The Central Gospel Church International Auditorium in Teshie, Accra, on Sunday, February 18, 2024, became the epicentre of an unforgettable night of music and inspiration as Diana Hamilton’s “Awake Experience” concert unfolded
The event, organized by the award-winning Ghanaian gospel musician herself, smashed records as the most successful gospel concert ever held at the venue.
The evening unfolded with a performance by the legendary Daughters of Glorious Jesus
Their world-class act set the stage for Nigerian gospel icon Mercy Chinwo, whose rendition of her hit songs left the audience mesmerized.
But the true eruption of excitement came when Diana Hamilton herself took the stage. The auditorium throbbed with energy as she delivered her beloved songs, reaching a crescendo when Mercy Chinwo joined her for their chart-topping collaboration “The Doing of the Lord.”
The concert wasn’t just about music; it was a gathering of luminaries. Renowned figures from both the NDC and NPP parties, including Sam Gyata George, Betty Mould Iddrisu, Julius Debrah, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, and Elizabeth Ohene were all present, lending their weight to the occasion.
The night resonated deeply with the audience. As patrons expressed their gratitude to the organizers after the show, their words were filled with appreciation for the “magnificent program” that had left them uplifted and inspired.
Rasmus Hojlund’s historic brace earned Manchester United a 2-1 win at Luton Town that moves them just THREE points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Hojlund scored twice in the opening seven minutes to become the youngest player in Premier League history to net in six consecutive matches.
Carlton Morris pulled a goal back for Luton, for whom Ross Barkley hit the crossbar in the last minute of second-half stoppage time.
Luton made two changes to their starting XI, with former Man Utd players Tahith Chong and Teden Mengi recalled. However, the Hatters suffered a blow in the warm-up as Elijah Adebayo sustained an injury and Cauley Woodrow was called up to make his first Premier League start for 10 years.
Man Utd named the same side that won at Aston Villa last time out, with Luke Shaw passed fit. It was the first time they started with the same XI for consecutive matches since the first two fixtures of the season.
Hojlund gave Man Utd a dream start, scoring their fastest goal in the Premier League this season, after just 37 seconds.
The Danish striker intercepted Amari’i Bell’s loose pass and rounded goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski to score. Aged 21 years and 14 days, he broke Joe Willock’s record (21y 272d) for the youngest player to net in six successive appearances.
In the seventh minute, Hojlund made it seven goals in his last six appearances. A Shaw corner found its way to Alejandro Garnacho, whose shot Hojlund deflected into the corner of the net with his chest.
With just 14 minutes gone, Luton scored the third goal of the match. Chong’s deflected cross reached Morris, who headed beyond an onrushing Andre Onana to halve the deficit and become the first Luton player to score in three successive Premier League matches
Three-time Grammy award-winning musician Harry Styles was in attendance at Kenilworth Road and seemed to enjoy the fast start to the match.
Luton pushed in search of an equaliser, and Casemiro and Harry Maguire were both given yellow cards for stopping attacks. Erik ten Hag substituted both players at half-time, while Shaw was forced off injured a few minutes before the break.
On the hour mark, Luton goalkeeper Kaminski saved Marcus Rashford’s powerful shot, before Man Utd failed to score TWO big chances.
First, Bruno Fernandes got past Kaminski and had an open goal, but his shot from outside the box was blocked by a lunging Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Then, Alejandro Garnacho rounded Kaminski but delayed his shot, allowing a combination of the goalkeeper and Bell to get back and block his goalbound effort.
Hojlund was then denied a hat-trick when Kaminski spread himself to keep out his left-footed effort from just outside the six-yard box.
Luton continued to attack and in the fourth minute of added time, Barkley’s header clipped the crossbar, as they fell to back-to-back defeats and remain in 17th place, a point above Everton, ahead of travelling to Liverpool on Wednesday.
A fourth consecutive win and fifth match without defeat takes Man Utd onto 44 points.
X, formerly known as Twitter, has finally paid off the staff it sacked in its African headquarters more than a year after they were laid off, the agency which represents them has said.
Most had only been in the job, based in Ghana’s capital, Accra, for a few months when the social media platform fired them in November 2022.
They had threatened to take X to court for failing to pay the redundancy money they said they were promised.
The company has not commented.
