My govt. will build strong economy- Akufo- Addo.

Agona Swedru, Sept 28, GNA - The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated that if voted into power, his government would build a strong economy to free Ghanaians from poverty and other social and economic hardships.

He said his government would, among other things, diversify modern agriculture to help increase production, adding that fertilizers and chemicals would be supplied, with the construction of dams and incentives given to farmers.

Nana Akufo-Addo made these remarks when he addressed NPP Parliamentary candidates, former DCEs, Constituency and Polling Station Executives from nine Constituencies at Agona Swedru at the weekend, as part of his visit to the Central Region.

The constituencies were Gomoa Central, Gomoa East, Agona West, Awutu-Senya East and West, Effutu, Asikuma-Odoben Brakwa and Gomoa West.

The visit to the Central Region formed part of his nationwide tour dubbed: 'Rise and Build' as part of efforts to revive and rekindle members to work hard to win 2016 elections.

The NPP Flagbeaer said Agriculture was the backbone of every nation, and therefore assured Ghanaians that under his government, the necessary assistance would to given to farmers and fishermen to step up production.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the NPP government would resuscitate all collapsed industries and manufacturing companies, as part of efforts to bring the fragile economy back on track.

According to him, due to bad management by the NDC government, cocoa production had not seen any significant growth.

He pointed out that Ghanaians were facing serious economic hardships, adding, 'parents cannot pay their children's school fees as a result of poverty and bad economic management.'

He said all social interventions put in by former President Agyekum Kufuor had collapsed due to bad governance under President John Mahama.

Due to the massive attendance at the functions, Nana Akufo-Addo was optimistic that victory would be for the party in the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in the Central Region.

He said the Central Region being the most swinging region in the determination of which party won Ghana's elections, victory would fall to the NPP due to the enthusiasm and hard work of the regional, constituency and polling station executives.

Among Nana Akufo-Addo's entourage were Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, Mr Joe Ghartey, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and Nana Obiri Boahene, Deputy General-Secretary, and other top officials of the party.

GNA

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''sex Is My Satisfaction, Not Money'' : 45 Mins With A Prostitute Who Doubles As A Banker.

The ongoing 'dumsor-tronics' has succeeded in preventing me from staying out late for a while now. Anyway, last Thursday, a few activities kept me in town until about 10:20 pm when I set off from Osu to my abode on the Spintex road.

Been the eve before Christ was crucified, I figured there will be hosts of activities happening in town and so I wasn't really surprised when I bumped into traffic just after I had initiated the turn from the Danquah Circle Roundabout to Cantonment. Apparently, it was the police on their routine road checks that had considerably slowed down vehicular movement and resulting in the traffic. Getting closer to the check point, a pretty police woman signaled me with a torchlight to drive on, with a smile I drove off whispering to myself, “Ghana mmaa hu ye fe papa”.

As I was approaching the roundabout next to the Togo Embassy, I believed my eyes will be fed with images of those gorgeous ladies who normally line up on that road. Anyone who has plied the stretch of the road between the Togo Embassy roundabout and the Vodafone office at Cantonment, around that hour of the night should have a fair idea of what I mean. It's a den where a few ladies who still believe in “the world's oldest profession” ply their trade.

By the time I had covered the full stretch of the road; I was getting disappointed. Not even a single “lady of the night” crossed my sight and that was a huge surprise to me. I tried to figure out if what I had just seen was reality, then it occurred to me ECG had visited the area (DUMSOR). “Maybe I didn't see them due to the darkness”, the exact words I thought to myself.

So instead of making a left turn towards Airport then to Spintex, I made a right turn in the direction of the Ghana International School and back to the Togo Embassy roundabout. But this time round, with my headlights on; just if I missed them at the first instance due to the 'Dumsor'. With my lights turned on high and my eyes scanning around, I was once again disappointed; truly the 'ladies of the night' had gone on AWOL.

Curiosity was beginning to take the better part of me at this point, a lot of questions running through my mind. Could it be that, the night was still young? Or perhaps business has been good today and clients have already whisked them away? Or maybe, just maybe, they were keeping vigil to prevent 'Wofa' Judas from betraying Christ again. Those and many more, were questions i struggled to find answers to. I then decided to abandon my journey home and embark on a fact finding mission. My mission made me drive towards another well known 'office' of our 'sisters'.

