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[EDITORIAL] Soliciting Funds for the Less Privileged: A Noble Cause or a Clever Scam?

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In recent years, fundraising for the less privileged has become a common feature of Ghana’s social landscape. Whether on the streets, on the radio, or through social media live streams, there’s no shortage of appeals for help. These campaigns often tug at the heartstrings, showcasing the suffering of individuals and urging the public to step in. At first glance, such efforts appear noble and an opportunity for citizens to extend a helping hand to the forgotten members of society. But beneath the emotional appeals, a pressing question lingers: Are all these initiatives genuinely about helping the needy, or are some simply clever schemes for personal gain?

Cases That Sparked Public Debate

One recent high-profile instance involved Kofi Adoma’s fundraising for a mentally ill man. The well-known broadcaster rallied his followers to contribute, attracting donations from across the world. While many lauded the gesture, others quietly questioned the follow-up: What systems ensure that such funds reach the beneficiary and are used for their stated purpose?

As it stands now, the mentally ill man is still on the street. The question remains, was the donation worth the cause?

Similarly, the DL F.M. crew made headlines after they solicited donations for another mentally challenged man. Once again, the public responded generously, but murmurs arose about how such funds are handled and whether the beneficiaries truly receive the full measure of support promised.

Then there’s the Okomfour Kwadee saga. The legendary hiplife musician battling mental health and addiction issues is another striking example. Over the years, multiple fundraising drives have been launched in his name, yet there remains a cloud of uncertainty about whether these campaigns deliver sustained help or simply vanish into thin air after the money is raised.

Beyond these notable instances, countless similar stories unfold daily across Ghana. Street collectors appeal for money for alleged medical emergencies, often without providing proof. Social media campaigns for “urgent hospital bills” disappear without updates once contributions roll in. Community radio appeals gather funds for accident victims whose identities are never confirmed.

The lack of formal oversight means that these initiatives operate in a largely unregulated space. While many organisers are genuine and committed to helping, the rise in questionable appeals has made the public increasingly wary. The truth is uncomfortable: the act of giving is only as noble as the honesty of those entrusted to collect and manage the funds. Without proper accountability, generosity risks becoming just another profitable venture for the unscrupulous.

In a society where empathy runs deep, the challenge lies in balancing the instinct to give with the need for verification and transparency. If fundraising for the less privileged is to retain its credibility, there must be structures in place to ensure that those who give and those who receive can both trust the process.

The Transparency Problem

Part of the issue is that fundraising in Ghana’s informal space is almost entirely unregulated. There is no requirement for fundraisers to publish receipts, keep audited accounts, or even identify themselves formally. Once money changes hands — whether through mobile money, cash, or crowdfunding platforms — the trail often goes cold.

Social media has made this even easier. On platforms like Facebook and TikTok, emotional live videos can draw hundreds of donors in hours, with little to no verification. In 2023 alone, the Ghana Police Service reported over a dozen cases of “false representation for donations,” warning the public to be cautious.

Where Do We Go from Here?

This is not to suggest that all fundraising is fraudulent. Many community-led campaigns have changed lives, from funding life-saving surgeries to rebuilding homes destroyed by floods. But the rising number of questionable cases threatens to erode public trust, making it harder for genuine causes to get support.

The solution lies in accountability:

  • Fundraisers should provide documented proof of need before going public.
  • Independent oversight from NGOs, religious bodies, or local authorities should verify and monitor campaigns.
  • Donors should insist on regular updates and receipts before contributing.

In a society where compassion runs deep, the challenge is to protect generosity from becoming a lucrative side hustle for the dishonest. If we fail, the losers will not just be the donors, but also the truly vulnerable, whose voices will be drowned out by growing cynicism.

After all, giving is noble, but only when it truly reaches the hands it was meant for.

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“Go to Lumba’s house and exhume his body” — Counsellor George Lutterodt incites Ga youth

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Popular marriage counselor, Cyril George Carstensen Lutterodt, popularly known as Counselor Lutterudt has incited Ga youth to go to the residence of the late Daddy Lumba and exhume his body.

