Radio stations play more Twi songs, neglecting others – Edem

Edem

Ghanaian recording artiste and entertainer Edem has said his music is not appreciated on the level it’s supposed to be appreciated.

The rapper made this assertion on Happy FM’s Showbiz Xtra hosted by Doctar Cann.

However, Edem in an interview with Joy FM stated that he feels underrated because of where he hails from. Following this statement, music lovers all over social media have really trolled him.

For further clarification, Edem spoke to Happy FM detailing that “there is a perception about the minority language. People play with it and take advantage of it when you are doing music.”

Edem, who has featured established acts like Tinny, Kwaw Kesse, Sarkodie, Obour, Asem, K. k. Fosu, Tuba, Samini, Jayso, Trigmatic, El and Gemini added that, “I will speak on such issues. How can people just say we can do without your region even in business meeting? I will speak on such issues fearlessly; I will speak on it without being afraid until I die because that is the truth,” Edem told Happy FM.

Born Denning Edem Hotor, Ayigbe Edem clarified further, “I’m not saying this to disrespect any body. there is no one plying his trade who has been more consistent than me because I have done music for nine years back-to-back. I have never got to a point in my carrier where I had to release a song and it didn’t gain the mileage it had to because I have come to understand how to do the business,” he explained.

Responding to a question on why is he saying he is underrated if no one has been more consistent than him, the ‘Koene’ hit maker cited, “when I speak I am not speaking for only myself. I am speaking because I have the voice and I have to open dialogue on issues. How many times do you hear Wiyaala’s songs on radio? How many times do you hear Sherifa back-to-back on radio? How many times do you hear an Nzema rapper back-to-back on radio,” the Award winning artiste quizzed.

 

Source: ghanaweb/Nii Ogbamey Tetteh

 

Woman jailed for ‘selling’ her own son

A middle-aged woman has been slapped with 12 months imprisonment with hard labour by a Magistrate Court in Dambai for trafficking her 8-year-old son.
The woman, Lydia Dotse, led her son to offer his services on the Volta Lake with one Mawuli Nyadzo for a fee of GHC 300 for the boy to work for a period of two years.

Mr Nyadzo who lives in the Krachi-East District of the Volta Region had paid an initial GHC100 and promised to pay the balance of GHC200 at a later time.

Director of anti-trafficking agency, Partners in Community Development Programme, George Achibra, told Joy News the actions of the police in Krachi helped to rescue the boy.

“The police in Krachi had been tipped off and followed up to orchestrate the arrest of the man and rescue the boy”, he said.

“The mother was also arrested for accepting the GHC100 from the man and charged with conspiracy to traffic and trafficking of her son”, he added.

The Magistrate Court at Dambai sentenced both Mawuli Nyadzo and the mother of the boy, Lydia Dotse to 12 months imprisonment each with hard labour.

Mr Achibra is the founder of the Partners in Community Development Program and has been honoured by international institutions for his extraordinary efforts in fighting the worst forms of child labour in the fishing industry on the Volta Lake.

 

Source: ghanaweb/ adomonline

All SIM cards to be re-registered from November

Government has directed for the re-registration of all SIM cards and mobile money accounts as part of moves to fight mobile money fraud in the country.

According to the directive, from November 2017 all SIM cards and mobile money accounts will have to be re-registered.

Mobile fraud has been on the rise over the past few month, an internal inquiry by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Service (CID) has revealed that some staff of telecommunication companies are complicit in the rise of the illegal act.

According to the CID, five out of ten customers have also been targeted for mobile money fraud. This notwithstanding, the Department has also complained of little cooperation on the part of the telcos in bringing the perpetrators to book.

But the General Manager for Mobile Money Financial Services at MTN Ghana Eli Hini said the partnership between them and the Police is unquestionable.

He said they took the first step to educate and build capacity for the Police Service so they will be able to understand the modus operandi of these fraudsters so that they can also support the Telcos in the fight against fraud.

“So for them to say that we are not cooperating is not the right picture.”

