Home Blog Page 1956

Stonebwoy announces dates for 5th Dimension UK and Europe Tour

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
-
0
Stonebwoy, musician

Born Livingstone Satekla, Stonebwoyhas announced new dates for his upcoming ‘5th Dimesnion’ tour across Australia, Europe, and the UK.

This comes up after a successful tour in North America, which saw the BET award-winning international reggae, dancehall, and afropop artiste headline multiple venues in over 10 states in the United States of America and Canada.

Stonebwoyas well appearanced in three international music festivals such as the Bayfront World Reggae and Music Festival in Duluth, the ACDA Emancipation Festival in Guyana, and the City Park Summer Stage festival in New York.

Stonebwoy’s newly announced 10-date tour will take the Ghana-native musician to multiple cities across Europe, the UK and Australia. The tour will commence in Perth, Australia, on October 1st, with subsequent stops in Brescia, Italy, on October 14th, Amsterdam, Netherlands, on October 15th, and a trio of performances in Berlin, Hamburg, and Dusseldorf, Germany, on October 19th, 20th, and 21st, respectively, before culminating in the UK with consecutive shows in Manchester, Birmingham, and London on October 26th, 27th, and 29th, respectively.

Prior to these sets, Stonebwoy will also headline the Promiseland Festival in Australia later this month. On the road, Stonebwoy will perform songs from his extensive catalogue, most notably from the ground-breaking 5th Dimension album, alongside some fan favourites.

Released on April 28th as Stonebwoy’s fifth studio album and his first under Universal Music Group division Def Jam Recordings, ‘5th Dimension’ incorporates Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, amapiano, folk, and other genres while leaning primarily toward pop-related themes. The album showcases the artist’s evolution and growth, pushing boundaries and delving into uncharted musical territories.

Increase of High School dropouts in mining communities worrying -Report

By
admin
-
0
School Dropout

A report titled, “Mining induced displacement impact on children’s education has revealed that a high rate of school dropouts, poor academic performance, low enrolment among others have spread in some mining communities in the country.

The said communities are Tutuka, Damso, Yarogruma, Manushed, Annanekrom, Yawusukrom among others at the Newmont Gold Ghana Ltd mining area.

This came to light at a forum on human rights and environmental concerns in the mining sector organised by WACAM with support from QXfarm Ghana under the Fair 4 all programme in Accra aimed at protecting the rights of children in mining communities.

In attendance were participants from affected communities, traditional authorities, civil social organizations (CSOs), experts in the mining space, and mining watchers among others.

The report has thus challenged stakeholders in the sector and the Asutifi North District Assembly and New Gold Ghana Limited (NGGL) to put in place the needed resources to facilitate the going of school by the children in the respective communities as a result of the displacement of their households by NGGL.

Presenting the report, a Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Dr. Yaw Asamoah recommended the education material such as books, uniforms, school bags, scholarships, sanitary pads for girls and other pressing educational items be provided by Newmont as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to meet their needs.

According to the report, children of school going age in these mining communities do not report to school on time due to the long distance as a result of Newmont operations which has forcibly relocated them to far locations and it is for these reasons that they have made further recommendations that the mining company must provide a bus to commute the school children to and fro from school.

In a presentation on Environmental Protection and Mining in Forest Reserves, Mr. Daryl Bonsu of ARocha Ghana said in the year 2016, government lost an estimated $2.3 billion in fiscal revenues through illegal mining pointing out that Ghana is Africa largest gold producer accounting to over 5% of global production.

He said illegal mining in the country is primarily done in protected areas, mining in water bodies, engaging in unsafe mining practices as well as smuggling and illegal trade in minerals and however disclosed that regulating mining operations in the country is crucial for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For his part, the Executive Director of WACAM, Mr. Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, urged the media to intensify its reportage on mining in spite of the challenges pertaining in the sector.

According to him, mining companies around the world are very powerful, and however urged the media to confront issues relating to mining with the truth and in transparency, adding that children in the mining sector must be given the requisite educational support to enable them discover their potentials.

Sarkodie joins #FixTheTemaMotorway campaign on social media

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
-
0
Sarkodie, Musician

Ghana’s most decorated Artiste, Sarkodie has joined the campaign on social media to fix the Tema-motorway.

The Tema Motorway, which used to be one of the best roads in terms of quality in the country is currently in a terrible state leading to several accidents.

A significant portion of the road is riddled with potholes that have evolved over time into death traps.

Over the week, a hashtag #FixTheTemaMotorway has been trending on Twitter, as citizens campaign for the deplorable road to be fixed.

Sarkodie’s attention was drawn to the campaign on Twitter to which he lent his support saying, “about time.”

