Gabon’s military coup has overthrown a powerful political dynasty. Here’s what to know

 Gabon’s military coup has overthrown a powerful political dynasty. Here’s what to know.

Ousted Gabon president: The people here have arrested me

 — 

A military coup thrust the Central African nation of Gabon into turmoil Wednesday, unseating the president – whose family had held power for more than half a century – just minutes after he was named the winner of a contested election.

Ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, also known as Ali Bongo, has faced accusations of election fraud and corruption since he began ruling the oil-rich but poverty-stricken nation nearly 14 years ago. Following the coup, residents in the country’s capital were seen celebrating and embracing soldiers on the street.

But much remains uncertain, with Bongo reportedly under house arrest, his son arrested, all borders closed and the government ostensibly shut down. International leaders have expressed concern and condemnation of the coup, some warning their citizens in Gabon to shelter in place.

How did the coup happen?

The military’s power grab began Wednesday, shortly after Gabon’s election authority said Bongo had been re-elected president following last weekend’s election.

Men in army uniforms announced on national television that they had seized power. They said the election results were voided, all borders shut, and numerous government bodies dissolved, including both houses of parliament.

The coup leaders said Bongo had been placed under house arrest, surrounded by “family and doctors.” The ousted president’s son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, was arrested alongside six others for “high treason.”

A video aired by the Agence France-Presse news agency shows Bongo seated in what looks like a library, saying he was “at the residence” and didn’t know what was happening. “My son is somewhere, my wife is another place,” he said.

It was not immediately clear under what circumstances the clip was filmed.

Meanwhile, the junta named Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema – who was once the bodyguard of Bongo’s late father, the previous ruler of Gabon – as a transitional leader.

Speaking to French newspaper Le Monde on Wednesday, Oligui claimed Bongo was enjoying “all his rights” as a “normal Gabonese” citizen.

 

What’s it like on the ground?

Videos of celebration in Gabon circulated online Wednesday, including footage of soldiers carrying Oligui on their shoulders and shouting “president.”

Residents in the capital Libreville were seen dancing on the streets, according to videos shared with CNN and posted on social media. In one video obtained by CNN, people can be seen shouting “liberated!” and waving the Gabon flag in the Nzeng Ayong district of the capital, alongside military vehicles. 

Similar scenes played out in other parts of Gabon, including the second-largest city Port-Gentil.

Some members of the Gabonese diaspora also celebrated Wednesday, with students from Gabon gathering outside the country’s embassy in Dakar, Senegal.

“I assure you that what the Gabonese people wanted was just for the Bongo PDG system to leave power,” one student said, referring to Bongo’s political party, according to Reuters. “Because as we said, 60 years is too much.

Read More;https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/08/31/africa/gabon-military-coup-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html

 An Accra High Court has directed the Special Prosecutor to return the cash amounts seized from the residence of the former Minister of Sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah, within seven days.  

This directive comes after she became entangled in a legal dispute that resulted in the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) confiscating her assets. Nevertheless, the court has now overturned this action and instructed the OSP to return the confiscated funds to her.

The former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah has opposed application of the Office of the Special Pros­ecutor (OSP) seeking to freeze her accounts and seize her property.

This follows the OSP’s filing of a motion for confirmation of or­der of freezing and seizure of the former minister’s tainted property.

The OSP said to facilitate inves­tigations, it considered it necessary for the issuance of a “freezing order against the bank account and investment of the former Minister at Prudential Bank Lim­ited and Societe General Ghana in accordance with Section 38 (1) of Act 959 and regulation 19 (I) of LI 2374.”

Subsequently, the OSP conduct­ed searches in three residential properties associated with the former minister at Cantonments Abelemkpe and Tesano all in Accra.

In a virtual sitting of the High Court, Victoria Barth, who represent­ed Madam Dapaah, contended that

 the application of the OSP was brought in flagrant of the OSP’s own enabling law and same sought to perpetrate the arbitrary exercise of powers based on nothing more than suspicion fueled by misrep­resentation of facts and media frenzy.

Dr Isidore Tufour, Counsel for the OSP, argued that the applica­tion of the OSP was in line with Special Prosecutor’s Act, Act (959) to prevent the concealment of a property believed to be tainted with corruption.

The court, after listening to arguments of the parties, fixed August 31, 2023, to rule on wheth­er it could confirm the OSP’s application.

