Day: June 29, 2023

A Ghanaian photographer known for his hyper-real style has been picked to create the next Pirelli calendar.

Prince Gyasi says he is honoured to have been chosen, and promises part of the project will take place in his home country because “representation and culture are very important” to him.

The 27-year-old started out as teenager taking photos on an old iPhone and has since exhibited in Japan, Brazil and France.

Gyasi’s vivid images are influenced by his experience of the neurological condition synaesthesia, which causes a mixing of the senses – in his case he associates colours with words, such as aquamarine and “Wednesday”.

The tyre company’s calendar has existed for six decades, often showing semi-naked women on its pages, which many critics have regarded as harmful objectification.

There has been a shift in recent years about how women are portrayed, though it not clear if this is a deliberate move. The BBC has asked the company for comment.

Source: BBC

Security expert and safety analyst, Adam Bonah, has expressed fears that Ghana’s 2024 elections could turn violent if adequate security measures are not implemented.

Bonah emphasized the urgent need for the government to prioritize election security to prevent potential bloodshed.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb’s George Ayisi, he highlighted the intense rivalry between the two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as a significant factor contributing to the tense atmosphere in the country.

He further emphasizes the gravity of the situation, underlining the discontent among a section of Ghanaians who perceive the economy to be in a challenging state.

He added that the president himself has acknowledged the dissatisfaction regarding the country’s economic performance of which he believes that the said factors, combined with the heightened political tensions, have raised concerns about the potential violence in the upcoming 2024 electoral process.

“This election (Assin North) is a precursor to 2024 if measures are not put in place, 2024 elections will be bloody, as for that I want to repeat it, if measures are not put in place 2024 elections will be bloody.

“If the executives led by the president, does not resource the security agencies led by the police to make sure that things are in order…you know the right resources are given to them to police 2024 elections, I am telling you that 2024 will be bloody, and my reason is that …you have the NPP who wants to break the 8, you have the NDC who also says that you have done enough, you have a section of Ghanaians saying that the economy hasn’t been good of which the president himself has admitted, so it tells you that all is not well.”

He then called on the government to prioritize the security of the nation and provide the security agencies with the necessary resources.

He emphasized that the police must be adequately equipped to handle any potential threats and ensure a safe and peaceful voting environment.

Source: Ghana Web

Sarkodie has disclosed that a few weeks ago, Yvonne Nelson tried to set him up by scheduling a meeting between them at her house.

He made this disclosure in his latest track meant to respond to some allegations captured in Yvonne Nelson’s book.

Sarkodie, after admitting in his ‘Try Me’ track that he and Yvonne Nelson were in an amorous relationship, also disclosed that the actress abandoned the relationship following issues that emerged while she tried to abort their baby.

The rapper captured in the said song that he did not trust Yvonne Nelson while alleging that she had multiple affairs with other men when they were dating, a situation which prompted him to keep his distance.

However, 13 years after their relationship ended, the actress who still harbours hurt and bitterness contacted Sarkodie a few weeks ago for closure, he has disclosed.

Unclear the reasons for their meeting, Sarkodie said he suspected Yvonne, who felt jilted, wanted to set him up.

“Few weeks ago, you tried to set me up again. You intentionally sent me a message on WhatsApp that you still go through the pain. But me knowing you, I kinda knew that you were really up to something. So, I said that we should meet so you explain,” lyrics of the song read.

The rapper said he scheduled a meeting at a public space but because Yvonne had an agenda, she insisted they met at his house but he refused.

“I arranged meeting you at Skybar. You said a lot of people usually come there and I was like ah! And then you told me to come to your house and I said me? Never again. You lie bad. A person who has once been bitten by a snake fear worms,” he added.

Sarkodie’s reply

Sarkodie released a track titled ‘Try Me’, which is his intended response to Yvonne Nelson’s claims.

One can recall that after narrating how the rapper impregnated her and denied responsibility, Yvonne Nelson, in her memoir, also detailed how he drove her to a health facility where she bled profusely in his absence.

In a chapter titled ‘Abortion’, in her book, ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson’ the actress disclosed how Sarkodie accompanied her to the Mamprobi polyclinic for abortion and since never bothered to find out how the procedure went.

However, telling his side of the story in the single, ‘Try Me’, Sarkodie detailed that it was Yvonne’s sole decision to abort the pregnancy.

Although the rapper admitted that they had a relationship, he said Yvonne was only playing victim and taking advantage of the fact that the world listens to women more than men.

Yvonne Nelson’s rants

After dissecting the contents of Sarkodie’s reply to her earlier allegations, Yvonne Nelson has stormed Twitter with a series of rants targeted at the former.

She has since been tackling the lyrics and responding to the parts that hurt her the most.

