Leonardo Del Vecchio, the Italian entrepreneur who transformed a tiny optics workshop into the undisputed world leader in eyewear and amassed one of the biggest fortunes in his country along the way, has died. Raised in a Milan orphanage, Del Vecchio struck out to set up shop in the town of Agordo, in the Alps north of Venice, from where his small supplier of eyeglass frame-parts morphed into a global player, making a series of often brazen acquisitions to eventually become EssilorLuxottica, the world industry leader. Iconic brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley were among the scores of targets Del Vecchio snapped up on his way to the top. The rise brought Del Vecchio the second-largest fortune in Italy -- after the chocolate-making Ferrero family -- with a net worth of $25.7 billion as of June 1, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The tycoon held a controlling 32% stake in EssilorLuxottica, which was formed from the 2018 merger of his Luxottica SpA with French lens maker Essilor. The company, which produces frames for fashion houses like Armani and Prada in addition to owning brands like Ray-Ban, has more than 180,000 employees, operations spanning the globe and a foothold in the luxury and medical technology sectors. “I’ve lost a friend, first, and a companion in this long professional adventure,” designer Giorgio Armani said in a tweet. “Your passing afflicts me deeply.” Paris-based EssilorLuxottica, which is both the world’s top eyeglass retailer and its biggest producer of corrective lenses, announced the death of its chairman on Monday, saying its board will meet “to determine next steps.” Shy and Secretive Shy and secretive by nature, Del Vecchio spent decades carefully avoiding the media spotlight. During a rare conversation with a reporter earlier this year, he was asked how he built his empire. “I’ve always strived to be the best at everything I do -- that’s it,” Del Vecchio said. Describing the drive that took him to the top, he said simply, “I could never get enough.” In addition to a controlling stake in EssilorLuxottica, Del Vecchio’s Delfin holding also had interests in Italian financial companies such as Mediobanca SpA, Assicurazioni Generali SpA and UniCredit SpA. Born on May 22, 1935, Del Vecchio grew up poor in war-torn Milan. Unable to care for her son, his mother -- widowed five months before he was born -- sent him to an orphanage when he was seven. He began working as an apprentice to a tool and dye manufacturer in Milan when he was 14. Del Vecchio moved to Agordo in the 1960s and started making eyeglass frames designed by others. He founded Luxottica in 1961 with a dozen workers on land he got free from the town in a bid to stimulate the local economy. In 1999, he purchased Ray-Ban for $640 million. Del Vecchio said that in the early days of his career he “put work before everything else,” dedicating little time to his children. “The factory became my real family,” he said, adding that he had made up for some of the lost time in recent years, spending time with his extended family in Milan, or at his homes on France’s Cote d’Azur and the island of Antigua. Del Vecchio’s final goal, he said in what would be his last interview, was to push EssilorLuxottica into the exclusive club of companies valued at more than 100 billion euros ($107 billion). He was the biggest shareholder in investment bank Mediobanca with a stake of just under 20%, and one of the main investors at Generali, Italy’s top insurer. Del Vecchio was a key part of a group of investors that tried unsuccessfully to force out Generali Chief Executive Officer Philippe Donnet in the first half of 2022. At Mediobanca, he periodically clashed over strategy with CEO Alberto Nagel. Del Vecchio said his skirmishes in the finance industry resulted from thinking big. “You need to be brave enough to keep doing things, to move forward,” he said. Credit: Bloomberg

