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Two suspected case of Breast Cancer detected at GGF screening exercise

By
KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Women seated at the GGL breast cancer awareness programme
A demonstration of self breast examination

Two suspected cases of Breast Cancer have been detected at Hunni-Valley in the Prestea Hunni-Valley Municipality after a screening exercise.

The two suspected cases have been referred to the Tarkwa Municipal Hospital for further tests.

The breast screening exercise, organised by Aboso Gold Field Limited (AGL) and sponsored by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GGF), formed part of the 2022 Breast Cancer Awareness programme, which brought over one hundred women drawn from the mine’s host communities in Damang and Hunni-Valley.

The women were offered free consultation on the disease and screened for cancerous lumps.

Addressing the gathering, the Municipal Director of the Ghana Health Service, Kwame Sampson, said over 16,000 cases of breast cancer were being reported in the country every year.

As a result, he appealed to women to avail themselves for the screening exercise, because early detection of the disease was important to fighting it.

He said though Ghana stands with the rest of the world to fight breast cancer early detection was significant in fighting it. So it was important for women to do away with shyness and rather avail their breasts for screening.

He asked: “How will you feel to lose your breast?” He advocated on the need for women to avail themselves for the exercise to screen their breasts.

He said if a woman loses her breast, she falls short of being called a complete woman and the emotional and psychological effects of losing a breast alone could even kill.

The screening exercise, which also brought together female students from Hunni-Valley Senior High School, had in attendance the Women in Mining group and traditional authorities.

Queenmothers such as Nana Ama Saraah I, Subri Hema, Nana Ekua Asamoah, Twenda, amongst others were present to grace the exercise.

The Acting General Manager of AGL, Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, said while breast cancer rates were higher among women in the more developed regions, it was increasing in every region worldwide.

These statistics, she said, threatened the survival of women and formed the basis for the launch of intensive public education on the subject.

She further said in that direction, it was important for every woman to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and understand the significance of early detection for treatment.

The mining company launched the awareness creation with its Women in Mining (WIM) group. A reason GGF and Damang wings of the WIM volunteered to support the awareness creation and share ideas with the host community’s stakeholders, in particular women, about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer in order to improve early detection and treatment.

Continue, Acting General Manager Kuupol said even though the disease seemed frightening, early discovery was crucial for its treatment and the survival of those affected.

How to do self-examination of the breast was demonstrated to the women who had gathered for the screening exercise.

Ghana deports 16 Nigerians over cyber crime

By
RICHARD OWUSU-AKYAW
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The Sixteen Nigerian deportees

Sixteen Nigerians who came into Ghana to seek for greener pastures have been deported to Nigeria for allegedly engaging in cyber crimes, the Nigerian Vanguard has reported.

The 16 deportees are males, with ages ranging from 19 years to 24 years.

These deportees, according to Nigerian authorities, are young Nigerians who claimed that they were deceived or intentionally went out of the country in search of greener pastures.

One of the deportees, Richard Paska, a 24-year-old graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University said that he was lured to Ghana by the promise of a good job.

“My father had to look for money to let me go in February 2021, so that I could start a job. The job was a networking business, but when I arrived in Ghana, the story changed,” The Nigerian news media stated on their website.

“I was managing myself with some Nigerians when some of the personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service arrested us and brought us back to Nigeria.”

It added, “I had intended to come back but I did not have the transport fare. I really regret going to Ghana,” he said.

According to the West Africa nation tabloid, the Seme Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Dr Chukwu Emeka, the Controller of the Command, disclosed this during a news conference in Seme, Lagos State, that the deportees are young Nigerians who claim that they were deceived or intentionally went out of the country in search of greener pastures.

On means within which these economic immigrants were rounded up by Ghanaians authorities, it mentioned that Ghana’s Financial and Intelligence Agency, which accused them of cyber crime, but from their preliminary investigation, we discovered that some of them were lured into these criminal activities due to the get-rich syndrome our youths are developing.

