Paul Bilson
ONE OF Ghana’s top jazz music icons, Paul Bilson last Thursday, became the toast of hundreds of Ghanaian music fans when he put up a splendid performance at the +233 Jazz Club and Grill located on the Ring Road in Accra.
Paul Billson’s delighted fans who thronged the venue were entertained with good music, leaving them refreshed and fulfilled.
Paul and his band staged a brilliant performance, proving that when it comes to music, one must work hard to earn the respect and all accolades that come with it.
His stagecraft and creative performance on stage that night earned him the credential as one of the most thrilling jazz music icons.
Paul lived up to expectation and the fans also fulfilled their side of the bargain by thoroughly enjoying every bit of the show.
The Scratch Studios produced event in conjunction with the French Embassy and Alliance Française was well patronized by the entire public.
Paul, who was at his best, was consistent and controlled the fans who danced their hearts out to show appreciation to his performance.
During his performance, Paul won the hearts of many with his exquisite stagecraft which left no doubt that he was truly a renowned musical icon.
Paul had shared the stage with so many prevalent bands like Soul Winners Band, the Ghana National Fire Service Band, the Fish Band, Ozimzim Band and great musicians like; Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede, Daddy Lumba and Pat Thomas on the local scene in Ghana.
Paul has also played and worked with different groups and artistes like Afro Blue, Bad Manners, the Dualers, Alvin Slaughter and the world famous afro rock band, Osibisa.
He is continiously being inspired by great musical intellects such as, Hugh Masekela, Miles Davis, Grover Washington, George Benson, Phil Driscolle, Louis Armstrong and Mac Tontoh of Osibisa among others.
Paul’s debut album recorded at the ubiquitous Scratch Studios is a must- listen-to album.
By George Clifford Owusu
A plastic surgery addict injected cooking oil into her face when doctors refused to give her any more silicone.
Former model Hang Mioku has been left permanently disfigured following the DIY beauty treatment.
After injecting an entire bottle of black market silicone into her face, Hang resorted to using cooking oil that left her face severely swollen and scarred.
Her plights was featured on Korean television and viewers donated thousands of pounds to pay for corrective surgery.
During the first of 10 operations, surgeons removed 60g of silicone, oil and other foreign substances from her face and 200g from her neck.
However, Hang is still disfigured and she said she wishes she could have her old face back.
Hang had her first procedure aged 28 and then moved to Japan where she had repeated treatments.
She quickly became obsessed with having smoother and softer skin.
Doctors eventually refused to carry out any more work on her after her face became noticeably enlarged.
However, she managed to get hold of a bottle of silicone and a syringe to self-inject but when that ran out she resorted to use cooking oil.
Her face was so altered that her own parents did not recognise her and local children also used to call her ‘standing fan’ because her face was so large compared to her small body.
Numerous operations paid for by donations have managed to reduce the size of her face and neck but she is still significantly disfigured.
Recently the former model was working in a recycled clothes shop, called The Beautiful Shop, and receiving handouts from the state.
Dailymail
DJ Akwasi Gyafour
AKWASI GYAFOUR, a 19-year-old Disc Jockey resident at Atasomanso in Kumasi who unleashed his libido on a three-year-old girl at Jachie in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region, is currently in prison custody to serve a jail sentence.
Harbouring the intention to sexually abuse the toddler, the convict took a mixture of gin and Indian hemp bitters to assume potency as he opportunistically preyed on the child with whom he came into contact around his friend’s abode in the community.
He was handed a 15-year jail term in hard labour by a Circuit Court in Bekwai after pleading guilty to the charge of defilement, contrary to section 101 of Act 29/60.
Prosecuting, Police Detective Sergeant Stephen Ofori told the court presided over by Daniel Kwaku Obeng that the convict, who lived at Atasomanso, a suburb of Kumasi, paid a visit to his friend at Jachie about three months ago.
