Lifestyle

Sacred Mount Sinai Faces Tensions as Egypt Pushes Controversial Tourism Mega-Project

Published

5 days ago

September 9, 2025

For centuries, pilgrims and travelers have journeyed up Mount Sinai, guided by Bedouins, to witness its sacred sunrise and explore its rugged landscape. Revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments, the mountain—known locally as Jabal Musa—is now at the center of fierce controversy.

Egypt has launched the Great Transfiguration Project, a state-backed mega-development that promises luxury hotels, villas, a cable car to Mount Moses, and expanded infrastructure in the UNESCO World Heritage site of St Catherine’s. Authorities describe the project as “Egypt’s gift to the entire world and all religions,” designed to boost tourism and revive the economy.

But critics say it threatens centuries of heritage, spiritual peace, and local traditions. The Jebeleya Bedouin tribe, known as the “Guardians of St Catherine,” have already seen homes and eco-camps demolished, with some even forced to exhume graves for new construction. “This is not development as the Jebeleya see it,” said British travel writer Ben Hoffler. “It’s being imposed to serve outsiders over the local community.”

The 6th-century St Catherine’s Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries still in use, also faces uncertainty. A May court ruling declared the monastery sits on state land, sparking outrage in Greece and straining relations with Cairo. Greek Orthodox leaders denounced the move as an existential threat, pointing out that the site has been protected since the Byzantine era—even by a letter of protection from the Prophet Muhammad.

UNESCO and campaign groups have repeatedly warned Egypt about the risks of unchecked development. In 2023, the UN agency urged a halt to construction and called for a conservation plan, while World Heritage Watch has pushed for the site to be listed as “in danger.” Britain’s King Charles, patron of the St Catherine Foundation, described the monastery as “a great spiritual treasure that should be maintained for future generations.”

Despite the opposition, construction has already transformed parts of the Plain of el-Raha, where, according to scripture, the Israelites once waited for Moses. Roads, hotels, and other facilities continue to rise, altering the fragile desert landscape once valued for its isolation and natural beauty.

For the Bedouin, the development revives painful history. Just as they were displaced during the rise of Red Sea resorts like Sharm el-Sheikh, many fear their culture and livelihoods will once again be erased in the name of industrial tourism.

Mount Sinai and St Catherine’s have endured upheavals for over a millennium, but campaigners warn that this time, the changes may be irreversible—shaping not only the landscape but also the spiritual and cultural identity of one of the world’s most sacred sites.

General News

Opoku-Agyemang Backs Stronger Laws to Tackle Unexplained Wealth

Published

3 months ago

June 6, 2025

Sunshynbaby

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has thrown her support behind efforts to introduce laws that would hold both public and private officials accountable for wealth they cannot explain.

She emphasized the Mahama-led administration’s commitment to fighting corruption and announced plans to present the revised Conduct of Public Officers Bill to Parliament for discussion.

According to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, the updated bill will be developed with input from key anti-corruption stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the media, anti-corruption agencies, and international partners. This approach, she said, is to ensure the bill is strong, inclusive, and effective in the long term.

“The revised bill will reflect the voices of all stakeholders to ensure it can truly stand the test of time,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of securing independent and sustainable funding for anti-corruption agencies to safeguard their operations from political interference.

“We must guarantee consistent financing for these institutions to ensure their independence and ability to operate without fear or favor,” she added.

Culture

KFC Ghana Joins HertieCare Foundation to Feed Street Children

Published

5 months ago

April 29, 2025

Sunshynbaby

In a heartwarming display of corporate social responsibility and community love, KFC Ghana partnered with the HertieCare Foundation to provide hot meals to street children in Accra this past Saturday.

Under the compassionate leadership of beauty queen and humanitarian, Harriet Lamptey, affectionately known as Queen Hertie, the HertieCare Foundation reached out to vulnerable children at Zongo, Abossey Okai, and the Zongo Junction traffic light area. With smiles stretching wide and hearts full of joy, the children received not just food, but a sense of care, dignity, and belonging.

This initiative, which forms part of Queen Hertie’s ongoing efforts as a beauty queen, highlights the power of collaboration between compassionate individuals and forward-thinking brands. KFC Ghana’s generous support made a real difference on the ground, giving hope and leaving a lasting mark of kindness.