“Some of them are victims in the sense that they were deceived that they can make money if they leave Nigeria. Unfortunately, they don’t get the actual thing they bargained for in Ghana,” The newspaper said.

“Further investigation also showed that most of them left the country through illegal routes or through the sea to other West African countries.”

It reported that they also discovered that most of these Nigerians travelled to Ghana without genuine travel documents, so when they got to Ghana they became prey to the authorities.

The Comptroller General of NIS, Mr Idris Jere, has always advised Nigerians to get genuine travellers’ documents before leaving the country, adding that it was painful to see young Nigerians getting involved in some unholy activities when they were supposed to be building their talents for their future.

Emeka, therefore, urged Nigerians to always travel with valid documents and that they should live and do their businesses according to the laws of the land they travel to.

He added that the Comptroller General of NIS, Mr Idris Jere, advised Nigerians to get genuine travel documents before leaving the country.”

On the movement of people within the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) the Seme Immigration Comptroller stated that Nigerians are part of the ECOWAS treaty of free movement and goods within the sub-region.

Dr. Emeka, however, advised that the condition is that Nigerians must enter those countries through a legitimate route and with the right travel documents.

Emeka said these are victims in the sense that they were deceived that they can make money if they leave Nigeria. Unfortunately, they don’t get the actual thing they bargained for in Ghana.”

It added that further investigation also showed that most of them left the country through illegal routes or by sea to other West African countries.

“We also discovered that most of them travelled without genuine travel documents, so when they got to Ghana they fall prey to the authorities.”

Emeka disclosed that the Government of Ghana had contacted the Seme Command of NIS that they would be repatriating more Nigerians soon.

PPA personnel schooled on new electronic platform

By
SAMUEL AGBEWODE
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PPA personnel in a group picture

The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has ended a five-day training workshop for 18 Municipal and District Procurement Officers (MDPOs) in the Volta Region at Ho. It was meant to improve efficiency and transparency in procurement through the Ghana Electronic System (GHNEPS).

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCO), Mr. Kwame Prempeh, explained that the training was to enable them roll out the system (GHNEPS) onto the 700 public institutions in the country.

Mr. Prempeh stated that the electronic procurement system had many advantages, including cost effectiveness, transparency and accountability, and also saved time for transacting business.  This, he argued, would go a long way to promote productivity at the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

He said under the new electronic procurement system, there was no need for the supplier to visit the premises of government institutions to engage in business, but could do so electronically. Adding that evaluation would also be done electronically, saying the situation where personnel absenteeism affected productivity had been removed.

Mr. Prempeh said the new system was cost-effective, because meetings would no longer be held to solicit the payment for allowances, saying the tender documents used in the past would still hold, but this time through the electronic system.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa, said the training programme, which was being done on monthly basis, was aimed at transforming the public sector services to paperless, and this included the PPA, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Scholarship Secretariat and the Passport Office.

He said the implementation of the e-procurement system was a means to reduce the incidence of corruption in the procurement process to the barest minimum, if not to eradicate it completely by reducing human interface.

The Regional Minister advised the beneficiaries of the electronic procurement training programme to effectively put the new skills acquired to improve upon quality of service delivery at their various workplaces.

Participants at the programme, lauded the new procurement system, but were quick to remind the Authority to, as matter of importance, provide internet services at the various MDAs, since the new electronic system would largely depend on internet services to function.

The participants also appealed to the Authorities to provide the relevant equipment to the personnel at the various municipalities and districts, such as computers, which would enable them to put their newly-acquired skills to effective use, saying the new would not be effective without the provision of computers and internet services.

KsTU signs MoU with Ghana National Association of Garages; to build capacity of members

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Prof Gabriel Dwomoh Pro Vice- Chancellor of KsTU, Watergates CEO Andoh exchange documents
KsTU Pro VC hands over the agreement to Ing. Prof Robert Dery Nagre

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) and the Ghana National Association of Garages (GNAG) has been signed in Kumasi.

