Home Blog Page 250

Bob-Manuel disturbed by false reports of his death

0
Bob-Manuel

Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has said one of the most disturbing moments in recent years was waking up to news that he had died.

“It feels terrible,” he said during his interview with Chude Jideonwo.

The rumour, built around a manipulated image, spread online before he even saw it himself.

His children were the first to alert him. “They said, look at what someone is writing about you,” he recalled. When he asked what should be done, they advised calm.

“No need,” they told him. “Are you okay? That’s what matters.”

Beyond the rumour, the actor also reflected on personal loss. His mother passed first, followed by his father a few years later.

“The pain was deep,” he said quietly, explaining that his bond with his mother was especially close.

He shared that before his birth, a prophecy named him Emmanuel, describing him as special.

“That’s where Bob-Manuel came from,” he added.

Through public attention, family trials and private grief, he says perspective has kept him grounded.

“They have decades of experience being my children,” he said with a smile. “Things don’t move them as much anymore.”

Efya ties the knot with Nigerian singer Tomi Thomas

0
Efya and Nigerian singer Tomi Thomas

Ghanaian singer Efya, known privately as Jane Awindor, has gotten married to Nigerian singer Tomi Thomas in a private family ceremony held in Accra on Valentine’s Day.

The marriage took place on February 14, 2026, at a residence in Trassaco Phase II, according to details contained in an exclusive invitation circulated among selected guests.

The event was described as an intimate, faith-based celebration attended strictly by close family members and a few invited friends, with organisers requesting no social media coverage.

Sources say Efya spotted a noticeable baby bump, a development that drew emotional reactions from guests and added a deeply personal significance to the occasion. The award-winning singer appeared radiant and composed as she walked down the aisle.

The invitation indicated that both the Thomas and Awindor families hosted the event as a brief marriage ceremony centred on prayer. The ceremony reportedly began at 4pm and featured personal vows and blessings from both families, reflecting Ghanaian and Nigerian traditions.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

I landed in trouble for dating a policeman’s daughter -Kojo Antwi

0
Kojo Antwi

Legendary highlife maestro Kojo Antwi, the man whose melodies have soundtracked Ghanaian romance for decades, has dropped a bombshell revelation about his past that nearly derailed his early music career.

Speaking on Joy FM, ‘Mr. Music Man’ shared a gripping story of a brush with the law triggered by a secret relationship with a police officer’s daughter story he has kept hidden for nearly half a century.

The incident occurred during Kojo Antwi’s early years as a “band boy”, long before he became a household name.

While performing at Walako, a popular spot near Kaneshie, his girlfriend—who was supposed to be in school—made a surprise appearance at the venue.

Concerned for her safety and education, the young musician called for a break in the set to personally see her off.

“I decided to send her home. So I took her to try to grab a taxi for her to go home. We were there, and the police patrol team just bumped into us, and they started asking us questions. One question. They wouldn’t even wait for answers,” Kojo Antwi recounted.

The situation escalated when the patrol team took the young couple to the girl’s mother, only to discover that her father—a high-ranking officer at the Nima Police Station—was already on the hunt for them.

“I hadn’t had time to talk to her about her dad. She had never mentioned the daddy. I didn’t know he was a police officer at Nima Police Station. That’s a part that, I mean, most people didn’t know about,” he told Lexis Bill.

Kojo Antwi reflected on the harsh societal stigma musicians faced in that era, noting that being a “band boy” was far from the prestigious career it is today.

“Back then, it wasn’t something that came with prestige, nothing. It’s not something that a policeman would want the daughter to be attached to.”

Kenya strike delays flights at international hub airport

0
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport acts as a hub for flights to Europe, North America and the Middle East

Flights in and out of Kenya’s main airport are being delayed following a planned strike by aviation industry workers, the national airline and airports authority have said.

Departing flights from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – one of Africa’s busiest transport hubs – have been delayed by up to four hours.

Some passengers say they have remained seated inside aircraft for extended periods, as pilots wait for clearance to take off.

In a statement, Kenya Airways said it was experiencing “air traffic control operational delays affecting certain departures and arrivals”. It added that it was working with authorities to minimise disruptions and maintain safe operations.

“Passengers are advised to expect possible schedule adjustments, including delays,” the airline said, while apologising for the inconvenience.

The disruptions follows a warning a week ago by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) of a plan to go on strike over pay and poor working conditions.

KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema told the local Daily Nation news website that the strike had begun at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT) affecting both passengers and airlines around the country.

“There’s a big backlog. Planes are hardly leaving the airports,” he was quoted as saying.

A Kenyan senator who was travelling from the western city of Kisumu said that he had to travel by road following the strike.

Credit: bbc.com

Russia rejects claims of poisoning Navalny with dart frog toxin

0
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny died of poisoning

The Kremlin has “strongly” rejected an assessment by five European countries that the Russian state killed jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny by poisoning him.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest domestic opponent for years, died in an Arctic prison colony on February 16, 2024 while serving a 19-year sentence for “extremism”, a charge he and his supporters said was punishment for his opposition work.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden issued a joint statement on Saturday saying they believed he had been poisoned with epibatidine – a toxin found in poison dart frogs – and that the Russian state had the “means, motive and opportunity” to administer it.

“We naturally do not accept such accusations. We disagree with them. We consider them biased and baseless,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a daily briefing call on Monday.

“In fact, we strongly reject them,” he added.

His comments came as dozens of Navalny’s supporters and some foreign diplomats visited his grave in Moscow on Monday to mark the anniversary of his death. Some of those who attended wore masks or scarves over their faces.

Russian authorities designated Navalny and his organisation “extremist” before his death at the age of 47, and anyone who mentions him or his exiled anticorruption foundation is liable for prosecution.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Ukraine’s ex-energy minister detained while attempting to leave country

0
German Galushchenko (left) was among several figures in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky government

A former energy minister in Ukraine has been detained while attempting to leave the country, authorities have said.

German Galushchenko, who was forced out of his government role last year after being among officials named in a corruption scandal, was reportedly apprehended while on a train leaving Ukraine. It is unclear where he intended to travel to.

He was one of several government figures implicated in an alleged $100m (£75m) embezzlement scheme in November.

The scandal threatened to engulf Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, which swept to power before Russia’s full-scale invasion on the promise to root out corruption.

Zelensky’s chief-of-staff Andriy Yermak – his closest adviser throughout the war – resigned after his home was searched. Neither the president nor Yermak have been accused of any wrongdoing.

The scandal has, however, increased pressure from the US to hold elections, which have been suspended since the start of the war in 2022 due to provisions in Ukraine’s constitution.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) said in a statement on Sunday that its detectives had detained the former energy minister “while crossing the state border”, as part of the Midas case.

It did not name Galushchenko explicitly, but he has been named by several prominent Ukrainian media organisations.

Galushchenko was briefly justice minister, a post he held when he was told by Zelensky to resign in November, having served as energy minister for three years prior to that. His successor, Svitlana Hrynchuk, also resigned after being implicated in the scandal.

Nabu gave no further details on Galuschenko’s detention, but said it would provide updates in due course.

Radio Free Europe reports that he was being transported to Kyiv for further questioning, after border guards were told to alert the authorities if he attempted to flee.

Credit: bbc.com

Netanyahu leans on Trump ties as Israel heads toward elections

0
Netanyahu and Trump

Only one image was released from Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting Wednesday: a handshake in the Oval Office, distributed by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. Beyond that single frame, there were no reporters, no statements, no spontaneous gaggle with shouted questions.

The discretion added intrigue to what was already an unusually urgent meeting, brought forward by a week at Netanyahu’s request. The US has been continuing to build up its military forces in the Middle East, even as Trump pursues negotiations with Tehran.

Trump, who rarely avoids cameras, limited his post-meeting comments to a social media post. Netanyahu’s office issued a brief readout reaffirming “the close coordination and relationship” without offering much detail.

