Wide Africa Media

Construction work for the National Cathedral is expected to begin by March 6, 2020, according to the Board of Trustees of the Cathedral. The board says the March deadline is to allow it to finalise the paperwork for the project. The board has as of now supervised the demolition of some houses located on the proposed site at Ridge in Accra. The Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Rev Victor Kusi Boateng said in a radio interview on Accra-based Citi FM on Thursday [October 31, 2019, said the board would soon publish how much funds have accrued for the project. “It takes a while for the architectural drawings to be ready after which the architect will take the architectural drawings to the structural engineer[s] who will also prepare their drawings and they should be very detailed and so it takes a lot of time to really develop the drawings. “But by the grace of God, we are very close to the technical aspect of the project and that is why you have seen the demolition taking...

A 14-year-old schoolgirl in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, has died after being brutally caned by a teacher, her father has told the BBC. Chadia Nishimwe was caned on the neck and legs, and the beating also caused her to bleed from the nose and ears, Jean-Marie Misago said. “She just died in class after being cruelly beaten by her teacher. They dumped her at the head teacher’s office,” Mr Misago said. The head teacher arranged to get Chadia to hospital – and he rushed there too, only to be told by the doctor that his child was already dead, Mr Misago said. The BBC’s attempts to obtain comment from the education department and police have been unsuccessful. Mr Misago said the incident happened on Tuesday, and he buried his daughter on the same day. He had been told Chadia was caned for apparently breaking class rules. The school has reportedly said “the child succumbed to an epileptic seizure after a caning of students who did not do a given assignment”. Corporal punish...

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has been named an Ambassador for the Year of Return celebration. This announcement was made at the Creative Industry forum at the National Theater. He was also honored with a citation for his achievement and immense contribution to the music industry. Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon Barbara Oteng Gyasi honored Sarkodie for his amazing works and promoting Ghana on the international stage.  He in turn promised to lend his support to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Watch video here 👇 https://youtu.be/g42D4IIRUZE

While the eggplant and peach emoji are used to represent foods by some innocent people, most known the sexual connotations associated with the characters. Now, Facebook and Instagram have banned these two emoji, as well as the water drip, for being too ‘sexually suggestive.’ The change is part of an update to Facebook’s Sexual Solicitation Community Standards , which are aimed at sex workers who use the platforms to sell their services. Facebook explained: “People use Facebook to discuss and draw attention to sexual violence and exploitation. We recognise the importance of and want to allow for this discussion. “We draw the line, however, when content facilitates, encourages or coordinates sexual encounters between adults. “We also restrict sexually explicit language that may lead to solicitation because some audiences within our global community may be sensitive to this type of content and it may impede the ability for people to connect with their friends and the broader ...

Ghana’s foremost world boxing champion, David Kotei, popularly known as D.K. Poison, has expressed his gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for granting him audience and also promising to resolve a claim by the onetime World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion that the state owes him $45,000 dating over four decades. He said he was confident that the assurance by the President to get to the bottom of the issue would ensure a positive outcome and an end to the long-running issue. Meeting with legends Last month, President Akufo-Addo granted audience to some of Ghana’s past boxing world champions, including Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey and Joseph Agbeko, as well as international boxing referee, Roger Barnor, at the Jubilee House in Accra. The visit to the seat of government by a delegation from the boxing fraternity, was to present to the President the first copy of ‘Ghana Boxing: Celebration of Our Champions’, a book by celebrated sports jou...

Ghanaian singer, Becca has replied critics who question why she married a Nigerian man in an interview with Afia Pokuaa on her “Vim Talk” Show. Becca who is married to Nigerian entrepreneur and artist manager Oluwatobi Sanni Daniel disclosed that she got married at the age of 33 and waited all those years for a Ghanaian man to propose to her but got nothing. The couple marked their first wedding anniversary in August. Becca is currently promoting her latest single, ‘YES I DO’ which features Tiwa Savage

