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Excerpts of ‘Tuesday showdown’ at Kwame Nkrumah Interchange
Sanity is returning to the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange in Accra following the ‘showdown’ led by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey, and taskforces from various Municipal Assemblies on Tuesday in the ‘Operation Clean your Frontage.’
Defiant traders who often seized the pavements and other undesignated areas to display their wares advised themselves as unauthorised wooden and concrete structures were pulled down.
Business temporarily came to a halt with sanitation trucks and personnel standing by to clear the filth that had engulfed the area.
As expected, some traders resisted the exercise by pelting stones at the bulldozers brought to site. However, the hundreds of security personnel deployed to the area managed to execute the task in record time. Floating commercial drivers operating lawlessly were also not left out.
The pavements now appear organised as parts have been demarcated with wire mesh to separate trading from pedestrian activities. City authorities said some of the merchants had been relocated to available spaces at the Odawna and nearby markets.
Mr.Quartey had earlier indicated that the exercise was in the best interest of the traders but not meant to deprive them of their livelihood. That, indeed, was the case as some law-abiding traders and pedestrians hailed him and the team for resolving to make ‘Accra work again.’
The exercise which formed part of the ‘Make Accra Work Again’ agenda, was extended to Kaneshie, Abossey Okai and the Central Business District.
It was part of measures by the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council to keep the City clean and enforce sanitation regulations in the city.
Although there has been some satisfaction with the exercise, some members of the public want the prevailing sanity to be sustained.
By Lizzy Okai
Entertainment
Breaking News: Daddy Lumba is dead – Family announces
Ghanaian music legend Charles Kojo Fosu, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, has died.
His family confirmed the sad news in a press release issued on Saturday, saying the 60-year-old passed away earlier in the day after a short illness.
“It is with profound sorrow and deep grief that the Fosu family announces the passing of Ghana’s beloved musical icon,” the statement read.
Daddy Lumba was one of Ghana’s most celebrated highlife musicians. With a career spanning more than three decades, his songs touched millions, telling stories of love, pain, joy, and hope.
He was known for his powerful voice, emotional lyrics, and unique style that made him a household name across the country and beyond.
“His soulful voice provided the soundtrack to our love stories, and his poignant lyrics captured the poetry of our struggles, dreams, and resilience,” the family said.
The family has asked for privacy as they mourn their loss and promised to announce funeral arrangements in the coming days.
The statement was signed by Fati Ali Yallah, a lawyer from Baba Jamal & Associates, on behalf of the Fosu family.
Fans, fellow musicians, and Ghanaians across the country have started pouring out tributes on social media, remembering Daddy Lumba’s unmatched contribution to Ghanaian music.
Entertainment
Edem’s debut album gets praise from Sarkodie
Ghanaian rap star Sarkodie has celebrated fellow artiste Edem for his groundbreaking debut album “The Volta Regime”, calling it one of the greatest albums in Ghana’s music history.
In a heartfelt social media post, Sarkodie, whose real name is Michael Owusu Addo, reflected on the first time he heard Edem rap.
He said he was instantly impressed and knew Edem would have a serious impact on the music scene.
“I remember when I first encountered my brother Edem, I came back home to tell one of my hommies that this guy will have a serious impact on the music scene,”
“He was like naa because of the language barrier. I said I don’t hear language, I hear greatness. Big up my brother, you are still on my favourite emcee list.” Sarkodie wrote.
Edem, born Denning Edem Hotor, released The Volta Regime in 2009. The album boldly embraced the Ewe language and featured collaborations with top Ghanaian artists including Tinny, Kwabena Kwabena, and Jeremie Van-Garshong.
Despite initial doubts about how well Ewe rap would perform commercially, the album proved to be a major success and introduced a new wave of local-language hip-hop.
Songs like Bra Fre Me, Nyorvuviade, and the powerful Intro helped establish Edem’s lyrical prowess and cemented his place as a unique voice in the Ghanaian music industry.
At a time when the local scene was dominated by Twi and Ga-speaking rappers, Edem’s success broke barriers and made it clear that talent speaks louder than language.
His impact opened doors for more linguistic diversity in hiplife and hip-hop music across the country.
Sarkodie’s tribute is especially meaningful because both artists emerged around the same period. Sarkodie’s own debut album Makye also dropped in 2009, and the two have long shown mutual respect for each other’s craft.
Today, over 15 years after its release, The Volta Regime continues to inspire fans and artists alike. It remains a symbol of bold originality and cultural pride.
Edem has since released several projects and remains an active voice in Ghanaian music and youth advocacy. His legacy is a reminder that true greatness is not limited by language.
