not tested for three years for use on cocoa would be fraudulent can also not be true?
A. My Lord, as I explained at the last meeting, the scientists have procedures for testing fertilizers and for some fertilizers. They find it appropriate to terminate the trial at a certain point and the draw conclusion on these fertilizers. The recommendations they make on these fertilizers indicate that they can be used profitably for cocoa production, and therefore, my answer to the question is yes.
Q. The protocol that the scientists developed for testing fertilizers as you told this court, they also developed appropriate protocol for testing of fungicides and insecticides, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct.
Q. And from page 36 of Exhibit 129, you have listed the insecticides that were submitted for testing at CRIG between 2009 and 2016, is that true?
A. My Lord, that is true.
Q. And you also listed the active ingredients of the insecticides?
A. My Lord that is true
Q. It is true that, it is the efficacy of the active ingredients that’s important and not the length of the testing period, is that correct?
A. My Lord, depending on the type of active ingredients and molecules that is correct. Some molecules are novel, new, this has never been used in the system and therefore, it has to be tested over several seasons, otherwise the molecules that we know, they have standard and have tested them again, the testing period can be shortened.
Q. Does CRIG conduct all of the laboratory tests of fungicides and insecticides in their laboratory at CRIG, Tafo?
A. My Lord, for testing of residues of cocoa beans this is done outside of the country, for some other molecules, we seek the assistance of the Ghana Standard Authority.
Q. It is true that CRIG takes all the necessary professional steps to ensure that the integrity of its test, is that correct?
A. My Lord that is correct
Q. Exhibit H, open page 8, in recommendation E, the committee stated: “The system of testing at CRIG should be reviewed to make it more stringent and independent of the individual scientists who conduct the testing.” In view of all the answers you have given today, would consider this an indictment on CRIG
A. My Lord I don’t understand this part of statement, that scientists should be make independent of the individual testing…
Q. If that statement were to mean that the scientists were not objective in their test would you agree to it?
A. My Lord, we have had cause to discipline some scientists who deviate from what I would be considered the norm. So I would not agree with this statement. We have our own internal mechanisms that ensure that the right things are done.
Q. Would you agree to that recommendation?
A. My Lord, once again, we mentioned in this particular courtroom, something that was done at CRIG in December 2016, a minute we read from that meeting that Dr. Oddoye is to be the chairman of the CTCM, the minutes prepared by Ms Fatima Musah, those minutes clearly shows that we have our own review from time to time.
As an institution we are capable of reviewing our own work, and we would always welcome suggestions and recommendations but certainly would not agree with what is suggested in recommendation
Mrs Eunice Budu Nyarko addressing the participants at the workshop
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has urged the public to opt for the cylinder recirculation model (CRM), since it is more convenient, safe and affordable.
The authority again stressed the need for people to adhere to safety measures in LPG usage to avoid gas-related explosions and resultant injuries and deaths.
The Head of the Department for Consumer Services, Mrs. Eunice BuduNyarko, made the call at a CRM and gas safety sensitisation workshop at the Mt. Olivet Methodist Church in Dansoman, a suburb of Accra, on Sunday.
A team from the Corporate Affairs and Gas Directorates conducted the sensitisation exercise.
Mrs. Budu Nyarko, who led the team, explained the rationale for its rollout and indicated that the policy would, among other things, improve access to LPG and ensure safety in its use.
She entreated the congregants to be abreast of LPG safety tips to prevent explosions and resultant damage to life and property.
After the presentation, the team interacted with the members of the congregation and distributed leaflets and other educative materials on the subject to them.
The congregants generally received the message, expressing their desire to embrace the CRM.
As part of efforts to boost marine operations at Ghana’s ports, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has commissioned two new Damen tugboats to add to its fleet.
The two heavy duty tugboats, which can berth any post panamax vessel, were named after two former Directors General of the Port Authority, namely Group Captain (Rtd) Edward Alexander A. Awuviri and Nestor Percy Galley.
They are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the efficiency and safety of Ghana’s maritime activities and also contributing to the prosperity and progress of the nation.
Delivering an address at a ceremony to commission the tugboats, a deputy Minister of
Transport, Alhassan Tampuli, who represented the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, said with the expansion at Terminal 3 at the Port of Tema and ongoing initiatives to bring in some of the world’s largest merchant ships, it was useful to expand the port’s marine operational capabilities.
