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Arnold Asamoah Baidoo Opens Up on Overnight Detention in Zylophone Asset Dispute

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Arnold Asamoah Baidoo has given a detailed account of events that led to his arrest and detention during the height of the MenzGold crisis, insisting that actions taken by management of Zylophone Media were aimed at safeguarding company assets, not stealing them.

Speaking in a recent interview, Baidoo, who served as Communications Manager at the time, explained that the collapse of MenzGold left Zylophone offices vulnerable, with angry customers besieging the premises and unpaid security personnel abandoning their posts.

According to him, the absence of protection and the unavailability of company owner Nana Appiah Mensah, popularly known as NAM1, forced management to take precautionary steps to prevent looting.

Baidoo said management collectively agreed to move essential items, including air conditioners, televisions, and refrigerators, from individual artist offices to the main Zylophone building across the street, where security was still available.

However, he noted that when the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) later ordered all Zylophone properties to be surrendered, the earlier relocation of the equipment was misconstrued as theft.

He stressed that neither he nor artist manager Lawrence Asiamah Hanson, known as Bulldog, intended to steal any property, describing themselves as custodians acting in the best interest of the company.

Baidoo recounted that both men were arrested by a joint EOCO and police team, detained overnight, and later interrogated at EOCO headquarters. He said after explaining the circumstances to senior officials, including the EOCO Chief Executive, they were released without charge.

He shared the account on the YouTube programme Gentlemen and Gentlemen.

Barcelona Play Down Ter Stegen Exit Talk as Deco Confirms Keeper Remains Club Player

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Barcelona sporting director Deco has dismissed speculation surrounding the future of club captain Marc-André ter Stegen, insisting the goalkeeper remains part of the club’s plans despite growing transfer rumours.

The 33-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from Girona, with suggestions that Barcelona would be open to allowing him leave during the current transfer window. Ter Stegen is currently third-choice goalkeeper at the club, and regular playing time is believed to be a key factor as he looks to secure his place in Germany’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Uncertainty over his situation increased after Ter Stegen left Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup camp due to a knee concern. However, speaking to Movistar+ ahead of Barcelona’s semi-final win over Athletic Club, Deco played down fears of a serious injury and ruled out discussions about a possible departure.

According to Deco, the goalkeeper experienced discomfort in a knee that had troubled him in the past, prompting precautionary medical checks. He said the decision was taken for Ter Stegen to return to Barcelona to be examined by the surgeon who previously operated on him, adding that the outcome showed nothing serious.

Deco stressed that there are no current plans to discuss Ter Stegen’s future, reaffirming that he remains a Barcelona player.

The sporting director also provided an update on Joao Cancelo, confirming that the full-back is close to completing a loan return to the club. He revealed that Cancelo is yet to undergo medical tests but is expected to fly to Barcelona soon as the club finalises the deal.

Two Motorcycle Operators Shot Dead in Binduri District Attack

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Two motorcycle operators from Bankango in the Binduri District have been shot dead in a violent attack while on their way to attend to a customer.

According to local sources, the victims were intercepted on the road by a group of young men who allegedly called in armed assailants. The gunmen reportedly opened fire on the operators, killing one instantly and leaving the other critically injured.

Both victims were rushed to the Vineyard Hospital in Bawku for treatment. However, the injured operator later succumbed to his gunshot wounds, bringing the death toll to two.

The deceased have been identified as Salifu Shaibu and Asaana Mbawin. The incident is believed to be the first major fatal attack recorded in the area since the beginning of the year, raising renewed concerns about security in the district.

Confirming the incident, the Assembly Member for the Binduri Electoral Area, Azumah Emmanuel, said he received official confirmation from the police. He disclosed that the victims were residents of his electoral area, adding that the killings have deeply affected the community.

Following the shooting, military personnel deployed to maintain peace after recent mediation efforts led by the Asantehene were seen patrolling the town to prevent further violence.

Security agencies have launched investigations into the attack and are working to identify and arrest those responsible.

Police Launch Manhunt After Foiled Attack on Gomoa Wassa Chief

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The Gomoa Dawurampong Divisional Police Command has begun an intensive manhunt for nine individuals suspected to be behind an alleged assassination attempt on the Gyasehene of Gomoa Wassa, Nana Kwesi Essel Okyea-hene, in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region.

According to accounts from residents, the suspects reportedly arrived in the community on motorbikes during a family gathering and recreational activities, allegedly with the intent to harm the chief.

Speaking to Adom News, principal elders of Gomoa Wassa said the assailants were armed and suggested that the attempted attack is connected to a protracted chieftaincy dispute within the area. They disclosed that the timely presence and swift intervention of four police officers in the community prevented the incident from escalating and saved the chief from harm.

