A 53-year-old Ghanaian fisherman residing in Ireland has sadly passed away following a tragic accident on a trawler.
The deceased, identified as Moses Odonkor from Skibbereen, reportedly suffered fatal injuries on February 4, 2025, while working aboard the vessel.
Authorities have described the incident as a workplace accident, stating that it happened while the crew was deploying heavy nets near the Porcupine Bank in Irish waters, according to Sunday World.
Despite frantic efforts by his fellow crew members to save him, he succumbed to his injuries before emergency responders could intervene.
His sudden death has left the fishing community in shock, with his colleagues remembering him as a skilled and respected crew member known for his cheerful personality.
Following the accident, the trawler returned to the port in Castletownbere.
Odonkor had lived in Ireland for over 20 years, and this is not the first tragedy to hit his family. In 2023, his two-year-old son, Joshua, tragically died after choking on a grape.
He is survived by his wife, Philomena Odonkor, and two children, Isaac and Emmanuel.
Meanwhile, his remains are expected to be flown back to Ghana later this week, Sunday World added.
Today commemorates the fourth anniversary of the passing of President Jerry John Rawlings, a leader remembered for his lifelong dedication to the people.
In a statement from the Rawlings Foundation and the JJ Rawlings Family, the late president was celebrated as a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and steadfast friend to millions across Ghana and the world.
Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, known as “The People’s Man,” is remembered for his unwavering commitment to justice, freedom, and accountability, standing as an exemplary figure of African leadership.
“Jerry John Rawlings remains The People’s Man: A leader who gave his life willingly in service to the ordinary people,” the statement read.
“He dedicated his whole life to the ordinary people,” the statement emphasised, acknowledging his advocacy for governments in Africa to serve with genuine commitment to their citizens.
Mr. Rawlings made his debut in Ghana’s political scene in 1979, a time marked by socio-economic instability, when his decisive actions led to a powerful call for change.
As a young Air Force officer and leader of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), he sparked a shift in political awareness among Ghanaians.
Rawlings’ leadership continued as the Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) from 1981 to 1992, and later as the first president of Ghana’s Fourth Republic, serving from 1992 to 2001, making him the longest-serving leader in the country’s history.
He also founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a party that has since played a central role in the nation’s political landscape.
In reflecting on his legacy, the statement emphasized Rawlings’ significant impact on Ghana’s socio-economic recovery and growth.
His bravery in challenging injustice and his fight against the exploitation of Africa’s resources were key aspects of his leadership that resonated deeply with the Ghanaian people.
“Jerry John Rawlings has indeed left an indelible mark in Ghana, and Africa,” parts of the statement read.
Residents of Trabuom in the Atwima Kwanwoma District, Ashanti Region, are grappling with the shocking aftermath of a tragic incident involving a local pastor and his wife. On September 28, 2024, Victor Appiah, a 50-year-old pastor and founder of the End Time Rapture Family Church, allegedly killed his 46-year-old wife, Akua Emelia, in a brutal act of violence on a cassava farm.
Witnesses report that after the incident, Victor took his own life by consuming poison. The couple, who had eight children together, had a history of domestic disputes, with Akua having previously left due to ongoing issues. Family members disclosed that Victor had recently convinced her to return to the marriage, raising concerns about their troubled relationship.
Kofi Bonsu, Akua’s brother, provided further insight into the horrific event, stating that Victor had asked Akua to gather cassava from a nearby farm. It was there that he attacked her with a machete, taking her life in a shocking act of violence. Bonsu lamented the turn of events, expressing sorrow that what was meant to be a reconciliation led to such a tragic outcome.
“My sister had left her husband due to some misunderstandings, but he convinced her to return. Little did we know it was a trap,” he quoted to have said.
In a disturbing twist, Victor reportedly reached out to Akua’s mother after committing the act, confessing his crime and instructing the family to retrieve her remains from the farm.
Local authorities have initiated an investigation into the case, leaving the community in a state of disbelief. Many residents described Victor as a respected figure in the community, known for his teachings on love and forgiveness, making the alleged crime all the more perplexing.
“This is unbelievable. Pastor Victor was always preaching about love and forgiveness. We never suspected he was capable of such evil,” one resident is quoted as saying in disbelief. shared a community member, reflecting the collective shock. The tragic deaths have left their children orphaned, raising urgent concerns about hidden domestic violence in the community.
The family of music producer Eric Nkrumah, known as Unda Beatz, has shared more details about the events leading up to his untimely death.
They revealed that he had been dealing with health issues for a while, including a severe throat condition that made it difficult for him to eat or drink.
This ailment persisted even during his birthday celebration, which took place just days before his passing.
“He hadn’t been well for a while now, even on the day he was celebrating his birthday, he wasn’t feeling well. He had a boil in his throat and couldn’t eat or drink water. He even went to the pharmacy to get drugs for his condition,” the family exclusively told Gossips 24.
Despite seeking treatment and getting medication, his health continued to decline.
According to the family, he spent the night before his death resting in his mother’s room before returning to his own.
Tragically, he was found unresponsive the next morning.
“The night before he died, he slept in his mother’s room for a while before returning to his own room. In the morning, people checked on him and found his lifeless body.”
Unda Beatz’s death, which occurred on September 26, 2024, has left friends and collaborators, such as musician Yaa Pono, in deep shock, with many taking to social media to mourn the loss of the talented producer.
The family of former South African Finance Minister and anti-apartheid veteran, Pravin Gordhan, has announced his passing at the age of 75.
A key figure in South Africa’s transition to democracy, Gordhan played a significant role in ending white-minority rule. Throughout his career, he held various high-ranking government and administrative positions, including two terms as finance minister. He retired from politics in May 2024.
The seasoned politician died in a hospital on Friday after a brief but courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family, close friends, and comrades from the liberation struggle.
Gordhan is recognized for his leadership in transforming the South African Revenue Service (SARS) into a reputable institution during his tenure from 1999 to 2009.
His contributions extended beyond his roles in finance, serving briefly as the Minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs and later as Public Enterprises Minister, where he attempted to combat corruption in state-owned entities like Eskom and South African Airways.
Born in Durban in 1949, Gordhan’s activism began in the 1970s during his pharmacy studies, becoming a key player in the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the fight against apartheid.
He faced imprisonment multiple times for his activism and was pivotal in negotiating the end of apartheid, co-chairing the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa).
Despite being accused of fraud in 2016—charges later dropped—Gordhan remained a staunch opponent of state corruption. He was dismissed from his position in 2017 for his resistance to corruption under President Jacob Zuma’s administration, with allegations centered on the controversial Gupta family.
In his final role as Public Enterprises Minister, Gordhan’s efforts to reform state-owned companies faced challenges, and his departure from politics marked the end of a long and influential career. Before his death, he reflected on his life’s work, stating, “I have no regrets. We have made our contribution.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed Gordhan as a symbol of the fight against corruption, acknowledging his personal sacrifices throughout decades of public service. Gordhan is survived by his wife, Vanitha, and their daughters, Anisha and Priyesha.
The family of 18-year-old Jagiri Mborilen suspects foul play in his death while in police custody in Chamba, within the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region.
Jagiri’s elder brother, Ganiw Abass, shared that he visited Jagiri around 8 o’clock in the morning and assured him that the family was working on his bail. Later, he was shocked to receive a call informing him that his brother had committed suicide.
“It is strange that in just a matter of hours, someone who was okay had passed. I was called this afternoon after visiting my brother earlier this morning, only to be told he had committed suicide. I asked how he got the rope in the cells to commit suicide. He was sitting on the ground with the rope hanging around his neck,” Mr. Abass said.
When asked to convey the body, Mr. Abassinformed the police that he was not the family head and could not make such a decision without consulting the family elders.
