Late Ebony’s parents steal spotlight with romantic dance moves at their wedding

In an event filled with cheers, tears of joy and exquisite fashion, parents of the late singer, Ebony Reigns stole the spotlight.

Starboy Kwarteng and Madam Beatrice Oppong Marthin are an item again and have renewed their marital vows after several years of separation.

Prior to their marriage ceremony which took place in the heart of deluxe Sunyani Tyco City hotel, the couple were in their own world with lovey-dovey public display of affection.

All eyes were on the couple when Madam Beatrice arrived looking enchanting in a green corseted gown embellished with golden lace and her dashing groom looking splendid in a grey stripped suit.

Borrowing words from singer Dada KD’s ‘Fathia Fata Nkrumah’ banger, the couple reaffirmed their love for each other and pledged to stick together till the end of time.

They danced their hearts out, drawing admiration from the excited guests who cheered them on.

This is the first time NPP is presenting weak candidates – Prof Kobby Mensah

A Political Marketing Strategist, Prof Kobby Mensah, has stated that the governing New Patriotic Party does not have strong personalities going into election 2024, considering that two out of the four under-performed in their various roles as members of the current government.

Speaking on JoyNews' PM Express, Prof Mensah noted that the duo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr Afriyie Akoto, who are currently seeking to represent the NPP in the 2024 general election have tainted their images politically due to their abysmal performance while in office.

Prof Mensah, known for his keen insights into political strategies, expressed doubt about the two contenders' abilities to lead the nation effectively and suggested that the party was, "for the first time, presenting very weak candidates."

One of the key areas of concern for Prof Mensah was the state of economic management under the NPP with Dr Bawumia at the helm of affairs for the Economic Management Team.

Economic management has been in shambles, and I’m surprised that they are trying to tout Dr. Bawumia’s credentials."

The Political Strategist further criticised Dr. Bawumia for his deafening silence on economic matters since the country's financial crisis began, noting, "I have never heard him [Dr. Bawumia] speak about the economy since the economy started plummeting."

"Let us be frank, whenever they have spoken, they’ve attributed our economic woes to Ukraine and Covid-19 but everybody knows that they have mismanaged the economy," he told host Evans Mensah on Wednesday.

Economic management has been in shambles, and I’m surprised that they are trying to tout Dr. Bawumia’s credentials."

The Political Strategist further criticised Dr. Bawumia for his deafening silence on economic matters since the country's financial crisis began, noting, "I have never heard him [Dr. Bawumia] speak about the economy since the economy started plummeting."

"Let us be frank, whenever they have spoken, they’ve attributed our economic woes to Ukraine and Covid-19 but everybody knows that they have mismanaged the economy," he told host Evans Mensah on Wednesday.

Turning his attention to Dr Afryie Akoto, Prof Mensah questioned the performance of the Food and Agriculture Ministry during his tenure.

He specifically cited the "Planting for Food and Jobs" programme, saying the initiative was in "shambles."

Prof Mensah criticized the strategies employed during the Minister's tenure, characterising them as "knee-jerk", suggesting that they failed to yield significant results.

But speaking on the show, a former National Organiser of the governing NPP, Sammy Awuku, vehemently opposed Prof Mensah's description of the party's presidential aspirants, saying the NDC had worse aspiring presidential candidates during their primary, and yet he Prof Mensah did not make such statements about them.

In his response, Mr Awuku highlighted the qualifications attained by the two contenders and believed that when given the mandate they would deliver accordingly.

The governing party is preparing to select its flagbearer this weekend. Delegates are to decide whether the Vice President, Dr Afriyie Akoto, Kennedy Agyapong and Francis Addai-Nimoh will be on the ticket of the party in 2024.

I used Common Fund to buy khebab for your parents – NDC MP blasts branch executive

Theresa Lardi Awuni, Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North Constituency

A video of Theresa Lardi Awuni, the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has recently gone viral.

In the 31-second video, the MP is heard hitting out at a branch executive believed to be from her party.

The video captures a visibly agitated Lardi Awuni, addressing a gathering of individuals, believed to be NDC sympathizers.

She takes the opportunity to explain the context that led to her outburst, detailing that the branch executive had questioned her over the use of the Common Fund allocated to the constituency on a platform they both belong.

The MP, evidently displeased is heard saying, "A branch executive in this constituency, three days ago went to write on the platform, that what does the MP use the Common Fund for?

“I used it to buy khebabs for your mother and father... is Common Fund personal money given to us? I haven’t even seen some before, they don't give it to me directly."

I used Common Fund to buy khebab for your parents - NDC MP blasts branch executive

What is District Assembly Common Fund (DACF)

The District Assembly Common Fund is established by the District Assembly Common Fund Act 1993, (Act 455) under Article 242.

The purpose of setting this fund is to provide resources to support the developmental activities of the local government. It is a fund created out of the consolidated fund to channel resources from the central government to the local governments for development.

The District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) is a pool of resources created under section 252 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana.

It is a minimum of 5% of the national revenue set aside to be shared among all District Assemblies in Ghana with a formula approved by Parliament. It is a Development Fund which enables the use of the nation’s wealth throughout Ghana to the benefit of all citizens.

Purpose of the DACF

a) The Fund is to ensure equitable distribution of the national resources for the development in every part of Ghana.

b) To Improve Housing Schemes.

c) To support sanitation management

d) It is to strengthen decentralization and to promote Sustainable self-help development communities.

e) To improve upon primary health care delivery in all part of Ghana

f) It is to improve the country’s educational facilities, and to ensure quality education g) The Fund support Community policing.
Sources of money into the fund

The District Assembly Common fund is financed from the following sources:

a) A minimum of 5% of total tax revenue is transferred quarterly into the fund.

b) Income from investment of the fund

c) Donations and Grants

Expenditures Charged on the fund

a) Disbursement to MMDAs/MPs

b) Disbursement to RCCs

c) Direct expenditures on behalf of MMDAs (reserves)

d) Administrative expenses directly related to funding administration (audit fee, bank charges etc.)

Approved areas of spending the share of DACF by the MMDSs:

a) Economic Ventures(Energy, Markets, Agriculture, Services roads etc.

b) Social services(Education, health, Water, Sports and Recreation, Self-help projects, Educational Activities etc.)

c) Administration (capacity building of DA staff and Assembly members, Accommodation, office Equipment etc.

d) Environment(Sanitation, Disaster management)

e) MPs common fund

Administration of the District Assembly Common Fund/ Functions of the Administrator

The fund is administered by the DACF Administrator appointed by the president. The DACF Administrator has the following mandatory functions:

a) Propose formula annually for the allocation and distribution of the common fund to the MMDAs

b) Allocate and distribute the common fund quarterly based on the approved formula to the various MMDAs

c) Report in writing to the MOF on how the fund was distributed and utilized by the various MMDAs; and

d) Perform any other functions required by the President of the Republic

Benefits of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF)

a) The fund aims at creating jobs for all through programmes such as cottage industries.

b) It seeks to get more people to gain access to improved shelter through the housing.

c) Through the fund, health facilities are expanded and improved to make health delivery accessible to many people

d) Through the fund numerous school buildings and structures have been constructed for the increasing needs of the population.

e) The fund encourages and supports communities that make effort to initiate their own development projects (Community Initiated Programme).

Challenges of the Administration of the DACF

a) Delay in the release and disbursement of the fund to the MMDAs

b) Government interference in the allocation and disbursement of the fund

c) Inadequacy of funds

d) Misappropriation and financial malpractices at the MMDAs level

e) Over-reliance on the fund by some district assemblies. Retarding innovative financing.

Financial Report by the DACF Administrator

The Administrator of the common fund is obliged to submit to parliament, an annual report on the activities undertaken during the preceding fiscal year. The report should include information on the manner in which the monies lodged in the common fund has been distributed and the report of the Auditor-General on the accounts

The financial report of the common fund is basically made up of Income and Expenditure Account and then a statement of financial position showing the financial state of the fund.

911 GOOD SAMARITAN LAW(Opioid)

The law offers some protection to the overdose victim and those who call 911 from prosecution for

  • Drugs(possession up to 8oz of narcotics)
  • Marijuana(any amount)
  • Alcohol(for underage drinkers)
  • Paraphernalia offenses
  • Sharing of drugs (in NYS sharing constitutes a ''sales'' offences)

Does not provide explicit legal protections for probation or parole violations, violations for open warrants, issues related to immigration ,child welfare.

BoG Governor is a masterclass in monetary mismanagement – Prof. Hanke

Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Steve Hanke

Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Steve Hanke, has criticized Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor Ernest Addison, describing his him as a "masterclass in monetary mismanagement."

Professor Hanke's comments came in the context of the #OccupyBoG protest organized by a minority of parliament members, who are demanding the resignation of the governor and his deputies in addition to the reversal of a controversial Bank of Ghana building project.

In a series of tweets, Professor Hanke expressed his support for the #OccupyBoG protest, which saw thousands of Ghanaians take to the streets of Accra to demand the resignation of Ernest Addison and his deputies.

