Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, died Monday morning, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, announced.

He was 88 and had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Farrell said in the announcement.

“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.

“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Triune.″

The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.

Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.

After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.

In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.

As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.

In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass, which has yet to be announced.

The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.

The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin.

According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.

“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”

Hlefi: Saturday, March 22, 2025 — Artiste Manager/Founder of Events 21 and Philanthropist, Elorm Beenie, has launched a prostate cancer awareness campaign.

The initiative is geared towards educating men on the type of cancer that is silently killing elderly men due to lack of knowledge, early diagnosis, and treatment.

He kicked started the campaign with a screening and education exercise in Hlefi in the Ho West District of the Volta Region, to mark his birthday (which fell on March 21).

Speaking on the birthday Charity Project, he said that “the alarming rate of prostate cancer deaths informed his decision to embark on the campaign to prevent men from suffering preventable deaths.”

He said the campaign would be extended nationwide when the resources are mobilized to ensure that a substantial amount of men benefit from it to enrich their knowledge to safeguard themselves.

“Hopefully this won’t be the first of its kind. I intend to get the support so that I can do it in different parts of the region and the country as well”, Elorm Beenie added.

Mr. Beenie revealed that a component of the prostate cancer campaign would be counseling men to develop the habit of speaking up when they experience societal difficulty by breaking from the shackles of the fear of being stereotyped.

This he said is targeted at reducing suicide cases among men in Ghana, through a partnership with professionals and stakeholders.

“Most suicide cases according to the statistics that I have seen, come from men. And all these things stem from so many issues from depression among others. So it is about time men have a renewed mindset, whereby we can engage in conversations on what is worrying them”, he explained further.

The lead of the medical team for the screening exercise, Bridget Letsa, who is a registered nurse said that prostate cancer, which is the abnormal development of cells in the prostate, is the second-leading cancer disease killing men.

She said the high rate of death was due to a lack of awareness, leading men to only access healthcare when the cancer is at an advanced stage and expensive to treat.

“Much attention has not been given to prostate cancer mostly due to several cancers, because when you hear of breast cancer, which is prevalent in men and women, a lot of attention has been given to it. But when it comes to men, prostate cancer is a topic that most often we don’t talk about. But it is good that it is coming up now because it is a silent killer”, she said.

She added that cancer when detected early can be treated with the use of medication, and injections, but late diagnosis would demand surgery due to the advanced stage of the cancer cells.

She said that though patients report late with their conditions, they reject treatments through surgery, which includes removing the testicles, for the fear of losing their sexuality, and opt for medication and injections which cost between about GhC2,500 and GhC12,000 monthly.

She called on men to have themselves screened annually after 40 years, especially those with a family history of prostate cancer, or take advantage of the prostate cancer awareness month of September and get screened.

“I want to tell our men that it is prudent they take care of their health. Men always want to be men, they want to be strong. But then when it comes to certain conditions, being strong is not helpful. Because the earlier you detect it, the better for us. So I want to plead with our men, that when they notice any changes in urination, if they notice any changes in their health, they shouldn’t hesitate to go to the hospital”, she said.

A member of the Hlefi Development Association, Edwin Addae, appreciated the efforts of Mr. Beenie to address the pressing health needs of men, as the focus had been mainly on women.

“This is a novelty, we have never seen this before. We are very grateful to Elorm Beenie. On behalf of the community and all who benefited, we appreciate the initiative”, he said.

He appealed to indigenes of Hlefi living outside the community to contribute their quota towards the development and well-being of their relatives back home.

All beneficiaries who were diagnosed with symptoms of prostate cancer were provided with some medication and advised to seek early treatment. They also received free massage sessions.

The event was partnered by The Urology Yub Ghana, Inspire Rural Development Africa, Twellium Ghana Limited (Verna Mineral Water), Salaria Eyemed, Salaria Transport Services, Deepfresh Seafoods, Estate Kitchen (Ho), Hill View Restaurant (Ho), Events 21, Beenie Words, Selaviv Records, Shugga Creatives, Swiss Angels Foundation, Elike Foundation, Hlefi Development Group, and some individuals who donated to support the cause.

Veteran Ghanaian actor Mawuli Semevo has died. According to Myjoyonline, the actor died on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, where he was receiving treatment after suffering burns from a fire accident two weeks ago. He was 63 years old.

On February 8, 2025, Judith Addison of Beyond Burns International, a dedicated non-profit organisation committed to providing advocacy and support for burns survivors, reported that Mawuli had been involved in a fire accident and was in critical condition.

“Beyond Burns International got an SOS that something unfortunate has happened. We came here today, and veteran actor Mawuli Semevo has been involved in a severe fire accident. I came here to see him, and his life is hanging in the balance,” Judith said in the  video report posted on their social media pages.

According to her, Mawuli was sleeping in his house when it caught fire.

“He has suffered burns up to 44% of his body. He has respiratory injuries and cannot breathe properly. This is very serious. From his head to his legs. Everywhere caught fire and he has lost all his hair,” she further stated. The report was later corroborated by actors such as Ken Fiati and Edinam Atasti.

Mawuli Semevo is known for his immaculate acting skills both on stage and in movies. He has played roles in movies such as ‘ Harvest at 17’, ‘A Stab in the Dark’, ‘Escape of Love’, ‘Like Cotten Twines’ and ‘The Good Old Days: The Love of AA.’

