Wide Africa Media

Mario Balotelli Bawuah has called out world leaders for sabotaging the growth of Africa. The Olympique Marseille striker says world leaders know the reason why Africa continues to be lagging behind in development but are silent because they benefit from it. In a lengthy write up, he blamed them for stealing African riches for centuries only to frown on Africans when they travel to the western world for greener pastures. According to Balotelli the western world wouldn’t face any immigration challenges from Africans had they not been stealing African riches. “How can Africa be poor if it’s the richest continent,” he asked. To conclude a long piece, the Italian footballer with Ghanaian heritage said Africa is for Africans so the West should stop putting their hand in the continent’s riches. Source: Zimeye.net

Nine persons, who allegedly appropriated cash in the sum of GH¢ 135,330 belonging to the Agricultural Development Bank, have been arraigned. The accused persons also allegedly used their VISA cards to embark on the same nefarious acts at the Madina branch of the bank but failed. The accused persons included Leonard Edem Kosse Segbefia, Harris Okumka, Solomon Owusu Larbi aka Kwame Banks, Janet Wenia Addah and Mahama Salifu. The rest are Mahama Salifu Fidel Kokou Missodey, Douglas Addo, Desmond Bress-Biney and Kwadwo Odoi-Baah. Apart from the ADB, some of the accused also allegedly attempted to withdraw GH¢600,000 at Universal Merchant Bank at University of Professional Studies Accra branch but were picked by the Police They had been variously charged with conspiracy to commit crime, stealing, abetment of crime and attempting to commit crime. The Circuit court presided over by Mrs Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye preserved their pleas pending further investigations into the mat...

Ahead of this year’s ‘ASHAIMAN TO THE WORLD’ concert, Stonebwoy’s wife, Dr Louisa Setakla, has organized free health screening for fans. The initiative comes to support her husband’s charity foundation to ensure that the Bhim Nation fans are fit and ready for the 6th Ashaiman to the world concert, which will be happening tomorrow, 30th November at the Sakasaka park in Ashaiman. Pulse.com.gh was present at the screening and also captured Dr Louisa’s father, Dr Ansong, who was also present assisting her daughter to take care of the patrons of the outreach. In a conversation with pulse.com.gh’s Toli Master, the dancehall act’s wife disclosed that her father willingly joined her to perform the task of the day, without her asking for his support. When asked if she would allow her daughter to also follow her father (Stonebwoy) into the music industry, she said she wouldn’t have a problem with that because if her husband was stopped, Ghana would have been missing a great talent like...

President Nana Akufo-Addo has granted Ghanaian citizenship to 126 Africans in the Diaspora who have arrived in the country as part of the Year of Return campaign. The 126 swore the oath of allegiance to Ghana after receiving Ghanaian passports at a ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday. President Akufo-Addo charged the new Ghanaian citizens to abide by the country’s laws and strive to protect its image at all times. “Your decision to be a Ghanaian citizen means that you have agreed to respect and abide by the laws of Ghana and live in accordance with the tenets of Ghana’s Constitution. You have the responsibility of preserving and promoting the image of the country whose reputation amongst the community of nations is today, high,” Akufo-Addo said. The Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Akwasi Awuah Ababio, had earlier said that about 200 people were in line to be granted Ghanaian citizenship. “For some of them, they have been in ...

Unai Emery has been sacked as Arsenal manager after 18 months in charge. The Spaniard, who previously led Paris St-Germain to the French league title and won three Europa Leagues with Sevilla, was appointed Gunners boss in May 2018, succeeding Arsene Wenger. He has been replaced on a temporary basis by assistant and former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg. Arsenal said the decision had been "taken due to results and performances not being at the level required". The Gunners have not won in seven games and lost 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday. It is their worst competitive run without a victory since February 1992, which was eight games under George Graham. They are without a Premier League victory since 6 October and eight points off the top four. Ljungberg took training on Friday and the Arsenal statement added: "We have full confidence in Freddie to take us forward. "The search for a new head coach is und...