“I told them I am not the head of the family and cannot take any decision unless I inform the elders and the assemblyman, which I later did,” he explained.
The body was subsequently moved to Bimbilla for examination and then handed over to the family for burial. Mr. Abass insisted, “They sent the body to Bimbilla and later gave it to the family for burial, but I won’t agree. This matter has to be investigated.”
Background
Jagiri Mborilen was accused of theft by a woman who allegedly consulted a soothsayer, who named Jagiri as the thief. Jagiri’s elder brother, Ganiw, was asked to bring him to the soothsayer’s shrine, which he did.
When the soothsayer accused Jagiri of the theft, he denied it, but the soothsayer insisted on his guilt.
The matter was then taken to the police station, where Jagiri was detained. The police later claimed that Jagiri had admitted to the theft, and the family was told they would need to repay the stolen money.
Mr. Abass stated that he had discussed repayment arrangements with the woman who accused Jagiri, suspecting that his brother might have been coerced into confessing at the police station. “We suspect they did something to him at the police station to force him to admit he stole the money, but we even agreed to pay the money,” he added.
After discussing bail arrangements with his brother, Mr. Abass was devastated to learn of Jagiri’s death. The body is currently with the family after being brought from Bimbilla by the police.
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is celebrating a momentous occasion as he traditionally weds Chioma Rowland, also known as Chef Chi, in Lagos.
Legit.ng previously reported that videos showcasing the wedding venue of the celebrity couple have gone viral on social media, captivating many.
In a new video, Davido can be seen expressing his joy while getting ready for the big event, describing their traditional wedding as the happiest day of his life.
Towards the end of the video, a visibly thrilled Davido remarks that he, along with his family and friends, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Chioma.
“I feel good men, it is the best day of my life, we here to receive our wife,” he said.
The founder of Bills Micro-Credit, formerly known as Quick Credit, Richard Nii-Armah Quaye, has shared the modest beginnings of his entrepreneurial journey.
He revealed that he initiated his company by selling his family’s television set.
Returning to Ghana after years abroad, Mr. Quaye found himself perceived as affluent by his community members, who frequently sought financial aid from him.
Despite lacking significant funds upon his return, Quaye seized the opportunity to establish himself as a loan provider in his locality.
Starting on a small scale, he extended loans to community members for various needs such as school fees and medical expenses.
To secure capital for his venture, Quaye made the tough choice of selling off family belongings, including their television and freezers. The proceeds from these sales served as the initial investment for his business.
As his enterprise grew, it transformed into Quick Credit and Micro Investments, expanding its clientele and offering a broader array of financial services.
In Ghana, when discussing affluent individuals, names like Osei Kwame Despite, Sir Sam Jonah, and Ibrahim Mahama often come to mind.
However, this may not entirely depict the wealthiest families in the country.
A video shared by The Billionaire Chronicles, sheds light on the families considered the eight wealthiest in Ghana.
Here is a rundown of these notable families:
Irani Family: Lebanese brothers Anthony and Edmond migrated to Ghana, establishing a wheat flour production business.
Despite their passing, the family’s enterprise persists, with a substantial net worth of US$800 million, ranking them as Ghana’s wealthiest family.
Kalmoni Family: This family boasts ownership of Japan Motors, Silver Star Tower, and Lakeside Estate, with an estimated net wealth of $700 million.
Awuah Darko Family: Founded Marine and General Insurance Brokers and subsequently the Vanguard Group of Companies.
With a net worth of $650 million, they are recognized as the foremost indigenous Ghanaian family.
Milad Millet Family: Originating from a textile corporation, the family’s assets, primarily in towel manufacturing, now amount to around $620 million under the rebranded name Printex.
Adamu Iddrissu Family: Adamu Iddrissu’s ventures include Global Haulage Limited and Royal Bank, contributing to a family wealth of approximately $550 million.
Hitti Family: Established Qualiplast, later rebranded to Duraplast, owning Suvinil Paint and Ashfoam, with a combined net worth of $540 million.
Azar Family: Elias Azar founded Azar Chemical Industries, which evolved from City Paint to become a leading importer of paint and building materials. With assets surpassing $520 million, the family’s business is now run by Ghazi and Rustom Azar.
Bitar Family: John Bitar initiated John Bitar & Co Ltd., originating from cash crop farming to become a top producer of high-quality wood products. Their net worth stands at $450 million, placing them among Ghana’s wealthiest families.
To mark one week since Lance Corporal Michael Danso tragically lost his life in Kasoa, his family returned to the site where he was shot to death to conduct a cleansing ritual.
Following tradition, the family performed rituals and poured libations at the scene of the incident to facilitate the spiritual return of their son as seen in a viral video.
Videos of the ceremony depicted traditional leaders and members of the soldier’s family pouring libations and reciting incantations.
L/Cpl Michael Danso was caught in the crossfire of a land dispute at Kasoa Millennium City, where he was brutally shot multiple times near a police station.
The soldier lost his life on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in an unprovoked attack while accompanying his colleague, Cpl Omar Abdul-Rahman, to his half plot of land at Kasoa, where reports suggested someone was encroaching.
The prime suspect in the case, Benlord Ababio, allegedly engaged in a confrontation with the soldiers at the police station, leading to the fatal shooting of Lance Corporal Danso.
According to both the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, the dispute centered around a half plot of land claimed by Lance Corporal Omar Abdul Rahman, who was present during the incident along with Lance Corporal Ametus Matthew.
Contrary to initial reports, the soldiers reportedly sought police intervention before the confrontation escalated.
During the altercation at the police station, shots were fired, resulting in Lance Corporal Danso sustaining fatal injuries. The police disarmed and arrested the shooter upon realizing the severity of the situation.
The Ghana Armed Forces retrieved Lance Corporal Danso’s body, which has since been placed in the morgue at the 37 Military Hospital.
The family of the late Gospel musician, Augustine Kofi Owusu Dua Anto, known asKODA, expresses profound sadness and devastation following his passing.
They are grappling with the shocking loss and are still trying to comprehend it.
In a statement on KODA’s official website, the family expresses gratitude to fans, well-wishers, and the public for their support during this difficult time.
However, they kindly request privacy as they mourn and begin the healing process.
“The sudden departure of KODA has left us sorrowful and devastated; and we deeply appreciate the outpouring of love and support from contemporaries, friends, fans, and loved ones,” the statement read.
“As we grapple with the shock and grief of this loss, we humbly request privacy during this profoundly challenging time to heal and mourn as a family,” they added.
The family stated that all information regarding KODA’s memorial service, funeral rites, and other related events will be communicated to the public via the website.
“KODA’s legacy will endure, resonating throughout eternity,” they added.
KODA passed away in the early hours of Sunday, April 21, 2024.
Although the exact cause of his death was not disclosed, the family noted that he passed away following a brief illness.
The 45-year-old left behind his wife and three children
Read the full statement below:
“The Dua-Anto Family, Ewurama Dua-Anto with the Osae and Dankwa Families, and ALL the Allied Families solemnly announce the sudden passing of their son, brother, nephew and Husband.
Kofi Owusu Dua-Anto (KODA) on Sunday, April 21, 2024, following a brief illness.
The sudden departure of KODA has left us sorrowful and devastated; and we deeply appreciate the outpouring of love and support from contemporaries, friends, fans, and loved ones.
As we grapple with the shock and grief of this loss, we humbly request privacy during this profoundly challenging time to heal and mourn as a family.
We kindly invite you to visit www.kodasmemorial.com which will be accessible shortly with information on his memorial and funeral arrangements.
KODA’s legacy will endure, resonating throughout eternity.
