I was hurt when people I trusted and loved betrayed me – Archbishop Duncan-Williams

The Founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has shared his experiences with betrayal by close associates.

He explained that he felt deeply hurt when individuals he had positively influenced turned against him.

These betrayals, he added, significantly impacted his ministry, causing him to question his trust in his inner circle.

In an interview with Bernard Avle on Citi TV and monitored by GhanaWeb, Duncan-Williams disclosed how he coped with such betrayals in the early stages of his ministry.

‘Betrayal happens every now and then. It hurts when you are betrayed by people you love, trust, poured into them, and done right by them. And those you never expected them to stab you in the back.

“It used to bother me a lot. I mean, it did a lot of damage to me in those days, and it undermined a lot of things that I could have done for the kingdom in those days with ease,’ he recounted.

On Sunday, May 12, 2024, Duncan-Williams, turned 67 years old, and as part of the activities
to mark the day, the leader of the charismatic faith in Ghana sat down for an interview to reflect on his many years in ministry.

Source: Ghana Web

Independent candidate in Bekwai race abandons campaign to join Bawumia, Ralph Poku-Adusei walk

In an unexpected turn of events on Saturday, May 11 2024, Akwasi Amofa, at the Amansie Nsroma Social Center, set aside his independent political ambitions to partake in the NPP’s vibrant health walk, endorsing Dr. Bawumia and Ralph Poku-Adusei.

The Bawumia Ladies Walk was a spectacle of the NPP’s dynamic spirit, featuring a lively display of the party’s colors and energy.

The air buzzed with excitement as banners showcasing Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Ralph Poku-Adusei adorned the venue, buzzing with the party’s slogans and emblems.

The outgoing MP, Joseph Osei Owusu (Joe Wise), was fully engaged in the event, which was further enlivened by a throng of enthusiastic supporters, their chants and flags adding to the festive atmosphere, accompanied by a brass band.

Participants and NPP loyalists view Akwasi Amofa’s decision as a significant gesture of unity, especially as the 2024 elections draw near, scheduled for December 7th.

Amofa’s return to the NPP fold, following the circulation of his campaign materials
for an independent run, aligns with earlier conjectures about his potential support for the NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate, Ralph Poku-Adusei.

An associate of Poku-Adusei highlighted the importance of internal party unity in shaping policies and strategies, noting that such coherence bolsters the party’s image and resonates with voters by presenting a unified vision for governance.

He emphasized the necessity for party members to embrace diverse perspectives and stand together to achieve shared goals, suggesting that this unity positions the party to better promote its agenda and engage in constructive dialogue with other political groups.

About Ralph Poku-Adusei

Lawyer Ralph Poku-Adusei, the Managing Partner at Trent Legal Amansie Chambers, is a seasoned legal expert with over eleven years of experience in various legal domains, including corporate and commercial law, land acquisition, and criminal practice. His career is marked by significant contributions to landmark legal cases.

A member of the Ghana
Bar, the Bar of England and Wales, and the International Bar Association, Lawyer Ralph boasts an impressive educational background from prestigious institutions such as The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, UK, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of Law, UK.

Currently, he is the NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Bekwai Constituency in the Ashanti Region.

Through the Ralph Poku-Adusei Foundation (RPA) in Bekwai, he has demonstrated a profound commitment to contributing to the community which played a crucial role in his early development.

Since its inception in 2015 and official establishment in 2018, the foundation has initiated numerous social programs in Bekwai, including food donations, financial support, infrastructure improvements for the Ghana Ambulance Service, and assistance to the zongo and Muslim communities.

Source: Ghana Web

Youths protest against MINUSCA in Bangui

More than 50 youths have gathered outside Bangui Mpoko airport in the Central African Republic to protest against MINUSCA, the United Nations peacekeeping mission. “Sometimes it seems that MINUSCA’s mission is to prevent us from being free of bandits,” said one of the protesters.

Slogans written on large banners reflect discontent and demand answers: “Who will answer for MINUSCA’s crimes?”, “MINUSCA military component out of CAR”, “MINUSCA+CPC=friendship”. The protest coincides with the arrival of the UN commission from New York to attend the transhumance conference.

The conference, on May 13 in Bangui, will be attended by the President of the Republic, Faustin Archange Touadera, the Head of Government of the Central African Republic, Félix Moloua, the leaders of MINUSCA, and the United Nations commission from New York. The conference is expected to analyze the main challenges and persistent obstacles and identify courses of action to achieve collective results.

It is worth recalling that the mission’s man
date will expire very soon, and the UN representatives will start lobbying to extend their mandate with the pretext that there are still bandits in the country who threaten safe transhumance, and the military Blue Helmets need to be extended for at least another year.

However, the mission has been criticized by the public, as MINUSCA soldiers are often implicated in scandals.

For example, it is worth recalling the recent case of late April when FACA (French: Forces Armées Centrafricaines), in cooperation with Russian instructors, discovered a long-term militant camp in the Ouadda area, where a MINUSCA base was located just a few hundred meters away.

However, the peacekeepers did nothing about it; they concealed the location of the militant camp from the Bangui authorities to elongate their stay in the Central African Republic for their own personal interests.