Football's world governing body has announced plans to raise $1bn dollars to build at least one stadium meeting Fifa standards in each African country. Fifa president Gianni Infantino was talking in Lubumbashi during the 80th-anniversary celebrations of DR Congo side TP Mazembe. He insisted that Fifa wants African football to shine and will work with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and other stakeholders to improve refereeing, infrastructure and competitions on the continent. "We want to bring it (Africa) to the highest of heights and show the world the outstanding talent and amazingly gifted players your continent possesses," he said. "To do this, we want to implement a three-pillar approach: refereeing, infrastructure and competitions, in close cooperation with Caf, all of its 54 member associations across Africa and other stakeholders. "I am positive that we will make African football reach the top level where it should be because the...

The Bank of Ghana has introduced GH¢100 and GH¢200 notes in the country’s currency denomination mix. It has also introduced GH¢2 coins. This was announced by the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Ernest Addison at a press conference in Accra on Friday. Explaining the rationale for the development, the governor said the face value of the cedi compared to the US dollar over the past 12 years had eroded due to sustained periods of high inflation and depreciation. He believes that the new currencies will help shore up the value of the currency. The redenomination exercise aimed to eliminate four zeros from the existing units of currencies in an attempt to introduce efficiency in the economy and removes the dead-weight burden associated with transactions. At the time of the redenomination, the GH¢1 was equivalent to US$1, the highest denomination then was the GH¢50 which was equivalent to the GH¢50. Twelve years after the redenomination exercise, sustained periods of high...

Local rice production and consumption is expected to receive further boost as Ghana Rice will be listed on the Ghana Commodity Exchange, GCX. This is expected to be finalized in December this year, after clearance and certification from the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. The Ghana Commodity Exchange is a private company limited by shares, structured as a Public Private Partnership, with the government of Ghana currently the sole shareholder. The aim of the exchange is to establish linkages between agricultural and commodity producers and buyers, to secure competitive prices for their products, assuring the market quantity and quality as well as timely settlement of their trade. After the clearance, the Ghana Commodity Exchange will be listing One million metric tonnes of Ghana Rice which translates into 20 million 50 kg of Ghana rice. This comes after a meeting between the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Rice Millers, the Food and Beverages Association of Ghan...

New Patriotic Party (NPP) national chairman, Freddie Blay says President Akufo-Addo will definitely seek re-election and that thoughts to the contrary should not even be broached. He says there should be no speculation of the president not seeking re-election as it is not up for consideration by the party. Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sɛn discussion programme on Wednesday, November 27, Freddie Blay said while the party goes to conference to elect a presidential candidate for the 2020 elections, he does not anticipate anyone challenging President Akufo-Addo even though the race will be open to all who qualify. He said the President is doing very well and that “you don’t change a winning team. It is a good winning team. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is doing very well and we are all supporting him but that doesn’t prevent anybody who thinks he can do better from the horizon to come up.” Asked if it will not be a big blow to the NPP if the president personally decides not to go...

Ghanaian Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy has officially been unveiled as the Brand Ambassador for Big Boss Energy Drink. Stonebwoy earlier gave a hint about this deal when he dropped a single tagged “Big Boss” for the new energy drink in town. The ‘Ololo’ hitmaker is reported to have penned down a lucrative deal with the brand at an event that took place at Holiday Inn Hotel on Wednesday, 27th November, 2019. Big Boss Energy Drink is one of the products of Bel Beverages, producers of Bel-Aqua, Bel Cola among other products. See Official Photo below:

Award-winning Ghanaian Reggae and Dancehall artiste, Emmanuel Andrews Samini, known by his stage name Samini has been named as the brand ambassador of Ghana Premier League side, Liberty Professionals. With the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League season expected to kick off on December 27, the 'My Own' hitmaker is expected to entertain the fans of the Scientific Soccer Lads during the home games. He is also expected to play a key role for the club. Samini confirmed his appointment in an interview with Accra based Happy FM. "Yes, it is true I been confirmed as the Brand Ambassador for Liberty Professional. The Scientific Soccer lads is naturally my home team and it is just right to have an official connection with them so whatever I can do to propel the team to the next level, I will. The two brands are different, I'm an entertainment brand and Liberty is a football brand but one thing we have in common is that we are all based in Dansoman so we've joined forc...