Known for their melodies, powerful performances as well as good music, the Heavenly Jewels Chorale, a non-denominational group with an orchestra based in Ghana has released its first single dubbed 'No Weapon'. The new song was written by its choir director, Professor Yaw Sekyi Baidoo. With its membership drawn across the country, Heavenly Jewels Chorale has Accra as its headquarters. The Chorale group has over here 100 members. This includes choir, orchestra, and administrative staff. The melodies group is chairman by God's anointed, David Agyefi-Mensah and directored by Jacob Seth Arthur. Heavenly Jewels Chorale aims at not only feeding the soul and mind to good Christian music but also project Ghana to the world via choral music. Its mission is to propagate the gospel of Christ through choral music. Heavenly Jewels Chorale is set to perform at the the African Chorale Championships in Kigali, Rwanda from 23th to 28th March, 2022. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A year after social activist, Ibrahim Muhammad, popularly known as Kaaka, was attacked by unknown assailants in front of his house, his family is unhappy with how the murder trial is being slowed. Kaaka died on June 28, 2021, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, two days after he was attacked while returning home from an event he attended in the area. His death sparked protest within the Ejura township, as two persons died while others sustained various degrees of injuries when security officers clashed with residents. Brother of Kaaka, Nafiu Mohammed, says the family fears justice will not be served due to the delays being witnessed in the trial. “We have been to court on several grounds but the only thing we are told by the State Prosecutor is that, the docket has been sent to the Attorney General seeking advice. For this long period – no advice has been served yet in a year? With all these series of adjournments, this is what the family perceives that justice will not be served.” Kaaka died on 28th June 2021 after he was attacked in front of his house at Ejura on 26th June 2021. Following the death, Fuseni Alhassan and Ibrahim Issaka were arrested, and Iddi Mohammed [Kaaka’s brother] was subsequently arrested as well. His death and subsequent protests later culminated in a commission of inquiry that took testimonies from about 20 witnesses including journalists, police, soldiers, political appointees, and some victims. The committee made up of Justice George Kingsley Koomson as the Chairman; a security analyst, Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, and the Executive Director of Penplusbytes, Juliet Adiema Amoah, presented its findings to the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The committee in its ten recommendations recommended compensation for affected families and persons. It also recommended the transfer of the Police commander of Ejura and the removal of the MCE of the area. Ibrahim Muhammed's family had earlier accused the police of delaying investigations, but these accusations have been refuted by the police. The police instead cited delays from the Attorney General's office. Credit: Citinewsroom

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has safely disposed off some expired and unwholesome products worth GH¢312,720.00 in the Upper East Region. The disposal was done through burning at the Sherigu refuse dump in the Bolgatanga Municipality, in the presence of major stakeholders including the Environmental Health and Sanitation Agency, Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service and the media among others. The items were seized from the marketplaces, over-the-counter medicine seller shops, provision shops, pharmacies, drug warehouses, herbal shops, and medical centres across the 15 Municipal and Districts in the region. Mr Sebastian Mawuli Hotor, the Regional Head of FDA, said the disposal was in line with the FDA’s established mandate and the provision spelt out in the Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851 to regulate and undertake disposal of expired and unwholesome products in the country. He said the exercise was a routine one where FDA periodically undertook inspection exercise and seized regulated products that had expired or were unwholesome and posed a danger to public health and safety. This, he said, was to ensure that all products consumed by the public were safe and healthy and did not endanger people’s lives as well as prevent reentry of such products unto the market. “FDA wishes to emphasize that ensuring public health safety is our prime objective and that our activities are always geared toward providing assurance of safe food, drugs, cosmetics, household chemicals, medical devices and all regulated products in Ghana,” he said. The Regional Head advised the public to be vigilant and circumspect by checking the date of expiration, accreditation and good storage practice of products before purchasing any regulated product, to avoid risks. Due to their efforts and sensitisation, Mr Hotor noted, most of the regulated shops and institutions had begun engaging the FDA in their operations and some had asked for disposal certificates to safely dispose their expired products which enabled them to get tax rebate on their expired products. Mr Hotor said although the FDA had not yet prosecuted anyone in the region for non-compliance because the defaulters usually acknowledge their offence, such stores had been closed down to ensure safety while they were made to pay for the disposal and another cost. He said, “safe disposal of food and drugs are the sole responsibility and duty of the FDA per the Public Health Act 2012, Act 851 and so all need to note and ensure that when you have expired products in your facility, just alert the FDA and we know what to do because we have been trained on how to dispose off expired products, so that we can all ensure public health.” Source: GNA

National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has told the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare that members of the Arise Ghana demo are not afraid of guns hence will embark the much-awaited demonstration on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mr. Gyamfi made these known while responding to the upcoming Arise Ghana mega demonstration scheduled for 28th and 29th June, 2022. Speaking on an Accra based television station, he said "If Dampare wants to be violent or unprofessional like how some have been and he wants to attack peaceful demonstrators, we are not afraid of guns, we are not afraid of anything" "If he likes, he should kill all of us. Mark my words, this demonstration will come on. They should prepare for a massacre, a broad day light mass massacre" "President Akufo-Addo led kumi-preko, sieme-preko, today people are doing peaceful demonstration" "That demonstration was against VAT, we are doing peaceful demonstration against E-Levy, high cost of fuel" Sammy Gyamfi also mentioned that he is disappointed in the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. Touching on the Arise Ghana demonstration, Sammy Gyamfi "The Demonstration will come live. It will start at 3pm and we will start from Obra Spot through Ring Road, Ako-Adjei to Jubilee House" He hinted that about 30 speakers are expected to register their displeasure. He added that the Akufo-Addo government wants frustrate the demonstrators however they are not perturbed and will not rescind their decision to demonstrate. He further described President Akufo-Addo as a serial demonstrator. "President Akufo-Addo is a serial demonstrator and the only language he understands is demonstration. The only thing that can stop him from renting ultra luxurious jets and chilling with Serwaa Broni and bathing on us is demonstration" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Hearts of Oak beat Bechem United 2-1 to win a record 12th FA Cup title extending their record as the most successful team in the tournament. The Phobians came from behind to win the game after going down in the first half through Emmanuel Avornyo. The lanky striker slotted in from a rebound to score the opening goal of the game. Caleb Amankwah scored from a volley in the last minute of the first half to get the equalizer for Hearts of Oak as the first half ended with the two teams sharing the spoils. After recess, the Phobians increased their intensity in the game by creating some chances but Abdulai was resolute in defense. Daniel Afriyie Barnie scored in the 60th minute to put The Phobians in the lead with a world class finish. Augustine Okrah was sent off in the 68th minute after assaulting the assistant line one. The Bechem United winger head-butted the referee and was shown the exit. Hearts of Oak held on to the lead to win their 12th MTN FA Cup title. The Phobians as winners of this competition will be representing Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. Credit: Ghanasoccernet.com

