Elon Musk, the ever-ambitious tech magnate behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, has once again stirred the digital landscape with the announcement of XChat—a new AI-powered messaging platform designed to compete with industry giants like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram.

Unveiled under the umbrella of his rebranded social media ecosystem X (formerly Twitter), XChat is positioned as the next evolution in real-time communication, blending encrypted messaging, voice/video calls, and an advanced AI assistant into one streamlined interface.

What is XChat?

XChat is more than just a messaging app. It’s part of Musk’s broader vision to turn X into an “everything app”—a one-stop platform where users can chat, bank, shop, work, and access AI-driven services. The messaging service integrates:

End-to-end encrypted chats

AI-powered auto-reply and writing assistant

Voice and video calls

Cross-platform functionality with X (formerly Twitter)

Crypto wallet features and micro-transactions (coming soon)

AI Meets Messaging

One of the standout features of XChat is its integration with Grok, the conversational AI developed by xAI—Musk’s AI startup. Grok brings contextual awareness, sarcasm detection, and real-time news summaries to the chat experience. Users can engage with Grok to draft messages, summarize group discussions, or even generate memes and content for X.

“Communication should be private, intelligent, and useful. XChat is our answer to fragmented messaging apps,” Musk posted on X during the launch announcement.

Competing with the Giants

While Meta’s WhatsApp and Messenger still dominate globally, Musk’s XChat enters the market with the advantage of being deeply embedded into an existing platform with millions of daily active users. The integration with X gives it a unique social layer, allowing seamless transitions between public conversations and private chats.

Industry experts say Musk’s vision for an “everything app”—inspired by China’s WeChat—could finally take shape with the combination of X, XChat, Grok, and integrated payments.

User Reactions

Initial reactions have been mixed. Some users praise the innovation and Musk’s boldness, while others express concern over privacy, data handling, and the potential spread of misinformation.

Still, with Musk’s track record of disrupting industries, XChat could very well reshape how we interact online.

Renowned Ghanaian DJ turned pastor, Victor Kpakpo Addo Jnr, popularly known as Azigiza Jnr, says advancements in technology have made it easier to succeed in the music industry today compared to when he was active.

In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeekend, Azigiza Jnr reflected on the changes in the music landscape while sharing updates on his personal life.

“I’ve been around, doing God’s work and raising my family, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “I’ve been married for 23 years. I have a 22-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter who is now entering university.”

Comparing his era to the present, he noted the huge impact of technology. “In our days, when you were recording, you had to use manpower. If the lights went off, you had to start all over again. Now, one person can be in the studio and edit everything.”

He explained that back then, DJs had to manually mix music, making synchronization difficult. “When I was Africa’s number one DJ, we used manpower to mix. The metronome wasn’t the same. Now, you lock the BPM and you’re mixing it’s much easier to be a star today.”

While he acknowledged that technology has opened doors for many, he added that true talent still stands out over time. “It’s easier to be on top, so everybody can be there. But along the line, separation dey happen,” he said in Pidgin.

He also highlighted how access to global platforms has changed the game. “I saw some guys in South Africa, and Beyoncé invited them. Those days, with only GTV, who go see you?”

Azigiza Jnr was a dominant figure in African entertainment in the 1990s before transitioning into ministry.

Source: Ghanaweekend

If you’ve ever had to apply for a passport in Ghana, then you know the process hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Long queues, frustrating delays, and the dreaded middlemen have made it more stressful than it needs to be. But things are changing — and fast.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has just launched a major reform to make passport delivery faster, easier, and more transparent. And get this — under the new system, you could have your passport delivered to your doorstep within just 15 days.

Yes, you read that right. No more running back to the passport office to collect your document. Thanks to the introduction of courier services, passports will now be delivered straight to your home or office. Talk about convenience!

At the launch event, Mr. Ablakwa emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to efficiency. “We’re removing the bottlenecks and getting rid of the middlemen,” he said. “Ghanaians deserve a stress-free process.”

The reforms also align with President John Mahama’s vision of building a 24-hour economy — and the passport office is now part of that push. They’re now working around the clock to ensure passports are processed faster than ever before.

Another exciting addition? Electronic tracking (e-tracking). You’ll now be able to monitor your application every step of the way — from the moment you apply to the moment your passport is delivered. It’s a smart move to cut out corruption and give applicants peace of mind.

And for those emergency situations — like last-minute medical trips or scholarship deadlines — the Ministry is working on a 24-hour express delivery option. It’ll come at an extra cost, but if it means skipping the usual stress and delays, many will find it worth it.

So why the sudden shift? Mr. Ablakwa shared that during a surprise visit to the passport office in his first week on the job, he found over 70,000 uncollected passports gathering dust. That visit opened his eyes to just how broken the system was — and pushed him to act fast.

With these reforms, there’s real hope that the passport application experience in Ghana is finally catching up with the times. It’s not just about faster service; it’s about restoring trust in the system and giving citizens the dignity of a smoother, fairer process.