Afrobeat singer, Kelvyn Boy, says he’s ready to perform at Stonebwoy’s 2019 Ashaiman to the World concert if he is invited. In an interview on Adom FM’s Work and Happiness show, the ‘Mea’ hitmaker said even though he had exited Stonebwoy’s Burniton Music Group label, it won’t stop him from mounting platforms with him. Kelvyn Boy and Stonebowy fell out after the latter split with his manager, Blakk Cedi. Although the protegé was believed to be signed onto the Group it was revealed after the split that his contract had been with Blakk Cedi instead. This sparked some controversies and questions which were left unanswered when after the split. Although many believe Stonebwoy and Kelvyn Boy might have an acrimonious relationship now, the protegé said regardless of the tension between them, he doesn’t see anything wrong with performing together on the same stage with the ‘Shuga’ singer. According to him, he is solely focused on doing music and that is what matters. The 5th ...

A 26-year-old woman is being treated for serious injuries after a lorry landed on top of a car in the coastal town of Port Elizabeth. Independent ambulance company Netcare 911 were among the medical workers to respond to the scene of the accident on Tuesday afternoon. The woman is said to have sustained multiple injuries throughout her body, including fractures, according to Netcare911. “The truck was squashing both her and her car. Parts of it had to be cut off in order to free her,” Shawn Herbst told BBC News. “Her level of consciousness was low when we arrived but it was managed on the scene through advanced life support before she could be transported to a nearby hospital,” Mr Herbst added. The woman is believed to have been trapped in the wreckage for at least 40 minutes. A case of reckless and negligent driving is being investigated against the driver of the lorry, local media are reporting. The driver had apparently left his car to go and fetch his child fro...

A lawmaker in Zambia has suggested that some prison inmates should be caned instead of serving custodial sentences in a bid to reduce prison overcrowding. There are currently about 22,000 inmates countrywide with a system designed to accommodate 8,000 prisoners. MP Kapembwa Simbao made the suggestion when a delegation from the ministry of home affairs, headed by the Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga, appeared before the parliamentary public accounts committee on which Mr Simbao sits. “Why isn’t it possible to come up with a bill which can lead to many of these offences to be translated into lashes to reduce congestion in correctional facilities? Are you scared of offloading these people on the street?,” Mr Simbao is quoted as saying by the state-owned Zambia Daily Mail. “We need to think outside the box and my suggestion is converting the years one is sentenced into lashes. We cannot have 22,000 people put in facilities which can only accommodate 8,000 people.” He said...

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed that some 120 Ghanaian nurses have been selected to serve a two-year contract in Barbados. The number is out of the almost 600 applicants who expressed interest in the program to serve at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, in the Carribean country. The Ministry together with officials from Barbados conducted a series of interviews for 150 shortlisted applicants before arriving at the final number for the Barbados nursing job. The interviews began on Monday, November 10 and ended on Friday, November 15. Mr Elorm Ametepe, Public Relations Officer in an interview said 598 nurses applied for the opportunity out of which 150 of them were shortlisted for the interview. However, 120 out of the shortlisted were granted the opportunity to serve in various sectors of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the Island Nation, he stated. “The final number of nurses to be engaged was not reached solely by the Ministry but in consultation ...

The government will in December 2019 launch a Universal QR code in a bid to make Ghana a cashless society, Vice President, Dr. Mahammudu Bawumia has announced. He says with the code which leverages on existing technologies, traders and businesses will be able to receive payments without a point of sale device. Dr. Bawumia who was speaking at the third Chamber Business Awards, indicated that the successful implementation of the system, will make it the first of its kind in Africa. “We will introduce what we call the Universal QR code. It leverages the technologies that we have built. Once we launch the Universal QR code, all businesses and traders will essentially no longer need point of sale devices. Mobile phones will be sufficient to receive payment wherever, and will go directly into your account that you have received payment. This is going to start next month. Singapore, China and the UK have all launched the QR code so Ghana is going to be the first in Africa. We are ...

A plane with at least 16 passengers and two crew has crashed into homes in Goma city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. North Kivu regional governor Nzanzu Kasivita Carly said there had been deaths, but did not give a number. The plane crashed into houses in the Mapendo neighbourhood after “missing” its take-off from the city’s international airport, he added. Residents on the ground were among the casualties, local media reports said. The Dornier-228 aircraft was owned by private carrier Busy Bee. It was supposed to fly to Beni, 350km (220 miles) north of Goma, when it came down about a minute after take-off, a source at Goma airport told the BBC. The North Kivu governor said he was sad to confirm that the crash had “cost the lives of our fellow countrymen”, and he offered his condolences to the families of survivors. Air accidents are relatively frequent in DR Congo, amid lax safety standards and poor maintenance. All the country’s commercial carriers are ba...