 

According to the outspoken counselor, it is against the traditions of the Gas to bury someone in the house, and so as the custodians of their culture, he urged them to take the matter into their own hands and exhume the late singer’s body to deter others from doing the same.

 

“If it’s true that Lumba, as it’s alleged, has been buried in the house, I want to ask the Ga boys in Accra that we shouldn’t wait for the police. Let’s move to the residence of Lumba.

 

“And I’m calling for action now, for the desecration of the land. Walk to the house with pickaxes. We are not fighting any human being, and let’s find where the body was buried and let’s exhume it,” he said.

 

When the presenter told him to leave it at the discretion of the police, the self-acclaimed pastor and counselor questioned where the police had been all this while when the news broke that Lumba had been buried in his house.

 

“Where are the police? Where are the police?

Do you remember when the guy spoke? How many days now? He quizzed.

 

“Let me tell you a secret you don’t know. The Ghana Police Service, one of the good things they are doing now is that anything that happens on social media, they react. The guy has spoken; has anybody reacted?

Number two, if anything happens and a policeman is involved, very soon we see the evidence of arrest. Those who killed Sammy Gyamfi’s father-in-law, they’ve gotten the people. So anybody who tells you the police are not sufficient enough…”

 

Counsellor George Lutterodt warned that minimal force may be necessary if persuasion fails and said he was ready to lead the Ga youth to act. He criticized authorities for their slow response and called for urgent action to address what he described as a desecration of the land.

 

“But I’m saying that when persuasion fails, force, minimum force is applied. And the Ga boys I will lead…

 

“Accra is not for you, Accra is not for you. Agyemang, Accra is not for you. How many hours has this guy’s video gone viral now?

I’m telling the boys, no fight, no quarrel. I’m going to lead you to the house because the land has been desecrated we’ll look for the body and exhume it,” he emphasized.

 

He continued “If not, then the Ghana Police, the AMA, whoever ordered the permit whoever ordered the permit should, in common sense, do something because this nonsense must stop.”

 

He made these statements during an appearance on Agyemang Prempeh Agyingo’s show “Power Entertainment” broadcast on Power 97.9 FM, Radio XYZ 93.1 FM, and TV XYZ.

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WHEN THE STREET CROWN IS ON YOUR HEAD, THE BURDEN OF Charles Nii Armah Mensah – Socrates Safo

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Quiet Generosity Behind the Fame, Socrates Safo Shares Insights on Shatta Wale’s Leadership

By Socrates Safo

Ghanaian entertainment figure Shatta Wale, born Charles Nii Armah Mensah, is often described as a man who carries the “street crown.” With fame, influence, and controversy constantly surrounding his brand, new revelations suggest there is a quieter dimension to his leadership that rarely makes headlines.

In a recent late night conversation described by filmmaker and creative personality Socrates Safo, the focus was not publicity or media attention, but responsibility, strategy, and what he calls silent generosity.

A Private Conversation, Not a Public Interview

According to Safo, the discussion was a family style exchange held behind closed doors. It followed his earlier public suggestion that the artiste should consider establishing structured, long term support systems for loyal fans who have stood by the Shatta Movement brand over the years.

What emerged from the conversation was an assertion that many of the musician’s contributions have intentionally been kept out of the public eye. The reason, Safo explains, is rooted in personal conviction rather than showmanship.

Across religious traditions, including biblical teachings such as Matthew 6 verses 3 to 4, acts of charity are encouraged to be done without seeking applause. Safo suggests this philosophy resonates strongly with the artiste’s approach to giving.

Support Systems Beyond the Spotlight

Safo disclosed that behind the scenes, the artiste has reportedly sponsored university education for some supporters, assisted in establishing pubs, supported the creation of hairdressing salons and eateries, and opened pathways for self employment.

These interventions, he claims, were not accompanied by press conferences or media campaigns. Instead, they were handled privately, with what he describes as screenshot evidence shared with him for personal viewing.

