Galamsey is destroying our cocoa industry –Kokofu

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September 29, 2025

Billionaire Elon Musk and Prince Andrew are named in new files released by Congressional Democrats that relate to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The files turned over to the House Oversight Committee by the Jeffrey Epstein Estate appear to show that Musk had been invited to the financier’s island in December 2014.

Separately, a manifest for a flight from New Jersey to Florida in May 2000 names the Duke of York among the passengers.

Musk and Prince Andrew have been approached for comment.

Prince Andrew has previously strenuously denied any wrongdoing. Musk has previously been quoted as saying that Epstein had invited him to the island but he had declined.

The partial records are from the third batch of documents produced by Epstein’s estate. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee say they include phone message logs, copies of flight logs and manifests for aircraft, copies of financial ledgers and Epstein’s daily schedule.

In addition to Musk and Prince Andrew, the files released publicly also contain the names of other prominent figures including internet entrepreneur Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon, a former adviser to US President Donald Trump.

One line in the records dated 6 December 2014 reads: “Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?)”

A flight manifest records that Prince Andrew was on a flight with Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell from Teterboro, New Jersey, to West Palm Beach, Florida, on 12 May 2000. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of conspiring with Epstein to traffic girls for sex.

One heavily redacted ledger records two references of payments for massages for an “Andrew” in February and May 2000.

While Palace records, photographs and press reports from the time indicate Prince Andrew had travelled to the US around the time of the dates recorded in the newly released document, it is not clear who the “Andrew” referred to in the ledger is.

On 11 May 2000, Buckingham Palace said on its website that Prince Andrew had flown to New York to attend a reception there for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Andrew returned to the UK on 15 May, a later entry said.

There is also an entry in the files referring to a planned lunch with Peter Thiel in November 2017.

Credit: citinewsroom.com

Michael Jackson’s sexual assault accusers demand staggering $400 Million in compensation

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September 29, 2025

Michael Jackson’s sexual assault accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, are seeking a staggering $400 million in damages from the late King of Pop’s estate over the alleged abuse.

The nine-figure demand was revealed in court documents filed on September 15. The filings were part of a legal dispute involving Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson, who has opposed the estate covering all of the mounting legal fees related to the case.

According to the documents obtained by Us Weekly, Jackson’s executors—John Branca and John McClain argued that not paying the legal fees would have “profoundly destabilizing consequences for the estate.”

The executors stated that if the estate cannot pay the fees, they would likely be unable to continue defending against Robson’s and Safechuck’s lawsuits.

The specific amount Robson and Safechuck were seeking from Jackson’s companies, MJJ Productions Inc. and MJJ Ventures Inc., was previously undisclosed until these court filings.

Robson, 43, first filed his lawsuit in 2013, alleging he was molested and raped by the music icon between the ages of 7 and 14. Safechuck, 47, sued the following year, claiming Jackson groomed him for sex after they appeared together in a Pepsi advertisement when Safechuck was 10.

Both men detailed their sexual abuse allegations in the 2019 HBO documentary, Leaving Neverland. Michael Jackson’s estate has repeatedly denied all sexual assault allegations. A spokesperson for the estate reiterated, “The lawsuit has no merit and Michael is innocent.”

The estate previously sued HBO for violating a non-disparagement clause by airing the documentary. That case was eventually settled in 2024, and HBO agreed to permanently remove the film from its platform.

Source: Us Weekly

‘I’m proud of my divorce’ —Nollywood actor

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September 29, 2025

Famous Nigerian actor, Bolanle Ninalowo, has stated that he’s proud of his separation and divorce from his wife, Bunmi.

DAILY POST recalls that the actor announced split from his wife in September 2023.

The couple had first separated in 2019 over alleged infidelity, and later reconciled in 2021.

A popular influencer and blogger, Yeye_kudi_courtroom had shared an apology post credited to the actor on her Instagram page.

The post alleged that Ninalowo confessed to past mistakes which includes infidelity and neglect in his marriage.

Dismissing the claim in the comment section, Ninalowo described the post as “nonsense” and launched a personal attack on the blogger.

While boasting about his decision to divorce his ex-wife, the actor noted that he’s “proudly bold of it”.

“You must be a mad human to post this nonsense! Very unintelligent and uneducated woman. Get the fuck off my case and focus on your cartoon existence. I have been separated and divorced since September 2023 & proudly bold of it”.

The couple got married in 2007 and share two children, Aaliyah and Morakinyo together.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Selena Gomez marries music producer Benny Blanco

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September 29, 2025

US pop star and actress Selena Gomez has married music producer Benny Blanco in a ceremony in California.

Gomez posted pictures to Instagram of her wearing a white halter-neck wedding gown and Blanco in a dark tuxedo, alongside the caption “9.27.25” bookended by love hearts.