Over the last few years, the Tema Motorway, one of the country’s major highways, has suffered major wear and tear, leaving major potholes and posing a security risk to motorists.

The Tema Motorway has particularly deteriorated these past few weeks, and citizens have taken it into their hands to demand action from the government to fix the road.

Sarkodie, who grew up and spent most part of his early life in Tema has indicated that it is “About time” the road is fixed to salvage lives from being lost.

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, the rapper wrote, “About time #FixtTheTemaMotorway.”

Sarkodie was reacting to a post by a social media account that goes by the name “Ghana Mu Nsem” calling on him to add his voice to the ‘Fixthemotorway’ campaign to prompt the government to come to their aid.

E.L readies 7-Track EP ‘The Teacher’

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
-
0
EL, Musician

2016 Ghana Music Awards Artiste of the year, E.L has announced his upcoming 7-track EP titled ‘The Teacher.’

The news comes on the heels of his recent release, ‘Soba,’ and is set to drop on September 8, 2023. The award-winning rapper took to social media to announce the project, generating buzz and anticipation among his dedicated fan base.

The EP, ‘The Teacher,’ is shaping up to be a compelling addition to E.L’s discography, with a tracklist that includes the already-released hits ‘Chop Life’ and ‘Soba.’

One of the highlights of ‘The Teacher’ EP is the collaboration with Dope Nation, with whom E.L has previously worked on ‘Ayeyi’ and ‘Nobody,’ among others.

This EP marks E.L’s first major release since his 2021 Bar 6. It also demonstrates his commitment to release more music, a promise he made to fans upon his reemergence in April 2023. E.L also teased a live show at the Zen Gardens in Labone to celebrate the release of his first EP in a long time.

As the release date approaches, fans can look forward to a body of work that showcases E.L’s musical evolution and storytelling prowess. With the inclusion of ‘Chop Life,’‘Soba,’ and the promise of exciting collaborations, ‘The Teacher’ is poised to make its mark as a standout release in 2023.

Elom Adablah, better known by his stage name E.L, is a multiple award-winning rapper, singer, producer, and sound engineer known for bringing contemporary Ghanaian music to the forefront of African culture. He also made a name as the pioneer of the Azonto genre, which took Ghana by storm in the early 2010s.

In his 15-year career, the rapper has churned out many hit songs and won several awards, including “Artist of the Year” at the 2016 Ghana Music Awards. An energetic and stellar performer, E.L also toured with legendary American singer Lauryn Hill.

Black Stars secure 10th consecutive AFCON appearance after 2-1 victory over CAR.

By
NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
-
0
Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah

The Black Stars of Ghana fought hard yesterday to overcome the Central Africa Republic in a hard won 2-1 to book their 10thsuccessive appearance at Africa Cup of Nationsslated for next year.

The victory by the Black Stars shot them straight to top of Group E with incredible 12 followed by Angola managed 9 points with Central Africa Republic placing third with 7 points.


Central Africa Republic who appeared more composed in the first opening of the game, took the lead on the 25th minute through a well composed effort by Louis Mafouta who rounded up the two central defenders with a speed.

Goal keeper Ati Zigi who stepped up as a sleeper to clear the lines missed his kick and rather made the situation quite easier for Mafouta to open the scores for the visitors.

The Stars remained well composed with a high sense of urgency which has eluded the team in recent times to fight back but the visitors kept threatening with incredible long passes from the middle.

Star player Mohammed Kudus converted an extra ordinary free kick at the edge of the box which zoomed straight into the net after a disappointing effort from goalkeeper Geoffrey Lembet on the 43rd minute.

The West Ham midfielder’s incredibly converted kick did not just restore parity for the Stars but also bolstered their confidence going into the dressing room.

Substitute Antoine Semnyo who came on for Inaki Williams gave good account to himself with an impressive solo effort to announce his presence few moments after his introduction.

The bulky attacker fought hard to win a ball from a defender close to the edge of the 18yardbox with an incredible show of strength and power and sent a glittered pass to Ernest Nuamah deep inside the box for an easy tap in.

Numah who came on as a substitute, set the stadium agog with his excellent tap in on the 87th minute which sealed victory for the Stars and confined the CAR side to a third place on the table despite their spirited fight.


Chris Hughton’s changes were much effective as it brought about the necessary firework that the team needed to excel with incredible performance.

Mahama Campaigns For EC; Urges eligible voters to go out and register

By
JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
-
0
John Dramani Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians who do not have voter ID cards to take advantage of the limited registration exercise to be organised by the Electoral Commission next week to acquire it.

The 2024 flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) made this known during his facebook live session yesterday.