“Blessed are those who die in the LORD from henceforth: Yea, saith the SPIRIT, that they may rest from their Labours, and their Works do follow them.” (Revelation 14:13). AMEN (sic).”
From the lineage of a former pharmaceutical tycoon, late Ebenezer Sampong Bediako, has emerged the towering figures and renowned brands that have dominated Ghana’s pharmaceutical landscape for decades.
The family of the late businessman, including his children, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren, boasts ownership of various pharmaceutical enterprises nationwide.
Among these are prominent names such as Ernest Chemists, Bedita Pharmaceuticals, and Jebina Pharmacy Ltd, among others.
This lineage’s extensive influence was highlighted in a photograph featured in the obituary of Ebenezer Sampong Bediako, who passed away on December 26, 2020.
Born in 1935, the astute businessman served as the Chief Executive Officer of Bediako Brothers Pharmacy. Throughout his life, he fathered 47 children with six wives.
In Ghana, the pharmaceutical industry holds significant importance, providing crucial services to individuals and institutions in the hospitality and healthcare sectors, spanning both urban and rural areas. Furthermore, the sector plays a vital role in bolstering the domestic economy and fostering export opportunities.
According to Statista, the pharmaceutical industry is projected to generate revenue of US$236 million in 2024. Its ecosystem comprises drug producers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and consumers.
Below is a list of pharmaceutical chains owned by Ebenezer Sampong Bediako’s descendants:
A family in Ashaiman is raising concerns and demanding clarity from a local mortuary amid claims that the mortuary has lost track of their deceased relative’s body.
The family alleges that despite completing all required paperwork and arrangements for the release of the corpse, they have been unable to locate it.
Representing the family, Pastor Ebenezer Nartey expressed frustration with the management of the mortuary.
He stated that they had entrusted the body to the mortuary with the understanding that it would be released to them on April 20, 2024, for transportation to Kakasuna No. 1.
However, the mortuary’s management has reportedly not responded to their requests.
“We lost one of our church members, so we deposited the body here at Trinity Mortuary, and the necessary arrangements were made for us to collect the body today. Yesterday, the family sent a delegation to the Trinity office, informing them to prepare our body for collection today to be conveyed from here to Kakasuna No. 1,” Pastor Nartey explained.
“Despite our arrival at 3:00 PM, we have been unable to locate our body. The deceased is a woman named Mary Animley. The lack of communication and reception from the mortuary’s officers is concerning. It’s now past 6 PM, and we urgently need our body today. All necessary documentation and agreements between Trinity and the family have been completed,” he added.
The family’s distress highlights the need for prompt and transparent communication from mortuaries in such sensitive matters.
A family trapped in a burning hostel has been salvaged by a courageous individual who has earned the nickname “Real African Spiderman” on social media
The incident unfolded when a fire broke out at a hostel, trapping a man and his children on one end of the building, unable to escape as flames engulfed the structure.
He managed to climb the building to where the family were trapped and with no time to spare, he made a split-second decision to leap from the building with one of the children, ensuring the safety of the family.
Amazingly, the brave jump ended with the hero landing safely on a pile of mattresses set up below. The crowd cheered loudly, and everyone saw the hero as a true superhero because of his brave and selfless deed.
Watch the video below:
The real African Spiderman. A hostel was burning. A man trapped at the other end with his kids couldn’t escape.
A brave man climbed the building, took the kids and jumped to a waiting pack of mattresses below. Real hero. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/LIscDDOswH
The Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, conceded on Saturday that he had been defeated when two proposed modifications to the constitution did not succeed.The changes were about how a family is defined and removing language about a woman’s role at home.
Varadkar wanted to change the constitution to make it more fair for men and women. He also wanted to update it to reflect how families are today. He said that the voters gave the government a big surprise by voting against them twice.
“He said that we made a mistake. ” The saying goes that many people want to take credit for success but no one wants to take the blame for failure. But I believe that when you lose by a lot, a lot of people made mistakes, including me.
Critics said the changes to the laws were not clear enough, and people were unsure about the options, which could cause unexpected problems.
The vote was seen as part of Ireland’s change from a strict, mostly Catholic country where divorce and abortion were against the law, to a more diverse and open-minded society. The number of people who are Catholic has gone down from 94. 9% in 1961 to 69% in 2022, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The Irish Constitution, which was made in 1937, has been modified to reflect changes in society. The country was not officially called the Republic of Ireland until 1949. Irish people voted to allow divorce in 1995, to allow same-sex marriage in 2015, and to remove the ban on abortions in 2018.
The first question was about a part of the constitution that promises to keep families safe and important in society. Voters were asked to change the constitution to say that families can be started through marriage or other strong relationships, instead of just through marriage. It would have been the 39th change to the constitution if it passed.
A proposed 40th amendment would have taken out a mention that said women should stay at home because it is better for society than the state providing care. It also would have removed a statement that said mothers should not have to work if it means they can’t take care of their family at home. It would have said that the state will try to help family members take care of each other.
Siobhan Mullally, who teaches law and leads the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway, said it was disrespectful for Varadkar to plan the vote on International Women’s Day, assuming people would use the day to remove the language about women in the home. The care amendment wasn’t very easy.
Voters want to get rid of the old idea that women should only stay at home. They also want new words that show the state helps with family care, even from people who aren’t family. Some people who support the rights of disabled people and fairness in society were against the rule because it was too strict in that area.
Mullally said it was a big chance that was missed. “Many people want to get rid of sexist language from the constitution for sure. ” People have been asking for this for a long time, and it’s finally happening with a referendum. But they suggested using a very restricted and weak rule for taking care of it instead.
Varadkar said that his team had not succeeded in convincing people that the vote was necessary, regardless of the problems with how the questions were asked. People who wanted the change and people who didn’t both said that the government didn’t explain why the change was needed or promote it strongly.
Senator said that the government did not understand what the people wanted and presented ideas that they didn’t explain well and that could have bad effects. Michael McDowell, who is not part of any political party, disagreed with both plans and said this to the Irish TV channel RTE.
Ivana Bacik, the leader of the Labour Party, said on RTE that she supported the measures, even though she had concerns about how they were written. She also said that the government did not do a very good job promoting the measures.
The debate was not as intense as the arguments about abortion and gay marriage. Ireland’s major political parties all agreed to the changes, including the centrist government partners Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, as well as the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein.
Aontu, a political group that broke away from Sinn Fein because they support legal abortion, asked people to vote against it. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin said that the government’s choice of words was unclear and will cause legal disputes. He also thinks that most people don’t understand what a durable relationship means.
Surveys showed that many people were in favor of saying “yes” in both votes. But on Friday, many voters said they didn’t understand the issue well enough to change the constitution.
Una Ui Dhuinn, a nurse in Dublin, said it was too hurried. “We didn’t have enough time to think about it and do some reading on it. I thought it would be safer to not make any changes.
Caoimhe Doyle, a student getting a doctorate, said she voted yes to change the family definition, but no to the care amendment because “I don’t think it was explained very well. ”
“She’s concerned that they’re making it so the state doesn’t have to take care of families anymore,” she said.
In the aftermath of the demise of Dr. Grace Boadu, her family has reportedly rejected the presence of her husband, Pastor Kingsley Gyanfi.
Despite Pastor Kingsley and his church elders attempting to visit the family, they were denied entry into the house.
According to reports, a family member of Dr. Grace intervened, preventing Pastor Kingsley and his group from entering the premises. The family did not provide an opportunity for greetings or interaction.
The family states that they are awaiting the arrival of Dr. Grace’s mother from abroad before making any decisions. A video circulating on social media captures the moment when Kingsley and his associates were left stranded and eventually had to return home.
