KobbyJosvan

Author: Kobby Josvan

  • Vodafone is now Telecel

    Vodafone is now Telecel

    Telecel Ghana is the new name that Vodafone Ghana has alluded to.

    This was disclosed in a post on social media.

    This occurs one year after Telecel’s acquisition of Vodafone Ghana was authorised by the National Communication Authority.

    According to Joe Anokye, the Director-General (DG) of NCA, Telecel has become the majority shareholder as of 2023. The GoG, via the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), is also a minority shareholder, holding 30% of the company.

    For at least a year, Telecel Ghana has been conducting business under the Vodafone brand.

    The anticipated rebranding of Vodafone as Telecel would occur concurrently with the declaration of Significant Market Power (SMP) by MTN Ghana, the industry leader in the market. This is a component of the steps taken to provide industry participants with a more effective level playing field.

    The smaller mobile network operators (MNOs) have benefited asymmetrically from GH¢86.6 million in savings over the past two years as a result of MTN Ghana’s designation as an SMP.

    The SMP was created, among many other purposes, to level the playing field, limit the company’s capacity to control its profit margin, manipulate tariffs, and perhaps erect obstacles in the way of potential new competitors or smaller market players.

    Currently, Vodafone Ghana holds a market share of roughly 18% in mobile phone usage. It is anticipated that Telecel’s presence will lead to an increase in the company’s market share.

  • Ghanaian fitness athlete breaks Guinness World Record [Photos]

    Ghanaian fitness athlete breaks Guinness World Record [Photos]

    Fast-rising strongman and powerlifter Evans Nana Ekow Aryee, better known as “Evans the Hulk,” has raised the profile of Ghana once more by breaking a Guinness World Record.

    The Ghanaian athlete living in Belgium broke the record for the fastest 400 kg incline frame carry over a 10-meter course.

    On January 26, 2024, in Milan, Italy, he finished the task on the Lo Show Dei Record set in just 8.07 seconds.

    Prior to this accomplishment, Evans finished as the first runner-up in the recently concluded Belgian East Flanders Strongest Competition.

    According to reports, Evans served as the dining hall prefect at the Senior High School (SHS) located on the Cape Coast and graduated from Adisadel College in 2015.

  • Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger leave ECOWAS

    Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger leave ECOWAS

    Three West African countries under military rule have declared their quick exit from the ECOWAS regional organisation, citing the organisation as a threat to its constituents.

    In a joint statement released on Sunday, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso stated that they “decide in complete sovereignty on the immediate withdrawal” from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    According to the statement, ECOWAS “has become a threat to its member states and its population under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles.”

    The three nations charged that the regional organisation was enforcing “illegal, illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible sanctions” while failing to assist them in their battle against “terrorism and insecurity.”

    Since military takeovers occurred in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023, relations between the three countries and ECOWAS have been strained.

    In response, the regional organisation placed severe sanctions on Niger and Mali and suspended all three nations.

    Niger attempted to mend its relationship with ECOWAS on Friday by inviting its representatives to the capital, Niamey; however, only a delegation from Togo attended.

    The prime minister of Niger nominated by the army, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, bemoaned “bad faith within this organisation.”

    The military chiefs of the three countries have united in the so-called “Alliance of Sahel States” with the aim of combating the emergence of violent armed groups within their borders.

    The three nations have severed their military ties to the former colonial power, France. Prior to the coups, France maintained a significant military presence throughout the Sahel, but it declared that it would be leaving the three nations.

    The threat that armed groups may expand southward and into the more stable coastal nations of Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast has increased in light of the French military withdrawal and the economic sanctions imposed on already vulnerable economies.

    In the first half of 2023, there were over 1,800 attacks in West Africa, which led to almost 4,600 deaths and severe humanitarian consequences. A senior regional official for ECOWAS claimed that this was only “a snippet of the horrendous impact of insecurity.”

  • “How I Dumped My Boyfriend Who Told Me to Choose Between Him and My Career” – Anita Akuffo

    “How I Dumped My Boyfriend Who Told Me to Choose Between Him and My Career” – Anita Akuffo

    Ghanaian multiple award winning Journalist Anita Akuffo has shared her experience of overcoming an ex-boyfriend who almost made her give up on her love.

