Isaac Frempong to lunch ‘Praise Through’

A UK-based Ghanaian gospel musician, Isaac Frempong, who burst onto the gospel music scene in 2003, is in the country on a working visit.
The gospel artiste is in the country to study the trend of Ghanaian gospel music and also to do a number of collaborations with some gospel artistes as well as build a healthy relationship with the gospel music industry in Ghana.
He is currently out with a 12-track album titled ‘Praise Through’, which is due to be launched in Ghana in March this year.
Speaking in an interview with BEATWAVES in Accra, Isaac Frempong, who started singing during his secondary school days at the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC), revealed how poised he is to reach a wider audience in Ghana with the launch of his ‘Praise Through’ album.
“This new album brings out my creative nature perfectly. The producers and featured artistes also added their different musical styles that added spice to the album and gave it a different feel,” he told BEATWAVES.
He disclosed that ever since he burst onto the gospel music scene in 2013, he has used his music and live performances to encourage the depressed to keep trusting in God, and he believes he is living up to that purpose with his new album.
He has so far performed on a number of gospel platforms in UK, France, United States and Ghana.

Credit: George Clifford Owusu

Court freezes Sly Mensah account

 
An Accra court on Thursday froze all four bank accounts of Sylvester Adinam Mensah, former Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
The Financial and Economic Court issued the freeze order after the Financial Intelligence Center (FIC) had made an ex-parte application praying for the order.
Legal brains however, argue it is improper to use an ex-parte application to freeze the bank accounts of Mr. Mensah without giving him an opportunity to be heard.
The accounts were frozen at a period the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) is investigating Mr. Mensah over what is being speculated to be financial malpractices that happened at the NHIA when he was the Chief Executive.
The four accounts are at Access Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Energy Bank and Ecobank.
Mr. Mensah said he would need clearance from his lawyers before granting interviews.

However, Mr. Mensah’s account at UBA as at when it was frozen on Thursday, contained a little below GH¢7,000, saying that is the account through which he runs his salary.
The Ecobank account contained the exact amount given to him as his end of service benefit after he had served his first term as NHIA Chief Executive, while the Access Bank and Energy Bank accounts were in debt to the tune of GH¢17,000 and $170,000 respectively.
The former NHIA boss has taken a loan from Access Bank to build his house and was left with an amount of GH¢17,000 to complete payment. He also recently took a mortgage of  $170,000 to purchase a real estate facility which was being  sold at a reduced price.
Mr. Mensah was arrested and detained at the BNI on New Year’s Day (January 1) when he reported himself at the security outfit in response to an invitation from the (BNI) Director. He was subsequently released on bail after some eleven hours in custody.
He has since been reporting himself to the BNI every single day but has not been charged with any offence yet.
Prior to his January 1 arrest, seven fully armed BNI officials on raided his private residence in search of him and created a scene which attracted neighbours and passersby to gaze at the display with awe.

He was out of Accra with his family when the armed men put his residence under siege.

Though BNI officials have denied the invasion, a CCTV recording of the incident captured all seven gunmen as well as the vehicles with which they went to Mr. Mensah’s house.

Crisis Meeting Sylvester Mensah, a former Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), yesterday called for an emergency crisis meeting with the party’s leadership in the constituency.

The meeting was to persuade them to rescind their announced decision to permanently suspend all NDC-related activities in the constituency as a protest to the ‘Rambo-style’ attempted arrest and public embarrassment.

“I have submitted myself to the BNI and I have answered most of their questions. I am still waiting for further questions they may have and as we speak today, what I can assure you is that of all the discussions I have had with the BNI, there is nothing that makes Sylvester Mensah guilty of fraud and I have not been charged,” Mr. Mensah indicated.

He continued, “Against this reason, there is no need to say we are suspending party activities. I would want to appeal to you to be mindful of the times in which we are. We are in an election year and we must appreciate that our margins of victory are very slim and it takes just about one or two constituencies to win general election.

“It is important you have shown solidarity and I appreciate it, I congratulate you, I salute you. But let us not overstretch this solidarity to the point of harming our very objective of winning the 2016 elections… I can assure you that I am safe and sound and all is well,” Mr. Mensah told his constituents.

