News

Seven housemates are in the eviction firing line after Monday night’s Big Brother: The Chase nomination show. A combination of Ruby housemates Elikem; Natasha; Oneal and Diamonds Motamma, Betty, Bolt and Nando must leave the game this Sunday – and it’s up to viewers to vote to keep their favourites in The Chase!

Nominations in the Ruby house got off to a slow start but once housemates were in the diary room, they didn’t waste any time in showing their allegiances and alliances. Pokello’s “hot and cold” attitudes saw her pick up the most nominations – including a nod from Elikem who felt that she wasn’t doing things the way he would like.

Natasha and Elikem were next on the list, with trust issues seemingly prompting their housemates’ decisions. The Head of House ‘save & replace’ decision is always an interesting one, and this week’s decisions didn’t disappoint. Ruby HoH Bassey split Elikem from his love interest Pokello by saving the Zimbabwean and putting Oneal up for eviction in her place – unlucky for him as he didn’t receive a single nomination.

In the Diamond house, lovebirds Bolt and Betty were nominated by the bulk of the housemates. Bolt is in the firing line for the third consecutive week, having been saved by his Head of House twice – is perceived as “insensitive” while Betty has annoyed the housemates by seemingly only having eyes for Bolt. Annabel and Nando also picked up three nominations each. Head of House Annabel, saved herself and put Motamma up for eviction in her place – the first time the Motswana finds herself in the firing line.

So, there are three ways to vote to keep your favourite housemate in Big Brother: The Chase – via web, SMS or mobile site – and you can win amazing prizes in the process, like DStv HD PVR’s and DStv Walkas. Voting opened immediately after Monday night’s nomination show and closes at 06:00 CAT on Sunday morning

To vote via web or mobile site, go to the official Big Brother website, www.bigbrotherafrica.com , log in, click ‘Vote’ and then click the appropriate button for the housemate you’d like to keep in the house. You may vote once per hour

To vote via SMS, send the word VOTE, followed by the name of the housemate you’d like to keep in the game, to the number for your country below. SMS’s are charged at specified network tariffs in the various countries. VAS rates apply. Free minutes do not apply. Please note that you can vote 100 times by SMS per telephone number during each voting period.

Angola

Unitel                                    44555                    UTT 6.0

Movicell                               44555                    UTT 6.0

Botswana           

Mascom                               16626                    P 2,50

Orange                               16626                      P 2,50

BE MOBILE                          16626                    P 2,50

Ethiopia

Ethio                                      8089                       Birr 4.00

Ghana

MTN                                      1474                       GHC 0.70

Vodafone                            1474                       GHC 0.70

Expresso                              1474                       GHC 0.70

Tigo                                        1474                       GHC 0.70

Airtel                                     1474                       GHC 0.70

Kenya

Safaricom                            22626                    Kes 20

Orange                                22626                     Kes 20

Airtel                                     22626                    Kes 20

Malawi

TNM                                      15626                    MK 48.00

Airtel                                     15626                    MK 48.00

Namibia

MTC                                       15626                    N$ 2.50

Leo                                         15626                    N$ 2.50

Nigeria

MTN                                      34350                    N 75

Airtel                                     34350                    N 75

Globacomm                       34350                    N 75

Starcomms                         34350                    N 75

Etisalat                                 34350                     N 75

Rest of Africa

Long Code           +2783142100414               International Rates

Sierra Leone

Airtel                                     2626                       USD 0.40

Comium                               2626                       USD 0.40

Africell                                  2626                       USD 0.40

South Africa

Vodacom                             34624                    R 1,50

MTN                                      34624                    R 1,50

CellC                                      34624                    R 1,50

8Ta                                         34624                    R 1,50

Virgin                                    34624                    R 1,50

Tanzania

Vodacom                             15456                    TZS 600

Tigo                                        15456                    TZS 600

Zantel                                   15456                    TZS 600

Airtel                                     15456                    TZS 600

Uganda

UTL                                        7626                       Ugx 1000

Warid                                    7626                       Ugx 1000

MTN                                      7626                       Ugx 1000

Airtel                                     7626                       Ugx 1000

Orange                               7626                         Ugx 1000

Zambia

MTN                                      414                         ZK 2,00

Zamtel                                 414                          ZK 2,00

Airtel                                     414                         ZK 2,00

Zimbabwe

Econet                             33334                         USD 0.50

Netone                           15626                         USD 0.50

Telecel                             15626                         USD 0.50

Big Brother: The Chase fans can catch all the latest news, video, and all-important voting information at www.bigbrotherafrica.com.