Ghana duo, Thomas Partey, and Jordan Ayew have been nominated for the African Player of the Year. The duo was involved in Ghana’s AFCON campaign that ended in a loss to Tunisia on penalties. CAF released the official list for the prestigious award and a host Africa’s finest players making the list. Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew has been impressive for both club and country this year and has been recognized for their performances. Partey and Ayew have been instrumental in Ghana’s quest to qualify for 2021 AFCON as they helped with goals in the Black Stars’ victories against South Africa and São Tomé and Príncipe. The 25-year-old Atletico Madrid star scored Ghana’s first goal of the qualifiers as his shot found the back of the net in a two-nil win for the Kwesi Appiah’s men. Jordan Ayew scored from 12-yards out as Ghana topped Group C with two wins from two. The list has names like Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang among other big names who are t...

Telecommunication companies in the country will from Tuesday, November 26, 2019, stop the upfront deduction of the Communication Service Tax (CST), the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has disclosed. In a statement, the Chamber said it will complete the reconfiguration of its systems to accommodate the commercial and technical requirements for the cessation of the deduction next week to bring respite to consumers. Currently, customers are charged the 9% CST instantly when they top up airtime. Following the implementation of the CST, the Communications Ministry accused the mobile telecommunications companies of milking consumers over their mode of charging. According to the sector Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, all efforts to get the telcos to revert to the situation before the increment has failed as telcos “exact their pound of flesh from their consumers.” “The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications wishes to notify mobile and fixed subscribers that effective Tuesday 26t...

Former world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather says he is “coming out of retirement in 2020.” The 42-year-old made the announcement on his Instagram account, and also said he is working with UFC boss Dana White to “bring the world another spectacular event.” Mayweather, who was undefeated in his career with a record of 50-0, is considered one of boxing’s all-time greats. He came out of retirement in 2017 for his last professional boxing fight against UFC star Conor McGregor. After beating McGregor, a UFC rematch in the octagon was suggested, although nothing concrete ever materialized. He was last seen in the ring in an exhibition boxing match against Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa. In a bout that lasted just 140 seconds, Mayweather earned a reported $9 million (£7m) for beating the Japanese fighter. In October, Philippines boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and Alibaba founder Jack Ma challenged Mayweather to a fight. “Floyd Mayweather, if you want a real fight, fi...

Ace highlife musician, Daniel Amakye Dede, is seeking GH₵1 million cedis in damages in a defamation suit filed against hiplife musician, Trigmatic. Trigmatic, who is known in real life as Enock Nana Yaw Oduro Agyei, is reported to have said Amakye Dede does not write his own songs but employs the services of a ‘ghostwriter’ who puts together the beautiful songs he has to his name. In the suit, the highlife legend said the statements by the rapper had lowered his personal image, reverence and esteem before right-thinking members of society both locally and internationally. Amakye Dede is convinced the “ill-motive, pull-him-down” comments made by Trigmatic is part of a grand scheme to rubbish his achievements. “He will prove to me who writes my songs for me in court. I won't allow him to use me as a scapegoat,” he fumed. Source: Adomonline

Awal Suleman, whose sprint across the Cape Coast Stadium’s pitch during Ghana’s 2021 AFCON Qualifier against South Africa captivated Ghanaians, will now have to fork out GH¢2,400 for his five minutes of fame. He was sentenced to pay the fine this morning by the Cape Coast Circuit Court. Awal will also sign a bond of good behaviour. Awal shot to fame, or perhaps infamy, depending on which side of the divide you belong on, when he made his way onto the pitch at the tail end of Ghana’s 2-0 win over South Africa and led security officials on a hilarious chase inside the Cape Coast Stadium. That incident, however, landed the 25-year-old in police trouble and left him facing a public disturbance charge Various reports following the incident had indicated that Awal had been fulfilling a dare, as he had promised to complete the crazy celebration should Ghana win the match against South Africa by two goals to nil. Others indicated that Awal was an avid admirer of Thomas Partey an...

