Last days are dangerous

DJ, cue the recruitment drama playlist.

Author

Chale News
December 18, 2024

So, what’s in the bag today?

  • Politics: Turns out, recruitment drama during transitions is the new trending playlist—everyone has their favorite beat, and they’re sticking to it.

  • National: Fibre optic cables are the new exes—getting cut off left and right, costing a fortune, and leaving the whole nation on read.

  • Crime: When you fake it till you make it... to jail.

  • Energy: Kosmos Energy said, “It’s not you, it’s us,” leaving Tullow Oil single and thriving

  • Politics: Operation ORAL: Mahama’s Anti-Corruption Avengers assemble

  • Fact of the Day: Paris wasn’t giving Eiffel Tower vibes? There’s a hotline for that.

  • National: It’s the legal showdown of the year—will Ghana’s anti-gay bill stay or get benched?

  • Politics: Who’s footing the bill for Mahama’s corruption-busting crew? Afenyo-Markin says, “We need answers!”

QUICK BYTE

  • President-elect Mahama’s team thinks the outgoing administration is handing out jobs like they’re free t-shirts at a beach clean-up, claiming some shady last-minute recruitments. But Fatimatu Abubakar, the Minister for Information, hopped on JoyNews like a pro and said, “Ah, what last-minute? We’ve been at this recruitment thing before the elections—you guys just noticed? Recruitment isn’t on pause just because power is changing hands.” Mahama’s team is low-key threatening to reverse any recruitments that smell fishy. Imagine being that one recruit who just got the job, only for the new management to roll in like, “Yeah, we’re gonna need that ID badge back.” Read more

  • You know that one friend who’s always fixing their cracked phone screen? That’s Ghana’s telecom industry, but instead of screens, it’s fibre optic cables—and the cracks are coming from everywhere. From roadworks slicing through cables to farmers treating them like stubborn weeds. Thieves and vandals are also turning cables into their DIY projects. Honestly, fibre cables must feel like jollof rice at a party—everybody wants a piece. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the telecom “headmaster,” says 2024’s tally hit 10,233 cuts, burning a $17.4 million hole in telco pockets. Read more

  • Just when the energy world thought there’d be a power couple, Kosmos Energy bailed on its merger talks with Tullow Oil. The December 12 announcement of their potential union is now history, as Kosmos decided it’s better to fly solo. Meanwhile, Tullow’s Board is hitting us with the “I don’t need no partner” vibes, doubling down on their standalone game plan. Get the 411 in the Deep Dive section below

  • Alex Cobbinah, the TikTok military “influencer,” just learned that pretending to be a soldier isn’t a good look—unless you like handcuffs. The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) nabbed him after his viral video claimed President-elect Mahama had beef with “protocol recruits.” Spoiler: GAF wasn’t amused. They pulled up at his crib in Madina Zongo Junction, and let’s just say Alex’s military career ended before it even started. Read more

  • President-elect John Dramani Mahama isn’t waiting for January to start cleaning house. He’s formed a five-member team under the "Operation Recover All Loot" (ORAL) initiative to tackle corruption and recover state assets. Led by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the squad includes heavyweights like former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo, legal eagle Martin Kpebu, retired COP Nathaniel Kofi Boakye, and investigative journalist Raymond Archer. Read more

FACT OF THE DAY

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The Japanese Embassy in Paris has a 24-hour hotline for Japanese tourists who experience culture shock from their expectations vs reality of Paris.

  • All eyes on the Supreme Court today cos it’s judgment day for Ghana’s most talked about anti-gay bill. This bill’s got people heated. On one side, folks are like, “It’s about protecting culture and family values!” Meanwhile, human rights advocates are screaming, “Violation of freedom 101!” But now, two challengers claim Parliament fumbled the quorum rule (Articles 102 and 104 of the Constitution) while passing the bill. Translation? They didn’t have enough people to make it legal. If the Supreme Court says “facts,” the bill could be toast. Read more

  • Alexander Afenyo-Markin isn’t buying the whole anti-corruption squad setup without knowing who’s paying the bills. His point? If private individuals are funding it, there could be a whiff of corruption within the anti-corruption committee itself. And if public funds are involved, the NPP wants to know who signed off on the budget. Read more

DEEP DIVE

Kosmos Pulls the Plug—Tullow’s Solo Era Continues

Imagine hyping up a date with someone who seems like the perfect match—only for them to ghost you after appetizers. That’s basically what just happened with Kosmos Energy and Tullow Oil.

A few weeks ago, the buzz was all about an all-share merger that could’ve turned Africa’s oil game upside down. Speculation was wild, investors were giddy, and energy enthusiasts were already throwing out ship names (Koslow? Tullmos?). But Kosmos just hit the brakes faster than your Uber driver at a yellow light.

So, why the cold feet? Details are not clear, but Kosmos released a statement saying, “Nah, we’re good.” On the flip side, Tullow Oil isn’t taking the breakup too hard. Their Board issued a statement that basically said, “We’re fine on our own, thanks.” They’re flexing about optimizing their finances, tackling debt, and nailing their Branch Profits Remittance tax arbitration like it’s a TikTok challenge.

The vibe? Tullow is Beyoncé-ing its way through this—single and focused on slaying the energy sector solo. Kosmos? Probably enjoying a quiet walk of shame back to its own business. Read more

NEWS SOURCES

Today’s stories are curated from: