Day: May 16, 2023

Mr. Benjamin Nartey Ayiku, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Candidate-elect for the Ledzokuku constituency says he will break the one-term myth of the voting area.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Ayiku, who was retained as the Parliamentary candidate for the swing constituency in the just-ended NDC primaries said 'I have been ordained to end this myth that has existed since 1996.'

According to him, with the exception of the parliamentary votes that had been swinging between the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Ledzokuku constituency can be considered a stronghold of the opposition NDC.

He said available records show that the NDC had since the beginning of the Fourth Republic won the presidential votes in the constituency.

The last time the NDC retained its Parliamentary candidate, the party lost the seat to the ruling NPP in the 2016 general election.

However, Mr Ayiku who is the first MP to win the Ledzokuku seat with his party in opposition believes otherwise.

The MP who polled 2289 of the 2915 valid votes cast in the just-ended primaries gave assurances that he would appear victorious in the 2024 general election and retain the seat for the NDC.

'I have made history as the first MP whose party is in opposition, and I will make history again by winning it a second time,' he said.

He said the circumstances surrounding his election as the MP for the constituency and his endorsement to contest the seat again were evidence that he had been ordained to 'break the four.'

'We have identified the reason behind this myth and have taken measures to correct same,' he said.

'I have been on the grounds. I have touched base with the grassroots and constituents, and my works will speak for me,' the incumbent MP concluded.

Until becoming a Member of Parliament, he was the NDC chairman for the Ledzokuku constituency, having previously served as Vice Chairman from 2005 - 2013. He is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Maxxon Filling Station chain.

Ledzokuku seat

The Ledzokuku parliamentary seat, described at best as a swing seat since the inception of the Fourth Republic, has always had a new face to represent the constituency.

It remains one of the most interesting constituencies, whose constituents have been firm with their political decisions.

Politically, they do not forgive easily and do not change their minds when they say, 'They are done with you.'

With the exception of Nii Adjei Boye Sekan who won the seat in 1992 and in 1996, no legislator has served beyond one term.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The High Court on Tuesday gave the judgement of not guilty to Azaan Madisia and Steven Mulundu, both of whom stood accused of murdering Walvis Bay native, Shannon Wasserfall.

High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg handed down the judgement of not guilty for murder and not guilty for theft and robbery with aggravated circumstances.

The co-accused were however found guilty of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, while Madisia was found guilty on an additional charge of fraud.

“The State has led no evidence in proving the murder and robbery charges and based its case on conflicting statements made by the accused persons during the police investigation of the disappearance of the deceased,” the judgement said.

The 22-year-old Wasserfall was reported missing in Walvis Bay on 10 April 2020. Her remains were found buried at the harbour town on 06 October 2020 after an anonymous text message was sent to the deceased’s father.

The accused have not yet been sentenced.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Renowned as a chivalrous legend in Chinese classics, Sun Wukong, or Monkey King, embodies the ideals of justice and bravery. He is an icon among teenagers.

Based on the story of Journey to the West, one of China's four great classical novels, 34 artists have worked together to create the Monkey King book series. This series has been translated into over a dozen languages and published around the world over the past 40 years.

In 2023, the series was published in Arabic by Blossom Press, bringing the beloved character Sun Wukong from Asia to the Middle East.

'The Monkey King is not just a superhero for Chinese kids,' said Wang Tao, President of Blossom Press. 'His wit, bravery and tenacity embody the values shared by all humans.'

Historically, Jordan was once an important trade post on the Silk Road. And today, aside from just doing business, Chinese companies have forged new friendships with Jordanian locals through cultural exchange.

'We want to work with people from all walks of life to bring this wonderful Chinese story to our Jordanian friends. We also look forward to bringing more of Jordan's stories to China in the future,'remarked Zhong Guodong, Vice President of SDIC.

SDIC is working on industrial investment in the Middle East and other regions around the globe, as well as promoting cultural exchange with the local residents.

The documentary Monkey King: Journey to the Middle East, co-produced by SDIC and China Matters, features the story of translating and publishing the Arabic version of Monkey King, as well as producing an animated video of the character.

Jordanian Ambassador to China Hussam A.G. Al Husseini said: 'I believe that the Arab people will love and value this story. I think that teenagers and young people will like it best.'

Source: Ghana News Agency