The collaboration between the two institutions is aimed at training members of the Association and also to support their capacities.

Ing.  Prof Robert Dery Nagre from KsTU noted that the Engineering Faculty of the University was privileged to be resourced to train its graduates in collaborate with the GNAG and make their engineers the best aboard and locally.

According to him, the Engineering faculty of KsTU would develop the people and certify them to demonstrate their capabilities and encourage the youth to go on internship to improve their work and orientations.

Mr. Solomon K. Andoh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Watergates Ghana Limited, who led the GNAG delegation for the signing of the MoU, gave an assurance of his outfit’s readiness to collaborate with the KsTU to achieve results for the individual members of the Association.

He expressed satisfaction with the available digital infrastructure and advised that the parties implement the MoU to the letter, since practical training needed the academia.

Prof Gabriel Dwomoh, Pro Vice-Chancellor of KsTU, stressed the need for the collaboration so that the signatories could manufacturer spare parts locally to salvage the fall of the local currency. He hoped the collaboration could enhance the automobile industry, ranked 5th, which is one of the biggest industries in Ghana, and the most attractive automobile market in the sub-Saharan Africa.

He disclosed that in 2021, the market value of the industry was established at US$4.6 billion, and this was expected to grow to$10.64 billion.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor said the importation of automobile parts had increased over the years, thereby putting pressure on the Ghana cedi, while the market value of automobile parts imported per year was estimated to be more than $500 million.

As a result, Prof Gabriel Dwomoh stressed that it was time the automobile industry collaborated with academia to pull expertise together to manufacturer some parts that could be used for the about 100,000 estimated vehicles that were imported annually.

He saw the collaboration as a win-win situation that would help both parties, and advised that the MoU be implemented without delay.

EPA to punish scheduled officers in MMDAs over issuance of wrong permits 

By
AGNES ANSAH
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Mr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, Executive Director, EPA addressing the participants

The Executive Director of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu has hinted of taking on state institutions who issue permit for people to build on waterways and buffer zones among others.

Some staff of the MMDAs

According to Dr Kokofu, the practice of taking on individuals alone is over. He said state institutions and schedule officers in Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) who append their signatures to such permits will also be dealt with accordingly.

“…Suppose NPA allows and licenses the siting of filling stations at the wrong place, it is the institution and the schedule officer who will be punished,” Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu indicated.

He was speaking at a stakeholder engagement with MMDAs in Accra. The purpose of the meeting was for the MMDAs to remind themselves of the statutory roles they play in the protection and preservation of the environment.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Kokofu noted that a lot of discussions have been held about land use in the country, but nothing seems to be working.

According to him, it is important to get things done in the right way because when planning of land use goes wrong, other things also go wrong. He observed that currently, heavy industries are sited in residential areas, waterways and buffer zones, a development he described as unhealthy and must be stopped.

The Executive Director of EPA also noted that in most of the cases where such incidences happen, the people who suffer are the individuals who put up the buildings.

He said these people get their buildings demolished and pay huge fines whilst the state institutions and officers who issued the permit are let off the hook.

“For instance, if Madam Esi receives a permit from Spatial Land Use and for that matter a District assembly to build her residential facility within a water course, which obviously is an infringement on proper environmental practices, Madam Esi will have to be accosted and stand the risk of demolition of the property.

“So she suffers alone, whilst the district or the assembly or the schedule officer who issued the building permit goes scot free. Now the net is being widened. The affected district and the scheduled officer are to be severely held liable. This is the way it is going to go,” he said.

He said the sector Minister, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, is in support of the idea because he even proposed it and that, the EPA would ensure the idea is enforced to the letter.

“Dr Kwaku Afriyie is of the view that it’s about time that we take state institutions on, other than continuously dwelling on individuals. State institutions that look on for other individuals to engage in environmental offences should be taken on and I think that he is perfectly right.

“As an Agency, we will not hesitate to apply the relevant laws against any MMDA whose actions and inactions result in damages to the environment and human health,” Mr Kokofu said. He sent a warning to schedule officers to beware of the sort of licences they append their signatures to.

Aside going by this method, MrKokofu also said the MMDAs should make a conscious effort to develop and implement land use plans.

He also charged them to be lead investigators and complaints of environmental pollution.

CJ charges youth to support development of mother Ghana

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Justice of the SC and invited guests in photograph with Kayayee

Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has urged the youth to be responsible and work effortlessly to push the developmental agenda of the country to the zenith.

A group photograph of Morning Star students, and justice of the Supreme Court

According to the Chief Justice, the youth hold the key to Ghana’s future and the future could only be bright if they sit up and contribute their quota to development.

His contestation was that, “it is impossible to overstate the need to devote oneself to the service of our country. Often, it is thought that service to our motherland can only be delivered from some particular positions.

“The truth, however, is far from this. A nation’s greatness is collected as a sum of the individual efforts of its citizens, wherever and however they may apply themselves.

“A nation cannot be great if only its public servants are great. A nation is not truly great until all of its citizens are bound by a sense of duty to the collective good.

“So what I want to say to you young people here and the millions out there who cannot be here today is that your efforts are what will make this country, like those ones beyond the seas that I am sure you admire.”

His Lordship made the call at the annual youth mentorship programme held in Accra last week, under the theme: “I Pledge Myself to the Service of Ghana.”

Chief Justice Anin-Yeboah challenged the youth to be innovative and channel their ideas into projects that would put Ghana to come at a level with its peers in development.

A photograph of Achimota Preparatory School students with the Chief Justice, other justices of SC and invited guests

He informed his target audience who were mainly students and pupils from selected schools in the Greater Accra region that the mentorship programme was designed to inspire them on how to serve Ghana with a career in law or other fields of endeavour.

His Lordship believes that mentorship is a guide for the youth to make certain critical decisions now and later in life.

He expects that whatever career decision the students will make should be based not only on competence at their tasks but integrity, patriotism and belief in themselves and the love for the nation, as “those are the values that will differentiate you from others and set you and our nation on the path to greatness.”

The chairperson of the Minerals Commission Board of Directors, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, on behalf of First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, urged the youth to be diligent, and courageous and not to be dismayed by circumstances surrounding them since there is a whole future ahead of them.

She added that in order for Ghana to progress or survive the currents, impeding development, the citizens need to do their best, since: “As leaders of tomorrow, Ghana’s fate in this uncertain world rests squarely upon your shoulders along with the millions of your colleagues sitting in classrooms around the country.

“Do not be discouraged by these challenges (Ghana’s challenges), instead, envision a future in which you take on and defeat these challenges.

“Be excited about the future when you will have the opportunity to manage this country even better than any of us who have come before you.”

Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mr BarnabaYisa said the Fund is positive about its association with the “Chief Justice Mentoring Programme.”

Mr Yisa said for the past five years that the UNFPA joined the programme, he can testify how young people had been empowered to become drivers of change, particularly poor and vulnerable people, who otherwise would be out of school.

Facilitators

The students and pupils were inspired by Justice Eric KyeiBaffour and Justice Georgina Mensah Datsa, both Justices of the Court of Appeal, Ms Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Yaw Oppong, Director of the Ghana School of Law and Yaw Acheampong Boafo, President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) took turns to address the participating students.

Participating Schools

The participating schools included; Adjen Kotoku Senior High School, Kwabenya Senior High School, Frafraha Senior High School, Amasaman Senior High School and Al-Basar Senior High School.

The others were; Morning Star School, EP Church Junior High School, Achimota Junior High School, Martyrs of Uganda Junior High School and the School for the Blind, Akropong.