Further information from the elders indicates that preliminary intelligence points to the involvement of the community’s Nkosuohene, Tei, who was recently destooled, though investigations are still ongoing.

In the meantime, the Obaatan of Gomoa Wassa, Nana Adwoa Nkum, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Christiaan Tetteh Yohuno, to ensure the swift arrest of those responsible and to take urgent measures to restore peace and stability in the community.

Police say investigations are continuing as efforts intensify to bring all suspects to justice.

Missing Ghanaian Ireland-based midwife found dead, DNA confirms

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Grace Aseidua Benyin, a Ghanaian midwife and mother of four living in Ireland, was found dead weeks after she was reported missing. Her body was discovered near the Holy Year Cross in County Tipperary in December 2025 and later confirmed through DNA testing.

Irish police (Gardaí) have described the incident as a personal tragedy and say investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of death.

Grace had moved to Ireland for work and later sponsored her husband, Frederick Amofa, and their children to join her at great personal cost.

Sources familiar with the family say the relationship later became strained, reportedly over financial issues.

It is alleged that Grace sought legal protection, citing concerns for her safety. She is also said to have taken compassionate leave from work shortly before her passing due to stress.

An autopsy has been conducted, but official findings from the state pathologist and coroner are still pending.

While preliminary information circulating suggests natural causes, questions remain, and authorities have urged the public to allow the investigations to run their course.
Tributes continue to pour in from colleagues, friends, and the Ghanaian community, who remember Grace as a dedicated health professional and loving mother.

She left behind four children aged 5, 7, 9 & 15 years), her husband, and her extended family are in Ghana.

What is your reward after attacking NPP MPs to cost them their seats – Journalists mocked

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The Member of Parliament(MP) for Tolon, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, has mocked a Tamale-based Journalist Hamza Lansah of Sagani TV and colleagues who repeatedly attacked New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) during the 2024 campaign season but have since been sidelined by the current government.

According to the Tolon MP, the Sagani TV presenter in particular was denied a DCE position by the NDC because they did not have confidence in him despite the hatchet job he did for the current government.

“You wanted a DCE position, but the NDC denied you that, which means they don’t have confidence in you,” he said.

“You remember when you (Lansah), Safianu, Sadik Gariba and Luckman came to my office in Accra,  I urged you journalists, not to attack our opponents, the NDC MPs, as you did with us, because Northern MPs need your support and not the attacks,” he added.

He said the journalists should have gotten appointments from the government such as CEO positions but they have instead been sidelined regardless of what they did to better the chances of the current administration.

“You journalists who attacked the NPP MPs to date, what has the NDC rewarded you with?” he asked.

He questioned whether the NDC had compensated them for their work during the 2024 campaign season.

“You journalists championing the agenda of the NDC, tell me what the NDC has done for you since they took office. Look at your colleagues in the South, people like Randy and Annie Ampofo who have all received good appointments from the government,” he gave examples

“All we in the North seem to do is attack and insult one another, pulling ourselves down. Some of you who attacked the NPP MPs now regret it”, he added.

He urged journalists in the Northern region to uphold journalistic ethics.

“You journalists should practice objective journalism and be professional in your work,” he advised

Mahama to hold National Thanksgiving service to commemorate one year in office

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President John Dramani Mahama is scheduled to mark one year in office today, January 7, with a non-denominational thanksgiving service at the forecourt of Jubilee House in Accra.

The ceremony, scheduled for 8:00 a.m., is expected to bring together religious leaders, senior state officials, members of the diplomatic community, and guests.

Organised under the theme “Resetting. Rebuilding. Renewing.”, the service forms part of activities commemorating the administration’s first anniversary since returning to power.

The event is intended to offer prayers of gratitude and reflect on the government’s direction as it enters its second year.

President Mahama was elected in the December 7, 2024, general election after securing 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55 per cent of valid votes cast. His closest contender, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party, obtained 4,657,304 votes, accounting for 41.61 per cent.

At the time the Electoral Commission declared the results, 11,191,422 valid votes had been recorded from 267 out of 276 constituencies. Ghana’s registered voter population stood at 18,774,159, with a voter turnout of approximately 60.9 per cent.

The 2024 election marked President Mahama’s return to the presidency, having previously served a full term from 2012 to 2016.

Journalist questions 31st Night Prophetic Extravaganzas

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Journalist Gordon Asare-Bediako has challenged the growing obsession with New Year’s Eve prophecies, questioning why spiritual leaders wait until the final hours of the year to deliver messages that often carry heavy political undertones.

Speaking on Movement TV monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Asare-Bediako offered a candid critique of the 31st Night phenomenon, urging Christians to prioritise a consistent relationship with God over annual prophetic spectacles.

