Uganda bans wearing of Bobi Wine's signature red beret in the country

Authorities in Uganda have declared red berets and tunic as official military uniform, essentially banning the uniform of opposition leader Bobi Wine and his supporters.

This was announced on Monday, September 30, in a gazette notice outlining what constitutes military clothing.

“The dress code for the UPDF (Uganda People´s Defence Forces) has been gazetted. The action was endorsed by the top organs of the army which also commended the dress committee for concluding the task assigned to it years back,” army spokesman Richard Karemire said in a statement.

It manifests the commitment to define identity and outlook of a professional army as well as adhering to the EAC (East African Community) protocols,” he added.

The surprising announcement comes months after the pop star announced that he would be running for president against longtime leader Yoweri Museveni in 2021.  Bobi Wine made the red beret his signature, calling it a “symbol of resistance” but now the red colour beret has been included in Uganda’s first ever gazette of all military clothing. 

It was also stated that any member of the public found in possession of the items “is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.”

I will become President after Buhari- Tunde Bakare insists

Tunde Bakare, the general overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, insists he will become the next President of Nigeria after President Buhari completes his second term in 2023.

Last week, a video of the clergyman man making this declaration went viral. Speaking in his church yesterday Sunday September 29th, the clergyman said although the video of him making the declaration about becoming Nigeria's 16th President was in February 2018, he is still certain that his declaration will come to pass.

“I’ll probably be the first President preaching on Sunday. Some are saying supposing it does not work; that is your opinion; when it works, I’ll invite you to the table. You think at this age I will deny things I said. It was mischief makers that took it from one year, seven months and then there was a publication in Tribune on Saturday and they circulated the thing on Sunday; even baba, Kabiesi Awujale said, ‘Ah, ah, the great pastor, you made this declaration and I don’t know anything about it?’ and I said, ‘Baba, it’s not true’ But you said this on Sunday in your church!’ and I said, ‘Sunday, when?’”

Speaking further, the clergyman said the number 16 was significant for him, recalling that the staircase in his father’s house has 16 flights and a book he wrote in 1993 has 16 chapters.

“You think this is an overnight thing? Go to my father’s house and count all the steps; in that house there are 16 steps. And I say it to those who care to listen; when that time comes, get ready, I will reach my goal. I meant everything I said. It was deliberately so,” he said

Confusion in Bayelsa State House of Assembly as thugs disrupt sitting, snatch the Mace and new speaker emerges

There's alot of confusing and pandemonium at the Bayelsa State House of Assembly complex as the embattled Speaker, Emmanuel Isenah, has been controversially impeached and replaced with a lawmaker representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 2, Monday Obolo.

Ranami Afagha, a media Aide to Emmanuel Isenah, however said the impeachment of his boss would not stand as it was done against the standing rules of the House.

Afagha said the mace of the House was violently taken away by thugs, adding that since the symbol of authority was not in the House activities of those who purportedly removed his boss, the proceedings were illegal and unconstitutional.

“Those who don’t want peace said they removed speaker without the presence of the mace. The mace was taken away so any activity done without the mace is illegal. So, my boss still remains the Speaker,” he said.

Model Victoria Michaels joins European Union’s Global Campaign on climate change

International model Victoria Michaels has been announced as a champion of the environment as she joins European Union (EU) climate change campaign.

The EU seeks to create awareness on the impact of climate change in the world. This is it meant to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change in the context of sustainable development.

Last year, the EU dedicated the campaign to reducing, reusing and recycling waste. This year, it is campaigning for reforestation, with the slogan ‘re-greening Ghana’.

As part of the campaign, EU Climate Diplomacy Week was launched in Accra on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

Planting trees, awareness activities at schools, a roundtable discussion on re-greening the city, a workshop on youth and reforestation and a beach clean-up are some of the events that would take place during the week.

Victoria Michaels’ partnership with the EU to re-green Ghana was announced on Wednesday during the launch.

She is not just an international model but also an entrepreneur and a global change activist. She is both the founder of the Victoria Michaels Foundation and the convener of African Literacy Development Initiative (ALDI).

