May 31, 2022

Ghanaian artistes must be professionals and stop focusing on controversies – Kwabena Kwabena

Popular contemporary Highlife musician, Kwabena Kwabena believes that most artistes in the country lack professionalism.

In a recent interview, the musician observed that most Ghanaian artistes have resorted to sensationalism as the only means to sell their brands.

This he said prevents them from reaching the heights they deserve.

“I want to talk about professionalism more because I see it as one of the things most artists here lack. Professionalism in the sense that we feel sensationalism is what is going to sell our acts but that is unfortunate.

“Any artist who thinks sensationalism is the key is not a true artist,” he stated during an interview on Y FM’s ‘Myd Morning Show’ with Rev Erskine.

The musician added that artistes must take into consideration the production of quality music and believe in their works.

“You need to believe in your act and actually present your act in a manner which gets the audience to really see you as an artist,” he said.

Source: Modern Ghana

May 31, 2022

Divorce: My wife denied me sex, deserted family – Actor Kalu Ikeagwu tells Court

Popular Nollywood actor, Kalu Ikeagwu, on Monday told an Ikeja High Court how his estranged wife, Ijeoma allegedly deserted their matrimonial home and denied him sex after welcoming their son.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ikeagwu, in the suit marked LD/8939HD/2021, is seeking a dissolution of his six-year-old marriage to Ijeoma.

The actor is also seeking full custody of his three-year-old son and ten-year-old step-daughter.

Under cross-examination by the respondent’s counsel, Mrs S.I. Amedu, Ikeagwu said his wife packed out of his matrimonial home and sent him a mail that she was on her way to her father’s house in Enugu.

He, however, said contrary to her claim that he later saw her at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with the children after some days.

He said, ” I got back home from a trip on August 4, 2021 to find out that my wife had left our matrimonial home with the children to an undisclosed location.

“I tried to contact her when I got to the house and found it empty. I sent her an email on that same day and she replied that she had gone to her father’s house in Enugu.

“She told me she was at her father’s place in Enugu and four days later, I saw her at the airport in Lagos, heading to God knows where. In the mail she sent, she said she was In Enugu.”

Ikeagwu also debunked the claim that he sent his wife and kids out of the house and failed to provide for their upkeep.

He said, “I did not send her out of the house. Someone has to tell me why it takes four days to get to Enugu from Lagos.

“If you say ‘you are on your way’ it means it is a continuous sentence. It was a stated fact that she was on her way.

The actor further told the court that his wife denied him sex and also poured water on him while he was asleep.

The petitioner also said he was not aware that his wife lost a pregnancy due to a Sexually Transmitted Infection while they were together.

He added, “After the birth of our son, she has refused to have sex with me. I was not aware she lost the pregnancy due to an infection as I did not give her any infection.

“Till date, I have not seen any report attached to a document that she lost a baby through STD. Though I did not ask her why she lost the baby.”

Ikeagwu said he stopped sending money to the children for upkeep and maintenance because his wife denied him being the father to his step-daughter.

Korra Obidi, estranged husband disagree over domestic violence, cheating claims

He added that this was after she accused him of attempting to sleep with the child and she failed to acknowledge the money he sent to her.

“The last time I sent money to them was in November 2021. I stopped sending money because my wife denied me being a father to my step-daughter and she also accused me of wanting to sleep with her,” the actor said.

On why he was seeking custody of his step -daughter whom he had earlier sought for revocation of guardianship, the actor said he had information that his wife wanted to relocate the children.

He said, “I want custody of the two children. The reason I sought for revocation was because my wife had turned my step-daughter against me and at that point, I got a hint that she wanted to fly the children abroad.

“I have never been married to any woman before I got married to my wife. I married her after she had her daughter.

“I earlier said the issue of revocation was because I felt she wanted to use me. My Lord, look at the precedence on how I have treated the girl from the very beginning.

“I am an actor by profession and I travel to locations within and outside Nigeria in which I can spend five days to one month.

“At the moment, it may be difficult but I am thinking about the future when I remarry and get a stable wife.”