X has previously said that it had paid ex-employees in full.
Elon Musk, who took over the company in 2022, embarked on a massive global cull of employees, sacking more than 6,000 people. He had said he was losing more than $4m (£3.5m) a day.
The African contingent, who number fewer than 20, had only just moved into X’s new office in Accra, following about eight months of working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Agency Seven Seven, the company providing legal representation to the staff, said it had been successful in its quest to get a redundancy settlement and repatriation expenses for foreign staff, although it did not specify the amount of the pay-out.
“They are very pleased to finally be able to get their due, put this behind them and look to the future,” Carla Olympio from Agency Seven Seven told the BBC.
Last year, sacked staffers told the BBC their treatment by X had harmed their mental health and their finances.
“It’s difficult when it’s the world’s richest man owing you money and closure,” one said.
They said they were initially told that, although their contracts were being terminated, they would be paid to work for one more month. But they were immediately locked out of their emails and no further salary payments were made.
Since then, the staff said they had been involved in a frustrating battle for compensation.
Some of them had moved from neighbouring countries, such as Nigeria. Their contract termination meant they were left stranded in Ghana, along with their families.
In a rare interview last April, Mr Musk told the BBC that the social media giant had 1,500 employees, down from the just under 8,000 who were employed at the time he bought the company.
When the news of Mr Musk’s radical staff cull became public, he tweeted that laid-off employees were given three months’ severance pay.
But the staff based in the Africa office say they did not receive this.
According to Agency Seven Seven, X only began negotiations with the sacked Africa staff after the BBC covered the story.
Last year, X was hit by a lawsuit, filed by ex-employees in a California court, for allegedly refusing to pay at least $500m in promised severance packages.
Thailand’s convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has arrived at his mansion in the capital Bangkok after being released on parole.
The billionaire was freed from a police hospital, where he had been serving a one-year jail sentence for corruption and abuse of power.
Thaksin, 74, was detained as soon as he returned to Thailand last August from 15 years in self-imposed exile.
He did not spend a single night in jail after complaining of health problems.
Thaksin’s original eight-year prison term was commuted to one year by Thailand’s king – just days after he returned from exile.
The handling of the case has led to criticism from many Thais, who say the rich and powerful are often given privileged treatment.
“Thailand needs a democratic system where the rule of law and justice system is applied in the same way for everyone, without double standards… for privileged people,” Thailand’s Move Forward Party, which won a majority of seats at the last election but was blocked from government by the Senate, said in a statement.
“Very sick? Parole? What disease?” Senator Somchai Swangkarn said.
On Sunday, Thaksin was seen being driven away from the police hospital in the capital, where he had spent the last six months.
“Congratulations to PM Thaksin on returning home to Chansongla this morning,” government adviser and former energy minister Pichai Naripthapan posted on social media following his release.
“I hope he will have good health and much happiness and warmth from his beloved family,” he said.
Thai authorities said Thaksin was eligible for parole due to his age and health issues.
They did not say whether he was released under certain conditions such as monitoring or travel curbs.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told local reporters he had no plans to meet Thaksin just yet, but that “everyone in the government is ready to listen” if Thaksin wanted to provide political advice.
Thaksin, Thailand’s most successful elected leader, has long been feared by conservative royalists, who have backed military coups and contentious court cases to weaken him.
He left the country in 2008 after being deposed by a coup two years earlier. He spent his exile years mostly in London or Dubai.
His family’s Pheu Thai party is currently in power in Thailand.
The former telecoms magnate remains one of the most divisive public figures in the country: loathed by many of Bangkok’s rich elite, but adored by millions of poor rural Thais for his populist policies.
Thaksin was the first prime minister in Thailand’s history to lead an elected government through a full term in office in 2001-06.
Joao Gomes scored twice as Wolverhampton Wanderers earned a surprise 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Brazilian’s first goals of the season secured a fifth victory in eight matches for Gary O’Neil’s side, inflicting a first defeat in six matches for Spurs that meant the north Londoners dropped out of the top four, as Aston Villa won at Fulham.
Ange Postecoglou made four changes, with injured full-backs Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie replaced by Emerson Royal and Ben Davies. Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min also returned to the starting XI, in place of Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
O’Neil made one enforced change, with Hwang Hee-chan coming in for the injured Matheus Cunha.
