Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has spoken about his work and how safe he feels undertaking it given the high stakes that it sometimes entails. According to him, he has been doing investigative reports since 2013 – the year John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as president for his first full term – and that throughout Mahama’s stay in office, he felt safe practicing despite the stakes. Manasseh, a one-time journalist of the year, is however worried about his safety and that of others today, citing the level of intolerance and vindictiveness of the current Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government. “Those of us who are the practitioners when we talk, they don’t want to hear the words as raw as they are. I have been doing critical reporting since 2013 under the administration of John Mahama and at the time I had said on a number of platforms that I never for once had to fear for my life for doing critical reporting. I felt safe but I cannot say same for today,” he said last week on Accra-based 3FM. It is not the first time he is publicly making such a pronouncement. In recent times he made a social media post to that said, “I have been doing journalism since Kufuor. And, in my view, Akufo-Addo’s era is the worst for journalists in Ghana,” he tweeted on May 4. “I did some of the most daring works in the John Mahama era, and I never feared for my life as today. The danger is real!” he posted same day on Facebook. Manasseh was speaking in reaction to a recent press freedom report released by Reporters Without Borders, RSF. Ghana dropped by thirty places on the World Press Freedom Index in a report put together by Reporters Without Borders. The 2022 report saw Ghana place 60th after placing 30 in 2021. The latest ranking is the lowest in nearly two decades in the country’s history. It report is out of 180 countries assessed with Ghana recording a decline in its indicative points from 78.67 percent to 67.43 compared to last year. The report pointed to the arrest of some journalists and the unresolved murder of Ahmed Suale as a case study for their assessment of press freedom in Ghana. In its reaction, government questioned the methodology used and also deflected the cause of the low ranking to actions by independent state agencies like the Police. Source: ghanaweb.com

Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah has said even though he will not dismiss the idea of Ghana doing its own press freedom ranking, the solution to the issues that led to the abysmal performance in the latest rankings, is not to conduct domestic ratings. It his view that Ghana corrects the defects that resulted in the poor performance. Speaking in interview with TV3 after appearing on the Key Points on Saturday May 7, Mr Braimah said “Even as I wouldn’t say no to doing domestic index, it is still important that we correct whatever we identify not to be right. “We were Number One in 2018, why didn’t people talk about doing our local index? When we were Number Three in 2019, 2020 and 2021, why didn’t we have conversations about doing our own indexes? I don’t think that the solution to where we find ourselves is to say, we should do our own index. So we do our own index and say what, that we are number one in Africa?” His comments come after broadcaster Paul Adom Otchere suggested that Ghana must develop its own press freedom ranking in order to situate the findings within the right context. Mr Adom Otchere said he was unable to accept that journalists in Burkina Faso under a military junta are freer in practicing their profession more than their colleagues in democratic Ghana as captured in the latest press freedom ranking. Ghana performed poorly in the latest press freedom ranking, dropping 30 places from 2021 to rank 60th on World Press Freedom Index 2022 with a score of 67.43. The report cited government’s intolerance, a situation that forced journalists to engage in heavy self-censorship in the line with their work. “Although the country is considered a regional leader in democratic stability, journalists have experienced growing pressures in recent years. To protect their jobs and their security, they increasingly resort to self-censorship, as the government shows itself intolerant of criticism,” the World Press Freedom indicated in its latest ranking released May 3,2022. It added: “The 2019 information access law authorises journalists to demand information of national interest. However, a clause in the law allows a fee to be charged if the information requested is in a language other than English – a provision used to deny journalists’ access to the information they seek” “In addition, one third of media outlets are owned by politicians or by people tied to the top political parties. The content they produce is largely partisan. In Ghana, most media outlets face financial problems, reflected in low salaries and poor working conditions for journalists. Frequently, new newspapers are launched only to fold in a few months, due to inability to meet production costs" “State-owned media, for their part, benefit from government advertising contracts and payment for publishing news items. Government advertising is awarded through a non-transparent and inequitable process”. Suggesting wayforward for Ghana with respect to the poor performance while speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday May 7 with host Dzifa Bampoh, Mr Adom Othcrere who is also Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited said ” the way forward is what Gyan Apenteng (Former Chairman of the National Media Commission) has said, we have to develop our own index. We will be able to put in these contest that give us the real fee. “You are telling us that Burkina Faso journalists under military junta are freest than Ghanaian journalists? The complaints must be reduced to own one context.” He further said media houses must find a way of generating revenue without having to rely on government advertisement. The former Board member of the National Communications Authority (NCA) argued in favour of Ghana embracing digital migration, a system he believes is the potent way for media houses to generate revenue. The broadcaster said “My reactions to the report on the economics of it, I was very surprised but when I looked at the criteria I was excited, I was no longer surprised because this point about independent mechanisms for media today, I have been talking about it forever. “That is the beginning and end of independent media in the modern world. Independent media right now is economics, that is fundamental. Any media you see across the world that you can think if as independent, I will give an example of the relationship between Donald Trump, the former US President and the CNN over that period and the exchanges they had. “The reason why CNN was able to survive that situation is that they have independent way of generating revenue their own money. I have attended many digital migration conferences and the real reason for the American’s insistence that this must happen globally is towards independent media.” Story by: Laud Nartey