Justice Christopher Balogun had earlier ordered the children to play with their father in court and ordered the respondent to present the receipts of the tuition fees of the children in court.

Balogun said, “According to the Child’s Right Act, you can not deny the children the best education even if you’re quarreling with your wife.

“If I should as a judgment grant you a divorce, and if your wife is in Enugu and you stay in Lagos, why should I give the custody of a 10-year-old girl to you while her mother is alive?

“The Supreme Court ruled that it is not the wealth of a father that the children of that age need, they need the care and attention of their biological mother.

“The only reason the girl child should not be in the custody of the mother is if the mother is mentally derailed or the issue of infidelity is involved.

“Assuming the girl starts her monthly period, you as a father do not know what to do. You will be scared of the blood. A female girl is delicate. Your own case is worse because an accusation has been leveled against you.”

The judge adjourned the case until June 23 for continuation of hearing

Source: Modern Ghana

May 31, 2022

Ghana Music Awards France nominations revealed with event slated for July 23

The Ghana Music Awards France has announced its nominees’ shortlist for the maiden edition of the awards gala set to take place on July 23 in Toulouse, France.

The nominations feature some tough competition in the 27 categories, including Artiste of the Year, which has the likes of Sarkodie, KiDi, Kuami Eugene, Diana Hamilton, Kofi Kinaata, Fameye, and Black Sherif.

This year’s awards ceremony, themed “Portraying Ghana Through Music”, seeks to expose Ghanaian music to an international audience, especially those in France.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra, Madam Anne Sophie AVÉ, French Ambassador to Ghana, said Ghanaian artistes deserved the maximum support because of the talent they possessed.

“When I arrived in Ghana, I realized the amazing talents Ghana had, coupled with the catchy hit songs, and I thought we had to take it to France because the French people found it amazing.

“Your artistes are your best ambassadors and I think they deserve to be put out there. I have been following a few of them who are having a blast in Europe and it was for this major reason that I needed to support them, especially with the organization of some events such as “Accra in Paris”, “Paris in Accra”, and others,” she said.

Madam Anne Sophie lauded the organizers for putting up such an initiative, having said that it would reverberate Ghanaian music in France.

Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, popularly known as ‘Abeiku Santana’, Chairman of the Ghana Music Awards France, lauded the French Ambassador for her tremendous support for the arts industry, suggesting she deserved a statue for her contribution to Ghana music.

“Artiste recognition is one of the forces driving music globally, and I believe Ghana Music Awards France as a project will contribute highly to the existing bilateral relationship between Ghana and France and will also deepen our prospects with regard to our tourism product with music at the forefront.

“Music tourism is a huge contributor to our music dispensation and with the rise of globalization, tourism and the travel industry have also seen expansion, and I can confidently say music is the driving force,” Abeiku Santana said.

The highly astute broadcaster urged corporate Ghana, the government, and other stakeholders to come on board and support the vision of taking Ghanaian music internationally because it had the talent to reach the pinnacle of world music. Madam Mavis Osah Frimpong, Founder of Ghana Music Awards France, stated that the idea of holding an awards gala in France was bega15 years ago as she sought to contribute to Ghanaian music.

Madam Frimpong, who is a gospel musician, expressed her delight in the successful launch of the awards scheme in March, having urged support from all stakeholders to help make the event successful on July 23, 2022. This year’s awards scheme is being supported by Adom City Estates, Kaya Tours, Adonko Next Level, and Kubs Bofrot Puff Puff Mix.

Source: Ghana Web

May 31, 2022

Five opposition Zambian delegation in Ghana to understudy parliament

Accra, May 31, GNA – A five-member delegation from the National Assembly of Zambia is in Ghana for an eight-day study visit to Ghana’s Parliament.

The delegation, made up of four opposition members of Zambia’s National Assembly and an independent member was led by Mr Brian Muntayalwa Mundubile, the Opposition Leader.

The delegation was accompanied by some members of staff of Zambia’s National Assembly notably the Mr Stephen Kampoyongo, Opposition Whip, Deputy Principal Clerk in charge of Human Resources and Acting Deputy Clerk.