The couple exchanged vows in Santa Barbara on Saturday in front of around 170 guests, including singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, actor Paul Rudd, and Gomez’ Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short, according to fashion magazine Vogue.

“My wife in real life,” Blanco commented on his bride’s post.

Gomez, 33, and Blanco, 37, became engaged in December 2024 after a year of dating, having previously collaborated on several music projects together.

The couple released the album I Said I Love You First in March, which explores their own love story.

They previously released the hits Same Old Love and Kill Em with Kindness in 2015, and the 2019 track I Can’t Get Enough featuring Tainy and J Balvin.

Gomez starred in the Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place before beginning her music career in the 2000s. She recently starred in the film Emilia Perez as Jessica Del Monte.

Blanco released his only solo studio album Friends Keep Secrets in 2018, and has produced records for the likes of Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Kesha.

Credit: bbc.com

Feature: Want To Stop Galamsey? Give Landowners Ownership Of Their Lands!

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September 29, 2025

Illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—continues to thrive in Ghana because political elites are deeply entangled in the capture of mineral resources. The public outrage is not merely about environmental degradation; it is about the partisan seizure of Ghana’s gold fields. How else can a small group of morally bankrupt actors jeopardize the lives of millions—rich and poor alike—without facing legal consequences?

After years of condemning galamsey while in opposition, now President Mahama has dangerously institutionalized it by establishing a GOLDBOD that purchases gold from illicit sources. This move not only legitimizes illegal mining but also rewrites the rules to benefit partisan interests. It is a textbook case of political projection—accusing opponents of the very tactics one has mastered.

Galamsey operations underway along the Kumasi-Accra Highway under the watch of the Konongo assembly

But galamsey is not just a political scandal; it is a symptom of a deeper structural injustice. Before colonial rule, Ghanaian customary law did not separate land rights from mineral rights. Communities understood minerals as part of their natural inheritance. Colonial authorities dismantled this framework, appropriating mineral wealth through force and legal manipulation. Today, that legacy persists—not through foreign guns, but through domestic complicity.

The persistence of galamsey reflects the failure of our political class—dishonest, self-serving, and indifferent to the public good. Academics and legal professionals, too, have become beneficiaries of colonial-era laws that strip communities of their rightful claims. The inability to end illegal mining is not a technical problem; it is a deliberate abuse of power. What we witness is not policy failure, but elite capture—where rhetoric masks the ruling class’s intent to monopolize wealth at the expense of Ghanaian landowners.

The ease with which illegal mining is organized and executed reveals a profound lack of political will, a breakdown in law enforcement, and a compromised judiciary. A nation that cannot summon the moral courage to prosecute those who destroy its forests and poison its rivers is a nation in peril.

Our politicians, while in opposition, often present their own selfish desires as the national interest. When they get into power, no one stops the corrupt political thug with a party card. No one holds them to account. The police shrug, because most often it is better to look the other way for a cut from illegal, unearned income than to make a noise. An out-of-court justice prevails, delivering only one sentence: get rich quick. All this against an extremely high but chilling backdrop – corruption.

A strong democracy and a strong economy are based on the foundation of the rule of law, property rights of the individual, and a quick execution of justice by the courts – no ifs and buts, no exception, and definitely no party cards.

Imposing law and order means harshness. It requires that corrupt and actual financiers be treated with the swift, sudden, and relentless force that today only people who are cursed at fetish shrines receive. We know that law enforcement agents know how to crack the whip. It is just that the crackdown is normally reserved for petty criminals and political enemies.

This country and society must learn how to say “No”. No to illegal appropriation of private lands. No to the ongoing colonial land policies. No to political chaos. It’s not difficult. Those financiers and politicians who support illegal mining should be in jail, not in government, because the shrewd argument that the government represents “we,” “us,” “our” masks the actions of the political caste, its enforcers, and its net beneficiaries, not the individual.

Moreover, this language often subtly justifies the actions of the state, whether in the past, present, or future. The claim that natural resources belong to the state, which should distribute wealth fairly, is dishonest. It’s a tactic used by our leaders to funnel the people’s wealth to the political elite and their allies, while the true landowners endure poverty.

For the sake of our health and political stability, the Mahama administration must now be held accountable to ensure that wealth benefits the people, not just political elites and cronies. We will inevitably have to make that choice. The poor, who are crying out against galamsey, can only be pushed so far before they either push back themselves or rally behind someone who will be ruthless. There will definitely be a backlash.

The question is what kind of backlash might occur. To prevent illegal miners who have guns from enforcing control, there needs to be a deliberate and conscious enforcement of the law where Ghanaian society says, “Enough is enough.”