Speculation is arising on social media, with some suggesting that the family’s reluctance to welcome Pastor Kingsley may be linked to concerns about Dr. Grace’s properties.
In a recent installment of the “Uncut with D-Black” show, Ghanaian reggae and dancehall sensation Jupitar delved into the complexities of managing his music career alongside family obligations.
He openly discussed the challenges that come with navigating the demanding landscape of the music industry while trying to foster strong familial connections.
Referring to the music industry as “suicidal” for those aiming to establish a stable family life, Jupitar candidly addressed the inherent difficulties.
Despite acknowledging the uphill battle, he shared occasional compromises made in an effort to find a harmonious balance, recognizing that sacrifices are often unavoidable.
Jupitar highlighted the ongoing struggle to synchronize his musical pursuits with the responsibilities of family life, underscoring the essential nature of making sacrifices to effectively manage both aspects of his life.
“I try as much as possible to sometimes violate the process. Even if I will come home at ten, I will come home the next morning. I won’t do it often. The balance is quite difficult,” he said.
The family of Ghanaian actor, Vincent E. McCauley Jr., has characterized him as an irreplaceable individual with a loving and caring nature, marking this sentiment as part of the official announcement of his passing.
The talented actor and administrator passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, following his surgery for a brain tumor in South Africa.
Vincent was affectionately admired for his roles in the renowned Ghanaian TV show ‘Things We Do For Love’ and continued to leave a lasting impact through his participation in a diverse array of movies and TV productions.
His colleagues, students, and friends at Soul Clinic International School, where he held the position of administrator, held the 48-year-old in equally high regard and affection.
In a heartfelt statement, the family intimated that “our Vincent now has Eternity of Rest, adding that, “he leaves a large void and will be greatly missed.”
The family joins a myriad of saddened Ghanaians who have thronged social media platforms to eulogize Vincent for his impact on their lives.
The communique further explained “The family is grateful for the time you spent with us, dear Vincent!”
“You were a gem, a gift straight from God and you were greatly loved and cherished.”
They also thanked “all those who genuinely cared and loved him too.”
The family of actor John Okafor, widely known as Mr Ibu, has dismissed circulating claims that his second leg has been amputated.
Recent social media reports suggested that the actor’s second leg underwent a similar amputation weeks after the first one.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, the family refuted these rumors, including those asserting that Mr Ibu is grappling with severe diabetes and blood clotting in his legs. The family clarified that the actor has not been transported abroad for additional treatment because doctors have deemed him unfit for air travel.
“We wish to Express our sincere gratitude to well meaning Nigerians and the general public for your immense contributions, physically, spiritually and most above all financially on getting our daddy Mr John Okafor (Mr Ibu) back on his feet again.
We wish to correct some misconceptions making rounds on social media concerning the current state of our father’s health.
First we will like to state that our daddy wasn’t amputated on both legs but only one. The first amputation didn’t completely correct his health predicament so the doctors had to go ahead to amputate same leg further to ensure we didn’t loose him.
Daddy’s cause of sickness is also not diabetes but he’s had constant clotting of the blood in his leg (diseased blood vessels) and other health challenges posing risk to his life, therefore the need for the amputation.
Lastly, the only reason why the family has not flown him out of the country till date is cause the doctors have tagged him “Not Fit to Fly”.. This tag has made it extremely impossible to get him out of the country for advanced treatment as no airline will fly him.. Daddy is currently admitted at one of the biggest and best hospital we’ve got in Nigeria as of today and the hospital has availed him a pool of very astute professionals.
As Daddy is recuperating we urge his friends, colleagues, fans and Nigerians at large to keep him in their prayers and peddle down on unconfirmed reports concerning our dad’s health.
Thank you Nigerians you all have been very supportive this period. God bless you all”
Hamid ben Henna was having a family dinner on Friday when he requested his young son to fetch a knife from the kitchen for slicing a melon.
Marouane, his son, went into the kitchen, but suddenly, the room started shaking, and the lights went out. Debris began falling from the ceiling in their family home in the High Atlas Mountains.
According to Ben Henna, he recounted to Reuters news agency, “Everything began at around 11 pm or 11:30 pm. Marouane couldn’t bring the knife because the earthquake struck as soon as he left the kitchen.”
He explained that his eight-year-old son became trapped under 1.5 to 2 meters of rubble.
Fatima, Marouane’s mother, shared her experience, saying, “There was complete darkness. We were enveloped in darkness and covered in dust. We heard the tremors, rocks, and walls collapsing. Initially, we didn’t comprehend what was happening.”
As their house crumbled, Ben Henna and his other son, Mouad, managed to open the door leading to the alleyway, freeing his wife and young daughter.
However, as the dust settled, they realized that Marouane had not made it. His body was recovered on Saturday.
Founder of the now-defunct UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, has counseled business owners to avoid specific groups of people if they want their enterprise to prosper and endure.
He asserts that it is necessary to keep away from pastors, legislators, traditional leaders, and families since they have the capacity to cause serious issues for the company that could ultimately result in its demise.
Speaking at the 25th-anniversary launch of Fairgreen Limited on July 26 in Accra, the former bank boss described these influencers as “necessary evils” which he believes must be handled with caution to avert business decline.
“Politicians and pastors are necessary evils because they can give you the right connections. However, they also need to milk you, and they can raise your company to a high status if you have the right relationships. But be careful. Don’t accept chieftaincy titles,” he advised.
He continued, “They will drain your finances and time, and you will be responsible for the expenses of durbars. These are the things that have set this country back. Make sure you don’t fall prey to any of them, whether it’s the church, chiefs, politicians, or your own families. You have to navigate carefully.”
In response to a question about the influence of family members on hiring methods, Mr. Amobeng advised business owners not to let that affect them.
“When you start a business, you are under the radar and can be a bit protective. But as you grow, you come under pressure. I call this pressure ‘dealing with the devil.’ You must deal with them. You can’t avoid them. Family, friends, and relatives will ask why you are always employing strangers when your family members are available. They want to kill the company. You need to be strong enough to fire them when they do something wrong. If you don’t have the will to fire them, don’t appoint them,” he urged.
In the meantime, the former head of a bank urged Fairgreen Limited management to keep creating an environment that is supportive of growth and longevity.
“You need to create a culture that is different from the Ghanaian culture. Ghanaian culture is generally one of laziness, pulling people down, disrespect, jealousy, trying to shift blame, and over-dependence on religion to the point that people don’t come to work. When you have a team, you must create a culture that will protect the company against these influences,” Amoabeng advised.
Reports have indicated that soldiers in Niger have surrounded the presidential palace and several ministries in the capital city, Niamey
However, no shots were fired, and the motive behind the blockade remains unclear. It’s uncertain if this is an attempt by the presidential guard to seize power.
President Mohamed Bazoum is said to be in his residence with his family, and negotiations are ongoing, as reported by AFP.
An unnamed source informed the same agency that the soldiers’ action may have been a result of a “fit of temper.”
The advent of Mobile Money platforms has significantly enhanced the convenience and efficiency of cash transactions in the digital payment landscape.
Over time, mobile service providers have implemented various security measures and transactional protocols to ensure accurate identification of cash transfers and other important customer details during registration.
While some Mobile Money users may not readily provide information about their chosen ‘Next of Kin’ during the registration process, it is crucial for individuals to be aware of this information.
The term ‘Next of Kin’ typically refers to a person’s closest living relative(s). This can include immediate family members with a blood relation, such as children, or individuals with a legal status, such as spouses or adopted children.
In recent times, it has become imperative to know this status as many subscribers at the time of registry could not readily provide one, while there are some who relied on the telco agents to provide them with one.
GhanaWeb Business in this article provides some three easy steps in checking one’s ‘Next of Kin’ status via MTN’s Mobile Money.