The visit is intended to allow the delegation to interact with their Ghanaian opposition counterparts.

They are also expected to liaise with the majority on the exchange of ideas and learn practices of Ghana’s Parliament as well as how Parliament works in Ghana.

“The delegation is here among other things to create a platform of networks to deepen bilateral relations between Ghana’s Parliament and Zambia’s Legislature,” Mr Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament said on Tuesday in his formal communication on the floor of the House.

He called for the necessary and related learning assistance to the delegation to make their study trip worthwhile.

Mr Bagbin also advised the delegation to take time off to familiarise themselves with Ghana’s nature.

“Please take time off to use some fresh air outside the parliamentary business. The person-to-person relationship is important the country to country one,” he said.

The delegation had earlier called on the Speaker on Tuesday, May 24 2022.

Source: Ghana News Agency

May 31, 2022

Gambian Government issues white paper, accepts to exhume and identify bodies

Kumasi, May 31, GNA – The Gambian Government has released a white paper accepting recommendations by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) which conducted investigations into human rights violations committed under the presidency of Yahya Jammeh from July 1994 to January 2017.

It has also pledged to work closely with partners to ensure adequate resources and expertise available for the search and identification of burial sites, exhumations, and identification of remains to be given to their families for befitting burial.

The government would ensure prosecution of Jammeh and 13 other accomplices.

Mr William Nyarko, Coordinator, Jammeh2Justice (J2J) Ghana Coalition, disclosed these to the media at a press conference in Kumasi.

It bothered on the release of the Gambia Government White Paper on the TRRC recommendations on the Murder of 44 Ghanaians and other West Africans in the Gambia in 2005.

He said the government also accepts to pay the sum of D32, 400,000 (Thirty-two million, four hundred thousand Dalasis) to the West African Migrants and other non-Gambian nationals.

This amount is not reflected in the outstanding payment outlined in the TRRC report.

The reparations to these victims are to be paid through their respective governments as soon as possible, Mr Nyarko told the media.

The government, again accepts to work with their survivors and governments, through the independent reparations body to be created and also recognise the supplementary list of victims provided and grant them reparations in line with the provided guidelines on reparations.

Mr Nyarko who is also the Executive Director, Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (ACILA), said the government recognizes that victims have a right to reparations, which it has a corresponding obligation to fulfil and is in the process of developing a Victim’s Reparation Bill in consultations with stakeholders.

Mr Nyarko said the actions by the Gambian government were commendable and urged that governments in the West African sub-region must have deep respect for the lives of marginalized people.

Mr Emmanuel Gershon Oduro Mensah, Spokesperson for J2J Victims, called on the Government of Ghana to immediately engage with the Government of the Gambia for an upward revision of the compensation amount to reflect current awards made by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in cases of wrongful death, torture, unlawful detentions and enforced disappearances.

Madam Regina O. Amanfo, Jammeh2Justice GhanaProject Campaign Manager, Center for Democratic Governance (CDD-Ghana) said in 2018, a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations led by the CDD-Ghana was formed to revive the campaign as new evidence by international partners, Human Rights Watch and TRIAL International alleged that Ghanaians were unlawfully killed by the “Junglers”, a Gambian paramilitary group on the orders of president Jammeh.

Since the initiation of the campaign the coalition has undertaken several activities including engagements with key institutions such as the Ghana Police Service, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency, Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, media, CSOs and individuals among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

May 31, 2022

Majority Leader denies claims of undermining Speaker

Accra, May 31 GNA – Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has denied claims attributed to him that he went public to contradict the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin regarding the release of funds to Parliament to run its business.

According to him, he did not go out to undermine the Speaker but only spoke to the issues he knew concerning the release of some monies to the House.

“Apparently, some communication had been made to the Speaker that I had gone out to contradict him in public, so the Speaker came to the House and made some statements… which I consider unfortune.”

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu refuted the claim when he commented on the issue on Tuesday in Parliament in a bid to clarify the matter, which he said was borne out of miscommunication.

The Majority Leader also explained that on Wednesday May 25, 20222, the Director of Finance and the Clerk of Parliament came to him to discuss the status of Parliament’s finances and in their presence, called the Controller and Accountant General (CAG) because, it appeared the situation was dire.