Therefore, in the run-up to the renewal of the mandate, protesters expressed their dissatisfaction with the peacekeeping mission, accusing it of a l
ack of transparency and failure to resolve conflicts in the region. Special attention was paid to the military component of MINUSCA, demanding its immediate withdrawal from CAR. The youth of the Central African Republic demonstrated their activism and civic position, advocating for changes in the UN Peacekeeping Mission’s policy.

Source: Ghana Web

Kukuom violence: Police hunt for Naasei, CEO of Zeniel Hotel Goaso

The Ghana Police Service has launched a manhunt for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zeniel Hotel in Goaso, Ahafo region, known as Naasei, who is currently on the run.

This action follows his alleged involvement in violent disturbances at Kukuom in the Ahafo Region during the ongoing Limited Voter Registration Exercise on Saturday, 11th May 2024.

The owner of Zeniel Hotel was reportedly in the company of known opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) figures when they allegedly orchestrated the disturbances, which led to the arrest of Hon. Alhaji Collins Dauda, Member of Parliament for Asutifi South.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday, May 11, resulted in one person sustaining injuries and being hospitalized.

In a statement, the Ghana Police Service announced that it has taken Collins Dauda into custody in connection with the disturbance during the Limited Voter Registration Exercise.

The police’s investigations so far have implicated Alhaji Collins Dauda in the disturbances that disrupted
the registration process. Others, including Naasei, are reported to be on the run.

Source: Ghana Web

Why only Otumfuo is permitted to wear 3 golden triangular necklaces at a durbar

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, adorned himself with three golden triangular necklaces known as “Adaabo?” at the grand durbar commemorating his 25th anniversary on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

Nana Frimpong, a historian, provided insights into the significance of Otumfuo’s necklaces during a live telecast on GTV.

He compared the Adaabo? to medals awarded to soldiers for valour in war.

He elaborated that, within Asante tradition, the Adaabo? necklace is reserved for chiefs who have accomplished remarkable feats for the kingdoms, either personally or through their lineage.

This adornment, he explained, is deeply ingrained in Asante customs, where the attire of chiefs at traditional events reflects the hierarchical structure of the kingdom.

According to him, much like in military services where ranks dictate attire, a chief’s rank determines the adornments they are permitted to wear at such durbars.

“The necklace is a triangle, originating from ancient Israel and Egypt. The Amanhene, paramount chiefs wear o
ne, while the Abrempong, other royals do not.

‘However, the Otumfuo is entitled to wear up to three. The Abrempong, though royals, cannot don the Adaabo? because the hierarchical order does not permit them. It is exclusively the Amanhene who may wear one, and the Asantehene, up to three,” he explained.

TWI NEWS

“These ornaments are akin to medals given to soldiers who have distinguished themselves in war. Your rank determines the medal you are entitled to wear. This is similar to the ‘ahenema’ the sandals that they wear.

‘That is why you see some of the chiefs in golden sandals. Not every chief has the privilege to adorn themselves in gold from head to toe,” he said.

Source: Ghana Web

Elements within NPP are behind this – Collins Dauda speaks on his alleged arrest by police

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, has refuted allegations of his arrest by the Ghana Police Service in relation to some disruptions at a Limited Voter Registration centre.

He stated that he is not the MP for Asunafo South, as the police statement indicated, nor did he visit the named center to oversee the voter registration there.

He has, therefore, urged the public to dismiss the reports of his arrest as they are false.

‘…Collins Dauda vehemently denies any involvement in or connection to the reported violent incidents during the voter registration exercise.

“Contrary to the misinformation being spread, Hon. Collins Dauda asserts that he is not the Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, the constituency in which the alleged incidents occurred. He confirms that he has not visited that constituency during the period in question, thus making any claims of his involvement baseless and untrue,’ he clarified in a statement.

Dauda suggested that certain individuals within the rul
ing New Patriotic Party (NPP) might be disseminating such misleading information to damage his reputation.

He has called on the police in the Ahafo Region to investigate the matter and detain the culprits to face justice.

‘These unfounded allegations, purportedly propagated by certain elements within the NPP party in the Asutifi South constituency and the Ahafo Region, are viewed by Collins Dauda as a deliberate smear campaign aimed at tarnishing his reputation and credibility.

‘He is actively engaging legal measures to address the dissemination of false information and defamation of character. Additionally, he urges the Ghana Police Service in the Ahafo Region to swiftly investigate and apprehend those responsible for spreading fake news about him,’ his statement, signed by Isaac Yaw Mensah, Deputy Constituency Secretary for Asutifi South, said.

It was previously reported by the Ghana Police Service on their official Twitter account that the MP for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, had been arrested for his
role in the disturbances during the Limited Voter Registration Exercise.

Source: Ghana Web

The role of leadership in sustainable development across Africa

Africa, a continent teeming with unparalleled natural wealth and boundless potential, has long grappled with the paradox of underdevelopment. However, many African nations are still mired in poverty, instability, and underachievement.

