East Africa

Details: East Africa; 16 July 2024; 223

By WILFRED CLARKE

NOW

Unity Link did well to support a cross section of the Ghanaian community who came to participate in their raffle draw in the year 2014, at Ghana Party in the Park.
Ghana Party in the Park 2024 moves to Oak Hill Park, Parkside Gardens in Barnet. The annual Ghanaian themed celebration has had its fair share of location moves, from Modern Park, Trent Park and now, to its latest location in Barnet.

This year's celebration, according to AkwaabaUK, will see the performances of acts such as Kidi, King Paluta, BeezTrap-KOTM, OliveTheBoy, Tulenkey and the songstress Wendy Shay on Saturday 13 th July 2024. The essence of this story is to cast back in time, to revisit and recount retrospectively what
Unity Link as a company lavished upon some of the people that attended Ghana Party in the Park 2014.

THEN

That year's Ghana themed annual crowd gathering ’PARTY IN THE PARK, came to pass with its usual ups and downs on Saturday second of August 2014.
People, some Ghanaian and other nationals, came from afar to embrace the culture and traditional values of family and friendship. Mr Dennis Tawiah who is the presiding event coordinator of the AkwaabaUK entertainment group, did his best to tighten security at the venue to avoid the mishaps that come with
organising events.

The time the event started was very late and appalling to the standard and image of kwaabaUK Promotions. Apart from the youths' stage which was ready around one clock, the rest of the stages were not ready at the time of entry. The various food stalls were beaming with sweet condiments that exude the aroma of national
and international tastes and pride.

Although music sounded lovely to many ears, depending on which stage, age or passion one shares in music, there was more to happen elsewhere on the park. King K. and the Messiah Band were perched and settled just close to the Gold Coast catering arena, blasting life into the party, from their music repertoire. But the Messiah Band's party was cut short as and when K.Nyame and his Davidson Band erupted from the Unity Link stage, which was mounted in the opposite direction.

MC Clarke Pentoa, formerly of Rainbow radio, was at hand to steer affairs on the Unity-Link stage, bringing verve, pace, pump and disco to the feet of the dancing crowd. Kwaku Owusu Frimpong, a presenter from Rainbow radio and Vox Africa TV, furnished revellers with information while respecting and keeping all protocols under the Ghana High Commission canopy.

While the party was alive and highly kicking, Mr Alphonso 'The Photographer, made sure all the scenic and picturesque moments were captured as far as light, camera and action is concerned. Unity-Link: the money-sending giants did well to lavish upon some patrons with gifts during their raffle draw, ranging from Plasma TVs to Computer-Tablets.

A lady who won the first TV said," I can't believe this, oh my God" and as to how she is going to take it home, I don't even have a clue ; she affirmed. Mr Ato Brown and his Abn TV crew were present to televise all the interesting titbits of the party, and the provision of quality sounds from Fikodarl-Sounds made every live instrument
sounded arguably, perfect.

If anything, AkwaabaUK will have to employ better professional Master of Ceremonies to mount their various stages. To juxtapose the 2014 event to that of recent times, in an interview with Lady Abena who has been frequenting the event for some time, recounts: “My very first one was at the age of three.
“And to be honest, I cannot remember anything about that experience, but I believe, that paved the way for my subsequent followships.

“Even though I have been going to Ghana Party in The Park for some time, the most joyous moment out of them all, was in July 2022. “Apart from the artistes who performed, it was rather Ramz, Darkoo, Gyakie and some other names that floated my boat. “Although some people my age were not so happy with some of the new or up and coming artistes, I like the fact that AkwaabaUK have that platform for the new acts to come out of their shells and prove their potential talents to the world.

“Again, personally that was the year I did enjoy the most. Talk of the various sets from the DJs like Kwamz Original, O.V, Y-M, I feel like they all knew exactly how to move the
crowd, and even if one is not from Ghana, they still gave one a reason to vibe to the party. “I think the DJ sets play a major factor in the event given the breaks in-between the various performances.