Other participants were the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Orange girls.

The Mentorship Programme

The Chief Justice Mentoring Programme was initiated by former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood in 2007 to help students make life-long decisions, especially in law or in other intellectual fields of endeavour.

Through the mentorship programme, the likes of Najat Abrahim and Sallah Abudu (Kayayee or head porters) have gone back to school and are respectively pursuing careers in building technology at the Accra Technical University and a degree in nursing at the University of Ghana.

51, 591 candidates writing BECE in Ahafo & Bono regions

By
FRANCIS OWUSU-ANSAH
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Candidates writing one of the papers

A total of 51, 591 candidates, made up of 26,143 males and 25,448 females from both public and private Junior High Schools have commenced writing this year’s 5-day Basic Education Certificate Examination, (BECE) in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions.

The examination, which started on Monday, October 17, 2022 would end on Friday.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has indicated that a total of 552,276 candidates from 18,501 schools will be sitting for the examinations. This is 3.48 per cent less than the 2021 entry figure of 572,167.

The number comprises 276,988 males and 275,288 females. For this year, both public and private school candidates are sitting for examinations at the same time. The examinations will take place at 2,038 centres across the country.

The candidates will be examined in a maximum of nine subjects and the examinations will enable them to gain admission into the government’s flagship policy, the Free Senior High School.

The Public Relations Officer for the Ghana Education Service (GES) for the Bono region, Mr. Luke Mensah, told The Chronicle that 1,720 invigilators – 191 supervisors have been deployed for the examinations at 191 centres in the Ahafo and Bono regions. He added that there are 20 depots holding the examination papers.

BONO REGION

According to the PRO, a total of 22,208 candidates made of 11,085 males and 11,123 females registered for the examination in the Bono region. The candidates would write their papers at 80 centres in the region.

The Banda district has the least number of candidates, 513 while the Sunyani municipality has the highest number of candidates – 4,407.

The Banda district also recorded the least female (250) and male (263) candidates with the Sunyani municipality recording the highest female (2,216) and highest male (2,191) candidates.

At the time of filing this report, it was not known whether there are any pregnant candidates in this year’s BECE in the three regions.

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) is urging supervisors and invigilators of this year’s examination to comply with all the rules of invigilation.

The General Secretary of the Association, Thomas Musah, said “we all know the implication of the rules of engagement. Nobody will go and supervise and say he or she doesn’t know the rules of engagement.”

“So to the extent that you have been invited to assist in the conduct of the exam requires each one who is having that opportunity to live up to expectations,” Mr.Musah said.

GOOD WILL MESSAGES

The Member of Parliament for Wenchi Constituency, Alhaji Seidu Haruna is encouraging this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to focus on the examination with all seriousness.

He urged the candidates to remain calm and revise their study notes between now and during the exams. The MP disclosed this in his goodwill message to the BECE candidates.

“Go and make Wenchi proud, go and make your teachers proud, go and make your parents proud, go and make yourselves proud and success will surely crown your efforts,” he assured them and added that, “Your future begins today so take your studies serious and work hard to pass the exams.”

He cautioned the candidates to eschew all forms of examination malpractices before, during and after the exams and further called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to take all the necessary security measures to ensure leakage free of examination papers to avoid unnecessary cancellation of papers.

The Executive Secretary for Key Media Solutions, Madam Stella Dabia Asare, has sent a good will message to candidates sitting for this year’s (2021) Basic Education Certificate Examination.

The message, copied to The Chronicle in Sunyani, read in part: “I write to convey my heartfelt best wishes from Key Media Solutions to all our beloved sons, daughters, brothers and sisters who will be sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

“As you commence your examination today to mark another milestone in your lives, I believe in your ability to put in your best, and excel”, the message said

“You are capable and I hope you know that the best way to do well in your examination is to believe in yourself and never give room for doubt. Let the amount of preparation you have put in manifest as you take each paper. Compose yourselves, present what is required of you and ace the examination to make yourselves and the rest of us proud”, the message added. Madam DabiaAsare commended staff of the GES for preparing the candidates for the examinations

“I would like to express my gratitude to the District Director of Education and staff of the GES, head teachers, subject teachers and all stakeholders who played various roles in making sure that our candidates were prepared well to write this examination”, Madam DabiaAsare said.

