Category: General

WINDHOEK: A 36-year-old man was robbed and killed in his home in Windhoek's Dorado Park residential area over the weekend. The Namibian Police Force in a crime report on Monday said the deceased has been identified as Stanley Cloete. According to the report, he was dropped off at home by his niece and a friend around 04h00 on Saturday after a night out. 'Before they left the deceased's house, he called another friend who came whilst they were still at his place and they left. On Saturday the niece tried to get hold of the deceased on his phone but his phone was off and they visited his house, but could not enter because the gate was locked,' it said. On Sunday around 12h00 the niece and her friend decided to visit him again and they found the door closed, but not locked. 'Upon entering, they found the deceased lying naked, with his arms and legs tied and a cloth in his mouth,' the report said. Cloete's vehicle, TV and laptop were stolen. Charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances have been registered at the Windhoek Police Station. Cloete's next of kin have been informed and police investigations continue. No arrests have been made in connection with the matter yet. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Mrs Samira Bawumia, the Second Lady of Ghana, has launched this year's 'Wear Ghana Month' campaign with the aim of promoting and showcasing the rich heritage of Ghanaian fashion. The campaign organised by the National Commission on Culture (NCC) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is also to support local designers and artisans every year in the month of March. During the month- long celebration various activities and events would be organised to highlight the beauty and diversity in Ghanaian fashion, including fashion shows, pop-up shops, exhibitions, workshops, and panel discussions. Designers and brands from Ghana would also be given a platform to showcase their latest collections and connect with a wider audience. Speaking at the launch, in Accra Mrs Bawumia said one of the main goals of the 'Wear Ghana Month' was to encourage people to support and buy locally-made products. She said by promoting Ghanaian fashion, it helps in crea ting awareness about the importance of sustainable and ethical fashion practices, adding that it would boost the local economy and support small businesses in the fashion industry. 'In addition to promoting Ghanaian fashion, Wear Ghana Month also celebrates the country's rich cultural heritage. Traditional Ghanaian clothing, such as Kente cloth and Adinkra symbols, are often featured in the designs showcased during the event. This helps to preserve and promote Ghanaian culture and traditions,' she added. Mrs Bamumia indicated that the month was a celebration of Ghanaian fashion and culture, bringing together designers, artisans, fashion enthusiasts, and the public, saying it was a time to appreciate the beauty and creativity of Ghanaian fashion.? 'Whether you are a fashion lover or simply interested in learning more about Ghanaian culture, Wear Ghana Month is a must-attend event that celebrates the best of Ghanaian fashion.' Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, an d Caretaker Minister, MoTAC, stated that the initiative was not just about promoting the Ghanaian? local industries, but also celebrating the rich cultural heritage and supporting the economy. 'When we choose to wear Ghanaian-made products, we are not only showcasing our national pride, but we are also contributing to the growth of our local businesses and the creation of job opportunities for our people.' He added that 'by supporting our local artisans, designers, and manufacturers, we are helping to preserve our traditional craftsmanship and promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry.'?? He said wearing Ghanaian-made products described us as people and a reflection of our unique identity.? Mr Asamoah Boateng noted that 'it was a way for Ghanaians to tell the world that we are proud of our heritage and that we value the skills and talents of our local artisans and also a way for us to show our support for the growth and development of the country.' He appealed to Ghanaians to come together to support the local industries and promote the Ghanaian cultural heritage. 'Let us show the world the beauty and diversity of Ghanaian fashion' he added. Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, Executive Director, NCC, said, 'the Centres for National Culture, entrusted with the responsibility of organising and hosting the 2024 edition of the 'Wear Ghana Month' would be transformed into cultural hubs, bringing together artisans, designers, performers and enthusiasts to engage in a collective celebration of Ghana's cultural identity. This, he said, would serve as a beacon, guiding Ghana towards a future where the Ghanaian fashion industry would flourish on the global stage, showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of? designers, artisans and entrepreneurs. Nana Acheampong urged Ghanaians to embrace the spirit of unity and collaboration, nurturing the talents and empowering the communities. Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Ebenezer Amoah, the Chief Director, Western North Regional Coordinating Council has appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional integration to consider setting up a passport application centre in the region to enable residents easily acquire traveling passport. According to the Chief Director, residents usually have to travel all the way to Kumasi or Takoradi for biometrics data which according to him, was cumbersome considering the distance. 'We already have immigration service office in the region that can help with the process.' he pointed out. Mr Amoah, made the appeal when officials from the Ministry paid a courtesy call on the Regional Coordinating Council prior to a sensitization workshop for students and other identified groups on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols in achieving vision 2050. Mrs Perpetua Dufu, the Coordinating Director, Multilateral and International Organisations, Foreign Affairs Ministry, in a response assured of making a case for the establishment of passport application center in the region. Checks by the Ghana News Agency revealed that residents from the nine Districts in the region have to travel to either Kumasi, Takoradi or Sunyani to access passport application center services. Source: Ghana News Agency

AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, has held its 20th non-denominational annual thanksgiving service to express gratitude to God for sustaining the Mine and taking them through another year successfully. The service was attended by traditional rulers, politicians, clergy, Muslim leaders, heads of decentralised agencies, employees, and their dependents as well as business partners of the Mine. There were worship and praise sessions in honour of God that featured gospel musicians including Pastor Joe Beecham, Team Impact, Tarkwa and the Tarkwa Crusaders Choral Group. All the attendees dressed in white apparel sang and danced to the glory of God for his faithfulness. Prayers were said for the company and its employees. 'Praising the Goodness of the Lord' (Psalm 135:3, 65:11), was the theme for this year's thanksgiving Service. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Samuel Boakye Pobee, Managing Director of Iduapriem Mine, said in 2023, the company began the year with challenges in mining, followed by the announcement o f the proposed joint venture with Goldfields Tarkwa Mine, which made their employees a bit startled. 'It felt like we were going to swim against the tide throughout the year. By the grace of God, last year turned out to be one of the best years in the history of this Mine.' 'Indeed, God is good, and I think I will be right to say if it has not been for the LORD on our side where will Iduapriem Mine be? I am therefore truly grateful to God, our employees, and all stakeholders for the immeasurable support' he said. Mr Pobee announced that the Mine achieved a relatively strong production and financial performance in 2023 and that they were among the best performers across all key metrics within the AGA group. 'Our success was not only on the production front but also on the social front, where we won 12 company and six individual awards. These accolades are a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence in everything we do. They speak volumes of the outstanding contributions of not only our employees, b ut also stakeholders, and together we celebrate their collective success. 'We share this great achievement with you and extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the employees who were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence, Indeed, the Lord has been good to us,' he stated. Mr Pobee used the opportunity to thank the government, traditional authorities, host communities, ministries, departments and agencies, contractors, employees, and all other stakeholders for their unwavering support and cooperation, which continued to propel the Mine to shine and excel in all aspects. He said as part of addressing the unemployment situation in the Mine's host communities and improving the income of beneficiary households, the company was currently running a four-year Girls' Apprenticeship Programme in dressmaking for females selected across the host communities in Teberebie. 'The Mine has also constructed a vocational centre with a business unit fully furnished with industrial equipm ent for commercial garment production in Teberebie as part of this initiative' the managing director said. Furthermore, Iduapriem Mine has established a fully equipped soap and detergent production factory in New Tokunaso. The beneficiaries of this project have been trained and assisted by the Mine to obtain the required certification and approvals from the Food and Drugs Authority to produce in commercial quantities, he added. Mr Pobee encouraged the public to purchase some of their products available on the market, under the brand name; Adwenpaye. Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Western Regional Minister, who was the special guest, revealed that 'The journey of AngloGold Ashanti may have been marked by challenges, but here we are standing strong in unity and in prosperity. This affirms our collective acknowledgement of the goodness that has accompanied our endeavours.' He requested that in the same way that AngloGold had been able to develop an economic plan for the people of Obuasi, so should AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine also develop a prosperity plan for the people of Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality. Apostle Dr Daniel Okyere Walker, Area Head, Church of Pentecost, Tarkwa, in a sermon, advised Ghanaians to learn to acknowledge what the assemblies, security agencies, managers, employees, and leaders among others do for them. 'I have observed that people appreciate only those they support. I am not happy about this, and it is my prayer we change from this attitude. We need to appreciate one another, let us have a spirit of gratitude because that is the only key we can use to open God's storehouse,' he stated. 'At any point in time, we will have leaders to run the affairs of this country. If these people are doing well let us praise them, and if they perform badly let us be bold and speak out. We need to work together and transform our country because God has blessed us with all the resources, and we cannot continue to live in poverty.' Source: Ghana News Agency

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Omusati Region are in pursuit of a pastor who allegedly raped two women and a minor on different occasions at Okandi village in the Etayi Constituency. NamPol's Omusati Regional Commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson, confirmed this on Monday, saying the incidents allegedly occurred between 09 and 24 February. According to Basson, the victims are aged 17, 19 and 24, while the age of the suspect, who remains on the run, is unknown. 'The suspect, who is the pastor and owner of the church where the victims attend, allegedly had sexual intercourse with them without their consent,' he said. Police investigations into the matter continue. Source: The Namibia Press Agency