    Anita shared an Instagram stories, that she wanted to compete in the Ghana Institute of Journalism’s Miss Malaika Pageant during level 200 at university level.

    She stated that Miss Malaika would be the perfect way for her to fulfil her dream of working in television, which she had always had.

    But her partner was adamantly opposed to the plan after they had a conversation about it. He kept nodding along, even after she gave him the rundown on all the benefits of entering the pageant.

    He went so far as to ask her to choose between him and her career. Demonstrating her self-awareness, Anita bravely decided to follow her career and then tried out for the Miss Malaika Pageant.

    She was able to secure several ambassadorial positions as a result of her decision.

    Anita went ahead to advise young women to be with people who support their dreams.

    See a screenshot of her post below:

  • Meta tool to prevent teens’ private messages from nude images

    Meta tool to prevent teens’ private messages from nude images

    Meta has announced that later this year, it will introduce a new safety tool to prevent kids from sending and receiving nude photos, especially in encrypted chats.

    Adults can also use the tool on Facebook and Instagram, and it is probably optional.

    It comes after the government and police criticised Meta for encrypting Messenger conversations by default.

    They claim that encryption will make it more difficult for the company to identify child abuse.

    The new feature, according to Meta, is exclusively intended to shield users—under-13s are not permitted to use its platforms—especially women and teenagers, from receiving or being coerced into sending nude photos.

    It also revealed that messages from strangers on Instagram and Messenger would by default not be accessible to minors.

    The increase in child sexual offences in England and Wales was attributed, according to police chiefs, to children sending nude photos earlier this month.

    Additionally, court documents recently made public as part of a US lawsuit against Meta claim that the company has evidence that 100,000 teenage Facebook and Instagram users are subjected to daily online sexual harassment. The lawsuit, according to Meta, misrepresents its work.

    To help shield teenagers from offensive images in their messages, the tech giant unveiled a new feature on Thursday.

    More information about this system’s functionality in encrypted chats will be made public later this year.

    Government, law enforcement, and prominent children’s charities have strongly criticised Meta’s recent decision to impose end-to-end encryption (e2ee) as a default security measure for Facebook Messenger chats.

    E2ee indicates that only the sender and the recipient can read messages, which critics claim prevents Meta from identifying and reporting any content that may contain child abuse.

    Other messaging apps that use this technology and have vigorously defended it include Apple’s iMessage, Signal, and the Meta-owned WhatsApp.

    But some critics contend that in order to identify child abuse being transmitted through encrypted apps, platforms ought to implement a method known as client-side scanning.

    Systems on a user’s device that check messages for matches with publicly available images of child abuse before they are encrypted and sent are referred to as client-side scanning. The company is notified of any messages that may contain unlawful content.

    The new system from Meta “shows that compromises that balance the safety and privacy rights of users in end-to-end encrypted environments are possible,” according to children’s charity the NSPCC.

    Meta claims that its new feature does not involve client-side scanning, which it claims compromises the primary privacy-preserving function of encryption, which is that messages are only known to the sender and recipient.

    According to the BBC, it will only use machine learning to detect nudity and run completely on the device. Meta claims that it is far more difficult to use machine learning to detect child abuse, and that if it were done across its billions of users, there would be a significant risk of error and the possibility of innocent people being reported with dire consequences.

    Rather, a number of methods are employed to safeguard kids, which, in Meta’s opinion, do not compromise privacy. These methods include:

    Systems that recognise suspicious behaviour in adults and prevent them from interacting with minors or from tracking down other suspicious adults.
    limiting the ability of adults over the age of 18 to message teenagers who do not follow them in order to prevent adults from communicating with minors.
    New tools
    In addition to releasing several new child safety features on Thursday, Meta claims to have launched more than thirty tools and resources to assist in keeping kids safe.

    According to an announcement, kids will by default not be able to receive messages on Instagram or Facebook Messenger from users they do not follow or are not connected to.

    Adults are already prohibited from messaging teenagers who disregard meta policies.

    Meta posted a blog post titled, “This new default setting limits who can message or add teens to group chats to people they already follow or are connected to.”

    Parents can now refuse requests from teenagers to modify their default safety settings, like who can direct message them or whether they can view more sensitive content, using the parental supervision tools. They were only informed of changes in the past.

    Source | BBC

  • Barcelona loses to Villarreal in an eight-goal thriller

    Barcelona loses to Villarreal in an eight-goal thriller

    Barça overcame a two-goal deficit to take the lead, but late goals from the visitors ended the comeback

    After conceding two goals deep into stoppage time, Villarreal defeated Barcelona in an eight-goal thriller that dropped Xavi’s team to 10 points below the top of La Liga.

    After trailing 2-0 until the hour mark, the hosts battled back with three goals in 11 minutes to take the lead.

    However, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, Alexander Sorloth gave the visitors a one-goal advantage after Villarreal had equalised with six minutes left.

    After 102 minutes, Jose Luis Morales added a fifth goal to complete the victory.

    After the loss, Barcelona, the reigning champions, are now in third place in the La Liga standings, eight points behind second-place Girona and ten points behind leaders Real Madrid.

    It comes after Athletic Bilbao defeated them 4-2 on Wednesday to send them out of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.

    Barcelona has now lost three of their last five games; their other loss during that run came in the Spanish Super Cup, where they were defeated 4-1 by Real Madrid.

    Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri, and an own goal by Eric Bailly helped Barcelona pull off a stunning comeback following goals from Gerard Moreno in the first half and Ilias Akhomach in the 54th minute.

    However, after Villarreal’s equaliser in the 84th minute through Goncarlo Guedes, the hosts were exposed in their quest for a late winner and were ultimately punished by late goals from Sorloth and Luis Morales.

    Real Madrid defeated Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday, coming back from behind to reclaim the lead. Girona will take on struggling Celta Vigo on Sunday (13:00 GMT).

    Source: BBC

  • Stonebwoy performs at the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards and the 2024 Presidential Gala Dinner [Video]

    Stonebwoy performs at the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards and the 2024 Presidential Gala Dinner [Video]

    On Friday, January 26, 2024, BET award-winning afropop singer Stonebwoy gave a performance at an event honouring and recognising African political and business leaders.

    The Presidential Gala Dinner and annual Africa Prosperity Champions Awards, which are hosted by Africa Prosperity Network in partnership with the Office of the President of the Republic of Ghana and the AfCFTA Secertariat, were created to honour and celebrate the achievements of notable Africans in a variety of fields that are in line with the Africa Prosperity Agenda.

    Astonishing audiences at the private industry event, the renowned Ghanaian musician—dubbed the “biggest music export from Ghana”—debuted his most recent single, “Believe in Africa,” accompanied by his band and orchestra. In an effort to create a better and more prosperous future, the song is an anthem that calls on Africans to embrace their history, celebrate their diversity, and band together.

    Along with drawing from his back catalogue, Stonebwoy also performed some timeless hits and meaningful tunes, including the Angelique Kidjo-assisted “Manodji” from his 5th Dimension album, as well as 2014’s “Run Go,” “Everlasting,” and “Into the Future.”

    H.E. Nana Akuffo Addo, the First Lady of Ghana, presided over the 2024 edition of the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards and Presidential Gala Dinner, which took place at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra.

    The former head of state of Ghana, Rebecca Akufo-Addo; the president of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; Mohammed Irfaan Ali; the president of the Republic of Togo; the president of Senegal; H.E. Macky Sall; and the president of Ethiopia, Sahle-Worķ Zewde, are just a few of the notable figures in the group.

  • Be a leader who is concerned about his people, Saddick Adams to Akufo Addo

    Be a leader who is concerned about his people, Saddick Adams to Akufo Addo

    Saddick Adams, a celebrated sports journalist, is also referred to as Obama has requested that Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo give sports in the nation top priority and implement workable plans to boost athletics.

    The well-known sports journalist claims that, with proper management, sports represent one of the main tourist opportunities for the country to increase its revenue.

    Saddick Adams challenged Nana Addo to be a good leader who is concerned about Ghana’s development in a statement posted on his X account.

    “Act with dignity as a leader who is concerned about the nation’s reputation. He wrote, “One of the main tourist destinations is football.”

    Additionally, he urged the president to direct the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, to publicly apologise to the Ghanaian people for their appalling performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

    “Assign your minister of sports to direct the GFA to apologise to the fans and the entire country for the embarrassment,” he continued.

    The 2018 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) sports journalist of the year commented on the five-member committee that the GFA formed to find a new coach for the Black Stars, the Ghanaian national team, saying that the committee should be dissolved because it is pointless.

    He said Nana Addo ought to “be a leader! Do not reward ineptitude and promote mediocrity. The Ghanaian standard has never been that. The two most terrible AFCON campaigns in our history have followed under your rule. DISMISS that fraudulent committee before they have a chance to embark on their pointless journey.

    “With all due respect, disband the committee responsible for finding a new coach for the Black Stars.” Our taxes will be used to pay thousands of dollars to the next coach. According to Saddick Adams.

    Dear @NAkufoAddo

    With all due respect, dissolve the committee that is to search for a new Black Stars coach.

    The next coach will be paid thousands of dollars with our taxes.

    Respectfully ACT as a leader who cares about the image of the country.

    Football is one of the biggest tourism avenues. Instruct your minister of sports to instruct the GFA to issue an apology to the entire nation and fans for the embarrassment.

    Hold on with the search and get a caretaker manager for the team.

    Demand an emergency technical and management report and budget of the AFCON and get neutral experts to properly investigate and appreciate the ills of the campaign.

    Be a leader! Do not encourage mediocrity and be rewarding incompetence. That has never been the Ghanaian standard.

    Your reign has characterized two successive most disastrous AFCON campaigns in our entire history.

    DISSOLVE that sham of a committee before they even start the walk to no where.

  • Adwoa Safo loses to Mike Oquaye Jr. for the Dome-Kwabenya seat

    Adwoa Safo loses to Mike Oquaye Jr. for the Dome-Kwabenya seat

    In the parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party, Mike Oquaye Jr. defeated Adwoa Safo to win the Dome-Kwabenya parliamentary seat.

    Dome Kwabenya Seat
    Adwoa Safo, the current member of parliament, was unable to hold onto her seat after Mike Oquaye Jr. won the primary. This achievement was significant. Among the party members in Dome-Kwabenya, the final results showed a clear preference for Mike Oquaye Jr.

    Defeated decisively in the New Patriotic Party parliamentary primaries against Mike Oquaye Jr., the CEO of the Free Zones Authority, was Adwoa Safo. With more than 1194 votes, Oquaye Junior defeated Adwoa Safo, who only received 328 votes.

    In the fiercely contested contest, Sheela Oppong Sakyi, the third contender, received just about 100 votes, good for a distant third place.

    This unexpected result appears to be changing the political landscape of Dome-Kwabenya.

    Mike Oquaye Jr. presented a serious challenge to Adwoa Safo, a well-known figure in the constituency and within the New Patriotic Party, and the electorate indicated that they preferred new leadership. The dynamics of Dome-Kwabenya politics have significantly changed as a result of her loss of her parliamentary seat.

    Political activities and engagements in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency are expected to increase as political parties prepare for the upcoming general elections.

  • Little girl, Mimi Boateng who hoisted the 2008 AFCON trophy in Ghana looking all grown up – PHOTOS

    Little girl, Mimi Boateng who hoisted the 2008 AFCON trophy in Ghana looking all grown up – PHOTOS

    Stunning images of a young girl, Mimi Boateng, who hoisted the 2008 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy have surfaced online in 2024 as she looks all grown up and beautiful.

    In 2008, Mimi Boateng, a stunning young girl, raised the AFCON Cup while being led in a palanquin.

    Many had previously questioned where the young girl had disappeared to after stealing the show during Ghana’s AFCON hosting.

    In 2008, Ghana held the Africa Cup of Nations with great success, featuring 16 teams in the competition.

    There were four major cities that hosted the competition: Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and Sekondi-Takoradi.

    See photos below;