His tweet read, "#OccupyBoG: Today, thousands of Ghanaians took to the streets of Accra to demand the resignation of Ernest Addison, Ghana's central bank governor. GOV. ADDISON = A MASTERCLASS IN MONETARY MISMANAGEMENT."

Ghana's economy has been a topical issue in recent months following a downturn occasioned by galloping inflation, depreciating currency and general decline in the quality of life coupled with high cost of living.

The government has serially blamed the aftermath of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war before submitting to a US$3 billion IMF loan last year, if which US$600 million as tranche one has been credited to government account.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/EflHpt0gOGo

Death toll in Libya’s Derna flooding could reach 20,000: Mayor.

Residents of the devastated Libyan city of Derna desperately searched for missing relatives as rescue workers appealed for more body bags, after a catastrophic flood that killed thousands of people and swept many out to sea.

Swathes of the Mediterranean city were obliterated by a torrent of water unleashed by a powerful storm that swept down a usually dry riverbed on Sunday night, bursting dams above the city. Multistorey buildings collapsed with sleeping families inside.

Spokesperson of the interior ministry Lieutenant Tarek al-Kharraz on Wednesday told the AFP news agency that 3,840 deaths had been recorded in the Mediterranean city so far, including 3,190 who have already been buried. Among them were at least 400 foreigners, mostly from Sudan and Egypt.

Meanwhile, Hichem Abu Chkiouat, minister of civil aviation in the administration that runs eastern Libya, told the Reuters news agency more than 5,300 dead had been counted so far, and said the number was likely to increase significantly and might even double.

Derna Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television the estimated number of deaths in the city could reach between 18,000 to 20,000 based on the number of districts destroyed by the flood.

libya
A view shows a damaged car [Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters]

Derna resident Mahmud Abdulkarim told journalist Moutaz Ali in Tripoli that he lost his mother and brother, after failing to evacuate in time from their first floor apartment following the collapse of a dam.

“She refused to leave her place … didn’t imagine the situation would be horrible and told him [Abdulkarim] it was just ordinary rains,” Ali reported, from an event organised for Tripoli’s Derwani community.

According to Abdulkarim, when his mother and brother did decide to finally leave their apartment, they were swept away by the floodwaters once they reached the streets to flee.

My number one position is an indication that I will be president – Kennedy Agyapong

Kennedy Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central

Member of Parliament for Assin Central and New Patriotic Party (NPP), flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong, has posited that his consistent drawing of the number one spot on ballots is a divine signal that he would lead both the NPP and the nation.

Speaking to the media after balloting on September 13, 2023, he expressed the belief that being drawn number one on the ballot for the second successive time was a clear indication from God that he should be entrusted with the mantle of leadership.

He noted that this divine message is apparent to anyone who subscribes to biblical wisdom.

"It is clear that I am the person God has chosen to lead the NPP. If you believe in the Bible… because everywhere I go, Kennedy Agyapong is number one. It is a clear indication that I should be given a chance to lead this country."

He highlighted that he drew the number one spot in the super delegates' election and has once again drawn number one in the upcoming party congress.

These occurrences, he believes, offer undeniable proof of his presidential destiny.

"The signs are clearly on the wall that if you vote for Kennedy Agyapong, he will definitely lead this country and break the eight."

The reference to "break the eight" alludes to his desire to end the two-term limit in power that parties under the Fourth Republic have stayed in power and secure a third consecutive term for the party.

The Presidential Elections Committee held an interactive session with the four contestants vying for the NPP presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The outcome of the session was the agreement on the modalities and procedures that will govern the upcoming election.

Under the supervision of officials from the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the Elections Committee conducted a balloting process to determine the order in which the contestants will appear on the ballot.

Here is the order in which the contestants will appear on the ballot:

1. Ken Ohene Agyapong

2. Mahamudu Bawumia

3. Owusu Afriyie Akoto

4. Francis Addai-Nimoh

statefmonline.com

Kwesi Atta Antwi elected new lay President of Methodist Church-Ghana

Kwesi Atta Antwi elected new lay President of Methodist Church-Ghana

The Methodist Church Ghana has elected Kwesi Atta Antwi, a member of the Kumasi Wesley Society, in the Kumasi Diocese as the next Lay President of the church.
The Lay President of the Methodist Church Ghana, is a person who is not a reverend minister but mandated by the Methodist Constitution to “assist the Presiding Bishop in giving leadership to the Church in addition to carrying out duties that may be assigned by Conference and by the Presiding Bishop.