“I think Ghana Party in The Park is a great experience for all ages. Speaking of that, there are other facilities for children to embark on. “The food stalls, African market style merchandise and so on. And I recommend you check the line-up of the artistes before you buy your tickets. “Because there have been times where acts won’t turn up but have been advertised or billed to perform. “A typical one, was that of Shatta Wale. I feel like that discourages people but again it should ot be a stumbling block, because it is more than just musical performances. There are other ways of making your party while having fun.”

Details: East Africa; 15 July 2024; 180

The attack happened when people were watching the 2024 Euro final between England and Spain [Photo by HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images]

Somalia is battling an insurgency from Islamist group Al-Shabaab with support from an African Union force and US airstrikes. The death toll from a car bombing at a cafe in Somalia's capital Mogadishu that was packed with football fans watching the Euro 2024 final has risen to nine, security sources said Monday.

Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos after the powerful blast late Sunday, with people scrambling for safety and the main entrance to the cafe destroyed by the blaze.

Mohamed Yusuf, an official from the national security agency, said nine civilians were killed and 20 others wounded in the explosion, raising the official toll of five given by police late Sunday.

The popular Top Coffee restaurant, which is located near the presidential palace in the centre of the city, was thronged with young men watching the final that Spain won 2-1 against England.

"There were many people inside the restaurant, most of them youth who were watching the football match... but thanks to God, most of them made their way out safely after using ladders to climb up and jump over the backside perimeter wall," Yusuf said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the state-run Somali National News Agency said Sunday it was carried out by Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab jihadists.

Images posted online showed a huge fireball and plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky as the explosion ripped through the cafe.

'Bleeding and screaming'

"I was inside the restaurant watching the football match when I heard a huge explosion, there was smoke, dust and fire at the front side of the restaurant and we panicked," Said Muktar told AFP.

"I and several other people rushed towards the main entrance, but it was completely inaccessible," he said, adding that he saw people "bleeding and screaming".

"The whole situation was chaos."

Images of the aftermath of the bombing on Monday showed piles of rubble where the restaurant once stood and several burnt-out vehicles, as local residents inspected the scene.

Police officer Mohamed Salad told AFP he rushed to the site a few minutes after the blast.

"Five people died outside the building and on the main road including drivers of vehicles that were passing by the area," he said.

"Four people died inside the restaurant, some of them removed from under the debris."

Attempted jailbreak

Al-Shabaab has been waging a bloody insurgency against Somalia's fragile federal government for more than 17 years and has carried out numerous bombings in Mogadishu and elsewhere in the country.

There had been a relative lull in attacks in recent months as the government presses on with an offensive against the Islamist militants.

But on Saturday, five inmates said to be Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a shootout with guards in an attempted jail break from the main prison in Mogadishu.

Three guards were also killed and 18 others wounded, prison officials said, after the inmates managed to get hold of weapons.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed "all-out" war against the jihadists and government troops have joined forces with local clan militias in a military campaign supported by an African Union force and US air strikes.

But the offensive has suffered setbacks, with Al-Shabaab earlier this year claiming it had taken multiple locations in central Somalia.

Although driven out of Mogadishu by AU forces in 2011, Al-Shabaab still has a strong presence in rural Somalia.

Somalia last month called for the African Union to slow the planned withdrawal of its forces from the troubled country.

UN resolutions called for troop numbers in the AU peacekeeping mission, known as ATMIS, to be reduced to zero by December 31 with security handed over to the Somali army and police.

The third and penultimate phase was to see the departure of 4,000 soldiers out of a total 13,500 ATMIS troops by the end of June.

But Somalia's government said it wanted to see only 2,000 troops leave in June and the remaining 2,000 in September. The New Arab

Details: East Africa; 15 July 2024; 184

Police officers during protests in Nakuru on June 25, 2024

Joyce Mwangi on Monday narrated her ordeal in the hands of unknown individuals after she was allegedly abducted on her way from Meru.