The current justice system and structures can and should be used to re-interpret the legal definition of land and punish stealing gold and destroying the environment without political interference. Above all, instead of state ownership, mineral rights should be shared between the government, individuals, and local populations through direct sharing of royalties.

If this does not happen, a small case of looting could easily spiral out of control into chaos. That is when our society might start falling apart.

By Kwadwo Afari

Editorial: Ministry Of Food And Agriculture Must Come To The Aid Of Maize Farmers

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THE CHRONICLE

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September 29, 2025

A recent JoyNews documentary has exposed a disturbing reality, Ghanaian farmers in Ejura, particularly maize growers, are struggling to sell their produce. Traders who usually buy during the lean season to resell later, are now refusing to patronise their goods, citing “bad market.”

The result is heartbreaking. Farmers who once found pride in feeding the nation are now discouraged, some openly admitting they may not plant in the coming season. This is not only a personal tragedy for them, it is a looming national crisis.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and its leadership cannot ignore this. At the heart of the problem is the absence of a structured system that guarantees farmers a market for their produce. Farmers are left at the mercy of traders and middlemen who exploit them by offering paltry prices. Worse still the ordinary Ghanaian consumer who should support local farmers often turns to imported goods, leaving our own produce to rot in silos or by the roadside.

It is time for the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, to step in and help these farmers. We demand bold, practical intervention just as has been done with cocoa. Cocoa farmers have a reliable system where the government, through COCOBOD, purchase their crops and connect them to international markets. This guarantees income, encourages production and secures Ghana’s place as a global cocoa giant. Why can’t the same model or at least a modified version be applied to maize farmers?

Maize is not a marginal crop. It is the lifeblood of households, the foundation of poultry and livestock feed, a staple for breweries and the raw material for many industries. If maize farmers collapse under the weight of poor sales, the ripple effects will be catastrophic shortages, soaring prices, food insecurity and the collapse of value chains that depend on it.

This is why the Minister himself must step forward. Not with excuses, not with promises of “future plans” but with urgent policy and direct intervention. The Ministry should establish a mechanism where government agencies, food reserve institutions and agro-industries are compelled or incentivised to purchase maize directly from farmers at fair prices.

Additionally, a deliberate strategy to link farmers to foreign buyers, just as we do for cocoa, must be rolled out immediately. This is how to prevent the current crisis from deepening.

At stake is more than the livelihood of farmers. A strong maize sector, properly harnessed, can earn the country much-needed foreign exchange. At a time when Ghana is desperately searching for avenues to strengthen its currency and revive its economy, ignoring maize farmers is both short-sighted and reckless. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has no excuse for inaction.

But this is not the government’s burden alone. As citizens, we must learn to value our own. Patronizing Ghanaian maize and other local produce is an act of patriotism and self-preservation. Choosing imported alternatives while our farmers suffer only fuels dependency and weakens the national economy.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Minister must rise to the challenge, just as was done with cocoa. Ghana cannot afford to let its maize farmers wither in despair. Their survival is our survival. Their prosperity is our collective prosperity.

Feature: Destroying Nature For Money: Ghana’s Silent Crisis

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September 29, 2025

In today’s fast-paced Ghana, the race for wealth is leaving behind a trail of destruction. Forests are cleared, rivers poisoned, and lands stripped bare for minerals—all in the name of illegal mining, popularly called galamsey.

While such activities may bring short-term riches, the long-term costs are catastrophic. Experts warn that this unchecked exploitation is not just an environmental problem but a direct threat to human survival, economic growth, and sustainable development.

“Real wealth lies not only in money, but in the clean air we breathe, the safe water we drink, and the fertile lands that feed us.”

A Broken Balance

Nature sustains life. It provides clean air, fresh water, fertile soil, and stable climates. Yet galamsey has disrupted this balance. Deforestation destroys biodiversity and causes soil erosion, while reckless mining leaves behind lifeless wastelands that cannot easily be restored.

Galamsey is fueling climate change. Floods, droughts, rising seas, and erratic rainfall patterns are becoming common. Farmers lose their crops, fishing communities struggle, and entire regions battle food insecurity.

Ironically, the financial losses from climate disasters often outweigh the profits of illegal mining.

Communities near illegal mining sites pay a heavy price. Toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide seep into rivers, contaminating drinking water and spreading diseases.

Children and the elderly suffer the most. In the end, the money earned through environmental destruction is spent on hospital bills and medical treatment.

Poverty, Inequality, and Conflict

Contrary to its promise of quick wealth, galamsey deepens poverty. Families who depend on forests and rivers for farming and fishing are left stranded. Scarcity of resources sparks conflicts between communities, while only a few reap the benefits.

The poor become poorer, while inequality grows wider.

The dangers of galamsey must serve as a wake-up call to:

Government and Parliament

Judiciary and Security Forces

Traditional Leaders and Citizens

Ghana’s future depends on leaders and individuals choosing to protect, not plunder, the environment.