Credit: Daily Guide

People’s Choice Awards 2016: Full List Of Winners

The biggest stars in entertainment stepped out for People’s Choice Awards 2016 on Wednesday night, and a number of them walked away with some shiny new hardware.
Furious 7 raced ahead of the competition to win the coveted titles of “Favorite Movie” and “Favorite Action Movie.” Meanwhile, Sandra Bullock took home “Favorite Movie Actress,” and Johnny Depp was crowned “Favorite Dramatic Movie Actor.”
Longtime network and cable stalwarts dominated the TV categories. The Big Bang Theory received top honors for “Favorite TV Show.” The CBS sitcom also won “Favorite Network TV Comedy” for the fourth consecutive year, and star Jim Parsons walked away with “Favorite Comedic TV Actor.” On the dramatic front, Grey’s Anatomy bested fellow ShondaLand shows to win “Favorite Network TV Drama,” with leading lady Ellen Pompeo landing “Favorite Dramatic TV Actress.” In cable, Homeland and Pretty Little Liars each received accolades from fans.
Taylor Swift was the big winner in music, picking up “Favorite Female Artist” and beating out her pal Ed Sheeran for the title of “Favorite Pop Artist.” No need to feel too bad for Sheeran though, the singer was the people’s pick for “Favorite Male Artist.”
Meanwhile, Britney Spears proved she’s a force to be reckoned with on social media. The singer shot ahead of fellow nominees Anna Kendrick, Beyoncé, Dwayne Johnson, and Taylor Swift — not to mention all their followers! — to win the brand-new People’s Choice Awards category, “Favorite Social Media Celebrity.”
The most-triumphant winner of the night however, was Ellen DeGeneres. The “Favorite Humanitarian” honoree walked away with “Favorite Daytime TV Host,” effectively breaking the all-time win record with an astounding 17 People’s Choice Awards to her name.
See the full list of People’s Choice Awards 2016 winners below:

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2016 Winners:
MOVIE CATEGORIES

Favorite Movie
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Furious 7
Inside Out
Jurassic World
Pitch Perfect 2

Favorite Movie Actor
Channing Tatum
Chris Pratt
Johnny Depp
Robert Downey Jr.
Will Smith

Favorite Movie Actress
Anne Hathaway
Melissa McCarthy
Meryl Streep
Sandra Bullock
Scarlett Johansson

Favorite Action Movie
Avengers: Age of Ultron
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
Furious 7
Jurassic World
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Favorite Action Movie Actor
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Pratt
Dwayne Johnson
Robert Downey Jr.
Vin Diesel

Favorite Action Movie Actress
Charlize Theron
Emily Blunt
Michelle Rodriguez
Scarlett Johansson
Shailene Woodley

Favorite Animated Movie Voice
Adam Sandler
Amy Poehler
Rihanna
Sandra Bullock
Selena Gomez

Favorite Comedic Movie
The DUFF
Pitch Perfect 2
Spy
Ted 2
Trainwreck

Favorite Comedic Movie Actor
Jack Black
Kevin Hart
Mark Wahlberg
Robert De Niro
Will Ferrell

Favorite Comedic Movie Actress
Amy Schumer
Anna Kendrick
Melissa McCarthy
Rebel Wilson
Sofia Vergara

Favorite Dramatic Movie
The Age of Adaline
Fifty Shades of Grey
The Longest Ride
The Martian
Straight Outta Compton

Favorite Dramatic Movie Actor
Channing Tatum
George Clooney
Johnny Depp
Matt Damon
Will Smith

Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress
Blake Lively
Dakota Johnson
Jennifer Lopez
Kate Winslet
Rachel McAdams

Favorite Family Movie
Cinderella
Home
Hotel Transylvania 2
Inside Out
Minions

Favorite Thriller Movie
The Boy Next Door
Insidious: Chapter 3
Poltergeist
Taken 3
Unfriended

TV CATEGORIES

Favorite TV Show
The Big Bang Theory
Game of Thrones
Grey’s Anatomy
The Voice
The Walking Dead

Favorite Network TV Comedy
2 Broke Girls
The Big Bang Theory
Mike & Molly
Modern Family
New Girl

Favorite Comedic TV Actor
Andy Samberg
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Jim Parsons
Johnny Galecki
Matthew Perry

Favorite Comedic TV Actress
Anna Faris
Kaley Cuoco
Melissa McCarthy
Sofía Vergara
Zooey Deschanel

Favorite Network TV Drama
Empire
Gotham
Grey’s Anatomy
How To Get Away With Murder
Scandal