On March 23, 2013, at about 4:00 p.m., the victim accompanied her mother, Rosemary Agyeiwaa, to the market to buy food items, but was left behind unnoticed by the complainant.
According to prosecution, just as the victim was about to reach home after finding her way, convict Akwasi Gyafour met and abducted her to his friend’s room where he sexually abused her.
As the convict was forcing his way to penetrate the victim, the toddler screamed and wailed in agony for help, defecating in the process. Her shouts attracted the attention of a co-tenant in the house.
The tenant, a witness in the case, rushed into the room and found stark naked Akwasi Gyafour forcing his way into the lass in that late afternoon, Sergeant Ofori narrated further.
Prosecution continued that the witness quickly raised the alarm, which attracted people to the scene, and the girl was rescued.
Both the victim and Akwasi Gyafour were taken to the Kuntanase Police Station where a formal report was made, and a medical report was issued for the three-year-old to be taken to hospital for treatment.
The police prosecutor said the convict admitted the offence in his caution statement, saying his action was precipitated by ‘lacker’ bitters – alcoholic liquor flavoured with Indian hemp – which he took during the funeral of his friend.
The prosecutor concluded that after police investigation the convict was arraigned thereof and charged with the offence as contained on the charge sheet.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Bekwai
Jose Mourinho
Real Madrid head coach, Jose Mourinho, has hinted that he will like to return to Inter.
The Portuguese has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu this year, with Paris Saint-Germain rumoured to be interested in his services.
However, the former Chelsea boss has reignited talk of him revisiting Serie A and San Siro in the future and he revealed the superb times he had at the Nerazzurri.
“I spent two fantastic years in Italy, at Inter,” he said in a message for the Coordown (Co-ordinator of people with Down Syndrome) charity.
“I do not know if I will go back someday, but if I do it will be with great pleasure and excitement.”
Mourinho won the Champions League for the second time in his last season at Inter, completing the treble after beating Roma in the Coppa Italia and topping Serie A.
The coach failed to lift the European trophy while at Stamford Bridge after joining from Porto glory, but he is targeting his third Champions League success in his third season at Madrid.
The Blancos face Galatasaray in the quarter-finals having edged past Manchester United with a controversial 2-1 win at Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw on home turf.
Goal
Moses Bukari Mabengba
Outgoing Northern Regional Minister, Moses Bukari Mabengba has commended the chiefs and people of the region for the tremendous support they offered him during his tenure.
He noted that though managing the affairs of region was challenging, their support enabled him to succeed and appealed to them to offer similar support to his successor.
Mr. Mabengba, who was addressing the 56th Independence Regional parade in Tamale, made up of eight contingents from the security services and 48 contingents from the various basic and Senior High Schools (SHS) in the region, underscored the significance of unity to the development of the region.
In line with this, he urged the chiefs and people of the region to continue to chart the path of peace since it remains the prerequisite for development in all sectors of the economy.
He urged residents of the region to channel their energies and resources into fighting poverty, illiteracy and diseases, which have been the major cause of under-development over the years.
He noted that the three are the main enemies of the people.
Mr. Mabengba appealed to various stakeholders to partner government to champion the cause of the populace.
He disclosed that embarking on a blame game is not the solution to the country’s problems.
The celebration was under the theme, “Partnership and Innovation for building a new and a better Ghana.”
Squadron Leader, Benjamin Mliwomo Worlanyo of the Airforce base in Tamale was the parade commander for the event.
Various groups undertook gymnastic display to thrill celebrants who converged on the Tamale Jubilee Park.
From Stephen Zoure, Tamale
President John Mahama taking the Oath of Office administered by Chief Justice Georgina Wood last night
President John Dramani Mahama will today take the oath of office at a presidential inauguration marred by the non-participation of the largest opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The boycott of the event by the NPP did not go down well with the National Democratic Congress (NDC). As such the NDC is pushing to block the NPP from securing the position of Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, in reaction to the boycott.