Wolves created the first meaningful opportunity, with Nelson Semedo’s shot parried by Guglielmo Vicario before Hwang blazed the rebound over.
Rayan Ait-Nouri forced another save from Vicario before Wolves took a deserved lead on 42 minutes.
Pablo Sarabia’s outswinging corner was headed in brilliantly by an unmarked Gomes.
It only took Spurs 34 seconds into the second half to level, with Dejan Kulusevski collecting a loose ball before moving towards goal and firing in from a tight angle through Jose Sa’s legs.
It meant that Spurs have scored in each of their last 37 Premier League matches, with only Arsenal having a longer run in the competition, doing so for 55 matches in a row between May 2001 and November 2002.
The goal brought Spurs to life, with Richarlison heading over shortly after.
But Wolves restored their lead in the 63rd minute through Gomes from a sensational counter-attack. From a Spurs corner, Wolves broke through Pedro Neto, who raced more than half the length of the pitch before cutting the ball back for Gomes to sidefoot powerfully into the net.
It was Neto’s ninth assist of the season, second to only Ollie Watkins and Kieran Trippier, who have registered 10 apiece.
Spurs looked to respond, with James Maddison’s whipped strike narrowly missing.
Mario Lemina volleyed straight at Vicario as Wolves pushed for a third goal, but were unable which left them 11th, level on points with Chelsea on 35 points.
Ollie Watkins’ return to form continued with a double that lifted Aston Villa into the top four with a 2-1 win at Fulham.
Villa took advantage of Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers to go into the top four with 49 points.
Fulham were unchanged while Unai Emery made two enforced changes – the injured duo of Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara were replaced by Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans.
After a stop-start opening, Watkins claimed his 12th Premier League goal of the season, capitalising on a poor Fulham throw to pick up the ball from Jacob Ramsey before swivelling and drilling the ball past Bernd Leno in the 23rd minute.
Leon Bailey almost doubled the lead five minutes later with a brilliant bit of skill and then shot, but his dipping effort struck the bar.
Alex Moreno also came close to scoring Villa’s second but he was adjudged to be offside before heading in from Watkins’ flick-on. Just before half-time Watkins broke clear and set up Tielemans but Leno came out well to smother his shot and keep the visitors’ lead at one goal at the break.
Fulham started the second half well after Willian was replaced by Alex Iwobi on the Nigerian’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations. But Villa grabbed their second goal on 56 minutes, again through Watkins. The striker was found by Tielemans’ through-ball and finished with aplomb.
Out of nowhere Fulham got a goal back. Antonee Robinson outpaced Matty Cash down the left and crossed, and Rodrigo Muniz got to the ball ahead of both Emiliano Martinez and Clement Lenglet at the near post to score his fourth goal in three matches.
Fulham came close to an equaliser from a sweeping move that ended with Iwobi shooting from close range, but Martinez, having dived the wrong way, stopped the shot with his legs before Harry Wilsonshot wide.
Fulham continued to threaten but substitute AdamaTraore was also unable to beat Martinez in stoppage time. The Cottagers remain 12th with 29 points.
Liverpool confirmed that they would end the day top of the Premier League table after claiming a 4-1 win at Brentford, their first victory there in the Premier League.
With their title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City also in action today, anything less than three points at the Gtech Community Stadium would have put Liverpool’s No 1 position at threat. But they ruthlessly exploited errors in Brentford’s defence as well as injuries to claim a convincing three points thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool are five points clear of Man City and Arsenal ahead of their matches.
Thomas Frank made one change to the side that beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 as Kristoffer Ajerre placed Ethan Pinnock. Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa both returned from the Africa Cup of Nations to the bench.
Jurgen Klopp made two changes at the back, Conor Bradley replacing the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, while IbrahimaKonate returned from suspension to replace Jarell Quansah. Salah was also among the substitutes after recovering from injury, while Caoimhin Kelleher continued in goal for the injured Alisson Becker.
Brentford started brightly as Christian Norgaard slipped in Vitaly Janelt, but the German dragged his shot wide.
After a number of chances for both sides in an entertaining start, Liverpool took the lead on a counter-attack after 35 minutes.