Favorite Dramatic TV Actor
Jesse Williams
Justin Chambers
Scott Foley
Taylor Kinney
Terrence Howard

Favorite Dramatic TV Actress
Ellen Pompeo
Kerry Washington
Sara Ramirez
Taraji P. Henson
Viola Davis

Favorite Cable TV Comedy
Baby Daddy
Faking It
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Real Husbands of Hollywood
Young & Hungry

Favorite Cable TV Drama
Bates Motel
The Fosters
Pretty Little Liars
Rizzoli & Isles
Suits

Favorite Cable TV Actor
Adam DeVine
Christian Slater
Eric Dane
Kevin Hart
Taye Diggs

Favorite Cable TV Actress
Ashley Benson
Hilary Duff
Lucy Hale
Sasha Alexander
Shay Mitchell

Favorite Premium Cable TV Show
Girls
Homeland
Masters of Sex
Shameless
Veep

Favorite Premium Cable TV Actor
Dwayne Johnson
Joshua Jackson
Justin Theroux
Matt LeBlanc
Nick Jonas

Favorite Premium Cable TV Actress
Claire Danes
Emmy Rossum
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Kristen Bell
Lisa Kudrow

Favorite TV Crime Drama
Bones
Castle
Criminal Minds
NCIS
Person of Interest

Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor
Jim Caviezel
LL Cool J
Mark Harmon
Nathan Fillion
Shemar Moore

Favorite TV Crime Drama Actress
Emily Deschanel
Lucy Liu
Mariska Hargitay
Pauley Perrette
Stana Katic

Favorite Network TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show
Arrow
Beauty and the Beast
Once Upon a Time
Supernatural
The Vampire Diaries

Favorite Cable TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show
American Horror Story
Game of Thrones
Outlander
Teen Wolf
The Walking Dead

Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor
David Tennant
Ian Somerhalder
Jensen Ackles
Misha Collins
Sam Heughan

Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress
Caitriona Balfe
Emilia Clarke
Ginnifer Goodwin
Jennifer Morrison
Lady Gaga

Favorite Competition TV Show
America’s Got Talent
American Ninja Warrior
Dancing with the Stars
MasterChef
The Voice

Favorite Daytime TV Host
Dr. Oz
Ellen DeGeneres
Rachael Ray
Steve Harvey
Wendy Williams

Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team
Good Morning America
Live with Kelly and Michael
The Talk
Today
The View

Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host
Conan O’Brien
James Corden
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Kimmel
Stephen Colbert

Favorite Streaming Series
House of Cards
The Mindy Project
Orange is the New Black
Transparent
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Favorite Actor In A New TV Series
Chace Crawford
John Stamos
Josh Peck
Rob Lowe
Zachary Levi

Favorite Actress In A New TV Series
Emma Roberts
Jamie Lee Curtis
Lea Michele
Marcia Gay Harden
Priyanka Chopra

Favorite Animated TV Show
American Dad!
Bob’s Burger
Family Guy
The Simpsons
South Park

Favorite New TV Comedy
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Grandfathered
Life in Pieces
The Muppets
Scream Queens

Favorite New TV Drama
Blindspot
Code Black
Heroes: Reborn
Quantico
Supergirl

MUSIC CATEGORIES

Favorite Male Artist
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Luke Bryan
Nick Jonas
The Weeknd

Favorite Female Artist
Demi Lovato
Lana Del Rey
Madonna
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift

Favorite Group
Fall Out Boy
Fifth Harmony
Imagine Dragons
Maroon 5
One Direction

Favorite Breakout Artist
Fetty Wap
Halsey
Shawn Mendes
Tori Kelly
The Weeknd

Favorite Male Country Artist
Blake Shelton
Brad Paisley
Dierks Bentley
Keith Urban
Luke Bryan

Favorite Female Country Artist
Carrie Underwood
Cassadee Pope
Kacey Musgraves
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire

Favorite Country Group
The Band Perry
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Zac Brown Band

Favorite Pop Artist
Demi Lovato
Ed Sheeran
Kelly Clarkson
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift

Favorite Hip-Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Nicki Minaj
Wiz Khalifa

Favorite R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Ciara
Janet Jackson
Ne-Yo
The Weeknd

Favorite Album
American Beauty / American Psycho by Fall Out Boy
Beauty Behind the Madness by The Weeknd
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late by Drake
Smoke + Mirrors by Imagine Dragons
Title by Meghan Trainor