This hint was dropped by Deputy Information Minister Samuel Ablakwa Okudzeto earlier. Whether this would stand or not is yet to be seen, given the President’s call for partnership between his party and the NPP in matters of state management.
However, as at press time last night, reasons are said to be prevailing, with the NDC agreeing to cede the second deputy position to NPP.
The inauguration is taking place against the backdrop of a pending Supreme Court suit filed by Nana Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, running mate and Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, National Chairman of the NPP, disputing the results of the Presidential Election as announced by Electoral Commission (EC) Chairman Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.
Fifteen heads of state are expected to grace today’s activity; the anticipation of which witnessed the painting of portions of ceremonial streets of the city and the removal of posters and billboards of rival parties.
One of the billboards of the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo, on a segment of the Ring Road in Accra, was rudely pulled off in a manner which prompted curious persons to ask why other billboards did not attract similar action.
Three heads of state and a vice president arrived yesterday for the swearing-in.
They are President of Equatorial Guinea Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Benin Dr. Thomas Boni-Yayi, President of Senegal Macky Sall, and Vice President of Kenya Dr. Stephen Kalonza.
The rest are the Prime Minister of Namibia Nahas Angula and Chief Executive of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Daniel W. Yohannes who is leading the US presidential delegation.
Workers of Zoomlion, the leading waste management company in the country, had been busy in the past few days clearing the nation’s capital of dots of garbage on the side of drainages as they always do when important occasions are around the corner.
At the time of filing this report yesterday arrangements were far advanced for the election of the Speaker of Parliament at midnight, a novelty arrangement as enshrined in the Constitution.
In previous times, the election took place on the morning before the inauguration of the President.
The Speaker, who was elected at midnight following the expiry of the previous Parliament, in turn swore into office the fresh MPs before their movement to the Independence Square where the President-elect would swear the oath of office to be administered by the Chief Justice.
Another highlight of today’s occasion is the honouring of the invitation to attend by former President John Agyekum Kufuor against the position of some members of his party, the NPP.
Although the former President explained his position to some party youth who stormed his residence earlier demanding that he stays away from the event given the position of his party to participate, some party supporters are still fuming over the decision of President Kufuor to participate in the event.
At the Independence Square, preparation was at top gear ahead of the programme.
The Independence Arch had been decorated in national colours while the poles along the principal streets of the square had been garlanded in national flags.
Chairs had been arranged, stands covered with tarpaulins and security posts erected, with some military and police taking positions along the gates and forecourt of the square.
By A.R. Gomda
Medical team in action
AS PART of activities marking this year’s yam festival in Techiman, Millicom Ghana Limited, operators of the Tigo mobile network has sponsored the Techiman Traditional Council with a free medical screening.
Dr. Peter Agyare of Techiman Holy Family Hospital who was in charge of the screening said he was very excited to see a large number of people taking part in this year’s activity which was very encouraging.
He added that over 100 people took advantage of the exercise to get screened for Hepatitis B, breast and eye ailments.
During the screening, beneficiaries were given free medical advice and those with advanced cases referred to the Techiman Holy Family Hospital.
Women who went through the free breast screening exercise were advised to continually check for lumps in their breasts and report any abnormalities for prompt action.
Dr. Agyare entreated community members to be mindful of their health and cautioned the youth against promiscuity and sexual misconduct during the festival.
He thanked management and staff of Tigo Ghana for supporting this year’s yam festival.
Beneficiaries who were interviewed expressed their satisfaction with the whole exercise and thanked Tigo for the opportunity.
Haruna Atta (Left) Nobel Lavreates Wole Soyinka, Gustave Le Clezio, President of PEN, Dr John Ralston Saul and other luminaries pose for the camera
OVER 300 delegates including Accra Mail Editor, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Harruna Attah are currently gathered in Korea’s historical city of Gyeongju for the 78th PEN International Congress.
The congress was launched by the host Centre President, Gil-Won Lee, which this year explores themes around literature, media and human rights.