Precisely, East Legon, the road between the Media Pharmacy and the intersection at Ghana Link Network Ltd is just a replica of that at Cantonment on any evening. As I made my way pass the famous 'Atemuda Pub' which mostly serves as the source of clienteles for our 'sisters', I wasn't met with the sort of buzz I expected. The pub was fairly quiet, I glanced at the time and it was a quarter to 11. As I drove a few meters from the “Atemuda pub”, my headlights fell on a lady dressed to “kill”, I could see her signaling to the cars ahead of me to stop. Finally, a clear sign of our 'sisters' at work, I went by 2 more of them and just at the intersection at Ghana Link was another.


Only 4 of them on the eve before the long Easter weekend, was still shocking. Now, the thought of satisfying my curiosity set in; I reversed towards the last lady, whom I could see also moving towards my car. I stopped, and before I could utter a word, she had opened the door and sat down. At that moment I was confused and I felt my heart beating faster than usual. As I thought of my next action, she broke the silence in the car. “Hi Sweetie, what's up for the night, I don't do sleepovers, only short time?” With a trembling voice, I asked,” what do you mean by that”, she looked at me with surprise and angrily said, “I'm a prostitute, you stopped to pick me up and have fun so stop wasting my time”. I quickly figured what to do since I didn't even know why and how come I stopped and reversed to where she was. Instantly, I told her I didn't stop for the purposes of her services, but if she didn't mind, we could drive back to the pub behind us and have a drink which she obliged to.
As we drove back to the 'Atemuda pub', she made it clear to me she only obliged to my request because business has been at a low for a while. By the time we had gotten off from the car, we seem to have struck a good acquaintance. I ordered for a bottle of water whilst she opted for a can of beer, she pulled a stick of cigarette from a pack in her hand bag. DAMN!! I couldn't stand the mere sight of cigarette, how much more inhaling the smoke, but I pretended to be okay with that. She preferred we sat in the car than in the pub, so we did and mine oh mine, the smoke I will inhale in the next few minutes was more than I have had in my entire life. I dropped the question I thought would have made her gone nuts, but she didn't. My exact words, “Why is a pretty lady like you doing this?” after a deep sigh, she tells of how she really needed someone to speak with. I availed myself.

She goes ahead to introduce herself in a manner that will send shivers down my spine. “My name is Eden; I'm 27 and a banker (Name changed for confidentiality). Almost jumping from my seat startled, she pulls out her ID card from the handbag to prove she's truly a banker. “I don't even know how I got myself into all this s**t, but I blame my first boyfriend for this” she said. Seemingly, her first boyfriend broke her virginity and they kept on having sex until she had become addicted to it. It was only after the relationship came to an end that she became conscious of the addiction. Eden could barely go a day or two without it and had to quickly jump into another relationship just to satisfy her sexual desires. Unfortunately, none of the 4 relationships she got in could last for a year and she felt used and dumped. “The decision was simple, instead of guys using and dumping me, why don't I make extra money whilst I have 'fun' and satisfy my sex desires” she spoke almost in tears.

For once, I got to know that, not all ladies involved in the act of prostitution do it due to financial difficulties and the other 'traditional' reasons I've always known. It's been 2years since she started prostituting on part time basis as she has her day job at the bank but Eden tells me she has lost count of the number of men she's had as clients. No one knows she does that, not even her closest buddy. Her greatest fear is to be seen by someone who knows her. In response to my question in relation to pregnancy and STD's, Eden told me she was on contraceptives and as much as she could, she protects herself from STD's and also have regular medical checkups.

I told her I had driven all the way from Cantonment after I noticed the absence of the ladies along the street. Her response startled me once more, “Oh yeah, Cantonment, I used to be there, but business slowed down and so most of the girls went to other places, that's how I came here and at Cantonment too, a couple of the girls were attacked by some unscrupulous persons who took advantage of the darkness whenever the lights went off”. She lamented on how the current load shedding exercise is the nemesis of reduction in their business, since their clients aren't making enough money from their various businesses to spare a bit of it on them for 'fun'. But for her personally, her motivation clearly isn't the money, but the satisfaction.

