GENERAL NEWS

IMANI RETRACTS ‘INJURIOUS STATEMENTS’ AGAINST DR. K.K. SARPONG, FUELTRADE

Published

5 years ago

05/07/2019

Lionel

Policy think tank, IMANI Africa, has apologised “unreservedly” to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Dr K. K. Sarpong, and Fueltrade Limited, a mid and upstream petroleum company, for “injurious statements” made against them on April 25, this year.
In a three-paragraph press statement titled ‘Retraction and Apology to Dr KK Sarpong and Fueltrade Limited,’ a copy of which is available to the Daily Graphic, the think tank also retracted the statements that its Vice-President, Mr Kofi Bentil, made against Dr Sarpong and Fueltrade at its press conference on the petroleum sector last month.

The statement, issued on May 5, was signed by Mr Bentil.

Conflict of interest

At the press conference, which focused on issues relating to the operations of Aker Energy in Ghana and the Deepwater Tano Cape Three Points (DWT/CTP) block, Mr Bentil alleged that Dr Sarpong and his family owned Fueltrade, which held two per cent as a local partner of the DWT/CTP Petroleum Agreement.

With Dr Sarpong being the CEO of the GNPC, another partner of the DWT/CTP with a 10 per cent stake, Mr Bentil said it was ethically wrong for a company that he and his family owned to also be a partner of the block.

Consequently, Mr Bentil concluded that Dr Sarpong was in a conflict of interest situation.

However, moments after the press conference, the GNPC CEO denied IMANI’s claims, describing them as false.

He said in a press statement that: “I wish to state emphatically that neither I nor my family own Fuel Trade as claimed by IMANI Ghana“ and further demanded “a retraction of the said claim and an unreserved apology from IMANI and its Deputy Director, Mr Bentil, within two weeks.

Similarly, Fueltrade said in a separate release that Dr Sarpong was not its owner contrary to IMANI’s claims.

Like Dr Sarpong, they also called for an apology and retraction.

*We’re sorry*

*In the statement, IMANI said: “Kofi Bentil and IMANI Africa issue this statement and unreservedly retract and apologise to Dr K.K. Sarpong and Fueltrade Limited for injurious statements made at IMANI Africa’s April 25 forum.*

“In the said forum, as we laid out issues over a 21-slide presentation aimed at bringing focus to some pertinent issues in Ghana’s young oil industry, one of the slides mentioned Dr K. K. Sarpong and Fueltrade in ways they disapproved of, for which Dr Sarpong and Fueltrade have demanded a retraction and apology.

We, therefore, apologise unreservedly and retract same,” it concluded.

GENERAL NEWS

DEBUT ALBUM: Miriam Mandipira & The Soul Family

Published

1 week ago

07/16/2024

Lionel

DEBUT ALBUM by Miriam Mandipira & The Soul Family!
You’ve never heard a voice like Miriam Mandipira’s. Undeservedly, she doesn’t take credit for the power or presence she delivers. For Miriam, music is much more than just notes and words. It’s
magic. And faith. You can experience it LIVE and on the album, which is set to be released on September 1st.

She has been singing for as long as she can remember, growing up with her ears glued to the radio.

From the moment her school teacher asked her to sing in class, the rest has been history. From Africa to Denmark, from Book Café in Harare to Mojo Blues Bar and the big concert halls. From
Danish Radio Big Band to the Royal Theater. Music is music, and Miriam is the music.

“But it’s not about me when I sing. I’m just the instrument, and when I’m on stage with my band, I sing from a place that’s not about rules and technique but about emotions,” says the singer, who is
seriously trying her hand at songwriting – together with her Soul Family on the album “Ndiwe”, which means ‘you are the chosen one of my heart.’ The overall message is impossible to ignore
Love.

“Call me a soul singer, call me a jazz singer. I don’t care. Good music is good music, and I love interpreting other people’s songs and being inspired. At the same time, I think it’s great to try my
hand at creating and writing the songs myself – and with my friends in the Soul Family, I have found my place. They are my family, and the curiosity and respect we share are fantastic.”

You can experience that up close when Miriam & The Soul Family take the stage. The enthusiasm for music and communication is impossible to ignore and hear.

“I love to maintain the feeling of being a child. It’s an excitement and curiosity that keeps me going, and that’s why I’m so excited about every single concert – no matter how small or large it is.

Otherwise, I would never do it. This is not just a casual thing. This is a life, and everything means something,” says Miriam, who began her years in Denmark by jamming at Mojo Blues Bar, building a network.

Enjoy

ENTERTAINMENT

Bnoskka and Apprise Music Join Forces To Launch IP Zone Podcast

Published

2 months ago

05/27/2024

Lionel

Bnoskka, a leading creative arts business and intellectual property consultant, is excited to announce its collaboration with Apprise Music, a renowned music publishing and distribution company, to launch the IP Zone Podcast. Hosted by Bnoskka, the podcast is now streaming on YouTube, Spotify and all major streaming platforms.

IP Zone Podcast delves into the fascinating world of intellectual property, creativity, and innovation, featuring insightful conversations with industry experts, artists, and thought leaders. With a focus on the music and creative industries, the podcast explores the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in intellectual property, copyright, and innovation.

“I am thrilled to partner with Apprise Music to bring IP Zone Podcast to the public,” said Bnoskka. “Our goal is to create an engaging and informative platform that sparks meaningful discussions and inspires creativity. We believe that intellectual property is at the heart of innovation, and we’re excited to share this journey with our audience.”

“Apprise Music is dedicated to empowering creatives and artists to protect and monetize their intellectual property,” said Mr. Michael Bamfo, CEO of Apprise Music. “We’re proud to collaborate with Bnoskka on IP Zone Podcast, and we look forward to sharing our expertise and insights with the creative community.”

Tune in to IP Zone Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and other popular streaming platforms.

Subscribe now and join the conversations.

Contact:
Mr. Michael Bamfo
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +233 24 502 4002

About Bnoskka:
Bnoskka is a creative arts business and intellectual property consultant dedicated to empowering creatives and businesses to protect, monetize, and grow their intellectual property.

About Apprise Music:
Apprise Music is a music publishing and distribution company committed to supporting artists and creatives in the music industry.