Richard Anim, a driving force behind Wanderlust Ghana, the team that recently achieved the audacious goal of embarking on a 10,000-kilometer journey from Accra to London has revealed that they were snubbed by several Ghanaian automobile manufacturers when they reached out to them. Anim, a serial entrepreneur with over 27 years of experience under his belt opened a window into this intricate world during an interview on TV3 New Day. Shedding light on the intricate relationship between entrepreneurs and corporations, Richard Anim revealed that found themselves engaging in a complex dance with established institutions, as they sought support and collaboration to turn their visions into reality. “It’s quite a funny issue, especially with the relationship between entrepreneurs and various institutions. I’ve been running businesses for the past 27 years. What I have realised is that corporate are like fair-weather friends, they go with you when everything is smooth,” he shared on New Day. Anim reflecting on a pivotal moment with Katanka Automobile underscored the challenges faced by entrepreneurs seeking partnerships. If Katakana agreed to the meeting, it would have represented a potential collaboration that could amplify Wanderlust Ghana’s mission, but the door remained resolutely closed. “We approached Kantanka but they didn’t even give us the time of day or give us the audience, they didn’t bother with the meeting,” he pointed out. The experience Anim shared was also repeated with the likes of Nissan and other brands. “We approached Nissan, in fact, Kwabena Peprah bought a Nissan strictly for this purpose to incentivise and get us some sponsorship but they were like nah they’ll offer a discount but not sponsorship,” he mused. Despite the hurdles, the Wanderlust team was resilient during the voyage and defined the adventure spirit. “They were a host of them but the important thing is that we’ve been able to do it and demonstrated our risk uptight is extremely high. Hopefully, we’ve set the tone and put Ghana on the map,” Anim emphasized. The Wanderlust Ghana team’s recent goal of embarking on a 10,000-kilometer journey from Accra to London culminated in a hero’s welcome on Sunday, August 6, 2023. Credit: 3news.com

Host of United Showbiz, MzGee got into a brawl with Okay Fm Presenter, Abeiku Sanatana after she was criticized on her line of questions while on live TV. According to MzGee, another industry player had called Beverly Afaglo bitter for saying that single successful actresses are lacking in the marital department. But Abeiku Santana condemned MzGee for bringing up the topic because it portrayed Ghanaian actress Beverly Afaglo badly. Even though Abeiku Santana had earlier said MzGee was the best journalist in Ghana, he sang a different song on United Showbiz. He criticised MzGee's questioning, saying it was not beneficial for listeners and viewers. Abeiku Santana: We like pushing negative and sensational news. I'm included. Ola, Arnold and Vida too. Instead, let's throw light on other positive things, like the group who drove to London" After settling tempers and before she ended the show, MzGee had a message for Abeiku Santana. She said: On a very serious note, Dr Abbey Aggrey Abeiku Santana and Ola Micheal, I'm disappointed in you guys. Santana, you do worse than this, and nobody calls you to order on your show. In other news, some scores of Ghanaians have expressed worry over the frequent host-guest fights on the show. At the same time, some wondered if that was the reason for McBrown's exit from the show. Ohenewa Bekoe commented: I now get why Mac Brown left the show…. The purpose of it is to promote negativity and bring people down.. UTV Should reconsider their main objective for this show. Rita Danquah Okyere commented: Well done, Mzgee. I like you very much, but be mindful of how you sometimes ask questions, it really creates a lot of confusion. My humble advice. Sis Yaa Trimude commented: Honestly, this show is turning into something else. In other developments, Empress Gifty blasted MzGee on TV for asking her "silly" questions. Empress Gifty reacted on United Showbiz after MzGee asked her why she does not promote her songs. According to MzGee, the gospel singer spends more time on social media advising people on marital issues instead of working on promoting her music. This line of questioning did not go well with Empress Gifty, who ordered the United Showbiz host to retract and rephrase her question. She also reminded everyone on the show that she was a big artiste and won't take such behaviour from MzGee. Credit: Yen.com

