Entertainment
Ghana ranks 3rd most peaceful African country – Peace Index
Ghana has been ranked third in the Global Peace Index (GPI) as the most peaceful African country.
The ranking by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) also rated Ghana as the 43rd most peaceful country in the world.
According to the 14th edition of the ranking of the IEP, Ghana moved up one place from the 2019 GPI and it is now behind only Mauritius (1st) and Botswana (2nd) in sub-Saharan Africa, while South Sudan remains the least peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Ghana rose on the rankings despite Sub-Saharan Africa’s slight fall in peacefulness on the 2020 GPI, with an overall score deterioration of 0.5 percent.
The ranking noted that 20 countries in the region improved in peacefulness, while 24 deteriorated.
The region’s three countries that recorded high points in peacefulness in last year’s ranking were South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, and Equatorial Guinea, all of which recorded improvements of more than six percent, while Benin experienced the biggest deterioration of any country in the world, falling 34 places in the ranking to 106th on the 2020 GPI.
The poor performance may not be unconnected with sporadic clashes, which erupted across the country, following the election in April 2019, in which the opposition party was effectively banned, leading to a deterioration in political instability.
Niger recorded the second largest deterioration in the region. Over the last year, cross-border armed robberies and violent crimes by gangs led to a deterioration of the violent crime indicator.
According to the index, civil unrest in sub-Saharan Africa rose by more than 800 percent over the period, from 32 riots and protests in 2011 to 292 in 2018.
pulse.com
Entertainment
Prophet Atarah opens new studio, launches Atarah Praise 2025
Prophet Joseph Atarah has launched his annual event aimed at bringing believers together in an atmosphere of worship and praise.
The theme for this edition is ‘Restoration’ with the belief that patrons would be restored in the face of their challenges.
The programme will be in two parts, with the first scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom at 5pm on May 11, at Pleasant Place Church.
The Ghana edition will take place at the forecourt of Believer’s Grace Crown Ministry International, Bond Square, Adenta Barrier, at 4pm on May 25.
Prophet Atarah has paraded Piesie Esther, Kofi Owusu Peprah, Nana Yaw Asare and Mavis Asante among others for the Ghana edition.
For the UK edition, patrons will enjoy performances from Kofi Owusu Peprah, Kobby Mantey, Emmanuel Smith, and Ern Ruthy.
Speaking at the launch, Prophet Atarah said, God has been good throughout last year, and 2025 has started on a positive note.
Against this backdrop, he wants to bring believers together and, in unity, to praise God.
He said, like what happened last year, a lot of miracles will take place.
In a related development, Prophet Atarah also commissioned a new studio for rehearsals and live recordings.
This, he said, was not limited to him, but open to every musician across all genres.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Empress Gifty to thrill patrons at MTN Stands In Worship on Easter Sunday
Ghanaian gospel heavyweight, Empress Gifty is set to thrill thousands at this year’s MTN Stands In Worship event.
The programme brings believers together annually to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ.
This year’s edition, slated for the Grand Arena on Sunday, April 20, will feature Empress Gifty.
Against this backdrop, the anointed gospel musician has urged all patrons to come with a heart of worship and praise.
She is optimistic that a lot of miracles will happen through the ministration.
“Through our ministrations instant miracles will happen and you are going to have an encounter with God,” she told The Spectator.
Empress Gifty again appealed to patrons not to come alone, but with their families and friends to receive blessings.
Empress Gifty, who had a big song dubbed Watch Me, has been nominated in the Best Traditional Gospel Song of the Year and Gospel Artiste of the Year categories at this year’s 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