Favorite Song
“Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd
“Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding
“See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
“What Do You Mean?” by Justin Bieber

Favorite Music Icon
Madonna
Paul McCartney
Prince
Steven Tyler
Stevie Wonder

DIGITAL CATEGORIES

Favorite Social Media Celebrity
Anna Kendrick
Beyoncé
Britney Spears
Dwayne Johnson
Taylor Swift

Favorite Social Media Star
Cameron Dallas
Frankie Grande
Lele Pons
Matt Bellassai
Nash Grier

Favorite Mobile Game
Candy Crush Saga
Despicable Me: Minion Rush
Fruit Ninja
Plants vs. Zombies
Temple Run

Favorite Video Game
Batman: Arkham Knight
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Grand Theft Auto V
Minecraft
Super Smash Bros.

Favorite YouTube Star
Connor Franta
Grace Helbig
Jenna Marbles
Miranda Sings
Tyler Oakley

The DailyMail.com Seriously Popular™ Award
Bella Thorne
Cara Delevingne
Kylie Jenner
Maddie Ziegler
Ruby Rose
 
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
Favorite Humanitarian
Ellen DeGeneres

Credit: Peopleschoice.com

Hundreds of stores razed in another Kumasi Central Market fire

Hundreds stores have been razed to the ground in yet another fire at the Kumasi Central Market.
Goods at the Yam, shea butter, smoked fish and ear rings section of the market were lost to the blaze.
Fire personnel had a hard time battling the late night inferno that spread fast through the market.
The fire started around 9pm Wednesday at a section of the market called Bode.
⁠⁠⁠”Fire personnel are trying to bring the fire under control while some traders try to salvage what they can amidst wails from those who can’t,”
 Although the fire has been brought under control,  fire fighters have cordoned off parts of the market to enable them put off some of the dying embers.
Traders arriving at the market Thursday morning have, however, been pushing through to get to their stores creating pandemonium.
More security men would be required to control the affected traders pushing through the soot and heat to their shops.
Security men on watch say the fire started at one of the shops at the market.
Thousands of live birds have been burnt to ashes while hundreds of shops have been razed by the fire.
The central market has been hit countless times by similar fire incidents.
Two months ago, parts of the market were engulfed by fire and destroyed several shops and properties.
Credit: Erastus

Libya oil storage tanks ablaze after assault by IS

Shelling by so-called Islamic State (IS) on two oil terminals in Libya has started fires that have spread to giant storage tanks, officials say.
The fires are reported to be raging in Sidra and Ras Lanouf, on the coast between Sirte and Benghazi.
Officials said at least 10 guards had been killed since IS attacked the neighbouring ports on Monday.
Warplanes from Libya's internationally recognised government have provided air support to help defend the area.
Libya has been split between rival militias and two competing governments since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
IS has been operating in Libya for about a year, and in December France warned that the group was aiming to seize the country's oil wells.
Ali al-Hassi, of the Petrol Facilities Guard militia, said on Wednesday that neither Sidra nor Ras Lanouf had fallen to IS so far.
Firefighters, he said, were trying to control blazes at four oil storage tanks in Sidra and one in Ras Lanouf - each thought to contain more than 400,000 barrels of oil.
Mr Hassi also said guards had recovered the bodies of 30 militants and had captured military vehicles.
On Monday, IS said it had taken control of the town of Bin Jawad, 30km (19 miles) west of Sidra on the road from its stronghold in Sirte.
The jihadists failed to take Sidra in an attack last October.
In December, Libya's rival politicians signed a UN-brokered deal to form a unity government, but that has not yet been implemented.

North Korea nuclear H-bomb claims met by scepticism

International scepticism and condemnation have greeted North Korea's claim to have successfully carried out an underground hydrogen bomb test.

If confirmed, it would be North Korea's fourth nuclear test since 2006 and mark a major upgrade in its capabilities.
But nuclear experts have questioned whether the size of the blast was large enough to have been from an H-bomb.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon condemned the test "unequivocally", calling it "profoundly destabilising for regional security".
The UN Security Council is now holding an emergency meeting.

