Tema based musicians, Donzy and Ephraim have added their voices to the social media campaign for motorists not to pay tolls when they use the Accra-Tema Motorway.

 

While Donzy is of the view that the toll must not be paid because the motorway is riddled with potholes, Ephraim has also kick started a campaign involving other musicians which he hopes will result in commercial bus drivers and taxis not paying the toll.

 

“They must use it for the reason why it is been collected from us, if not then what is the point paying, no man will invest into any product that will make them suffer, I know most of the people will side with me because this is the reality if you don’t side with me maybe you never has an accident on the motorway or any of relatives or has a problem on the motorway and there is no light.” Donzy stated.

 

Ephraim on the other hand said he will be heading to all taxi stations and commercial bus stations to rally support for the campaign.

 

“we have even started a campaign right now, we have go to taxis and trotro stations and ask not to pay, I have started calling some few artists, from the week we will go to all the taxi stations, trotro stations in Tema, we have to take this serious.” Ephraim said.

 

 

Speaking to Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, both musicians disclosed how they nearly lost their lives due to the poor state of the motorway.

 

By: Pearl Enchill Abaidoo-Abbam | D Fm | dikoder.com

Actress Lydia Forson has mocked Sister Deborah on Twitter for dating a “Sakawa Boy” or a “Fraudster” who lies for a living.

 

Miss. Forson however did not give much details about her description of the source of Medikal’s income. The actress seems to have enough evidence to back her claims that Medikal survives by lying.

 

Medikal is yet to respond to this allegation and what D Fm & dikoder.com has gathered indicate that Medikal is currently in studio recording a freestyle for Lydia Forson.

 

In an Instagram post Medikal made on Tuesday, he described Fella Makafui as very hardworking and a matured lady who teaches him something new every day. He also added in his post that, he’s being judged wrongly when people don’t know the reason why he decided to leave Sister Derby.

 

His story looked ‘sweet’ and he won some of the people criticizing him for leaving Derby for Fella on his side, but Lydia Forson is not buying any of the lines in his ‘story of love’.

 

It’s no doubt that, Lydia Forson and Sister Derby are very close friends and has been on the defense of Derby since they split and even onetime suggested she could go to Medikal’s house and ’cause’ trouble if Sister Derby gave her the permission.

 

Lydia Forson has lashed it out on Medikal again, calling him a liar saying that, Medikal lies for a living, so his ‘love story’ is complete out of the box.

 

In the tweet she wrote with an attached meme of a Cat in shock, it read; “You can’t be with someone who woefully lies for a living and not think they won’t lie to you. Aden wa da anaa abowaa. I’m the kind of friend that will laugh with you and at you! Siiiiiaaaaaaaaaa next time. #KakalikaLove“.

 

Her tweet is not only directed at Medikal but also to Sister Derby, reminding her that she dated someone who lies for a living, so what did she expect in the long run.

 

By: Pearl Enchill Abaidoo-Abbam | D Fm | dikoder.com

The Trades Union Congress (TUC), is proposing a 15 percent reduction in utility tariffs.

It is urging the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to consider the proposal as it prepares for the 2019 tariff review.

 

The TUC’s proposal and other things premised the proposal on the expectation of a reduction in fuel prices and a marginal reduction in inflation.

It said the downward review of the tariff will bring great economic relief to consumers.

 

“In 2019, it is expected that the price of fuel and natural gas will reduce. Inflation is also expected to decline to a single digit and the value of the Ghana Cedi is expected to be stable. Therefore, we propose a further reduction of electricity tariff by 15 per cent and a reduction in water tariffs by 12 per cent…. We strongly believe that a further reduction in tariffs will stimulate economic growth that could lead to increased job creation,” TUC said in a press release issued on Wednesday.

 

The PURC is already taking proposals from stakeholders for its tariff review expected to take effect next year.

It gave utility companies up to the end of October to submit proposals for consideration.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Enclave Power are expected to present their proposals before December.

The general public was also given the opportunity to submit proposals.

 

Read the full statement by the TUC below.

 

TRADES UNION CONGRESS (GHANA)

PROPOSALS FOR TARIFF REVIEW

SUBMITTED TO PURC

NOVEMBER, 2018

 

INTRODUCTION

We recall that earlier this year, the PURC announced the reduction of electricity tariffs as shown in the table below:

 

According to the PURC, the main factors that informed the reduction in electricity tariffs included:

• Consumer Interest;
• Investor Interest;
• Economic Development;
• Revenue Requirement;
• Natural Gas prices;
• Re-negotiation of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs);
• Prudent and efficient costs of the operations of the utility companies; and
• The impending Private Sector Participation (PSP)/Concession within the electricity distribution Sector.