Stay tuned to DStv channels 197 and 198 for all the Big Brother: The Chase action 24/7, or catch the daily shows on AfricaMagic Entertainment at 20:00 CAT, Tuesday-Friday with highlights of the week on Saturday at 20:00 CAT.

Africa’s biggest reality show is headline sponsored by Airtel and produced by Endemol SA.

Night shifts can be tedious, especially if you have to be awake all night. However, when you sign up to do a job and you are being paid to do so, you are legally obliged to work according to acceptable standards.

The standards cannot be lowered in anyway, especially if you are entrusted to stay up all night to take care of persons who lack capacity.

A Ghanaian nurse Henretta Offae (also known as Mapel Mensah) and another are accused of falling asleep during their 9pm to 7am night-shift at Westlands care home in Olney, near Milton Keynes in the UK.

They face charges of 19 counts of ill treatment or neglect of a person who lacks capacity, which they have denied.

The two carers were apparently found asleep after allegedly unplugging the alarms of elderly patients so that they would not be disturbed.

According to MailOnline;

Aylesbury Crown Court was told that care home manager Salina Ballard and a colleague took the picture during an unannounced 3am check.

Ajala, 56, from Milton Keynes, and Offae, 41, from Derby, deny 19 counts of ill treatment or neglect of a person who lacks capacity, between January 1, 2011 and August 19, 2011.

The prosecution alleges the defendants left their patients – aged from 75 years to 100 years – unable to call for help.

The prosecution told the jury the pair disabled alarms and put extra incontinence pads on the residents, so they could sleep and would not have to change their soiled garments.

No paperwork was filled out, which they were required to do in a night log, the jury was told.

The care home assistants were allegedly discovered fast asleep in lounge armchairs on August 19 with a fan heater running by their care home manager Salina Ballard.

The home, run by St Andrews Care Home Ltd, charges £580 pounds per week per patient.

Mr Moore told the hearing that mats were placed at the side of the residents’ beds which would set off an alarm if they fell.

However, the prosecution says 11 of the mats had been disabled so if the residents had fallen in the night, no alarm would have sounded.

Prosecutor Neil Moore told the jury: ‘The prosecution case, in a nutshell, is that when they worked together during they would disable alarm systems, which would otherwise alert them if one of these elderly residents fell out of their beds.

‘They would pad the residents up with extra incontinence pads or place waterproof sheets on the bed so they didn’t need to be changed.

‘Basically, the two defendants would then tuck themselves up in warm clothing in front of a television in one of the lounges and have a night’s sleep.

‘Therefore, the prosecution says, putting the welfare of the elderly residents at risk.’

The 17th Century building caters for high risk elderly people who suffer from dementia or are unable to look after themselves.

The trial heard today that the carers were allowed a 45-minute break, but not at the same time.

Mr Moore said it was considered ‘gross misconduct’ if they slept.

Offae, who was known by the name Mapel Mensah, of St Chad’s Road, Derby, worked at the home from October 24, 2010, and Ajala, of Fishermead, Milton Keynes, joined on August 9, 2009.

Mr Moore said after Mrs Ballard and Ms May arrived at the home, they took it in turns to check on the residents, before taking a picture of the two defendants half an hour later.

The prosecutor told the court that when Ms Ajala woke up she said ‘My God Salina, what are you doing here?’

He added: ‘Mrs Ballard replied by telling her she had been watching her sleep for half an hour and informed her some of the fall pads had been unplugged.

‘Mrs Ajala said: “Salina, Barbara, you have to forgive me.”

‘Ms Offae said: “I hold my hands up, you caught me. What we have done is inexcusable”. They had been caught red-handed and Mrs Offae at that time accepted it.’

Both were dismissed from their jobs that day and were later arrested by police. Both women denied the allegations when they were quizzed by detectives.

Mr Moore said: ‘They neglected each and every resident. They went to sleep, 11 pressure mat alarms had been disabled so if any of these had fallen in the night they wouldn’t have been found until the defendants decided to wake up.

‘None of the residents had the more absorbent night pads on, they hadn’t been changed since the afternoon shift and not at midnight when they should have been.

‘Some of residents were fitted with two incontinence pads which should never have been the case. Some had pads shoved underneath them.

‘Pads were soaked with urine and in one case faeces.’

Giving evidence Mrs Ballard said sleeping on the job was ‘absolutely forbidden.’

She said: ‘It amounts to gross misconduct. We’re responsible for our residents’ well-being. They (the defendants) were there to do a job to protect them (the residents).’

