People & Lifestyle
The Democratic Republic of Congo to Host its First Smart City Conference

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be hosting the country’s first Smart City conference which will be taking place virtually from 16 to 18 April 2021. Driving this is Congo Bulaya, a subsidiary initiative of the Centre d’Innovation de Lubumbashi (CINOLU), which aims to actively participate in the creation of more competitive and vibrant cities in the DRC.
Themes to be explored include The Role of Public Policies, Youth and Civic Participation in Sustainable and Inclusive Human Settlements; Industrialisation for the City of the Future; Governance and Education for All; Urban Resilience; The Role of Research in the Development of Resilient Cities; and Gender Issues, Balance and Inclusiveness under SDG 11. These will be unpacked during roundtable discussions, workshops and focus groups with representatives from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and New Information and Communication Technologies, the United Nations Development Programme, the Ministry of Education and the World Food Programme, among others.
“The rationale behind Congo Bulaya is to contextualise, localise and focus innovation and entrepreneurship energy within the city space as this is the ecosystem in which problems need to be solved from a holistic perspective. Isolated innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives have proven ineffective on the ground because of structural and functional differences between cities in the DRC. It is now time to work together on solutions,” says Berry Numbi, CINOLU Managing Director.
Grace Oluchi, Hub Manager at CINOLU explains that a crucial outcome of the event will be establishing a space for permanent dialogue between municipal decision-makers, governments, entrepreneurs and key actors from civil society on the issues of intelligent development of cities in the DRC. “We would also like to foster partnerships between national and international business, cultural and technological ecosystems; municipalities; development support institutions; universities; professional bodies; startups; SMEs and civil society to create a regional integration cluster. Additionally, we would like to identify pilot cities to be supported in the development of smart solutions to the challenges they face.”
With Africa’s population growing exponentially and putting pressure on cities that are already struggling to cope, Congo Bulaya has created an Open Innovation Challenge to identify, stimulate the development of, and promote intelligent solutions to challenges faced by cities in the DRC. This is in alignment with Goal 11 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Working in consultation with provincial leadership, municipalities, and development agencies, Congo Bulaya has identified six focus areas: Urban Safety and Security to make cities safer; AgriTech to develop sustainable food security solutions for urban areas; FinTech for building cashless cities; City Planning for improved architecture, mobility and accessibility; Energy and CleanTech to reduce negative environmental impacts.
To bring solutions in these spheres to life, Congo Bulaya has set itself the goal of enabling the creation of at least 10 startups by 2024. It will also support and promote solutions with the potential to create at least 100 green jobs by 2023.
The organisation will soon be launching a call for projects addressing the six focus areas. The best solutions will be selected for mentor matching and will also have the opportunity to participate in a four-month incubation/acceleration programme which will culminate in a Demo Day. “Given the plethora of challenges experienced in metropolitan areas of the DRC, we will be on the lookout for solutions that can be adopted by each city,” says Oluchi.
She concludes by saying: “With the Smart City conference and the Open Innovation Challenge, we hope to pave the way for achieving the objectives of SDG 11 in the DRC.”
For more information, go to https://cinolu.org/
People & Lifestyle
Betty de Mould @ 70

Leading up to the 2008 elections, the NDC political party had gained “notoriety” from people especially the opposition parties as being abrasive and aggressive.
I’m sure the party did an introspection analysis and decided to give a fresh face to the party and also introduced some fresh faces as spokespersons.
The likes of Dr. Alex Segbefia, Hon. Hanna Tetteh, Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu amongst others.
I’m till this day spellbound anytime Mrs. Iddrisu speaks. Her great command of the queens language. I mean she is from British Accra (James town) what do you expect?
Her grace, charm and class always comes through. Such an @awula” her French tips finger nails 💅 was one to notice.
When NDC annexed power in 2009, she served the country in various capacities. Last I heard of her politically was when she contested for NDC Party Chairmanship.
Last week March 22nd 2023 marked her platinum jubilee as she turned the big 70 a septuagenarian par excellence.
The day was marked with a brunch at her residence and hosted friends and family to a high brow dinner at the plush Labadi Beach Hotel on Saturday the 25th 2023.
Here to share some pictures of what went down to mark the day.
I wish her the best on this 70th milestone. I say three hearty cheers 🥂