How to check:
1. Dial *170# 2. Select option 6 for My Wallet 3. Select option 10 for Next of Kin and wait for the prompt
It is important to note that should one find a different name for this prompt, a change can be effected manually on the platform.
Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world can be found in Africa. There are 54 countries and 18,950 miles of coastline on the continent.
A total of 38 countries in Africa lay claim to a coastline. These captivating coasts are incredibly diverse and ideal for bucket-list dives, family vacations, and romantic getaways.
These 10 beaches in Africa will introduce you to some of the natural wonders of the region.
Anse Source D’Argent, La Digue Island, Seychelles
Anse Source D’Argent, on the sleepy island of La Digue, is located on the southwest coast of Seychelles.
While there are beautiful beaches all over the archipelago, Anse Source D’Argent is among the most breathtaking. Numerous honors and well-known travel publications have bestowed this title upon it. Anse Source d’Argent is also often referred to as the world’s most photographed beach.
The beach also has ideal swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling conditions.
Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
Camps Bay is both the name of the small bay on the west coast of the Cape Peninsula and an affluent suburb of Cape Town, South Africa ‘Afrikaans: Kampsbaai’. It draws a lot of South African and international tourists during the summer.
This palm tree-bordered beach, which is renowned for its lovely white sand and superb views of the ocean, and the mountains of Lion’s Head, has established itself as the ideal location for exciting group activities or romantic strolls on its typically warm summer evenings.
The suburb’s charming white sand beaches and strategic location between the Azure Atlantic and the Twelve Apostles mountain range have also made it famous in modern times. There are gourmet beachfront restaurants and 5-star boutique hotels, making it a favorite hangout for celebrities and the ultra-stylish.
Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
On Zanzibar’s main island Unguja, Nungwi is the second-largest settlement after Stone Town.
Nungwi, once a center for dhow construction, balances tradition and modernity. Due to its equatorial location, the island of Zanzibar experiences warm sunny weather most of the time; although, it is best to keep an eye out for storms and the occasional rain before a trip.
Additionally, due to its ideal location on the Main Island, exquisite beauty, activities, and lodging for all budgets, Nungwi is a popular destination for tourists.
On Zanzibar’s main island Unguja, Nungwi is the second-largest settlement after Stone Town.
Nungwi, once a center for dhow construction, balances tradition and modernity. Due to its equatorial location, the island of Zanzibar experiences warm sunny weather most of the time; although, it is best to keep an eye out for storms and the occasional rain before a trip.
Additionally, due to its ideal location on the Main Island, exquisite beauty, activities, and lodging for all budgets, Nungwi is a popular destination for tourists.
Margarida, Príncipe
Santa Margarida is a village in the Mé-Zóchi District of São Tomé and Principe, located in the mid-north of São Tomé Island.
The beach stretches from Salatar to the entrance of the residential marina in Santa Margarita. It is a 550-meter-long, wide beach with fine, golden sand, shallow and clear water.
This beach area is a significant tourist destination and includes a marina with more than 15 km of navigable waterways, as well as a wide variety of dining and entertainment options, shops, and vibrant nightlife.
Plage d’Agadir, Morocco
Plage d’Agadir is located 2.3 kilometers from the region’s center, the city of Agadir, and is ranked second out of 10 beaches in the Souss-Massa region. It is one of the Agadir settlement’s beaches, located just 2.3 km from the city’s core. The beach is situated in a city.
This beach enjoys a lot of popularity because of its reputation, especially during the summer. However, because of its length, it is rarely overly congested.
It extends from the marina to the Cité Founty seaside neighborhood. Additionally, there are numerous hotels and eateries that surround this beach. It is well-protected from the wind, has calm waters, and is perfect for young children. The water at Plage d’Agadir is cooler than other beaches.
Trou aux Biches, Mauritius
On the island of Mauritius’ northern coast in the Pamplemousses district is a small settlement called Trou-aux-Biches, which has a public beach – one of the most gorgeous on the island, according to the World Travel Organization.
At the 2011 World Travel Awards, Trou aux Biches was recognized as the World’s Leading Beach Destination.
The Trou aux Biches Resort & Spa is one of many tourist resorts and boutique hotels located close to the beach. The M2 highway travels in that direction from Port Louis; the beach is located about a mile west of where the M2 ends. A public bus links the town to the airport.
Lamu Archipelago, Kenya Coast
In the Indian Ocean, close to Kenya’s northern coast, is the Lamu Archipelago. The islands are close to the Coast Province, situated between the towns of Lamu and Kiunga.
Lamu has the best beach in Kenya, a vibrant African-Arabic coastal tradition, and a top-notch selection of homes and villas. It is trendy, and bohemian, but very much an old Swahili archipelago.
Along with the typical beach vacation activities, visitors can sail down the Kenyan coast in traditional dhows, go dolphin watching, visit Lamu Town – a World Heritage Site, and go on historical tours of museums, excavation sites, and ancient sites.
For those seeking to unwind and get away from the hustle and bustle, Lamu Island offers white beaches, fantastic food, friendly locals, and a variety of lodging options.
Bazaruto Island, Mozambique
Sand beaches, coral reefs, and numerous opportunities for fishing and surfing are among the Southern African region’s tourist attractions. The meaning of the name Bazaruto is “island of the mist.”
In 1971, the Bazaruto Archipelago was designated a national park. The picturesque islands of Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago are well-known for their pristine beauty and varied ecologies. Along with whales and dolphins, the pristine coral reefs are home to more than 2000 different fish species.
Naama Bay, Egypt
Naama Bay, which is known for its cafes, restaurants, hotels, and bazaars, is a natural bay in the Sharm El Sheikh resort and is regarded as the city’s main tourist attraction.
Swimming, surfing, kayaking, and other activities are available for visitors to enjoy at the beach. There are numerous exotic coral reefs to see, and it is also excellent for diving.
A guarantee for memorable vacations and trips is the pleasant climate, which includes year-round sunshine, clear skies, and summertime highs of around 35 degrees Celsius.
Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar
The island of Sainte Marie is a favorite Madagascan tourist destination. It has a higher standard of living compared to the rest of the Red Island, which makes the atmosphere quite different.
It is a tiny island full of historical mysteries, due to its past as a pirate island and natural wonders like white sand beaches, natural pools, and coral reefs. Tourists who visit Sainte-Marie are immediately sucked into a dream they don’t want to leave.
A report by the Ghana Statistical Service(GSS), indicates that a total of 419,254 children between the ages of 5 to 17 years were involved in economic activities in Ghana in 2021.
This data highlights the extent of child labor and the need for further measures to protect the rights and well-being of these children.
The children were captured during the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC).
The GSS explained that 76,439 children aged 5 to 9 years were engaged in economic activity, 153,189 aged 10 to 14 years were engaged in economic activities, and 189,626 children aged 15 to 17 years were involved in such activities.
Children aged 5 to 17 years worked an average of 29.2 hours in the seven days preceding Census Night.
Children aged 15 to 17 years worked an average of 35.2 hours, while children aged 10 to 14 years worked an average of 26.5 hours (about 5 hours per weekday). Children aged 5 to 9 years worked an average of 19.8 hours (about 4 hours per weekday).
The GSS also found that children engaged as paid apprentices worked the highest number of hours, on average 48.4 hours.
This was almost twice the number of hours worked by contributing family workers, who worked an average of 25.0 hours. Children in the service sector worked an average of 36.8 hours, while those in the agricultural sector worked an average of 25.6 hours.
The GSS also found that 153,773 children aged 5 to 17 years engaged in economic activity had never attended school. Of this number, 37,963 children were aged 5 to 9 years.
