Entertainment
Beatz & Barz: Semenhyia vs Korley Black ends in dramatic tie after intense showdown
Rising rappers Semenhyia and Korley Black delivered a closely contested showdown on Saturday’s episode of Beatz & Barz on Joy Prime TV, ending in a tie after three competitive rounds.
Representing Takoradi and Somanya, respectively, the two artistes brought contrasting styles and regional pride to a matchup that has since drawn significant attention.
The episode was hosted by Sister Sandy Bi Yɛ Guy and MC Kofi Dalinton with DJ Dials on the turntable, who guided the flow of the show with commentary and smooth transitions between rounds.

Their coordination helped maintain the structure and pace of the contest while offering viewers context around each performance.
The battle featured strong crowd engagement and real-time judging. Reactions from the studio audience added to the competitive atmosphere, as each round drew visible responses to punchlines and stage presence.
The contest followed a three-round format, which included a freestyle round, a community battle round, and a personal exchange round. Both artistes traded sharp lines, with Korley Black referencing his opponent’s vision and Semenhyia responding with composed counters.

The audience ultimately ruled the contest a tie, reflecting the evenly matched performances.
Following the show’s broadcast, clips circulated across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under #BeatzandBarz, sparking debate among viewers. While some argued for a clear winner, others supported the outcome, with the discussions further highlighting the show’s role in promoting emerging rap talent in Ghana.
Sports
X1 Energy Drink becomes official performance partner of Ghana’s Black Stars
X1 Energy Drink has officially entered into a landmark five-year partnership with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), becoming the official performance partner of the Black Stars.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in Ghanaian football, reinforcing a shared commitment to elite performance, grassroots development, and long-term growth of the sport.
The partnership was formally unveiled at the GFA headquarters in Accra, with key stakeholders, including GFA executives and senior administrators, in attendance.
The deal encompasses both financial investment and the provision of performance-enhancing products to elevate player preparation, recovery, and overall team performance.
Speaking at the unveiling, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku described the agreement as a defining moment in the Association’s strategic transformation agenda.

He emphasised that the partnership comes at a critical time, as Ghana intensifies preparations toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, positioning X1 Energy Dink as a key contributor to the national team’s competitive readiness.
Beyond the senior national team, the partnership extends to domestic football, with X1 Energy Drink also serving as the Official Performance Partner of the Division One League Super Cup.
This component of the agreement underscores a deliberate investment in the foundational structures of Ghana football clubs, players, and local communities.
From a corporate perspective, Richard Zhang, Head of X1 Global at Hoshii International, highlighted the collaboration as a long-term, purpose-driven alliance.

He noted that the partnership is anchored in shared values of ambition, excellence, and a deep commitment to nurturing football talent across all levels.
As part of its broader impact strategy, X1 Energy Drink will support grassroots football development by constructing and refurbishing 10 football pitches nationwide, alongside distributing essential equipment, including kits, boots, and footballs.
This initiative aligns with the brand’s philosophy of supporting talent at every stage of its journey.
In a unique dimension of the partnership, Black Stars players Gideon Mensah and Elisha Owusu have been named not only brand ambassadors but also equity partners of X1 Energy Drink.