The Seagulls corrected the Red Devils, 4-0, on Saturday as part of the 36th day of the English Championship. Can’t wait for the season to end for Manchester United. Under the interim of Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s mid-season successor and who still wonders why he was appointed, the Red Devils often deliver mediocre copies. On Saturday, we were close to zero in Brighton. The Seagulls, once made famous by a media outing by Mancunian Eric “The King” Cantona, came out on top 4-0 on the occasion of the 36e England Championship day. Goals from Caicedo (15), Cucurella (49th), Gross (57th)e) and Trossard (60e) caused the eleventh defeat of Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates in the Premier League in this exercise. After this new humiliation, Manchester United sees its sixth place in the standings threatened. Brighton, winner last month of Tottenham and Arsenal, gain a place (9e). Source: News Desk Report

Ghanaian Rapper, Mohammed Ismail Sherif Kwaku Frimpong known in showbiz as Black Sherif has made history after grabbing his first award at this year's Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA23). The Rapper who hails from Konongo within the Ashanti Region won the award after his 'The Sermon' track was adjudged the best. The Kumerican rapper through his hard work has won the hearts of many Ghanaian music lovers. His popular song 'The Sermon' has and is still receiving airplay both local and internationally. Social media users have hpwever hailed the rapper for his impressive performance and consistency. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

President of the Bhim Nation Family, Livingstone Etse Satekla known in showbiz as Stonebwoy has thrilled audience with a stunning performance at this year's Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA23). The return of the new Def Jam Recordings signee left the audience standing to their feet and jamming to his performance. It will be recalled that Stonebwoy was banned by tye VGMA board some years ago after he got into a fight with fellow Artist, Shattawale. The board after a while, lifted the ban after it realised the two Artists had turned a new leaf. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Commuters should expect an increase in transport fares by 30 percent come Friday, May 13. This is according to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union. According to the union, the decision is a result of an increase in fuel prices over the last few months. The union had earlier proposed that government scraps some taxes on petroleum products to cushion drivers and commuters, but government has rejected the proposal. In an interview with Citi News, the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU, Abass Imoro, said efforts to reach the Ministry have proven futile. “We have been forced to make a decision. We were thinking of being sympathetic. We never wanted to take this decision, but government has not cooperated with us. Fuel prices keep shooting up, we wrote to the Transport Minister about our plans to increase transport fares, but we received no feedback. We are thus going to take a decision that will help us as well.” “We will announce the new prices by next Friday.” Transport fares increased by 15 percent in February 2022, when fuel prices averaged GH¢6.4 per litre. A litre of fuel now sells around GH¢10 after crossing the GH¢8 per litre mark in the first week of March 2022. The Union argues that the move has become necessary due to the increase in the prices of petroleum products. Both commercial and private drivers, as well as other stakeholders, mounted pressure on the government to scrap some taxes on fuel to cushion consumers. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor says Ghana is the preferred Mining destination of choice in Africa and the country is always ready to do business with potential investors in the Mining industry. Hon. Jinapor was speaking in a recent interview with journalists in Accra ahead of the 2022 Mining Indaba Conference scheduled for 9-12th May, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. Hon. Jinapor alluded that Ghana's stable political situation, economic growth reputation and position as the leading gold producer in Africa are among others, the basis for this assertion and called on the international community in the Mining sector to invest in Ghana. The Minister added that the President Akufo-Addo led government is determined to make Ghana the Mining hub of Africa. According to him, the over-aching goal of the the Ghanaian President to make Ghana the Mining Hub of Africa, involves all the various components and linkages of the Mining industry, mainly from exploration, Mining, downstream services, financial services and other related Mining activities " will be planted here in Ghana". The sector Minister indicated that, to achieve this, it will also require that his outfit create a conducive environment for Private sector involvement and participation which will mean a gamut of measures are put in place to attract these private investments. Hon. Jinapor reiterated government's efforts on working towards establishing a mining financial centre, which he said will be part of the plan in ensuring a conducive environment needed to grow the mining industry in Ghana. "The overall objective of government in the mining sector, therefore is to build a sustainable, viable, Indigenous and environmentally sound mining industry with strong local content participation that contribute to the sustainable development of the country" he concluded. Story by: Fafa Nyame