Ghanaian walking artiste, brand and cultural advocate Samuel Glenn Semakor, popularly known as GlennSamm, once again demonstrated his commitment to giving back to society with his annual charity event, “GlennSammnFriends #LoveBehindBars Edition”. Held on February 15th, the initiative aimed to provide meals and show kindness to individuals detained in police stations across Accra, in celebration of the month of love.

The event saw GlennSamm and his team visit several police stations, including Ashaiman, East Legon, Airport, Cantonments, Nima, Osu, Kaneshie, and Teshie. The goal was to offer support and encouragement to inmates, many of whom often feel forgotten by society. GlennSamm’s initiative provided 500 balls of kenkey with fish and water to those behind bars, ensuring they had a decent meal and a reminder that they are not alone.

Speaking about his motivation for the project, GlennSamm shared a personal experience that inspired him to give back. “When I was arrested and locked behind bars for the first 48 hours, my family didn’t know where I was. I didn’t know how I was going to feed myself. That experience stayed with me, and I promised myself that once I was free, I would find a way to support others in similar situations,” he explained.

GlennSamm emphasized the importance of showing compassion to inmates, regardless of their circumstances. “You don’t need to commit a crime before you are arrested. Life can be unpredictable, and anyone can find themselves in such a situation. We should all find ways to lend a helping hand. You don’t have to be rich to make a difference. I challenge everyone to make an effort to support someone in need,” he urged.

The “Love Behind Bars” initiative was made possible through the collaboration of GlennSamm’s friends, associates,Overseas Logistics and culinary partners, including Emyries Kitchen and the Ghafa Foundation. Their collective efforts ensured the success of the project, which not only provided nourishment but also spread positivity and hope to those often overlooked by society.

 

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In a bold move to reshape Ghana’s transportation sector, American-Ghanaian tech executive Peter Egyin-Mensah has returned home to launch a company aimed at revolutionizing the country’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Through his startup, Ijanu Limited, he envisions a future where Ghana harnesses its abundant solar energy to power a new wave of sustainable mobility.

Speaking on the Ride and Chat show, the entrepreneur detailed his motivation for founding Ijanu Limited—a name that signifies the harnessing of Africa’s abundant sunlight.

Ijanu Limited focuses on two key areas: building a robust solar-powered EV charging network and developing the infrastructure necessary to maintain and service electric vehicles. The company’s mission is to make sustainable transportation feasible and affordable for everyday Ghanaians based on its regenerative business model. Unlike conventional EV charging stations that rely on grid electricity—which can be unreliable in parts of Africa—Ijanu’s model integrates solar energy, reducing operational costs and ensuring a cleaner, renewable power source.

However, the shift to EVs in Ghana comes with challenges. The country’s vehicle market is predominantly dominated by second-hand gasoline-powered cars imported from Europe, Asia, and the United States. Additionally, concerns about maintenance and accessibility to charging stations have slowed the adoption of electric vehicles. To address this, Ijanu Limited is installing charging stations and providing comprehensive maintenance and support services to ensure a seamless transition for new EV owners.

Here’s the full conversation below:

Radford University College (RUC) and The Model Institute (TMI) have signed an Affiliation Agreement on January 16, 2025, marking a major step forward for modeling education in Ghana. This partnership will enable TMI students to earn professional certificates from RUC upon completing their programs, ensuring both academic and industry standards are met.

The collaboration aims to provide students with access to enhanced facilities, expert faculty, and co-branded training programs. Workshops, masterclasses, and internships will form part of the agreement, along with guest lectures and faculty exchanges to expose students to diverse expertise.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, RUC’s President, Dr. Martin Luther Obeng, shared optimism about the initiative, stating that it combines academic rigor with industry creativity. Kofi Kpodo, the director of The Model Institute, highlighted the confidence and global competitiveness this partnership brings to their students.

Admissions for the 2024/2025 academic year are ongoing. Interested applicants can apply online or visit TMI’s campus at Radford University in East Legon, Accra. For more information, visit www.themodelinstitutegh.com or call +233 24 898 9590.

Quincy Jones, a titan of American entertainment who worked with stars from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson and Will Smith, has died aged 91.

Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, said he died on Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Jones was arguably the most versatile pop cultural figure of the 20th century, perhaps best known for producing the albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad for Michael Jackson in the 1980s, which made the singer the biggest pop star of all time. Jones also produced music for Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer and many others.

Jones was married three times, first to his high-school girlfriend Jeri Caldwell, for nine years until 1966, fathering his daughter Jolie. In 1967, he married Ulla Andersson and had a son and daughter, divorcing in 1974 to marry actor Peggy Lipton, best known for roles in The Mod Squad and Twin Peaks. They had two daughters, including the actor Rashida Jones, before divorcing in 1989. He had two further children: Rachel, with a dancer, Carol Reynolds, and Kenya, his daughter with actor Nastassja Kinski.

He never remarried, but continued to date a string of younger women, raising eyebrows with his year-long partnership with 19-year-old Egyptian designer Heba Elawadi when he was 73. He has also claimed to have dated Ivanka Trump and Juliette Gréco.

He is survived by his seven children.

Source: The Guardian