Linda Asante of NPA receives 2023 excellence award

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September 18, 2023

Mrs. Audrey Abaka (left) and Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo (right) signing the MoU

AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited and Absa Bank Ghana Limited have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Obuasi to partner on transformative initiatives that aim at positively impacting the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector in Obuasi.

The MoU will see both organisations collaboratively undertaking four projects that have been jointly designed to assist businesses within the Obuasi mine operational area to improve their business capability, create non-direct mining jobs in Obuasi, with the goal to diversify and sustain the local economy.

The four projects, according to Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, Senior Manager Sustainability AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine, are the Business Acceleration and Sustainability Project, Women in e-Commerce Project, Business Supply Chain Development Project and the Artisans to Entrepreneurs Project.

Dignitaries that attended the function in a group picture.

Through these projects, Mr. Baidoo said, AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited and Absa Bank Ghana Limited would provide small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with the necessary resources and support to accelerate the growth of their businesses, including access to finance and markets, knowledge of the digital economy, and an upskill of technical and vocational artisan skills.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Absa Bank Ghana Limited to jointly implement the four projects we co-designed. AngloGold views this as a strategic partnership that will allow us to a supportive environment for entrepreneurs,” Mr. Baidoo added.

Mrs. Audrey Abaka, Director SME Agency Banking and Partnerships of Absa Bank Ghana Ltd noted: “We are extremely excited to partner AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine on this journey to transform lives in Obuasi and its environs. With a shared goal of positively impacting the lives of our clients and stakeholder communities, we deliver the needed impetus to help bring economic transformation to these communities.”

Mr. Andrew Dwomo Osei, PRO and Acting Secretary Local Contractors Association, Obuasi, on his part noted that inadequate funding opportunities have plagued many companies and sole proprietorship in Obuasi as a burden of lofty interest rates has suffocated businesses and hindered their growth.

The Dompoasehene, Okofo Kwabena Bonsu I, who chaired the function, expressed his appreciation for the partnership between AngloGold Ashanti and Absa Bank, and called on businessmen and women in Adansi to take advantage of the MoU to improve their businesses.

From Frederick Danso Abeam, Obuasi

Princess Diana’s iconic black sheep sweater auctioned for $1.14 Million

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September 18, 2023

The late Princess Diana’s iconic sheep sweater sold for a record $1.14 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.

The sweater, featuring a black sheep among rows of white ones, was unearthed in an attic in March and commanded a higher price than many other objects tied to the “People’s Princess.”

Bidding opened on August 31 and the top bid stayed under $200,000 until the auction’s final minutes. Sotheby’s had estimated the value of the sweater at $50,000 to $80,000. The identity of the winning bidder was not disclosed.

The sweater’s design is often described as symbolic of Diana’s place within the royal family. However, fashion historians believe she was simply sporting the “Sloane Ranger” style she helped popularise when she wore the sweater in 1981, a month before her wedding to then Prince Charles.

Shortly after her marriage, Buckingham Palace wrote to the sweater’s maker, Warm and Wonderful Knitwear, that it had been damaged and sought a repair or replacement. Princess Diana then wore the replacement to another polo match in 1983.

Sotheby’s included the letter to Warm and Wonderful as well as a thank-you note for the replacement in the auction lot. It also used the sweater’s small hole to confirm authenticity.

Credit: citinewsroom.com

Nigerian Police to exhume artiste’s body, as they initiate investigation into rapper’s death

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September 18, 2023

The Lagos State police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Thursday said they are ready to go the extra mile to ensure that they unravel the circumstances surrounding the shocking death of Nigerian rapper Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.

Mr Hundeyin gave the assurance when he appeared on Daddy Freeze’s Instagram live show alongside singer and producer Samkelf.

“The Force PRO issued a statement this evening saying an investigation would commence. And that is what we are going to do. If need be, the body would be exhumed. It’s not too late. The body can be exhumed. An autopsy can be performed.”

On Thursday, the Nigerian Police released a press statement affirming their unwavering commitment to a meticulous investigation into Mohbad’s puzzling death amidst allegations and public outcry.

The 27-year-old singer died on Tuesday and was buried in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Wednesday.

Mohbad was known for his streetwise and relatable lyrics that often touch on everyday life and experiences.

There have been several controversies surrounding the death of the Ponmo crooner, as he was in constant feud with his former boss, Naira Marley, when he split from Marlian Record in 2022.

However, Naira Marley seems not to be the only one who fell out with the deceased singer in recent times, as a petition written by Mohbad before his death over an alleged threat to life by music promoter Samson Balogun, aka Sam Larry and others, has surfaced online.

A petition dated 27 June 2023 alleges that Sam Larry, accompanied by 15 others, forcibly entered a video shoot location where MohBad and fellow artist Zlatan Ibile were working. Credit: premiumtimesng.com

I’m not in competition with anyone -KingPromise

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September 18, 2023

Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeats singer-songwriter King Promise has emphasized that he is not engaged in any competition within the entertainment industry and is fully focused on his music career. He expressed his determination to consistently deliver his best in music and ensure that every song he releases thrives. During an interview with JoyPrime King Promise responded to questions about the impact of his trending song ‘Terminator’ and whether it was in competition with other artists in the industry.

He clarified that he does not view himself as being in competition with any artist in the music industry; instead, he is solely focused on how he can continually improve his craft.

He also acknowledged his fans and supporters for always pushing his music which drives him to produce more thrilling sounds.

