Controversial entertainment pundit, Sally Mann has taken a swipe at Sammy Flex, the current manager of self-acclaimed dancehall king, Shatta Wale. Sally Mann claims she respected Sammy Flex so much, however, the story has changed ever since the latter began to work as the manager for the dancehall musician. According to her, before Sammy Flex became Shatta Wale’s manager, he had good morals and was respected by all and sundry. Sally Mann noted that Shatta Wale has always been a dictator, so, she thought without any equivocation that Sammy Flex would be able to change the dancehall musician, but he has stooped too low for Shatta Wale to use money to turn him into something else. “When I heard Sammy Flex was Shatta Wale’s new manager, I was like, wow! Finally, a sensible guy is going to that tyrant’s camp. Because Shatta Wale is a military dictator. I was happy that somebody like Sammy Flex who is sensible is going to that camp to represent the media”, she said. “I thought Sammy Flex was sensible because he owned a newspaper, he was also a pundit. He was also given a platform at ClassFM to lead huge morning show discussions. So, I respected the fact that he has worked through the ranks to get to where he is”, she added. “I never knew that when money exchanges hands, when money enters people’s pockets, they throw away their morals. Not everyone is like that, I am not like that”, Sally Mann stated. Sally Mann in furtherance added “You can offer me billions and I will still say what I want to say about you. This so-called manager labeled his earlier talk, a love letter to Andy Dosty, I am also labeling mine as a piece of brotherly advice. This is what I want to tell that manager" He was not able to tame me, so he shouldn’t expect anybody to tame me”. Credit: GhPage

Entertainment pundit Sally Frimpong Manso, popularly known as Sally Mann, has launched personal attacks at Shatta Wale, following his camp’s response to her earlier criticisms about his performance at ‘The Africa Games’, in Accra. Earlier in a discussion with Andy Dosty on Adom TV monitored by GhanaWeb, Sally chided Shatta for what she termed as a “disappointing” performance exhibited on such a global stage. “It was a good platform for Shatta Wale, who is one of the most popular musicians in Ghana, but his performance was so disappointing and amateurish. He was not singing the songs properly and was miming. “They should have brought people closer to him on stage because he is not confident being alone. He was so dull as if he had not held a microphone before. His choice of music was not the best, he could have used other better songs,” she earlier stated. Following Sally’s observations, Shatta Wale took to Facebook to throw indirect jabs at her. Shortly after, Shatta’s manager, Sammuel Baah (Sammy Flex), also tackled individuals criticizing his artiste’s performance. He targeted the likes of Andy Dosty and Sally Mann and lambasted them accordingly. However, in a rebuttal to Sammy Flex’s utterances, Sally Mann has emphasized her stance on Shatta Wale’s performance. Captured in a furious state while speaking on PowerFM, Sally, who is fed up with the verbal attacks said it is about time she and Shatta settled their scores physically. In that regard, Sally Mann, who claims to be capable of beating up Shatta Wale has called for a physical fight. “If they want to bring it on, they can bring it on. I am waiting. I am not afraid of Shatta Wale. I can beat him if ever we meet one-on-one. I can beat him. He should let all his Shatta Movement members excuse us and he will see. I will beat him,” she fumed. Sally continued, “I still maintain my stance that Shatta Wale looked like a lost puppy, he was confused, looked childish, and amateurish. Who is Shatta Wale that we cannot talk about? I couldn’t even sleep last night; I couldn’t even eat. The nerve! Shatta Wale, Sammy Baah Flex and the rest of the people following him think they are immortal. They won’t ever die, right? “Shatta Wale attacked me unprovoked and even insulted my private parts. He can’t insult the likes of Despite, Fadda Dickson, Andy Dosty, and co and gets upset when we criticize him. Don’t you know these people have business partners? “I heard that the little puppy has been calling certain people for my number. What do they want to come and do to me? To come and kill me? I am waiting,” she added. Credit: Myinfogh

