Bob ROCO Romeo

The floors and cardboards have become the homes of many Ghanaians today; these people are natives of the streets. Every open space serves as a resting place for them. They come to Accra with high hopes, but after a few days their expectations fade away as reality dawns on them. Accra is not a paradise. Accra is governed by the law of survival of the fittest. Accra is a lot more expensive to live in compared to where they come from – that is the reality which hits them, but in order to avoid embarrassment back home they remain and defy the odds, doing all kinds of work to rake in a few cedis the tough way. For them, each day is another day to survive and endure. You will find them bundled up in front of shops and pavements. They sleep on cardboards laid on stinking drains as the night pierces them with cold breeze. When day breaks, they bundle up their belongings and go about their daily activities. Some are beggars, “kayayes” (head porters), shoemakers, errand boys and girls w

Prem Shukla Prem Shukla, the Chief Executive Officer of Plan Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, has called for the engagement of women and girls equally in leadership and decision making. “A real and lasting improvement in the lives of women and girls is to enable them become leaders in our communities, workplaces and families. Let us all champion the course of girl child empowerment. This is a sure way to achieve prosperity for all,” he said. Speaking at the launch of the 2014 ‘Because I am a Girl’, (BIAAG) report, an annual publication which assesses the state of the World’s Girl in Accra, Mr. Shukla said leadership is not limited to only those in formal positions of power but is rather a mindset, that each individual can make a difference. Under the theme “Pathways to Power: Creating Sustainable Change for Adolescent Girls”, the State of the World’s Girls Report looks closely and critically at the world around girls and ideals that shape their identities. The

The new Nissan Qashqai model arrives in Ghana with a four-model range supported by a 2.0 litre petrol engine and two trim lines. Efficient, modern, trendy and energetic in its execution, the Nissan Qashqai is not just a reworked original with a renewed lease on life. Head of Marketing and Public Relations at Japan Motors Trading Company Limited, Hilda Peasah said: "The Nissan Qashqai also offers enhanced efficiency through an extensive mass reduction programme, resulting in 40kg weight loss on some models despite the extensive addition of new equipment" . Produced at the Nissan Sunderland plant in England, the new Qashqai arrives in Ghana with a four - model range supported by a 2.0-litre petrol engine and two trim lines. The new Nissan Qashqai is available with the 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine which was seen in the first generation model as well. The power and torque was improved to 103kW (144hp) at 6000 rpm and 196Nm (20.4kg-m) at 4400 rpm with a

CEO of uniCredit Samuel Sakyi-Hyde explains the God factor in his success as a banker Samuel Sakyi-Hyde is not just a banker with almost two decades of experience, but also a soulful man of God, a lecturer of repute, a father to three strong boys and a loving husband to a beautiful and understanding wife. The newly appointed CEO of uniCredit, the savings and loans company, says he has been handling all duties efficiently and effectively “with the able grace of God Almighty”. Recounting his humble beginnings from the streets of Accra Newtown through Bubuashie and then Adenta, all in the Greater Accra Region, Samuel says that since his school days in the University of Ghana, where he studied statistics and economics, he has always wanted to be a banker. Therefore, landing his national service job at Ga Rural Bank was no surprise to him. Over there, he learnt the rudiments of banking – tellering, back-office operations, clearing, credit, and projects. After picking up the ba

Okyeame Kwame, the "Rap Doctor" Versatile musician Okyeame Kwame has revealed that the attractive locations and scenery in South Africa is what is luring Ghanaian artistes to shoot their music videos in that country. Ghanaian musical heavyweights E.L, M.anifest, and D-Black seem to have fallen in love with South Africa especially when it is about shooting that eye-catching video for their club bangers. The renowned rapper and singer Kwame Nsiah Apau, known in showbiz as Okyeame Kwame, in a recent interview, tried to explain the exodus of local artistes to South Africa to shoot their music videos citing the country’s beautiful scenery and sprawling infrastructure. “The choice of South Africa is based on a number of factors from well-developed infrastructure and beautiful scenery to the professionalism of the production companies and their ability to deliver quality work in a timely manner.” Okyeame Kwame has been in the music industry for well over fi

Don’t destroy yourself. Destruction is self-caused. Nothing good comes easy and neither do bad things, too. There’s so much to be enjoyed and fulfilled on earth; why be in a haste to enjoy through dubious, corruptible means that will destroy your live. Much more is expected of you. Nothing shatters darkness like light. Understanding gives light. I’m a graphic artist by profession, but when I started writing, many were conjecturing, some were praising and some also said, “you can do it”.  Sometimes, you could get so depressed, but whence come my help? My help comes from the Lord. The only way to get ahead when you’re down is to rely on the Sovereign God Most High. Light will always make the difference anywhere. When you locate the light in your divine being, nothing can shatter your aspirations. Until your night falls or tiredness comes, you are not permitted to enter into a state of torpor. That doesn’t mean you have to overwork yourself to gain something. You need to work an

It's a new day and a sunlight to bring to you Dennis Prempeh, commonly referred to by his stage name, Owurasax, is a talented musician who displays his heart and gratitude with the vocal breaths he infuses into his saxophone. Born in Kumasi, Dennis OwuraSax, by age 17, had become the youngest pianist to join an adult jazz combo band called The Royal Jazz Combo, led by popular TV star Frank Butah. The Royal Jazz Combo became a resident jazz combo band at Manhyia Palace for His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu and performed in many hotels within Ghana. Realising all the opportunities and wonderful experiences with the band, Dennis discovered a deeper passion for the saxophone, the instrument that so encompasses his everyday life. He was guided and coached by some great Ghanaian musicians like Agya Koo Nimo, Frank Butah, Kwame Chief, Akwasi Butah, Osei Tutu, Teddy Osei and many others. As he journeyed into the hands of the veteran Frank Butah, he became the youngest saxophon

