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Buhari hails elections, unhappy some candidates lost

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President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu has hailed the conduct of the 2023 elections, describing it as credible. He, however, regretted that some candidates lost in the exercise. He made the comment while speaking at a farewell meeting with the outgoing United States Ambassador, Mary Beth Leonard, at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.

“President Muhammadu Buhari says, given the chance of a free and fair election as well as non-interference as was witnessed on February 25th and March 18th elections, Nigerians have proved to be capable of deciding who leads them without anyone telling them what to do,” Presidential aide Garba Shehu said in a statement.

“President Buhari who expressed satisfaction with remarkable passion towards democracy exhibited by Nigerians through the choices they made in the Presidential, National Assembly and the subsequent Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, said Nigeria’s democracy has truly matured.

“People are realising their power. Given the chance of a free and fair vote, nobody can tell them what to do. I am unhappy that some candidates lost in the election. But I am inspired by the fact that voters were able to make their own decision, to decide who won and who lost. With the currency change, there was no money to spread around but even then, I told voters to take the money and vote according to their consciences.”

Credit: channelstv.com

ECG disconnects Cape Coast Sports Stadium over GH¢513k debt

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The Cape Coast Sports Stadium

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cut power supply to the Cape Coast Sports Stadium over a legacy debt of GH¢513,000.00.

The move formed part of the company’s nationwide action to reduce monies owed it to ensure it stayed in business.

Since Monday, March 20, it had embarked on an aggressive revenue mobilisation drive, as part of efforts to reduce its debt situation, which was affecting operations.

This is targeted at every customer owing the ECG and not only state-owned enterprises.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, Mr. Alexander Tieku, Regional Sports Director, said the disconnection would greatly affect its activities as a monumental state asset.

He explained that the debt inherited many years ago was being settled on an arranged negotiation with the ECG, when the facility was first disconnected sometime last year, and some payments made.

Management had also engaged officials of the ECG to install pre-paid meters to direct the chunk of the bills to the various business units at the stadium, which had been carried out with 20 more to be done for smooth operations.

Businesses at the stadium include hostels, restaurants, offices, clinic, and gym, which were connected to only one post-paid meter, leading to the compilation of huge debts.

Mr. Tieku described the situation as ‘unfortunate’ and ‘surprising’ due to the agreement reached by both parties.

So far, the Cape Coast New Stadium is the only state-owned organisation affected by the disconnection exercise in the region.

Source: GNA

Lotto agent in Court for GH₵253,680.00 theft

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Court

A 32-year-old agent of Alpha Lotto Company, who allegedly stole GH₵253,680.00 from the firm has been put before an Accra Circuit Court. Ernest Larbi is facing a charge of falsification of accounts and stealing.

His accomplices, Belinda Afful, a 20-year-old and Madam Theresa Afful, who are both lotto writers, have also been charged with abetment of crime and falsification of accounts.

Larbi and Belinda have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Madam Theresa Afful is currently at large.

The Court, presided over by Mrs Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie admitted Mr Larbi and Belinda to bail, in the sum of GH₵200,000.00 each, with two sureties each.

It directed that one of the sureties should be a Civil Servant earning not less than GH₵2,000.00 a month.

The matter has been adjourned to April 11, 2023.

Chief Inspector Samuel Ahiabor told the Court that the complainant, Mr Evans Kwaah, who resides at Mataheko, in Accra, was a Lotto Agent of Alpha Lotto Company Limited, while the accused persons were residents of Fadama and Anyaa.

The prosecution said Mr Larbi employed Belinda Afful and Madam Theresa Afful as lotto writers of Alpha Lotto Company Limited, without the knowledge of the complainant.

It said Mr Larbi worked under the complainant and was responsible for submitting lotto booklets or tickets from other lotto writers to the company before the winning numbers were drawn, as well as sorting out winning tickets from the booklets that were submitted to him for payment to the respective winners.

The prosecution said on February 20, 2022 Larbi hatched a plan with Belinda and Madam Theresa Afful to falsify the Lotto winning tickets to steal from the Lotto Company.

It said Larbi asked Belinda and Madam Theresa Afful to falsify some of the tickets and submit them to him anytime the winning lotto numbers were drawn for him to present them for payment as tickets staked before the draw.

The prosecution said between the months of February and August 2022, Larbi received fictitious winning tickets from the two accomplices, which he presented to the complainant for payment.

It said the accused persons on several occasions prepared and submitted fraudulent winning tickets to the tune of GH₵253,680.00 which they later shared.

The prosecution said during the annual auditing of the company’s accounts, the shortfall was detected and Larbi was subsequently audited during which he admitted to stealing the amount by falsifying the records of the company.

Larbi further stated in his investigation caution statement that he always gave a 30 per cent share of every deal to Madam Afful.