PEN International celebrates literature and promotes freedom of expression; it is the oldest civil society organization in the world engaged in freedom of expression advocacy.
Founded in 1921, this global community of writers now comprises 144 centres spanning more than 100 countries and its programmes, campaigns, events and publications connect writers and readers for global solidarity and cooperation.
PEN International is a non-political organization and holds consultative status at the United Nations and UNESCO. The Ghanaian centre has Alhaji Harruna Attah as President and Mackay Anim-Appiah as Executive Director.
A number of Nobel Laureates in Literature have been or are members of PEN. One of the best known, Chinese Nobel Laureate, Li Xiabo is currently serving an 11-year jail sentence for displeasing the Chinese government.
Earlier this year, Ghanaian President, John Dramani Mahama was offered membership by the Ghanaian Centre, which he accepted. His book, “My First Coup d’Etat was published in July this year.
At the opening on Monday, the congress heard keynote speeches by Nobel Laureates Wole Soyinka and Jean Marie Gustave Le Clezio.
Training sessions, workshops, lectures, literary events and networking sessions are ongoing. The annual congress is an opportunity for members from all centers to share their diverse expertise and experience. The Ghanaian Centre showcased a number of Ghanaian books at an exhibition mounted as an integral part of the congress.
President Mahama, through the Ghanaian Centre, presented an autographed copy of his book to Dr. John Ralston Saul, President of PEN International.
In his opening statement, Dr. Saul echoed the core purpose of PEN around the world: “Through all of [our] work we must constantly remind ourselves that our cause is literature. Literature and freedom of expression are neither a nicety nor a legal technicality. They are a way of imagining the relationship between peoples. Between people…who may disagree or dislike each other or, in fact, know nothing about each other…”
At the opening ceremony, PEN International announced its Declaration on Free Expression and Digital Technologies, which will address concerns around digital technology, particularly freedom of expression through digital media.
PEN plays a global role in promoting literature and protecting freedom of expression. The congress ends tomorrow, September 15. See full text of Dr. Ralston Saul’s speech on the Arts page
Alfred Agbesi Woyome swears by the Bible yesterday
The Woyome debacle took a quirky turn yesterday when the man at the centre of the country’s most controversial judgment debt payment made an appearance before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a reversal of an earlier decision not to do so.
For editors, it was an appearance worth considering for the front pages and so they stood on tenterhooks waiting for their reporters to file developments from the proceedings.
Whether to honour the summons of the PAC or not became another subject on the rather jerky waters of local politics when the Committee considered applying the subpoena.
The eventual rescission of his decision after generating so much dust was proof of how much democracy was gaining a foothold here, although there is room for more improvement.
For those who appear to be ready to defend Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome to the hilt, they find in the subject a spirit of their party.
The posture and body language of the spokesperson of Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyome hours before his boss turned up in front of the honourable gentlemen put off many who listened to him on radio.
He gave us an inkling of what to expect at the PAC, especially when he said Hon. Kan Dappah could only limit himself to questions about what his boss had eaten and so on with no reference to the judgment debt.
His remarks were so laden with cynicism that we thought that the democracy which he said we should all nurture was under threat, with characters like him hiding behind free expression and insulting those who have decided to serve their country in Parliament.
Our apprehension was sufficiently proved when the totally polarized PAC sitting took the posture of a “they” and “us” yesterday.
Democracy, yes, thrives on such give-and-take sessions but when the underlying factors are propelled by selfish interests and therefore become self-serving, we get worried.
The manner in which the work of the Committee was conducted yesterday was bereft of the kind of civility required to move the country forward.
We are longing for the day when sessions of such respectable segments of Parliament would be conducted with the interest of the nation being the underlying factor.
When we conduct ourselves in this manner, we are compelled to conclude that protecting the interest of Woyome and the NDC supersedes the national interest in the estimation of the membership of the NDC.
The challenges noticed yesterday notwithstanding, we have moved another notch on the ladder of democracy even as we wish we could do better.