Head of IT at the National Identification Authority(NIA), Matilda Wilson, expressed optimism that the re-registration of mobile money accounts will help curb fraud in the industry.

“It is necessary that the National Identification Authority sees to it that there is re-registration so that all accounts can be verified from NIA.”

Matilda Wilson said so after they certify you from the offices at NIA, then you go back to register as a mobile money user.

He added the telcos now have a verified record of people sitting on their database so they can use that data to move on with their businesses.

 

Arranged By: CordovoGH

Source: primenewsghana

 

 

 

‘Koose’ recognized as an international delicacy

 

Fried Koose balls

“Koose” has made it to the international scene. “Koose”, a Ghanaian delicacy and side dish, is prepared by deep or shallow-frying thick cowpea paste, which is usually mixed with onions, spices and other condiments.

“Koose” has been recognised by the international food science community as a potential functional food, that is, food that can promote health and prevent diseases.

This recognition was made when a research conducted by Dr Franklin Apea-Bah was published in the journal “Food Chemistry”, one of the top ten highest-ranked scientific journals in the area of Food Science and Technology.

Dr Apea-Bah, a Senior Research Scientist at the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, in collaboration with food and health scientists at the University of Pretoria in South Africa conducted a research on “Koose”. The research team was led by Prof. Kwaku Gyebi Duodu, a lead scientist in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, and an associate professor of Food Chemistry and Food Engineering at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Health benefit

The research was to determine whether “Koose” had the potential to alleviate oxidative stress, a health condition that could lead to the inflammation of cells and several consequent chronic diseases such as hypertension, stroke, cancer and diabetic complications. The scientists used advanced techniques to prove that “Koose” contained health-promoting chemicals, called phenolic compounds, which can react with and remove chemical species, called free radicals, which otherwise can react with body cells, proteins, carbohydrates, fats and DNA in living tissues and damage them.

Such damage can then lead to the afore-mentioned diseases. Through laboratory-based experiments, the researchers demonstrated that “Koose” can prevent damage to the genetic material, DNA, which when irreversibly damaged, can lead to either the death of cells or changes in the function of the cell and possibly cancer formation. They further confirmed that “Koose” prevented free radical damage to body cells which if not prevented, can lead to the death of cells and aging.

This research, which was published by the journal “Food Chemistry” (impact factor 4.529: 2016) in May 2017, confirmed earlier studies that cowpea beans contain the health-promoting phenolic compounds that serve as antioxidants and can prevent free radical damage to body cells and tissues.

In related studies under Prof Duodu’s supervision, two scientists, Dr. Twambo Hachibamba (from Zambia), and Dr Alice Nderitu (from Kenya) demonstrated that boiled cowpea beans could protect against the proliferation of cancer cells and the onset and progression at cardio vascular diseases (hypertension).

Antioxidants

In recent years, antioxidants have become highly topical due to their ability to prevent chronic disease onset and progression as well as slow-down aging. This has resulted in formulation of several health-promoting products using antioxidant-containing plants such as aloe vera, olive oil, cinnamon and several others.

It is interesting to note that dry legumes such as cowpea beans are also good sources of antioxidants and their consumption can help promote the health of consumers. It is important to note, however, that consumption of too much oil can lead to negative health effects, such as heart-related diseases. Therefore, “Koose” and other fried foods should be eaten at moderate levels. Boiling and other applicable methods for cooking cowpea beans can thus provide other useful ways to prepare and eat our health-promoting cowpea beans.

 

Arranged By: CordovoGH

Source: primenewsghana

Two die from snake bites in Wa due to shortage of anti-venoms

Two people have died from snake bites in the Upper West Regional capital Wa due to the shortage of anti-venoms in the region.

The In-charge of Yaala Health Centre Ezekiel Nagben says a total of 176 snake bites have been recorded in the various districts so far and the situation has been aggravated by the shortage of anti-venoms

The residents who are worried about the situation as they keep on losing their loved ones to the snake bites have therefore appealed to authorities to urgently respond to their appeal to save lives in the district.