Following a Brentford free-kick, Liverpool caught Brentford’s defence too far advanced. Virgil Van Djikhacked the ball up to Diogo Jota, who headed the ball to set Nunez clean through. The Uruguayan showed great composure to chip the ball over Mark Flekken for his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
But having lost Curtis Jones to injury, Liverpool suffered another blow before half-time as Jota was taken off on a stretcher with an apparent knee injury, Salah replacing him.
At half-time, Klopp made a third substitution, Gakpo replacing Nunez, but it didn’t stop Liverpool’s threat.
In the 54th minute they doubled their lead through Mac Alister. The midfielder picked up Salah’s driven pass, and took a lovely touch through the legs of Ajer, before poking the ball home.
Salah celebrated his return with the third goal. Again a long ball undid the Bees defence. Gakpo flicked on Kelleher’s goal-kick into the path of Salah who took advantage of a mix-up between Nathan Collins and Ben Mee to run past the former and fire into the corner for his 15th goal of the season, one behind Erling Haaland.
Brentford pulled a goal back out of nowhere in the 75th minute. Sergio Reguilon’s shot was brilliantly stopped by Kelleher, but the rebound fell to Ivan Toney, who smashed home his fourth goal in five matches and his first against Liverpool.
Minutes later Gakpo fired home a fourth thanks to another Brentford defensive error. Collins air-kicked a clearance, and the ball was pounced on by Luis Diaz, who played it through for Gakpo to slot home.
Toney nearly had a second, but his header was clawed out brilliantly by Kelleher, while at the other end Van Dijk almost made it 5-1 but his header hit the bar.
Defeat for Brentford in their 100th Premier League match leaves them 14th on 25 points, six clear of the bottom three.
Arsenal stayed two points behind leaders Liverpool after another rampant display, triumphing 5-0 at Burnley on the back of last weekend’s 6-0 victory at West Ham United.
Having watched Liverpool triumph 4-1 at Brentford in Saturday’s early match, the Gunners responded with an even more emphatic win, scoring at least five goals in back-to-back away matches for the first time ever.
Martin Odegaard gave the visitors an early lead and Bukayo Saka then struck twice either side of half-time, before Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz completed the rout.
The Gunners maintain their perfect start to 2024 after five straight wins and now have a better goal difference than Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Both managers named unchanged line-ups, on a day when Burnley boss Vincent Kompany served a touchline ban.
Arsenal continued their habit of scoring early goals, taking the lead on four minutes. Gabriel Martinellipulled the ball back to the edge of the box, where Odegaard lashed a half-volley into the bottom corner for his fifth goal this season.
In the 39th minute Trossard was brought down in the box by Lorenz Assignon for a penalty, and Saka converted his spot-kick for the second match in a row.
There was no let-up after the break as Saka struck again in the 47th minute, running onto Odegaard’s through-ball and smashing the ball into the roof of the net inside the near post, making it four goals in three Premier League matches and 12 this season.
Burnley’s misfortune continued as Aaron Ramsey was stretched off, being replaced by Jay Rodriguez. And on 66 minutes Trossard piled on further misery, curling the ball past James Trafford inside the box.
Havertz wrapped up the scoring with a superb solo goal in the 78th minute. Taking JakubKiwior’s long throw in his stride, the German surged into the box and nutmegged Hannes Delcroix before slotting the ball past Trafford, ending a seven-match goal drought.
Burnley have now gone seven matches without a win, leaving them in 19th on 13 points, seven points from safety.
Rodri dramatically rescued a point with a late leveller for Manchester City to deny Chelsea victory and maintain his side’s long unbeaten home record.
City still lost ground in the title race after seeing Liverpool and Arsenal both post emphatic wins earlier on Saturday, but this has to go down as a point gained given how close they came to defeat.
Raheem Sterling gave Chelsea the lead against his old team just before half-time, finishing off a brilliant counter-attack by meeting Nicolas Jackson’s cross, cutting inside Kyle Walker and curling his shot home.
The visitors looked threatening on the break all game, with Jackson earlier spurning an even better chance from Malo Gusto’s cross when a heavy touch allowed Ederson to smother his shot, and City’s keeper also denied Sterling a second from point-blank range.
City were racking up the chances too, but seemed unable to take any of them, or even seriously test Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic despite piling on the pressure in the second half.