In all, 94,748 children aged 5 to 17 years engaged in economic activity were also attending school during the census.
Information gathered indicate that a 32-year-old woman has stabbed her fiancé to death at Ayigya Zongo in the Ashanti Region.
Joseph Bawa was stabbed with a knife multiple times. He was rushed to the Tech Hospital for treatment but passed on.
The suspect, Jennifer Appiah, went berserk during a misunderstanding that ensued between the two on Sunday, June 11.
According to the mother of the deceased,Hawa Alhassan, the family tried to resolve the feud between the partners but the reconciliation process proved futile.
Jennifer and Joseph resumed fighting on the street, which resulted in her stabbing him to death.
Madam Hawa said the suspect is known for threatening the deceased with a knife or scissors any time they fight.
“I told my son to stop having an affair with Jennifer severally but he refused to do so until his sudden demise. This is not the first time this is happening. As I speak, we don’t know the whereabouts of the lady after the incident,” she said.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Tech Hospital’s morgue for investigations to commence.
Meanwhile the family of the deceased wants the police to bring the suspect to book.
In response to the ongoing drought that is putting pressure on communities in northern Tanzania that maintain cattle, a group of Maasai women have begun making honey in order to supplement their income, secure the future of their children, and support the regrowth of the forest.
“I have benefited a lot from beekeeping. I bought five goats which are producing milk for us, I have also bought a bed and educated my children. This year, my plan is to build a house,” says beekeeper Maria Shinini.
It has taken some time. Maria began with five hives and equipment, but today her business is flourishing.
Together with the other women, they now have 76 hives on a communal plot on the outskirts of the Monduli district in the Arusha region.
They receive training from an umbrella network of smallholders, farmers, and pastoralists, supported by the Forest and Farm Facility, a partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, as well as the International Institute for Environment and Development and AgriCord.
Decades of recurring drought due to climate change have degraded the landscape and reduced the pasture available for livestock. Introducing bees is one initiative to regenerate the landscape.
In their training, Maria and the other women have learnt that taking care of the vegetation is a crucial element in the care and management of their bees
“It is of great importance that our environment is taken care of, right from the water catchments. So, our training goes hand in hand with these aspects of the environment, taking care of the vegetation so that the bees can get their food. Because there is no other source of food,” says trainer Majaliwa Mwashuve.
The new beekeepers have also received training on how to be smart businesspeople, producing, labelling, and branding their own products to maximize their value.
“Previously their thought was that they harvest honey, then sit and wait for customers during a season. But things are different now because they can do business all through the year as a result of the value chain. They harvest the honey, then engage in other honey product businesses across the year through value addition,” says Mwashuve.
They have also learnt to combine forces with other beekeepers to access new markets. As a result of this collaboration, one new product they are considering is “garlic honey”.
Honey is big business in Tanzania, but traditionally it is only Maasai men who do the job. Maria and her fellow women beekeepers say that, as they go from strength to strength, keeping bees and producing honey has resulted in greater respect for them in the community.
“People now know that even Maasai women can do big things,” she says.
The high-profile divorce case of the daughter of Zimbabwe’s late President, Bona Ouma Mugabe, has lead to the exposure of at least 21 commercial farms and vast tracts of land in the capital-Harare own by family.
Mr Mugabe’s daughter filed for divorce against her husband of nine years – Mr Simbarashe Mutsahuni Chikore, in March.
Mr Chikore claimed that the property he listed was just a drop in the ocean compared to what Ms Mugabe owned.
“Defendant (Mr Chikore) is not claiming even a third thereof,” read Mr Chikore’s plea filed in response to his wife’s application for divorce at the High Court.
“Defendant contributed to acquiring the properties through his savings from his former jobs as a pilot and the farming venture.”
He said he contributed to the wealth through earning and donations from his father-in-law for work, jobs and special assignments done on behalf of the late Mr Mugabe.
“There is much input through direct and indirect contribution wherein defendant contributed to the assets, both movable and immovable, acquired during the subsistence of the marriage,” Mr Chikore added.
The couple tied the knot on March 1, 2014 in a lavish ceremony that was attended by several African heads of State and government.
Their wedding was broadcast live by the country’s State broadcaster.
According to court papers, the couple who have three children have been living apart for more than nine months.
Ms Mugabe is demanding the custody of the children and is seeking maintenance of $2,700 monthly per child until they reach the age of 18.
She wanted the court to delay dealing with the property issues arguing that it would delay the granting of the divorce decree.
In his counter claim, Mr Chikore wants all properties acquired during the subsidence of their marriage or donated to them as a couple to be shared equally.
Mr Mugabe died in September 2019, two years after he was toppled in a military coup.
He ruled the southern African country with an iron fist for 37 years where he spearheaded a violent land reform programme with a “one household one farm” policy.
Three years ago, a list filed in court by his daughter while seeking to register her father’s estate claimed Mr Mugabe only left $10 million held in a local bank, four houses in Harare, 10 cars, a farm, his rural home and orchard.
A former minister in Mr Mugabe’s government Jonathan Moyo described the revelations about the wealth as “staggering.”
As reported by the distraught son of an 88-year-old woman, she died 28 days after her caregivers stopped giving her food or drink.
According to her son, Sarene Taylor, 88, was admitted to an unnamed hospital a month ago after having a stroke; the physicians informed the family that there was nothing else they could do but begin end-of-life care.
He claimed it has to do with the “ethics” of his mother being returned to a care facility after being abandoned to die in the hospital.
He had no criticism of nurses or care staff but branded his mum’s end-of-life ‘inhumane’ and not something you’d expect in 2023.
Mr Taylor said: ‘I understand end-of-life care, and the carers and district nurses do a fantastic job, but to deny a human being food and water is disgraceful and we as a society need to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.
He added: ‘The family thank everyone for their kind messages and loving support during these past weeks.’
Sarene Taylor died in a care home almost a month after carers stopped giving her food or water (Picture: Daily Post)Rob shared the heartbreaking news on Twitter (Picture: @rural_wales)Her son Rob has described the devastating situation his family was left in after his mother Sarene was put on end-of-life care (Picture: Daily Post)
In an emotional video days before his mother’s death, Mr Taylor described the devastating situation his family were left in.
He said: ‘My mum, 88-years of age, had a fantastic life, but sadly four weeks ago today, she was admitted to a hospital in North Wales, with what we found out to be a stroke.
‘I obviously went up to be with her and spend time with her – on the Monday which is three weeks gone – and this Monday the doctor told me that there was nothing more they could do for her sadly and all fluids and food were withdrawn and she was put on end-of-life care.
‘I spent quite a lot of time with her – and then on leaving and waiting for the phone call, because I had to go somewhere else unfortunately, I then discovered I had caught Covid, so I couldn’t immediately go back – on the Wednesday, just gone three weeks ago – I was told we had to take her from the hospital. So arranged for her to be taken back to the care home.
‘This is not a story about illegality or legality, it’s about ethics. My mum is still alive – 24 to 25 days in without any food, any water, no IV drip, nothing – she’s still alive – and it’s inhumane and absolutely harrowing to the family and inhumane.
‘That such a precious lady has been allowed to lie on a bed in a care home – in fairness being seen once a day by a district nurse and they do an outstanding job, it’s nothing against them or the care home – but it’s the ethics that she is just left to die, slowly from dehydration and malnutrition in front of our very eyes.
Doctors told Sarene that she had to stay at a care home for the final days of her lifeThe mum from Wales died after 28 days without food or water
‘This is how you would treat people back in the 11th and 12th century – not 2023. It’s absolutely harrowing.
‘There is nothing we can do, absolutely nothing we can do – and they have been wonderful, it’s just that it’s incredible that she’s probably suffering and it’s heartbreaking, it’s absolutely heartbreaking for us.’
