THE JFT EDIT

Read: Peace Hyde selected head judge for 2018 All African Business Leaders Awards

British/Ghanaian media entrepreneur Peace Hyde has been featured on leading US news platform Fox News for her transformative work in empowering unemployed youth and building grassroots entrepreneurs in Africa.

Being singled out from 200 visionary leaders to be part of the inaugural class of the 2018 Obama Foundation Leaders Africa program, she  continued to push for the rights of street children to get formal education as well as providing support to impoverished communities and families across Ghana and Nigeria.

Hyde who also heads up the Forbes Africa digital media and partnerships arm as well as the editorial head for the west Africa region has over the years been celebrated globally for her outstanding contribution to the lives of communities with various nominations including the prestigious Discovery young Health Journalist of the year Award. She was also inducted into the 2017 and 2018 United Nations Most Influential People of African Decent list.

Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM

Jemima Fenteng – Twum

The suspect in the kidnapping of three girls in Takoradi revealed in court Monday that a police investigator helped him break jail.
Samuel Oudoterg Willson told the court he does not know the name of the said officer but he can identify.

Besides that officer, the suspect said one Kwesi helped him with oil which facilitated his cutting of the metal bars used to barricade the windows of the cell.

  Read: Kidnapped girls: Police ‘give up’ on suspect as ‘he has refused to talk’
Mr. Willson, however, noted that he is not aware of the current location of the said Kwesi and pleaded for some time from the court to locate him.
He is currently being tried for escaping from lawful custody. The case has been adjourned to February 18, 2019.

Willson is in the capital, Accra currently helping the police with investigations into the whereabouts of the three kidnapped girls.

A vigil was held in Takoradi on February 4 for the kidnapped girls. He escaped from custody after he was picked up in connection to the kidnappings. Police say he has admitted to the kidnappings but is non-cooperative as to their whereabouts.

“He keeps sending us to wrong locations,” the Western regional police commander told Joy News.   What has the family of the girls been saying?

The families of the girls have, however, expressed their displeasure with current proceedings.

Kidnapped girls

They said the return of the girls is of paramount interest to them; they have no interest in the criminal prosecutions.

The Gender and Social Protection Minister, Cynthia Morrison recently visited the families, assuring them that the girls are alive.

Read: Kidnapping: ‘We won’t torture suspect’ – Police

“…so if they are alive, where are they,” a relative quizzed.
The sister of Ruth Quayson, one of the kidnapped girls told Joy News’ Ina-Thalia Quansah that they are giving the authorities a week’s ultimatum or there would be a mammoth demonstration in the Western regional capital.

Priscilla Bentum was abducted in August 2018 while Ruth Quayson and Mantebea Koranchie were taken in December the same year.

//SC//the independent Ghana

Jemima Fenteng – Twum

Kacey Musgraves, Dua Lipa, Cardi B and Lady Gaga were among the big winners at the Grammy Awards, making it a good night for female stars.

Country star Musgraves picked up four awards, including album of the year, while Childish Gambino also won four.

Cardi B made history as the first solo female to win best rap album.

British pop star Dua Lipa was named best new artist and paid tribute to the “incredible” line-up of “so many female artists” in the category.

“I guess this year we’ve really stepped up,” she said – a dig at Grammys president Neil Portnow, who last year tried to deflect criticism of the lack of female winners by saying women needed to “step up” in order to be considered.

• List of winners and nominees
• Grammy highlights: Steamy duets and Dolly’s delights

He appeared on stage at this year’s ceremony to apologise, saying: “This past year I’ve been reminded that if coming face to a face with an issue opens your eyes wide enough it makes you more committed to bring change.”

Speaking backstage, Dua said: “Being in the new artist category and having so many female artists nominated is a big change and it’s a change we want to see for many years to come.

“It’s a big difference from previous years, it only felt right because there were so many artists on there that I love and admire.”

This year’s ceremony certainly appeared to be at pains to make amends, with lifetime achievement prizes for Dolly Parton and Diana Ross, and scores of female performers throughout the night.

• In pictures: Winners and performances
• In pictures: BTS, Cardi B and more on the red carpet

It was the first year in Grammys history that women had won five of the top album awards – album of the year, best pop album (Ariana Grande), best country album (Musgraves), best R&B album (H.E.R.) and best rap album (Cardi B).

Grande won her first ever Grammy Award for Sweetener, but wasn’t there to collect it after a dispute with organisers.

“This is wild and beautiful,” she tweeted. “Thank you so much.”

According to Variety, the Thank U, Next singer also expressed her disdain in a series of since-deleted tweets at the fact Mac Miller, who was nominated posthumously for best rap album, lost out to Cardi B.

“Trash” Grande reportedly wrote when the Brooklyn rapper was announced as the winner. But she later congratulated her, writing: “Good for her. I promise. I’m sorry.”

• Childish Gambino makes Grammys history

Accompanied on stage by her husband Offset, Cardi thanked her daughter Kulture Kiari for giving her the impetus to finish the record on time.

“When I found out I was pregnant, my album was not complete,” she said. “So I was like, ‘I have to get this album done so we can shoot these videos while I was not showing.’”

Speaking backstage, Cardi said she shared her award with late rapper Mac Miller, whose family were at the awards.

But while the Grammys has made strides with female artists, it still needs to repair its image in the hip-hop community.

This year, major stars including Chance The Rapper, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino declined invitations to perform, amid concerns their music is being relegated to the rap categories (no hip-hop record has won album of the year since Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in 2004).

The absence of Childish Gambino – aka actor Donald Glover – was particularly notable on Sunday, after he won four prizes for This Is America, his scathing critique of US socio-politics.

At one point, host Alicia Keys awkwardly had to fill time when no-one came forward to accept the song of the year award on his behalf.

Obama surprise

Pop star Camila Cabello opened the ceremony with a colourful – and expensive – staging of her smash hit Havana, set in a replica of her grandmother’s childhood home in Cuba.

However, some of the most powerful performances were the most simple – including Miley Cyrus and Shawn Mendes’ powerhouse performance of In My Blood, album of the year nominee Brandi Carlile and a rousing tribute to Aretha Franklin by Audra Day, Fantasia and Yolanda Adams.

Former first lady Michelle Obama also made a surprise appearance, giving a speech about the unifying power of music alongside Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Jennifer Lopez and Alicia Keys.

“Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves, our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys,” she said. “It allows us to hear one another, to invite each other in.”

Diana Ross also spoke of the power of music as she performed her own tribute (possibly the most perfect diva moment in a career full of them), just weeks before turning 75.

“When I was a little girl, I thought the joy of singing made me happy, it made my parents happy and it led to this day and it brings me joy,” Ross said.

Parton’s tribute was more inclusive, with fans and friends Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Miley Cyrus and Maren Morris joining the star on stage for a joyful medley of her biggest hits.

Dozens of awards were handed out before the televised ceremony kicked off, with The Greatest Showman winning best soundtrack; and British singer Ella Mai scooping best R&B song for the slinky summer hit Boo’d Up.

“I’m legit trying to take it all in,” said the singer, who was nominated for song of the year. “I’ve dreamt of this moment ever since I was a little girl.”

//SC/BBC//

Jemima fenteng – twum