The OSP had written letters to two banks to freeze the accounts of the former Sanitation Minister in its bid to conduct investigations into suspected corruption-related offences.

The OSP earlier said it found $590,000 and GH¢2,730,000 in the home of the former minister during a search on July 24, 2023.

The investigations fol­lowed news reports that the former minister’s domestic help had allegedly stolen $1million, 300,000 Euros and personal effects of the minister and her husband. Follow­ing public uproar over the alleged theft, the minister resigned, but was picked up by the OSP and granted bail. — GNA. 

 

• Business

We need to raise agriculture to a higher plane – Akufo-Addo

By

 Laud Narte

 -

August 29, 2023

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Monday, 28th August 2023, launched Phase Two of Government’s flagship programme on agriculture, “Planting for Food and Jobs”, at the University for Development Studies, in Tamale.

Targeted at building on the successes of the initial programme, the second phase of the programme is a five-year master plan for the transformation of agriculture in Ghana with focus on modernisation through the development of a selected commodity value chain and active private sector participation.

Speaking at the launch, President Akufo-Addo stated that the second phase, by design, “takes a holistic view and places greater emphasis on value chain approaches by focusing on strengthening linkages between actors along eleven selected agricultural commodity value chains broadly categorised into grains, roots and tuber, vegetables and poultry.”

He added that Phase Two of the Programme also seeks to improve service delivery to maximise impact, and substitutes direct input subsidy with smart agricultural financial support in the form of comprehensive input credit, with provision for in-kind payment.

The President disclosed further that key elements of the new phase also include an input credit system that provides farmers with access to inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides and other support services for improving productivity and yield as well as storage infrastructure and logistic hub to improve storage and distribution of produce to reduce post-harvest losses.

Additionally, it also includes off-taker arrangements/commodity trading to improve farmer access to markets which guarantees fair prices for crops; and a digitised platform for management, monitoring and coordination to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the programme.

“The impact of the Programme is expected to be in the area of job creation, with some one-point-two million (1.2 million) farmers to be enrolled in the first year. In the next four (4) years, the Programme is destined to record an annual average of two hundred and ten thousand (210,000) new farm-related jobs. This will exclude other jobs along the agricultural value chains estimated at an annual average of four hundred and twenty thousand over the same period,” President Akufo-Addo said.

It will be recalled that, On Wednesday, 19th April, 2017, President Akufo-Addo launched the maiden “Planting for Food and Jobs” programme at Goaso in the Ahafo region to represent government’s key initiative to modernise agriculture, improve production efficiency, achieve food security, and profitability for our farmers. It summarily targeted a significant increase in agricultural productivity and pursued a value-addition strategy, aimed at rapidly ramping up agro-processing and developing new and stable markets.

The President noted that, the successful implementation of the first phase has resulted in reaching over 2.7 million farmers and other value chain actors under the five modules, a relatively stable food security environment with food self-sufficiency in major food staples such as maize, cassava and yam and an increased agricultural sector growth rate from 2.7% in 2016 to an average of 6.3% from 2017 to 2021.

He continued that, as a result of this, “Government has, thus, been able to achieve the annual target of six percent (6%) of sector growth, set under the Malabo Declaration to which Ghana is a signatory, increased fertilizer application rate from eight kilogrammes per hectare (8 kg/ha) in 2016 to twenty-five kilogrammes per hectare (25 kg/ha) in 2022, an increased distribution of certified seeds from two thousand metric tons (2,000 MT) in 2016 to thirty-six thousand metric tons (36,000 MT) in 2022 and an increased private sector investment in the seed industry.”

The President was happy to disclose that, “a recent Summit, organised by the United Nations on the need to build country food systems in September 2021 in New York and at the AU Dakar II Summit in January 2022, underscored the need for the review of strategies for delivering solutions to challenges in the agricultural sector” as such “it is praise-worthy that Ghana has responded to the call to action at both Summits by rolling out the Second Phase of the PFJ Programme.”

“I continue to give you my pledge that farmers, food crop farmers, fish farmers and livestock farmers will all have the support and respect they deserve from my government. We need to raise agriculture to a higher plane to be able to improve on the quality of life for our people,” he assured”.

Read More;https://3news.com/we-need-to-raise-agriculture-to-a-higher-plane-akufo-addo/#respond

UK's ACTOR JASON STATHAM BIGGER THAN GHANA

By MODESTUS EBO ANNAN 

Jason Statham Laughed at $29.4 Billion MCU’s Lucrative Offer, Refused to Make His Marvel Debut In Chris Evans’ Captain America: Meanwhile Ghana begs IMF for 3 Billion Bailout 

 When given a chance to make his Marvel debut as Captain Britain in Captain America: Civil War, action star Jason Statham laughed off the opportunity, sending shockwaves throughout the MCU. In May 2022, it was reported that Marvel Studios was considering adding British superheroes to the MCU, including the iconic character of Captain Britain's 

But in a twist of fate, Jason Statham’s reaction to the offer was completely unexpected. Statham reportedly laughed when offered the role of Captain Britain, according to YouTuber Mr. Mystique. Given that he was already 47 years old at the time, the actor joked that the studio would have to cast an actor 15 years younger than him.

Statham’s response took aback the studio and was unsure of what to do next. A major obstacle for the makers of Captain America: Civil War was Jason Statham’s refusal to play Captain Britain. The actor’s laughter made it clear that including Captain Britain in the film would not work, so Marvel Studios scrapped the idea. Substantial alterations to the script were made due to this choice, changing the nature of the central superhero conflict. 

Meanwhile :

IMF Agrees $3 Billion Bailout for Ghana to Stabilize Economy, Manage Debt

Ghana secured a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion bailout, a key step in the West African nation’s plans to restructure its unsustainable debt.

The accord, which still requires IMF board approval, enables the government to address its precarious public finances and support the cedi — the world’s worst-performing currency tracked by Bloomberg this year. Investor concerns about ballooning government debt — forecast to exceed the size of its economy this year — led to a selloff of government bonds that effectively locked the country out of global capital markets. 

Opinion  

How can a country that needs much as much $3 $Billion  lose so much as much as 60 million GHC which is uncounted for , plans to Construct $25 million headquarters. What could this mean? 

Read more ;https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/economy/2022/12/13/imf-agrees-to-ghana-3bn-debt-bailout

Read more ;https://fandomwire.com/jason-statham-laughed-at-29-4-billion-mcus-lucrative-offer-refused-to-make-his-marvel-debut-in-chris-evans-captain-america-civil-war/

 Even Bob Marley and 2Pac didn't win Grammys so leave Ghanaian musicians alone — Wendy Shay

Ghanaian songstress Wendy Shay has questioned critics who claim Ghanaian artists cannot fill larger venues when performing abroad and also win Grammy Awards.

Why has Filling 02 and winning Grammys become the standard to measure the success of an artist?

"Bob Marley and 2Pac are successful musicians but have never won a Grammy. Let Ghanaian musicians breathe! Ghana, wake up!" her tweet reads.

This achievement by Asake sparked conversations about how Ghanaian musicians have done nothing of the sort.

On the part of Wendy Shay, she said the supposed achievement is not the standard for successful musicians.

In a tweet on Sunday, August 27, the Uber driver crooner posited that even the greatest musicians like Bob Marley and Michael Jackson didn’t win Grammys or fill the O2 Arena.

DZATA CEMENT SCAM ALERT

A victim shares his encounter how he nearly got scammed. He shares the details of his experience below:

I saw an advertisement of a vacancy on what's app that Dzata cement is recruiting people into various department. They had their details in the circular so I went forward to call the numbers provided. Upon interaction with the official from the office, they are recruiting and they have even organized  training sessions for those who have already applied, they have available accomodations for the recruits and they now have limited slot for application. This person demanded that I purchased a link of 200GHC in order to secure a slot before the next day since there is limited opportunity.

I quickly realized he is preying on me seeing how desperate I was to get a job. But again why do you extort from one who is not working, would I be crying for help if I had enough money to spend then to share? 

I right away knew it's a scam because iv had several encounters with such miscreants so I recorded the conversation.

Below are the details of the circular : 

DZATA CEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
 WORKERS NEEDED URGENTLY
_________________________
*DRIVERS
*SECURITY
*FACTORY WORKERS
*ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
AND MORE
PLEASE QUICKLY CALL THIS NUMBER NOW
_________________________
CALL 233241830342
WHAT'S APP 233241830342

Video here👇👇👇 👇

 

It's very  unfortunate that most of the youth of Africa in countries like Ghana and Nigerian develops schemes of how to dupe and extort money from people. Could we associate this with joblessness, bad character or misplacement of human resource priorities . This communique is to  let you  beware of how fraudsters are taking advantage of vulnerable people. 

Comedian Steve Harvey’s Wife Marjorie Elaine Cheated On Him With His Bodyguard & Personal Chef? Divorce Rumours Spread Like A Wildfire After Alleged Incident!

  Comedian Steve Harvey’s Wife Marjorie Elaine Cheated On Him With His Bodyguard & Personal Chef? Divorce Rumours Spread Like A Wildfire After Alleged Incident!

Are the reports about Steve Harvey’s wife Marjorie cheating on him and later filing for divorce true? Here’s everything we know.

By Modestus Team -August 28, 2023

Steve Harvey’s Wife Marjorie Elaine Harvey Cheated On Him With His Bodyguard & Personal Chef & Filed For Divorce?

Steve Harvey’s Wife Marjorie Elaine Harvey Cheated On Him With His Bodyguard & Personal Chef & Filed For Divorce? (Picture Credit: Instagram)

Steve Harvey needs no introduction. He is one of the most well-known and beloved hosts, comedians, and actors, who has worked on many reality shows so far. He never fails to bring smiles to his fans’ faces and crack jokes when on stage with a mic in his hand. The TV host has also solved his fans’ problems including their families, but now, he is trending on Twitter for all the wrong reasons. It was recently reported that Steve Harvey’s wife Marjorie Elaine Harvey has cheated on him and filed for divorce, but a new one says it is all fake.

Harvey began his career as a standup comedian in the early 80s and since then, has come a long way. His popularity has no bounds and so does the viewership of the shows he hosts. Since 1981, Harvey has been married thrice and has had seven children. He was first married to Marcia Harvey for four years and later tied the knot with Mary Lee Harvey in 1996. When they parted ways in 2005, the host got married to Marjorie in 2007.

By the end of August 26, Steve Harvey was trending on Twitter for two reasons. One was his tweet asking fans to name a comedian that does not make them laugh. The host revealed that it was a step taken by his social media manager for engagement and added that he has fired the person responsible for tweeting such a thing. On the other hand, a new report claimed some setbacks in Steve and Marjorie’s marital life 

 GHANAIAN ECONOMY LUCKING BASIC ECONOMIC DECENCY.

By: MODESTUS EBO ANNAN 

Looking into the food inflation basket, it is realized that an insignificant change or happenings and other external factors relating to the economy dominantly affects major parts of the Ghanaian economy.  

Prices of food escalate day by day in Ghana as a result of happenings in other countries. This should be mainly effects of  improper and mismanagement of the Ghanaian system.  

As it stands now, most foods on the  Ghanaian market are items imported from neighboring and other foreign countries ranging from basics items such as tomatoes, maze beans, onions, soya ,rice, frozen foods such as fish and chicken are and other tin foods are all import items . Surprisingly these a the most consumed foods by the citizenry. 

 The agric sector haven't been resourced enough to feed the populis and as a result most foods are imported from outside the shores of the country in commerical qualities. Billions of cedis are allocated for importation annually instead of production. 

The government has largely attributes COVID for the nation's economic woes . Again Russia and Ukraine war was also touted as another predicament which placed so much pressure and distress on the citizenry. The current Niger coup d'etat is increasingly making negative Waves again on the Ghanaian economy especially on basic amenities  in the likes of beans, soya onions maze, millet and others. 

In the midst of very high unemployment coupled with very high inflation how do people survive in such environment?

Kwame Eugene’s attire choice sparks controversy at late father’s 40th day

 

Kwame Eugene’s attire choice sparks controversy at late father’s 40th day observation 

Popular Ghanaian High-life and Afrobeat singer-songwriter, Kuami Eugene is under fire once again for the choice of outfit for his late father’s 40th day observation at New Fadama in Accra. 

The unconventional outfit chosen by the 2020 VGMA Artiste of The Year has ignited a flurry of reactions, inciting both debate and criticism.

The solemn occasion meant to honour his father, Alex Marfo’s memory, saw the Lynxx Entertainment signee clad in a strikingly unorthodox ensemble.

The attire featured a black long-sleeve shirt, trousers, platform boots, and even earrings—a combination that strayed from the conventional funeral attire often observed in Ghanaian culture.

Videos circulating on social media captured the artist strolling alongside his entourage, seemingly at ease.

He appeared relaxed, even chewing gum, as he made his way to the service venue.

However, this casual demeanour appeared to clash with the gravity of the event and drew widespread criticism.

READ MORE: Kuami Eugene’s fashion choice at the 2023 BET Awards sparks fan reactions

Critics swiftly took to social media to express their disapproval. They argued that Kuami Eugene’s chosen attire was unfitting for a funeral service, especially one that commemorated his own father.

The outfit was decried as ill-suited and lacking the gravitas that such an event traditionally commands.

A social media user kwamsofficial posted, “Oh, spirit of dressing enter kuami .. wai?” while another user, ampofowaa1 shared “See hairstyle and shoe wei”

Many Ghanaians have voiced their disappointment over how the modern and flashy outfit stood in stark contrast to the customary clothing that is typically donned at funerals in Ghana.

“At your father’s funeral…..???? Asking for a friend, you can’t do this in Ashanti kingdom  Never  At your father’s…????” another poster queried.

As the backlash surged, some individuals offered an alternative perspective questioning why Ghanaians were constantly attacking the 27-year-old.

“So everything this guy will do, people will talk negatively about it, what is it?” Another user quizzed angrily.

Another shared, “When it comes to Eugene, only negative comments what at all has he done wrong hmm.”

This incident is not the first time Kuami Eugene’s fashion choices have come under scrutiny.

Recently during his appearance at the BET Awards in L.A, he was criticised for wearing an outfit most described as a “school uniform”

The artiste’s outfits at other events over the years have consistently spurred discussions.

Many have pointed fingers at him and his stylist, questioning their creativity and ability to navigate the balance between artistic expression and cultural sensitivity.

However, Kuami Eugene in the past has defended himself, revealing that he pays no heed to his critics because he has exceptional taste in style.

During an interview on the Delay Show on TV3, he disclosed that his style choices were crucial in show business.

 

“I know how to dress, I’m an Akyem man. My fashion sense is not to impress others. It’s showbiz, sometimes getting people to talk is part of it” he declared.

Kuami Eugene lost his dad on Sunday, July, 23,2023 after his battle with an undisclosed illness.

Details of the funeral are yet to be announced, however, several Ghanaian celebrities and showbiz personalities including Bola Ray, Richie and others were present to support the “Cryptocurrency” singer at the 40th-day observation of his dad’s passing.

PRESUMPTIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS

 PRESUMPTIONS AND REALITIES 0.1

It's not an easy task to make someone your responsibility,to care,to love, and to share all you have with them.

This many times could be done for our biological offspring. Sometimes we don't even do it for our brothers, how much more an external partner. 

This is a true story that happened between two good friends who met on a training field, they came to know each other intensely that they could predict the next action of each other. They had great synergy that they could think the same and even take same actions and decisions from different locations. 

Life became tough at a point in time and they decided to embark on a journey abroad to search greener pastures to take care of themselves and anyone that goes first will come for the other. 

They had one savings for 5 years and their budget could only afford one of them for the journey. All preparation were done and they needed not to promise anything because their bond could not be separated and non had evil intentions for the other.

PRESUMPTIONS AND REALITIES

0.2

After 5 months staying abroad, there comes the realization that the presumption of glitters and gold abroad is not really the reality but one must till the land have, sleepless nights all time just to mobilize couple of currencies .  

The idea to accumulate in other to serve both partners gradually was going down the drainNew environment, shifting nights upon nights was there order of the day and this changed the entire concept of the day. In abroad there was an encounter with another partner who promised to help make things easier and yes it happened . There was a good ground now and one has made it big time by the help of new friend.  

Home country was in expectant that the faithful friend will send support home after many months and years went down.

PRESUMPTION AND REALITIES

0.3 final

Presumptuous friend sought for means to reach reality friend abroad but all effort proved futile.The friend abroad now considers that , times has changed and is exposed to many things , environment, different people and higher level, creating forgetfulness of bond built in home country.

presumptuous  friend still lives in anticipation with the expectation that faithful friend will remember and extend a hand home, but the reality is that the good friend has moved on abroad. *What will you do if it were You?

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