The Lay President also presides over the Representative Session of Conference and General Directorates in the absence of the Presiding Bishop.

Mr Atta Antwi who is a Past Lay Chairman of the Kumasi Diocese and a Management Consultant will take office from October, 2023 when the three year mandate of the incumbent, William Orleans Oduro expires.

He was elected after a run-off election held on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at the 50th Annual and 12th Biennial Conference of the Methodist Church Ghana held in Winneba.

He has served the Church in several capacities at various levels.

He polled 255 votes, representing 68.63 per cent of ballots cast to go pass his closest contender, Grace Nkrumah-Mills of the Wesley Society in Akosombo in the Somanya Diocese, who secured 117 votes.

Key decisions taken by church at the Winneba Conference

At the conference in Winneba, the Methodist Church Ghana took some key decisions including the creation of two new Dioceses starting October 1, 2022 to bring the total number of Dioceses to 22.

The new ones are the Ho and North America.

OSP Vs. Labianca raises questions about Ghana’s governance-Prof.E Gyimah Boadi

The ongoing public dispute between the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and Labianca Company Limited raises a number of troubling questions about the state of governance in Ghana today, the Co-founder and former Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, Prof. E. Gyimah-Boadi has said.
The dispute is over questionable dealings between Labianca and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

The Chief Executive of Labianca is Ms. Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinneh, who happens to be a member of the Council of State.

Firstly, should the President appoint an individual to serve on the board of a public agency with whom that individual has private business dealings?

And if so, doesn’t that set that person up for conflict of interest?

Secondly, is it appropriate for the President to appoint a member of the Council of State to a state agency board?

Was there an objectively compelling public interest-related reason for the President to make such an appointment?

And finally, was the appointment run by the Council of State? And if the answer is yes, doesn’t the Council of State’s approval of the appointment of one of its members to a state agency board position smack of institutional self-dealing on the part of Council of State?

In conclusion, it is obvious that the entire sordid episode speaks specifically to the entrenchment of incumbent leaders and political elite capture of Ghana; and generally, to the alarming decline in governance standards in our 4th Republic.

Therefore, as a recommendation, this unfortunate event highlights the urgent need for an ethics czar at the Presidency, Executive Branch, Council of State, and other important decision-making and public resource allocation agencies and institutions.

Prof. Gyimah-Boadi is cofounder, board chair, and interim Chief Executive Officer of the Afrobarometer (a nonpartisan, pan-African survey research network that provides reliable data on Africans’ experiences and evaluations of quality of life, governance, and democracy). He is also cofounder and former executive director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana, a leading independent democracy and good governance think tank), and a former professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Legon. Gyimah-Boadi is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences (US).

Ashanti Regional Police Administration Adopting Centralized Communication System-Ashanti GJA

Ashanti Regional Police Administration Adopting Centralized Communication System-Ashanti GJA

The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has observed with grave concern a situation where the Police Administration appears to have adopted what can be described as a 'centralized communication system' which ın our view has the potential to affect the time-testded Police-Media relations in the region.

The Association is finding it difficult to understand why the regional Police Command ın recent times appears to be avoiding media interviews on news items where the police in the region iş expected to provide clarifcations on urgent situations of public interest but rather chooses to refer the media to the headquarters in Accra.

Is it not surprising, why media houses in the region cannot access information of an incident in the region from the regional command?.

A point must be made by GJA that "our job is not just to be called upon to cover parades and" WASSA" at your instance".

The fact remains that journalists have an essential duty to inform the public on the issues of security and other safety matters.

It is a fact that both journalists and the police share the common object of providing service to the Public, even though from different perspectives.

While the police work to keep peace and provide safety for the public, the media work to provide information, in fact, accurate information, to the public including the police and other security forces.

Therefore, the situation where a media house cannot access information from the Regional Command, but would have to wait for someone from Accra to respond to the issues, which in many instances is not forthcoming, should be of great worry to us and as a result calls for a second thought by the Police Administration.

İt is therefore our submission that İf nothing iş done to correct the state of affairs, such can easily give rise to speculations and twisting of facts, which would not be in the best interest of the people both institutions are serving.

İt is the position of GJA Ashanti that the police iş chatting a path of creating a strained relationship between the two institutions with the introducion of centralised communication system where journalists ın the region are referred to contact the headquarters in Accra for clarifications on news items ın Kumasi and its environs and that şame needs to be rectified.

This position of ours is reinforced by our strong desire to avoid instances of speculative reporting which can be inimical to the progress of democratic growth and development.

Sgd.
Hope King
Ashanti Regional Chairman,
GJA.

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