Comedian John Witherspoon has died at age 77. The Friday star passed away at his Sherman Oaks home on Tuesday. The cause of death is yet to be announced. 'It is with deepest sorrow that we can confirm our beloved husband and father, John Witherspoon, one of the hardest working men in show business, died today,' the actor's family told Deadline in a statement. 'We are all in shock, please give us a minute for a moment in privacy and we will celebrate his life and his work together,' the statement went on. 'John used to say "I’m no big deal," but he was huge deal to us,' they continued. The Detroit native is survived by his wife Angela, and his sons JD, Alexander, and 'a large family,' according to the family's statement. John was born in Detroit in 1942 as John Weatherspoon, before he embarked on a stand-up comedy career. Witherspoon made his feature film debut in 1980 in The Jazz Singer, later appearing in films lik...

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has arrested a Chinese woman for allegedly transferring $313.59 million out of the country illegally, otherwise known as money laundering, the Daily Graphic has gathered. The suspect, Chen Jianhua, was arrested and placed in police custody in Accra after EOCO found that large amounts of money in dollars, some of them linked to non-existent companies, moved through multiple bank accounts from Ghana to China between 2011 and 2019. She is also being investigated for tax evasion and using forged bank accounts and a fake driver’s licence, the Daily Graphic has gathered. EOCO said they were finalising investigations and would file charges against her and her collaborators by the middle of next month. A source at EOCO told the Daily Graphic in Accra that “we are at the concluding stages of investigations and this will pass as one of the biggest money laundering cases in the history of the country.” Suspicious transactions EOCO, ac...

Former President John Dramani Mahama has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for completing the Adaklu Senior High School at Adaklu-Waya in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region. He said education remained the key to opening up societies for rapid development and praised the government highly for finishing construction works on the project started by the Mahama administration to make secondary education accessible to people in the catchment area. Former President Mahama said this in an address delivered on his behalf by Mr. Kwame Agbodza, Member of Parliament for Adaklu at the first Goeviwo festival durbar at Adaklu Goefe in the Volta Region. The festival, which was on the theme “reuniting Goeviwo for development” brought together five communities, said to be descendants of one Togbe Goe who after their migration from Notsie in the Republic of Togo settled at different locations in the Volta Region. The communities are; Adaklu Goefe, Adaklu Kodzobi, Tsrukpe, W...

Fifa's decision to play the 2021 Club World Cup in June and July could "kill" the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), veteran French coach Claude LeRoy has warned. The tournament set to be played in China between 17 June and 4 July, with an expanded 24 teams, the Club World Cup's new timing and format both pose problems for Africa's showpiece event. The next Afcon finals are scheduled for June to July 2021 in Cameroon, although there's a possibility they could be played solely in July. "Fifa's decision that June is a good time to host the Club World Cup means they are killing the Nations Cup," Togo coach LeRoy told BBC Sport Africa. "When they decided to make a world championship of clubs with 24 teams at the same time as the Africa Cup of Nations, it's terrible for the projection of this beautiful competition - the Nations Cup," he added. Frenchman LeRoy has coached at a record nine Nations Cups, winning the tournament wit...

The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) believes that the flooding incident on the Tema Motorway after Monday’s rainfall is as a result of human activities especially settlements along the motorway. BPS said until such activities are stopped, the motorway is likely to see more of such floods. Dr. Charles Akayuli, the Technical Advocate responsible for Geospatial at BPS in a Citi News interview noted that in the past, rainwater was able to easily seep into the ground and flow out but due to the many developments along the motorway that does not happen. “We have a lot of developments taking place along the motorway. At the time of such projects, when it rains, some of the water seeps into the ground, some flow away and also evaporates but now, what seeps into the ground is no longer seeping. Human activities along that stretch must cease.” The floodwaters on the motorway caused massive gridlock on both the Accra and Tema-bound sides of the highway, as drivers were compelled to remai...

