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KOD attacks Ambolley over VGMA comments

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NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD)

Kofi Okyere Darko popularly known as KOD is has expressed displeasure over comments made by music legend, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley who accused organisers of the Vodafone Music Awards scheme of causing a decline of the highlife genre.

Speaking on how highlife music is fading out, Ambolley blamed the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) for the predicament.

According to Ambolley, awarding all the prestigious awards to artistes who dabbled in different genres had sidelined highlife and questioned the criteria for selecting highlife nominees.

“It is unfortunate that people think when you sing in Twi or Fante over a Dancehall or Reggae beats it automatically makes it Highlife music. That is not true but it has become the norm over the years because these are the kinds of music VGMA rewards,” he pointed out.

Reacting to Ambolley’s claims on Facebook, media personality, KOD described his statements as “nonsense.”

KOD disagreed with Ambulley’s assertion and rather applauded the scheme for projecting Ghana consistently.

“Which awards scheme has projected our music industry like VGMA since independence?” KOD quizzed, adding that; “How many have projected our musicians beyond GH. How many have consistently done more than 10 years?”

KOD said the issue was rather the fault of radio stations who had refused to play highlife music and admonished Ambolley to rather blame them.

“When was the last time he released an album? He should be blaming some of the radio stations who don’t even play our music.

When was the last time or how often do you hear highlife on radio? VGMA cause am?” he pointed out. He said Ambolley should rather lay the blame on radio stations.

New capital’s lavish mosque angers Egyptians facing poverty

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Egypt's new Grand Mosque covers more than 19,000 sq m and is capable of hosting 107,000 worshippers

Egypt has opened a record-breaking mosque in its new administrative capital city – but has been widely criticised for the costs involved.

The government has been building a new city in the desert, to try to move people away from heavily-congested Cairo.

But the unveiling of the new centre and mosque was criticised on social media.

It comes at a time when Egypt has been fighting soaring prices, with inflation running at just over 30% in March.

The New Administrative Capital of Egypt has been purpose-built 45km (28 miles) east of Cairo.

Its new Islamic Cultural Centre also includes the Grand Mosque, which covers more than 19,000 sq m and is capable of hosting 107,000 worshippers.

The mosque cost 800 million Egyptian pounds ($25.9m; £20.7m) to build and is the second-biggest mosque in the Africa.

State media celebrated the mosque for breaking three world records – including the highest pulpit in the world, standing at 16.6m (54.5ft) and handcrafted from the finest types of wood.

The second and third were for the main chandelier of the mosque, which is the heaviest in the world at 24,300kg (53,572lb), and the largest, with a diameter of 22m (72.2ft) and comprising four levels.

The opening event was attended by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, with state media describing it as showing Egypt’s “grandiosity”.

But on social media there was severe criticism.

Source: bbc.com

Khalid al-Jabouri: US says IS Europe attack planner killed in Syria strike

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White Helmets first responders said a man was killed in a drone strike in opposition-held Idlib province on Monday

The US military says a senior leader of the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) who was responsible for planning attacks in Europe has been killed in a strike in Syria.

Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri died in an undisclosed location on Monday, according to US Central Command.

No civilians were said to have been killed or injured in the attack.

First responders said a man was killed in a drone strike on Monday in opposition-held north-western Syria.

The White Helmets organisation tweeted that an unidentified drone fired a missile at the man on the outskirts of the town of Kili, in Idlib province.

“Our teams responded and took the injured person to Bab Al-Hawa Hospital, where he died,” it added.

Pro-opposition Step News cited local sources as identifying the man as Khalid Abdullah al-Khulaif and saying that he was likely to have been a senior jihadist from the eastern province of Deir al-Zour.

Enab Baladi, another pro-opposition outlet, reported that the man had arrived in the area 10 days earlier and that he had been speaking on a mobile phone when he was targeted with a Hellfire missile.

IS has not commented on the US announcement nor have its online supporters discussed it. Khalid al-Jabouri had not been publicly identified in the group’s propaganda.

Central Command said Jabouri’s death would temporarily disrupt the ability of IS to plot external attacks. It did not mention any attacks or thwarted attacks that he was alleged to have planned.