The Member of Parliament (MP) of Parliament of Ningo-Prampram, Sam George has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo saying it is 'foolishness' to travel outside to go and borrow an amount of money his country already have. The MP descended on President Akufo-Addo while responding to a question relating to lavish air trips. Speaking on an Accra based television, he said "It is foolishness to go and borrow money you already have. We have enough funds to fund four major projects. Did the President go borrow before pushing the Marine Drive among others?" "You are paying in excess of 30 million USD for the Marine Drive. You paid about 40 Million or thereabouts on Trade Fair redevelopment. Just these designs of four projects would have set up your development bank. Did you go and borrow money for those ones?" "You are walking in India borrowing 12 Million USD to come and do Agric planting projects. You are borrowing 12 million but you have over 100 million to give somebody for a design" "So it is the foolishness of being unable to appropriate tue monies that you have right and you spend it wrongly, it is that lack of wisdom that is making us angry and leading us to righteous anger on a Monday morning and say to our President that if he doesn't care about the people of Ghana, the people of Ghana, we care about ourselves" The MP also expressed disappointment in Akufo-Addo administration over its failure to pay NABCO, NSS personnel. He challenged the Akufo-Addo government to stop wasting lavishly on luxurious air trips and think about the concerns of its citizens. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Young Rapper Yaw Tog has advised up-and-coming artistes to ensure that they are spiritually fortified before they venture into music or else they’ll face the same fate as himself. He disclosed that there’s a lot more than meets the eye and only spiritual fortification can guarantee one’s long existence in the music scene. The SHS graduate rapper who gained accidental fame with his “Sore” song made this known while talking about his defeat earlier this year. He said “I Feel like advising the young ones wishing to do music in the near future please be strong in the spiritual world too. i got defeated early this year but I’m back again and be beware of fake friends. please”. As a reminder, awards won by Yaw Tog in his short career include 3 Music Awards for Viral Song of the Year and Hip-Hop song of the year for 2021 VGMAs. Credit: Realest Blogger

Director-General of Rwanda FDA, Dr. Emile Bienvenu, and Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana FDA sign the agreement in Kigali on June 24. Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) on June 24, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ghana FDA that will allow both national regulatory authorities to collaborate in areas of mutual interest, especially in the processes and procedures of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) and technical assistance related to the regulation of medicines and vaccine. The MoU was signed by the Director-General of Rwanda FDA, Dr. Emile Bienvenu, and Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana FDA. It will therefore see Ghana FDA support Rwanda FDA in the attainment of WHO Global Benchmarking Maturity Level 3 (WHO GBT ML 3) since the latter has already reached Maturity Level Director-General of Rwanda FDA, Dr. Emile Bienvenu, and Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana FDA sign the agreement in Kigali on June 24. “It is incredible that we are strengthening our collaboration with Ghana FDA since they have already attained ML3, this shows that we are on the right path. Ghana FDA has already been assisting us with reviewing some of our documents and evaluating the level of preparedness, since our self-benchmarking which was conducted last year in September,” said Bienvenu. Rwanda FDA has to attain World Health Organisation maturity level 3 which is a prerequisite level for Rwanda FDA set by WHO to allow manufacturers in Rwanda to apply for vaccine prequalification. Rwanda FDA was self-assessed in September 2021 and aims to be formally assessed by WHO by end of 2022. Mpunga said this memorandum comes after President Paul Kagame and Nana Akufo addo, Ghana president’s commitment to establish a vaccines factory. He added that this agreement is for the vaccines that will be manufactured in Rwanda to undergo the final stage in Ghana. “Though the vaccine factory was established in Rwanda Wednesday, June 24, vaccine production is made of two phases, the first phase which ‘production,’ will take place in Rwanda whereas the second phase which is ‘Fully finishing’ will be done in Ghana,” Mpunga said. Director-General of Rwanda FDA, Dr. Emile Bienvenu, and Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana FDA with other officials in group photo after signing the agreement in Kigali. . Darko said this agreement will increase the strength of FDA regulators, because the country that is low in regulation will affect other countries. “The more we strengthen each other, the better it is safer medicine security,” Darko said. This Memorandum shall establish collaboration in vaccine manufacture regulatory oversight, and assess staff capacity requirements including but not limited to vaccine manufacturing and finishing facilities inspection as well as vaccine quality control, and lot release. Below are some pictures: Credit: The New Times