Source: Ghana Web

Actor Prince David Osei has condemned Sarkodie for handling his situation with Yvonne Nelson in a manner he described as an ‘immature and plain tomfoolery’.

He joins a section of netizens who believe the rapper’s response and the words he described Yvonne Nelson with, are totally harsh and uncalled for.

Earlier, Yvonne Nelson, who is at the center of the issue, bemoaned the level of attacks and insults cited in Sarkodie’s song, meant to address the allegations in her book.

She bitterly complained that Sarkodie disrespected her and every other woman with his ‘vile’ utterances.

“Insults won’t work Michael. Respect womanhood, I’m happy the world gets to see how you are playing this and the real you. Young women get to learn from this. You would get the applause for a rap. Still doesn’t change the TRUTH,” Yvonne wrote.

Prince David Osei, who also shares in the assertion has taken to Twitter to vent his displeasure.

In a series of rants, the actor emphasized that any individual who gets a woman pregnant and refuses responsibility, yet, goes about labelling her a whore is the dumbest individual ever.

“Childish Tantrums!! Never let the kid in you destroy the king in you … Whoever sleeps with a woman get her pregnant and don’t own up as man and goes about labeling her “Whore” is the dumbest asshole ever … She was a “Whore” yet you shagged her unprotected got her pregnant!! God have mercy on those supporting tomfoolery!! #respectwomen,” he wrote on Twitter.

Stressing on Sarkodie’s outbursts in his ‘Try Me’ song, he said Yvonne Nelson never made comments in her book that necessitated such a reaction.

“She never said he forced her to abort bro, read the book, he said he was staying with his mum and wasn’t ready which is very understandable as a young man… She never insulted him in the book or gave silly remarks about him, she only expressed the trauma she experienced during the process of abortion!” he stressed.

Prince David Osei also highlighted the need for men to respect and value women who they have once been intimate with.

“It’s about respecting and valuing the women we have been intimate with in the past. It’s never okay to use derogatory terms or make someone feel embarrassed for something as natural as intimacy. Real men treat women with kindness, empathy, and respect, regardless of the circumstances. Let’s all strive to create a world where every person is valued and treated with dignity. Take care! Good Morning,” he stated.

Meanwhile, other individuals including the likes of Kwame A Plus, have patted Sarkodie on the back for a good job done.

Source: Ghana Web

The Minister of Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has stated that 88 of the 111 health facilities under the Agenda 111 projects are under construction.

Oppong Nkrumah, however, indicated that the contracts of three companies have been terminated because they failed to meet key performance indicators (KPIs).

The contractors were working on the projects sited at Kunsu in the Ahafo Ano South-West District, Manso Adubia in the Amansie South District, Nsuta in the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region.

“The brief I have is that 88 are currently under construction and it is grouped into eight zones and in those eight zones, you will find 54 projects. We have visited 33 sites so far and we thought that coming to Trede, where it all began, it is important to showcase from Trede all that has gone on so far.

“We have also provided you with the reports of the sites that we have visited so far, the majority of them that are doing well, the few of them that are behind schedule.

“We have also updated you on the ones that we have had to terminate because they are behind schedule,” the minister is quoted to have said at a press briefing in Trede, Ashanti region.

About Agenda 111:

This is a project by government to provide more facilities to bridge the current burden on some health facilities across the country. The programme involves the construction of hospitals in districts where there are none, including the establishment of two psychiatric hospitals for the middle and the southern belts, seven regional hospitals and the rehabilitation of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

In August 2021, the government announced that it had secured a US$100-million start-up fund through the Ghana Investment Infrastructure Fund (GIIF) for the commencement of work on the projects.

The Agenda 111 project includes the construction of 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals in the newly created regions, two specialized hospitals as well as a regional hospital in the Western Region and the renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

It can be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at the beginning of his second term as president, promised that all the projects under Agenda 111 will be completed in 18 months.

However, speaking at the 2022 State of the Nation Address, the president admitted that the initial plan by his government to construct a total of 111 health facilities across the country was overly ambitious.

He explained that the construction of the projects has been faced with unforeseen challenges that slowed the process of getting the projects underway.

President Akufo-Addo however said that the hurdles on most of those sites have been resolved and work has so far begun on 87 of those hospital projects across the country. He also added that all the projects will be completed before he leaves office.

Source: Ghana Web

The Minority in Parliament has sounded an alarm over the deplorable condition of the roads connecting to the Tema Oil Refinery and other petroleum depots, warning that failure to address the issue could lead to a national crisis.

John Jinapor, the Ranking Member of the Mines and Energy Committee, emphasised the urgent need for the government to take action and prevent further disruptions to petroleum supplies.

The call comes in response to a decision by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers under the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers and Petroleum Gas Drivers Union to embark on a sit-down strike.

The drivers have cited the poor state of the Tema Oil Refinery to Kpone road in the Greater Accra Region as their primary concern.