The prosecution said Larbi refunded an amount of GH₵70,000.00 and pleaded for enough time to pay the remaining GH₵183,680.00 but failed to honour his promise.

By Emelia Nkrumah

GNA

Agenda 111 Hospitals Project in Nkoranza North progresses

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Pictures show the project site with contractors and workers busily working

Work is progressing on the Nkoranza North District Hospital with about three contractors on site working to ensure early completion.

The project is among President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo’s Agenda 111 Hospitals’ initiative to provide adequate and improved quality health services delivery to Ghanaians nationwide.

The 60-bed capacity hospital, with departments including theaters, medical, surgical, physiotherapy, male, female and maternity wards, as well as laboratories, logistics and Outpatients Department (OPD) is at the foundation level.

Mr Elliot Kwame Tetteh, the project manager with the Cads Construction Limited, the main contractor, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday, at the project site at Busunya, the district capital in Bono East Region, said work was currently moving on smoothly and hoped that it would continue like that for completion on schedule.

Mr Tetteh expressed satisfaction with the rate at which building materials were ‘flowing in’, stating that since the project commenced there had never been shortage of materials on site.

He further announced the project was expected to be completed in June 2024, saying with the pace of work it would be possible to complete it in time.

Speaking to the GNA in another interview, Mr Peter Kwaku Osei-Fosu, the District Chief Executive said the completion of the facility would solve the major problem of the people, as the delivery of quality health services had been a source of worry in the area.

Mr Osei-Fosu said health was the basis for quality human resource everywhere, saying the completion of the facility would reduce the burden of residents traveling to seek for major health care elsewhere and appealed to the people to cooperate and support the contractors to complete the project for inauguration as planned.

Nana Boamah, the Assembly Member for Buaben Electoral Area in the district commended the government for considering the health needs of the people by the provision of the facility.

He said when completed, it would help address and reduce the high rate of maternal mortality and prevalence of other diseases that continued to impede the socio-economic development of the district.

From Jerry Azanduna, Busunya

GNA 

Davido makes first public comment on son’s death

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Davido with son, Ifeanyi and baby mama, Chioma

After nearly 5 months following the tragic incident, Davido has finally reacted publicly to his son’s death. The Nigerian singer’s son allegedly drowned in a private swimming pool at the family’s residence in Lagos on 31st October 2023. “The boy was inside water for too long and they pulled him out and rushed him to the hospital,” a family source told said. “By the time they rushed him to Lagoon Hospital it was already too late,” the source added under anonymity.

The sad news has seen Davido going off social media and pausing his music career. However, Davido made a rare return to social media after he was been billed to perform at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Qatar world cup in Doha.

Coming back to social media again to resume his career, he has made his first public comment about his death.

There is a time for everything. A time to Grieve and a time to Heal. A time to Laugh and a time to Dance. A time to Speak and A time for Silence. Thank you to everyone out there for your love and support that has held me down,” Davido said.

In a post shared on social media, he continued that “all the love and messages while I was away, the gifts sent, the concerts you all threw! I appreciate it all”.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Fameyegets response from NPA over fuel outcry

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Fameye

Following a social media outcry by Singer Fameye over alleged encounter at an undisclosed filling station where his car was filled with adulterated petrol, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has responded to the musician.

In a tweet on Wednesday, 15 March 2023, the rapper narrated how he had already spent a whopping GHC7,000 to repair his Honda Pilot 2019 model, after it was filled with water mixed with petrol.

“So, few days ago, I go buy fuel for one fuel station, GHS700, the rest is heartbreaking. They filled my tank with water mixed with petrol. As I’m talking to you now, my car Honda pilot touring 2019 model is spoilt. I have spent 7k already still not working!!! What do I do?,” he wrote.

After the tweet went viral, scores of netizens recommended that he involves the management of the said filling station for compensation.

Others suggested that he calls out the filling station to prevent future reoccurrences.

Fameye’s post caught the attention of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and they have established their willingness to offer assistance to salvage the situation.

In a tweet, the regulatory body raised concerns about Fameye’s management’s unwillingness to collaborate after reaching out a day after the singer’s tweet went viral.

“The unwillingness of Fameye’s management to cooperate with the NPA’s Consumer Services Department by providing key information, such as the name and location of the retail outlet in question makes it impossible for the Authority to proceed with an investigation into the case. Fameye’s management team further stated that they would handle the case by themself,” NPA tweeted as part of some concerns listed on their page.

‘I didn’t reply Amerado’s diss song because he’s not my level’ -Medikal 

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Rappers Amerado and Medikal

Rapper Medikal says the only reason he has not given fellow rapper Amerado any attention is that he is below his level and does not deserve his time and attention. According to the ‘Omo Ada’ hitmaker, he only pays attention to artists who are way ahead of him in the game and thus would not waste energy on clout-chasers.

Speaking on TV3, the rapper shed some light on the dynamics between the two talented artists.