The partnership with EU comes as no surprise to those who follow her social causes.

“Those that are familiar with my work over the last few years will attest to my involvement in so many causes, but this particular one by the European Union is quite an emotional one for me, especially when we have seen the damning effect of climate change across the globe over the last few years,” she said when she spoke at the event.

According to her, her flagship project, ALDI, focuses on promoting literacy development in underserved and deprived first and second cycle schools as well as communities across the continent. It is geared towards reducing the rate of illiteracy in Africa.

“ALDI, being an intervention project, is in alignment with the EU climate protection agenda. We are collaborating with the European Union and other international agencies to create awareness on the importance of preserving our natural space, we hope to use also use the ALDI medium to continue to educate and inform the public on sustainable environmental action,” she added.

She continued, “I want to urge us not to view this session as just another event. Climate change is a big problem; it requires serious and far reaching policies. I hope that by the time this program is over, a lot of awareness would have been made and we get back to the serious work of preserving our environment.

I dream of an era in our country and in the African continent where there will be less talk and more work, especially by politicians.”

“I also hope that we can see a lot more participation from the private sector, it mustn’t always be about the money. Our ecosystems are failing. People are suffering, some are even dying and more will if nothing is done. We need more concrete results in this regard,” she indicated.

Menzgold never funded my school – Lilwin

Actor, Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin has refuted claims he used funds from defunct gold dealership, Menzgold, to build his school.

Exactly a year ago, the Kumasi-based actor commissioned Great Minds International School at Offinso Ahenkro in the Ashanti Region.

The preparatory school, according to Lilwin, was to provide affordable and quality education to Ghanaians. Following this vision, he pegged the fees for lower and upper primary at fifty Ghana cedis and hundred Ghana cedis respectively.

News of the amount left many people wondering how Lilwin would run the school, with several others suggesting he used funds from Menzgold to build the ultramodern facility.

Several months after the allegations were made, Lilwin has in an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz said he never received funds from Menzgold for the construction of the school.

According to him, he constructed the school with his earnings.

He however reiterated that his money is locked up at the troubled gold investment firm.

In January this year, Lilwin reportedly said he invested hundred thousand Ghana cedis in Menzgold. He was also said to have expressed disappointment in the manner in which sections of the public had ridiculed affected customers as well as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nana Appiah Mensah, popularly known as NAM1.

Menzgold crisis

NAM1 has been slapped with 13 counts of defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, abetment and carrying on deposit-taking business without licence contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930).

The Menzgold boss has been accused of defrauding his customers of about GHc1.68 billion. According to the charge sheet, the money was from 16,000 people who invested a total of GHc1,680,920,000 in the company.

The charge sheet indicates that Mr. Appiah Mensah’s two companies — Brew Marketing Consult and Menzgold Ghana Limited; represented by him, have also been charged with defrauding by false pretence, contrary to sections 20 (1) and 13 (1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Mr. Appiah Mensah’s sister and his wife, Benedicta Appiah and Rose Tetteh, have also been charged with two counts of abetment to defraud by false pretence and two counts of abetment to carry out banking business without a licence, contrary to Section 6 (1) of Act 930.

The charge sheet explained that the accused persons purportedly aided Brew Marketing Consult and Menzgold to defraud the customers.

I will sign Fantana for her talent, not her cooking – Becca

Becca

Singer Becca seems to have thrown a subtle jab at critics of RuffTown Records signee, Fantana.

According to her, she would gladly sign the pretty singer for her immense talent not for her cooking.

RuffTown Records’ newest act had come under public scrutiny and attacks after she declared in an interview that she did not know how to cook.

“I prefer a man who knows how to cook, take care of me, pamper me and treat me like a queen because I don’t know how to cook,” she said.

Fantana

But Becca, who had declared that she would have loved to sign Fantana, told Andy Dosty in an interview on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM that the young musician’s talent comes first.

Becca, born Rebecca Akosua Acheampomaa Acheampong, stated that “If she hadn’t been discovered by people,” she would have signed her.