Black Stars captain Andre Ayew has reached a significant milestone in his illustrious career, scoring his 50th goal in the French top flight during Le Havre’s match against Clermont Foot. Despite Le Havre’s 2-1 defeat at Stade Gabriel-Montpied in round 26 of the French Ligue 1, Ayew’s left-footed strike in the 46th minute marked his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Russia’s Daler Kuzyaev. Ayew’s consistent efforts on the field were evident as he put in an 85-minute shift before being substituted, marking his 12th appearance for Le Havre this season in the league. Ayew’s achievement adds another feather to his cap, as he becomes one of the elite few to reach the half-century mark in Ligue 1 goals. Notably, Ayew has showcased his scoring prowess across various clubs, including Lorient, Olympique Marseille, and now Le Havre. He has scored three goals for former club Lorient and Le Havre while notching an impressive 44 goals during his tenure at Olympique Marseille. Ayew has been in remarkable form since Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON exit in Ivory Coast a few months ago. His recent performances won him Le Havre’s Player of The Month for February. He was also honoured with the Ligue 1 Goal of the Month Award thanks to an acrobatic strike which widely earned applause. The Ghana international’s impressive performance comes amidst his recent call-up to Otto Addo’s squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda. Ayew’s inclusion underscores his continued influence on the national team, as he looks to make an impact on the international stage once again. Beyond his accomplishments in Ligue 1, Ayew’s illustrious career spans across multiple leagues, including the English Premier League, where he amassed over 100 appearances before departing the league. He also holds the distinction of being Ghana’s all-time top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations, with 10 goals, and the most capped player with 119 appearances, further solidifying his status as one of Africa’s footballing icons. Credit: 3news

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has touted the success of the deal between Ghana and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the $3 billion facility. Speaking at the Jubilee House when the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, and her delegation called on him on him as part of her two-day visit to Ghana, President Akufo-Addo said his administration will continue to implement sound economic policies and stay the cause with regard to the current IMF programme the country is executing. “It is obvious that the decision we made in July 2022 to come and seek your support for the difficulty economic circumstances which we were involved as far as I am concerned is a decision that has already paid off. It has paid off in terms of the clear turn around that we are seeing in our economy" “The very dire circumstances in which we were at the time we took that difficult decision and where we are today is a very clear testimony of the fact that our decision to seek your support was a decision that was correct and we have had very positive benefits from it” President Akufo-Addo remarked. “The stronger than predicted growth, the systematic decline in inflation in Ghana and the decline of interest rates, the relatively stable exchange rate which we have had for our currency which was deeply troubled at one stage; These are all important signals that our economy is stabilizing. "I believe that it is the cooperation that we have had from you and the association that we have had from the World Bank that has brought us to this point" "That is a rescue mission and the more important matter for us now is that having laid the foundation, how we can now engineer the rapid growth which is the way in which the mass of our people can benefit from the development of our nation” President Akufo-Addo further remarked. Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, in her interaction with President Akufo-Addo, noted that it is clear to the IMF that confidence in the Ghanaian economy both domestically and externally is bouncing back. She observed that the world economy has surprisingly remained resilient and its growth rate has been stronger than predicted. “For Ghana this year cannot be more decisive because it is the year to bring [back] confidence in Ghana domestically and internationally at the level it was before [the global economic challenges] or higher. “It is possible because we are seeing a world economy that is slightly better, so the economy attitudes are better and the critical resource of money will go where confidence in the capacity of the country to perform is highest so Ghana can be at this place as it was before” Kristalina Georgieva said. “We need to stay the cause, your growth is better than expected, your inflation is lower than expected, the progress in debt restructuring has been faster than expected and the task now is to cement what has been achieved” Madam Georgieva added. Ghana secured a 3 billion United States dollars IMF extended credit facility (ECF) in 2023 after President Akufo-Addo on 1 July 2022, authorized the Minister of Finance then, Ken Ofori-Atta, to commence formal negotiations with the IMF to secure a balance of payment support as part of broader efforts to quicken Ghana’s build back in the face of challenges induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ghana’s three-year-IMF programme is in its first year of implementation, with the nation so far, receiving a total of 1.2 billion United States dollars from the IMF in two payment tranches of 600 million dollars each. Ghana has also completed negotiations with her external creditors and there are ongoing discussions with her external private creditors. Credit: 3news