The University of Ghana fact-finding committee set up to investigate two lecturers indicted over the BBC “sex for grades” documentary has found them guilty of misconduct. In its report, the committee recommended that the matter should be brought before the University of Ghana’s Disciplinary committee for further actions. The committee which was chaired by Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo noted that the two lecturers –Professor Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Butakor — based on initial evidence gathered misconducted themselves in breach of the University of Ghana’s statutes which stipulate that Academic staff are expected to comport themselves in ways that will enhance the image of the University. The committee also found out that the two embattled lecturers also breached Statute 42(1)( e )(ii) which states that “no member of the University shall engage in a course of vexatious conduct that is directed at one or more specific individuals, and that is known to be unwelcome.” “A fact-find...

The pitch invader during Ghana’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa, has met his idol Thomas Partey. Awal Suleman met with Partey before the midfielder departed the country for club duties in Spain. Partey gifted Suleman a signed Black Stars jersey. The 25-year-old former Nalerigu Nursing Training College nursing student invaded the Cape Coast Stadium pitch in the dying embers of the game which the Black Stars won 2-0 on Thursday night. His reason for interrupting the match was to take a selfie with the Atletico Madrid star. He was arrested and detained at the University of Cape Coast police station. However, pleadings from many Ghanaians including footballers Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan, led to the police releasing him after close to 48 hours in cells. Upon his release from cells, Suleman met with family and friends and was paraded through the streets of Cape Coast. Suleman claims he has ambitions of becoming a footballer in the future despite ...

The popular Recording Academy award “Grammy Award” has nominated Burna Boy’s album “African Giant” under the Best World Music Album category. The 62nd Grammy award is slated to hold January 26th 2020, and our very own Burna Boy has been nominated, if he happens to win the award, then Burna Boy will be first Nigerian artiste winning the prestigious award. The 19 tracks album by Burna Boy was released on the 26th July 2019 and less than six months since its release it has been noticed by the Recording Academy. That’s some iconic move right there. See his category below:-

A convicted internet fraudster has been placed under investigation in Nigeria for allegedly masterminding a "mega scam" from a maximum-security prison worth at least $1m (£773,000). Anti-corruption officials said Hope Olusegun Aroke used a "network of accomplices" for the fraud. He was arrested in 2012 and has been serving a 24-year sentence at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison. But a preliminary investigation found he still had access to the internet. In a statement on Tuesday, Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had received intelligence about Aroke's scam and was faced with the "riddle" of how he was able to "continue to ply his ignoble trade" from inside the Lagos prison. Following his arrest in 2012, the EFCC said the then Malaysia-based student was the "arrow head of an intricate web of internet fraud schemes that traverse two continents". The EFCC this week said its prelimin...

Two concerts in South Africa expected to feature Nigerian star Burna Boy have been cancelled following "increasing threats of violence", a statement from the organisers says. He had been scheduled to appear at what were dubbed the Africans Unite concerts in Cape Town and Pretoria at the weekend. The announcement that he was going to appear had attracted controversy as in September, during a wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa, Burna Boy had vowed not to go to South Africa again until the government "wakes up". He tweeted that he had personally had his own "xenophobic experiences at the hands of South Africans " in 2017. Earlier this month, after changing his mind about going to South Africa, Burna Boy said he would donate part of the proceeds from the concert to the victims of xenophobic attacks. But the invitation of the Afrobeats star was criticised by some South African artists. Last weeek, a group calling itself the Tshwane Ent...

Tottenham have sacked head coach Mauricio Pochettino after five years in charge of the Premier League club. "We were extremely reluctant to make this change and it is not a decision the Board has taken lightly, nor in haste," said Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. "Regrettably domestic results at the end of last season and beginning of this season have been extremely disappointing." More to follow.

