Sunday, 8 June 2014

Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu urges Ghanafuo to clean up before the rain comes....




"We are entering the rainy season and there are floods in most parts of Ghana. One of the main reasons for these floods is our poor sewage system and throwing of rubbish into gutters and our surroundings... @sisterdeborah urges you on to start cleaning your community and surroundings now before the rains come." Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu(https://www.facebook.com/deborahvanessa007)


Image/Text: Gh one (https://www.facebook.com/GhOneEntertainment)


Paulina says: Very proud of Ghana Rising fave, Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu aka Sister Deborah for this sound initiative and wisdom.

Only just stumbled upon these words of wisdom ---way after seeing photos of the floods in our sweet homeland Ghana, -I only wished I had posted this earlier -as I'm firmly behind this massage...

In fact we (Ghanaians) don't have to wait until just before the rainy season -the streets of Ghana must be kept clean at all times.... So let Deborah Vanessa inspire you, get out there in your community and make a difference. Kudos Deborah Vanessa!!!

King Otumfo Osei Tutu II is named 5th richest monarch in Africa....



Title: The 5 Richest Kings In Africa


Africa may be full of democratically governed countries, but it is still the land of many kings. Sure, there are only three African countries with constitutional monarchies – Morocco, Swaziland and Lesotho — but there are several hundred traditional monarchs dispersed across Africa in urban, semi-urban and rural communities in independent countries. Mostly, these monarchs wield little or no formal political power, but they fulfil spiritual and ceremonial obligations to members of their community.

Being a traditional monarch in Africa can be a lucrative affair. A significant number of these rulers are formally recognized by state institutions and as a consequence, many of them receive generous stipends and allowances from the government. For example, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, the traditional King of the Zulu people, South Africa’s largest ethnic tribe, receives an annual allowance of about $6 million to cater to the needs of his royal household. He also gets to enjoy other perks like frequent private air travel and keeps an exotic collection of automobiles, all paid for by South Africa’s taxpayers.

Many African monarchs also earn a significant income through the goodwill and generosity of their communities. It is not uncommon for wealthy members of a tribe or community to give substantial sums of money, cars, land or houses to their traditional Kings in return for spiritual blessings or unrelated favors. And since these traditional monarchs may wield significant influence in political circles, some of them get invited join boards of large corporations. Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi (King) of Onitsha, a mid-sized commercial town in Nigeria’s southeastern region, serves as the Non-Executive Chairman of Unilever Nigeria, a large publicly-listed manufacturer of consumer goods, and he previously served as Chairman of Diamond Bank, a leading Nigerian commercial bank. Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who is the Alake (King) of Egbaland, a clan of Yoruba-speaking people in Nigeria, is the Chairman of Oando, a large Nigerian energy company.

Some of these rulers control large fortunes. Some have built their fortunes from scratch by starting successful enterprises and shrewdly reinvesting their profits into a diverse range of business concerns. Others have simply had wealth transferred to them by their forefathers.

Who are the wealthiest Kings in Africa? I spent quite a bit of time trying to find out.  In doing the research for this list, I excluded wealth held or controlled by rulers in trust for their nation or territory. Meet the 5 richest Kings in Africa.


Number 5
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ashanti, Ghana
Estimated net worth: $10 million
Source: Mining Equipment, Property, Jewelry

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the King of Ghana’s gold-rich Ashanti kingdom, home to the country’s largest ethnic group, the Asantes. He ascended the throne in 1999 and serves as the political and spiritual head of the Asante people. After studying in the United Kingdom, Osei Tutu II worked briefly in private and public organizations in the United Kingdom and Canada before returning to Ghana in 1989 to set up Transpomech Ghana, a $12 million (sales) company that provides mining equipment to several large industrial companies in Ghana. The King also owns extensive real estate in Ghana and South Africa as well as a collection of valuable gold crown jewels.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2014/06/03/the-5-richest-kings-in-africa/



Paulina says: Once again Ghanaian subtlety has won and the truth remains hidden from the world!!!

Just finished reading the above piece and I'm left wondering ----who are they talking about??? Surly they're not talking about the enterprising friend of late president Gaddafi or the new BFF of uber gold miner turned politician, Bernard Antwi Boasiako?????

If Forbes are in-deed-y talking about King Otumfo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene of the Ashanti world, then I thinks said figure is -uber conservative don't you?

Anywayssss, I've dropped a hint to Forbes above --but really, Forbes needs to give up on Ghanaian this and thats --because they will never find them!!!! Ghanaians simply don't talk or celebrate wealth the way other African nations do!!!  Because....... even though Ghanaians enjoy all the fine trappings of wealth, they would rather die than let you see it, apparently its far toooooooooo vulgar for the former British colony.

Nope, Ghanaians would rather make several trips a year to the likes of Dubai, London, NYC and (now) Paris to spend Ghana's GDP...sorry, their 'own' monies then drag 10 or 15 shopping bags around Marina Mall, Accra.

!Why don't they spend their monies back home in Ghana -you ask? You mean to boost Ghana's failing economy -say??? Why should they? They are rich and rich people do rich people thingssss -don't ya know???

Anywayssss,  'perfect  envy', 'perfect greed, perfect hatred, fear of cras -si--ni--sem, arm robbers and bloodc****t --means Ghana's uber rich/high net worth individuals will continue to stay hidden -forever!!!

Do visit:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2014/06/03/the-5-richest-kings-in-africa/ to read the full article....
 

Sarkodie wins Best Hip Hop award at 2014 MAMAs...............

Ghana's Sarkodie & 'Adorn' singer Miguel fooling around with that award.....



"Teamsark I looove you!!!! Thanks 2 God almighty!!! We won!!!! GHANA!!! Thanks for ur vote . God bless yall." Sarkodie via Twitter

Paulina says: Congratulations to Sarkodie for winning the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards' Best Hip Hop’ artist. Loving the above photo of Sarkodie and singer Miguel fooling around with his award... Hope Miguel is coming to Ghana -soon!!!  .....For more info visit: http://www.sarkcollection.com/
https://twitter.com/sarkodie

Saturday, 7 June 2014

Black Gold: Pan Andean Resources Limited to sue Ghana Government........


Title: The Scramble For Ghana’s Oil Blocks
Dated: 27 May 2014

…It Is Simply Messy
Even before the Government manages to pull itself out of the Miura Petroleum block scandal with all the ‘forged’ signatures, another scandal in the oil industry has popped up and this time round it is even messier.

An oil company by name Pan Andean Resources Limited is getting ready to take on the Ghana Government for breach of contract.

Indeed the company procured an Accra High Court injunction on March 27, 2014, to stay any further action on a license proposal that the Ghana Parliament is alleged to have approved in favor of Camac Energy Ghana Limited.

But reports reaching us say that Ghana Government and Camac Energy appear to have ignored the High Court Injunction and are proceeding with more actions on the transaction. On May 16, 2014 Camac Energy announced its new Petroleum Agreement with Ghana Government, proclaiming its acquisition of 1508 square kilometers of acreage water on the Tano block.

Pan Andean Resources contends that it signed a Petroleum Agreement with the Ghana Government for 1,532km2 onshore/shallow offshore on the Tano 2A block. The company says it is actually the second time it had signed the Petroleum Agreement on the same block because an earlier one they singed in 2008 was revised after the new Government took over.

Pan Andean says since 2010 it has invested Two Million Pounds in purchasing seismic and other data from GNPC and worked up leads and prospects on the Block. Unfortunately however on or about the 21st of March 2014, the Ministry of Energy submitted to Ghana’s Parliament a license proposal to take some portion of that same block (Tano 2A) and grant it to Camac Energy Ghana Limited and the proposal was approved.

It says what is intriguing is that on March 26, 2014 Camac Energy which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced that it had acquired “60 per cent interest” in a new Ghanaian Oil Block but on April 22, 2014 Camac Energy again announced that it actually owned only 30 per cent of the new block and that the rest of the shares are held by a subsidiary of the company but did not mention the shareholders or where the subsidiary is based.

Pan Andean Resources Limited says this purported action by the Ghana Government is clearly in breach of their existing Petroleum Agreement which remains valid as confirmed by correspondence from the Ministry of Energy dated March 4, 2014 and dispatched by the Ministry of Energy to Pan Andean Resources Limited on March 27, 2014.

As a result of these actions by the Ministry of Energy and the GNPC a writ was submitted on March 27, 2014 and an interlocutory injunction was put in place as of April 7, 2014 against GNPC and the Ghana Government.

Pan Andean Resources say they are deeply concerned not only for their own shareholders but also for the betterment of Ghana as this process has clearly breached all levels of transparency, accountability, rule of law that Ghana espouses to.

Source: http://vibeghana.com/2014/05/27/the-scramble-for-ghanas-oil-blocks/


Paulina says: Has Ghana's errrmmmm government (????) forgotten that the world is watching them? The going's on in Ghana is beyond shameful ---and discouraging.

 

Travel: Fastjet leaves Ghana....




Title: Africa’s Low Cost Airline Fly540 Exits Ghana And Angola Market
Dated: 21-May-2014

Africa’s low cost airline Fly540 has officially stopped its operation in Ghana and Angola in a continent wide restructuring program that will see it concentrate its efforts in its profitable markets in East and Southern Africa.

The budget airline, a subsidiary of FastJet, is said to be considering a $10 million offer from an interest buyer for its Ghanaian operation. I has already sent its employees in the west African country on an administrative leave and flown out its leased planes.

Fastjet interim chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ed Winter, said in a press statement that the company is currently focused on expanding the low cost fastjet network in East and Southern Africa by establishing bases in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa and these plans are progressing well.

“Management has been carefully considering how best to restructure the Fly540 business which we inherited and this is a highly significant and very positive development in that process,’’ Winter said.
‘’fastjet has concluded that, although these countries present very significant long-term opportunities for the fastjet low cost model, in the short term fastjet intends to fully focus on the considerable potential of opportunities in East and Southern Africa.’

Ghana Web reported the as a key part of the restructuring, two group-owned ATR aircraft previously operating in Ghana and Angola have been taken out of service and are currently in the process of being sold.

According to a report in Air Transport World, Fastjet, Africa’s budget carrier with its operating hub in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, said in a previous statement that the restructuring program is aimed at turning around its loss making Fly540 businesses in Angola and Ghana.
Currently, the Ghana and Angola businesses operate on a legacy airline model. Standard Digital reported that Fastjet believes that although both countries present significant long-term opportunities for its low-cost model, the optimum short-term potential is exploiting growth opportunities in East and Southern Africa.

Source: http://afkinsider.com/57085/africas-low-cost-airline-fly540-exits-ghana-angola-market/

Interiors/Design/Architecture: Scene Magazine.....



Cover page for the third Edition - The KUBA EDITION.. In stores now.. Grab a copy and have a HAPPY READ.




Paulina says: I believe Scene is Ghana's first interiors magazine -thus, I wish them the best. Do check out the More Info section below for more details about this new publication.
http://www.scenecatalogue.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SCENE.CATALOGUE


More Info
SCene® is one of SCENIC INITIATIVE’S (the leading company and publishers) broad marketing channels that seek to effectively establish, promote and advertise companies and professionals in interior and exterior designs as well as related products and services through carefully outlined and well executed multi-channel marketing strategies. SCene® presents to the target groups time-tested, result-oriented and innovative marketing platforms to reach both the local and international markets.
SCene® catalogue displays inspiring room ideas, modern folk living rooms, and classic gardens through the use of art, color schemes, palette of furniture and so on which makes it functional and fabulous to provide warmth, style and comfort in your own space at very affordable prices and giving you easy accessibility in finding where to buy what has been used in the space. It also aims at giving design & styling solutions for interiors & exteriors plus presale presentation & advice to enhance the value & image of the home and offices.

Friday, 6 June 2014

Words of Wisdom: Bill Cosby





 
 
 
They're standing on the corner and they can't speak English.

 I can't even talk the way these people talk:

 Why you ain't, ...
Where you is,
What he drive,
Where he stay,
Where he work,
Who you be... 

 And I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk. 

 And then I heard the father talk. 

 Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth.

 In fact you will never get any kind of job making a decent living.
 
People marched and were hit in the face with rocks to get an Education, and now we've got these knuckleheads walking around.

 The lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal.

 These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids.

 $500 sneakers for what?

 And they won't spend $200 for Hooked on Phonics.
 
I am talking about these people who cry when their son is standing there in an orange suit.

 Where were you when he was 2?

 Where were you when he was 12?

 Where were you when he was 18 and how come you didn't know that he had a pistol?

 And where is the father? Or who is his father?

People putting their clothes on backward: Isn't that a sign of something gone wrong?

 People with their hats on backward, pants down around the crack, isn't that a sign of something?
 
Isn't it a sign of something when she has her dress all the way up and got all type of needles [piercing] going through her body?

 What part of Africa did this come from?
 
 We are not Africans. Those people are not Africans; they don't know a thing about Africa .....
 
I say this all of the time. It would be like white people saying they are European-American. That is totally stupid.

 I was born here, and so were my parents and grand parents and, very likely my great grandparents. I don't have any connection to Africa, no more than white Americans have to Germany , Scotland , England , Ireland , or the Netherlands . The same applies to 99 percent of all the black Americans as regards to Africa . So stop, already! ! !

 With names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap ......... And all of them are in jail.
 
Brown or black versus the Board of Education is no longer the white person's problem.

 We have got to take the neighbourhood back.

 People used to be ashamed. Today a woman has eight children with eight different 'husbands' -- or men or whatever you call them now.

 We have millionaire football players who cannot read.

 We have million-dollar basketball players who can't write two paragraphs. We, as black folks have to do a better job.

 Someone working at Wal-Mart with seven kids, you are hurting us.

 We have to start holding each other to a higher standard..

 We cannot blame the white people any longer."
 
 Dr William Henry 'Bill' Cosby, Jr., Ed..D.