Asare-Bediako expressed scepticism regarding the sudden influx of divine messages during December 31st services, suggesting that the practice lacks logical spiritual consistency.

“I don’t put my hope in 31st night prayer because we have the whole year to make things right with God,” he stated. “Relying on the 31st night only does not make sense to me. Do the pastors record all the year’s prophecies and say them on the 31st night? Why do they have to wait till the 31st before they bring out all these prophecies?”

The journalist also took aim at specific claims made by high-profile clergy, specifically referencing Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah’s alleged influence over electoral outcomes. He questioned why such purported spiritual authority is not applied to help their own close associates in local elections.

“If Rev. Owusu Bempah claims he has the spiritual power to reduce NPP’s vote in the Ashanti region, why could he not increase Charles Owusu’s, a leader at his church, vote at Nkoransa?” Asare-Bediako asked.

He further noted his surprise at the increasingly partisan nature of modern prophecy. “I am just surprised that the pastors who claim they are not politicians are always bringing political prophecies.”

While affirming his Christian faith and his belief in the supernatural, Asare-Bediako cautioned against “blind faith” in prophetic utterances, noting that dreams and visions are often subjective.

“I know for a fact that people dream and it comes true, and others dream and they do not come true; same applies to prophecies by these pastors,” he explained. “Even though I am a Christian, I do not fully believe in prophecies. If I am prophesied to, and it does not come to pass, I am okay. If it does, I am also okay.”

Asare-Bediako referenced Dr Tamakloe, urging prophets to stop making false prophecies about the political future of former President John Mahama. He joined the call for an end to speculative predictions that suggest unconstitutional outcomes.

“Pastors prophesying that President Mahama will go for a third term should stop,” he remarked, noting that while these instances are not new, they have persisted for too long in the Ghanaian religious space.

The journalist’s takeaway was a plea for discernment and a focus on core spiritual values rather than the sensationalism of the pulpit.

“I believe in spirituality,” he concluded, “but we do not have to put all our faith in these prophecies.”

Historian traces the origins of prostitution in Kumasi-Adum to pre-independence era

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Popular historian Opanin Yaw Kyere has offered a historical account of how prostitution became associated with Kumasi-Adum, attributing its emergence to social developments dating back to the era of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Speaking on Ezra FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Opanin Kyere said many towns in Ghana are known for particular social or economic characteristics, and according to him, Adum in Kumasi gradually became known for commercial sex activities.

“Every town has something that makes it popular, and with Kumasi-Adum, it is prostitution,” he stated.

He contrasted Adum with other communities within the Kumasi metropolis, noting that similar activities were not prominent in places such as Bantama and Asafo.

“Prostitutes abound in Kumasi-Adum, but in areas like Bantama and Asafo, you do not find such things there,” he explained.

According to the historian, the practice in Adum can be traced to a woman popularly known as Maame Ataa Basie. He explained that in Akan culture, prostitution is traditionally referred to as “tutuu”, while in Ashanti specifically, the term “Basie bra” became associated with the practice because of the originator’s name.

Opanin Kyere said Maame Ataa Basie introduced the lifestyle during the time of President Kwame Nkrumah, recalling a public incident that later gained historical significance.

“During one of Kwame Nkrumah’s rallies in Adum, on a very hot afternoon, she mounted a platform and publicly announced that she wanted a man to spend the night with her,” he recounted.

He explained that although no man responded to her announcement at the time, the incident marked a turning point.

“After that, she went ahead to commercialise the act by renting out rooms in her house to people who later began engaging in such activities,” he said.

Opanin Kyere noted that Maame Ataa Basie herself was not actively involved in prostitution, largely due to her age, but became a central figure in organising and facilitating the practice.

“She was an older woman, so she was not directly involved, but she became known as the ‘Tutuu Hemaa’, the Queen of Prostitutes, because she controlled and managed the system,” he explained.

He added that Maame Ataa Basie hailed from Dabaa and was widely known at the time, describing her as a charismatic figure whose actions left a lasting imprint on the social history of Kumasi-Adum.

Prepare a police uniform for me

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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has praised the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for what he described as exemplary leadership during a visit to the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 6.

Addressing police personnel following a visit he paid to the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 6, the Asantehene expressed appreciation for the reception accorded him and his delegation.

“I appreciate the warm welcome accorded me and my entourage. I admire the women parade in their uniforms,” he said, drawing light laughter when he added, “Mr IGP please prepare a

Police uniform for me so that next time when I am coming, I will be in my Police dress.”

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also used the occasion to announce a new initiative aimed at strengthening cultural awareness within the Service.

“I would like to announce that the Police administration will introduce a course on tradition and culture in our training programmes,” he stated.

He explained the purpose of the proposed course, noting that “this is to ensure that our officers understand the cultural context within which they operate.”