FixtheCountry demonstrations have already happened in Spain and England, and Ghana is next.
It’s coming off on Wednesday, the 4th of August, 2021, and the meeting point is Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra at 7:00am. Put on your mask. Add a face shield if you want to and hit the streets.
Do it for the patients who have to sleep on the bare floor at our hospitals while our leaders have oxygen tanks ready and available in their bedrooms and go for treatment abroad. #FixGhanaHealthService.
fix. the countryfix. the country
Do it for the poor children still studying under trees while your favourite politician’s children get driven in V8’s to Cambridge curriculum teaching schools. #FixGES.
Do it for the lack of good roads, good hospitals, national indebtedness and the endemic corruption in governance that sees a few people amassing wealth while Ghana remains poor.
FixtheCountry does not want NPP or NDC in power; it wants a government that works to get Ghana fixed. It wants a government that greatly amends or changes the constitution.
If the NPP can do it, great. If the NDC can do it, great. If we need to bring in another group of politicians to do it, great. I personally think neither of them can do it. They’ve had almost 30 years to do it and couldn’t. t’s time for change now.
We need a third force more than ever. We need the Third Force. We need an alliance. We need an independence coalition. We need all parties that are not appendages of the NPP-NDC duopoly, and influencers and individuals with huge followings, groups and movements coming together to wrestle power from the NDC-NPP axis in 2024.
It is possible.
A few days after sending that petition to the Police, FixtheCountry activists were tricked into a meeting with National Security and a couple of ministers partaking instead of meeting the IGP as was communicated. It was during this meeting that the Government using the Police worked to secure an injunction against the intended demonstration and readied itself to use the courts and intimidation to stop any protests seen as making the government unpopular.
FixtheCountry activists have been in and out of court and now have the go ahead to protest, after the government has itself attended super spreader events (Covid was being used as the reason to stop fixthecountry protests) and allowed the very gullible NDC to demonstrate.
I was interviewed by Asaase Radio few days after the Police secured an injunction against the intended demonstration, and it appeared as if the interviewer wanted me to say that we were going to disregard the law and demonstrate anyway.
I didn’t. I only answered that there were many ways to demonstrate and hitting the street wasn’t the only option. We went ahead and demonstrated online on May 9th, 2021.
On the 3rd of May, 2021, something big happened in Ghana. Something unprecedented. Only the new media could make it possible.
If Joshua Boye-Doe (aka KalyJay) had written a 2000 word long feature in the Daily Graphic about the problems bedeviling the country due to the incompetence of the NPP-NDC duopoly, a few hundred people might have read it and maybe two would have reached out.
But majority of Ghanaians, the young and adult populace on social media wouldn’t have heard about it, and maybe the Daily Graphic wouldn’t have published the article anyway.
The paper that did not see Ejura as worthy enough to feature on its front would have probably hidden a #FixTheCountry article somewhere else–between three electronic goods adverts. I doubt if they would have published it even.
Enter the internet and social media. A reading platform available to every smartphone user, and Twitter, the social media platform that inspires the most hashtags.
It was easier to sound the clarion call with three little words than a feature long article or speech delivered on TV or radio.
KalyJay named a couple of things wrong with Ghana and tweeted #FixtheCountry.
That set the ball rolling. It was as good as Mohamed Bouazizi setting himself on fire in the streets of Tunis. It was as good as Rosa Parks saying ‘my feet hurt.’ It was as good as Martin Luther King Jnr. saying ‘I have a dream.’
Macho Kaaka had a dream as well. He wanted Ejura fixed. He wanted his community developed and its myriad of problems taken care of. His allegiance to community mattered to him more than the party he belonged to. Don’t let his dream die. Keep it alive. #FixEjura.
fix. the country
Few weeks later, government officials with verified accounts reported KalyJay’s account and it got suspended by Twitter.
That’s the kind of Government you have, Ghana. A government that does not tolerate criticism and sees anybody not singing their praises as the enemy. It’s political vindictiveness of the lowest form.
Joshua lost access to his Twitter account for sometime, but the horse had already bolted. Almost every Ghanaian on Twitter was tweeting #FixtheCountry, using the hashtag on Facebook, and it wasn’t long before a leader emerged, calling on others to join him to petition the police about an intended #fixthecountry demonstration.