The leaders of the nationwide football demonstration conducted under the banner #SaveGhanaFootball have expressed strong criticism over the constitution of the new technical team for the Black Stars. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced Otto Addo as the new coach for the team on Friday, March 14, 2024, replacing the departed Chris Hughton, who oversaw Ghana’s disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Addo, a talent coach from Borussia Dortmund, will be assisted by former Ghana internationals John Paintsil and Fatawu Dauda. However, the decision has sparked concern among the #SaveGhanaFootball group. In a statement released in response to the establishment of the technical team, the group emphasized the importance of reviewing the team’s performance at the AFCON before making any significant decisions. They stated, “Our petition demanded a halt in the coaching search until a comprehensive report of Ghana’s showing at the AFCON 2023 had been thoroughly reviewed.” Furthermore, the group questioned the qualifications of Otto Addo for the role, highlighting discrepancies between his experience and the criteria outlined by the GFA. They argued that Addo lacks the required coaching experience, track record in team reconstruction, and a proven winning record, as stipulated by the GFA’s roadmap. Regarding John Paintsil’s appointment, the group raised serious concerns about his past involvement in presenting a fake coaching certificate. They asserted that Paintsil’s involvement in such misconduct raises questions about his moral character and suitability for the role. Additionally, the #SaveGhanaFootball leaders demanded financial transparency regarding the appointment of the new technical team, hinting at the possibility of further actions similar to their initial demonstration last month. Meanwhile, Otto Addo after barely 24 hours of his appointment released a 26-man squad for the team’s upcoming friendly matches against archrivals Nigeria and Uganda. The 48-year-old tactician will go back to Dortmund after these matches and return to take up the job fully in May marking the beginning of his 34-month contract with an optional extension of 24 months. Credit: 3news

On Saturday, March 17 the “Fantasy Dome,” owned by Fantasy Entertainment was demolished without prior knowledge of its owner. The CEO of Fantasy Entertainment, Leslie Quaynor in an interview alleged that the demolition was carried out under the orders of the Ghana Trade Fair Company. National Security officers and police personnel were present to ensure the successful demolition of the facility, the CEO claimed. “About an hour and half ago I was trying to reach my security team and I couldn’t reach them so I decided to come by only to find out that the Trade Fair company has under the protection of the National Security razed down my facility. “With 4 or 5 bulldozers, they just came and within an hour and they just destroyed it,” he told Sammy Flex TV, a YouTube channel. Is the Ghana Trade Fair company responsible for the demolition? A report by Asaase radio corroborates the allegation by the CEO of the Dome that the Ghana Trade Fair was behind the demolition. According to the report, the Ghana Trade Fair said the demolition was necessary to pave way for the construction of power and water infrastructure for the “Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project.” Why did the GTF demolish the facility? According to the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, its tenancy agreement with owner of the Fantasy Dome expired on December 31, 2023. According to report by Asaase radio, the company said all efforts to get the owner of the facility to relocate from the Trade Fair site has proved futile. Contrary to claim by the Fantasy Dome’s CEO that it had acquired a court injunction to prevent the demolition, the Ghana Trade Fair said it has not been served with any injunction and not aware of the court processes. The company noted that the dome has hampered the progress of the construction of the new Trade Fair Center for approximately 12 months. The new Ghana Trade Fair Center The new Ghana International Trade Fair Center Development Project, when completed, would have a convention and an exhibition center, a technology hub, a retail mall, commercial offices, hotel accommodations, and public realm spaces. Infrastructure works and construction of the major exhibition center are currently underway. Credit: 3news