Father of Black Sherif’s late lover upset with Artiste

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Mr Adu Bofour, Clementina and Black Sherif

In ‘Oh Paraside,’ one of the songs on his album, Black Sherif detailed how he lost his lover, whose name was given as Clementina.

The father of the late lover of Blacko has called out the Rapper to formally present himself to the family or put a stop to profiteering from the child’s name.

Mr. Clement Kofi AduBofour, the father of late Clementina finds it repugnant that Black Sherif is profiting from his late daughter’s name. He insists that he never met Black Sherif and that the family does not recognise him as the lover of their daughter.

Mr. Clement Kofi AduBofour claims he’s not after money but he is upset because Black Sherif is destroying his daughter’s character in public.

“He is tarnishing my daughter’s name because she was not your lover, but you are claiming she was your girlfriend. The girl was still in school and underage. How did she become your lover?”

Mr. Bofour disclosed that he intends to hold Black Sherif accountable for his daughter’s death if he does not come and perform the needed introduction to the family.

According to him neither Black Sherif nor his family members came to pay their respects to the grieving family, hence he describes it as disrespectful for Black Sherif to announce to the world that Clementina was his girlfriend when he’s not been introduced to the family.

Black Sherif has in several interviews revealed that his song, Oh Paradise, was inspired by the late Clementina, his girlfriend, who died whilst they were still in school.

Nicki Minaj hints trip to Ghana

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Nicki Minaj

American Rapper Nicki Minaj has announced that she may be travelling to Ghana soon.

The ‘Super Bass’ hitmaker, in an Instagram live, said that she is ready to explore the country. She added that Ghana is one of the African countries she has made plans to visit.

Nicki Minaj said that she would be having a “business type of situation” during her visit but she did not specify when she would make the rip.

The songstress also revealed that she would be working with a Ghanaian artiste.

“I would love to come to Ghana, I actually may be doing something major, a business type of situation with an artiste from Ghana really soon,” she said.

Nicki Minaj is not the only American artiste who has shown interest in coming to Ghana.

Meanwhile, Meek Mill is also finally making his way to Ghana after years of expressing interest.

The rapper is set to perform at the 2022 AfroNation concert to be held in December 2022.

This comes barely a month after Meek Mill told fans on social media that he would like to perform in Africa before the year ends. At the time, he did not specify which part of the continent he would like to visit.

Reggie Rockstone reveals why he’s never signed any artiste

By
NANA KWESI COOMSON
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Reggie Rockstone

Originator of Hiplife, Reggie Rockstone, has revealed why he has never signed and nurtured any artiste before.

In an interview on Class FM which was monitored by The Chronicle, he said he believes in sharing wisdom more than housing any artiste under his wings.

“I am all about sharing my wisdom. In fact, one of the reasons I don’t really sign artists is because I believe in guiding them on life skills. Some people have talent but a bad character.

Some people have serious talent but they are fond of fighting. When you call for a meeting, they won’t come. Some people are even thieves. You work with them alright but if you are not vigilant, they will steal from you,” he warned.

Reggie stressed that talent alone is not alone to attract an upcoming artist to his camp. “It’s not only talent that makes you,” he clarified.

On what would probably change his posture, he said: “I like to walk with people for a while to study them because it’s my money I’m going to invest in you.”

Indiscriminate termination of contracts by signees is another thing grandpapa mentioned that keeps him from signing artists.

“Some people are not loyal and so the moment they meet someone who has more money, they abandon you for them,” he bemoaned.

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