I was shy of Nduom – Wiyaala

Amazing Ghanaian singer and song writer Noella Wiyaala, known for her electrifying stage performances, has said she was compelled to change her style of performance at the GN Bank Awards last week when she got on stage and realised Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), was present at the event.

“You know, I wanted to do something crazy that night and you could see it in the way I had dressed. My dressing was like the ‘dipo’ thing and my costume had nipples on my breasts and all that.

“I had planned something wild as you have always known me but when I got on stage and saw Dr Nduom, I asked myself, ‘Ah! What is this man doing here?’ and I immediately changed my mind and decided to do something to suit a corporate audience; and with that, I could not go crazy and remove what I wanted to remove on stage. I have a huge respect for him because one day he can become President of Ghana and I felt a crazy performance in his presence was not the best,” Wiyaala explained on the ‘First Show’, hosted by Annie Ampofo on First Digital TV.

That notwithstanding, the fast rising Ghanaian musician, on the night, pulled off a great performance worth writing home about with her indigenous style, though it was clear she was not in her ‘elements’.

“Midway into the performance, I was still contemplating whether I should just ignore my instincts and go all out, but something told me to continue to take it cool. So I toned it down and they still enjoyed it. Sometimes as a performer, you have to look at your audience and know the best way to treat them. And if not for the man I saw on the front row and the corporate people there, I would have done it as I have always done it. I can be very crazy, you know,” Wiyaala added.

She is one of the fastest growing indigenous Ghanaian musicians getting global attention.

Last week, the British High Commission in Accra issued a statement to the effect that it had invited Wiyaala to perform at Queen Elizabeth’s upcoming 89th birthday party.

Contrary to speculations that Wiyaala would be performing at the Buckingham Palace, the statement explained her show would be in Accra at the British High Commissioner’s residence.

In December 2014, Wiyaala won the Most Promising Artiste on the African Continent and Revelation of the African Continent at AFRIMA Awards. She was also the most nominated Ghanaian at The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) after receiving nominations in four categories including Revelation of The African Continent, Best West African Female Artiste, Best African Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall Song for ‘Rock My Body’ and Most Promising Artiste on the African Conti- Noella Wiyaala nent.

Fake national security operative jailed 16 years

The Juaso Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Fredrick Tetteh, has sentenced a man, who posed as a national security operative and succeeded in swindling three people of cash totaling GH¢43,900 to 16 years imprisonment.

Yussif Salifu, 44, and unemployed, was charged with six counts of defrauding by false pretences, but he pleaded not guilty.

The convict, in the run up to the 2012 general polls, had gone to the Asante-Akim South District, where he presented himself as an officer of the national security assigned to the area to carry out special duties.

Police Detective Inspector Birikorang Peasah said Salifu spent a whole month working with the constituency executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and it was during that period that he managed to convince the victims that he could assist them to buy vehicles on auction, get them enlisted into the military and secure Canadian visa for them.

He told the court that Simon Nyarko, one of those who fell for the bait, paid GH¢27,400 to the convict towards the purchase of three seized cars and recruitment of three of his siblings into the Ghana Armed Forces.

Two other persons, Nana Kwadwo Appiah-Kubi and Alex Ohemeng between them, let go of GH¢16,500 for a Canadian visa and a Ford Escape vehicle, which were never delivered.

Salifu after collecting the money went into hiding and a formal report made to the police tracked him down to Odobeng in the Central Region and he was arrested.

The prosecution said he confessed to the crime in his caution statement.

Man, 56, marries 9-year-old girl

 

 

A nine-year-old primary four pupil (name withheld) from Domiento, a farming community in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District of the Northern Region, has been rescued from a forced marriage.

Three persons have since been arrested in connection with the crime, which resulted in a bizarre case of murder in the family.

The terrified young girl is currently in the custody of her biological mother under the supervision of leaders of the community, who have promised to ensure her safety henceforth.

The stepfather of the victim reportedly married her off to his 56-year-old farmer friend in a different community despite fierce resistance from some family members who complained about the 47-year age gap between the ‘husband and wife’.

According to police investigators, the girl, under the arrangement, was made to stop school and move into the home of her husband to begin married life against her wish.

Her stepfather insisted it was in line with the customs and traditions of the area, and that if they were prevented from going ahead with the arrangement, there would be dire consequences.

Customary rites were subsequently performed by the stepfather and the nine-year-old was taken away by kinsmen of her would-be husband to be handed over to him.

She was compelled despite her age to begin performing her conjugal duties as a wife to her husband who, it is gathered, is already married to about four wives.

In another development, an elder sister of the youngster, Serwah Biladel, 25, said to be pregnant, was allegedly clubbed to death by her brother when she fiercely resisted the marriage arrangement of her younger sister and the older man.

The brother, who was identified as Wunang Jijri, 27, was reportedly a direct beneficiary of the forced marriage and allegedly received free drinks and guinea fowls.

He allegedly accused his sister of showing gross disrespect to their father and subsequently killed her.

Police at Bunkpurugu, who earlier arrested Wunang Jijri, have equally gone ahead to arrest the stepfather and husband of the youngster and are pressing criminal charges against all three.

The little girl has since been rescued from the forced marriage to enable her continue schooling while elders in the area have been tasked to keep watch over her.

DAILY GUIDE gathered that kinsmen who contracted the marriage would also be arrested for conspiring to commit a crime.

2 suspected robbers burnt to death in Kumasi

Two suspected robbers believed to be in their mid twenties, were set ablaze Monday morning after they were severely beaten by some angry residents of Ayigya Zongo, near the Affordable Housing Project in Kumasi.

The suspects were allegedly caught red-handed at about 4am when they attempted to snatch a laptop and a cell phone from a student at gunpoint.