The signatories to that first letter sent to the Police were Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Joshua Boye-Doe, Samuel Alesu-Dordzi, Efia Odo, Dela Russell Ocloo, Felicity Nelson, Bashiratu Kamal Muslim, Agyapong Forster, Adatsi Brownson, Benjamin Darko, Gabriel Ohene Kwasi Addai, Comedian Warris, Prince Kwaku Addo and Stan Dugah.
fix. the country
Other signatories have signed subsequent letters and worked and continue working hard to #fixthecountry.
Now, look over the names again. Are they all Ewes? Are they all Akans? Are they all Christian names? Are they all Islamic names?
The greatest mistake ever made by the NPP in 2021 is assuming that Ghana is so polarized, so divided, so politically binary that anybody who supports or identifies with #fixtheCountry must be an NDC member or sympathizer.
Not true.
When I launched my first book in November, 2020, I predicted that both the NDC and NPP will win less than 20% of total votes cast in 2024. Sounds crazy, I know. But it will happen in our lifetime. The Grand Awakening is almost here.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor was a staunch supporter and member of #OccupyGhana in 2014, so why will you tag him as a surrogate of the NDC?
If you are wondering what #OccupyGhana was, I can only tell you that it was a pressure group that was doing in 2014 exactly what #FixtheCountry is doing in 2021, and most of their members are now Government appointees and lawyers who worked on the Agyapa deal. No wonder they think #FixtheCountry is a vehicle created to bring JDM back. They are too short-sighted to see the truth.
That’s the difference between us and them. We were part of #OccupyGhana; they are not part of #FixtheCountry.
You exposed Oswald to danger – Child’s Right Africa to parents and gift
The viral story of 9-year old Oswald has drown the attention of Child’s Right Africa.
The Child’s Right advocacy said exposing little Oswald to the public on social media with all the gifts exposes him to danger.
Mr. Asare of Child’s Right Africa said in an interview on Kingdom FM midday news and monitored by media5promotions.com said “Section 12 of Ghana’s constitution on children’s right frowns on exposing children to public danger”
Asked whether Oswald’s parents and gifters will be sued for this, Mr. Asare said the decision has not been taken yet.
He added that “the gifters took undue advantage of Oswald’s social media attention to market their products, services and themselves which the laws of Ghana frowns on”
He quickly asked ” would the gifters have rushed to Oswald to make those donations if the little boy didn’t have that media attention?”
“let me caution parents not to set Oswald’s standard for their children”
Mr. Asare concluded
Oswald’s ‘Our Day’ note to his mother went viral on Friday 30th July 2021 when his teacher Mrs. Mensah posted it on social media. Corporate bodies, musicians and high profiled individuals rushed to Oswald’s school and donated items ranging from food, iPads, cash and services. On Sunday 1st July 2021, little Oswald and his parents donated most of the gift items to #FosterHome
Don’t allow corrupt heads of public institutions to go scot-free – Haruna Iddrisu to SP
Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader, has charged Kissi Agyebeng, Special Prosecutor (SP), to deal with heads of public institutions who turn out to be corrupt.
According to him, the SP should not make it a point to target only political officeholders as a means of fighting corruption.
He said heads of public institutions have always gone untouched because politicians are the ones that corruption probes and prosecutions target.
Before Kissi Agyebeng was approved as Special Prosecutor on July 30, Haruna Iddrisu said on the floor of the House that, “Chief Directors and Chief Executives are left as if they don’t [engage in corruption]. Some of them do, and there is evidence. The focus should not only be on petty corruption where you see a policeman stop a trotro driver.”
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader, on the other hand, called for a review of the laws governing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). He noted that it will empower the Special Prosecutor in the execution of his mandate.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated that the review of the laws will also prevent the Special Prosecutor from becoming a “toothless bulldog who can only bark but will not be able to bite.”
Kissi Agyebeng was then approved by Parliament after the recommendation from the Appointment Committee was read to the MPs.
“The committee has duly recommended the nominee of the President for the appointment of the Special Prosecutor in line with the Section 13 (3) and (8) of the Special Prosecutor Act 2017 and the standing orders of Parliament and recommends the nominee Mr. Kissi Agyebeng to the House for approval.”
Kissi Agyebeng will be succeeding Martin Amidu as the Special Prosecutor.
Legendary Nollywood Actress Rachael Oniga Dies At 64
Veteran Nollywood actress Rachael Oniga, a legendary presence in the Nigerian movie industry, died Friday, according to reports. She was 64 years old.