• How the world has reacted
• What we know so far
• How to stage an underground test
• Leaders condemn reports of H-bomb test
• Crisis solutions on social media
• Pyongyang's nuclear tests

South Korea called the test a "grave provocation" but said it was difficult to believe it was an H-bomb.
Hydrogen bombs are more powerful and technologically advanced than atomic weapons, using fusion - the merging of atoms - to unleash massive amounts of energy.

 

Atomic bombs, like the kind that devastated two Japanese cities in World War Two, use fission, or the splitting of atoms.
Bruce Bennett, an analyst with the Rand Corporation, was among those casting doubts on Pyongyang's test: "The bang they should have gotten would have been 10 times greater than what they're claiming.
"So Kim Jong-un is either lying, saying they did a hydrogen test when they didn't, they just used a little bit more efficient fission weapon - or the hydrogen part of the test really didn't work very well or the fission part didn't work very well."
The data "doesn't support suggestions that the bomb was a hydrogen bomb", Chinese military expert Du Wenlong told state broadcaster CCTV.
A South Korean politician, Lee Cheol-woo, said he was briefed by the country's intelligence agency that the blast "probably falls short" of a hydrogen detonation.
But former British ambassador in Pyongyang John Everard warned "an explosion of that size is quite enough to wipe out a city and I think that, of course, is deeply worrying".
South Korean President Park Geun-hye, said further analysis was needed to determine the nature of the test, while calling it "a strong challenge to international peace and stability". In other reaction:

• China, North Korea's main ally, said it "firmly opposes" the test
• Japan called it a "major threat" to its national security
• The US said it would "respond appropriately to any and all North Korean provocations"
• Russia warned the action could amount to "a severe violation of international law", calling for the resumption of talks
• The EU urged North Korea "cease this illegal and dangerous behaviour''
• Nato said North Korea should abandon nuclear weapons

Heading into the UN meeting, Mr Ban said the test was "deeply troubling and "a grave contravention of international norms".
The UK ambassador to the UN, Matthew Rycroft, said: "We will be working with others on a resolution on further sanctions."
Credit: BBC

Ghana DJ Awards open nominations for 2016 event

Merqury Republic, organisers of the Ghana DJ Awards, have opened nominations for the 2016 edition of the awards.
The nomination for this year’s awards, which is the 4^th edition, is open to all hard working disc jockeys ‘DJs’ from Thursday, January 7.
The theme for this year’s awards is “Move to the Beat.” The award will honour and celebrate well-deserving DJs in Ghana and across the world.
The nominees must have remarkably entertained people and played a major role in music promotion in the year under review.
The annual Ghana DJ Awards has gradually grown to become the country’s yardstick to recognize and award exceptional DJs since 2012.
Kenneth Addo, the Marketing Coordinator of Merqury Republic, said in an interview that, the awards scheme will also recognise non Ghanaian DJs who have massively promoted Ghanaian music to foreign audiences.
“Everywhere you go, there are DJs feeding a lot of people with good music on radio, at parties or special events and they need to be appreciated,” he said.
Kenneth Addo added that a date and venue for the 2016 edition of the awards will be communicated soon.

I prophesied Amakye Dede’s accident, one more to come

The general overseer of Freedom Chapel International, Apostle Francis Amoako Attah has disclosed on Amansan television that highlife singer Amakye Dede's survival was a miracle and he's particularly praising God because it’s an answered prayer to a prophecy that came to him two days before the accident occurred.

Speaking on ATV's morning show "Anopa Bosuo" on Monday, the Apostle said he had two prophecies about the New Year 2016 that involved Amakye Dede or Daddy Lumba and also the general election this year.

He called on stakeholders in the creative arts industry and the general public to thank the Almighty God for the life of legendary highlife singer and also pray for a peaceful election.

Watch the video to see the rest of the story.

"For this country to enjoy the peace and also have a sound election, we should avoid a run-off. Let's pray for a one touch victory for whoever wins this election. It won't be good if we go for a runoff. Finally, I'm happy Amakye survived because that has been my prayer after I had the prophecy" he said.

Amakye Dede and his entourage were reportedly going for a show when a vehicle rammed into their parked vehicle which claimed the life of his manager Isaac Yeboah.

The accident occurred at the Bonsu Junction near a popular joint called Paradise.

The artiste and his bodyguard Prince Mensah sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Korle -Bu Teaching hospital and 37 Military hospitals respectively in Accra.