Yussif Basuglo, a native of Yaala and a Circuit Supervisor for Kundugu Circuit of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the district expressed the concern during the maiden worker’s forum held in Funsi in the district.

“The vile is not available and even when the little comes in it is sold at either GHC450.00 or GHC500.00 depending on the demand as against the quantity available”, he said.

Mr Basuglo who has lost a sister a couple of days to snake bite noted that a small boy also got bitten by a snake at the funeral grounds of his sister.

“Five other snakes were killed at the same funeral,” he said and expressed fear that a lot more people may just be losing their lives to these snake bites if nothing was done to address the situation.

Mr Timothy N-beenaba, a native of Kunyebin and also a Circuit Supervisor for Funsi Circuit of the GES in the District said this year the poisonous snakes were in abundance because of the poor rainfall pattern in the area.

He observed that a good rainfall pattern would often cause the destruction of the eggs laid by the snakes and even some would die to reduce the population.

 

Arranged By: CordovoGH

Source: primenewsghana

Corruption persists in Ghana because we let it – Ampofo to journalists

Veteran Journalist and Chief Executive Officer of Channel Two Communications, David Ampofo, has said that the canker of corruption remains in Ghana because journalists who are to serve as the ‘watch dog’ of society, bringing to bare the wrongful happenings in governance are doing very little to keep the country’s leaders on their toes.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Chevening Speaker Series, Mr. Ampofo indicated that the media’s role as the Fourth Realm of the Estate makes it responsible for ensuring accountability in governance and that role when compromised, corruption sets in.

“I think journalists have a special role to play in bringing progress to and enhancing the welfare of society, this we will do primarily as the Fourth Estate of the pillar of democracy, ensuring that those with power do not abuse it and use it for the benefit of all people.

That is why holding government accountable is considered a primary responsibility, it is not possible to do this anyway if you are in bed with government.

…..Really, we can’t afford to undermine our credibility, when left unchecked, people in authority, they will do as they please, with time, corruption sets in big time”

Mr. Ampofo argues that the journalist should be able to analyse issues and make constructive criticisms such that if people in government are engaged in corruption or wrongful practices, they are affected and consequently brought to book.

“Government has to appreciate the value of constructive criticism…..the government is not supposed to be happy with the media, it doesn’t work like that. As soon as government and media are very happy and they are all friendly and all that, we are in trouble”.

According to him, the impact of corruption on the country’s development should be the utmost priority of a journalist such that despite the pressure from society and politicians, they remain credible and fight against corruption and the likes.

“The problem with corruption is that it is taking public money for private gain but it is so damaging for a society, first of all limited resources are abused and after a while it becomes endemic; if you are not part of it, you won’t survive.

It becomes difficult because you need to eat, you need to get by. You get to a situation in society where it is much difficult to do what is wrong than to do what is right and then you are in trouble, it’s called systemic failure”.

The Chevening Speaker Series is the first of several others to be organized subsequently by the Chevening Alumni Association in Ghana.

The series seeks to bring young professionals in diverse fields to learn from experts who will be tackling various subjects relevant to development in the country.

The maiden edition of the series which came off on Thursday October 26, focused on “Holding Government accountable; the role of the media”

 

Arranged By: CordovoGH

Source: ghanaweb

Man arrested for cultivating large weed farm (Marijuana)

The Bibiani Divisional Command of the Ghana Police Service has arrested 30-year-old Kwadwo Kwaayie for allegedly cultivating large tracts of Indian Hemp at Sefwi Mmrewa in the Western Region.

The Regional Police Public Relations Officer Olivia Adiku said the police was hinted on the illegal activity of the suspect. He was invited for interrogation on October 25, and subsequently arrested.

She said on the same day the Bibiani Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Alex Wowolo, DSP V Akposu, Bekwai District Commander, ASP P Gbagbo, Divisional Crime Bibiani and 34 other ranks who were armed together with the suspect Kwadwo Kwaayie went to Sefwi Mmrewa where the suspect and the informant led the Police to the farm.