He said, for Ghana to compete favourably in today’s maritime space, infrastructure and modern equipment must be provided, and that was what government set out to support and encourage since taking office.
“These will also provide numerous benefits that will accrue to both clients and service providers. Such magnitude of investment will translate into having more business from clients, ensuring quick turnaround time for vessels, while enhancing GPHA’s capacity to be able to receive modern container vessels and bulk carriers,” he averred.
The Board Chairman of GPHA, Isaac Osei, said the commissioning of the tugboats, coupled with the massive expansion works at the Port of Takoradi, lay credence to the premium the government places on the enhancement and improvement of infrastructure in the ports.
“In a world where maritime safety is paramount, it is additionally vital to know that these tugboats have in-built fire-fighting apparatus to help in the mitigation of fire incidents,” he said.
By investing in these powerful and versatile tugboats, he noted that GPHA is not only addressing the current needs of the ports, but also future proofing its maritime capabilities to accommodate the evolving demands of the shipping industry.
The Director-General of GPHA, Michael Luguje, paid glowing tributes to the two former Directors General for the strength, resilience and dedication to duty, which they exhibited during their tenure.
“These tug boats, by their very nature embody strength, resilience and the ability to navigate challenges – qualities that parallel the esteemed individuals they are named after.
As we commission the “Group Captain (Rtd) Edward A.A. Awuviri” and the “Nestor P. Galley” into service today, let us not only celebrate the technological prowess of these boats but also recognize the dedication and sacrifice that underlie their construction and operation,” he stated.
The honourees expressed their gratitude to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for recognizing their contribution to the Port authority.
A total of 18 companies have reportedly cut ties with Sean “Diddy” Combs following a series of sexual abuse allegations against the music mogul.
Amongst the companies that have allegedly terminated their partnership with Combs’ include e-commerce platform, Empower Global, according to a report from Rolling Stone.
Empower Global, founded by Combs in 2021, aims to promote Black-owned businesses through a digital marketplace. The platform’s mission is to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to build and scale successful businesses.
The companies severing their ties with Empower Global is lifestyle and fashion brand House of Takura, which confirmed its departure in response to the serious allegations against Combs.
The founder, Annette Njau, stated, “We take the allegations against Mr. Combs very seriously and find such behavior abhorrent and intolerable.” House of Takura supports victims’ rights and believes in empowering individuals to speak their truth.
Another company, Nuudii System, specializing in undergarments and shapewear, has also terminated its professional relationship with Combs’ company.
The decision was prompted by the allegations of sexual assault against Combs. Nuudii System’s CEO, Annette Azan, emphasized their support for women and expressed frustration with individuals in power using their influence to harm others.
These actions by companies reflect a growing trend of holding influential figures accountable for alleged misconduct and expressing support for victims.
The family of popular Nigerian actor, Mr Ibu, known in private life as John Okafor, has denied claims that his two legs have been amputated.
In a statement, the family explained that he went for another surgery on the first leg when doctors realised that the initial surgery was insufficient.
According to them, the second amputation was done on the same leg to save him.
The family of Mr Ibu also revealed that he is battling diabetes.
“We wish to express our sincere gratitude to well-meaning Nigerians and the general public for your immense contributions, physically, spiritually, and most above all financially on getting our daddy Mr John Okafor (Mr Ibu) back on his feet again.
“We wish to correct some misconceptions making rounds on social media concerning the current state of our father’s health.
“First, we would like to state that our daddy wasn’t amputated on both legs but only one. The first amputation didn’t completely correct his health predicament so the doctors had to go ahead to amputate the same leg further to ensure we didn’t lose him.
“Daddy’s cause of sickness is also not diabetes but he’s had constant clotting of the blood in his leg (diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges posing risk to his life, therefore the need for the amputation.
“Lastly, the only reason why the family has not flown him out of the country to date is that the doctors have tagged him ‘Not Fit to Fly’.
“This tag has made it extremely impossible to get him out of the country for advanced treatment as no airline will fly him.
“Daddy is currently admitted at one of the biggest and best hospitals we’ve got in Nigeria as of today and the hospital has availed him a pool of very astute professionals.