Trump’s Truth Social statement indicated his insistence that talks continue, in an apparent contrast to Netanyahu’s long-standing opposition to any nuclear agreement and his desire to discuss plans for another strike on Iran during his trip to Washington.

Netanyahu later acknowledged conveying his reservations to Trump. “He wanted to hear my opinion,” Netanyahu said Thursday before departing for Israel. “I will not hide from you that I expressed general skepticism regarding the quality of any agreement with Iran.”

He stressed that any future deal must address not only Iran’s nuclear program but also its ballistic missile program and regional proxy networks, arguing that these issues are vital not only for Israel’s security but for regional stability more broadly.

Whether the private setting and lack of cameras allowed both leaders to mask disagreements or rather quietly coordinate their mutual future actions remains unclear.

Credit: cnn.com

Bekwai MP Pledges Support for rainstorm victims

0
Some affected buildings

Several residents in the Bekwai Municipality of Ashanti region have been rendered homeless, following a torrential rainstorm that swept across the area last week.

The rainstorm left a trail of destruction in its wake as several houses had their roofing sheets ripped off, exposing families to the harsh weather conditions and forcing many to seek temporary shelter.

Communities affected by the violent rainstorm included Safokrom, Wawase, Huntaado, Poano, Adjamesu and surrounding areas.

Some affected buildings

A portion of the roof of Denyaseman Senior High School was severely affected by the storm, raising concerns about academic activities and the safety of students.

Residents described the incident as terrifying, calling on authorities and benevolent organizations to urgently come to their aid.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Bekwai Constituency, Ralph Adusei, has pledged his unwavering support to the affected victims.

The MP assured residents that he will collaborate with relevant state agencies to ensure swift assistance and relief for those displaced by the disaster.

From Oswald P. Freiku, Bekwai

Ofosu-Ampofo unveils ultramodern pulpit in honour of his late mother

0
Dr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo (in all white) unveiling the pulpit whilst other church officials look-on

Dr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo has once again demonstrated his deep commitment to faith, family and Community with the unveiling of an ultramodern pulpit he personally built in honour of his late mother, Mary Gyawubea Badu.

The ceremony, held at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Akyem Adukrom, in the Eastern Region, was both emotional and symbolic, reflecting gratitude, remembrance and service.

The newly constructed pulpit stands more than a physical structure, it represents a son’s enduring love and respect for his mother’s values and spiritual influence.

Mary Gyawubea Badu was remembered as a woman of strong Christian faith whose life embodied humility, generosity and devotion to God and by dedicating the pulpit in her honour, Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo has ensured that her legacy will continue to inspire worshippers for generations.

The pulpit, described as ultramodern in design, combines aesthetic beauty with functional excellence, crafted with quality materials and contemporary finishing, it enhances the sanctuary’s interior and provides a dignified platform from which the Word of God will be preached.

Its design symbolizes strength and stability and virtues that many say defined the life of the late Mary Gyawubea Badu.

The unveiling ceremony drew family members, church leaders, friends, and well-wishers, drawing an atmosphere of gratitude and reverence as prayers were offered and tributes shared whilst church officials expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting that such acts of remembrance strengthen the bond between families and the church community.

Speakers at the event highlighted how the contribution reflects the Presbyterian tradition of service and stewardship, emphasizing that honoring one’s parents through meaningful works aligns with Christian teachings and Ghanaian cultural values.

Beyond the pulpit itself, Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo, together with family and friends, donated GH₵64,000 towards the church’s ongoing development projects.

It will also support infrastructural improvements and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the church’s mission.

Church leadership described the donation as timely and impactful, underscoring the importance of collective responsibility in sustaining religious institutions, which will go a long way to enhancing facilities and expanding the church’s outreach efforts within Akyem Adukrom and beyond.