The suspect also showed the team large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp.

The Regional PRO said the farm was photographed together with the two sacks of fresh plants and a sack of dried leaves which was retrieved.

The Divisional Commander then ordered for the destruction of the farm by cutting down the whole plantation.

 

Arranged By: CordovoGH

Source: primenewsghana

Ghana holds Food Safety Conference

Conference Participants

The First Food Safety Conference to develop strategies to counter emerging challenges in food chain and to promote safe food practices among Ghanaians has been launched in Accra.

The three-day Food Safety Sensitisation Programme organised by the Food and Drugs Authority brought together more than 150 scientists, policy makers, experts and consumers to share ideas, practices and perspectives on issues that would promote safe food handling practices.

The conference on the theme: “Enhancing Food Security through Safe Food Practices” is also intended to address how to detect unsafe food, fight food fraud and food imitation.

Mr Abebe Haile Gabriel, the Regional Programme Leader for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organisation, in a key note address, said the environment within which producers, suppliers and manufacturers operated continued to evolve at an ever increasing rate, with new hazards and pathogens.

This, he said, had been worsened by the globalisation of the food supply chain, pressures of climate change and population growth, rapid urbanisation, complexity of food preparation and changes in food consumption.

He said in 2010, foodborne hazards caused an estimated 600,000 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths across the world.

He said an estimated 40 per cent of this disease burden, was among children under five years of age, whilst significant cases of foodborne related diseases and risks were not reported.

However, he said, these facts and trends had called for the need to address such threats in a comprehensive approach, oriented to the entire food chain.

He therefore assured the FDA of the FAO’s continuous support in ensuring food safety.

Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu, the Minister of Health in a speech read on his behalf, said consumers were demanding protection for the whole food supply chain.

He said this would occur if all sectors in the chain worked in an integrated way, thereby building consumer confidence in the safety of food products.

Mrs Delese Darko, the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA observed that some conditions and activities at market places contaminated food which could compromise food safety and health.

She mentioned exposure of produce to unfavourable storage conditions, poor hygienic practices and food adulteration as some of the challenges.

She said these challenges threatened food security in Ghana, saying “1856.56 metric tons of pre-packaged food was destroyed in 2016 due to poor storage practices and food fraud alone is estimated to cost consumers up to $40 Billion globally and the food industry $10-15 billion per year.

Mrs Darko said the FDA in line with its mandate to protect public health and safety had carried out several investigations into activities of food fraud in recent times, some which are: the adulteration of palm oil with sudan IV dye, the mixing of powdered pepper with bixa seeds and the colouring of corn chaff as tomato powder, just to mention but a few.

Dr Sammy Ohene, the Chairman of the Governing Board, FDA, said due to the unhealthy practices along the chain of food production, processing and handling, future policy direction in addressing these challenges was critical.

He said issues like the slaughter and burning of animal skin with rubber tires, followed by cleaning with polluted water amongst others were harmful.

Other activities outlined for the conference include; Market Durbars, and What Do You Know Quiz amongst students in second cycle institutions.

 

Arranged By: CordovoGH

Source: GNA

 

Plastic waste dents the beauty of Nzulezu

The beauty of Nzulezu, one of the cherished tourist sites in the Western Region, is gradually being marred by the daily rise of plastic and other domestic wastes.

This tourists sites in the Region became the toast of both foreign and local tourists due to its uniqueness and the fact that local community members could make their homes sit on a stream using just bamboo and raffia materials.

Nzulezu, in the Nzema Language, means sitting on water, which best describes the ingenuity and wisdom the Creator of the Universe has endowed mankind to indeed have dominion over everything on planet earth.

The Nzulezu Community receives more than 1000 visitors annually and, thereby, contributes immensely to the Gross Domestic Product of the country whilst growing the local economy and opening up the area to some diverse cultures.