 

We believe that the reduction in tariffs played a significant role in the growth of the economy. It is against this backdrop that we make the following proposals for the consideration of PURC in the review of tariffs for 2019.

PROPOSALS FOR TARIFF REVIEW

 

1. Efficiency

We would like to highlight the need to attach more weight to the “prudent and efficient costs of the operations of the utility companies”. In our view, there are still inefficiencies in the utility sector that are being passed on to consumers.

We expect PURC to provide consumers with its regulatory benchmarks for efficiency to convince us that the operational costs of utility companies are in line with the standards of best practice.

 

2. Excess Capacity of the IPPs

In our previous submission, we raised issues about the excess capacity of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs). This is still valid. The consumer should not be burdened with the payment for excess capacity. It is very unfair to pass on the cost of excess capacity to consumers, especially working people, whose wages and salaries do not match the rate of increase of electricity tariffs.

Government has promised to review the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). But we are not aware of any practical steps toward the review of the PPAs most of which were signed under emergency conditions that can hardly pass the transparency and ‘value for money’ tests.

Consumers, especially working people, should not be forced to pay for the cost of electricity that results from bad policies in the power sector.

 

3. Lifeline and Cross Subsidies

We are aware of the Tariff Study conducted by Fitchner Management Consulting which was funded by the Millennium Challenge Cooperation and Millennium Development Authority. The main recommendation of the study is that the four consumption blocks of the residential customers should be reduced to two consumption blocks of 0-50kWh and 51kWh+.

A review of the tariff structure to levels that can be considered “cost reflective”, as recommended by the Fitchner Report, can lead to over 400 per cent increase in tariffs for small residential customers from GH¢0.39 /kWh to GH¢1.97 /kWh, as a result of the removal of cross-subsidies.

We would like to advise PURC to ignore this recommendation because if tariffs are increased to such levels it could lead to social unrest.

 

 

4. ECG Concession

The Government of Ghana, Power Distribution Services of Ghana Limited and ECG have signed transaction agreements which have been ratified by Parliament. The status of ECG as an electricity distribution company would, therefore, change to asset owner and a bulk energy trader from 1st February 2019. Consumers are yet to be informed of the effects of such major policy change in the electricity distribution on electricity tariff.

We urge PURC to ensure that this arrangement will not lead to higher tariffs.

 

5. Befesa Desalination Plant

The Befesa Desalination plant which was commissioned in 2015 on the basis of a Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT) Water Purchase Agreement between the Ghana Water Company Limited and Befesa Desalination Development Ghana Limited has become a big financial drain on Ghana Water Company Limited.  It is an albatross which is draining the GWCL of $ 1.42 million every month in capacity charge alone.

The cost of operating the Befesa Desalination Plant must not be passed on to consumers.

 

 CONCLUSION

In 2019, it is expected that the price of fuel and natural gas will reduce. Inflation is also expected to decline to a single digit and the value of the Ghana Cedi is expected to be stable.   Therefore, we propose a further reduction of electricity tariff by 15 percent and a reduction in water tariffs by 12 per cent.  We strongly believe that a further reduction in tariffs will stimulate economic growth that could lead to increased job creation.

 

Source: citinewsroom

The Bank of Ghana’s refusal to release data on mobile money transactions to the Communications Ministry has sparked a feud between the two entities.

The Communications Ministry in a series of letters had asked the Bank of Ghana to release the data to a private contractor, Kelni GVG, which has been tasked to verify the amount of revenue generated by telcos.

The Ministry specifically requested for disclosure of customer balances, transaction amounts, date and time of the transactions.

However, the Bank of Ghana declined to grant the Communication Ministry’s request, arguing in a letter signed by its Secretary, Frances Van-Hein, that disclosing such information will breach the guidelines of Electronic Money Issuers and Data Protection Act.

“The Bank’s attention has been drawn to an arrangement with Kelni GVG to monitor mobile money transactions in Ghana. This involves the disclosure of customer information including customer balances, transaction amounts, date and time of transactions. The provisions of the Guidelines of Electronic Money Issuers (2015) and the Data Protection Act 2012, Act 843, ensure customer privacy rights and this arrangement would amount to a breach of these legislations.