“[IS] continues to represent a threat to the region and beyond,” its commander, Gen Michael Kurilla, said. “Though degraded, the group remains able to conduct operations within the region with a desire to strike beyond the Middle East.”

Source: bbc.com

TikTok hit with nearly $16 million UK fine

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TikTok

The UK data regulator has fined TikTok £12.7 million ($15.9 million) for a number of breaches of data protection law, including misusing children’s personal data.

The Information Commissioner’s Office estimates that, in 2020, TikTok allowed more than 1 million UK children under 13 to use its platform in violation of its own rules.

The ICO said Tuesday that TikTok had not done enough to check who was using its platform, failed to take action to remove underage children and hadn’t provided proper information to users about how their data was being collected and used. The fine applies to rule breaches between May 2018 and July 2020.

John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner, said: “There are laws in place to make sure your children are as safe in the digital world as they are in the physical world. TikTok did not abide by those laws.”

He added: “TikTok should have known better. TikTok should have done better.”

A spokesperson for TikTok told CNN that the company “invest[s] heavily to help keep under 13s off the platform” and that it disagreed with the ICO’s decision.

“Our 40,000-strong safety team works around the clock to help keep the platform safe for our community,” the spokesperson said.

The fine comes as a string of Western countries turn their back on the Chinese-owned video streaming platform.

Australia will ban the use of TikTok on government devices “as soon as practicable,” the country’s attorney-general announced earlier on Tuesday, citing security concerns.

Source: cnn.com

India rejects China’s attempt to rename places in disputed areas

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Indian soldiers walk along the line of control at the India-China border in Bumla in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh

India has rejected Chinese attempts to rename places in what New Delhi regards as its eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

China and India fought a war along parts of their poorly demarcated 3,800km (2,360-mile) frontier in 1962 and clashes in mountainous regions in recent years have seriously strained relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

The latest angry exchange of words was triggered on Sunday when China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a statement in which it said it had “standardised” the names of 11 places, including five mountains, in what China calls its southern Tibet region.

The statement included a map that showed the 11 places renamed by China as being within “Zangnan”, or southern Tibet in Chinese, with Arunachal Pradesh included in southern Tibet and China’s border with India demarcated as just north of the Brahmaputra river.

India’s foreign ministry rejected the move.

“We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt,” Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter. “Arunachal Pradesh is, has been and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.”

But a spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry said the name changes were “completely within the scope of China’s sovereignty”.

Source: aljazeera.com

Nato’s border with Russia doubles as Finland joins

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Finnish military personnel raised their country's flag at Nato headquarters for the first time

Finland has become the 31st member of the Nato security alliance, doubling the length of member states’ borders with Russia.

The Finnish foreign minister handed the accession document to the US secretary of state who declared Finland a member.

Then in bright sunshine in front of Nato’s gleaming new headquarters, Finland’s white-and-blue flag joined a circle of 30 other flags.

Finland’s accession is a setback for Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

He had repeatedly complained of Nato’s expansion before his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said by attacking his neighbour, the Russian leader had triggered exactly what he had sought to prevent.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Russia would be “watching closely” what happens in Finland, describing Nato’s enlargement as a “violation of our security and our national interests”.

A military band played Finland’s national anthem followed by the Nato hymn. Beyond the perimeter fence a small group of protesters waving Ukrainian flags chanted “Ukraine in Nato”, a reminder of why non-aligned Finland had asked to join along with Sweden in May 2022.

Finnish military personnel install the Finnish national flag at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, on April 4, 2023Image source, JOHN THYS/AFP

Finland shares a 1,340-km (832-mile) eastern frontier with Russia and after the war in Ukraine began Helsinki chose the protection of Nato’s Article Five, which says an attack on one member is an attack on all.

In effect, it means if Finland were invaded or attacked, all Nato members – including the US – would come to its aid.

Russia’s invasion prompted a surge in Finnish public opinion towards joining Nato to 80% in favour.

Source: bbc.com

NDC communicator eyes Manso Nkwanta seat

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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Mr.Samuel Adjei, a member of the Ashanti regional Communication Team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed interest in contesting the Manso Nkwanta seat on the ticket of the NDC in the Ashanti region.