Mrs Ballard refuted suggestions by the defence barristers that the defendants were not asleep and were dozing or ‘resting their eyes’ during a break.

‘They were asleep,’ she said. ‘I was standing there for half an hour and I took a photo. I stood watching them sleeping.’

The four-day trial before Judge Francis Sheridan continues.

Abrokyire abrabo is not EASY

I am not one of the many who use price or brand names as an indicator of quality. Even if I have not had horrible experiences with expensive brands making me look like a clown, I learned from Economics that, price should never be confused for quality.

Celebrities all over the world including our emerging African stars seem to have high taste for expensive brands, thereby forgetting how they actually look in these brands.

I attended an event recently where a popular Ghanaian actress’ style was beyond tacky but from her friends, that was the all expensive Valentino and I dare say anything bad about it.

Either it was a Valentino or not, I do not think that really matters. What I saw and cared about was how dysfunctional and tacky the dress presented her.

But I guess to some of us, even if we will wear Gucci and not look our best, we will opt for that.

When it comes to style, the first thing I pay attention to is how I look or how an attire will present me in front of others and the mirror.  Price tags and brand names do not guarantee glam or adorable style—I have learned.

So let’s get talking…When it comes to you, what really matters? Is it the brand name or the way an outfit will complement you?

Whiles at it, can I know your favourite brand names?

If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand— Milton Friedman

PeaceFM Reports;

Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has commended former Attorney General, Martin Amidu for his campaign against the payment of questionable judgement debts to certain individuals and organisations.

President Rawlings lamented the fact that Amidu faced embarrassing ridicule from some of his compatriots and fought a lonely fight in his campaign.

Amidu received the commendation when the former President delivered the keynote address at a conference on Emerging Democracies in Africa, in Abuja on Monday.

The former President said one of the proudest assets of an African must be his sense of nationalism. Citizens, he said must be taught to have pride in defending one’s country against corruption.

President Rawlings said: “Only last Friday, a former Attorney General in Ghana, who has waged a relentless campaign against the payment of questionable judgement debts to individuals and institutions obtained a Supreme Court ruling ordering the retrieval of over 40 million Euros from an international company which had earlier convinced government to pay her the said amount over an alleged abrogated contract.

“The former Attorney General who at times faced serious ridicule from his compatriots stood his ground against all odds and won the case for Ghana. Today he is ironically being touted as a hero. But did he have to fight a lonely fight in defence of his country’s meager resources?”

It will be recalled that President Rawlings invited Mr. Amidu and two others to light the perpetual flame at the 34th anniversary celebrations of the June 4 uprising earlier this month. Incidentally the theme for the celebration was, ‘Patriotism, Key to Nation Building’.

Though I know it happens at all corners of the world, I will not push this beyond the borders. Increasingly, most Ghanaian fathers are being exposed as irresponsible and the evidence sits right in our face.

Yesterday, GhanaCelebrities.Com expressed its shock as to how poorly the various Ghanaian Celebrities have celebrated their fathers—-comparing this year’s Fathers’ Day messages to what were sent out on Mothers’ Day.

Apart from Menaye Donkor who seems to be on good terms with her father, the others failed to mention their fathers as they did for their mothers.

Interestingly, Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson later in the day decided to let her father remember how irresponsible he has been—we sort of think so.

The actress uploaded her mother’s photo (instead of father) and sent out a message, saying, her mother has been her father (playing the role of both Dad and Mom).

The question is; why does it seem Ghanaian men do not like to take responsibility when it comes to their children?

Whatever it is, Yvonne Nelson wanted to rub it in the face of her father—the one she claims to have Brazilian ancestors…LOL.

 

Ghanaian model/designer/presenter/actress…(I like to simply call her a socialite or wannabe), or better described in her own words as a mermaid living on dry land, a vampire with royal roots and an occasional shashee! Deborah Vanessa who has been touring half the world lately for both business and pleasure, has made an interesting announcement.

Sister Derby, who was thrust into international limelight by the release of her first song popularly known as “Uncle Obama” prior to the US elections last year which caused a stir both home and abroad has obviously been bitten by the musical bug, Perhaps due to the publicity her first song brought her. (more…)

REALLY?

Politricks in Africa is one big club of beneficiaries and losers…When you are in the benefiting corner, silence is the key but when you are unlucky to find yourself at the other corner,  you will continue to shout until you lose your voice—-no until you find yourself benefiting too.

According to PeaceFmOnline

Power indeed has its limits and ultimate power truly resides with the Lord.