“The Bank of Ghana recognizes the need to continue to collaborate with regulators. However, this collaboration should not lead to a breach of financial regulation and data protection provisions. The oversight of mobile money operators which are subsidiaries of telecommunication companies falls under the purview of the Bank of Ghana. We therefore request that mobile money transactions which fall within the category of financial services should be exempted from the disclosure of such information,” the Bank of Ghana’s letter said.

 

The BOG subsequently asked telecom operators to disregard an earlier directive by the Communications Ministry requesting them to hand over the data.

But the Communications Ministry did not take the BoG’s position on its request lightly.

Expressing derision for the letter from the BoG, it stated that further communication from the Central Bank to the Ministry should be from the Governor.

In their response, the Ministry said in a letter that the “level of disrespect exhibited by the bank in this matter is simply appalling.”

 

 

Background

Kelni GVG was contracted by the government to develop and oversee the Common Platform for traffic monitoring, revenue assurance and mobile money monitoring.

The implementation of the Common Platform is in line with the Communication Service Tax (Amendment) Act, 2013, Act 864.

A lot of the criticism of the deal, which is costing Ghana $89 million, has come from think tank IMANI Africa.

IMANI also raised privacy concerns while questioning the credibility of Kelni GVG.

It has maintained that this deal mirrors the controversial agreements the state entered into with Subah Infosolutions and Afriwave Telcom Ltd in 2010 and 2016 respectively.

IMANI had earlier petitioned the Vice President to revoke the contract.

 

Source: citinewsroom

As the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta prepares to present the 2019 Budget on Thursday, small business owners are upbeat of a reduction in taxes.

 

For the business community, government must try to reduce taxes at the ports and improve the processes of doing business.

 

Some market woman at Tema Station in Accra, appealed to government to announce measures that will improve working conditions at the markets.

Madam Esther Ahorlu who sells cosmetics wants government to address the high cost of clearing goods at the ports to reduce the prices of her products.

 

“They should reduce the taxes at the port. These things that I sell, they are all imported and they are expensive so people are refusing to buy my goods because of the price hike, “she lamented.

Another trader, Cecelia Okyere, appealed to government to put in the fiscal measures that will improve the wellbeing of ordinary people, including market women.

 

“Now when you come to the market, consumers don’t buy like it was previously. The Market condition is bad. I want the minister to announce economic measures that will put money in the pockets of people so that they can buy our goods,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, Transport owners are particular about the cost of spare parts and fuel.

A transport owner, Isaac Newton who said drivers would be happy if taxes on Spare parts are reduced further.

 

“Everything is expensive now. Fuel prices have affected everything and we have to also maintain our vehicles at a high cost. I want the minster to address that issue “he noted.

 

The 2019 budget will highlight how government intends to maintain macroeconomic stability, boost revenue streams and agriculture production while promoting private sector growth.

 

Source: citinewsroom

 

Sally Akua Amoakowaa Mensah, fourth wife of business mogul Dr. Kwaku Oteng of the Adonko bitters fame seems to have ended her eight-year conjugal relationship with the millionaire, MyNewsGh.com can authoritatively report.

The 2011 winner of TV3’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful beauty pageant and General Manager of Angel TV in a post on her official Instagram page sighted by MyNewsGh.com on Sunday November 11 claimed she had learnt her lessons and she thinks it’s time for her to walk away.

The post read ‘Sometimes you just have to learn how to walk away. When it’s not making you happy and it’s rather stressing you take a bow. My marriage of eight years is over. I won’t give anyone the right to take away my happiness. I’m walking from everything that is stressing me.’

Although the post has been deleted, it lasted on her timeline for almost an hour as MyNewsGh.com observed.

It is unclear as to what might have led to the breakup but if her post is anything to go by, then it means the beauty queen has been unhappy in her marriage for a while which contradicts her previous comments two months ago on Zionfelix’s Celebrity Ride Show monitored by MyNewsGh.com which the TV presenter echoed that she’s happy in her marriage.

Detailing what made her marry the Angel Group of Companies boss, Sally told Zionfelix the show host that love is the major factor. She added that Dr. Oteng is one humble human being that any individual would want to hang out with so it was easy for her to say yes when he proposed marriage.