He said the Attorney General assured him that twenty-five million cedis (GH?25,000,000) was going to be released to the House by the close of the day and later called the Director of Finance who confirmed that the money had been released to Parliament.

He said it appeared the Speaker was not aware the GH?25 million had been released to the House and was surprised to hear on Thursday that the Speaker had made a statement to the extent that Parliament did not have the money to run its usual business.

He said the Friday morning radio interview in Kumasi only sought to clarify that some amount of money has been released to Parliament and not to undermine the Speaker.

“I did not go out there to contradict the Speaker but only spoke out to what he knew. My prayer is that collectively, the leadership and the Speaker shall have to invite the Minister of Finance and the Controller and Accountant General, that going forward, these occasional hitches do not occur” he added.

After the comment by the Majority Leader, Speaker Bagbin also replied by stating that members were aware of the challenges Parliament is facing in connection with the delays in budgetary releases to the House to run its business.

He explained that for the first quarter of 2022, Parliament was expected to receive GH?54 million to run its programmes but only Seven million cedis was released, and the GH?25 million which has been release is part of arrears of GH?84 million for 2021.

“We are giving you this information so that leadership and the Speaker are not blamed for not responding positively to the request of members and committees to transact their business… “because the there is not there, that is why we find ourselves in this situation,” he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

May 31, 2022

Abronye DC promises to secure 55% votes for NPP’s next flagbearer in Bono Region

The ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC has promised to contribute his quota towards securing victory for the party in the 2024 general elections.

Mr. Baffoe is targeting over 50% percent win for the NPP in both the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Bono Region.

His promise comes after he retained his position in a keenly contested election that saw 26 aspirants, made up of 23 men and three women, vying for 10 positions.

“I will do my best to get about 53 to 55 percent for the presidential. I intend to get majority in the parliamentary elections too.”

Abronye DC was re-elected after garnering 173 votes to beat Konlaabig Rasheed [incumbent Regional Organiser], his main contender, who obtained 84 of the votes cast.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Abronye DC asked defeated aspirants to remain resolute in ensuring the fulfilment of the NPP’s “Break the Eight agenda”.

“They are still party members, and the fact that someone has lost does not mean he is not part of the organisation. All of them should contribute their part to make sure we break the eight.”

Controversy during election

Bono was the final region to have held the polls, leaving the Central as the only outstanding region where the elections have been suspended indefinitely as a result of a court action.

The election in the region was halted for almost an hour after confusion broke out when three constituencies that had allegedly been injuncted were called out to vote.

Executives from the constituencies namely; Sunyani East, Dormaa Central and Jaman, were injuncted by the Sunyani High Court from taking part in the elections.

The injunction was secured by some members of the party in the three constituencies over what they described as improper ways of electing the executives.

Source: Modern Ghana

May 31, 2022

Petition Dan Botwe committee with your issues – NPP to aggrieved regional election candidates

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) says candidates who feel aggrieved at the outcome of the recently held Regional Elections should petition the Dan Botwe Committee for redress.

The party says the Dan Botwe Committee was specially set up to receive petitions from candidates who feel disgruntled over the outcome of the election.

Speaking to Citi News, Director of Elections for the NPP, Evans Nimako says the party is willing to hear all cases.

“In the case of the New Patriotic Party’s internal elections, we have the Dan Botwe Committee. So whoever feels aggrieved will have to submit a petition to the Dan Botwe Committee for consideration,” Mr. Nimako said to Citi News.

The much-anticipated New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates conference for the election of regional executives has been held.

The polls were organised within three days. The only outstanding election is that of the Central Region, where polls have been suspended until further notice due to court action.

Since the elections, the party has asked its various Regional Executive Committees to begin processes for the appointment of seven other regional executives.

This is in line with the party’s constitutional provision in Article 9 that each Region shall have a Regional Executive Committee comprising 17 Executives, 10 of whom are to be elected at a Regional Annual Delegates Conference, and the remaining 7, to be appointed.

Source: Modern Ghana