Hearts of Oak are poised to maintain their recent momentum and form in the Ghana Premier League as they prepare to face newcomers Heart of Lions on Monday night. The Phobians aim to extend their undefeated streak to eight games, having secured three wins and four draws in their last seven league matches. Despite consecutive draws against Dreams FC and Bofoakwa Tano slowing their progress in the league standings, Hearts are determined to climb up from their current 8th position. A victory against Lions at the Baba Yara Stadium would propel them into the top five spots. Under the guidance of new coach Aboubakar Ouattara, the Phobians remain undefeated in four games, boasting two wins and two draws. Lions continue to push hard in their fight for survival in the top flight. They approach Monday's fixture with the same ambition and mentality as they aim to move out of the relegation zone. Since the turn of events for Kpando-based club, they have lost only two of their last seven matches in the premiership, including wins over Asante Kotoko and Dreams FC. Lions are sitting just one place ahead of the bottom with 21 points from 21 matches. They will get out of the danger zone if they stun Hearts with a victory. Credit: Ghanasoccernet

Award-winning Ghanaian musician, Kuami Eugene, sustained injuries on Sunday night after ramming his car into a tipper truck. The accident occurred at CP, close to the DSTV office towards the Dzowulu traffic light in Accra. It is unclear where the artiste was headed. According to the Editor for Modern Ghana news portal, Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri who witnessed the accident, he was right behind the musician’s car when the accident occurred around 11:30 pm. He added that he only noticed it was the musician in the car with one male passenger when he went closer to offer assistance. "I was behind him, and so I was the first person to rush to his rescue. Kwame was struggling to come out so I brought him out of the car and helped the passenger too, before some guys also came around. I arranged for a vehicle to convey them to the UGMC hospital." He explained that the tipper truck was in motion but moving slowly when the musician crashed into it from behind. He believes the accident occurred because the N1 highway is dark due to poor lighting, while the tipper truck also lacked tail light, thereby worsening visibility. The male passenger did not appear to have any physical injury, but told nurses at the UGMC Hospital that he felt pains in his neck and back. Ajarfor also says he called in police officers from the Achimota Police Station to the scene who towed his car. According to him, the artiste appears to have broken his arm as a cut was visible with blood on his hands. He also had a cut on his lips, the leg and an injury in the hip. "He's fine. He had a broken arm with blood all over his hands. The car is badly damaged and all the airbags exploded. He could have died"he said. The artiste was in a range rover with registration number, GC- 220-21. Credit: myjoyonline

To boost industrialization and economic development within the Bui enclave in the Banda District, Bui Power Authority has provided the enabling environment for the establishment of a cashew processing factory, Cash-U Company Ltd. The processing factory was commissioned on March 13. The project which commenced in March 2022 is in line with Government of Ghana’s quest for industrialization through the one District One Factory Policy (1D1F) which seeks to establish at least one factory in every district of the country. The policy also aims to add value to Ghana’s exports and reduce our import dependence as well as stimulate overall economic development at the district level. This important occasion was attended by the the District Chief Executive of the Banda District, Hon. Akone, the CEO of Bui Power Authority, Hon. Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi, the CEO of Cash-U company Ltd, Mr. Lionel Wu, as well as Chiefs, management and staff from both BPA and Cash-U Company Ltd. The development of the factory, which is located within the 184,000 hectares of land acquired for the Bui Hydro Power Project, was commenced in the time of the former BPA CEO, Mr. Fred Oware. The commissioning of the factory signifies the Authority’s commitment and support to leveraging local resources for economic development. The Bui enclave has a strong history in cashew farming, with nearly every household engaged in this agricultural activity. During the commissioning, Hon. Samuel Kofi Ahiave Dzamesi highlighted that the Cash-U factory has already created direct job opportunities for approximately 55 locals. "It is projected that upon achieving full operational capacity, about 250 direct job opportunities will be created for the indegenes . This initiative is set to improve livelihoods and promote socio-economic empowerment in the region" He also expressed appreciation to the Akufo-Addo government for its leadership through the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, which aims to industrialize the country. Mr. Lionel Wu, CEO of Cash-U Company Ltd, in his speech expressed gratitude to BPA for their continuous support and commitment to the successful completion of the Cashew factory. He noted that while the factory’s current focus is on processing cashew nuts for export and domestic consumption, future plans include the development and production of cashew oil for local and international markets. In an address by the traditional councils present, they expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Government of Ghana, facilitated by BPA, for offering employment opportunities to the communities within the Bui enclave. They also encouraged the government to persist in the endeavor to create more job opportunities, especially for the youth to reduce poverty and enhance economic growth by leveraging each district’s resources and skills. The commissioning of the factory also aligns with BPA’s Bui City Agenda to stimulate economic growth within the communities in the Bui enclave, promote industrialization, and enhance the economic potential of the area. The completion of the Cashew Factory therefore marks a significant step towards value addition in the agricultural sector, promoting economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development within the Bui enclave and beyond. Credit: Bui Power Authority