Credit: Ghana Web

I’m leaving Bayern Munich for the Premier League - Guardiola

The 44-year-old insists he has not yet decided on his next destination but claims he needs a new challenge after Bayern Munich
Pep Guardiola admits that the reason why he has chosen not to extend his contract with Bayern Munich is because he wants to manage in the Premier League.
Goal understands Manchester City are confident that Guardiola will opt to join them next summer, with the Spaniard key to their transfer plans next summer.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Guardiola, whose deal with Bayern expires at the end of the season, but the 44-year-old insists he has not decided his next move.
“The reason I have not extended my contract is simple. I want to manage in the Premier League,” said Guardiola.
“I haven’t decided on a new club yet.
“I’m very happy and grateful to Bayern for the trust they’ve shown in me but I need a new challenge.
“I have an opportunity to work in England. I think I’m at the right age and I feel it is the right move for me.”
Carlo Ancelotti has already been appointed as Guardiola’s successor and the Spaniard insists his side will remain a success under the Italian.
“Coaches come and go but I think Carlo Ancelotti is a perfect choice to take over and I wish him the very best,” said Guardiola.
“The squad won trophies under Heyckes and for me too. They’ll be successful with Ancelotti in charge as well.”

Fifa wants nine-year ban for ex-secretary general

Fifa has recommended that its former secretary general Jerome Valcke receive a nine-year ban from football activity.
The Frenchman was alleged to be implicated in a scheme to profit from the sale of World Cup tickets.
Valcke, 55, who also faces bribery allegations, denies any wrongdoing.
Sepp Blatter, the outgoing president of world football’s governing body, and vice-president Michel Platini were both suspended for eight years in December following a Fifa ethics investigation.

A statement from the ethics committee also recommended Valcke pay a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs (£67,400) for alleged “misuse of expenses and other infringements of FIFA’s rules and regulations”.
Fifa’s ethics committee provisionally suspended Valcke from all football on 8 October for 90 days and on Tuesday – the day that ban expired – the organisation also recommended an extension of 45 days.
Valcke has been accused of being party to a potential $10m (£6.8m) bribe paid to Jack Warner, the former head of the North and Central America football governing body Concacaf, in return for his vote and backing to South Africa’s successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup.
He denies the allegations.

When Valcke was Fifa’s director of marketing and TV, he was released from the organisation in 2006 over a scandal involving its long-time sponsorship partner Mastercard.
He was found to have negotiated with Mastercard’s rival Visa in violation of the former company’s right of first negotiation, a mistake that cost Fifa $90m (£61.3m) in a settlement.
He returned in 2007 when Blatter appointed him secretary general.

Credit: Kessben News

I made over 30 billion cedis in 2015 – Shatta Wale

Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has disclosed he made lots of money from his music in 2015.

The artiste who was speaking in an interview with Dr Pounds on the ‘Hitz Gallery’ show said he made over 30 billion Ghana Cedis from events and his tour.

“God has been good to me in 2015, I made lots of money, can’t really count but I made over 30 billion old Ghana cedis”, he said.

He also revealed that he released about 95 songs during that same year. The ‘Kakai’ hit maker who is known in real life as Charles Nii Armah Jnr. However urged his fans to keep calm for his new television station dubbed ‘Shatta Tv’.

Shatta Wale has been billed to perform at the Glo CAF Awards on Thursday, January 7, 2016, in Abuja and has also been recently featured in a 2016 new movie with Bisa Kdei, Majid Michel, Martha Ankomah and Bismark the Joke titled ‘Shattered Lives’.

Credit: Ghana Web

Anas, Bola Ray Win 2015 Most Influential Ghanaians

World renowned investigative journalist and CEO of Tiger Eye PI, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, has been voted the Most Influential Young Ghanaian out of a list of 50 personalities.
Notable among Anas’ works in 2015 was his undercover project which exposed a damning corruption scandal in Ghana’s judiciary. The documentary film shook the world, leading to the dismissal of several judicial workers and some judges. The secretly filmed documentary also made it as the most successful film premiere in Ghana, albeit it was shown amidst legal tussles.
The CEO of Excellence in Broadcasting Network – owners of Starr 103.5 FM – Bola Ray, was the first runner-up followed by Dede Ayew of the Black Stars and Francis Xavier Sosu, a legal partner, F-X Law and Associates.
Farida Bedwei, the Co-Founder and CTO of Logiciel Ltd, who runs FinTech and serves on the National Communication Authority Board, was voted the most influential young female.