Samuel Adjei, who is affectionately known as Sammy by his admirers is optimistic of changing the voting pattern of the mining enclave,if he sails through vetting.

Speaking to The Chronicle at the Ashanti regional office of the NDC,where Sammy was vetted by party executives ,following his declaration to run the Manso Nkwanta seat for the umbrella movement come 2024 Parliamentary elections, Sammy , a native of Manso, stated that he is optimistic that , if he gets the nod to be the NDC parliamentary candidate for Manso Nkwanta constituency, he can cause upset in the constituency by changing the political narrative the constituency has seen over the years.

He told this paper he is contesting because of the fact that people are beginning to know how counterproductive such as voting has saddled the constituency in poor infrastructure development ,especially their roads ,a challenge Sammy indicated has to be addressed.

Rallying behind the mantra “A new path, a new hope for the said constituency, Sammy told this paper that he wants to change the narrative of Manso Nkwanta and that when given the nod, the the plight of the Manso Nkwanta , which is largely bad road network would be addressed by the NDC government.

He added this paper his political ambition was underpinned by how residence of Manso are resolved to make an electoral change to give way for development in Manso Nkwanta constituency.

Profile
Within 2008-2009, Samuel Adjei was the TEIN Ashanti Regional Students Cordinator at UDS WA Campus. From 2014-2018, Sammy became the branch secretary Tetrem R/C 2014-2018. Sammy,who is a member of the Ashanti Regional NDC Communication Team doubles as Director of elections Manso Nkwanta constituency.

These lesser-known benefits of neem will convince you that you need more of it

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Neem Tree

Neem has so many medicinal properties that can keep multiple ailments away from you. Here are some lesser-known benefits of neem.

In Sanskrit, neem is known as arishta which means something that is imperishable and complete. Neem trees are native to India and many of us have grown up in neighbourhoods that house them. It is known to cure a variety of diseases and has been used since ancient times to maintain one’s health.

It’s a one-of-a-kind wonder from nature because all its parts have some benefit for us. Not just its leaves, but the tree’s seeds, roots, flowers and bark also contain important compounds that make it a storehouse of medicinal benefits.

Neem contains over 130 different types of biological compounds which help the body to heal and promote healthy living. It is packed with vitamin E and fatty acids that enhance every part of the health. From giving you clear skin and lustrous hair, neem can also contribute towards preventing and curing chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, inflammation, urinary tract infection along with improving liver and heart health.

The plant is so powerful and has so many benefits that many of us don’t even have a full idea about how it can boost our overall health. Let’s take a look at these five lesser-known benefits of neem:

  1. It can prevent cancer

One of the most important benefits that neem has for you is that it can kill cancerous cells. If you consume neem every day, it will help keep the number of cancerous cells in the body within a certain limit.

The first polyphenolic flavonoids to be discovered from fresh neem leaves were quercetin and β-sitosterol. These compounds occupy an essential space in cancer prevention and management. This is due to their antitumor and antioxidant activity along with the inhibitory effect exerted on the development of malignant cells by modulation of cellular proliferation, tumour suppression, and apoptosis. Thus, recent studies have shown the effect of neem in inducing cell apoptosis in cancerous cells.

  1. It is good for your bones

It’s not just milk that is necessary for building strong bones. Neem leaves contain calcium and mineral content which help with building strong bones and reduce inflammation. Regular massage with neem oil helps relieve symptoms of arthritic pain. Neem oil works magically in relieving muscle aches and joint pains, helping ease discomfort associated with rheumatism, osteoarthritis and lower back pain.

  1. It can prevent viral infections

Neem works as an antiviral agent. It inhibits virus reproduction which helps minimize the impact of an infection. Over the past 50 years, researchers have shown that neem inhibits the growth of many viruses including polio, HIV, Coxsackie B virus, and dengue in the early stages of their replication.

Neem is reported to enhance both humoral and cell-mediated immune response during viral infection. Due to its antiviral potential, neem can be used as preventive medicine against viral infections. Neem boosts your body’s immune system, kicking your cell-mediated immune system into overdrive.