The Vice President, Dr. Bawumia has joined some Dignitaries and Foreign Diplomats to console the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong as he observed a one week celebration of his late Father, Samuel Kwame Agyepong's demise. The one week observation was held at Teshie, a community in Accra. Vice President, Dr. Bawumia graced the one week celebration to express goverment's condolence to the Zoomlion CEO and his family. Clad in black, the Vice President and his entourage were spotted in a solemn mood listening to the word of God and some appellation. Dr. Bawumia on behalf of the Akufo-Addo government donated GHc20,000 to the Agyepong Family. Addressing the Media, Spokesperson of the Agyepong Family, Sophia Kudjordji thanked the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia and other Dignitaries and Foreign Diplomats for taking time of their busy schedules to come and console them. She said "We are grateful to the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia for taking time of his busy schedule to mourn and console us" "The Late Samuel Kwame Agyepong will be laid to rest on September 10 at the Forecourt of the State House, Accra" Present at the one week celebration were the Chief of Staff, Frema Osei Opare, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, Lands Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor, Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah among others. Members from the NDC party who were present include; General Secretary of National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, Dr. Ekow Spio-Gabrah among others. Some Clergymen from the Church of Pentecost as well as some Traditional Rulers also graced the occasion. Thinknewsonline.com has gathered that Late Samuel Kwame Agyepong passed away a week ago after a short illness. He was 98 years-old. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

One person has been confirmed died, while another is battling for her life after a KIA Rhino truck lost control and ran into two people. Eyewitnesses say the KIA Rhino tanker had gone into an abandoned pit at Aprah in the Gomoa East District to fetch water, while the teenagers were also there to do the same when the incident. The body of 15-year-old Diana Acquah has been deposited at the St. Gregory Catholic Morgue, while the other person, whose identity is not yet known, is receiving treatment. About two weeks ago, one teenager lost his life while swimming in the abandoned pit, bringing the number of persons who have died in the pit to twelve, according to residents. Credit: Citinewsroom

Nana Akosua Duaah Asor-Sika Brayie II, Paramount Queen Mother of Sunyani Traditional Area, has advised Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central to allow his honesty and benevolence reflect his presidential ambition. She expressed optimism that the MP, who had declared his intention to contest the New Patriotic Party's (NPP's) upcoming presidential primaries to lead the party in Election 2024 would succeed in his endeavour.    Nana Brayie II gave the advice when Mr. Agyapong, also a business mogul, called on the Sunyani Traditional Council on Friday to announce his participation as the principal speaker of 'Guidance Conference in Sunyani. The conference is a day's youth-oriented programme organised by stakeholders including the Sunyani Youth Development Association on the theme ''The Youth: Our Future Hope.” Mr. Agyapong was accompanied by his wife Christiana, friends and some members of his campaign team. Nana Brayie II urged him not to focus on the youth alone, but channel some of the support to queen mothers because “women are the makers in the society.” He encouraged Mrs. Agyapong to support her husband to attain his political desire. Mr Agyapong said the Guidance Conference was geared towards instilling hope in the youth by using his life as an example for them to emulate. He observed after education, most of the youth focused on getting white-collar jobs, but added, “I have come to engage them to disabuse those thoughts,” saying, “if I had not become an MP, I would not have done any government work.” Mr Agyapong indicated “not all the youth would pick up the concept, but the few who would understand would derive the benefits." He then used the opportunity to announce to the Traditional Council his intention to contest the 2024 NPP presidential race and sought their support and blessing. Nana Kwaku Sarbeng II, the Akwamuhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, told Mr Agyapong his name would continue to reign in Ghanaian politics because of his truthfulness, courage and selflessness. He appealed to the MP to extend some of his benevolence to the people of Sunyani, saying he must identify avenues of support to the youth of the Sunyani Traditional Area. Source: GNA