President Akufo-Addo has cautioned candidates partaking in the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) not to engage in any acts of examination malpractice. President Akufo-Addo took to his Twitter page to advise the candidates following the commencement of BECE today. He tweeted "I send best wishes to all 600,714 students sitting this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination, which begun today. I urge all students not to engage in any acts of examination malpractice, complete their exams successfully, and move on to the next stage of their education, senior high school, which is free" A total of 600,714 school and private candidates are sitting this year’s examinations. They are starting with Religious & Moral Education (RME) and English Language. The schools exams will be held at 2,137 centers while 15 centers have been designated for the private exams. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has wished candidates of the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) best of luck in their exams. According to the Vice President, it is possible for the candidates to pass with flying colours. In a post sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, the Vice President said "I wish all Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates the best of luck as you start your examination today" "It is possible to pass with flying colours. Go for gold!" The 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) commenced today across the country. A total of 600,714 school and private candidates are sitting this year’s examinations. The schools exams will be held at 2,137 centers while 15 centers have been designated for the private exams. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it is reaffirming its commitment to promoting and supporting breastfeeding in Ghana. The FDA and GHS made these remarks in a joint statement following the celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2023. In a joint statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FDA, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko and Director General of GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, it said "On this occasion of World Breastfeeding Week 2023, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Health Service reaffirm our commitment to promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a fundamental right of every child and is important to child survival and development. This year's theme, 'Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a Difference for Working Parents' emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment that allows working parents to continue breastfeeding without affecting their work" The statement also noted that breastfeeding is not only a natural and nutritious act, but an important factor in building a healthier and more sustainable future for the society. "As we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, we recognize the important benefits of breastfeeding for infants, mothers, families, and communities at large. Breast milk provides e"ssential nutrients and antibodies that help protect infants from infections, reduce the risk of malnutrition and improve cognitive development. For mothers, breastfeeding promotes postpartum recovery, reduces the risk of certain cancers, and fosters a strong emotional bond with their baby" The FDA/GHS noted that despite the irrefutable benefits of breastfeeding, many working parents still face difficulties in keeping up with exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended six months and continue to give breast-feeding for up to two years or longer. "Long working hours, limited maternity leave, inadequate breastfeeding leave and the stigma surrounding breastfeeding in the workplace are some of the barriers preventing parents from providing nutrition, optimal for their infants" "We therefore call on all stakeholders, including governments, employers, civil society, and community organizations, to work together to overcome these barriers and create a favorable environment to support breastfeeding for working parents" "Laws and Workplace Policies. We advocate for national legislation that protects the breastfeeding rights of working parents, including full leave, flexible work arrangements, and breastfeeding leave" "Employer Support. Encourage and establish a breastfeeding-friendly workplace with safe spaces, hygienic facilities, and storage of breast milk" "Public Awareness. Conduct public education campaigns about the benefits of breastfeeding, dispel myths and create a supportive environment" "Capacity building. Strengthen health systems to support breastfeeding through training and supporting health professionals" "Cooperation. Foster partnerships between government, the private sector and civil society to promote breastfeeding-friendly policies" "Media Interaction. Use the media to promote positive and accurate breastfeeding messages and support working parents" "Research and data collection. Invest in research to understand the breastfeeding challenges facing working parents and make evidence-based policy" The FDA and GHS expressed appreciation to its partners, including UNICEF Ghana, WHO and USAID for their immense support for child nutrition. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Chief Executive for Obuasi Municipal, Elijah Adansi-Bonah, on Monday, August 7 toured the three examination centers designated for the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE). The tour was for the MCE and the Education Directorate to motivate the students ahead of the examinations and to also have first hand information on how the exams would be conducted. The MCE and his entourage toured Obuasi Senior High Technical School, AngloGold Ashanti School and the Obuasi Cluster of Schools examinations centers. Interacting with the media after the tour, MCE Adansi-Bonah expressed satisfaction with how the examinations have been conducted, the security detail on the day and the general mood of the students. He said the students were adequately prepared for the exams through the effective collaboration between the Assembly and the Education Directorate. “We have collaborated with the education directorate to prepare the students for this exams through series of mock exams. I am optimistic that the efforts put in place will translate into good results by the students.” He said Obuasi has a longstanding history of excelling in BECE, a feat the MCE intimated to stakeholders in the Municipality will not drop as they will ensure that such enviable academic achievements were maintained. On security, Mr Adansi-Bonah, who is the Chairman of the Municipal Security Council, said stringent measures have been put in place to forestall the incidence of violence during and after the examinations. “Post-examinations violence are becoming rampant these days but the security personnel have been readied to prevent any group or schools from attacking the other.” The Municipal Education Director, George Alfred Koomson, after his motivational speech to the students before the commencement of the exams, told the media that he was impressed with attendance on the day. He revealed that his excitement stems from the fact that no female absentee was recorded on the first day of the exams. He gave assurance that the students had been adequately prepared for the exams, stressing that seasoned examiners were engaged to orient the candidates on the dos and don’ts of the Exams. Again, he said the schools also conducted between 3-4 mock exams to adequately prepare them for the BECE. About 2,519 candidates made up of 1,221 boys and 1,298 were registered for this year’s BECE in 3 designated centers in the Obuasi Municipality. Credit: 3news

Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has expressed strong disapproval of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision to abandon the Saglemi Housing Project and allocate over GHc500 million to the National Cathedral project. In a Facebook post, the former President alleged that the government abandoned the Saglemi Housing project solely because it was initiated during his administration. President Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, August 1, held a sod-cutting ceremony to kickstart the construction of 8,000 units of affordable houses with support from the private sector. During the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo justified the decision to abandon the Saglemi Housing Project, stating that completing it would have resulted in increased national debt. In response to the President’s explanation, former President Mahama criticized the government, claiming that the inability to raise funds for the Saglemi housing project while allocating a significant amount to the National Cathedral is a “humiliating slap in the face of Ghanaians.” He argued that the government’s priorities seem misplaced, as it is willing to invest in a massive civil excavation for the National Cathedral but neglects a housing project that aims to provide affordable homes for Ghanaians. “It is unacceptable for Akufo-Addo to spend over half a billion cedis on a national cathedral project that has ultimately failed due to corruption and is now abandoned, yet refuses to commit funds to complete a housing project that will benefit thousands of Ghanaian families. “Knowing the NPP government, they did not want to complete the Saglemi housing project simply because it was initiated by John Mahama and an NDC administration. “Leaders must always prioritise the well-being of their citizens and ensure that they benefit from government resources and projects, regardless of who initiated them. “The misplaced priorities of a government that claim it is unable to raise money to complete the Saglemi housing project and yet is willing to spend half a billion cedis on the largest civil excavation in Africa is a humiliating slap in the face of Ghanaians who entrusted Akufo Addo with their mandate" “Just think about the countless number of Ghanaian families who could have had decent living conditions over the past 7 years and the individuals who could have had a place to truly call home in Saglemi. Credit: Citinewsroom

Aspiring Parliamentary Candidate for Abuakwa North Constituency, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah has sent warm wishes to candidates partaking in the 2023 Besic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across the country. According to him, the students should take a deep breath, stay calm and approach each question with confidence. In a post sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, he wrote "Wishing you all BECE candidates the best of luck on your exam!" "Take a deep breath, stay calm and approach each question with confidence" He added that the candidates should trust in their knowledge and skills acquired. "Believe in yourself and your ability to showcase your understanding" "You've prepared well, and success is within your reach" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is beginning across the country today, Monday, August 7. A total of 600,714 school and private candidates are sitting this year’s examinations. They are starting with Religious & Moral Education (RME) and English Language. The schools exams will be held at 2,137 centers while 15 centers have been designated for the private exams. Credit: 3news

