Stanbic Bank hands over ICT centre to Ledzokuku Schools

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November 20, 2025

Humans do it, monkeys do it, even polar bears do it. And now researchers have reconstructed the evolutionary origins of kissing.

Their study suggests that the mouth-on-mouth kiss evolved more than 21 million years ago, and was something that the common ancestor of humans and other great apes probably indulged in.

The same research concluded that Neanderthals may have kissed too – and that humans and Neanderthals may even have smooched one another.

The scientists studied kissing because it presents something of an evolutionary puzzle – it has no obvious survival or reproductive benefits, and yet it is something that is seen not just in many human societies, but across the animal kingdom.

By finding evidence of other animals engaging in kissing, scientists were able to construct an “evolutionary family tree” to work out when it was most likely to have evolved.

To ensure that they were comparing the same behaviour across different species, the researchers had to give a very precise – rather unromantic – definition to a “kiss”.

In their study, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour, they defined kissing as non aggressive, directed oral-oral contact “with some movement of lips or mouthparts and no food transfer”.

“Humans, chimps, and bonobos all kiss,” explained lead researcher Dr Matilda Brindle, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Oxford. From that, she concluded, “it’s likely that their most recent common ancestor kissed.”

“We think kissing probably evolved around 21.5 million years ago in the large apes.”

In this study, scientists found behaviour that matched their scientific definition of kissing in wolves, prairie dogs, polar bears (very sloppy – lots of tongue), and even albatrosses.

They focused on primates – and apes in particular – in order to build an evolutionary picture of the origin of the human kiss.

Credit: bbc.com

Nicki Minaj urges action on attacks on christians in Nigeria

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November 20, 2025

Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj used a high-profile United Nations forum in New York to call attention to claims of mounting attacks on christians in Nigeria and to press for urgent international action.

Her appearance, which organisers say was arranged by Alex Bruesewitz, an adviser to US president Donald Trump, took place at a panel where US officials set out the administration’s concerns about religious violence in the West African country.

Minaj opened by saying she felt nervous and grateful for the chance to speak. She thanked US Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz and President Trump for prioritising the issue and framed the intervention as a moral duty rather than a partisan act.

She told the audience that protecting worshippers everywhere is about “uniting humanity” and said her fans, the Barbz, “will never stand down in the face of injustice.”

The speech mixed personal reflection with sharp language about churches burnt, families torn apart, and communities living in fear.

The event came after a flurry of comments from Washington that had already heightened tensions.

In recent weeks, President Trump publicly accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop attacks on Christians and ordered US agencies to prepare responses, remarks that included warnings of possible military action if the situation did not improve.

The comments prompted a swift and pointed response from Nigerian officials who rejected suggestions of state-backed persecution and stressed Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees for religious freedom.

The secret is God – Yemi Alade to young Artistes

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November 20, 2025

Nigerian superstar, Yemi Alade has shared the principle she believes has sustained her throughout her career, urging young artists to remain grounded and trust in a higher purpose.

The Afropop star said she would advise her younger self to stay spiritually anchored.

When asked about the one message she would give to the young woman she once was, Alade replied, “What I would tell her is that in everything that she does, she just must not let go of God. Just don’t let go of God.”

She added that the younger version of herself already possessed the qualities needed for success.

“She had everything already, everything that she needed. But as long as she doesn’t let go of God, she’s good,” she said.

Alade also spoke about resisting pressure to fit into industry expectations. She noted that many artists believe they must follow a prescribed formula to be globally recognized.

“Word on the street is that you have to have some kind of western collaboration. You have to be signed to the major leagues of record labels. You have to look a certain way. And sing a certain way,” she said.

She explained that relying on her own identity helped her stay focused. “African proud. No collaboration. Just this girl who decided to take a chance on herself and sing another song,” she said.

“I see myself in Shatta Wale” –Rex Omar

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November 20, 2025

Rex Omar, Presidential Staffer for Blackstar Experience

Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale has earned fresh praise from the Coordinator of Blackstar Experience, Rex Owusu Marfo.

Mr. Marfo, popularly known as Rex Omar, has described Shatta Wale as a genuine trailblazer of modern Ghanaian music.

Speaking on Prime Morning on Joy Prime television he highlighted the advocacy his ilk had embarked on in the past to cause the gradual positive change in the creative industry.

Asked which of the younger generation of musicians took after the act of advocacy, Rex said Shatta Wale reflects the energy and vision he once brought into the industry.

“I see myself in Shatta Wale,” he said. “He picked up what I started and took it to a different level. I’m proud that today, a Ghanaian musician, a Ghanaian creative, is finally receiving the attention we’ve been fighting for.”

He added that the recognition Shatta Wale and other creatives are now enjoying stems from years of advocacy which government is beginning to appreciate.

“I’m grateful that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and the Government of Ghana are understanding the advocacy and taking action,” he noted.

Rex Omar recalled being in South Africa when the 2026 national budget was announced and said he was pleased to hear that, for the first time, GH₵20 million had been allocated to the Film Fund, another GH₵20 million to the Creative Arts Fund, among other allocations.

“This is a step in the right direction,” he emphasised.

“We need to do more, but this seed funding can be leveraged to attract even greater investment into the industry,” he said.

In the meantime, the current government has promised to make the creative economy a key contributor to the Gross Domestic Product of Ghana.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

No Merry Go Round, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Education Minister

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November 20, 2025

In 2008, Kenya introduced Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) under President Mwai Kibaki. This policy is Ghana’s equivalent of the ‘embattled’ Free Senior High School, FSHS.

Critics and well-meaning Kenyans made constructive criticisms about the policy but were branded traitors by the regime which was bent on implementing same at all cost.

Yah, it came into full force fraught with a lot of challenges, including but not limited to congested classrooms, lack of textbooks, funding, to mention, but a few.

I need hardly state here that the Gen Zs or whatever they are called and or termed, are products thereof.

Fast forward, NPP in its campaign trail prior to the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, made Free Secondary education a key component of their manifesto amid an array of campaign promises.

Critics and well-meaning Ghanaians of this policy including the teaching fraternity, who were supposed to be the backbone of the policy, went on their knees, pleading that we go to Kenya to have first-hand information and insight therein and learn the pros and cons in their implementation to enable us fine tune ours to mitigate the challenges as faced by the Kenyans.

This was not only brushed aside by the NPP, but the critics were called names and equated to Nation’s wreckers – at least we know the actual Nation’s wreckers as of date. Recall the then Vice Presidential Candidate, Dr Bawumia, posing the question – WHOSE CHILD MUST STAY HOME? – Ɛne yɛn nnɛ!!

Currently on the educational front is the vexed question of whether or not, mother tongue must be used as the medium of instructions at the foundational level in schools.

Proponents argue that same will, sorry ooo, SHALL, strengthen understanding and retention among young learners, whatever that means.

Have heard critics of this policy including a man in cloak, ‘rubbishing’ the policy. It was a delight listening to him thereon, analytically analyzing the evolution of languages. He posed one interesting question – where is the Latin language in the scheme of languages presently?

Others have argued that the cosmopolitan nature of our society does not make the policy feasible and, again, that it shall invoke more problems than anticipated.

A school of thought is also of the conviction that, the education front is merged in a lot of challenges to merit discussing this topic at this hour.

Be as it may, fortunately for us, our next anglophone neighbour, Nigeria, who experimented with this mother -tongue policy for some three years has just announced the jettisoning thereof, citing very cogent reasons for same – In short, that it was a fallacy, yah, someone’s figment of imagination that the mother -tongue magic was a panacea.

I am not advocating that we copy blindly, the Nigeria concept, but believe it’s worthwhile interrogating the WHYS in the Nigerian situation and situating same in the Ghanaian context to assess its practicability. At least, we have the benefit of hindsight and must sieve through its merits and demerits to our advantage.

No merry go round this time round, for time won’t wait for us.

I am just waxing my way through the “idiosyncrasies” of teaching and learning, yah, an innocent by stander piercing through and piecing bits of history together to weigh in if l am making sense. Nothing More.

By Osei Kwabena, Esq., Elizabeth Street, Asante Effiduase

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

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Editorial: Government, Faith-Based Organisations’ Partnership To Complete Agenda 111 Hospitals Is Laudable

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THE CHRONICLE

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November 20, 2025

President Mahama announced that government is reviewing the unfinished Agenda 111 hospital projects and is considering a partnership with faith-based organisations (FBOs) that already run hospitals. An AESL-led assessment of all outstanding sites is under way and the government will complete facilities that are uncompleted, while inviting FBOs to take over and complete others that match their outreach and congregation locations. The President said full details will be shared after the review.

The President’s proposal to partner with faith-based organisations to complete selected Agenda 111 hospitals is a pragmatic and strategically sound move that deserves public backing. Agenda 111 was conceived with noble ambition to expand healthcare access across the country, but the reality on the ground is uneven progress.

Some hospitals are near completion while others remain little more than foundations. At a time of constrained public resources, refusing to reconsider how unfinished projects are brought to life would be irresponsible. The President’s plan recognises that ensuring functional hospitals reach communities sooner is more important than clinging to a single, costly mode of delivery.

Faith-based organisations are not outsiders to our health system, they are long-standing partners. Mission hospitals and religious health networks have for decades delivered reliable, compassionate care, especially in rural and underserved areas. They have operational experience, trained staff, community trust and often the discipline and local networks needed to make health facilities work.

Inviting FBOs to adopt and complete suitable Agenda 111 sites is, therefore, not an abdication of state responsibility but a clever use of existing national capacity. It transforms half-built promises into functioning hospitals more quickly than might be possible through stretched government budgets and overburdened project teams.

Crucially, the President’s emphasis on a thorough assessment before any handovers is the right approach. AESL’s mapping of every outstanding site will provide the data required for sound decisions, which facilities are near completion and should be finished by the state, and which are better matched to the reach and mission of faith-based managers.

This transparency and methodical matching reduce the risk of arbitrary transfers and ensure that each facility serves the public interest. Allowing FBOs to choose hospitals that align with their congregational footprint also increases the likelihood of successful long-term management and better integration into community health networks.

There are legitimate concerns to address chiefly around equity, affordability, and continuity of public health obligations. But these are solvable through clear, binding agreements that preserve the public character of essential services.

Any partnership must guarantee adherence to national clinical standards, integration with the national health insurance scheme, pricing safeguards for the poor, and oversight mechanisms that ensure accountability. If properly structured, a handover can retain a hospital’s public-access mandate while benefiting from the operational strengths of mission-run systems.

President Mahama’s simultaneous warning against corruption must not be taken lightly. Large infrastructure programmes have historically been vulnerable to mismanagement and the public’s mistrust will not be cured by rhetoric alone. The administration must make the assessment process and any resulting agreements publicly auditable. Demonstrable anti-corruption measures clear procurement audits, open disclosure of project statuses and independent oversight are essential to ensure the policy is implemented for the public good rather than private gain.

Ultimately, the point of Agenda 111 was never to score political points, it was to put hospitals where Ghanaians need them. If partnering with faith-based organisations delivers functioning, well-managed hospitals to communities faster and more efficiently, then it is a policy worth supporting.

The President’s reassessment shows a willingness to adapt strategy to reality, and that humility is the hallmark of responsible governance. What now matters is rigorous implementation: transparent assessments, binding safeguards for access and affordability and uncompromising oversight.

Done right, this partnership can turn stalled construction sites into lifesaving institutions and finally deliver on the promise of expanded healthcare for all.

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Naira records first appreciation against US dollar as foreign reserves hit $46.7bn

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November 20, 2025

The Naira recorded its first appreciation against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange on Tuesday this week.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the Naira strengthened on Tuesday to N1,447.43 per dollar, up from N1,448.03 exchanged on Monday.

This means that the Naira gained N0.6 against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.

The Naira recorded its first appreciation against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange on Tuesday this week.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the Naira strengthened on Tuesday to N1,447.43 per dollar, up from N1,448.03 exchanged on Monday.

This means that the Naira gained N0.6 against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.

Meanwhile at the black market, the Naira remained unchanged at N1,465 per dollar on Tuesday, the same rate exchanged on Monday.

Checks on Nigeria’s foreign reserves showed that it has risen to $43.97 billion as of November 17th, 2025, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s data.

Meanwhile, the apex bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso, in an event on Tuesday, said the country’s foreign reserves rose to a seven-year high of $46.7 billion as of November 14.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Police cordon off PDP National Secretariat amid leadership crisis

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November 20, 2025

The police have cordoned off the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the clash between two factions of the party on Tuesday.

Our correspondent, who visited the PDP headquarters at Wadata Plaza in Abuja on Wednesday, observed that barbed wire was used to create a barrier to prevent anyone from gaining access to the premises.

None of the leaders of the two warring groups was sighted at the secretariat, as only a handful of policemen were on the ground.

However, a chieftain of the faction led by Kabiru Turaki opposed the decision of the police to barricade the premises.

He vowed that the Turaki-led group would “come to their office as no one can stop them”.

The crisis in the party took a twist on Tuesday when rival groups clashed at the PDP secretariat.

Security operatives were stationed at the secretariat with Samuel Anyanwu and others loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, insisting they would not vacate the place.

Chaos broke out when Turaki; Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, and other members of the newly elected PDP executives arrived at the premises.

The police fired teargas as Anyanwu’s supporters tried to block the group from entering the secretariat.

“If we had not exercised restraint, if we had not controlled our members and our leaders, there would have been bloodshed here,” Turaki had said.

Credit: channelstv.com

Vice President Shettima arrives in Kebbi over schoolgirls abduction

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November 20, 2025