Written by Nana Kwesi Acquaye
People & Lifestyle
Pura Collaborates With The Metropolitan Museum Of Art On A New Collection Of Fragrances

- Blue Water Lotus: This refreshing, floral fragrance represents the beauty of lotus flowers depicted in carvings on the Temple of Dendur. Notes of blue water lily, blooming jasmine, and grounding undertones of frankincense and myrrh beautifully round out this efflorescent scent.
- Egyptian Sandalwood: This musky, woody fragrance recalls the Egyptian landscape and pays tribute to the significance of art and architecture in Egyptian rituals and culture. Cardamom and Ancient Egyptian incense blend with papery papyrus, rock rose, sandalwood, and cedarwood, creating a warm and inviting scent.
- Bamboo Forest: The structure and order of the Astor Court contrasts beautifully with the flora found within. Fresh notes of bamboo blend with orchid and plum blossom. Cooling Chinese eucalyptus soothes the senses as sandalwood and patchouli ground in this calming scent.
- Spiced Woods: This woody fragrance draws inspiration from a serene mountain retreat, highlighting the juxtaposition of a man-made structure nestled in an organic location. Himalayan azaleas blend with Indonesian balsam, cypress, and sandalwood, creating a warming, spiced scent.
- Terracotta Rose: This earthy yet refreshing fragrance represents the detailed work of Greek artisans with salt and mineral notes blending seamlessly with earthen terracotta. Geranium and muguet bring floralcy and brightness as herbal undernotes of rock rose and cypress give beauty and balance to this tranquil scent.
- Perfume Immortelle: This uplifting fragrance represents Roman artisans’ dedication to detail, movement, and humanity. The sweet immortelle flower, which never fades nor wilts, represents the enduring quality of the magnificent Roman marble statues. Bergamot and olive flower lend a bright freshness, blending with a base of cypress and myrrh.
People & Lifestyle
Kati G Responds to Decriminalization of Attempted Suicide In Ghana

Finally suicide can be acknowledged as a mental health issue and not a criminal act that would land you in jail or persuade an individual to commit the act of suicide to avoid jail time .
It was obvious why real cases of attempted suicide haven’t been recorded properly or why most people have feared to come out and declare their own personal mental health struggles. Being jailed for a mental health struggle is not a solution.
Like others I celebrate and commend parliament for taking the right steps and actions to decriminalize suicide and focus on providing help as an alternative to reduce suicide and educate the public on the subject.
As a Mental Health Advocate I will make it my personal initiative to educate the public on suicide awareness to prevent the rise.
Kati G.
Organizer
Let’s Talk About It: Suicide Awareness Ghana
People & Lifestyle
The 7th Ibero American Film Festival Held In Accra

This year’s edition of the Ibero American film festival was held from Wednesday 22nd March to Wednesday 29th March 2023 at the Pacific Alliance, located at Airport Residential Area in Accra.
The festival was dedicated to the memory of the late Mexican Ambassador accredited to Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, H. E Enrique Escorza, who passed on in November 2022.
Being the seventh edition, the Ibero American film festival screened a variety of projects including features, short films and documentary films by Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American filmmakers.
The film festival held each night from 6PM has the aim of promoting Ibero American stories, culture and messages of social impact. In addition, it showcases acclaimed films by directors from Brazil, Spain, Columbia, Cuba, Peru and Mexico with a diverse range of Latin American context and perspectives.
This year, the festival opened with the Columbian movie, Jerico; the infinite flight of days. Jerico is a film, which reflects a colourful, poetic and lush journey in a beautiful Colombian village, Jericó through the eyes of eight women of all ages and social conditions.
Other films including Achero Mañas’ directed Spanish drama film, El Bola, Cuban drama, Habana station, Peruvian movie, Viaje a Tombuctu Pixinguinha, and Brazilian project, Pixinguinha, were also screened.
Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Javier Gutierrez, Peruvian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E Abel Antonio Cardenas Tuppia and the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Mexico in Ghana, Arturo Agustín Salazar González, spoke about the importance of the Ibero American film festival.
The 7th Ibero American film festival closed on Wednesday, 29th March 2023 with the Mexican movie La Buenas Hiebas
People & Lifestyle
Listen to Nana Asamoah cover the classic Cyndi Lauper song ‘True Colors’