Public votes accounted for 80% of total votes, while an Impact Assess Research conducted by the Agape Research Centre made the remaining 20% of the final rankings.
“These great young achievers have toiled for Ghana, representing and influencing their motherland positively across diverse activities and have shown their relevance among millions of young people across Ghana,” a statement from the organisers, Avance Media, said.

Launching what became rated and endorsed by the public as the most comprehensive ranking in Ghana so far, Prince Akpah, MD of Avance Media, stated: “Even though 2015 was marked as a year fraught with lots of challenges, it also turned out to be a motivating one, attested by the massive involvement of young people in various activities, bringing at par their works and impacts.”

Below is the full list of winners:
1 Anas Aremeyaw Anas – Journalist; CEO, Tiger Eye PI
2 Bola Ray (Nathaniel Anokye Adisi) – TV & Radio Host; CEO, EIB Network
3 Dede Ayew – Footballer; Black Stars & Swansea City
4 Francis Xavier Sosu – Lawyer; Managing Partner, F-X Law and Associates
5 Farida Bedwei – Entrepreneur; CTO, Logiciel Ltd
6 Asamoah Gyan – Philanthropist; Skipper, Black Stars
7 Dr Naomi Adjepong – Trainer; COO, Alpha Beta Educational Centre
8 Franklin Cudjoe – Advocate; CEO, Imani Ghana
9 Tonyi Senayah – Entrepreneur; CEO, Horseman Shoes
10 Albert Kusi – Public Speaker; CEO, LEC Holdings Ltd
11 Gary Al-Smith – Journalist; Sports Host, Joy FM & Joy News
12 John Armah – Entrepreneur; CEO, Orios Group
13 Dr Randy Osae Bediako – Entrepreneur; CEO, Kharis Group
14 Dr William Okyere Frimpong – Doctor; Medical Director, LEKMA Polyclinic
15 Bernard Avle – TV & Radio Host; Programmes Director, Citi FM
16 Martha Bissa – Athlete; Olympic Gold Medallist
17 Edem Adzaho – Trainer; CEO, Spec Consult Ltd
18 Nana Bediako Kwame – Entrepreneur; CEO, Wonda World Estates
19 Sara Nana Yeboah – Philanthropist; Co-Founder, The Sangy Foundation
20 Dr Byrite Asamoah – Medical Doctor; Producer, Vodafone Healthline
21 Scofray Nana Yaw Yeboah – Speaker; CEO, Zoweh Global Consult
22 Ato Ulzen Appiah – Social Entrepreneur; Director, Ghana Think Foundation
23 Alloysius Attah – Entrepreneur; CEO, Farmerline Ltd
24 Elizabeth Patterson – Social Entrepreneur; Girls Education Initiative Ghana
25 John Dumelo – Actor
26 Kwadwo Safo Jnr – Entrepreneur; CEO, Kantanka Group
27 Shirley Frimpong Manso – Film-Maker; CEO, Sparrows Productions
28 Becca (Rebecca Acheampong) – Musician
29 Kafui Adzah – Entrepreneur; CEO, Cookhouse
30 Manasseh Azure – Journalist; Multimedia Group
31 Kobby Blay – Nurse; CEO, Ghana Health Nest
32 Israella Kafui Mansu – Entrepreneur; CEO, Mansuki Ghana Limited
33 Mercy Myles – Footballer; Skipper, Black Queens
34 Jeremiah Buabeng – Public Speaker; CEO, Buabeng Communications
35 Petra Aba Asamoah – Speaker; GM, Delta Air Lines GSA, Ghana
36 Nana Asaase – Poet; CEO, Asaase Inscriptions
37 Bright Simons – Entrepreneur; CEO, mPedigree
38 Ekow Mensah – Entrepreneur; CEO, TANOE
39 Alain Gbeasor – Entrepreneur; Chairman, Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs
40 Mabel Aku Baneseh – Journalist; Daily Graphic
41 Sarah Adwoa Safo – Politician; MP, Dome Kwabenya Constituency
42 Maximus Ametorgoh – Technologist; CEO, PopOut
43 Juliet Ibrahim – Philanthropist; CEO, Juliet Ibrahim Foundation
44 Bernard Kevin Clive – Public Speaker; CEO, BKC Consulting
45 Raindolf Owusu – Technologist; CEO, Oasis Websoft Ltd
46 Emmanuel Woyome – Speaker; CEO, Corporate Consulting Limited
47 Derrydean Dadzie – Entrepreneur; CEO, Dreamoval Ltd
48 Prosper Hoetu – Advocate; Director, YOUNET
49 Erasmus Kwaw – Journalist; Sports Host, GBC
50 Peace Hyde – TV Host; CEO, AIM Higher Africa

Credit: Starr News

Amakye Dede weeps over manager’s death

Highlife Legend, Daniel Amakye Dede wept uncontrollably at the Cardiothoracic Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital when he was informed of the death of his manager, Isaac Yeboah.