Ghanaian sensation, Mohammed Kudus showcased his brilliance on the European stage once again, delivering a stellar performance for West Ham in their commanding 5-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League on Thursday. Under the guidance of manager David Moyes, West Ham displayed a five-star performance, securing their passage to the quarterfinals of the competition with an impressive 5-1 aggregate scoreline. Kudus, who earned the Man of the Match award for his outstanding contribution, etched his name in the highlight reel with a sensational goal and scoring a brace on the day. Demonstrating his skill and agility, he maneuvered past five Freiburg defenders before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to open the scoring for West Ham. Reflecting on his remarkable goal, Kudus expressed his satisfaction, acknowledging it as one of the finest moments of his career. He remarked, "I think so [it’s in my top five goals]. I will need to look at it again. It’s one of the dreams as a player, taking players on and trying to create something out of nothing, so when I got the space, I thought, let’s go for it." With this goal, Kudus has now tallied an impressive five goals in seven appearances in the Europa League this season. Credit: Ghanasoccernet

News reaching Ameyaw Debrah Media is that Renowned Highlife musician, Kwabena Kwakye Kabobo, professionally known as K. K. Kabobo has passed on to glory. According to reports by Adom online, the music legend died on the early hours of Thursday, March 14, 2024, after battling liver disease for a while now. His colleague musician, Kaakyire Kwame Appiah confirmed this on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem programme. According to Kaakyire, the Onyame Ehu Wu hit-maker was being rushed to the University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC) when he died upon arrival. KK Kabobo left behind 16 children. Credit: Ameyaw Debrah