“I am here to encourage you, wherever you are in Ghana or beyond, that if you do not have a voter ID card, especially if you have just turned 18, to take advantage of the exercise, which starts on September 12, 2023” , he said.

Hope for a better Ghana

According to the flagbearer of the NDC, Ghanaians’ vote in 2024 will symbolise their hope for a better Ghana, a determination to overcome the challenges we face and their commitment to help build the “Ghana We Want Together – a Ghana that guarantees you, your children, your siblings, and our unborn generation a brighter and sustainable future with well-paying jobs”.

This, he said, would only happen when they acquire a voter ID card and cast their vote for the NDC in the election on December 7, 2024.

Mr. Mahama encouraged comrades in the NDC to put aside every other thing or activity and “let’s give our maximum attention and focus to the upcoming exercise.”

Power in the thumb

He believed that young people held immense power in their hands and as such the upcoming limited voter registration exercise by the Electoral Commission was an opportunity to start the process towards making their voices heard and shaping the future of Ghana.

“As a people, it is the starting point in our quest to bring about real change in our country. You and I are responsible for using our votes wisely, holding our leaders accountable, and demanding the change we desperately need. It is the surest way to secure our democracy”, he added.

Right to vote

To Mr Mahama acquiring a voter ID affirms one’s right to vote and access to a voter ID should be easy and not limited by location and every Ghanaian deserves the chance to exercise his or her democratic right.

He urged the Electoral Commission to facilitate the registration exercise in all electoral areas to allow for easy access and a reduced burden on the citizenry in their quest to register.

He also challenge the Commission to be transparent with the processes preceding the start of the limited voter registration exercise, the replacement of voter ID cards, and the transfer of votes.

“As has been requested in a formal letter to the Commission by the General Secretary of the NDC, we want to know when the names and pictures of the Registration Supervisors, Registration Officers, Registration Assistants, and other officials for the exercises will be published at the district level, as stipulated by the EC regulations”, he noted.

Call for extension of the exercise

The former president reiterated that it is also our recommendation that in line with Regulation 2(2b) of C.I. 91, as amended by C.I. 126, the Commission listens to calls for the extension of the exercise to take place in the electoral areas and not be limited to the district offices of the Commission.

This, he said, would curb many inconveniences, including transportation, lack of money to move from distant locations, and access.

He concluded by urging all Ghanaians, especially the youth, to take this exercise seriously. “It is your opportunity to hold your leaders accountable. It is about your rights; it is about your future! It is about our dear nation, Ghana”.

Illegal mining in forest reserve is existential threat to Ghana –FC

By
STEPHANIE BIRIKORANG
-
0
John Allotey, CEO of Forestry Commission

The Forestry Commission (FC) says the destructive effects of illegal mining in forest reserves on the environment are an existential threat to the country.

According to the Commission, even though the fight against illegal mining required extra efforts – with diverse approach, the Commission still remained committed to coming to grips with the menace.

In a statement signed by the Chief Executive and released in Accra on Tuesday, this week, it explained the serious socio-economic linkages of the illegal activity, hence the need to tackle it holistically.

The commission was responding to a Joy News hotline documentary on alleged illegal mining activities in the Apamprama Forest Reserve, in the Ashanti Region.

It said illegal alluvial gold mining has been ongoing for several decades along the banks of the Oda River, which flows through the reserve, until 2013, where illegal mining with heavy equipment (excavators) moved into the Apramprama Forest Reserve.

This action, the statement said, led to the arrest of three Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian.

So far, there have been a series of arrest of illegal miners in the reserve by the Forestry Commission, with an affected estimated area reported to be about 3 hectares.

The commission reported that with the 34 forest reserves across the country that have suffered incidences of illegal gold mining, three of these reserves are the places where the FC had challenges in dealing with the situation. “The other 31reserves were fairly under the control of the FC, notwithstanding occasional incursions by illegal miners,” it added.

“The Apamprama Forest Reserve is one of the three forest reserves where the Commission had challenges due to the associated violence exhibited by the armed perpetrators, in addition to the Oda River and Subin shelterbelt forest reserves,” the Commission’s statement revealed.

However, between May and July 2023, illegal miners were flushed out from these three forest reserves, with the support of military personnel from the Southern Command. During this period, five excavators and one bulldozer were seized, with one (1) excavator burnt in the Apamprama forest reserve. The statement further revealed.

“Additionally, an unspecified number of mining equipment and wooden structures used by the illegal miners were also destroyed in these 3 forest reserves,” it said.

Strategies and Interventions

As part of the strategies and interventions ultimately aimed at curbing illegal mining in forest reserves, the Commission has trained 964 of its frontline field officers by the military to boost law enforcement and support the fight against illegal mining and other forest offences within forest reserves.