The highlife legend, his manager and his bodyguard were involved an accident at the Bunso Junction on the Accra-Kumasi Highway where they had gone to perform at the Paradise Rest Stop in the New Year.

While his manager, Isaac Yeboah died on the spot, his bodyguard who sustained injuries at his ribs is still on admission at the 37 Military Hospital.

Amakye was transferred from the Hawa Memorial Hospital in Osiem where he was taken to after the accident to the Cardiothoracic Unit for further treatment.

The doctors at the facility did not want to inform the musician of the death of his manager who was once an editor of the P&P newspaper and also an entertainment critic.

To this end, everyone on a mission to visit Amakye at the facility was given enough medical briefing before being permitted to see him at the hospital, lest he breaks the news to him accidentally.

And Adomonline.com gathers that the doctors after considering his medical condition decided to break the unfortunate news to him yesterday of the passing away of his manager.

“Amakye Dede wept uncontrollably when he was informed of the death of his manager as he was someone who was very close to him…,” Adom News’ Nana Osei Ampofo Adjei told Adomonline.com.

The News Anchor further reported that the body of the late Isaac Yeboah was is on its way to Accra before it would be transferred to Takoradi.

Europe to build moon town by 2030

A MANNED base on the moon should become reality by 2030, according to the European Space Agency.
ESA chiefs say the planned “Moon Village”, which would be built by 3D printers, could help mankind explore the galaxy.
The plans say robots will land on the Moon and prepare the surface for human life, and come complete with a series of stunning concepts showing what the Moon base could look like.
Astronauts could then use the Moon as a space base to push on and explore more celestial bodies, such as Mars, NASA’s top priority target destination.
With water found by NASA on Mars, speculation about alien life is rife as the ESA confirmed their Moon colony dreams at a two-day conference entitled Moon 2020-2030 – A New Era of Coordinated Human and Robotic Exploration.

The conference, which featured 200 scientists and experts coming together to plan mankind’s next giant leap in space exploration, was held last month at the European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noorwijk, the Netherlands.
Kathy Laurini of NASA is optimistic that a European Moon base could act as a stepping stone for Mars-bound astronauts.
She told Space.com: “The ESA space-exploration strategy sets the Moon as a priority destination for humans on the way to Mars.
“And the recent talk of a ‘Moon Village’ certainly has generated a lot of positive energy in Europe – [of] Europe playing a role in a global human exploration scenario.
“The timing is right to get started on the capabilities which allow Europe to meet its exploration objectives and ensure it remains a strong partner as humans begin to explore the solar system.”
The ESA tested the possibility of using Moon soil with 3D printers back in 2013 and devised a material which could be built into domes to defend residents against background space radiation.
Source: CNN

Mexican mayor killed a day after taking office

The mayor of a municipality in Mexico was slain by armed men inside her home on Saturday -- one day after taking office.

Gisela Mota Ocampo was sworn into office Friday to lead Temixco, a city of nearly 100,000 people 60 miles south of Mexico City.

The attackers entered her house Saturday morning while her family was present and killed her in the doorway, said Alberto Capella, Morelos state security commissioner, at a press briefing.

Police pursued and exchanged gunfire with the armed men, killing two of them, he said. Two adults and a juvenile were arrested and will be prosecuted, said Javier Perez Duron, Morelos attorney general.

The Morelos state government issued a statement praising Mota Ocampo as "an honest and committed public servant" and calling the attack "a challenge that organized crime launched against the constitutional and democratic order."

"The government of the State of Morelos states categorically that we will not compromise or give a single step back in building a secure entity, in peace and harmony," the statement said.

Morelos state is known for drug cartel activity. Several years ago, a 14-year-old assassin for a drug cartel created international interest with his on-camera descriptions of killings he'd committed.

Credit: BBC