Widow of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah's deceased sibling has filed a lawsuit against her to recover $800,000 that she claims was his. To defend the Minister after obscene amounts of money were allegedly stolen by her housemaids, NPP propaganda journalist Paul Adom-Otchere claimed that $800,000 of the $1 million allegedly stolen by her housemaids belonged to her deceased brother. Nana Akwasi Essan II, the deceased sibling of Cecilia Dapaah, was a former Asante chief who died in 2022 and was known as Nana Dapaah. According to Paul Adom-Otchere, the outrage over the missing funds was mitigated by the fact that only $200,000 of the $1 million misappropriated belonged to Cecilia Dapaah. In addition, he asserted that the Minister's spouse was in possession of an additional 300,000 euros that vanished! In a new development, however, the widow of the late Nana Akwasi Essan II has spoken out, disclosing that she was unaware that such a large sum of money belonged to her husband and was in Cecilia Dapaah's custody. She has therefore initiated legal proceedings to recover the funds, as her deceased husband's assets must be returned to her and their children under Ghanaian law. Source: Ghanaweb

News coming in indicates that daughter of the Bekwai Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon Kwaku Kyei Baffour has been shot dead by unknown assailants. The deceased believed to be 30 years of age, was reportedly shot dead by some unknown gunmen. It is not clear yet what led to the fatal shooting of the now deceased. This sad incident happened at Bebu near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region when the victim identified as Akua Serwaa was attacked by the assailants on Thursday, August 3 2023, at about 8 pm in the evening, MyNewsGH.com’s Syxtus Eshun reports. Police confirmed the unfortunate incident to this portal but were quick to add that investigations were ongoing to establish the intent of the attack. The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Bekwai Municipal Hospital morgue pending autopsy. The family of the deceased is yet to make a public announcement on the incident. Credit: MyNewsGH.com

Ghandour Cosmetics Limited, a reputable local cosmetic manufacturing company in Accra, known for serving the beauty and personal care needs of Ghanaian families for over 25 years, is proud to announce its partnership with Stonebwoy, the renowned Afropop, dancehall, and reggae music icon in Ghana, and his family, for the launch of The GC Brand. This brand will serve as the flagship name, encompassing the 17 distinct brands in their product portfolio, which fall under Body, Hair, Hygiene, and Baby Care categories. The momentous launch event was held at Ghandour Cosmetics Ltd.’s Spintex Headquarters in Accra. The occasion included a signing ceremony to formalize the partnership, an unveiling of The GC Brand's tagline "It's all about you," and the introduction of its newly refreshed website. Stonebwoy and his team had the opportunity to tour the Company's factory premises and take memorable photos with the Company’s management and staff. Stonebwoy, (Livingstone Etse Satekla), will serve as the ambassador for The GC Brand's Soldier and Style Up brands, while his wife, Dr. Louisa Ansong-Satekla, will represent Princess and Kleanz brands. Their children, Jidula and Janam, will also be involved as representatives for the Baby Girl and Baby Boy brands, respectively. This partnership also marks and celebrates the first brand representation for Stonebwoy's children and for the family. Tanal Ghandour, the Founder and Managing Director of Ghandour Cosmetics Ltd, expressed delight in the collaboration, emphasizing the company's vision to be the best innovative, customer-oriented cosmetic company in Africa. Their commitment is to provide safe, high-quality, and affordable cosmetic products for all market segments. The association with Stonebwoy, a celebrated artist in Ghana and Africa, aligns with Ghandour Cosmetics' pursuit of delivering excellence to their customers. The company is happy to have Stonebwoy's family represent the brand and collaborate in achieving their shared vision. In endorsing the brand, Stonebwoy expressed his excitement about the partnership with The GC Brand. He highlighted their joint commitment to providing customers and fans with an exceptional experience and maintaining local quality that meets international standards, with a continuous focus on improvement. The artist and his family are thrilled to be associated with such a prestigious and forward-thinking brand as The GC Brand. The launch of The GC Brand and the partnership with the Stonebwoy Family will be followed by an exciting media campaign and various engaging consumer activities in the coming months. To stay updated, visit www.thegcbrand.com, and follow Ghandour Cosmetics on their social media pages @ghandourcosmeticsltd. Credit: Graphiconline.com