Erling Haaland was the main culprit, with his worst miss coming when he somehow headed wide from a delicious Kevin de Bruyne cross.
The defending champions were facing their first home league defeat since November 2022, until Rodri struck with seven minutes to go.
After Walker’s shot was deflected into his path on the edge of the box, Rodri fired in a ferocious first-time strike that was going in anyway but took a touch off Chelsea substitute Trevoh Chalobah on its way into the net.
The draw sees City drop to third in the table, four points behind leaders Liverpool but with a game in hand – they can close the gap, and leapfrog second-placed Arsenal, if they beat Brentford here on Tuesday.
Chelsea, who were minutes away from a third successive away win, stay 10th, but head to Wembley for next weekend’s Carabao Cup final on the back of one of their best displays of an erratic campaign.
This game did not have the goals or indeed the chaos of the 4-4 draw that these sides fought out in November, but Chelsea’s resistance, and threat on the break, made for another enthralling encounter.
Just as at Stamford Bridge, it was mostly played in appalling weather – and Mauricio Pochettino’s side were again good value for their point in the pouring rain.
City had most of the ball from the start, but Chelsea’s plan to spring forward when they won it back worked on several occasions even before they broke the deadlock.
Sterling, who won four Premier League titles in his seven years at the Etihad, was often criticised for his finishing during his time with City, but he showed great composure to beat Walker and made no mistake when he fired past Ederson too.
The England forward was unlucky not to make it 2-0 after the break, when he met Gusto’s cross from the right, but this time Ederson reacted brilliantly to keep the ball out.
Chelsea were far less of a threat in the closing stages but defensive organisation and sheer will looked like it would carry them home for the three points, before City’s determination and desperation eventually told.
Pep Guardiola’s side were caught cold defensively too often in the first half, but after the break they assumed more control and poured forward in search of an equaliser.
City had 31 attempts at scoring but, until Rodri’s late strike, it appeared this would be a day where even a single goal would elude them.
Haaland, in particular, will wonder how he failed to score. Three of his nine efforts were from clear sights of goal but he squandered an early header from Julian Alvarez’s cross, then miscued when Phil Foden set him up and missed the target from De Bruyne’s pinpoint delivery.
Some big decisions went against the home side too, with Kyle Walker certain he deserved a penalty after tangling with Sterling in the box, and a Levi Colwill handball going unpunished in stoppage time.
The video assistant referee ruled in Chelsea’s favour on both occasions, to the obvious frustration of Guardiola, but it must be some consolation that his side still picked up a point.
HONOLULU, HI – In a historic move towards global collaboration and economic development, the Independent & Sovereign Nation State of Hawai’i has entered into a comprehensive peace and friendship treaty with the Economic Community of States, Nations, Territories, and Realms of the African Diaspora Sixth Region (ECO-6), the Republic of Vanuatu (represented by the Vanuatu Trade Commission – Ghana), and the World Indigenous Bank.
This landmark treaty, signed on Monday, January 15, 2024, positions the Nation of Hawai’i Central Bank as host to the World Indigenous Bank, marking a new era of economic and spiritual cooperation, and the growing capacity for the Nation of Hawai’i to manage banking and assets.
The peace and friendship agreement encompasses various facets, including trade, investment, tourism, culture, peace, and friendship, reflecting a commitment to sustainable development for all Aboriginal, Indigenous, and Native peoples globally.
Nation of Hawai’i President & Head of State, Pu’uhonua D.B.K. Kanahele emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This treaty marks a turning point for our nation and the world. We are committed to building a future grounded in principles of Aloha and the continued pursuit of Independence for the Native Hawaiian people.”
At its core, the treaty stands as an acknowledgment of Indigenous wisdom, cultural, and ancestral honor. It sets forth an ambitious agenda, aiming to establish a framework that covers trade, commerce, tourism, cultural exchange, and socially responsible investments.
A pivotal feature of the treaty is the introduction of the World Indigenous Bank (WIB), a financial institution designed to catalyze sustainable development. At the heart of this financial innovation is the (AKL) LUMI—a global sovereign currency. Underwritten by renewable energy, the LUMI symbolizes a commitment to eco-friendly financial practices, paving the way for sustainable development in Hawai’i and beyond.