Kim Kardashian has revealed that her husband Kanye West has banned their six-year-old daughter North from wearing make-up and crop tops after he became a ‘born again’ Christian. The 42-year-old rapper, who has just released a new album called Jesus is King ruled that his eldest child can’t touch cosmetics until she is a teenager. Speaking to E! News at the debut of her KKW Beauty at an Ulta Beauty store in New York on Thursday, the mother of four said: North is trying to get in on the makeup, but she’s being blocked heavily because her dad has stopped all makeup for her until she is a teenager. The reality star also admitted that his new conservative views are causing tension in their household, but added that it is what’s best for her family. ‘It’s a big discussion, a big fight in the household right now but it is what’s best. ‘I think as a parent you just learn and figure it out as you go and we realized we didn’t really want her to wear makeup at a young age but she se...

The Western Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service says it is currently not undertaking any recruitment exercise as being speculated on social media. The Command is thus cautioning the general public against an ongoing recruitment scam through which several people have been duped. A statement signed by the Western Regional Public Affairs Director of GIS, ICO Moses Mannford Akakpo, stated that “criminal elements have resorted to the creation of fake social media accounts, using details of some prominent officers of the Service, in their attempt to deceive the unsuspecting general public. Ghana Immigration Service is currently not recruiting.” The Western Regional Immigration Service further indicated that the service does not use social media to advertise recruitment notices but rather its website and Newspapers. The service further encouraged the public to report such accounts to the Service or to the Ghana Police for investigations. The statement called on all...

The maiden edition of rapper Sarkodie’s ‘This is Tema’ Festival saw hundreds of music lovers and fans of show up for activities lined up. From Friday, October 25 through to Sunday, October 27, the fans were present to partake in all activities lined up for the three-day festival. Activities for the festival began on Friday with a homecoming ceremony, which saw many stars who were raised in Tema, including Sarkodie himself, show up to have fun and hold a bonfire celebration to link up and interact with fans. The homecoming event was followed by a health walk and health screening on Saturday, October 26. The festival was crowned with a concert at the Chemu Park on Sunday, October 27. Some of Ghana music’s biggest names like Stonebwoy, R2bees, Edem, Medikal, Kuami Eugene and many others joined Sarkodie to entertain fans at the concert. For hours, these artistes took time to perform hit songs to the delight of the very excited fans. The ‘This Is Tema’ concert was a ...

A man was bitten on the groin by a saltwater crocodile off the coast of the Northern Territory after he stepped on the reptile while wading through shallow water. Elston Lami Lami was hunting through murky water near Minjilang on Croker Island at 12.30pm on Saturday when he stepped on what he thought was a submerged log. The 42-year-old quickly realised what he was standing on - and the reptile stayed still beneath his foot. After waiting for around 15 seconds, the crocodile aggressively flipped Mr Lami Lami and bit him on his upper right leg. 'When he come up, when he flipped me and I looked at his eye, he had that crocodile tears on it. Like... you're mine. You're my lunch,' Mr Lami Lami told the ABC. He freed himself after kicking the animal with his other leg, before the crocodile attacked again, biting him on the groin. Mr Lami Lami repeatedly punched the crocodile during his terrifying ordeal, before his barking dogs and a shouting relative manag...

Asamoah Gyan is already becoming a fan favourite for his new side, NorthEast United. Gyan endeared himself to his new fans on Saturday, scoring the winner for his side with his first goal in the Indian League. With NorthEast’s game against Odisha seemingly heading for a 1-1 draw, Gyan stepped up in the 84th minute and headed home from a corner to give his side the win. He capped it off with a typically enthusiastic celebration. And after the game, Gyan was named Hero of the Match, the team’s variation of Man of the Match. He was handed a cheque of ₹50,000, the equivalent of GH¢3,875. The goal was Gyan’s first competitive goal for his side in only his second game and sets the stage for yet potentially sterling campaign for the former Black Stars captain.

Dreams FC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kurt Okraku, has been elected the new President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Mr Okraku fills the spot vacated by former GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi who resigned in 2018 following damning revelations against him in an exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. Okraku led the way after the first round of voting and was a vote away from becoming the new President of the Association after the second round. He polled 59 votes representing 50% of votes cast with candidates needing at least 60 votes to win. George Afriyie, who polled 40 votes in the first round improved to 43 votes but was still well behind Kurt Okraku. Nana Yaw Amponsah saw his tally slashed from 27 in the first round to 16 in the second. However, as delegates were voting in the third round, George Afriyie conceded, saying he was “a unifier and a team player who works for football.” In the third round, Okraku was endorsed by 93 delegates. ...

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is cautioning the general public to desist from contracting and patronizing the services of Food Service Establishments (FSEs) that have not obtained a valid Food Hygiene Permit from the Foods and Drugs Authority. According to the Authority, it cannot guarantee the quality of the operators and the safety of food sold in establishments that do not have valid Food Hygiene Permits. By the FDA’s code of Hygienic Practices for Food Service Establishments in the Hospitality Industry, a Food Service Establishment is an operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, vends, or otherwise provides food for human consumption such as a restaurant, satellite or catered feeding location. A statement issued by the Authority reminded the operators and contract caterers to regularize their activities with the Food and Drugs Authority in accordance with Section 130 of the Public Health Act 2010, Act 851, which states that “A person shall not supply or sto...

A Texas jury has ruled against a father who tried to intervene and stop his seven-year-old son from transitioning to a girl after claiming his ex-wife manipulated the child into wearing dresses and said that 'monsters only eat boys'. Jeff Younger and his ex-wife Anne Georgulas have been involved in a lengthy and bitter feud in Dallas as they argued in a family court over whether their son James has gender dysphoria. Following a week-long trial, a jury decided on Tuesday to give sole managing guardianship of James and twin brother Jude to their mother. Georgulas, who is a pediatrician, has argued that James is transgender and should be able to wear dresses and attend school as a girl named Luna. Her ex-husband, however, doesn't believe James has gender dysphoria and that his child is just experiencing some confusion with gender. He has accused Georgulas of forcing James to socially transition into a girl by making the child wear dresses. The judge presiding over...

The families of the four kidnapped Takoradi girls who were later confirmed dead by the police, are currently at the Police Headquarters to meet the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The meeting is expected to resolve some outstanding concerns the families have raised regarding the outcome of the DNA test on the human parts confirmed to be those of the girls. While some families are requesting for the remains of the girls for burial, others are seeking to carry out an independent DNA test to be sure of the outcome. Citi News‘ security correspondent, Anass Seidu who is at the venue reported that a number of relatives have come to Accra for their concerns to be addressed. “I can confirm that about 50 family members of the kidnapped girls are currently here to meet the IGP. Preparations are underway for the meeting. What I have been able to get from these people is that they are coming because of their concerns on their kidnapped girls. They are expecting some answers from th...

Two Chinese nationals operating a beverage firm - Dada Food Company in Kpone, Tema have been arrested for evading payment of lawful taxes and for falsifying VAT invoices. This follows a signal picked up by the Informed Counter and Intelligent Unit of the Office of the Senior Minister and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Two trucks loaded with beverage products as at the time of the arrest has been seized by the state while investigations continue. Addressing the media before embarking on the operations, Acting Commissioner General Amishaddai Amoah disclosed that all businesses involved in tax evasion will be dealt with according to the law. “We are sounding a caution to the public and especially the traders in various markets that the revenue officials have been put on alert so anyone found culpable will be dealt with according to the law,” he noted. Head of the Special Revenue Mobilization Taskforce, Henry Sam who led the operation to the company's premises told th...

The management of embattled gold dealership firm, Menzgold Ghana, has announced a schedule for validation of customer documents in order for payments to be effected to them. A statement signed by the Head of Communications, Nii Armah Amarteifio, said the validation process will begin on Monday, October 28 to Thursday, November 28, 2019. The statement provided outlets for the validation exercise and advised customers to visit those outlets to process their claims. “All customers are expected to visit any of the respective outlets within the working hours of 9am to 4pm each working day and submit copies of the gold trading agreement, receipt of gold traded purchases, gold trading commission receipt, valid national id card and evidence of gold re-trades receipts or agreements,” the statement said. Designation outlets for this exercise are as follows: GREATER ACCRA REGION Osu Opposite Osu Police Station, behind Glory Oil Filling Station Dansoman After Dansoman Roundabout,...

The government of Ghana has officially announced the termination of its power concession agreement with Power Distribution Services (PDS). It said in a statement that the decision was taken at a meeting in the US on Friday, October 18, 2019 with the Secretary to President Akufo-Addo, Nana Bediatuo Asante and officials of the Millenium Challenge Compact. “The current concession had to be terminated in view of the facts uncovered regarding the failure by PDS to satisfy conditions precedent under the relevant transaction documents,” the statement said. The concession agreement was suspended on July 30, 2019 by the government due to what it called “fundamental and material breaches”. Details of the alleged breach revealed that PDS’ guarantee was irregular and fraudulently procured. The government came under attack over the development but it rejected accusations that it was negligent in the exercise of its duty to thoroughly scrutinize documents presented by PDS before a fina...

The 13th edition of the Headies Award which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, witnessed amazing performances from talented acts as well as Nigerian celebrities are turning up in style. Teni, Falz were some of the big winners of the night. While Teni won four awards for best vocal performance (female), best recording of the year, best pop single and Headies Viewers' Choice, Falz bagged three awards for best rap singer,best rap album and album of the year. Top performance from veteran singers, Zaki Adzay, Sunny Neji, and hot artistes like Victor AD and Wurld; who emerged winner of best vocal performance (male) wowed the audience and viewers of the show. Yemi Alade did not bulge from her position as the Best Performer award from 2018 as she emerged winner of the 2019 category as well. Also, fast rising singer, Rema emerged as winner of the Next Rated. The award was given to Rema with a brand new GS4 unit of GMC motors. Check out the full list of winners at the 2019...

Multiple award winning musician Davido and his wife Chioma have welcomed their first child (a bouncy baby boy). The singer happily took to his instagram page to make the announcement and also revealed the name of his new born baby. He wrote; OMOBA TI DE!!! DAVID ADEDEJI ADELEKE Jr I !! D PRINCE IS HERE!!!! 20 - 10 - 2019 !!! Love you my STRONG WIFE!!! @thechefchi I LOVE YOU!!!!! ❤️💕 Congratulations Davido and Chioma! We wish you all the best ❤ Source: Wideafricamedia

Four of the eight accused persons standing trial for allegedly being involved in the kidnapping of two Canadians in Kumasi have been freed. Seidu Abubakar alias Mba, Abdul Nasir, Safiano Abubakar and Abdul Rahman Suleimana aka Wofa were discharged after the Attorney-General substituted the charge sheet with a new charge sheet, reports Graphic Online's Court reporter, Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson. Senior State Attorney, Ms Hilda Craig, told the Accra High Court Friday morning that the Attorney-General decided to free the four after reviewing the case docket following investigations. With the substitution of the charge sheet, the accused persons standing trial are Samson Aghalor aka Romeo, Elvis Ojeworye, Jeff Omarsar and Yusif Yakubu. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping. Source: graphic

Boxer Patrick Day, 27, has died from the head injuries sustained during his fight against Charles Conwell in Chicago on Saturday. The American was put into a coma and underwent emergency brain surgery after being knocked out in the 10th round of the super welterweight bout. In a statement on his website, promoter Lou DiBella said: ”Patrick Day passed away today, succumbing to the traumatic brain injury he suffered in his fight this past Saturday, October 12, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. “He was surrounded by his family, close friends and members of his boxing team, including his mentor, friend and trainer Joe Higgins.” “He was a son, brother, and good friend to many. Pat’s kindness, positivity, and generosity of spirit made a lasting impression with everyone he met.” Day was knocked down twice prior to the stoppage and received medical support for several minutes before being taken from the ring on a stretcher. “Patrick Day didn’t need to box,” the statement fr...

Tanzanian health authorities have imported 30 million condoms to curb a shortage reported earlier this year in the east African country. Many are concerned about the soaring prices of condoms, amid the dwindled distribution of government-provided condoms, the BBC Swahili's Gilian Kikowe says. Some guest houses in the commercial capital and tourism hub, Dar es Salaam, are no longer giving out the contraceptives free of charge. "Some shops are selling condoms for 3,000 Tanzanian shillings ($1; £0.78), 5,000 or 10,000 Tanzanian shillings - depending on the brand. Customers must now have their own condoms because we can't afford to give them out for free," a hotel worker told BBC Swahili. Assistant Health Minister Dr Faustine Ndugulile says the condoms are now available. "We've ordered over 30 million condoms. What changed was the distribution model; previously there were some agencies distributing the condoms but things have changed and we now have...

The Red Devils pair will not be fit in time for Sunday's Premier League clash in a huge blow for the Old Trafford outfit Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Paul Pogba and David de Gea will miss Manchester United's match against Liverpool on Sunday through injury. De Gea limped off during Spain's Euro 2020 qualifier against Sweden on Tuesday with an abductor problem. Pogba, meanwhile, has missed five of United's past matches due to an ankle injury. The France international missed out on international duty in the recently completed window, heading to Dubai to work on his recovery. However, the clash against Jurgen Klopp's unblemished Liverpool side will come too soon for both players as United look to recover from a difficult start to the season. "David needs a scan," Solskjaer told Sky Sports of his Spanish goalkeeper. "I think he'll be out. It certainly looked like it anyway judging on last night so it's just one of those th...

BBC Africa Eye has revealed that two lecturers at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ransford Gyampo and Dr Paul Butakor, were the main focus of the sex for grades documentary. The BBC said it had numerous received reports that the two lecturers were allegedly harassing students on campus. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Ghanaweb, BBC Africa Eye explained that the team only resorted to using secret filming of the targets after substantive evidence was gathered. Publicist for BBC World Service Group Communications. Marina Forsythe revealed that the BBC had been served with first-hand testimonies of harassment, text message screenshots, or recordings from students serving as enough evidence for the research to be conducted. She added that contrary to reports that there were other lecturers captured in the sex for grades eposé, the focus of the documentary was to provide evidence for the earlier reports from students. According to her, although secret filming...

Cable TV services provider, DSTV, has announced that it will from November 1, 2019, adjust upwards the prices of all its subscription packages following the increase in the communication service tax (CST) by the government. The Communication Service Tax which was introduced in 2008 was pegged at a rate of 6 percent payable by consumers of certain electronic communication services — but the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta in his mid-year budget announce a 50 percent increment in the CST rate. According to the Minister, increasing the rate to 9 percent would allow the government to have access to funds to battle the incidence of cybercrime as well as provide a robust eco-system where users of electronic communications services feel much safe. While the telcos have had several disagreements over the implementation of the CST, DSTV in a notice to its subcribers said: “Due to the increase in CST, be advised of a subscription price adjustment on your package from November 1, 2019...

A newly-elected Tunisian MP has appeared in court over a video allegedly showing him masturbating in front of a school. Zouheir Makhlouf, a member of the Qalb Tounes party whose leader lost the presidential contest on Sunday, represents the coastal town of Nabeul. The MP said he was diabetic and he was urinating into a bottle in the video. The video which was widely shared across social media prompted women to share testimonies of sexual harassment under the hashtag Ena-Zeda, meaning Me Too in the Tunisian dialect.

Kanye West has shared some of his latest album with fans – while also revealing he’s fully converted to Christianity. The rapper held a listening party in Washington, D. C. when he made the announcement over the weekend. Kim Kardashian’s husband told a crowd at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium: ‘I want to let you know that I am not here for your entertainment this afternoon. ‘We are here to spread the gospel.’ He furthermore added: ‘Excuse me if I mispronounce anything. I am a recent convert. It means I recently got saved within the year.’ Kanye fully embracing religion will not come as a surprise to fans. The dad to Chicago, Saint, Psalm and North West is already known for hosting star-studded ‘Sunday Services’ at his and Kim’s Calabasas home in California. The worship gatherings have been attended by the likes of Katy Perry and Tyler, the Creator, with one even taking place at Coachella music festival earlier this year. Meanwhile, his new album is se...