Business Empowerment Through HOTWAV and Shaxi

The conversation also touched on business expansion. With the HOTWAV phone brand, plans are reportedly underway to build a distribution network that allows loyal supporters to become agents and retailers, earning income through direct sales and digital promotion.

In addition, Safo highlighted the Shaxi transport platform. Drivers on the platform reportedly pay twenty cedis daily to activate the app, a structure the artiste considers fair within an industry often criticized for high commission deductions. Some drivers operate under a “Work and Pay” system, eventually owning the vehicles they drive, a model described as practical empowerment.

Addressing the Cash Throwing Controversy

One of the most debated aspects of the artiste’s public appearances is the act of spraying or throwing cash into crowds. Critics have frequently questioned the practice.

Safo recounts that the defence offered during their discussion was pragmatic. In his view, small sums of money can provide immediate relief to individuals in desperate situations. In certain chaotic environments, what appears theatrical to critics may be seen by supporters as urgent assistance or even a security strategy to disperse crowds and allow safe movement.

Industry Relations and Forward Plans

Safo also referenced comments directed toward industry colleagues such as Bullgod and Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, along with a special mention of Ansah Addo Halifax. The overarching message, he noted, centered on promoting constructive causes and building rather than destroying within the creative industry.

Plans to host media personalities for direct engagement were also hinted at, though Safo emphasized that certain aspects of the conversation remain undisclosed as some initiatives are still in development.

The Weight of the Street Crown

Safo concludes that leadership in entertainment, especially one rooted in street credibility, carries expectations that can become both responsibility and burden. In a culture driven by visibility and constant media scrutiny, he argues that some of the most significant actions occur quietly.

For members of the Shatta Movement and supporters such as Samuel Atuobi Baah, the message is clear. The crown may be visible, but the weight it carries is often unseen.

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Patricia Asiedua Asiamah Speaks After Release, Describes Prison Term as Spiritual Test of Faith

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Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, widely known as Nana Agradaa, has spoken publicly for the first time following her release from prison, describing her time in custody as a profound spiritual journey anchored in prayer, scripture, and steadfast faith in God.

Addressing the media after regaining her freedom on March 3, the controversial evangelist recounted the anxiety and uncertainty she experienced upon being taken into custody. According to her, the initial moments were filled with fear and a sense of the unknown.

She revealed that on her way to prison, she felt as though she was heading toward death. Standing at the prison gate, she said she surrendered herself completely to God, admitting she had no idea what awaited her inside. Clutching her Bible, she prayed for mercy before walking through the gates.

Nana Agradaa said the announcement of a 15 year sentence was difficult to process. She described the moment as overwhelming, questioning how she could face such a lengthy term behind bars. The reality of the sentence, she noted, forced her to reflect deeply on her circumstances.

With what seemed like a daunting future ahead, she said she turned entirely to prayer and the Word of God for strength. According to her, faith became her only source of hope during that period.

While in custody, she immersed herself in biblical accounts of imprisonment and divine intervention. She cited stories from the Book of Acts, including the imprisonment and subsequent release of Peter, as well as Paul and Silas, who were freed after praying while in chains. She said these accounts strengthened her belief that prayer and faith could bring deliverance even in the most difficult situations.

She also reflected on the opening verses of the Gospel of John, emphasizing the power of the Word through which she believes God created the heavens and the earth. In her view, if divine power could shape creation, then a 15 year sentence was insignificant before God.

Nana Agradaa further referenced the story of Jonah, who repented after disobedience and received mercy, and King Nebuchadnezzar, who, according to the Bible, regained his kingship after humbling himself before God. She explained that these examples reinforced her conviction that repentance and humility could lead to restoration.

According to her, she made a personal vow during her incarceration, promising to dedicate herself fully to God’s service if granted mercy and freedom. She said she reminded God of His unchanging nature and asked for the same intervention shown to biblical figures in the past.

Her release comes under Ghana’s remission policy, which allows eligible inmates to benefit from a reduction of up to one third of their sentence for good behaviour while serving their term.

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