It was not immediately clear how Oniga died. Reports on social media varied, with the cause of Oniga’s death in some cases being attributed to complications from COVID-19. However, Oniga’s family reportedly has pushed back against that assertion and claims it is false.
100 cedis a month for Cathedral or 88 district hospitals? – A plus throws a challenge
Finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta presented 2021 mid-year budget to the parliament of Ghana on 29th July 2021. At the presentation, the minister made an appeal to Ghanaians to contribute Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHc100) a month towards the building of the National Cathedral.
This has sparked a debate on social media as some people see it as a misplaced priority.
Controversial musician turned politician, Kwame Asare Obeng popularly known as A plus has thrown a challenge to social media users to join in with what they would want Ghanaians to contribute 100 Ghana cedis for as he has chosen a contribution towards the president’s promise to build 88 district hospitals.
Cathedral
A plus wrote on his Facebook page
“I’m also asking for 100 Ghana cedis a month to help build the 88 district hospitals.
Where will your 100 cedis go? Cathedral or hospitals?
To join the challenge click on the hashtag to create a post.
It is unclear whether this is true or not as a visit to Sarkodie’s official Twitter handle as at the time of writing this report has not issued any statement to that effect.
A screenshot of some Tweets about the alleged leakeage and what is on Sarkodie’s official page
Born again Nollywood/Ghanaian movie director Pascal Amanfo is advising his fans not to give up. The multi-award-winning movie director and producer wrote on his Facebook page
“You would probably look at this picture and imagine that I am a Man who has got his entire life figured out without a care or worry!
Snap out of it!!! Na lie!
Nothing spectacular here! Just a Man God showed Mercy! Just a Man hanging on to the thin threads of Grace! If there is anything I can teach you…. its this! Don’t you dare give up!!!!!
Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia endorses the usage of Bitcoin in Africa
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says it is time African governments embrace digital currency (bitcoin) to facilitate trade and enhance other productive sectors of their economies.
He, therefore, lauded the Bank of Ghana’s decision to pilot digital currency later this year towards its nationwide roll-out in the near future, saying that it would give it the needed credibility and legal backing for usage.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) in Accra on Tuesday, Dr. Bawumia said, Intra-African trade had created the need to establish a Single Central Payment platform on the African continent where financial system operators could carry out all cross-border payments smoothly.
To that end, the Vice-President believed that the Pan African Payment and Settlement System(PAPSS)- a central payment and collection infrastructure- would allow businesses on the continent to clear and settle transactions in their local currencies without depending on third-party currencies.
He said it would also provide an alternative to the current high-cost and long correspondent banking relationships by facilitating trade and other economic activities across the continent through a single, low-cost, and risk-controlled payment clearing and settlement system.
The event brought together Governors of the Central Banks in Africa, captains of industry, chief executives of financial institutions, and the diplomatic community to share ideas and engage in conversations that would create a conducive environment for boosting economic activities and promote growth.
It was held on the theme: “Facilitating Trade and Trade-Finance in AfCFTA; The Role of the Financial Services Sector”.
Vice-President Bawumia noted that digitisation had become one of the most consequential policies of President Akufo-Addo’s government and pivotal towards increasing economic activities, macroeconomic stability, and growth.
In that vein, a robust and resilient financial system would provide an impetus for productive investments, expand opportunities for jobs and wealth creation.
“As you may recall, in a bid to improve liquidity and strengthen the banking sector, the Bank of Ghana implemented a new prudential regulatory framework.
“The banking sector clean-up was aimed at promoting a financially stable banking sector.
“Concurrently, digitisation has also become one of the most consequential policies of the Nana Akufo-Addo government. When the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic hit and forced many economies into partial and total lockdowns, it reinforced the need to pursue digitization,” Dr Bawumia emphasised.
Bitcoin
He stated that mobile banking was proving to be a more convenient alternative to traditional banking channels as several routine banking and money transactions were now executed through mobile phones and electronic payment systems.
“Indeed, one has to recognise that for the financial services sector to play its role, there must be financial inclusion.
“The implementation of Mobile Money Interoperability in Ghana has shown that more people can be financially included, and this needs to be rolled out across Africa to ensure the growth of the AfCFTA vision,” he added.
To leverage digital technologies and digitized data, he said, the Central Bank had rolled out a couple of systems through its Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS).