The official legal tender of the World Indigenous Bank, the LUMI is underwritten by 100kWh of solar energy and pegged to 0.2592g of gold. The global issuing authority for the LUMI is the African Diaspora Central Bank and the World Indigenous Bank is a licensed sovereign division of ADCB. This financial instrument represents not only a currency but a symbol of hope and collaboration for a sustainable future.
The multilateral agreement, arranged by Nation of Hawai’i Ambassador for Nepal, H.E. Tejendra Sharma Poudel, was signed by H.E. Amb. Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee, Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. John Kealoha Garcia, 2nd Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commerce for Nation of Hawai’i, and H.R.M. Rex Semako I & VI King Timothy Elisha McPherson, Chairman of ECO-6 and President of the African Diaspora Central Bank (ADCB).
2nd Vice President, Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Kealoha Garcia said “The Nation of Hawai’i is strengthening our expanding network within the global aboriginal, indigenous, native communities and is strategically positioned to facilitate commercial trade and sustainable development that is aligned with the restoration of aboriginal culture and climate action.”
Garcia says, “At the local level, the World Indigenous Bank, licensed under the Nation of Hawai’i Central Bank will help the people of Hawai’i achieve our immediate reconciliation goals and strengthen our community in the spirit of Aloha.”
“The Nation of Hawai’i Bank Act, signed and enacted by President Kanahele in 2021, authorizes the establishment of a central bank within the Sovereign Nation of Hawai’i. The integration of partner institutions are essential to the modernizing and growing capacity of our Hawaiian economy.” says Garcia.
Island states are greatly exposed to natural disasters and climate change, making this agreement equally important for the Republic of Vanuatu. Trade in goods and knowledge are at the core of climate action, and small islands must work together in their sustainable efforts. The Vanuatu Trade Commission – Ghana represents a sovereign trading partner of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and is able to leverage resources in ECOWAS to the value-added proposition of development in between Vanuatu and Hawai’i, as well as trade within the Pacific Island region.
Observers from other indigenous nations applauded the signing of the agreement as a landmark achievement. Chief Chasing Horse (Sr.) from the Lakota Nation said, “the Lakota Nation is excited about working with our cousins in Hawai’i. I look forward to trading with them through the World Indigenous Bank. We have already signed a Treaty with ECO-6 and the World Indigenous Bank to bring greater structure to how we work together healing the earth and in honoring our ancestors and the Tree of Life.”
Within Article 66 of the COP 26 Glasgow Climate Pact, the international community emphasizes the important role of indigenous peoples’ culture and knowledge for the achievement of effective action on climate change, and it urges the international community to actively involve indigenous peoples and local communities in designing and implementing climate action.
His Royal Majesty Rex Semako I & VI, Chairman of ECO-6, described the multilateral agreement with ECO-6, Vanuatu and the Nation of Hawai’i as being essential to the fulfillment of the aspirations of global community as it relates to climate action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
His Royal Majesty stated that “the Global Climate Finance Framework as articulated in Dubai calls for an investment value of $5 – $7 trillion per year in order to green the global economy by 2030. The LUMI is the only financial instrument in the world today that is structured and positioned to achieve such ambitious targets, while simultaneously financing sustainable development and supporting the eradication of global poverty. The African Diaspora Central Bank is positioned
to eradicate poverty and facilitate development within Africa and throughout the Diaspora, while the World Indigenous Bank is positioned to transform and develop indigenous communities around the world.”
His Royal Majesty further stated that “during the past 500 years of foreign captivity and affliction the aboriginal community sheltered and adopted the African Diaspora for which we are eternally grateful. Now in the 21st century, we can work together in a free global economy, mixing modern solutions with ancient traditions, to heal our planet and move beyond the miseries of the past. In this spirit, the World Indigenous Bank in Hawai’i will be an important game changer for everyone.”
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Nation of Hawai’i News Agency
Grace Lum, Director of Press
Email: gracelnewsagency@nohgov.com
About the Nation of Hawai’i
The Independent & Sovereign Nation State of Hawai’i is deeply rooted in its cultural heritage and committed to preserving its unique natural beauty, ecological diversity, and cultural traditions. The Nation strives to lead by example in environmental conservation that is centered in ‘ike Hawai’i, Ahupua’a restoration and the adoption of renewable energy and sustainable technologies, demonstrating its dedication to a cleaner and more sustainable future for all.