The Way Forward

Nature is not an endless bank account. To destroy it for profit is to mortgage our health, security, and future.

True development is not measured by short-term wealth but by the sustainability of the systems that keep us alive.

If Ghana is to secure lasting progress, it must choose sustainability over greed. The fight against galamsey is not just about protecting the environment—it is about defending life itself.

Written By Kwame Nyame

(President – Royal Kente Weavers and Sellers Association)

Oh, Greedy and Failed Administration, Stop Destroying Bawumia

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September 29, 2025

The current administration of the New Patriotic Party has exhibited its greed and failure. Because of this, as many as 2.1 million people exited the party from their hearts. For the first time in the political history of this Fourth Republic, a ruling party lost fifty seats in Parliament at the end of its second term of government.

Without shame, the leadership of the NPP are out there comparing, H.E. J.A. Kufuor’s first time, in 1996, where he got 39.67% to Bawumia’s first time, in 2024, where he got 41.61% and claims Bawumia performed better.

Comparing mangoes with cassava. For what they cleverly hid from us, is that when Kufuor first contested, his party was not in government. But in the case of Bawumia, his party was in power.

In 2000, when Mills contested for the first time, his party, the NDC, was in power and he secured 43.10%. In 2008, Nana Addo contested for the first time and his party, the NPP, was in power. He secured 49.77%. But even with his party in power Bawumia secured 41.61%, as a first timer making him the worst.

The current NPP administration took over in 2022 and instead of improving on what the previous administration did, losing 32 seats in 2020, it went on to do the worst, losing forty-nine more seats when NPP was in power.

Instead of honourably resigning from office, these failed executives, want people to believe that the party’s loss was not their making and they are doing everything possible to retain themselves in office.

To achieve this, they are introducing the Top-Bottom Approach, where the flag bearer would be elected first, contrarily to the party’s constitution, which mandates the election of flag bearer as the last internal election.

What exactly is this Top-Bottom Approach? During the campaigning of the aspirants, each would definitely get supporters from the constituencies and regions. So, the flag bearer elect, would only pick from his teeming supporters to occupy all offices including becoming parliamentary candidates. That is the agenda.

In the end, a grand imposition would occur resulting in the party being run by quacks and sycophants and there will be more divisions than ever before.

Then come 2028, the NPP may not get anything above 60 seats in Parliament. So, unless another party from the roots of the UP Tradition comes along then this most noble tradition built on liberal democracy, will fade into thin air.

This is what the Establishment wants, and this will fulfil the desires of Nkrumaists including those now comfortably in the NPP, who have been fasting and praying since February 1966 that the UP Tradition should be extinguished like a candle in the wind.

It is about time all true liberal democrats in the NPP who believe in its original standards and principles and all true adherents of the UP Tradition, rise up and save the tradition. The NPP needs redemption, and it is now.

The Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:26, that, “… there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known,” and so it is that no other person than Chairman Wontumi, NPP’s Ashanti regional chairman, could come out on social media to reveal the secrets of the Establishment.

He revealed that the whole idea of this Top-Bottom Approach is to maintain the carefully picked delegates who voted in the 2023 presidential primaries, so that they can vote again in 2026.

They were carefully picked because, in some cases, nomination forms were given out only to believers and in others, polling station executive elections were conducted at dawn, to favour the selected few.

Speaking to a gathering, Wontumi went on to say that no one should blame Bawumia for the defeat. Many people, according to him, refused to vote because the goodies distributed by the party did not get to them.

This is where the Ashanti regional chairman did not make any sense in supporting the retaining of the current executives. During the campaigning season, party officers received gifts of cash and kind, but instead of equitably distributing them to as many electorates as possible, they kept all to themselves, making many people disappointed and angry with the flag bearer and the party, so they decided not to go and vote. Are these delegates to be trusted? Instead of spreading goodies, like buying kokoo and koose as breakfast treat for an elderly fellow, they kept everything to themselves.

And again, there are reports that in some polling stations, Bawumia had no votes at all. What happened to the five polling station executive members? They collected money from Bawumia but instead of going round to campaign for him, they not only relax but also just refused to go and vote.

These acts, defeat the Top-Bottom Approach agenda. This failed administration has done enough to destroy Bawumia and the NPP. All executives, from polling station to national must humbly resign and be replaced with better elected officers, through the usual Bottom-Top Approach, and after that the party will go on to elect parliamentary candidates and then the flag bearer.

This Top-Bottom Approach is a scam to maintain the real enemies of the party, who want to use Bawumia again to create wealth for themselves. This failed administration must go.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

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

Police launch nationwide hunt after vehicle disappears from force headquarters in Abuja

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September 29, 2025