As newly elected Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo takes office, one of his top priorities during his first 100 days will be to appoint a special or “independent” prosecutor as “another step forward” in dealing with nationwide corruption.
Former President John Dramani Mahama said the new office will serve as a major milestone for the country, but that it will be effective only if the prosecutor is “independent enough.”
“The new administration in Ghana has decided to introduce an independent prosecutor. That’s another step forward after [the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan] and other interventions in the quest to fight corruption,” Mahama said in a statement. “But the independent prosecutor must be independent enough and prosecute cases even if from within this administration.”
Though there have been no definite decision on who will lead the office, several news outlets have speculated that Akoto Ampaw, longtime freedom lawyer and partner at Akufo-Addo’s law firm, Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co., may be the choice.
South African Comedian Wins Big at the NAACP Image Awards
South African comedian Trevor Noah had a big night at the 48th annual NAACP Image Awards in Pasadena, California, this month, where he took home two awards.
During the Feb. 10 gala dinner, the “Daily Show” host won in the categories of Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author and Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography.
“Such an honour to receive two NAACP Image Awards for my book ‘Born A Crime.’ Thank you to every single person who has shared in my story,” Trevor wrote on Facebook following the ceremony.
Noah was one of 46 recipients awarded during the non-televised gala. Other recipients included Viola Davis for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Laurence Fishburne for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and Beyoncé, who won three awards in the music categories of Best Female Artist, Best Music Video and Best Album.
The remaining nine winners, who were awarded during a televised ceremony that aired live Saturday, Feb. 11, included Taraji P. Henson, who was named Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for “Hidden Figures.”
New York Highlights Largest Annual African Art Fair
This year, “1:54,” the annual contemporary African art fair named for the continent’s 54 countries, will add an additional nine new galleries to this year’s New York edition of the London-originated exhibit.
More than 60 contemporary emerging and established artists, representing art galleries from all across Africa and other parts of the world, will come together for the May 5-7 event.
Each year, 1:54 aims to welcome a carefully selected roster of galleries that are dedicated to promoting a diverse set of African perspectives from across the world to broaden perspectives from and in relation to the continent.
Featured country galleries will include, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Ghana, Italy, Kenya, Morocco, the U.K., the U.S. and South Africa.
The fair is also set to include also artist talks, keynote lectures and panel discussions.