Andrea Hughes, Director of Nursing for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s East Integrated Health Community, said: ‘We offer our sincere condolences to Mrs Taylor’s family for their very sad loss.
‘While we cannot comment on individual cases in any detail, we were in daily contact with Mr Taylor about his mother’s care and we are investigating concerns that he has raised.’
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said: ‘I would like to offer my condolences to Mr Taylor and his family following the loss of his mother.
‘Mr Taylor has contacted me and I am in the process of seeking further details from him about his mother’s experiences. As such, I am unable to comment further at this stage.’
There is chaos in Wa Municipality in the Upper West Region as a result of an alleged killing of a young man in his early 20s by the Police.
Abubakar Shaahid from Dondoli, a suburb in the municipality was reportedly shot and killed by the Police around 8:pm Wednesday, March 8, 2023, on suspicion of being part of a robbery gang terrorising residents.
His family members have however refuted the claims by the Police describing Shaahid as a good boy with no history of criminal act.
Calling for justice for their ward, they have vowed to implore all legitimate means to clear his name from the allegations by the Police anti-robbery taskforce.
According to the spokesperson of the family, Muhammed Tamim, the deceased was on his way to meet a family friend at Tanbileju between 7-8:pm last Wednesday night.
He said on his way there, the friend called to inform the deceased to return home since he had heard gunshots in the suburb. But by that time, according to Tamim, the deceased had already been shot and therefore informed the friend that he was shot by the Police.
Muhammed Tamim said that when they went to the police, the officers said they stopped the deceased on his motorbike but that he immidiately alighted from the motorbike and started running away.
According to him, the police labeled the deceased as a suspect from a robbery gang.
Abubakar Tamim narrated that: “Last night at about 7-8:pm, I had a call from a man at Tanbileju who we call Maalam Umar. He’s our family friend and Shaahid (the deceased) usually visited the man to help him with his work. The man is there (at Tanbileju) but has a room in town so the deceased usually ferries him to town (to pass the night). So he was as usual on his way to go and take the man when he was shot dead by the Police. So how do I get to know he was shot by the Police?”
“The man (Maalam Umar) called to tell me that the deceased was coming to take him but because he, Maalam Umar, was hearing gunshots in the area he called to tell the deceased not to come anymore due to the gunshots, only for the deceased to inform the Maalam that he had already been hit by a bullet. So I tried calling Shaahid, the deceased, but he couldn’t answer the call. So I called the Assembly Member of the area to make enquiries about the issue. He told me he saw some officers at a checkpoint around the area but they denied involvement in the operations but mentioned the anti-robbery taskforce and asked him to go to the CID office. According to their narration, the Police said that they stopped the deceased who was riding a motorbike but that after stopping, he abandoned the bike and started running away. But for me, I said how can you stop a person, he stops and then leaves his motorbike and starts running away? And then you shot his stomach. When somebody is running away from you, is it not his back that you can shoot, but not his stomach?”
According to the spokesperson, the familywants justice for their loved one to clear his name who they say had no criminality record at all as being purported by the Police.
The family wants independent investigations into the case to bring out the truth and allow the law to take its cause.
Attempts to get official response from the police have proven difficult as no officer was prepared to go on record even though they are aware of the case except pledging to journalists to release a statement which is yet to come to the fore over 72hours after the incident occurred.
However, very reliable sources in the service who spoke to GhanaWeb on condition of anonymity confirmed the young man was indeed gunned down by their officers but insisted he was an armed robber.
The body of the deceased has since been buried after it was released to the family on Friday, March 10.
Brother of the deceased, Kofi Owusu, says efforts to get the suspect released were unsuccessful.
“Our Uncle had gone to the station on Saturday to seek bail for him but was unsuccessful. They told us it was a weekend so they can’t admit him on bail. We were there on Sunday as well. The police again refused us bail on Monday 6th March since it was a holiday,” he said.
The family was called on Tuesday to the police station to the news of the demise of their relative.
The family says the police claim that their relative committed suicide is untenable.
Kofi Owusu added, “My uncle went to the police cells to meet his lifeless body hanged dead. He had cuts on his chest but we don’t believe it was suicide. They said he used a bed sheet in the cells to commit the suicide.”
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue.
Foreign secretary for the UK, James Cleverly, has stated that his nation “wants to make sure” that the family of a Kenyan woman who was reportedly slain by a British soldier a decade ago receives justice.
The body of Agnes Wanjiru, 21, was found in a septic tank at a hotel in central Kenya in 2012, nearly three months after she had spent an evening partying with soldiers.
Last year the UK defence ministry said that it was co-operating with a Kenyan inquiry into the death following allegations of a cover-up.
Mr Cleverly, who was in Nairobi on Wednesday, said Ms Wanjiru’s murder was discussed in his meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto.
“We take our responsibility incredibly seriously to ensure that there is a proper legal process and that any perpetrators are brought to justice and we will continue working closely with the Kenyan government on this,” he said.
Ms Wanjiru, who dropped out of high school and later became a sex worker to look after her baby, was last seen by witnesses on the night of 31 March 2012. She was walking out of a bar in the town of Nanyuki accompanied by two British soldiers.
Kenyan judge Njeri Thuku concluded after an inquest in 2019 that Ms Wanjiru had been murdered by one or two British soldiers.
Hundreds of mourners thronged the forecourt of the State House yesterday for the funeral service for the late legendary Highlife musician, Nana Kwame Ampadu, who died on September 28, 2021 at the age of 76.
The burial and final funeral rites of the highlife icon will be held today (Saturday) in his hometown, Obo Kwahu, in the Eastern Region.
In attendance were President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei Opare; Ministers of State; Members of Parliament; a former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, and the clergy.
Others were members of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), members of the Obra Drama Group, family, friends and the general public.
Grief
The atmosphere was one of grief, as many mourners shed tears as they filed past the remains which lay in state in a coffin.
Red and black colours dominated the premises. Many others were in customised cloth made for the late musician.
The Police Band treated mourners to some inspiring tunes.
Tributes were read by the widow, children, family, Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), the Obra Drama Group , among others.
President eulogises him
In a glowing tribute, President Akufo-Addo said: ‘’Talk of the commencement and growth of Highlife music and one of the people whose name would be on the lips of every Ghanaian would be Nana Kwame Ampadu.
‘’Indeed, the outpouring of grief by many Ghanaians following the news of his death, is an appreciation of the impact his music had on successive generations of Ghanaians. He was one of Ghana’s music icons and undoubtedly, a legendary Highlife artiste whose music transcended our national borders.”
The President said Nana Ampadu believed in his (President’s) vision for the transformation of the country and assisted him tremendously on the campaign trail in the run-up to the victory of the New Patriotic Party(Party (NPP)) in the 2016 elections.
For that, President Akufo-Addo said, he and the NPP would remain eternally grateful to the departed musician.
‘’His was a life well-lived, and he will be sorely missed by all who had the opportunity and privilege of knowing and meeting him,’’ he concluded.
MUSIGA praises
In their tribute, MUSIGA praised Nana Ampadu for his immense contribution to the growth of the union over the years, especially his role in the establishment of the Ageing Musicians Trust Fund.
Wreaths were laid by the Government and People of Ghana, the widow, children, family, church, MUSIGA and traditional authorities.
Profile
Born on March 31, 1945, Nana Ampadu composed over 800 songs.
He formed the African Brothers Band in 1963 with Eddie Donkor as one of the founding members. Other members of the band were Kwasi Boahene, Yaw Owusu, Kwame Anim, Yaw Asante and Nana Nyarko.
His hit song, ‘Ebi te yie’ literally meaning some are well seated, attacked the inequality in society
The song, however, was seen as politically motivated and angered some people within the political circles.