The residents defended what has become known as 'instance justice' in Ghana because they do not trust the police, and that anytime a suspected robber is arrested, he is set free after a few days.

But the police has often denied these claims saying they follow legal procedures in prosecuting suspects.

The residents have vowed to lynch any suspected armed robber since they are terrorizing them on daily basis.

In a graphic video available to tv3network.com, the suspected robbers were seen pleading for clemency but were not spared.

While many residents looked on helplessly begging for the suspects, a few courageous men mercilessly battered the suspects with various deadly weapons as they bled profusely.

As they became unconscious, the angry residents did not end there. Two men were seen lighting a match stick on the suspects after they had poured a substance believed to be petrol on them.

They claim, their action is to deter others from engaging in robbery activities and find themselves decent jobs to earn income.

Several residents around the Affordable Housing Project say they have been terrorized by suspected robbers at least in the last one month.

The Ashanti Regional capital Kumasi, is noted for several of such cases where suspected robbers are lynched by residents who believe the police has failed to effectively protect them.

Human rights activists have mostly condemned the canker and have advocated the prosecution of persons who take the law into their own hands.

But the police rarely prosecutes people for such offenses since in most cases, the perpetrators are often not found out after carrying out such heinous crimes.

Kumasi, which is Ghana's second largest city, also records a high number of criminal cases although the police in recent months have made several arrests.

Two suspected robbers burnt to death in Kumasi

March 30, 2015 15:03 Mon

Two suspected robbers were Monday morning set ablaze by angry residents of Ayiga Zongo, near the Affordable Housing Project in Kumasi.
The suspects, believed to be in their mid-twenties, were allegedly caught red-handed when they attempted to snatch a laptop and a cell phone from a student at gun point.
In a graphic video, the suspected robbers begged the angry mob to spare their lives but were refused.
The mob mercilessly battered the suspects and as they became unconscious, two men were seen pouring a substance believed to be petrol on them and lighting a match stick on the suspects.
According to the angry mob, their action was to deter others from engaging in robbery activities.
- See more at: http://www.viasat1.com.gh/news/local/article.php?postId=7012#sthash.lFUiLjBw.s4DxQk23.dpuf

Two suspected robbers burnt to death in Kumasi

March 30, 2015 15:03 Mon

Two suspected robbers were Monday morning set ablaze by angry residents of Ayiga Zongo, near the Affordable Housing Project in Kumasi.
The suspects, believed to be in their mid-twenties, were allegedly caught red-handed when they attempted to snatch a laptop and a cell phone from a student at gun point.
In a graphic video, the suspected robbers begged the angry mob to spare their lives but were refused.
The mob mercilessly battered the suspects and as they became unconscious, two men were seen pouring a substance believed to be petrol on them and lighting a match stick on the suspects.
According to the angry mob, their action was to deter others from engaging in robbery activities.
- See more at: http://www.viasat1.com.gh/news/local/article.php?postId=7012#sthash.lFUiLjBw.s4DxQk23.dpuf

Two suspected robbers burnt to death in Kumasi

March 30, 2015 15:03 Mon

Two suspected robbers were Monday morning set ablaze by angry residents of Ayiga Zongo, near the Affordable Housing Project in Kumasi.
The suspects, believed to be in their mid-twenties, were allegedly caught red-handed when they attempted to snatch a laptop and a cell phone from a student at gun point.
In a graphic video, the suspected robbers begged the angry mob to spare their lives but were refused.
The mob mercilessly battered the suspects and as they became unconscious, two men were seen pouring a substance believed to be petrol on them and lighting a match stick on the suspects.
According to the angry mob, their action was to deter others from engaging in robbery activities.
- See more at: http://www.viasat1.com.gh/news/local/article.php?postId=7012#sthash.lFUiLjBw.s4DxQk23.dpuf

I’m a little bossy – Kalybos’ love interest Ahoufe Patri

Sensations, Kalybos and Ahuof3 Patri were on TLNCS to promote their upcoming 90 minute long movie Kalybos in China.

The other half of the skit squad Ahouf3 Patri revealed;

“I want to concentrate on being an actress now but then I will like to write sometime soon; because I’m a little bossy sometimes because I like things to my way.”
Ahuof3 continued;

330 megawatts 'dumsor' relief to come in June

Managers of the Takoradi International Company (TICO) plant in the Aboadze Thermal Enclave say the 330MW of power expected from their power plants by end of June will lead to an improvement in the current power crisis.

Speaking during a visit to the Aboadze Enclave on Thursday by President John Dramani Mahama, the Managing Director of TICO, Nana Osafo Kantanka, said the company is currently generating only 105 megawatts from its second gas turbine (SC 2).

The other turbine, SC 1, which has a capacity of 110MW, has been shut down for maintenance. The other plant in the enclave managed by VRA's TAPCo is producing an average of about 250MW.

According to Nana Kantanka, the SC 1 turbine is undergoing total refurbishment and rehabilitation to transform it into a "virtually brand new machine, which will take us the journey of another 25 years."

He announced that work is almost 95% complete on the new steam turbine under construction, from which another 110MW is expected.

"On behalf of the workforce of TAQA, TAPCo, VRA and all our partners, we are committing that come the end of June 2015, TICO will be producing 330MW of power", the TICO Managing Director announced.

In his remarks, President Mahama said gas is now available in the Aboadze enclave from Ghana Gas, and expressed the hope that when all the maintenance work is completed, "and both TICO and TAPCo are working properly, there will be enough gas to fuel them, so that there will be reliable service."

President Mahama said when the ongoing repair works on plants in both Tema and Takoradi are completed, and gas is also available, there would be an increase in supply to keep up with the fast growing demand for electricity.

President Mahama also inspected the site for the systems to be installed for the 250MW Ameri-Energy/ APR emergency power badge.