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 wor...

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...