“It’s never been like that for me, never. From when I started, I only went to the studio to make music that I love. I’m not in competition with anybody, just myself. I try to give my best 100%. Nowhere near done. But yeah, whenever I make music or release music, the goal is to surpass my previous work. So, my next song has to be even better than the last one.”

King Promise’s commitment lies in pushing the boundaries of his musical creativity rather than competing with others.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Telenovelas with Twi translation hurting creative industry –Rex Omar

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September 18, 2023

Highlife musician Rex Omar is not happy about the growing trend of local TV stations showing foreign telenovelas with Twi translations.

According to him, the influx of foreign soap operas on Ghanaian television with Twi translations is detrimental to the growth and recognition of local talents and portrays Ghana as unserious with its creativity.

In a recent interview with Property FM, Rex Omar argued that the overreliance on foreign content sends a message that the country lacks confidence in its own creative prowess and that not only diminishes the visibility of Ghanaian actors, writers, and producers but also limits opportunities for local storytelling and the development of indigenous talent.

“Right now look at our media landscape, all the soap operas we’re showing on TV are foreign which they’ve used our local languages to interpret. This thing is causing the nation a lot of havoc and who is talking about that but Ghana is like a country without governance so everyone does what they want.“

“Because there is nowhere in any civilised country, like in India, and they are showing Ghanaian soap opera on TV but they’re using India language to do the interpretation. Or maybe you go to Britain and they’ll be showing Ghanaian soap opera on their popular TV station with their language, it doesn’t happen and it’s only Ghana.”

He expressed the belief that investing in homegrown talents, supporting local productions, and providing a platform for Ghanaian stories will not only boost the economy but also contribute to the preservation of the country’s unique cultural heritage.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso establish Sahel security alliance

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September 18, 2023

Soldiers from Burkina Faso patrol on the road of Gorgadji in sahel area, Burkina Faso March 3, 2019

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have signed a mutual defence pact, as the three Sahel countries aim to help each other against possible threats of armed rebellion or external aggression.

The charter, known as the Alliance of Sahel States, signed on Saturday binds the signatories to assist one another – including militarily – in the event of an attack on any one of them.

“Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracted parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties,” it says. It also binds the three countries to work to prevent or settle armed rebellions.

“I have today signed with the Heads of State of Burkina Faso and Niger the Liptako-Gourma charter establishing the Alliance of Sahel States, with the aim of establishing a collective defence and mutual assistance framework,” Mali military leader Assimi Goita said on his X social media account.

The Liptako-Gourma region – where the Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger borders meet – has been ravaged by armed rebellion in recent years.

“This alliance will be a combination of military and economic efforts between the three countries”, Mali’s Defence Minister Abdoulaye Diop told journalists in Bamako, the capital of Mali.

Source” Aljazeera.com

Libya floods: A barren wasteland with a lingering smell of death

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September 18, 2023

Not just people but buildings, possessions and livelihoods have been washed away in the eastern Libyan city of Derna

The journey to the Libyan city of Derna takes twice as long now.

Driving along the road from Benghazi, fields turn into rust-red lakes. As you get closer, the traffic begins to slow. Telegraph poles pulled from the ground by the floodwaters now lie haphazardly. Cars creep around holes in the highway, on hastily dug detours carved out by diggers.

One of the closest bridges to Derna has been washed away completely. Locals stand near the ragged tarmac precipice, peering over and taking photos.

Not far beyond, soldiers hand out face masks to every car – for the driver, and each passenger. Everyone driving in the other direction is wearing them, and you soon realise why.

The smell of death in parts of the city feels almost impossible to describe. It fills your nostrils, part the scent of sewage, part something that’s harder to identify.

At times it is so strong it turns the stomach – especially as you stand overlooking the port where recovery teams tell me bodies are still washing up.

That morning they found three. Carried in on the tide, they get trapped in the mounds of debris slowly rotting in the seawater.

Broken wood, whole cars lifted and dropped on top of scattered sea defences, tyres, fridges – everything mingles and swirls together in the stagnant water.

Source: bbc.com

Is one of Russia’s oldest allies slipping from the Kremlin’s orbit?

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September 18, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in December 2022

The arrival of US soldiers for a peacekeeper training exercise in Armenia has rankled the Russian government, which has for decades acted as the sole security guarantor for the former Soviet republic. The 10-day “Eagle Partner” exercise, which began Monday, involves 85 US and 175 Armenian soldiers and aims to prepare the Armenians to take part in international peacekeeping missions.

The exercise, while small in scale, is the latest in a series of what Russia’s foreign ministry has deemed “unfriendly actions” taken by its traditional ally.

Armenia recently sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine for the first time, and its parliament is set to ratify the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute – meaning it would be obliged to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he were to set foot in the country, which Russia has long viewed as its own backyard.

Armenia’s flirtation with new international partners has been spurred by its frustration that Russia has been unable or unwilling to defend it against what it sees as aggression from neighboring Azerbaijan, and has raised questions about Russia’s ability to retain its hold on countries and conflicts across the former Soviet empire.

Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan said his country was beginning to taste the “bitter fruits” of the “strategic mistake” of trusting Russia with near-exclusive responsibility for his country’s defense.

“Armenia’s security architecture 99.999% was linked to Russia,” he told Italian newspaper La Repubblica earlier this month. “But today we see that Russia itself is in need of weapons… Even if it wishes so, the Russian Federation cannot meet Armenia’s needs.”

Source: cnn.com

First grain ships arrive in Ukraine using new route

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September 18, 2023