Nana Asamoah is excited to announce the release of his new cover song True Colors, available now on YouTube. (more…)
People & Lifestyle
AirtelTigo empowers students of Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School to Maximize educational potential

As part of its activities for the month of March in honor of International Women’s Day, staff of AirtelTigo interacted and donated to students of the Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School, Larteh in the Eastern Region during their Student Representative Council week.
During the day-long event, staff spent the day interacting with the students on various topics including embracing equity, Goal setting and Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The students – comprising 70% females and 30% males were encouraged to explore various career paths and not restrict themselves only to what they learn in senior high school.
Presenting a cheque of GHS 15,000 and books to the students, Atul Narain Singh, Chief Marketing Officer at AirtelTigo, encouraged them to focused on their education and continue to do their best in their various courses. “He spoke about the vast opportunity available to them in a telecommunication company like AirtelTigo and expressed the willingness to have some of them intern or work with AirtelTigo after school in future.
Nancy Assor Asiedu-Amrado, Head of Brands and Communication at AirtelTigo, in her interaction with the students, highlighted the importance of maintaining balance in their academic life and gave them some goal-setting tips as well as she encouraged the students to learn how to say no to sexual advances and to stand up for themselves, if they find themselves in similar circumstances. She also cautioned the teachers not to entertain any form of bias in teaching the young girls and boys, but embrace equity.
Alex Offei-Lartey, AirtelTigo Head of Digital Marketing and New Product, also discussed the importance of attaining equity. He spoke on the topic “Boys are not left out: gender equity.” He spoke with the male students, who shared instances of how they supported and helped the female students.
The Director of Due Diligence and Planning, Esther Gyamfi, also shared a personal experience of how she leveraged on technology to advance in her career. Her life story provided inspiration for the students.
Sarah Odei-Amoani, GMB 22 representative for Eastern Region and Ghana’s STEM Ambassador was also present to grace the occasion. she urged the students to explore the many possibilities open to them in STEM education.
In her closing remarks, the headmistress of the school, Gladys Oforiwaa Okyere Otu, expressed gratitude to AirtelTigo saying. “On behalf of the staff and students of Presbyterian Senior High and Technical School, we are extremely grateful for your time and donation. For busy professionals like you to take time off your schedules on a weekday to travel and spend the whole day with us, it makes us feel special.”
Staff of AirtelTigo also toured the school facilities and had informal one-on-one sessions with the students.
- Buzz1 week ago
Omotola shares selfie with husband to mark 27th wedding anniversary; his tattoo steals the spotlight
- Buzz5 days ago
History proves Chance The Rapper wrong on assertion of hosting the biggest concert ever in Ghana
- Buzz1 week ago
Ghanaian designer Papa Oppong awarded the first Graduate Award by the Fashion Trust U.S.
- Buzz4 days ago
Delete videos defaming my wife or face the law- Mercy Aseidu’s Husband to Kwame Borga
- Buzz2 days ago
Stonebwoy Reveals Album Cover Art And Tracklist For ‘5th Dimension,’ Arriving April 28th Via Def Jam Recordings
- People & Lifestyle6 days ago
Abeiku Santana Bags Another Master’s from University of Ghana Business School
- Gossip1 day ago
Nigerian actor Yul Edochie loses first son
- People & Lifestyle7 days ago
Ghana’s Affluent Experience $3,000 Whisky & More At Exclusive Event in Accra
- Buzz1 week ago
Nigerian senator and wife found guilty of organ trafficking in UK
- World News1 week ago
Iranian-British HipHop Act 021kid Delivers Gritty Bars As He Opens Season 3 Of The UK’s Biggest Freestyle Session ‘THE COLD ROOM’
- Radio & TV1 week ago
Catch Lupita Nyong’o in The 355, Mumbi Maina in The Matrix Resurrections plus more international movies to stream on Showmax now, from The Batman to Smile
- Radio & TV1 week ago
Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio Pays Tribute to Costa Titch