In a momentous encounter on Friday, February 16, 2024, the Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Vanuatu, H.E Amb. Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee, became the first African tk address the Parliament of the the Republic of Vanuatu.
The engagement, was to brief the House on activities in Ghana and how to exploit the huge untapped potentials between the two countries and to foster relations for mutual benefit.
Speaker of Vanuatu’s Parliament, Rt.Hon. Simeon Seoule Davidson Parliament in his welcome address, commended H.E Professor Hugh Aryee and the Trade Commisson in Ghana as a collective for their proactive initiatives to market to the world the Republic of Vanuatu’s ‘Open Door’ policy.
His address touched on the historical significance of the invitation, particularly to Africa as a whole.
Honourable Simeon Seoule, could not hide his excitement and willingness to engage the African community since his election on June 15, 2021.
Rt. Honourable Simeon Seoule, who is also the Member of Parliament and Epi Constituency acknowledged the profound historical connection between Africa and Vanuatu, tracing back to the early settlement and migration during the Oceania formation, particularly the origins of Melanesians.
Emphasizing the Trade Commissioner Aryee’s role in facilitating trade and economic development between Ghana, West Africa, and Vanuatu, the Honorable Speaker of the Republic of Vanuatu expressed optimism that the Trade Commissioner’s visit would open up new business opportunities, strengthen cultural exchanges, and foster mutual cooperation.
He also envisioned a collaborative effort between Ghana and Vanuatu for a shared and progressive future.
The Vaunatu Trade Commissionerto Ghana H.E Amb. Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee thanked Rt. Hon Simeon Seoule for the warm reception pledging committee to facilitate business linkages for shared growth of the two countries.
and shared insights into his initiatives.
PROMOTING VANUATU IN GHANA, AFRICA AND THE WORLD
The Trade Commissioner highlighted the importance of his role in promoting Vanuatu to West Africa and the entire continent.
He briefed the Members of Parliament on the successful hosting of the VACONGHA 2023 fair that showcases Vanuatu’s products and businesses.
HE Amb. Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee drew to the attention of the Vanutu Parmiament, visa-acquisition -related challenges faced by many Ghanaians and Africans who wish to visit Vanuatu.
He stressed the need to streamline necessary protocols especially on foreigners visiting Vanuatu for business, investment, or tourism.
The Trade Commissioner extended an invitation to the Vanuatu Parliament to visit Ghana
The visit he explained will not only give him the opportunity to not only to meet Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament on shared values and to open up direct engagements with government official as well as stakeholders on areas of investment, business, trade, tourism.
The meeting concluded with a presentation of gifts by the Rt.Hon. Speaker Rt.Hon. Simeon Seoule Davidson to H.E Amb.Prof. Hugh Aryee, symbolizing the mutual goodwill between Republic of Vanuatu and Ghana.
Both Honourable Simeon Seoule and Trade Commissioner Aryee expressed anticipation for continued visits, cooperation, and mutual benefits between Ghana and Vanuatu.
The historic encounter lays the groundwork for strengthening of ties and collaborative endeavors between Ghana, Africa and the Republic of Vanuatu- Professor Hugh Aryee emphasized.
Renowned Ghanaian musician and songwriter, Kwame Nsiah-Apau, known professionally as Okyeame Kwame recently stirred a buzz on social media by sharing a picture of himself in his customized boxer shorts (love equation by OK), and the response from fans, according to him, has been overwhelmingly positive.
In an exclusive interview on TV XYZ with Afia Owusu, the ‘Yeeko’ hitmaker expressed his surprise at the flood of encouraging feedback and messages he received in response to the seemingly unconventional post. He detailed that he never considered any of the comments on his post a negative one because believes people are bound to talk about anything one does.
The crooner, who is known for his music and fashion sense, shared that he wanted to break stereotypes and challenge societal norms with the post. He conveyed his belief that self-expression should not be confined by traditional expectations, and the positive reactions from his followers reinforced this notion.
”I didn’t receive any negative comments…not even a single one. I knew what I was doing, I’m not a kid you know. So all the messages and feedback that I received were positive for me. After people are bound to talk about anything you do,” he said.
Okyeame further disclosed that he received a lot of messages in his Dm with some expressing their admiration for him and requesting for his phone number.
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