Entertainment
R. Kelly trial: Singer has dark side hidden from public – prosecutor
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R. Kelly has a “dark” and “hidden” side that the public rarely saw during his career, prosecutors said at the opening of his second federal trial.
The R&B singer was found guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering in a New York court last year. He was later sentenced to 30 years in jail.
But on Wednesday, a separate trial on child pornography and obstruction charges began in Chicago.
His lawyer urged the jury not to accept the portrayal of Kelly as “a monster”.
Kelly, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, faces 13 charges, including creating and receiving child pornography, obstruction of justice and enticing minors into sexual activity.
In 2008, he was also accused of trying to rig a similar trial by bribing and intimidating witnesses.
Prosecutors used their opening statements to tell the jury what to expect over the next four or so weeks, detailing the survivors who will testify and some of what the jury is expected to hear.
That includes hearing from one woman – who prosecutors are calling Jane – who will testify that she appeared in an alleged sex tape with Kelly when she was 13 or 14 and the singer was 31.
According to prosecutors, Kelly made four separate videos with Jane – segments of which will be shown to jurors.
That video was the centre of the 2008 trial, however at the time Kelly and Jane denied it was them in the tape. Neither testified and Kelly was acquitted on all charges.
This trial, happening in his hometown of Chicago, is being seen by many as a repeat of the 2008 trial, when he was facing 14 charges of child pornography.
Two of Kelly’s former employees are also facing charges in this trial. Derrel McDavid, his former business manager, is accused of helping Kelly fix the 2008 trial, and Milton Brown is charged with receiving child pornography.
Both men have pleaded not guilty. Mr McDavid plans to testify in court, his attorney said on Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege Kelly and Mr McDavid sent hush money and expensive gifts to Jane and her parents over several years to keep them quiet.
Kelly’s previous trial was highly publicised, and in her opening address, his defence attorney reminded the jury that he deserved a fair trial even if the government seeks to portray him as a “monster”.
“There is no R. Kelly exception,” Jennifer Bonjean said.
“It is true that Mr Kelly is imperfect. It is true that, on his journey from poverty to stardom, that he stumbled along the way. We won’t deny that,” she told the court.
She also alleged that several of the witnesses against Kelly were “criminals” who have “extorted him” and have immunity deals. Additionally, she suggested that the government is taking advantage of a series of documentaries and of social media outrage to prosecute Mr Kelly in a “mob-justice climate”.
This trial in Chicago comes just a few months after Kelly was sentenced in a New York court to 30 years in prison.
Jurors at the six-week New York trial heard how he trafficked women between different US states, assisted by managers, security guards and other members of his entourage.
The court also heard how Kelly had illegally obtained paperwork to marry singer Aaliyah when she was 15 in 1994, seven years before she died in a plane crash.
The certificate, leaked at the time, listed Aaliyah’s age as 18. The marriage was annulled months later.
Kelly is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for hits like Bump N’ Grind, Ignition (Remix) and the hugely popular 1996 anthem I Believe I Can Fly.
Sexual abuse allegations and accounts of his predatory behaviour towards young girls and women go back decades. He is still facing state charges of aggravated sexual abuse in Illinois and prostitution and solicitation charges in Minnesota.
Source: BBC
Former Black Stars captain, André Dede Ayew, has called on school children to take their education seriously and look out for one another, saying they hold the future of Ghana in their hands.
Ayew made the remarks on Friday, July 10, during the Miss Ghana Foundation’s nationwide youth mentorship programme held at Martey Tsuru Presbyterian JHS in Accra.
More than 300 pupils took part in sessions focused on patriotism, empathy, resilience, and civic responsibility.
The footballer said he accepted the invitation from the Foundation’s Chairperson, Inna Patty, Esq., because he believes in initiatives that help shape the next generation.
“You are the future of Ghana. You need to take your studies seriously, be smart, work hard and care for one another. A strong nation is built when its people love and support each other,” he told the pupils.
Ayew also emphasized the link between education and good character.
“School is important, but being human and understanding other people is even more important. I see the next presidents, ministers, footballers and leaders sitting here today. The future of our nation is in your hands, so you must be willing to work hard,” he added.
The event was part of the Miss Ghana Foundation’s ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ initiative.
Contestants for Miss Ghana 2026 also addressed the students, encouraging them to embrace empathy, patriotism, resilience, and compassion as they grow into responsible citizens.
The programme received support from award-winning actress Jackie Appiah, who donated cartons of bottled water and soft drinks, while A1 Bread provided refreshments for the children.
Inna Patty thanked Ayew for his participation and said the Foundation will extend the youth mentorship programme to all 16 regions to instill positive values in Ghana’s next generation.
This year’s Miss Ghana pageant marks its 69th edition and is themed: ‘Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy.’
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The heartbeat of Ahanta Heritage Month 2026 will echo through the streets of Agona Nkwanta on Sunday, July 26, as residents and visitors converge for what promises to be one of the biggest outdoor cultural and entertainment experiences in the Western Region.
Dubbed the ‘Ahanta Heritage Street Carnival,’ the event will combine music, culture, entrepreneurship and community celebration in an atmosphere designed to showcase the vibrancy of the Ahanta people while creating opportunities for local businesses and creative talents.
Hosted by the Member of Parliament for Ahanta West Constituency, Mavis Kuukua Bissue, the carnival forms part of the broader Ahanta Heritage Month celebrations aimed at promoting the constituency’s rich cultural identity and strengthening community participation.
Beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Agona Nkwanta, the event will feature an exciting Vendors Market alongside electrifying live stage performances from some of Ghana’s most celebrated entertainers, including Keche Global, Nero X, Kweku Bany and Hyndy.
Organisers say the carnival has been deliberately designed to go beyond entertainment. The Vendors Market will provide a platform for entrepreneurs, artisans, food vendors and small businesses to showcase their products and services while connecting directly with hundreds of patrons expected to attend. It is expected to stimulate local commerce and demonstrate how cultural festivals can contribute meaningfully to economic development.
The event also reflects the broader vision of Ahanta Heritage Month, which seeks to preserve the history of the Ahanta people while creating modern opportunities through tourism, enterprise and the creative economy. As part of the celebrations, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in activities that celebrate Ahanta’s heritage and deepen appreciation for its historical significance.
With an impressive line-up of performers, an energetic street atmosphere and a marketplace that celebrates local enterprise, the Ahanta Heritage Street Carnival is expected to attract music lovers, families, tourists and members of the Ahanta diaspora from across Ghana.
For many, it will be more than an afternoon of entertainment; it will be an opportunity to celebrate identity, support local businesses and experience the warmth, creativity and resilience of the Ahanta people.
On Sunday, July 26, Agona Nkwanta will not simply host a carnival; it will become a living showcase of Ahanta’s heritage, where culture meets commerce, history inspires the present, and music brings an entire community together.