She explained it is because “I’m a business person so I didn’t want to sign a chef. She’s got looks. She’s a beautiful girl and there is something about her that I feel that if she is groomed right, she will be great.”

“She is doing well with her music now, however, if she has the right kind of music she would be better,” Becca said adding “I like her.”

My kids call me ‘Killer’ – Lilwin

For every father, it is naturally expected that your kids call you daddy. Kumawood actor Lilwin’s case is, interestingly, different.

The actor, who is loved by many for his witty deliveries in movies, is called ‘Killer’ by his kids.

Born Nkansah Kwadwo, the comic actor revealed in an interview with Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM Monday that his two kids call him that because he is a disciplinarian.

Speaking in Twi, the actor explained that his kids, aged four and five years, gave him that name because they know they cannot misbehave whenever he is home or around them.

Lilwin said discipline is very key to him and he makes sure his kids are also disciplined in whatever they do.

Asked if kids watch his movies, the comic actor, who is also a musician, responded that, “of course” and that is why they call him “Killer”.

Ghanaian acts don’t invest, market their songs – Becca

Singer Becca has made a passionate appeal to Ghanaian artiste to invest and market their songs to reap the needed rewards from their works.

She noted that Ghanaian artistes generally do not invest and market their songs as their Nigerian counterparts do.

While admitting that Ghanaians do not generally “patronize our own music. We don’t listen to our music more even when you go on all these platforms,” she pushed the blame squarely at musicians too.

Becca told Andy Dosty in an interview on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM that “the thing also is that we the artistes ourselves are not putting money into our music. We are not marketing, pushing our music.”

She explained that when Davido, for example, releases new music, he places banners on various platforms to advertise and draw traffic to the song.

“Once somebody is on top of your mind every time, naturally you gravitate towards the person,” the singer stressed.

The ‘Yes I Do’ singer advised that “what we need to do as artistes…let’s put money in there, let’s invest…it’s our job…we also need to improve on our craft.”

Becca, born Rebecca Akosua Acheampomaa Acheampong, was worried that some artistes also do not read.

According to her, there are platforms and opportunities out there that musicians can make money from but some acts do not know about them.

Using Mr Eazi as an example, she noted that the Nigerian has invested so much in music that, “That guy if he doesn’t play shows for one year, he is still making money off his streaming.

“In Africa, he makes the most money off streaming and downloads because he has invested.”

Moesha Boduong covers Jasmine Africa Magazine

On-screen goddess and photo model, Moesha Boduong, has achieved another remarkable feat after making the cover of famous Nigerian fashion journal; Jasmine Africa Magazine.

The latest edition of the magazine, dubbed 'Moesha: The Woman, The Talent, The Dreamer' is the magazine's Akwaaba issue, which focuses on the life and exploits of the Ghanaian celebrity.

The Jasmine Africa Magazine team caught up with Moesha Boduong to interview her on her personal and business lifestyles and how she is able to blend the two, as well as secret behind her unrelenting spirit in the face of opposition.

Moesha Boduong is a Ghanaian TV presenter, actress and model who is famously remembered for her interview CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on issues of sex, love and gender. She received a lot of backlash after her responses portrayed that successful African women depend on men for their feats.

An alumnus of the University of Ghana, Legon, Moesha was born on March 10, 1990. She has starred in numerous Ghanaian movies including Amakye and Dede, Grey Down, Yvonne's Tears and Pool Party.

Under her Moesha Foundation, she spent her 29th birthday with students of the Billaw Basic School in the Upper East Region,where her hometown is located. She donated school bags, books and other relevant learning materials.

Actress Kafui Danku condemns new sexual education curriculum in schools

Actress Kafui Danku, has "queried" decision by the government to introduce sexual education curriculum in basic schools.

The Ministry of Education has outlined its guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Ghana.

Plans are far advanced for pupils in all public schools, including 4-year-olds to be given Comprehensive Sexuality Education from next year.