Other measures, it said, included the procurement of one thousand pump action guns to boost morale and capacity of frontline staff to protect forest reserves, the seizure and decommissioning of equipment used for illegal mining in forest reserves, the intensification of surveillance, intelligence gathering, and monitoring of illegal mining activities in forest reserves to ensure early detection and arrest of perpetrators, among others.

Commendation and call for support

The FC commended the Multimedia Group for bringing to light the destruction of a large portion of the once lush forest reserve, adding that “We believe such documentaries help to draw attention to grave national issues, where public support is urgently required to address.”

It called on all traditional leaders and the general public to support the Forestry Commission by providing information on illegal mining in their communities and environs so that the Commission can act swiftly to deal with situations before or when they arise.

The statement assured that the commission was working with other agencies to provide sustainable alternative livelihood options, especially within communities where illegal mining takes place, to address the issue of youth unemployment and poverty.

“We are also looking to secure support to augment key logistical requirements, especially operational vehicles, drones, etc, to improve our operational and law enforcement capabilities and to enable the FC respond appropriately to this existential threat,” he ended.

NPP promises to probe Super Delegates’ infractions  

By
NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
-
0
Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of NPP

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has assured its stakeholders that the party has commenced comprehensive investigations into the incidents of violations and infractions which occurred during the party’s Super Delegates Conference held across the country last month.

Stephen Ntim, NPP National Chairman

According to the party, the outcome of the investigations, being spearheaded by the Elections and Disciplinary Committees would be readily made available to the general public.

This was contained in a press release signed and issued by the party’s General Secretary, Mr Justin Kodua Frimpong yesterday, to acknowledge the withdrawal of Mr Alan Kyerematen from the presidential primary.

The release further clarified that persons who would be found culpable of any wrongdoing would be held accountable.

Background

In a rather shocking twist of event, a stalwart of the NPP and a contender for the upcoming presidential primary, Mr John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen withdrew from the November 4th race.

In a statement to announce his withdrawal on Tuesday, Mr Kyerematen cited an alleged plot to strategically and tactically skew the elections in favour of one particular aspirant as a reason.

Mr Kyerematen, who had placed second to President Akufo-Addo in all NPP presidential primaries since 2007, shockingly came third during the Super Delegates elections held last month.

Vice president Dr Alhaji Bawumia, who was in the race for the first time, made a giant impact by placing first at the expense of Mr Alan Kyerematen and other old faces. The vice president received convincing endorsement from his party super delegates, with 629 votes out of the 923 total valid votes cast.

The second position went to Mr Kennedy Agyepong, who managed 132 votes, pushing Mr Alan Kyerematen to the third position with 95 votes.

In his letter to withdraw, Mr Kyerematen said: “After having carefully analysed the results of the said elections, it is absolutely clear to me from events leading to, during and after the elections, that the Special Delegates Conference was strategically and tactically skewed in favour of one particular Aspirant”.

Meanwhile, there were widespread reports of attacks on some agents of Mr Kyeremanten, whose popularity, according to some election watchers, has deteriorated with time in the party.

Mr Kyerematen has, however, downplayed the assertions that his fortunes in the party have dwindled, but rather blamed the situation on what he termed as intimidations and schemes.

“The fact that my Polling Agent in the North East region has suffered severe damage to his eye sight, arising from his bold and courageous effort”, he said, was partly responsible for his decision and what he termed as intimidations.

“The question I keep asking myself is, how did we get here as a Party in the first place, and how far are we prepared to tread on this dangerous path to self-destruction?

“Regrettably, I am not convinced that the circumstances I have referred to earlier will not persist or even be escalated in the next round of elections, for which balloting is scheduled for Wednesday, 6th of September 2023.

“In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4th of November 2023,” he explained.

Meanwhile, his withdrawal is viewed by many as a blessing to the other aspirants, particularly the vice president and Mr Kenndey Agyepong, who were first and second in the race respectively.

Oly battle Ekumfi United for Akwanbo Cup

By
admin
-
0
Trophies for the game

Wonder Club, Accra Great Olympics, will travel to Ekumfi Ekrawfo in the Central Region on Sunday, September 10, 2023 to take on local lads, Ekumfi United, in a special challenge match for the Nana Kwatse Cup.

The match, which climaxes the Akwanbo Festival of the Chiefs and people of the Nyimfa Division of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, is in honour of Nana Kwatse II, deceased Odikro of Ekrawfo and onetime Executive Chairman of Olympics.