This move reflects a progressive model of athlete involvement, emphasising Ghanaian ownership, authenticity, and long-term value creation within the African and Ghanaian sports ecosystem.
The partnership also includes comprehensive logistical and operational support systems designed to enhance efficiency across multiple levels of Ghana football.
With increased visibility across GFA competitions and events, X1 Energy Drink is strategically positioned to integrate performance, innovation, and community impact into the fabric of Ghanaian football.
This collaboration signals more than a sponsorship; it represents a unified vision to drive performance excellence while building sustainable pathways for future generations.
Roger De Sa to assist Carlos Queiroz in Black Stars 2026 World Cup campaign
Former Orlando Pirates coach Roger De Sa will join Carlos Queiroz as his assistant coach ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
According to the South African website Kickoff, Roger De Sa, who previously assisted Queiroz at previous jobs, has concluded negotiations with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after agreeing on personal terms.
Although the terms are not clear, De Sa’s agreement with Ghana is expected to be co-terminus with Carlos Queiroz four month contract with the GFA.
“I will fly out on Thursday to Accra to start working straight away,” says the erstwhile Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, speaking to KickOff.
“I think when the previous coach left, the Ghana FA looked at Carlos Queiroz, and obviously it happened very quickly. Within four to five days, it was done.”
De Sa has been Queiroz’s sidekick, notably assisting him as he led Egypt to the AFCON 2021 final and with Iran during the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Despite accepting the role, De Sa acknowledged its unique challenges.
“Those are the challenges, but it comes with a job like this,” he said.
“[I’ve] been watching a lot of films, videos, watching different players with different clubs. The biggest challenge is obviously to select a team without having really enough time. And obviously, the preparations are also very short. You’ve got about two weeks to prepare your team.
“But ja, that’s how it is, that’s the name of the game,” he adds, while the difficulties that await him in his new job are not lost on the 61-year-old tactician.
“It’s not easy, it’s gonna be difficult, but they’re all difficult anyway.”
It is unclear if he will join Carlos Quieroz during his official introduction on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Alisa Hotel.
Business
Central Regional Chiefs back IDU UK Summit to drive jobs and investment in Ghana
The President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty King Odeefour Amoakwa Buadu VIII, has welcomed a delegation from the International Diaspora Union (IDU) and pledged the support of traditional authorities for the upcoming IDU GAMBIC UK 2026 Summit, describing it as a major opportunity to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen ties between Ghana and the diaspora.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Monday, April 20, 2026, the Paramount Chief of the Breman Asikuma Traditional Area said chiefs were pleased that the organisation had formally invited the House of Chiefs to the global gathering scheduled for July in the United Kingdom.
“We are happy that today IDU has come to formally invite us to GAMBIC in July,” he stated.
His Royal Majesty King Odeefour Amoakwa Buadu VIII thanked the leadership of IDU for the initiative, noting that chiefs across the country remain committed to improving the well-being of their people and would embrace every genuine opportunity that supports development.
“We thank them for the opportunity because, as chiefs, we are working hard to improve the well-being of our people,” he said.
According to him, the summit would help bridge the gap between Ghanaians in the diaspora and local communities by connecting investors, leaders, and development partners with traditional authorities on the ground.
“This is one of the opportunities through which we are able to bridge the gap between our colleagues in the diaspora and our people here at home,” he added.
The respected chief further observed that many opportunities go unrealized when they are not pursued, stressing that traditional leaders are ready to seize this one.
“Very often, we say we do not have opportunities because we do not seize them. But now that we are looking for the opportunity and the opportunity has come, we will be at GAMBIC 2026,” he declared.
He said the chiefs intend to use the summit to meet investors, promote the region’s opportunities, and attract industries and businesses to Ghana, especially the Central Region and Breman State.
“We will attend the show, meet our colleagues, meet investors, showcase what we have, and encourage them to come to Africa, come to Ghana, the Central Region, and Breman State in particular,” he stated.
His Royal Majesty King Odeefour Amoakwa Buadu VIII emphasised that the ultimate goal is to create employment for the youth and improve living standards for families and communities.
“If they establish industries, factories, and businesses here, our youth will get jobs, and it will improve their well-being, their families, and the community in general,” he said.
He commended IDU for what he described as a bold vision and for involving traditional rulers in a process that could bring direct benefits to citizens.
“We are thankful to IDU for the vision, for sharing that vision with us, and for ensuring that traditional rulers are involved,” he said.
The chief expressed confidence that the outcomes of the summit would leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
“I am sure that the benefits will translate to every citizen of the land, so that this time we are able to leave something behind for them to also build on,” he added.
In a related remark, Nana Barima Fi III, Kyidomhene of the Breman Traditional Area, also praised IDU for organising the summit and described the initiative as timely and beneficial to the area.
He said any effort that brings investment into the Breman Traditional Area would be warmly welcomed, particularly projects capable of creating jobs for the youth.
According to him, government alone cannot solve the unemployment challenge facing young people, making private sector participation essential to national development.
He stressed that partnerships with investors and organisations such as IDU would play an important role in creating opportunities for local communities.
Nana Barima Fi III further assured the delegation that the Breman Traditional Area would give IDU the needed support to ensure the success of its vision and programmes.
The IDU delegation was led by Dr. John Adjetey, Global President, and included Rudolph Acolatse, Global Vice President; Dr. Capt. Selina Okyere, Country Director for New York, USA; Richard Jones Gyasi, Trade Commissioner; and Frank Kwaku Eshun, Director of Public Affairs.
The IDU General Assembly Meeting and Business Investors Conference UK 2026, being organised in collaboration with the London College of Creative Media, is expected to bring together diaspora leaders, traditional authorities, policymakers, investors, and development partners to promote trade, innovation, and sustainable development partnerships.
Environment
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