While the complexities of this plight are manifold, one glaring truth emerges: the indispensable role of effective leadership in shaping Africa’s trajectory

toward prosperity and progress.

Renowned economist Michael Porter introduced the Diamond Model, which underscores the importance of advanced factor conditions for attaining competitive advantage-a blueprint for success.

While initial endowments like natural resources may provide a transient advantage, sustained development hinges on factors such as a skilled workforce, robust education systems, infrastructure, and technological innovation.

The absence of these advanced conditions in many African countries underscores the pivotal role of visionary leadership in catalyzing progress and

transformation.

In discussions sur
rounding Africa’s challenges, historical legacies such as colonial boundaries and unfair trade practices often loom large. While acknowledging their profound impact, it is imperative to pivot towards proactive solutions. Herein lies the essence of leadership: a proactive, visionary

approach that transcends the blame game and charts a course toward tangible progress and empowerment.

Africa urgently requires a new paradigm of leadership, one that embodies a series of qualities extending beyond mere rhetoric. These principles form the bedrock upon which Africa’s Renaissance can be built:

Influence and Dedication: Effective leaders wield influence not through coercion but through genuine dedication to the well-being and advancement of their people. They demonstrate an unwavering commitment to long-term development, prioritizing collective welfare over personal gain.

Innovation and Challenging the Status Quo: True leadership involves daring to challenge the status quo and fostering a culture of innovation. Lea
ders must embrace change, cultivate environments where creativity flourishes, and champion bold, forward-thinking initiatives.

Visionary Agenda: At the heart of leadership lies a clear and ambitious vision for the future. Leaders must articulate comprehensive agendas encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions, rallying domestic and international support behind their transformative vision.

Compassion: Compassion lies at the core of effective leadership. Leaders must empathize with the struggles of their people, prioritize the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable, and work tirelessly to uplift those left behind by inequities and injustices.

Courage and Decisiveness: Courageous leaders exhibit resilience and demonstrate decisiveness. They navigate complex challenges with conviction and resolve, making tough decisions for the greater good of their nations and communities.

Effective Communication: Communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Leaders must adeptly communicate th
eir vision, policies, and plans to foster trust, unity, and engagement among diverse stakeholders.

Execution and Adaptability: Leadership requires both vision and effective execution. Leaders must translate their vision into tangible actions, navigating obstacles with agility and adaptability to achieve desired outcomes.

Accountability: Leaders must be accountable to their people and uphold the principles of good governance, transparency, and integrity. They must embrace accountability, subjecting themselves to scrutiny and oversight, and ensuring that power is wielded responsibly and ethically.

Problem-Solving Aptitude: In a rapidly changing world, leaders must possess strong problem-solving skills to address complex challenges effectively. They should foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, harnessing the collective wisdom and creativity of their people to find sustainable solutions to pressing issues.

Equity and Fairness: Central to effective leadership is a commitment to equity and fairness.
Leaders must strive to create inclusive societies where opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance, and where the benefits of development are equitably distributed among all citizens.

As Africa stands on the cusp of greatness, it is incumbent upon its leaders to embrace this proactive leadership paradigm wholeheartedly. By embodying these principles and fostering a culture of visionary, accountable, and compassionate leadership, Africa can unlock its full potential and usher in a new era of prosperity, dignity, and hope for all its people. The time for action is now, and the path to Africa’s renaissance begins with bold, transformative leadership.

Source: Ghana Web

Everyday People: Tough life in the village led this woman to seek a better one in Accra

Accra is one of those cities regarded as having the opportunities needed to transform people’s lives from bad to good, or better.

For this reason, many Ghanaians living in rural communities migrate to the city to have a share of the good life.

In this episode of Everyday People, GhanaWeb’s reporter, Eugenia Diabah, spoke with Emefa, a young mother who left the Volta Region for the Greater Accra Region to work.

Emefa grew up in a farming community. When her family couldn’t realise her dream of becoming a nurse because they had no money to secure that future for her, she resorted to farming.

She told the reporter that farming in her village could be challenging, especially during heavy downpours.

She also explained that at such times, their crops would be washed away, leaving them with nothing.

As troubling as the situation was, she decided to leave her birthplace for Accra to get employed and earn a living.

‘The land we used for farming is waterlogged, so anytime it rains, it washes the crops away, leav
ing us with nothing. That is why I left the Volta Region for Accra. Accra, I can say, is good. I wanted to become a prominent person in the future, but I had no one to push me to that level, which is why I was engaged in farming.

‘I wanted to become a nurse, but I dropped out of school in JHS. I couldn’t further my education because my parents didn’t have the money to support me,’ Emefa told the reporter.

Emefa currently sells pure water for a living and, touching on her business, she mentioned that she’s managing with the little money she earns but would quit if she gets a better job.

Emefa does not wish to return to school.

According to her, she would rather invest her time in selling to be successful in life.

‘Sales are not good, but it’s better than getting nothing. Selling pure water is hectic, so if I get any job, I would quit selling the water. I have a child and don’t think I would like to go back to school. I would rather invest my time in selling so I can take care of myself and my son,’ she sa
id.

Source: Ghana Web