  1. It has antifungal properties

Neem oil is known to heal fungal infections like Athlete’s foot and ringworm infections. Neem contains two main medicinal compounds, nimbidol and gedunin, that are extremely effective in killing fungus. Neem oil contains the necessary fatty acids which also promote wound healing and make your skin healthy.

Neem can heal wounds and fungal infections without leaving any ugly scars. In fact, many people report using it to help fade scars. It also prevents septic infections. Neem is an excellent source of moisture for the skin. The fatty acids and vitamins found in neem oil moisturise and condition your skin, making it clear and youthful. Vitamin E in neem oil repairs the damaged skin and also limits the effect of environmental changes that can lead to skin damage.

  1. It improves digestion

Neem flowers can be used to treat anorexia, nausea, belching and intestinal worms. Ayurveda suggests neem leaves are good for digestion and metabolism along with improving enzyme secretion. Neem is a bitter herb whoich helps in increasing salivation and enzymatic secretion while stimulating taste buds. It helps in cleansing the oral cavity and improving taste sensation. What’s more, neem also improves the metabolic rate of the body. As a result, the work of burning calories and reducing fat is also rapid.

Consuming a mixture of neem flowers and honey on an empty stomach in the morning is considered very beneficial. Therefore, take it first thing in the morning.

No wonder that neem is regarded as ‘one tree pharmacy’! It has so many medicinal uses and forms an integral part of home remedies.

Source: www.healthshots.com

Feature: Nana Addo’s Headache Building a House for the Lord

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Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana for now.
The first and only time that I saw his father was in Achimota School, when, as President of Ghana, His Excellency Edward Akufo-Addo, formerly a Chief Justice of Ghana, attended Achimota School Founders’ Day on March 2nd, 1971.

Subsequently, I used to meet Nana Addo in the courts as a senior practicing lawyer, and later in Members of Parliament (MPs) circles, and in Parliament 2001-2008.

He did not make public his aim that if elected President he would build a National Cathedral for the Lord, but after being sworn in, Nana Addo went all out in determination to build a National Cathedral.

One fundamental characteristic of Almighty God is that He is everywhere at the same time. You cannot box Him or compartmentalise Him in a fixed location, because He is everywhere, reader, everywhere.

The Psalmist says can I run away from the Lord? Even when I go to the vast recesses of the land, even there your hand will stretch forth to pick me. God is everywhere, reader.

BUT, even so, this Everywhere God gave Moses special instructions to build the ARK of the Lord, and a story is told of how when King David was bringing the ARK to Jerusalem, and the Ark SEEMINGLY slipped and was about to fall someone volunteered to stretch his hands to protect the ARK, and Almighty God struck him dead, INSTANTLY.

David became ANGRY and AFRAID at the same time, so he abandoned the idea and sent the ARK to rest in somebody’s house. Then David was told that the emergency caretaker of the ARK was being FABULOUSLY blessed by Almighty God, so David went for the ARK and brought it to Jerusalem.

King David wanted to build a House for the Lord to keep the ARK inside, but God told him no, there is too much blood on your hands. Rather, your son will build a House for me, and the story is told of how after King Solomon had built the Temple, on the opening day, the Holy Spirit took full control of the Temple, so even the High Priests could NOT enter the Temple.

Reader, it is NOT a joke to build a house for the Lord.
Nana Addo has to grapple with three terrible project-stopping obstacles – the first is the location.

There was a strong lobby that Accra is growing, daily. When I first came to Achimota School in 1967, Accra ended just at “Circle”. Korle Bu was outside Accra, and 37 was outside Accra. Today, as I write “Accra” stretches to Nsawam, Aburi, Dodowa, and faraway PRAMPRAM!!! Why not build the Cathedral somewhere OUTSIDE the inner city?

But, after a long wait, a FINAL decision was taken that the project should go ahead at Ridge area, not far from Parliament House, so about two acres of Government buildings housing Judges of the Superior Courts were demolished and the project started.

Then came the second tango: Nana Addo’s greatest competent and a Founding Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Reverend Dr. S. Asante Antwi, the principal driver of the National Cathedral project, suddenly died. I am sure Nana Addo must have wept very bitterly.

Very well! After a while, the Board was reconstituted and a new panel of top characters were put in charge of the project.