As a result, the National Liberation Council banned the song, and Ampadu had to explain to the military rulers the meaning of the song.
However, after the end of military rule, the song made a return to the airwaves.
In 1973, he won a nationwide musical competition and was named ‘Nwontofohene’, meaning the King of music.
An aspiring Constituency Chairman for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese Constituency in the Central Region has become paralyzed a day before appearing before a vetting Committee in the Constituency.
Information gathered revealed that the aspirant, Vicent Koomsom, 24 hours prior to the vetting exercise suddenly lost the strength in his legs as soon as he got down from his vehicle.
The incident has thrown family and friends into a state of shock as they believe there’s been some spiritual orchestration because he’d been very strong and active all this while.
He’s said to have driven his own vehicle to where he became paralyzed.
Vicent Koomsom was eventually disqualified from the Chairmanship race for unknown reasons. He later filed an appeal to the Regional Vetting Committee but his disqualification was still upheld.
According to his supporters, the man has helped the party in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese Constituency and it’s time he should be allowed to lead the party to wrestle power in the 2024 general election.
They warned that the NDC will lose in the constituency if Vicent Koomsom is denied the opportunity to contest the position.
He appeared at the NDC Central Regional Office in a wheelchair to defend his disqualification but the earlier decision was not overturned and consequently filed another petition yet to be studied.
Vicent Koomsom’s supporters have accused former Deputy Minister of Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu who was the 2020 Parliamentary candidate for the area of having a hand in his disqualification.
However, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has vehemently denied that accusation saying the vetting Committee used the party’s rules and regulations in the discharge of their duty and was fair to all aspirants that appeared before them.
For over three weeks, the family of 25-year-old Georgina Asor Botchwey sat on edge following the disappearance of their daughter.
The last time they heard from Georgina, she had bid them farewell at Yeji in the Bono East Region, en route to attend an admission interview at the Ankarful Nursing Training School in the Central Region.
This was on September 7, 2022, and while concerns of her whereabouts and safety grew as the family frantically failed to reach her, an assurance came from her elder brother.
Alfred Duodu, her brother, gave his family assurances that Georgina – who comes after him, will be fine.
He assured them of his resolve to locate his sister and bring her back home safely.
In an interview with GhanaWeb, Alfred, who is a soldier with the Ghana Armed Forces, recounted his words of assurance to his mother over the disappearance of her daughter.
“Yes, I did assure her that whatever that it will take me, I will do to search for where my sister is,” he said.
He explained further to GhanaWeb’s George Ayisi that it became more than necessary to bring his professional expertise to bear in the search of his sister.
It was on the back of this that he made the vow to his mother, he added.
“In one of our conversations I was assuring her; I was giving her my support. So, I told her that this is the time that I will show that I am a soldier,” he added.
Alfred’s quest to find his sister began with the filing of a police report and using the media to seek the whereabouts of his missing sister.
“When I came and reported the case, they gave me a police report to do announcement, after the announcement I should come back,” he recounted.
Alfred however explained that all along, he had his suspicions. The subject of his suspicion was a fiancé of one of his sisters, who is a pastor.
Michael Amponsah alias Osofo Kofi, the would-be in-law of Alfred, resided at Mankessim in the Central Region, and was said to have requested to meet Georgina after she had concluded her interview.
As was later confirmed, Osofo Kofi indeed met up with Georgina at Mankessim after her interview.
“Looking at the whole case, I realised that the said Osofo from the initial stage, I didn’t trust him. So, from the initial stage, I thought that he has a hand in it but I couldn’t gather the confidence to tell the family that this man is behind it.
“I followed the sequence of what ensued – the whole issue. In my conclusion, I understood that he was the one behind the whole thing. So, I tried using my intelligence as to how to get him with the help of one police CID. We hunted for him, we laid ambush on him and by the grace of God, we were able to arrest him,” the soldier said.
While his hopes were still high, he got sorely disappointed when their investigations led to the exhumation of her dead body.
Her body was retrieved from the house of Nana Onyaa Clark, a local chief and an accomplice to Osofo Kofi.
Watching the nearly decomposed body of his sister being brought out of the ground, Alfred Duoduo recounted how disappointing it felt to have partially failed his quest to find her alive and return her home.
“I didn’t take that lightly; in fact, I couldn’t control myself when I saw my sister in that state. Because our whole prayer was that we find my sister alive,” he stated.
The effects of the discovery of his sister cumulated into a state of self-blame for Alfred whose ultimate mission was to bring Georgina to their mother alive.
“So at a point in time, I felt that I was late in rescuing her. If I had the opportunity, I would have done that earlier. But things didn’t go the way I expected. I felt disappointed that I allowed all those things to happen,” a distraught Alfred said.
He added that he has however taken solace in having been able to eventually locate because it saves his family the pain of living in the anxiety of never knowing her whereabouts.
“But anyway, that is destiny so we thank God and I am so accomplished that even though we were not able to get her alive, we’ve been able to see or locate her. At least, it will take that anxiety on the family away,” he added.
Aside that, Alfred is confident that justice will be served for Georgina’s rather painful death, through the prosecution of her murderers.
“From the look of things, everything is in order and I know for sure that we will get justice for her,” he stated.
Alfred yearned for nothing less than an opportunity for his sister to realise her dream of entering a nursing school.
His wish for his sister was the highlight of their final conversation which took place a few days before Georgina’s birthday.
“We have a good personal relationship. Especially I remember the day she was in a car coming for the interview, I spoke to her and I encouraged her. The day after the interview was her birthday; her birthday was on the 8th of September so I remember I called her, we spoke and I wish her well that when she returns, we will meet and talk more. But she went there and the unfortunate happened. Since then, I’ve been calling her line and it was switched off,” Alfred explained, while recalling what a close relationship he had with Georgina.
Earlier reports indicated that Osofo Kofi sold his fiancé’s sister to his accomplice for money rituals.
This was confirmed by Alfred who shared details of the confessions of the two suspects to the police.
“Their main aim was to use her for money rituals. That is their main, it was for money rituals and they have confirmed that” he noted.
She expressed her gratitude in particular to Rumi, Sir, and Blue for giving her the freedom to express herself creatively.
“And a special thanks to my wonderful husband and muse, who held me down during those late nights in the studio,” she wrote in a heartfelt tribute to her husband Jay-Z.
This was taken from Twitter. At their website, you might be able to discover the same material in a different format or more details.
“A big thank you to my Uncle Jonny. He was my godmother and the first person to expose me to a lot of the music and culture that serve as inspiration for this album,” she wrote. “Thank you to all of the pioneers who originate culture, to all of the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long. This is a celebration for you.”
She ended the note, “To all of my fans: I hope you find joy in this music. I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are.”
Dedicated to her children, her husband, her family, her Godmother Uncle Johnny, and to the LGBTQ+ community and all of the pioneers who originated the culture and the fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized. pic.twitter.com/hm6Om9fi52
“After the loneliness and injustice of the previous year, I believe we are all ready to run away, go places, fall in love, and laugh once again.
I sense a renaissance beginning, and I want to do everything I can to help this escape flourish, she stated at the time.
“I’ve spent a year and a half in the studio.
Finding the ideal kick or snare often requires me to personally sift through thousands of sounds over the course of an entire year.
There can be 200 stacked harmonies in one chorus.
There is nothing, however, that compares to the depth of love, passion, and healing that I experience in the recording studio.
It still feels as exhilarating as it did when I was nine years old, even after 31 years.
Yes,the music is coming
Chelsey Sanchez Digital Associate Editor Chelsey Sanchez is an Associate Editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, where she covers pop culture, politics, and social movements.
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