One of Ghana’s finest musicians, Gambo has thrilled music lovers at this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA23) with a truly dazzling performance. Gambo is unarguably the best Unsung Act in the history of the VGMA and he displayed through his impressive performance on Friday night, May 6, 2022, that he has broken his chains into the Ghanaian music industry. His performance at the 2022 VGMA was nothing short of a brilliant display of musical talent. He left thousands of music fans in the Grand Arena and viewers across the country and around the world virtually mesmerized and ecstatic with his enthralling performance, clearly demonstrating that indeed, he deserved to win the VGMA Unsung Act of The Year Award for 2022. He beat competition from several other artistes to win this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Unsung Act of The Year, demonstrating his relevance in the Ghanaian music industry over a short period of time. Even though this year was his first time performing at the VGMA, his performance was nothing short of expectations, as he showcased that he is an artiste who knows his craft and can deliver a great performance at any given moment on big stages like the VGMA stage. He opened his performance with his yet to be released song, setting the Grand Arena on fire and moving on to wrap up his performance with his hit song 'Boys Aye Wild' in which he featured Strongman. The controversial musician, Gambo has come to be loved for marketing the beautiful side of Ghana in music videos, always urging his fellow musicians to do good music videos, showcasing that life in Ghana is good. Watch Gambo's performance at the VGMA below: https://twitter.com/AfricanEnt/status/1522750379255029761?t=1VGGKUTSxwfMWLjJPOiy1Q&s=09 https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdPLwUMKvVN/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Story by: News Desk Report

Ghanaians are still trying to make meaning of the shock Michelle Diamond aka Shatta Michy gave earlier today on her social media pages. Michy is celebrating her birthday today and as custom demands, she shared birthday photos to mark the day. Her birthday photos were however not what her fans expected and that has been a topic for discussion since morning. The baby mama of Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale shared photos showing off a huge baby bump. This has left many confused as they wondered when Michy got pregnant and how she kept it from the public for all this while. Others asked who the father of the child was since she is no longer dating Shatta Wale. Another group on social media simply called her a liar since her most recent post before the birthday shot showed her belly as flat as a wall. In the post, Michy introduced her “bundle of joy” to the world and indicated that he will be called Alpha because he will protect her from her enemies. Fans have been waiting for a reaction from Shatta Wale since Michy broke the internet with her pregnancy and they have sighted a post on Wale’s Instagram page as his reaction to the news. Shatta Wale shared a video of Michy mimicking him and asked who did Michy bad for her to behave that way. He asked in the caption of the video, “eii… Who Worry Madam?” Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

Michelle Diamond, formerly Shatta Michy, has sprung a baby-bump surprise on us with absolutely glowing baby-bump photos on her birthday. The radiant mother takes a note from Rihanna’s book with a blooming tummy wrapped in the most gorgeous shade of the most luminous orange. After her relationship with dancehall artist Shatta Wale, Michy has kept her new man out of the celebrity limelight. But we are dying to know who. Do you have a clue? Drop it in the comments section. See Instagram post below: Credit: 3News

Celebrated Media Personality, Nana Aba Anamoah has expressed disappointment in the Minister for Health, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu for failing to fix the 'sick mortuaries' in the country. In a tweet sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, she tweeted "Be speaking English here and pretend you don’t know how bad some of our public mortuaries are & the bad working conditions there" "You’re here doing nhwehwenimu. Absolute disgrace #FixTheSickMortuaries" Nana Ama Anamoah made the tweet after the Ministry of Health tweeted that it had received some medical equipment from the Italian Foundation, Francesca Rava. The tweet has received mixed reactions from social media users. Below is a screenshot: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Bishop Bosomtwe Ayensu, past Methodist bishop of Obuasi, Lashed out at the former President, John Dramani Mahama for his resolve to cancel the much talked about electronic transactions levy when he assumes office in 2025. The outspoken Bishop believes Mahama wouldn’t even come to cancel the it. He further expressed disappointment in him( Mahama) for making such utterances in attempt to sway voters. He further reiterated that the predicaments the country finds itself it will take only wise economic decisions to get us out for which the levy it’s being taken from the citizenry to solve it. He believes strongly that Npp is on the right track to get nation from the Wrecks and shocks of the pandemic which has been deepened by the Russia- Ukraine war. "So we should all endeavors to pay so the government could use the accrued money for development" He called for all and sundry to help push the government’s agenda to industrialized the country under the leadership of the president, His excellency, Nana Akuffo Addo. He made this known when speaking to journalists at the ongoing Methodist’s 25th synod at Mount Zion Methodist Church, Obuasi. Story by: Nana Kyereme