At this point, I figured she was getting nervous and suspicious, "I hope you are not Anas", she angrily said. I laughed as I assured her am not Anas and also not an 'Anas'. I also wanted to know why she had indicated earlier on she doesn't do sleepovers but only short-times. “How do you expect me to get to work in the mornings? I only do short time, once I have my satisfaction am good to go”. She peeps at the time on her phone and tells me she has to leave, I asked of my bill for her time which I have spent, with a gleaming smile, she pinches me on my thigh and says, “Naughty boy, we are friends now, abi?” I offered to drop Eden off as she claimed she was going home but she rejected, neither will she give me her phone number. Nonetheless, she took mine and promised to call me sometime soon. With a warm hug, she said goodbye and hopped into a taxi.

I spent the next few minutes trying to come to terms with what I had just experienced and almost cursing myself for not been able to offer her any help, but probably it was due to the manner she abruptly ended the conversation. When I had finally come to terms with reality, it dawned on me I had another 20 minutes of a journey before I get home. I turned on my ignition and vroom!! I sped off, hoping to receive that call sometime soon as my new friend Eden had just promised.

Read more at: http://www.modernghana.com/news/609835/1/sex-is-my-satisfaction-not-money-45-mins-with-a-pr.html

I'II remarry, if God says so- Chika Ike.

Nollywood actress, Chika Ike may not have a special man in her life at the moment, after her marriage with Ebiribi crashed two years ago, but she is optimistic that she will remarry someday.

The adorable actress told Vanguard I in a chat, that she will remarry as long as God approves it. “I will remarry if God says so,” she declares.

Chika expressed joy that her elder sister, Vivien has followed her footsteps, as she recently debuted in Nollywood.

What it means to be in the same industry with my sibling

It is great to see that I have a sibling that is in the same industry with me. I am happy about it. When she told me she wanted to join the industry, I supported her. This is because before now, Vivien has always wanted to be in Nollywood. It didn’t come to me as a shock because she accompanied me to my first audition ever before I became an actress. She was there with me, but she had to travel out of the country at that time.

Growing up with Vivien
Growing up with Vivien was fun. We are sisters,though she’s one year older than myself. We agreed to disagree while growing up. I am going to give her my hundred and one percent support. Whatever she needs from me, I will be there for her. I have been in the industry for close to a decade now. So, I believe I know so much about the industry compared to her. I am here for her, whatever she needs from me, I will be willing to support her. My advice to her is to never give up. The industry is not a bed of roses: there are peaks and valleys. When you get to your peaks, you celebrate and when you get to your valleys, you endure it, hoping to celebrate again.

My reality TV show, the African Diva
It is doing very well. We have just completed our first season which was won by Love Egbule. Right how, we are registering for the second season. It has been wonderful, I have been busy touring African countries. I have been to Ghana, Togo, Côte d‘Ivoire and Benin Republic. I have been doing media tour creating awareness about the brand. It is something that has come to stay. It is something I am very passionate about, so far so good.” The winner of the first season,Egbule, which had about 22 contestants went home with N4 million, an acting contract, one year supply of Fancy Nancy accessories, cover girl of VL Magazine and other prizes. She also had her acting debut in a movie titled “All Of Me” which is produced by Chika’s Productions. Winner of the second season of the reality show will smile home with a huge sum of $10,000, a brand new car, acting career for one year and supply of fancy Nancy accessories.

What inspired the project
I have always had this idea of appreciating and glorifying the African woman. I said to myself, what can I do to give back to the society and at the same time to entertainment people and promote our cultures and traditions. The show focuses on the search for the ideal African woman. That was how I came up with the project.

Because of your tight schedule, you no longer have time to hit movie locations?

I have been working but not as much as I used to work before now. This is because when you are busy, you have to also prioritize things. You can’t do as much as you used to do before because of your schedule. Yes, I am still working, but also, doing this at the corner. So, right now, my attention and my work schedule are being shared.