Often, some people think you can play a smart one by lying. But, can you help a liar? Every sort of sexual sin, cheating, breaking the law, bribery and others, you name it, I’ve seen it all. There is an established set of procedures in place to deal with those who get in trouble.   Very often they are able to help the young people make amends and set their lives on a new path. You can’t help a liar. You can help anyone struggling with any sort of difficulty or sin as long as they tell the truth. I hope you know and will agree with me that you can't can’t help a liar because you can’t trust anything he says. The situation is compounded by the fact that when most of us get caught in any vice act, we confess as little as possible. That’s not an ordinary person's problem; that’s a human problem. And that leads to the second key point.   One sign of true repentance is when “someone tell you something you didn’t already know.”   If you knew A + B + C, but the person then adds D +

Marriage is really a good thing. It shapes your attitude and helps you enjoy the blessings of togetherness. Now, to our topic for today: "Is marriage ideal?" Yes! The answer is really a whole lot less complicated than many have made it – and it is nowhere near as confusing as some traditional teaching may have taught. A man once said: No one knows what marriage will eventually become, but for now it’s incredibly personal – it's about two people and their commitment to one another, and each commitment is unique. Marriage – even when you are engaged to the so-called right person – will require lots and lots from within to make or create a happy and successful home. It takes much of all in you to give out in love before even the receiving comes. Honestly, your marriage could go in any direction by the words from your tongue. The Bible says: "...whatsoever you shall say to this mountain, be removed,... he shall have whatsoever he says" (Mark 11:23). But

Often, it baffles me to see or know that some ladies are interested in getting pregnant to tie down a man to them, only to find later that pregnancy does not improve their relationship but rather creates a conflict that leads to separation. Meanwhile, what is marriage? According to Wikipedia, marriage is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged. Such a union is often formalised via a wedding ceremony. People actually marry for many reasons, which include procreation, emotional, financial and spiritual reasons, for love, religion and a host of others. It is common knowledge these days that many guys want their ladies to become pregnant before marriage, and many ladies themselves want to conceive before their wedding. This means that pregnancy is becoming a prerequisite for marriage. The reality though is that many churches these days don't join a couple together if the woman is pregnant, except if the church is n

I’ll want to write and educate you on weaving your way through tough times in marriage and relationships. Countless people find themselves in stumbling thoughts as to whether to marry or not. If you’re feeling hurt and unloved, frustrated that things aren’t getting better, troubled about what may happen next or even worried that it may be too late, I want you to know that there is help in any problem. Marriage is a gift from the Most High. I count it a great privilege to share God's Word with you today. It's my prayer that there will be a transformation in your marriage and home as you go through part one of this article – in Jesus' name. This month, by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, I will be looking at Marriage: A Gift from God. God's Word says: “A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: withersoever it turneth, it prospereth” (Proverbs 17:8). When a man is presented with a gift, how he sees it will determine how much value

He was born Teddy Ansah Cobbinah but he is widely known by his stage name, Kofi Teddy. As one of the budding gospel musicians from Takoradi, Kofi Teddy learnt his trade from Emmanuel Djokoto (jnr) and KODA. According to him, his mother has been instrumental in his musical career having helped nursed his ambitions from such a tender age where she made him join the music department of the Christian Restoration Centre. Kofi Teddy continued his exploits when he and his family joined the Calvary Charismatic Centre (CCC), Takoradi where he met KODA. By the time Kofi Teddy entered the university, he was so immersed in his craft and was dedicated to deepening his ties with God. The All Nations University, Koforidua also provided a transformational platform for Kofi Teddy where he helped in the transformation of the campus choir. As a singer and songwriter, Kofi Teddy’s music is an evidence of mastery of all genres that exists and is always laced with beautifully wove

Conscience is an internal judge examining all that you do or say. It cries out before any wrong-doing. It does not keep quiet during the act and it keeps on talking even after the act because of the judgmental instinct. Every man has a conscience but it's good to use it well. “Watch out that no…bitterness grows up.” Betrayal is something others do to you; bitterness is something you do to yourself. It’s impossible to go through life without being hurt. It may be an unfaithful mate, an employee who slanders you, or a boss who fires you without explanation. Regardless of who you are or where you're from, each of us has the capacity to become bitter at times. Life simply has a way of presenting circumstances that if not dealt with properly can leave us bitter within. Bitterness is an extremely unhealthy emotion that depletes you of any joy you may possess and cause you to become less than you were created to be. Sitting at supper with His disciples, Jesus said, “One of you

Sharon Marley Prendergast; daughter of Bob Marley and Ekow Alabi Savage officially tied the love knot at a private family spot in Accra on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. Sharon and Ekow met about 23 years ago, and finally, they're husband and wife. The wedding was a very colourful ceremony with just few family folks of both couple and a few invited guests. The bonding of Sharon and Ekow has inked a very respectable history, thus, a true reflection of the Afro-Caribbean connection as well as a visible example of repatriation. Dr. Erica Bennett, Ambassador for the Diasporan African Forum (DAF), was present at the ceremony to represent Rita Marley (who had travelled out of the country to USA). “The Marley family is an iconic family, and they welcome you into their family. And they have allowed you to be part of their (Marley) family. They asked me to give you a message – No Woman, No Cry – they don’t want to see any tears in her eyes. The tears she’s shedding today are tears of