“The look on the children’s faces was priceless,” said Queen Hertie. “They felt seen, loved, and valued. I see my crown as a tool for service, and I’m deeply grateful to KFC Ghana for trusting our mission and helping us make a tangible impact.”

The HertieCare Foundation, which serves as Queen Hertie’s personal CSR initiative, is deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 3 (Good health and Wellbeing) Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Harriet’s vision is to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s progress toward the SDGs through practical, on-the-ground initiatives that uplift underserved communities.

Lifestyle

Dear Ghana, Writing Is Still Content Creation — Don’t Leave It in the Dust!

Published

5 months ago

April 22, 2025

Sunshynbaby

Let’s gather ’round the digital campfire, my fellow content creators, aspiring influencers, and everyone who has ever held a ring light with one hand while pressing record with the other. Let’s settle this once and for all: writing is still content creation.

I know that might sound revolutionary in 2025, when “content” has come to mean podcasts, TikToks, drone shots, and sitting pretty under ring lights while lip-syncing. But writing never left the party. You just stopped checking for it.

In Ghana’s content creation circles, it feels like writing has been ghosted. Seriously, every conversation I’ve recently observed about content creation has gone something like this: “Oh chale, I dey start content. I get camera, ring light, and I go do podcast plus YouTube. We go blow!”

That’s fantastic—dream big! But at what point did we collectively decide that content creation starts and ends with video? No shade to video creators (some of you are amazing), but we’ve got to stop treating writing like the forgotten cousin at the family reunion.

I’ve been creating content since before influencers knew how to pronounce “algorithm.” You may know me from Ameyaw Debrah—yes, that website with all the juicy Ghanaian news, lifestyle stories, celeb scoops, and everything in between.

The Rise of Video… and the Fall of Reading?

Let’s be real: people are reading less these days, especially younger folks. I’ve noticed it among students in high schools and even tertiary institutions—people who are super creative and love making content. They’re amazing with video transitions, skits, lip syncs, memes, and editing apps. But ask them to read a paragraph or write something original, and suddenly there’s buffering.

In a world where everything must be “bite-sized,” writing has to fight for attention. And I get it—videos are fast, fun, and flashy. But they’re not the only way to create impactful content.

I Still Believe in the Power of Writing

At Ameyaw Debrah site, writing isn’t just an accessory—it’s the main act. From celebrity interviews to lifestyle updates, from tech news to social commentary—it’s all powered by writing.

Even on social media, I use my captions to capture experiences, tell stories, or reflect deeply. Sometimes, I write full article-style captions alongside a video or image. Why? Because writing brings depth. It adds context. It gives your visuals meaning.

So… What Can We Do?

How do we keep writing alive in a world obsessed with visuals? How do we make it sexy again?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Blend Writing with Visuals

Don’t just post videos—caption them well. Add stories, anecdotes, or clever observations in your descriptions. Give people a reason to stay.

2. Challenge Young Creators

Especially in schools, encourage challenges that mix video with storytelling. “Tell a story in 3 minutes” isn’t just for drama class—it can help revive the habit of thinking and writing creatively.

3. Celebrate Writers

Let’s celebrate and spotlight Ghanaian bloggers, journalists, scriptwriters, poets, and storytellers. People need to see that writing is not only important—it’s cool.

4. Start Book + Blog Clubs

Move beyond traditional reading lists. Let students follow blogs they enjoy (yes, even gossip blogs 😏) and discuss the writing behind the content. Make it relatable.

5. Teach Writing as a Content Skill

Not just for English class. Teach it in media, marketing, even entrepreneurship. Whether it’s writing a pitch, a script, or a killer caption, it’s a content superpower.

In Conclusion…

Look, I’m not anti-video. In fact, I enjoy and admire the creativity out there. But video didn’t come to kill writing. They’re teammates, not rivals. Writing is what gives content soul. It helps your audience connect to your voice, your ideas, and your purpose—whether you’re writing for a blog, social media post, script, or tweet.

Let’s give writing the respect it deserves. After all, it’s been telling our stories long before we had filters and sound effects.

And if you need a reminder that writing is alive and thriving? You already know where to go: ameyawdebrah.com.
Still writing. Still storytelling. Still making content—one word at a time.