“As Daddy is recuperating, we urge his friends, colleagues, fans, and Nigerians at large to keep him in their prayers and peddle down on unconfirmed reports concerning our dad’s health. “Thank you Nigerians you all have been very supportive this period. God bless you all,” the statement read.
Celebrated Nollywood star, Emeka Ike has disclosed how divorce with Suzanne Emma, the mother of his children caused him to lose everything.
In an interview with Rubbin Minds, Emeka described how he lost his possessions and his children’s custody due to a fabricated claim of domestic abuse from his former spouse.
Emeka Ike disclosed that, upon his return from a professional trip overseas, his residence had been transferred and his million-dollar school had been shut down.
He stated that he had spoken to his wife after hearing about the rumours of him abusing her, but she had rejected it without realizing that she was the one who had spread the false information.
Emeka stated that the turmoil in his marriage caused him to experience depression, which made him feel ashamed and forced him to retreat from the public eye.
He said: “It is difficult to clarify things online cause the same people that bully you on the internet are still there and would make you feel otherwise when you speak up. If you aren’t prepared to handle it you will be crushed.
“My secondary school, Saint Nicholas Collage on CMD Road, Magodo was shut down, over N480million investment was shut down and all I heard was “constant battery. I was even asking my wife at that time if I beat her and she said since I am a star, people are manipulating things.
“I felt I was gullible until I realized she was actually the one behind it. Some ladies are too desperate for a marriage lately and she actually told me that she was not the marriage type, but I didn’t understand it. But the young men need to know that there are plenty of ladies who aren’t the marriage type.
“I was told to go home, my school was shut down, and my marriage was shut down. I came back from America to nothing, my house had been moved. Everything I got as Emeka Ike was gone” he added.
Hiplife Artiste, Kwaw Kese, is wondering why Ghanaian Musicians have to beg for their songs to be played on air.
This has pushed him to express dissatisfaction with the state of the Ghanaian music industry, stating that musicians should not have to ‘beg’ for their music to be played in their own country.
His comments come in the wake of a meeting between some industry stakeholders and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Creative Arts Agency, to launch the ‘PlayGhana’ initiative.
The initiative aims to promote Ghanaian music nationwide, especially during the Christmas season when there is an influx of diasporans spending their holidays in the country.
Kwaw Kese, however, mocked the initiative, placing blame on the system for the current challenges.
He posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Ghanaians begging Ghanaians to play Ghana music in 2023. System super f****.”
In 2008, Kwaw Kesse won the Artiste of the year at the Ghana Music Awards in addition to Hiplife Artiste, Hiplife Song and Hiplife Album of the year.
In New York, heavy rains flooded cars in the streets
At least four people have been killed as a massive storm barrelled along the US east cost, bringing power outages, flooding and flight delays. A woman died in floodwaters outside Charleston, South Carolina, and three men in north-eastern states were killed as the storm moved towards Canada.
Millions of East Coast residents were on flood watch and more than 600,000 were without power on Tuesday morning.
Lingering into Tuesday, the storm was expected to snarl up holiday travel.
The weather brought widespread heavy rain that led to river flooding and flash flooding, the US National Weather Service (NWS) said. Some areas were “experiencing road washouts”. Wind gusts reached nearly 70 mph (113km/h) along the southern New England shoreline.
The first storm-related death was confirmed in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Nancy Morrow, 72, was killed after she got stuck in a vehicle submerged in water, officials said. Officers jumped in the water to try to save her.
Prosecutors have raided the offices of Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party amid a political funding scandal that has sent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s approval ratings to some of the lowest levels in the country’s post-war history.
Investigators from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors’ Office searched the offices of two LPD factions associated with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former secretary-general Toshihiro Nikai, local media reported on Tuesday.
Prosecutors are investigating allegations that party officials failed to declare a combined 600 million yen ($4.18m) in fundraising proceeds, directing money to faction-run slush funds.
LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi said the raids were “extremely regrettable” and the party would take “necessary measures while observing the fate of the investigation”.
The scandal has fuelled public discontent with the LPD and Kishida, who last week sacked four cabinet members implicated in the allegations, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, in an effort to stem the fallout.