In solidarity, tanker vehicles transporting petroleum products from enclaves such as Takoradi, Kumasi, and Buipe have also withdrawn their services, demanding that the deteriorating roads leading to those depots be rehabilitated.

The impact of the strike action is already being felt, with reports of shortages of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products in certain areas of the country.

The Minority in Parliament is deeply concerned about the potential consequences, as the transportation of highly inflammable petroleum products on these dilapidated roads poses risks to the safety of drivers and pedestrians alike.

Addressing the situation, John Abdulai Jinapor expressed the urgent need for the government to prioritise the concerns of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union and take immediate action.

He urged the government to refrain from using financial constraints as an excuse, rejecting the notion that the nation’s resources are depleted, whilst citing the rapid deployment of road contractors to complete major projects in the Assin North Constituency during the recent by-elections.

“The action by the government in Assin North points to one fact: they have priorities, and the minority in Parliament believes that fixing the roads connecting to these major depots should be one of such priorities,” emphasized Jinapor,” he said.

The Minority’s call for action underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for swift resolution. They called upon the government to demonstrate commitment and refrain from a lacklustre approach in addressing the concerns raised by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union.

Below is the statement

GOVERNMENT MUST FIX THE ROADS CONNECTING TO TEMA OIL REFINERY AND OTHER PETROLEUM DEPOTS IN ORDER TO AVERT A NATIONAL CRISIS

The Minority in Parliament has taken note of a genuine decision taken by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers under the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers and Petroleum Gas Drivers Union to embark on a sit-down strike over the deplorable condition of the Tema Oil Refinery to Kpone road in the Greater Accra Region.

We have also noted that Tanker vehicles with loads of petroleum products from the country’s petroleum enclaves in Takoradi, Kumasi and Buipe, have withdrawn their services insisting they will not resume work until the deplorable roads leading to those depots are rehabilitated.

Information reaching us indicates that the strike action is already having a negative impact on petroleum supplies with reported shortages of LPG and other products in some parts of the country.

It should be noted that the Petroleum products being transported on these deplorable roads are highly inflammable and has the potential of compromising the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

The Minority wishes to make an urgent and passionate call on the Akuffo-Addo/Bawumia led Government to refrain from the usual lackluster approach and show commitment towards addressing the genuine concerns of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union with immediate effect to avert the pending national crisis.

We wish to state emphatically that we completely reject the excuse by the Government communicators that the nation is broke following the rapid deployment of road contractors to complete some major roads in the Assin North Constituency during the period of the recently held by-elections. The action by the government in Assin North points to one fact, that they have priorities, and the minority in Parliament believes that fixing the roads connecting to these major depots should be one of such priorities.

By this release, we call on the government to fix the said roads with immediate effect.

-Signed-

Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor (Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee)

Source: Ghana Web

A former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayensuano Constituency, Samuel Ayeh-Paye, has indicated that the former parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Assin North, Abena Durowaa Mensah, should have been the main contender in the by-election for James Gyakye Quayson and not Charles Opoku.

He made these comments while speaking on Accra-based UTV.

According to him, the former MP for the constituency, Abena Durowaa in the 2016 election performed better than the NDC’s Gyakye Quayson in this by-election.

To him, if she was the candidate of choice for the NPP in the just-ended by-election, she would have won the seat for the party.

“If the NPP will listen to me they should bring back Abena Durowaa Mensah. For her, she is an indigen of the constituency, her father is one of the leaders in the constituency. She lost the 2020 election with just about 2000 votes. Gyakye Quayson on spending two years in parliament, the constituents have seen that Abena was good,” he said.

The MP further explained that NPP supporters in the Assin constituency picked an early signal that Abena had been sidelined by the leaders of the party to choose Charles Opoku.

“There is this perception, and I do not know how true it is, but we have not been able to control that perception in Assin North. The narration that went on in the constituency is that Abena Durowaa was called from the presidency to step down for Charles Opoku. The constituents said they were not going to allow that to happen. She was called for the second time before she gave in to step down.

“I don’t believe that when Abena returned to the constituency, she met with the supporters to explain things to them that she was asked to step down. Because of this, she didn’t get maximum control over the supporters.

“One radio presenter I was listening to, after getting the results, compared it to Gyakye Quayson’s vote in the by-election. Even in the centres where Charles Opoku won, Abena’s votes were higher than his. Wherever the NDC won, Abena performed better when she contested.

The NPP’s choice of candidate in the by-election, Charles Opoku lost the election to NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson.

Opoku polled 12,630 votes representing 42.15 per cent while Quayson 17,245 votes representing 57.56 per cent of the valid votes cast.

The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) who presented the only candidate in the by-election, Sefenu Bernice Enyonam, got 87 votes representing 0.29 per cent.

Source: Ghana Web