Nevertheless the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong has indicated his wish to bring back from the dead, the late former President Mills for him to witness at first hand how the former Attorney-General (A-G) he booted out of office has blossomed from grass to Grace.

Mr. Amidu was kicked out of office as A-G under the leadership of the late former president Mills for misconduct. He was subjected to all kinds of public ridicule for attempting to prevent the government from paying huge judgement debts to individuals and companies who had not done any work for the nation.

At last, Martin Amidu appears to be riding on cloud nine following his ability to get the Supreme Court to retrieve over €40 million illegally paid to Waterville Holdings as judgement debt.

Waterville Holdings, one of the companies which spearheaded the construction of some stadia in Ghana ahead of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, was paid the award after dragging the Government of Ghana to Court in 2009. But in a unanimous decision by a nine-member Bench on Friday June 14, 2013, the Court ruled that Waterville Holdings was not deserving of the judgment award.

But speaking on Okay FM, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong pointed out that the verdict of the matter proves that Martin Amidu was fighting a genuine course although he locked horns with President Mills whilst doing so.

He added that the unfortunate side of the story is the inability of the late former President to witness the triumph of the very man his administration booted out of office.

“If we had the power like God, we should resurrect Mills for him to come and witness how heroic Martin Amidu has become. People used to say President Mills is the ‘Prince of Peace’ and that he speaks the truth but what we have seen proves otherwise. Martin Amidu was fighting a genuine course”, he added.

This is a big thing for those who care—-the pro twitter individuals and a set back for those who are all against twitter.

The word ‘tweet’ has officially been accepted in English language as the Oxford English Dictionary has added it to its words.

‘Tweet’ – to post a message to Twitter – has been included in the hallowed pages of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Although the word ‘tweet’ is already in the OED in relation to bird song, it now has an additional official definition in the June 2013 edition.

So you can write ‘to tweet’ in your English essays and your professor cannot get upset or mark you down…

This is a clear indication of the masses power!

Maybe undercover/investigative journalist-Anas Aremeyaw Anas was just making noise when he threatened to exposed John Dumelo should he not settle an impending monetary issue he had with a certain newly born woman, living in Australia.

After Anas’ facebook message which many have called ‘unfortunate’ and an ‘unnecessary’ threat, it emerged that the journalist was asking John Dumelo to clean himself up by paying a woman he had unfairly taken $10000 from—accordingly to the woman.

Though John Dumelo has not challenged this but sources close to him have stated that John Dumelo only received $2000 from this woman and even that, it was a generous gift towards one of the actor’s projects.

The issue therefore has been, did John Dumelo unfairly appropriate $10000 from this woman, or was it actually $2000 as John is reported to have said.

Few weeks after the back and forth on the exact amount with many patiently waiting for Anas Aremyaw Anas to come forward with the tapes and dirt he has through his investigation obtained on John Dumelo, the journalist has said, he will not be exposing John.

Well dodge John!

Speaking to Ghana based Entertainment newspaper-Flex, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has revealed that “in as much as John Dumelo was expected to pay the amount of 10,000 Dollars before the two–week ultimatum, he has only paid an amount of 6,000 Dollars and needs to pay an additional 4,000 Dollars”.

The newspaper adds that;

When asked if he would go ahead and expose John Dumelo through the audio tapes, Anas noted that he would not reveal the audio tapes because in his estimation, John Dumelo has demonstrated his willingness to pay the entire 10,000 Dollars. ‘At this stage 6,000 Dollars has been paid and it’s a demonstration of his (John Dumelo’s) willingness to pay.

The process is not about the vilification of any character. It’s just about fairness and I think he has played it fair. I think the matter should come to rest now and we should move on. This is not any personal fight. I contacted him three months ago to react to the issue but he didn’t give it any meaningful reaction.

If he has given the necessary attention to the issue now, there is no need to go ahead and release those tapes. It’s fair to say that he has conducted himself well in this matter” Anas told ‘Flex’ newspaper.

When Anas was asked if he was hopeful John Dumelo would pay the remaining 4,000 Dollars, this is what he also had to say; ”I am very hopeful he is going to work on that. I am satisfied with his demonstration of willingness to pay and that was all that I expected when I contacted him three months back. I would want to reiterate that this whole issue isn’t a personal issue. It isn’t also an issue bothering on sex or relationship”.

It seems it is GAME OVER—-at least for now!

READ ALSO: John Dumelo Is A CHANGED Man, He Is Just Being Haunted By Past Mistakes