Ghana’s Black Meteors lost 3-2 on penalties to Cote d’Ivoire in Tuesday’s semi-finals in the U-23 AFCON tournament. The exciting match ended 2-2 after extra time after Ghana came back twice to cancel two leads taken by the Ivorians. The Black Meteors started the match slowly and very quickly, were under pressure from the Ivorians who looked much better in possession and attack. After 13 minutes, they got their goal through Slavia Prague forward, Youssouf Dao. From a cross from the right, Hamed Traore, picked out Dao with a deft flick and Dao put the ball into Ghana’s net. The scoreline could have been doubled by the Ivorians but the referee waved the play on when it looked like one of their players had been tripped in the penalty area by Ghana goalie, Kwame Baah. Ghana coach, Ibrahim Tanko, made an early change by taking out Robin Polley and bringing in Kwabena Owusu after 26 minutes. but that did not change matters much for Ghana in the first half. However, things did cha...

Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Boeing Company for the purchase of aeroplanes as part of efforts to relaunch an international airline. The MoU was signed on Tuesday, November 19 at the Dubai Air Show. According to a statement issued by Boeing, the aeroplanes are with a list price value of $877.5 million. The re-launch of the national carrier will see services initially within the West African sub-region in anticipation of future routes to destinations in Europe, North America and Asia. The deal was signed on behalf of Ghana by the Minister of Aviation, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda. “There is a growing demand for air travel to and from Ghana and we believe the advanced 787-9 Dreamliner gives us an efficient and flexible machine to launch a regional network and eventually serve international destinations in the future,” said Mr Adda. “The 787 has an excellent reputation for its operational performance, fuel efficiency and passenger expe...

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has debunked rumors that there is bad blood between him and the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama. He said a recent image [that went on viral on social media] purporting to show disagreement and negative discourse between him , Mr. Mahama and two others at a funeral was a mischievous attempt to create disaffection. Former President Rawlings said this when he signed the book of condolence for the late Mrs Victoria Adzagli Ametefee, wife of Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Henry K. Ametefee, who died recently in Ho. He said he was nursing an injury from a parachute false landing several years ago , adding that the accident has resulted in chronic pain in a sitting position. According to him, the discomfort of sitting for long hours compels him to occasionally use an orthopedic foam to manage the pain. Former President Rawlings said because of that discomfort, he adjusted his seat at the fune...

The visiting Prime Minister of Barbados, Ms Mia Amor Mottley, says her country is ready to receive the first batch of Ghanaian nurses in January next year. Following an appeal from Barbados for nurses from Ghana, a process to recruit 120 nurses to fill up vacancies in the health sector in the Caribbean country is currently underway in Accra. Ms Mottley said the Ghanaian nurses would help address the acute shortage of nurses in her country, adding that officials from her country had been in Ghana in the last 10 days and would complete the recruitment process by next week. The Prime Minister, who is the first female to assume that position in her country, stated this at a joint press conference with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during a three-day official visit to Ghana. She commended President Akufo-Addo for the quick response to the Barbados request. Foreign ministers The Foreign Ministers of Ghana and Barbados, Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Dr Jerome Walcott,...

South Korean diplomat, Mr Ban Ki-Moon has expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for playing a key role in his election as UN Secretary-General. The former UN Secretary-General said he was indebted to President Akufo-Addo who as Ghana's Foreign Minister played a very good role as a campaign manager which resulted in him (Ki-Moon) winning the election on October 13, 2006. "I take this opportunity to recognise President Nana Akufo-Addo, my longtime friend. "We started as Foreign-Ministers of both countries, I visited Ghana in 2006 and I am still very much indebted for his strong political support for me to be elected as Secretary-General...," Mr Akufo-Addo said. "...He (president Akufo-Addo) really played a very good campaign manager... Thank you very much, Mr President, I will never, never forget". He added that President Akufo-Addo was a very committed leader who not only cares for Ghana but for Africa and the whole world. Mr Ban Ki-Moon ...

Kanye West left inmates in tears when he performed a surprise concert at the Harris County jail in Houston, Texas. The Grammy award-winning rapper and his choir performed songs from his gospel album "Jesus is King" on Friday as inmates waved their hands and knelt in prayer. West said his visit was "a mission, not a show," according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. West performed for more than 200 male inmates before using an underground tunnel to access a separate jail to perform for a smaller crowd of women inmates, according to the Houston Chronicle. "Say what you want about the man," said Jason Spencer, a public affairs director for the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "But Kanye West and his choir brought some light to people who needed it today at the Harris County Jail." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted on Saturday that it would be "great if other artists followed Kanye's lead." "What Kanye West do...