The mother of two on the show debunked rumour that her pregnancy facilitated their marriage. She revealed that she gave birth before marrying the Millionaire so there was no iota of truth in the hearsay that her spouse was pushed to marry her due to the pregnancy.

Sally Akua Amoakowaa and Dr. Kweku Oteng are blessed with two boys, MyNewsGh.com is reliably informed.

 

 

 

Source: Mynewsgh.com

Ghanaian actress Xandy Kamel has listed the qualities she looks out for in a man.

The controversial actress in an interview on e.TV Ghana TV’s ‘The Late Nite Celebrity Show’ gave specifications for her ideal man.

According to the actress who doubles up as a singer, her man should be mature, hardworking, responsible and God fearing.

“My kind of man is a matured, hardworking man. Being God-fearing will be a bonus. I think if you’re mature and responsible, we can go,” she said.

She added that she doesn’t like a man with a bad smell and that her man should also smell good.

“You must also smell good, I like watches and perfumes so he must own some good ones,” she added.

 

 

Source: browngh.com

 

Ghanaian actor Nurudeen Abass popularly known among his colleagues as Blinkz has been stabbed to death.

The actor was stabbed to death around 10:30am on Wednesday November 7, 2018 at Akurem, a surburb between Aboabo and Sawaaba in Kumasi.

Blinkz, who worked with the Acheamfour Terminal for a transport company met his death when he visited his master’s house.

Narrating the incidence to the press, Manhyia Divisional Commander, ACP Kwaku Buah explained saying;

“This morning around 10:30am, a young man who is popularly known and called in Kumasi by the name Blinkz, an actor with Kumawood and a worker at Acheamfour Terminal visited his master’s house at Akurem where he met the master’s wife and brother exchange words. He found it worrying and tried to intervene however, the brother to his master’s wife took offence with his intervention which eventually turned into a fight.

The master’s brother and another guy present then attacked Blinkz with knives and in the action stabbed him. One stabbed him in the ribs and the other sliced him in the back, he fell and collapsed. He was immediately rushed to the Manhyia Hospital where he was pronounced dead minutes later”

Ras Nene, a close pal of the deceased also confirmed the news to Ghana’s Hub For Pop Culture & Entertainment News – www.nydjlive.com.

“It is true, he is dead. He died at Manhyia Hospital”, he said.

The body has since been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for preservation and autopsy.

The police has therefore advised the culprits who are currently at large to report themselves to the nearest police station.

 

 

Source: nydjlive.com

Hiplife artiste-now-turned-evangelist Yaw Siki says he received and handled the biggest amount of money when he gave his life to Christ contrary to what others may think.

The evangelist, who is now called Brother Yaw, made this revelation on TV3‘s New Day on Wednesday, November 7.

Asked if he misses the huge sums of money he made as a hiplife musician, the evangelist said Christianity has given him much more than he ever handled while in the world.

“Even then, I was not having big money, I was yet to make it big…It was even when I got into Christ that I saw the biggest money in my life.

“It was an offering, someone just called me and said Yaw, this is what God wants me to give to you, and he gave it to me,” he told New Day host Johnnie Hughes.

The Wope dodo hitmaker gave his life to Christ after he was involved in a near-fatal accident.

Since 2013, he decided to ditch secular music and focus on preaching the gospel.

Speaking about his turnaround of some five years, he noted that although he is sometimes tempted to go back to the world, he takes consolation in doing the work of God; hence he is committed to sticking to preaching the gospel.

“Honestly sometimes when I am there and I see some of the people that I started rapping with, and I see they are at certain levels, I feel that if I were there, I would have been up too, but I remember that I have a mission to fulfill, and that is what is more important, because many people will be blessed.

“I am not going back, even though I am tempted to, even though I am tested to, even though there are things that want me to go back, I am not going back because I am not fulfilled there…I wasn’t fulfilled, I was empty, when I came to Christ, preaching…. These works make me fulfilled.”

Referring to highlife musician Ofori Amponsah, who also abandoned secular music and later returned with a highlife song, Brother Yaw said Ghanaians should give Ofori Amponsah a chance to find himself.

“…Once he is still alive and kicking, it means God has not given up on him, and so we should also not give up on him, we should pray for him , intercede that his divine purpose will fulfilled, that God will use him for all that he wants to use him for so that you and I will benefit .”

Yaw Siki is scheduled to preach the gospel at a programme dubbed ‘Jericho Accra’

It is an annual event hosted by Prophet Emmanuel Agyei.

The event, which begins on November 11 through to November 18, will see Brother Yaw and some other showbiz personalities in the evangelism business share their stories and preach the gospel to inspire patrons.

 

Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson has sent out a warning to needy people who beg her for money whenever they see her or slide into her DM’s.

According to her, she is not Jesus Christ to be giving out money everytime someone comes to her to beg for money.

Supporting her comments, she stated that most of these needy people are lazy and senseless who wouldn’t like to work for money.

She posted: “You’re in my DM’s begging for money to treat your sickness. I decide to go through your tweets to see what kind of person you are; all I find are tweets of you trolling people, including me. In your mind I’m Jesus Christ eh”.

See her tweet below;

 

You’re in my DM’s begging for money to treat your sickness. I decide to go through your tweets to see what kind of person you are; all I find are tweets of you trolling people, including me.

In your mind I’m Jesus Christ eh.

— miss forson (@lydiaforson) November 5, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Ghpage.com

Ghanaian born UK based hip pop musician, Fuse ODG has revealed in an interview that there is a lot of pressure from his parent to get married.

When the host asked Fuse if he had plans to get married any time soon, the musician stated that he has plans to get married but the time he believes is not right now.

Fuse also revealed in the interview that even though he is not currently married, he has someone in his who is helping him to effectively defend himself anytime the pressure from his parent come up. He further told the host that he will marry this idle woman of his very soon and probably give birth to about 200 children.

The Grammy award-winner on Saturday October 27, 2018 held his first ever press interaction in Kumasi where he hails from.

The musician who burst unto global music charts with his monster hit single Azonto took time off his busy schedule to meet radio personalities and partners in the region.

He has released his new track ‘Bra Fie’ featuring Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley.

Produced by Yr$ Truly & OTWoode, ‘bra fie’ literally means ‘come home’ and it is a unifying call to all Africans living abroad to come home.

Under intense public pressure, the pastor appeared in church with a three-worded sentence repeated thrice.

“God is good, God is good, God is good”, he said, a response that sparked social media subscribers into frenzied repetition partly in friendly jest and other is outright derision.

“The last time I said God is good, people didn’t like it”, he said to ripples of laughter from a fired-up congregation that appeared ready to rally support for the motivational speaker.

“I don’t know whether to say God is good this time but I can definitely say the devil is bad,” he gave fresh fuel to social media platform.

“It is going to be interesting,” the pastor flashed a buoyant mood not hostile to humour.

Bukom Banku

Comic Ghanaian boxer, Braimah Kamoko alias Bukom Banku has disclosed that although he is broke, he has five wives and thirteen children to still take care of.

According to him, he likes women and would always add up to the number of wives he has because he is not gay.

Bukom Banku made this disclosure when he spoke to Vibes In Five MyNewsGh.com.

The boxer indicated that although he had a successful career, he has not been able to put up a house where he could house his large family but mentioned that he has all the materials to put up a house.

Speaking on the state of the Ghanaian economy, the boxer who touts himself as Africa’s Mayweather indicated that times are hard and Ghanaian leaders need to work towards making life better for the masses.

 

 

Source: Mynewsgh.com

Asamoah Gyan

 

If there is a day Asamoah Gyan, misses her mum dearly, it’s no other day than today which marks six years since her passing on to glory.

The Black Stars captain obviously overwhelmed with problems of late has poured out his heart to his mum in an emotional note on his Instagram page.

He particularly lamented how he feels, he is being battered because she is no longer around to protect and counsel him.

Asamoah Gyan’s emotional message to mum in unedited post below.

“6th November. The day you left us. I’m so upset today because so many people are taking advantage of your son since your death but I know God is watching them.

“I wish you can see what you chose for me but it wasn’t your fault hmmm. But I have learnt lots of things from it. I love you mum. Rest In Peace where ever you are ,” Asamoh wrote on his page.

 

 

 

Source: asempanews.com

 

With a few weeks to the start of Christmas festivities in Ghana, the markets are expected to be flooded with a lot of imported products.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in anticipation of the arrival of different types of goods, has cautioned importers and retailers in the country against exposing the general public to goods that are near to their expiration date.

The Head of Communications at the authority, James Lartey accused some importers and retailers of putting their profits ahead of the public’s well-being. While admitting that the companies are mostly responsible with issues surrounding expired goods, he urged the general public to play its part by doing personal checks on the product to use.