Officials claim the subject content would be age-appropriate, so the toddlers would be empowered with values they can use to protect themselves from sexual harassment.

This has however been met with great criticism from people who think the program in Ghana will influence LGBT activism.

Taking to her Facebook page, the mother of two questioned the importance of the said program. She said “are we serious at all? Really? Hmmm”.

She further posted excerpts of the proposed CSE guideline on her page to express her displeasure and confusion.

I’ll venture into politics if I get the chance – Fantana

Rufftown records artiste, Francine Nyanko Koffi popularly known in the showbiz circles as Fantana, has made known her intentions of venturing into politics soon.

According to her, she sees the chance to undertake politics as a challenge and wholeheartedly intends to grab the opportunity.

The budding Ghanaian singer whose mum was recently elected as the parliamentary candidate for Jomoro on the ticket of the NDC, disclosed to www.ghanaweb.com that she is hoping to tow her mother’s path.

Describing her mum, Dorcas Nda-Affo Toffey as her biggest motivation, Fantana said she supports her to grow without any barriers.

“My greatest motivation is my mum because with me I’m very indecisive, but she keeps advising and supporting me. She’s very strong and you need to be very strong to stay in politics. I follow my mom’s footsteps a lot so I will consider politics if that door opens,” she stated.

Fantana is Ghanaian who hails from Enzema in the Western Region but was born and raised in Atlanta, USA.

She is 22 years old, born on 3rd July 1997.

Fantana studied Business in the United States and owns a men’s boutique here in Ghana.

Hatred killing Ghanaian music industry – Possigee

Legendary Ghanaian music producer, Awal Alhassan known as Possigee, has stressed that the high level of hatred among musicians is the bane to the success of Ghanaian music.

The Chief Executive Officer of MOB Records, said, the music industry would have flourished if industry players (Musicians) supported each other to grow but that has not been the case over the years as people always try to pull down anyone trying to climb the success ladder.

Possigee, speaking in an exclusive interview with www.ghanaweb.com, noted that, “the hatred among industry players is high because when artiste send their beats to the fellow artiste for a feature, is either he ignores and most of the top artiste too have refused to collaborate and I see it as hate”.

The 2017 ‘Engineer of the Year’ called on industry players to put on the armour of positivity and work in harmony with industry players despite their ranks.

Possigee's elaborate experience in the music industry, include several collaborations with other producers and sound engineers to produce albums such as Revolution (2009), Sarkology (2014), Phlowducation (2017), Rapperholic (2012), EOM (2017), Highest (2017).

His engineering dominance in the music industry has been recognized by many, including Sarkodie, with multiple BET nominations for his numerous critically and commercially successful songs.

Source-Ghanaweb

Why I took back my cars – Defeated NPP aspirant

A defeated parliamentary aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency of the Central Region, Elisha Debrah Odoom has broken his silence over the controversial and vehicles and why he took them back.

According to him, the vehicles were supposed to be managed by a secretariat and the revenue shared on 40:60 ratio between the dealership and the zones respectively.

“This was in line with my message of creating economic opportunities for the grassroot of the party and to make it economically independent. We had other models like one electoral area, one business. Eg. Corn mill, tricycles, plastic chairs, mattress and canopy hiring etc. Very innovative ideas to make the party viable and attractive to especially the youth. It’s unfortunate this has received negative publicity by some media outlets”, he revealed.

He revealed that it was not true he brought the vehicles to dash delegates at the just ended parliamentary primaries in the area as has been reported by a section of the media though he had the vehicles branded with his posters and lined them up at the venue of the event.

Elisha Debrah Odoom said “very innovative ideas to make the party viable and attractive to especially the youth. It’s unfortunate this has received negative publicity by some media outlets.”

There were earlier reports the vehicles were meant for the party but after losing, he has refused to gift the cars to the party as promised and rather directed the vehicles be towed from the venue of the event to his house, sparking controversy as to whether he was indeed determined to give out the vehicles or it was a mere gimmick.

He came third losing to the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, Rashid Kwesi Etuaful.