The event serves as a reminder that philanthropy rooted in gratitude carries deep meaning through investing in the church that nurtured his spiritual foundation and honoring his mother’s memory through service, Dr. Ofosu-Ampofo has set an example of purposeful giving.

In Ghanaian society, memorial projects often symbolize continuity between generations.

This initiative not only preserves the memory of Mary Gyawubea Badu, but also strengthens the spiritual and social fabric of the community.

As congregants gather in the sanctuary and sermons are delivered from the newly unveiled pulpit, her legacy will continue to resonate a lasting testament to faith, devotion and the power of honoring one’s roots.

Easy Ways to Make Exercise a Habit

0

Exercise is good for your heart, bones and muscles, weight, and sleep. Staying fit can even help you live a longer, healthier life.

You’ll get more benefits from exercise if you make it a regular habit rather than a once-in-a-while burst of heavy activity. Even small amounts can do your body some good: Just 10 minutes of aerobic activity each day can lower your risk of heart disease.

If you haven’t exercised in a while, don’t try to do too much at once.  You risk muscle pain or damage, or even a stress fracture. That could prevent you from working out again. Instead, start slowly. Steadily build up how long or hard you work out over time.

How do you motivate yourself to turn exercise into another part of your normal routine? Here are a few tricks to make exercise a healthy habit:

Find Something Fun

Choose exercises you like that are comfortable for you. You’re more likely to carve time out of your day for a workout, activity, or class if you enjoy it. If music pumps you up, try a Zumba or water exercise class. If you like fresh air and trees, plan bicycle rides through the park. If you’re competitive, join a local golf or tennis league.

Tips: Pick exercises that you look forward to, not something you have to force yourself to do just because it’s good for you. Enjoyable activities are more likely to become habits:

  • Think about how and where you like to exercise: indoors or outdoors, alone or with a group, at a gym or at home.
  • You don’t have to do the latest fitness fad that you read about on social media if it isn’t right for you. If it suits you to just walk on a treadmill while you listen to a podcast, that’s great!
  • Do a variety of activities so you don’t get into a rut and quit altogether.

Make It Convenient

Exercise will become a habit when it fits into your normal schedule. If you tend to wake up early, plan to work out in the mornings before you shower. If you usually watch TV in the early evening, keep hand weights nearby so you can do some reps while you catch up on your favorite show.

Tips: Combine your workout with things that are already part of your daily life:

  • Take brisk walks with your dog.
  • Dance to pop music while you vacuum the house.
  • Climb a few flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator.
  • Have a little extra time? Walk to the market or mall instead of driving.

Put It on Your Calendar

Schedule workouts just as you do other appointments. If you plan to do a morning walk or water exercise class three times a week, put that time into your schedule and let people know you’re booked.

Tips: Set up regular exercise appointments in your calendar:

  • Find a workout buddy so you’re more likely to show up and exercise.
  • Create a recurring appointment in your mobile phone or computer so it’s always blocked off as time when you’re busy.
  • Set up reminders or alerts that pop up on your phone screen ahead of your workouts.

Set Realistic Goals

You can’t form habits overnight. It’s a journey. Set realistic goals for exercises and you’re more likely to keep it up and make it a habit.

Tips: Create rewards to help you stick to a long-term workout routine:

  • Plan to do five 10-minute walks each week.
  • Write down your plan and include a reward for when you meet your goal.
  • Once you hit that goal, reward yourself. Book a massage. Download a new audiobook. Plan a picnic in the park.

Stay Flexible

Sometimes, your schedule changes. You get a new job. You have an injury. You move to a new home that’s far from your old gym. This can throw off your workout routine. Don’t give up. You can get back on track. Create new exercise habits if your old ones don’t work for you anymore.

Tips: Adjust your workout habits to fit your new normal:

  • Find a gym, park, or walking path near your new home.
  • Sign up for an exercise class that fits into your new work schedule.
  • If you’re getting over an injury or illness, start to exercise again at your new pace or fitness level. Slowly build up your stamina and strength.

Credit: webmd

The Ghanaian Chronicle