According to the victim who spoke to the press, she was picked up by police officers who were driving four Subarus who forced her to board one of the vehicles.

Joyce Mwangi on Monday narrated her ordeal in the hands of unknown individuals after she was allegedly abducted on her way from Meru.

According to the victim who spoke to the press, she was picked up by police officers who were driving four Subarus who forced her to board one of the vehicles.

She was driven to Chaka Forest in Nyeri County where was reportedly tortured and interrogated.

"When we got to Chaka centre I realised we were not stopping and they started to head towards the State Lodge and I asked them where they were taking me," she revealed.

She revealed that the officers informed her that in order to be free she must comply with whatever they request of her. She however did not reveal details of her release.

Another victim Mwangi Wangai was reportedly abducted by yet another set of unknown people who blindfolded and took him to an unknown location.

Wangai explained that he was handcuffed and did not get a chance to speak to anyone including his wife before they took off. He was tortured for four hours as the officers drove around.

Additionally, Wangai revealed that the suspects were armed and questioned him on who was funding the protests.

"They came with guns and did not identify themselves to me. They handcuffed, blindfolded me and shoved me in the car. They also pushed my head down to prevent me from seeing where we were going," he remarked.

According to the two, they were being targeted for their role in planning to oust the Laikipia East MP and Laikipia Woman Representative.

The two were collecting signatures from the residents to recall the two politicians.

Mwangi and Wangai are among young Kenyans who were abducted after the anti-government protests. Some were released with injuries and psychological trauma.

Additionally, some are still missing and since the protests began on June 18, property worth undisclosed value was destroyed. by MAUREEN NJERI, Kenyans.co.ke

Details: East Africa; 15 July 2024; 201

President William Ruto in Nakuru City on July 15 where he announced the return of ‘Kazi Mtaani’ program which was rolled out by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta but discontinued in September 2022 after alleged embezzlement of funds. [Steve Mkawale, Standard]

President William Ruto has revealed the identities of suspected foreign entities funding the Gen Z protests in Kenya.

In his visit to Nakuru County on Monday, while facing pressure from Generation Z to reform his government, he singled out the American-funded Ford Foundation, saying if the non-governmental organisation was not interested in democracy in Kenya, they should leave.

"Those who are sponsoring the violence, we know them, and I want to call out those who are behind the anarchy in Kenya. Shame on them!" Ruto told residents of Keringet, Kuresoi South, Nakuru County.

“The young people in Kenya are not available to cause violence and anarchy in their own country. If they (Ford Foundation) are not interested in democracy in Kenya, they should either style up or ship out." He said

After three weeks of protests that turned violent and destructive, Ruto made a development tour of Nakuru County, inaugurating some projects as he called for unity among Kenyans amid challenges.

The President exuded confidence in tone and manner as he pushed back on the recent deadly protests by young people, saying he was ready to unite the country.

Although he avoided the debate on a national dialogue, which he had promised to initiate this week, Ruto said he was ready and willing to consult widely with leaders and with like-minded people willing to consult and work with him.

“I am ready, I am willing, and I am prepared to consult with many leaders willing to consult with us. If someone does not want to consult and work with me, I will not force them because Kenya is a democratic country.” Ruto said.

The president also announced that he would be naming members of his new cabinet next week after consultation. By Steve Mkawale and Daniel Chege, The Standard

Details: East Africa; 13 July 2024; 226

President William Ruto on Saturday directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Department of Homicide, to initiate an immediate investigation into the deaths of over nine Kenyans whose bodies were discovered in a quarry in Mukuru, Nairobi.

Addressing the issue during his remarks in Elgeyo Marakwet, the President noted the government had been notified of the incident and investigations had commenced.

"In Nairobi, about 9 bodies have been found and all of them are female. The government is still investigating the matter," Ruto said.

"I have directed the police and all those involved including the DCI and homicide that they investigate what happened," he added.

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