Are you not thinking of producing your own movies?
I am already a producer. My movie, Miss Teacher, will be in the cinema on 25th September. I just finished a production with the winner of African Diva Season One . It is called All of Me. So, I have produced two movies now and also, my production outfit for my African Diva show.

Since debuting in the industry in 2005
I think I have been on the path of self- discovery. I have discovered myself as a woman. I have also discovered myself as a business woman. I have grown in the industry, and I have also embraced the change that has happened in my life. A lot of things have changed about me. It is normal. I have discovered the woman I am, and I have learnt the art of running a business empire.

People misunderstanding me
I don’t know why it happens, but everybody has their own opinion about how they see people. Basically, I am who I am.

What I look out for in a script
The story, and then, I want to know who I am working with. I reject scripts for two reasons, either the story isn’t good or the fee is discouraging.

Remarry!
I will remarry when God says so. I want to be the best I can be in my chosen career.



Read more at: http://www.modernghana.com/music/32873/3/ill-remarry-if-god-says-so-chika-ike.html

Greater Accra NAGRAT Threatens Strike By End Of September.

Even before an earlier ultimatum issued by the Coalition of Concerned Teachers(CCT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) for government to address their concerns elapses, the Greater Accra Regional Branch of NAGRAT, has given government up to September 30, to pay all allowances owed them or face their wrath.

The warning follows what the group says is a failure on the part of government to meet their demands despite numerous appeals.

'For every year, we are supposed to be given salary increment in our appointment letter, but the government has refused to pay the salary arrears for the 2011/2012 academic year,' Chairman of the Greater Accra NAGRAT, Rene Kwamikorkor said.

He further revealed that the government is yet to pay them the arrears since the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP).

'When the government started the SSPP, they stopped the payment of some allowances; we were told that we should hold on when we are on the Single Spine those payments would be paid to us. They paid part of it, but they never paid the balance'.

Although the Greater Accra NAGRAT head did not clearly state what their next line of action would be, he was confident the necessary action would be taken to press home their demands.

'For the past two to three years, the government has refused to pay the allowances, we will know what we will do when we reach the 30th of September deadline,'he said.

A  strike by the teacher unions is likely to affect academic work at the various Senior High Schools across the country even as newly admitted students are yet to start the academic year.



Read more at: http://www.modernghana.com/news/645623/1/greater-accra-nagrat-threatens-strike-by-end-of-se.html

Let Us Forge Closer Relationships- British High Commissioner.

Kumasi, Sept. 27, GNA - The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr John Benjamin, has stressed the need for greater collaboration and relationships between Ghana and United Kingdom to speed up the socio-economic development and promote the wellbeing of their citizens.

He said even though, Ghana and in particular, the Asante kingdom, had several conflicts and extremely difficult situations in the past, it was time for a closer collaboration and more purposeful relationships between the two countries.

Speaking at the premiering of a documentary, 'return of a king to the Seychelles', at the Manhyia palace in Kumasi on Friday, Mr Benjamin expressed sorrow about what happened between the United Kingdom and the Ashanti kingdom over a century ago.

The documentary produced by the Centre for Intellectual Renewal, portrays the recent visit of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the sixteenth occupant of the golden stool to the Seychelles Island, where his great grand uncle, Prempeh I, together with some prominent chiefs and queens of Asanteman were exiled by the British colonialist, more than a century ago.

It highlighted the reunion of Asanteman and their ancestors, who died in exile in Seychelles as well as the direct descendants of King Prempeh, who were still living in the Island.

Mr Benjamin said since 1957, the UK's relationship with Ghana and Asanteman had grown from strength to strength; adding that, trade between the two countries had increased over the years.

He praised the producer of the documentary, Mr Ivor Agyeman Duah, for an insightful work and said UK would continue to work with the Manhyia palace to promote development.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, said the history of Asanteman and the exile to the Seychelles should not be lost on the present and future generations.

He pledged his continued commitment to work with all stakeholders to promote the development and progress of the Asante Kingdom and Ghana, as a whole.

Mr Ivor Agyeman Duah, said the Asante kingdom was replete with rich history and culture, which needed to be told to all.

GNA

Read more at: http://www.modernghana.com/news/645382/1/let-us-forge-closer-relationships-british-high-com.html


Source: modernghana.com