When asked about his relationship with Amerado, Medikal was quick to clarify that they are not friends. However, he also stated that he doesn’t have anything against him.Medikal then went on to reveal that two years ago, Amerado had released a diss track aimed at him. However, he chose not to reply as he didn’t consider it worth his time. When asked about this decision, Medikal explained that he didn’t respond because he felt that Amerado was not deserving of his time and attention.

“Amerado and I are not friends.” “I didn’t reply to him because I felt he was not at my level; he has still not reached my level, which is why I haven’t responded to him,” Medikal said.

Medikal went on to state that his level is so high that the likes of Amerado need to work hard, climb up the life ladder, and would be fortunate to get his attention then.

He added that any beef that would not benefit him monetarily would not be worth wasting time and energy to get involved in, which is why he never bothered to respond to Amerado.

Despite this revelation, Medikal denied any suggestion that he was downgrading Amerado. He insisted that he was simply being honest about his opinion and that he has nothing against the talented rapper.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Eno Barony expresses disappointment after VGMA swerve

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Eno Barony

The first female rapper to win Best rapper of the year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), Eno Barony has taken to social media to call out the award organisers over their failure to nominate her despite her efforts, hard work and production of good music under the year in review.

The ‘God is a woman’ hitmaker believes that she deserves a nomination under four categories: Best HipHop Songs, Best Rap Performance, Best Collaboration and Hiplife/Hiphop Artiste of the Year.

“I know you are also wondering why this song did not get any nominations. Hmmm #OnlyJah,” she captioned a snippet of the music video for ‘Don’t Judge Me’ which features DeeWills, the son of Archbishop Duncan Williams.

She adds that her 2022 track titled ‘The Finish Line’ which she featured Amerado was also a work of art that shouldn’t have been ignored.

“#24thVGMA My songs: -DONT JUDGE ME ft @Deewillslive -THE FINISH LINE ft. @Amerado_Burner is one of the -Best HipHop songs -Best Rap Performance -Best collaboration And I am one of the best -Hiplife/Hiphop artist Of the year under review #ONLYJAH,” she tweeted.

Meanwhile, Medikal with ‘Scarface’, Strongman – ‘Goated’, Amerado – ‘Obiaa Boa’, Lyrical Joe – ‘5th August 6’ and Teephlow with ‘6 Feet’ have secured nominations in the 24th VGMA Best Rap Performance category.

UK police question suspect after elderly Muslim set alight

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A suspect has been arrested in connection with the assault

A man suspected of attempted murder is being questioned in the English midlands after an elderly Muslim was attacked while walking home from his local mosque, just weeks after a similar assault in London.

Video of the incident, which took place on Monday evening in the city of Birmingham, was shared widely on social media.

In the clip, a younger man is seen arguing with the elderly victim, who is in his 70s, on Shenstone Road. Later, the victim’s jacket is set alight and he is heard screaming in pain.

“He spoke to [the victim] briefly before spraying with an unknown substance and then his jacket was set alight, causing burns to his face,” West Midlands Police said in a statement.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries and is expected to survive.

West Midlands Police told Al Jazeera an update on the case is expected later on Wednesday.

Tayyab Riaz, the victim’s nephew, told the BBC: “For 35 years he’s been going to that mosque to pray and there’s never been a problem … Suddenly this happens. His hair, beard and eyebrows are badly burnt. We’re praying he’s OK.”

Chief Superintendent Richard North, commander at Birmingham police, said investigators were “keeping an open mind to the motive of the attacker” as he warned against speculation.

Source: Aljazeera.com

Andrew Tate: Brothers’ custody extended by another month

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Andrew Tate (left) and his brother Tristan have been in detention since late last year

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan will remain in custody in Romania for a fourth consecutive month, a court has ruled.

The brothers have been detained since December and are being investigated on allegations of rape, people trafficking and forming an organised crime group. Both have denied wrongdoing.

Mr. Tate’s lawyers say he will be held until the end of April.

Their spokeswoman Mateea Petrescu said the team was “speechless”.

Under Romanian law, the men can be held for up to six months in detention.

The brothers’ lawyers told a closed court in Bucharest that prosecutors had brought no new evidence to Wednesday’s hearing. They also suggested their clients’ notoriety was contributing to the decision to keep them in custody.

Ms Petrescu said that – for the first time – the judge addressed the brothers directly during the hearing, to ask for their response to the prosecution argument that they were a flight risk and a risk to public order.

Despite what was described as a “dynamic exchange”, the judge eventually ruled the two men should be kept in preventative custody for another 30 days, until the end of April.

Ms Petrescu said the continued detention had “irreparably harmed” their image and that “it [would] take years to rebuild their reputation”.

Lawyers have long argued that keeping the Tates in preventative custody is unnecessarily harsh, when other judicial options – such as house arrest – are available.

Source: bbc.com

The Ghanaian Chronicle