Ghana mourns John Atta Mills

 President John Atta Mills of Ghana, who was suffering from throat cancer, has died in hospital in the capital, Accra.

According to a BBC report, a statement from his office said the 68-year-old died a few hours after being taken ill, but did not give details.

"It is with a heavy heart... that we announce the sudden and untimely death of the president of the Republic of Ghana," the statement said.

Mr Atta Mills assumed office in the West African country from 2009.

BBC's  correspondent, Sammy Darko, who was at the military hospital in Accra, reported that Mr Atta Mills' voice has been degenerating in the last few months.

Mr Atta Mills came to power after narrowly winning against a candidate from the then governing New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo, in polls in December 2008.

Mills graduated in law at the University of Ghana before going on to gain a PhD at London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). He was selected as a Fulbright scholar at Stanford Law School in the United States and was awarded his PhD for a thesis on taxation and economic development. His teaching career spanned 30 years.

Women should not be vulnerable to men- Jane Nakamba, Singer & Songwriter

Young and upcoming song-bird, Jane Nakamba has lamented the plight of musicians in Lusaka, Zambia saying, musicians have been ripped off even by their so-called producers and by pirates in the country. “Musicians make peanuts out of their sleepless nights in the studios, the government should act fast to eradicate piracy which is like cancer that has eaten deep into the industry. I believe the efforts used in combating these criminals should be intensified and that they are brought to book”. In this interview with Xtramiles, she spoke of her journey to becoming a musician, her philosophy, role models etc.

How did you discover your talent?

I started singing at a very young age. I had written a song for my parents when they had a quarrel which led to their divorce. I sang for my father, a love song though and I thought this would make him change his mind about the divorce but unfortunately, it didn’t happen like I thought it would. They both went their separate ways. That song to date is one of my recorded tracks. Since then, I have not looked back in terms of song writing and I have a lot of songs I have written and are yet to be produced but I am working on them.

What inspires you?

I draw my inspiration from God and my mother who has stood strongly behind me in my most difficult times. She gives me all the encouragement I had ever needed, I simply can’t describe how good she has been to me, and she is the best thing that has happened to me in life so far. I want to use this medium to say a big thank you to her and her sister suzan who has been supportive as well.

Have you done any collaboration?

Yes, I have done but it was more of a group thing than with individuals. I actually started singing in a group called Jacwise; we were three of us, Jane, Audrey and Chabala from our high school days at Muzi high school in Ndola. We came up with a few singles and we had performances at a few places although we were to come up with an album but somewhere along the line, we were caught up with our different priorities and went our separate ways. I am currently in South Africa, Audrey and Chabala are still in Zambia with their different ambitions at the moment. 

Aside music what do you do?

Like I said earlier, at the moment, I am studying Financial Accounting at Damelin in Johannesburg, Gauteng where I had also completed a course in Office computing at College Campus but I also squeeze out time to look into some of the songs I have done and those yet to be completed and try to put finishing touches or modify them. That’s just me for now.

Who are your role models?

I am my own role model if I can say it like that. I admire musicians in Zambia like Mampi, Judy, Lady K, Slap Dee and Macky 2. Internationally, I look up to people like Beyonce, Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Neyo and Brandy.

What would you want changed in the music industry?

Musicians make peanuts out of their sleepless nights in the studios, the government should act fast to eradicate piracy which is like cancer that has eaten deep into the industry. I believe the efforts used in combating these criminals should be intensified and that they are brought to book.  I want to see a situation where we as musicians will be reaping the rewards of our labor with smiles on our faces.

 What challenges do you face as a singer?

Well, as you already know that music is a universal language, loved by a lot of people and the fact that the industry is already saturated with a lot of new comers who are just like me trying break even to limelight. It has not really been easy getting to the top and building fortune and fame and retaining it.

How has music changed you?

I live and breathe music; it has changed me a lot. As they say, music is food for the soul. Becoming a singer has given me a new life because I write, not just write for myself but for people, it gives me a chance to inspire and touch other people and that is what I have always aspired to do as a singer and it also gives me a chance to say my mind out.

What message do you have in your songs?

I sing more about love; I try to tell women not to be vulnerable to some men who I would call opportunity seekers. A lot of men want to take advantage of young girls, lure them with little things like gifts, take them to fast food outlets and make promises to those girls which would make them fall for their sweet-sugarcoated tongue and along the line, most of these young ladies are used and dumped with those promises left to float on thin air. I tell them to believe in themselves and put in their best to be someone in life. As a woman, I have gone back to school in order to set my priorities right and make myself independent and being able to help myself in the future rather than rely on a man.

Are you currently dating?

I have had a few relationships in the past, they had their bad and good sides but it’s in the past. For now, I would say I am very much single but not rushing to date anytime soon guess that’s all I can tell you.

When are we to expect your album in the market?

The full album is going to be in the market soon, it just needs a bit of finishing touches here and there with the sound track and it will be ready and displayed in shelves of most record stores hopefully.

What is your philosophy?

As an individual, I believe whatever you do in life to others comes around to you. So, I believe in the popular saying that “do unto others as you want them to do unto you”. Love as you want to be loved. In short, let loose and take life as it takes you.

Five years from now where would we see you?

I hope to make it big both in my career and in my music. I want to see myself at the top, successful and having achieved all my goals, dreams and aspirations in life.

Zuma's genital painting, ANC provoked.

South Africa's randy president, Jacob Zuma seems to be on a hot seat. He was in an art gallery exhibition in a painting exposing his genitals. The painting was done by a white South African artiste, Brett Murray. The 1.85m-high acrylic on canvas painting titled “The Spear” has been generating a lot of controversies and comments in the country and around the world. According to a news website, praag.org, the painting of Zuma, and a few other pieces, have already been sold. The ANC said the painting is a defamation on the president's character and person.
Among Murray's work was the emblem of the ruling party ANC with "For Sale" written on it and then, "Sold" written accross it.
Murray also took struggle posters and adapted them to read: “Amandla, we demand Chivas, BMWs and bribes”; “Now you have touched the women you have struck a rock, you have dislodged a boulder; you will be president”; and “Tell my people that I love them and that they must continue the struggle for Chivas Regal, Mercs and Kick-backs”.