They include thee-zwich, Gh-Link, Mobile Money Interoperability, and QR Code and making sure that the underlying payment system runs smoothly is the least we should expect of the financial system if we are to realize the vision of continental free trade.
He stressed that since payments were at the heart of the day-to-day operations of a free trade system, negative spillover effects could be serious if something goes wrong.
Therefore in 2019, the Government introduced the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987), under the supervision of the Bank of Ghana, to consolidate the laws relating to payment systems, payment services, and regulated institutions in the electronic money business.
The advent of this legislation, Dr. Bawumia explained that, had helped deepen financial intermediation and financial inclusion, not only in Ghana but across the continent.
” I am hopeful that the rollout of the Pan – African system will synchronize successfully with the payment systems architecture developed by Central Banks across Africa and bring about a reduction in cost, time variability, and decreased liquidity requirements of commercial banks and central banks settlements.
Bitcoin
“I encourage the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), a partner entity in this conference, to help its members build a solid and resilient productive capacity to benefit from the AfCFTA implementation.
That, he said, would complement the Government’s effort in providing both the required leadership and investments in implementing the continental trade protocols and related action plans.
He expressed the belief that the conference would deepen the conversations on the need for Africa to design its unique models, which would provide an enabling structural transformation of Africa’s economy and thereby, placing Africa on a sustainable long-term growth path.
Arat Hosseini is a 6-year-old Iranian boy whose first video caught the attention of the world a few years ago. In the video, “a little girl” was seen dribbling on a field. That little girl turned out to be the long-haired boy Arat, who was trained to be an athlete before he could even walk by his father.
Recently, photos of Arat’s six-pack abs and training videos have been spread, helping the boy’s internet star career “take off”.
Arat’s father, Mohammed Hosseini, said he started gymnastics for his son when he was just a 9-month-old baby. At the age of 2, Arat appeared in international publications. At the age of 3, Arat was able to climb the wall, swing the bar quickly – movements that require skills and physical strength that adults are unlikely to do.
Arat is most impressive in physique. The boy’s biceps, shoulder muscles, and chest are extremely solid. Many fans named Arat the strongest 6-year-old boy in the world. But that’s just the beginning.
A potential football star
Arat quickly discovered his passion for football and proved to be very “adept”, causing both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to keep an eye on them.
wonder kid
Born in Iran, Arat now lives in the UK to study at Liverpool Academy. When expressing his dream of one day playing for the Spanish football club Barcelona, Arat was praised and encouraged by Lionel Messi – his favorite player.
The boy has more than 4 million followers and regularly receives more than 1 million likes every time he posts a new photo. “After realizing my son’s talent, at the suggestion of people around me, I opened an Instagram account. It was especially welcomed not only in Iran but also abroad,” said Arat’s father.
On the contrary, Mohammad is accused of forcing his son to train too hard, depriving him of his childhood for profit. But Mohammad has always denied these allegations. He considers Arat to be an active child and enjoys sports activities.
Ebony’s Spirit has entered into a new lady – Abeiku Santana
Popular radio presenter on Okay FM, Abeiku Santana has hinted that she’s introducing a singer who possesses the spirit of the late Ebony Reigns.
The award-winning radio presenter who calls himself radio mu IGP cautions female artists who claim to replace Ebony to stand firm and that the real one is two months away.
This is what he has to say “In two months’ time am bringing a female artist and she is going to take over the voice of the female artists in Ghana. This lady am bringing is the one coming to replace the late Ebony Reigns, all those artists claiming to be Ebony should stand well.
Ebony has returned and entered into that lady. Watch out for that lady and Black Sherif for one year and see what will happen in their lives”
Industry players, stop your foolishness and stupidity -Shatta Wale
As music industry players and Entertainment pundits hail new artists making waves in the music scene, outspoken multi-award-winning dancehall artist Shatta Wale seems not happy.
The Melisa hitmaker has thrown a heavy punch to industry players describing them as not wearing better clothes.
Shatta wrote “Artists like Yaw Tog, Kweku Flick, Amerado, Kofi Jamar, and other upcoming artists shouldn’t think they are on the same pair with the likes of Sarkodie, Captain Planet, Bukbak, Medikal, and Stonebwoy etc.
The industry players should stop their stupidity and foolishness, the industry players doesn’t even wear any better clothes.
Shatta Wale
The new generation should go to Sarkodie if they are rappers, they should come to Stonebwoy and I if they are doing reggae- Dancehall”.