Out of the four candidates who contested include Rasheed Kwesi Etuaful , Richard Hagan, Elisha Debrah Odoom and Ransford Kwesi Nyarko, a total of 743 delegates making up 134 polling stations and 47 electoral with the winner Rasheed Kwesi Etuaful securing 411 votes.

After his painful loss on Saturday, a visibly infuriated Dr Odoom yelled instructions that the cars be taken to his residence for safe keeping to the utter shock and amazement of delegates.

Robert Mugabe buried in steel coffin encased in concrete as family claims people are 'after his body'

Robert Mugabe, the former president of Zimbabwe was buried in a steel-lined coffin under a layer of concrete on Saturday, September 28th following a bitter dispute over his resting place between government officials, traditional leaders and family members.

Twenty-two days after he died, the body of the former leader was finally buried next to his home in Kutama, Zvimba, the village of his birth, 55 miles north west of Harare. His eldest nephew, Leo Mugabe, who played a central role in the prolonged burial drama, said the coffin which brought his embalmed body to Harare from Singapore had to be changed for security reasons.

“People really are after his body or his body parts, so we wanted something that is tamper-proof. That is why the casket was changed,” he told a local radio station.

After the coffin was lowered into the ground in a private ceremony close to the home which Grace Mugabe had built after their marriage, concrete was laid down around it. Mugabe's family claimed that this was the burial place he had ultimately wanted and had spoken of in the last six months of his life in Singapore, angry that he had been ousted from power two years ago by his long-time ally, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.  

Mrs Mugabe, 54, draped in heavy black lace for more than three weeks, had made it clear to all who would listen that President Mnangagwa and his loyalists were not welcome at the burial. Had he been buried at Heroes Acre, the burial ground commissioned by her late husband and the resting place preferred by the government, she would not have been able to prevent their attendance.

Crucially, it would also have meant him being buried next to his first wife, Sally Mugabe, still regarded by many as the "mother" of the Zimbabwean nation.

Detained Nigerian activist, Chido Onumah released by DSS

Nigerian activist,  Chido Onumah who was arrested on Sunday, September 29th has been released.  

Onumah was arrested by the State Security Service, SSS, at the Abuja airport on Sunday evening at about 5:00 p.m.  He was taken to the SSS office in Abuja and detained for about five hours and he was eventually released a few minutes past 10 p.m.  

Taiwo Adebowale, an associate of Onumah confirmed news of his release to PremiumTimes adding that the SSS is yet to give any reason for his arrest.

Onumah, author of ‘We Are All Biafrans,’ is a regular columnist and an editorial board member of Premium TImes.

Man kills wife of 33 years after accusing her of cheating on Facebook

A man shot and killed his wife of 33 years and attempted to commit suicide in front of their two grandchildren a week after he took to Facebook to accuse his wife of cheating.

According to the Daily Mail, Eddie Harris allegedly shot and killed his high school sweetheart, Shanica Harris, inside of their Liberty home on Saturday, September 28. Friends and family said the couple had been together since they were 15 and shared five children and multiple grandchildren.

Last week, Harris shared subliminal posts about his wife possibly cheating on him. On the day of the murder, Eddie posted on Facebook that Shanica brought one of her boyfriends to their home.

Miami-Dade police said in a statement that Eddie Harris had a rifle in his hand when he had a stand-off against SWAT officers. The two grandchildren, aged 6 and 9, who witnessed their grandmother’s death, were escorted out of the home by Special Response Team members. The children were unharmed. Upon entering the home, investigators found Shanica’s body and Eddie suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after his stand off with police.

Eddie was transported to the Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center for treatment. His condition is currently unclear.

Before her death, Shanica thanked her husband for buying a new silver Mercedes Benz but complained about the color.  

Shanica’s sister, Thomasina Goddard, said Harris was very controlling and endangered the safety of his grandchildren.

Thomasina said: He barricaded himself in the house and kept my sister at blood death, with my grandniece and grandnephew in the house. My sister was the sweetest girl you would’ve know. She worked very hard for her kids and family"