And you see, reader, according to history, the QUALITY of every leader; the GREATNESS of any leader, throughout history, from Julius Caesar through Genghis Khan to John F. Kennedy – your success rating depends on your STAFF OFFICERS, the backdoor or bedroom advisors. They are ALWAYS seemingly FACELESS – but they take the hard core decisions.

Ghanaians were shocked to hear that a highly placed trusted staffer on the National Cathedral Board was playing games with Cathedral money so much that two very respected members of the Cathedral Board have openly come out to say that “the project should be suspended.”

Wow!! That is very terrible.

What does Nana Addo do now? Meanwhile, the candle is burning, time is running out. If NPP succeeds Nana Addo in 2024, then the Cathedral dream will come to fruition, but if the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with Okudzeto Ablakwa and others yank us out of Jubilee House, then I am afraid, as my NDC friend Stanley keeps telling me, “we will convert the Cathedral project into a hostel!!

Personally, I support the Cathedral idea. I even wrote a long memo to Rev. Dr. Asante Antwi on how to raise funds to fund the project, but Nana Addo has to improve his terms by reflecting on the following recommendations:

i. First of all, if he wants the Cathedral dream to come to a reality, he must IMMEDIATELY reconstitute the Cathedral Board. I don’t think Pastors, Bishops, and Primates are the best builders. Bring on board results-oriented CONTRACTORS of your administration.

ii. Secondly, and more importantly, exploit ALL avenues and get Parliament to adopt the National Cathedral idea as on Act of Parliament so that in the most unlikely event if NDC should win (God forbid) they will not be able to abrogate the project.

iii. Finally, Nana Addo, I think in 1963, or so, Kwame Nkrumah wanted Accra to become the Headquarters of the OAU, so he BUILT Job 600, currently housing Parliament, from foundation to commissioning within SIX Months!!!

What that means is that if you are dead serious and you get a resurrected Rev. Dr. Asante Antwi to drive the project, then, 18 months from now – NPP will still be in power, we can commission the National Cathedral under your Presidency to chant the TE DEUM for His Glory.

IT CAN BE DONE!!!

Written by Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey

Feature: Kamala Harris’ tour in Africa: What it means to international relations

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and U.S. Vice President Harris Kamala

U.S. Vice President Harris Kamala announced a tour in Africa. The countries involved are Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia. The week-long travel to the continent of Africa has thus far been deemed historic and generated different conversations in the media space across the world.

Here in Africa, the second most important personality in the United States of America visit means;
To Repair ties with Africa: U.S-Africa relations were marred under the administration of erstwhile President Donald Trump. Visiting African countries, it would be viewed as a step in the right direction that seeks to repair and strengthen the relationship between The United States of America and Africa. This could lead to increased collaboration on economic, political, and security issues, as well as improved diplomatic relations.

Addressing key issues: The 49th US Vice President is presumed to address key issues affecting African nations such as poverty, climate change, and human rights. By focusing on the said issues, Vice President Harris may unveil plans and commitment by the U.S. government to entwine with African nations in their quest to find recourse to the aforementioned challenges.

Countering China’s influence: China has been increasing its presence in Africa in recent years, particularly through economic and infrastructure investments. The U.S. Vice President Harris’ tour in Africa is seemingly a bait to open economic and infrastructure conversations with the aforesaid African countries. The trip is pragmatically considered an opportunity to counter China’s influence in Africa.

Showcasing diversity: Vice President Harris is the first Black and South Asian American Vice President, and her tour could showcase the diversity of the U.S. to African nations. This could help improve perceptions of the US in Africa and promote a more positive image of the country.

Brief Profile of Vice President Harris Kamala;

Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to parents who were immigrants from India and Jamaica. In 2017, Harris Kamala became the first Black American woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate, representing the state of California.

In 2020, Harris was chosen as the running mate of Joe Biden, the Democratic Party’s nominee for President of the United States. Biden and Harris won the election and were inaugurated on January 20, 2021.

Again, Harris Kamala made history as the first woman, first African American woman, and first Asian American woman to hold the position of Vice President in the United States.

By Mastar Bilson

Credit: citinewsroom.com

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