According to Ebo Quansah, Chairman of the Ekrawfo Town Development Committee, the match is to honour the memory of Nana Kwatse, known in private life as Kwamena Boney.
Olympics will be defending the Nana Kwatse Cup they won last year with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ekumfi United at the same venue.

The match, according to the Executive Chairman of Olympics, would be the final trial match for the club, before the 2023/24 Ghana Premier league begins on September 15.

Driver jailed for masterminding robbery of employer

By
BERNICE BESSEY
-
0
Court

The Accra Circuit Court has jailed a driver, Stephen Acheampong, who masterminded the robbery of his employers, Best 5 Company.

He perpetuated the crime together with Samuel Quansah, a herbalist based at Enyinam, and another currently at large.

Samuel, first accused (A1), and Stephen (A2) have been sentenced to 20 years each in prison on conspiracy to commit a crime and robbery.

They were sentenced by the court, presided over by His Honour Isaac Addo, last week Wednesday, and pleaded guilty simiplicita.

The court was also told by the prospecting office, Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, that the police were also on a manhunt for suspect, Emmanuel Etsiwa, also known as Champana.

Samuel, Stephen and Emmanuel acted together to robbed Best 5 Company off GH¢303,035.00, while the money was being transported at Tesano in Accra.

Mr. Addo was also informed that a policeman, Chief Inspector Jonathan Amoadu Prince, was shot in his abdomen by Samuel, and his father, Kwesi Quansah, while resisting arrest.

Various weapons and ammunition were retrieved from them.

Stephen was the architect of the robbery, which took place in broad daylight.

The following are the details.

C/Ins Lawer narrated to the court that the complainants, Ali Mousa Dagher and Dominic Essel, are sales representative and driver of Best 5 Company Limited respectively.

He added that Samuel Quansah and Emmanuel Etsiwa, also known as Champana (at large), are residents of Enyanmaim in the Central Region, while Stephen Acheampong lives in Accra.

The prosecutor said on August 15, 2023, the complainants, in the company of Stephen, went to the police station at about 6:40pm to report that they had been robbed.

Per their statements, the robbery took place at about 3:34pm while returning from Ashaiman to the company office in their vehicle.

According to them, two armed robbers stopped the vehicle and robbed them off their money in a total sum of GH¢303,035.00 at gunpoint at a section of the road within Tesano.

The police, after carefully listening to their complaints, arrested Stephen for investigation.

During police preliminary investigations, Stephen confessed his involvement in the robbery and mentioned Samuel and Emmanuel as his accomplices, and that they lived at Mankessim Enyanmaim in the Central Region.

On August 18, 2023, a police team of investigators was dispatched from the Accra Regional Police Intelligence Department and Mankessim District Police Command to Enyanmaim township to trace and apprehend Stephen’s accomplices from their hideouts.

However, on reaching the town, Samuel had a hint of the police presence in the area and run to a different place within the town to hide.

The police team on the next day, at about 3:10am, while still combing the area managed to track him to his father’s newly-built house, located about three miles away from where he lived.

Samuel, on seeing the police, quickly ran to hide himself in the father’s room.

Chief Inspector Jonathan Amoadu Prince, who was part of the police team, shouted and introduced himself to the convict’s father as a peace officer.

Unfortunately, when the officer approached him at his doorway to explain why the team was there, the latter ran inside the room and picked up a single barrel gun and shot the Chief Inspector in the abdomen.

Like an ostrich, Kwesi Quansah went back to his room to hide, and together with his son, fired a number of gunshots at the police through the window.

The intensity of the attack compelled the police to tactically retreat, but later managed to overpower and arrest them from the room.

A spot search conducted in the room led to the retrieval of one single barrel gun, 11 AAA spent cartridges, eight live AAA cartridges, one locally manufactured pistol, a coumo bag containing part of the money robbed totaling GH¢195,191.00.

The team extended the search to Samuel’s hideout in an uncompleted building and retrieved one more locally manufactured pistol under his bed.

The victim, C/Ins Jonathan Amoadu Prince, sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to Mercy Women Hospital at Mankessim for treatment but was later referred to the Cape Coast Government Hospital for further treatment.

The court was told that the victim is currently in a critical health condition, receiving treatment on admission at the hospital.

During investigations, Samuel admitted the offenses and stated that it was Stephen, a worker at Best 5 Company, who masterminded the robbery.

Similarly, investigations revealed that Samuel did not have a permit to possess or use the exhibit pistol.

Samuel’s father, Kwesi Quansah, has been arraigned and put before the District Court for committal processes.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to trace and apprehend the third accused who is on the run to be brought to book.

1...1,9551,9561,957...3,032Page 1,956 of 3,032

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

©
The Ghanaian Chronicle