Care-taker Minister of Health, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has described glaucoma as a silent thief of sight. According to her, about 80 million of people are living with glaucoma worldwide without being aware of their condition. Delivering a speech on behalf of the Care-taker Minister of Health, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Acting Head Public Health & Health Promotion, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mavis Sakyi said “In Ghana, over 700,000 people are affected by glaucoma. It is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, yet it often goes undetected until it's too late" "As the Ministry of health, we are committed to raising awareness about this debilitating disease and ensuring that everyone has access to early detection and treatment” She added that this week’s celebration presents a crucial opportunity to raise awareness on risk factors, symptoms and importance of early screening for glaucoma in Ghana. “We must work together to educate our communities about the importance of regular eye exams, especially for those at higher risk of developing glaucoma. By promoting early detection and timely intervention, we can prevent unnecessary vision loss and improve the quality of life for those affected by this condition” “Hope is the conviction of a better tomorrow because you and I are working actively on a goal today” She called on healthcare providers, development partners, advocates for eye health and all other stakeholders to join hands in the fight against glaucoma. “Let us collaborate on innovative solutions, invest in research, and advocate for policies that prioritize eye health. Together, we can make a difference and create a world where glaucoma is no longer a threat to our vision” On his part, Director-General, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said “Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve that produces characteristic visual field damage. Glaucoma damages the eye optic nerve which carries visual information to the brain, and the resultant lost vision cannot be restored” He added that globally, the number of people (aged 40 to 80 years) with glaucoma was estimated to be 64.3 million in 2013, increasing to 76.0 million in 2020 and projected to reach 111.8 million in 2040. “The global prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is estimated to be highest in Africa with some 7.03 million cases. In Ghana, Glaucoma is the second cause of blindness, but the number one cause of IRREVERSIBLE BLINDNESS and is estimated to affect over 700,000 people in Ghana” “Almost 8 of every 100 Ghanaians aged 30 years and above and 9 of every 100 Ghanaians aged 40 years and above have glaucoma. Glaucoma accounts for over 19 % of all cases of blindness (about 45,000 people)  in the country and is the most important cause of permanent blindness. This translates into 1 in 5 people blind from glaucoma. (Ghana blindness survey,2015)” On prevention and promotive activities, he said “Chair, eye pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma and the only clinically proven treatment for glaucoma is to lower the eye pressure with medications and surgery. However, early detection combined with treatment can slow down or stop glaucoma progression” “In this vein, the Ghana Health Service is expanding the wellness clinic concept to include awareness creation and screening for glaucoma. By this, we implore both persons living with the disease and those not to go for regular checkups” “As part of the aware creation, we are Imploring everyone to get checked because the earlier the diagnosis, the less damage will be done and the more vision will be saved.” “Recommending that anyone 20 years and above have an eye examination every 2 years till age 30 years after which an eye exam should be performed yearly” Patron, Glaucoma Patient Association of Ghana, Dr. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings said “As a proud patron of the Glaucoma Association, I am happy to be part of this year’s World Glaucoma Week, and honoured to join hands with you in the mission of uniting for a glaucoma-free world” “This year's theme “Uniting for a Glaucoma – Free World” resonates deeply with our collective commitment to raising awareness and fostering collaboration to combat this sight-threatening condition” Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings hinted that glaucoma affects millions worldwide, yet awareness and early detection remain paramount in mitigating its impact. “Through our unified efforts, we can empower individuals with knowledge about glaucoma, promote regular eye screenings, and advocate for accessible and effective treatments” “Let us amplify our voices and mobilize resources towards eradicating glaucoma to ensure a brighter future for all and enjoy a life free from the constraints of this silent thief of sight” President of Glaucoma Patient Association of Ghana, Harrison Kofi Abutiate said “For our part as GpAG, we are concerned about people living with glaucoma. We are worried about the taxes on eye medicines and equipment which make treatment expensive to our members” “We also plead for financial and material support from NGOs, public and corporate organizations in this awareness creation for glaucoma” “It is worthy to note that various research labs in the world are studying how to protect retinal ganglion cells that make up the optic nerve, from attack and degeneration. There is also analysis of 3 additional genres that contribute to the most common type of glaucoma, that is the primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) so that modifications can be made on them” Founder, Becks Glaucoma Foundation Ghana, Rebecca Amenu said “We at Becks Glaucoma Foundation Ghana, endeavor to provide mechanized support to the government, individuals and the nation at large to solve humanities eye related issues this we do by giving hope in reviving sight to the destitute in our communities and beyond” “However, we can not accomplish this alone therefore, I’m making a passionate appeal to philanthropist, religious bodies, health organizations, and the media to come on people who board to support Becks Glaucoma Foundation Ghana with funds or kind to hopefully restore the sight of the people who have fallen victim to the silent thief of sight, Glaucoma” Taking his turn, Chairman, Glaucoma Working Group of the OSG, Charles Mensah Cofie said “World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative of the WGA in order to raise awareness about Glaucoma” He noted the final goal is to alert everyone to have regular eye checks in order to detect glaucoma as early as possible. The Glaucoma Working Group of the OSG, he explained, is a group made up of ophthalmologists who have studied further and dedicated themselves to the management of glaucoma. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith