Samini launches “MTN Saminifest”. Update: 15 - Nov - 2014

MOBO award-winning artiste Samini has officially launched the first edition of Saminifest, an annual musical festival that
seeks to bring together music lovers, particularly numerous fans all over the world, to celebrate his astounding works and also showcasing class-act performances from leading Ghanaian artistes.
The dancehall artiste at the launch of the event said the event, Saminifest has come to stay. Today, I am here to brief you about an
important milestone in my life, a story that chronicles a journey from Music, Giving Back to Society and Doing Business as an Entrepreneur. Permit me to start with a little background, before coming back to our reason for gathering here this morning. Ten years ago, then a young boy, I set out to follow my passion and dream in Music. I was duly supported by a family and Mother who earned a living selling PITO, a local beverage I secretly refer to as Prosperity Inspired Through Talent Ordination [smile]- The ordination here presupposes God has been
good to us.It’s been a great journey from the days of Ashanti International to Samini Music/
HighGradeFamily; and from Batman to Samini. From Hiplife, Hi-life to helping shape the most
popular genre in Ghanaian music today-Dancehall.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you an annual musical festival that seeks to bring together music lovers, particularly my fans all
over the world, to celebrate my astounding works and also showcasing class-act performances from leading Ghanaian artistes.
It is called the “MTN Saminifest 2014?. The four-day event which kicks off on
December 3 will be climaxed with a mega
concert at the Trade Fair Center in Accra on
December 6.
Dec 3- Industry Workshop on Financial Planning at Dancestardom
Dec 4- A Photo and Video Exhibition at Dancestardom
Dec 5- African Market Day- FoodFest& Pre-
party @ Dancestardom
Dec 6- Saminfest Live (Main Concert) @ Trade Fair
Artistes billed for 2014 MTN Saminifest are
VVIP, Obrafour, 4X4, KK Fosu, Kokoveli, Stonebwoy, Kaakie, R2bees, Episode, Kofi Kinaata, Edem, Guru, MzVee, Paapa Yankson, Noble Nketiah, Jupitar, Koo Ntakara and many.others.
Celebrities present at the launch of 2014 MTN Saminfest were Obrafour, VVIP, Noble Nketia,
Kwaw Kese, Kaakie, Kofi Kinaata, Yaa Pono,
Episode, JMJ and others.

Ban On Public Smoking To Begin Updated: 15 -Nov -2014

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) , has affirmed that the ban on public smoking would be enforced soon . The Authority says it intend to organise intensive training programme on the Public
Health Act 2002 , Act 851 ( 6 ), for the security agencies , judiciary and other key institutions to
position them well for the rigid enforcement of the ban.
Mr Daniel Nti , a Regulatory Officer, at the Brong -Ahafo Regional Office of the Authority said this at the closing session of a 10- day training course for members of the Regional branch of the Ghana Progressive Hotels Association in Sunyani. It was organised by the Association in collaboration with Oasis Management Limited ,
a consultancy firm, and sponsored by the sponsored by the Skill Development Fund of the Council for Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (COTVET ).
The course was aimed at empowering the participants on safety rules in the hospitality
industry , and also help them to strictly adhere to standards in their work .
Mr Nti explained that since the passage of the Public Health Act , the Authority with support from other partners had engaged in continuous education on especially part six of the Act to sensitise the public. He emphasised that though education on the ban is still on- going some people continue to
smoke in public places warning that any person who are caught would be prosecuted.
Mr Nti said offenders are liable to a fine of not more than 750 penalty units or not more than
three years imprisonment or both .
He said according to the law it is an offence to sell tobacco product to persons below 18 years.
Mr Nti said FDA would soon embark on an exercise to inspect whether traders and retailers in tobacco business are adhering to
laid down guidelines . Traders or retailers who breach any provision
in the Act in the course of their business would also be arrested and prosecuted , he said.
Mr Charles Adu- Gyamfi, First National Vice President , of Ghana Progressive Hotels Association , expressed the need to for such
courses to be organised periodically for members of the Association to enable them strictly adhere to best cooking practices.
Mr Paul Bismark Gyasi, Regional Chairman of the Association commended the COTVET for the support and entreated participants to take advantage of the training to upgrade themselves.

‘Ghana Armed Forces need funds urgently. Update: 16 - Nov - 2014'

Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, Minister of Defence, on Friday appealed to the Ministry of Finance to as a matter of urgency release funds to solve
the numerous challenges facing the Ghana Armed Forces.
He noted that conditions at some of the military barracks in the country are not the
best and something ought to be done immediately.
Dr Kunbuor was addressing officers and men of the Third Battalion of Infantry (3BN) at the Sunyani liberation barracks as part of his
working visits to some garrisons in the country. The Minister of Defence spoke about the poor
sewage systems and access roads, obsolete logistics, and poor accommodation after touring the liberation barracks. Lieutenant Colonel Edward Awaribey,
Commanding Officer of the 3BN, who conducted the Defence Minister round some projects at the barracks, expressed optimism
that the poor sewage system at the garrison would be addressed as soon as possible.

NDC Regional Elections : Allotey Jacobs, Ade Coker , Others Win Updated: 15 -Nov -2014

Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has been elected as the new Central Regional Chairman of the ruling
National Democratic Congress (NDC ). Allotey Jacobs who was the former Director of Communications in the Central Region beat the
incumbent, Samuel Adu Yeboah by 127 votes. Samuel Ahianyo won the Regional Secretary position contest. Meanwhile, Joseph Ade Coker, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC has retained his seat by 157 votes while his closest contender , Daniel Amartey polled 103 votes. Henry Manly -Spain and Steven Akwetey polled
22 and 52 votes respectively .
Still in Greater Accra Region , Anthony Nukpenu and Alhaji Yahaya Kundow retained their seat as the Regional Organiser and Treasurer respectively . The Regional Secretary position was won by Victor Quarshie and the Assistant Secretary position went to Patricia Addy . The Propaganda Secretary position went to Jerry Johnson and his deputy will be Francis Nartey .

Robbers Break Into Asiedu Nketia ’s House Updated: 14 -Nov -2014

Robbers broke into the Oyarifa residence of the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC ), Johnson Asiedu
Nketia , Friday dawn. The robbers took away mobile phones, a
laptop and a bag containing unspecified amount of valuables.
The Greater Accra Regional Police command has confirmed the robbery .“ We have begun
investigations to find out those who were behind the crime but the police investigation indicated that the house was too opened to the
general public because they have access to the place 24 hours to fetch water from the house and that has a lot of security implications, ” the Public Relations Officer of the Greater Accra Regional Police Command ASP Afia Tenge told Accra- based Citi FM .
The robbers also made away with a CCTV monitor and recorder. The thieves cut part of the wiring of the back wall of the house and the burglar proof of the living room to gain access.