These economic benefits, notwithstanding, are being depleted by the activities carried out in that natural and artistic environment preventing the Community from enjoying that enviable position of the most preferred destination for site seers for its attractions, which provide a means of learning, admiration of nature and drawing inspiration.

The physical environment of the Community on water steadily leaves much to be desired and if immediate steps are not taken may lose its “taste in the mouths” of holiday makers.

Issues of sanitation in terms of places of convenience and dumping sites, over the years, have become a crises situation for the Ghana Tourism Authority in the Region.

Mr Michael Kpingi, the Acting Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said improving the living standards of the people in the Community was paramount to sustaining the gains and contribution in terms of revenue to the state.

“The spread of plastics, which takes decades, if at all, to decay has in recent times aggravated the already existing environmental issues,” he said.

“The biggest problem now at Nzulezu is the filth and we are now looking for collaborative approaches, especially with the waste management companies, to help devise innovative means of managing the waste in the community.”

Mr Kpingi said attempts at solving the problems had yielded some favourable results with the provision of a Biofill toilet facility.

The Nzulezu Community, he said, could also boast of a mobile clinic system that helps in providing quality of healthcare for the people and called on other institutions to come in and help.

The City on Water needs help to avoid constant pollution of her beautiful environment that provides fun, relaxation and recreation. The earlier action and proactive steps are taken, the better it would be for people of the Community and the general improvement of the tourism potentials of the country.

 

Arranged By: CordovoGH

Source: GNA

 

 

University of Energy matriculates 1,887 students

The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) has matriculated a total of 1,887 students to pursue various academic programmes for the 2017/2018 academic year.

The number has now brought the total student population to 4,887 and out of those admitted, 1,532 were undergraduates and 1,037 representing 68 per cent were males whilst 495 signifying 32 per cent were females.

Professor Harrison Kwame Dapaah, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) announced at the sixth matriculation ceremony of the University on Saturday in Sunyani.

Concerning postgraduate programmes, he said, a total of 129 applicants were offered admission to commence Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctoral programmes, saying that represented over 100 per cent improvement above last academic year’s figures into the Graduate School.

The VC added that 18 out of the number indicating 14 per cent were females, while 111, indicating 86 per cent were males.

Prof. Dapaah emphasised that it was the objective of the University to increase total postgraduate enrolment to about 15 per cent of the total student population in the near future.

He said the University was poised to provide access to university education to as many qualified applicants as possible, but it was constrained due to inadequate academic and residential facilities for staff and students.

The VC expressed worry that a number of projects which could have put a total of 24 lecture rooms at the disposal of the University had come to a standstill.

Prof. Dapaah cited a two-storey lecture block , a four-storey 12-room lecture block,  the South Wing of a 1,600 capacity hostel at the Sunyani campus and the permanent facilities  at the Dormaa-Ahenkro satellite campus to house the School of Agriculture and Technology, all under construction by different building construction firms had come to a halt.

He expressed optimism that the completion of those facilities would address both the residential and classroom accommodation challenges facing the students and assist in providing unmatched learning experience for them.

Prof. Dapaah therefore reiterated his appeal to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) “to put the UENR on its priority list as directed by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr, Mahamudu Bawumiah during the University’s second congregation ceremony held in August this year”.

The VC advised the fresh students on the need to acquaint themselves with all the rules and regulations governing the University and religiously observe them.

Prof. Dapaah stressed that they must avoid academic dishonesty and other social vices as that could jeopardise whatever professional opportunities at their disposal as students of the University.

He emphasized that whenever a student was found culpable for having committed any of the following crimes, “cheating during examinations or continuous assessment, stealing, physical and sexual assault”, the net result “is outright dismissal with possible prosecution by the Police”.

Prof. Dapaah reminded the matriculants about their primary aim of enrolling at the University to go through their chosen academic programmes to ultimately graduate with success and therefore urged them to focus seriously on their studies by beginning “with the end in mind”.

 

Arranged By: CordovoGH

Source: GNA