Former Borussia Dortmundstar Marco Reus has joined LA Galaxy, according to ESPN sources. An official announcement detailing the contract is anticipated on Thursday.
The 35-year-old German midfielder concluded his tenure with Dortmund this summer, having been with the club since 2012.
During his time with Dortmund, Reus made 426 appearances, scoring 171 goals across all competitions.
His achievements with the club include winning two German Cups (2017, 2021) and two Supercups (2013, 2019).
Reus has also represented Germany 48 times, scoring 15 goals.
The addition of Reus is expected to bolster the Galaxy’s attack as they lead the MLS Western Conference.
After a disappointing 2023 season, the Galaxy have emerged as strong contenders in 2024, holding the second-highest points total (49) in the league.
With key contributors like Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, Dejan Joveljic,and Riqui Puig already in place, Reus’s signing is set to enhance the Galaxy’s offensive options as they pursue their first MLS Cup since 2014.
The team, currently on a break following their round-of-32 exit in this year’s Leagues Cup, will resume play on August 24 against Atlanta United FC.
The Galaxy have eight remaining regular-season games before the playoffs.
Before agreeing to terms with LA Galaxy, Reus was rumored to be considering a move to St. Louis City.
The clubs have tentatively agreed on the terms of the loan, with the finalization of the deal expected to take place as early as Thursday.
Despite interest from Everton, Phillips is anticipated to bolster Kieran McKenna’s squad at Portman Road as they prepare for their Premier League return.
Phillips, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at West Ham, struggled with form and managed just eight league appearances.
He rejoined City this summer and played as a centre-back during their preseason tour of the United States.
However, he was not included in the lineup for the Community Shield against Manchester United, with manager Pep Guardiola opting for 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly in midfield instead.
The former Leeds United player, signed by City for £43 million ($55m) in 2022, was also omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’sEuropean Championship.
Phillips, who has 31 England caps and was instrumental in the Euro 2021 final run, was dropped from the squad in March following a period of poor performance at West Ham.
French forwardKylian Mbappe made an impressive debut for Real Madrid, scoring in their 2-0 victory over Atalanta to secure the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw, Poland.
Federico Valverde put Real Madrid ahead with a close-range goal in the 59th minute, and Mbappe extended their lead with a stunning strike into the top corner from a pass by Jude Bellingham nine minutes later.
With this win, Real Madrid has now claimed a record sixth Super Cup title, surpassing Barcelona and AC Milan, who have each won the trophy five times.
Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in June, almost scored in the 15th minute but had his shot blocked by Atalanta’s defense.
Atalanta, making their Super Cup debut after winning the Europa League, were not intimidated by their prestigious opponents. Despite Real Madrid’s early dominance, Atalanta grew more confident, with Marten de Roon hitting the crossbar with a deflected shot.
The Italian side continued to create opportunities, with Ederson narrowly missing from long range and Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois making a crucial save from Ademola Lookman.
Rodrygo missed a golden chance for Real Madrid just before halftime, hitting the bar with a low shot from Vinicius Jr.’s pass. Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic also tested Courtois with a header, but the Belgian goalkeeper made a superb save.
The breakthrough came when Valverde finished a precise pass from Vinicius. Real Madrid could have extended their lead through Vinicius and Bellingham, but it was Mbappe who sealed the victory with a neat finish after Bellingham set him up.
The 25-year-old, who has won seven Ligue 1 titles with PSG and Monaco but had not previously claimed a European club trophy, was substituted seven minutes before the end of the match.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources,Samuel Abu Jinapor,has confirmed that a deal has been struck to return 262 acres of the Achimota Forest to its original owners, the Owoo family.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, the Minister explained that the land was scheduled for return based on a 2013 decision made by President Mahama’s government, with Cabinet approval given on September 5, 2013.
As a result, the current administration is bound by the decision made by the previous government.
“As far as September 5th, 2013, President Mahama’s government granted a cabinet approval for the return of this land to the Owoo family and at the time I became the Minister, a total of 362 acres of land had been concluded.
“Leases have been given in respect of those lands, decisions have been made that 362 of the Achimota lands be returned to the Minister for one consideration or the other and that transcended from President Kufour’s government to Akufo-Addo’s government up to 2021 when I became the Minister,” he said.
In 2022, an Executive Instrument 144 issued by President Akufo-Addo to reclassify 362 acres of forest land for return to the Owoo family received a public backlash.
However, Mr Jinapor has said that the acreage has been reduced to 262 acres after negotiations to address concerns about the ecological integrity of the forest.
“We’ve set up a team, we went into negotiations with the Achimota Forest because we are concerned about the ecological integrity of the forest and we wanted a buffer.
We wanted a buffer for what the Owoo family will have and what will now constitute today’s Achimota forest.
“We were able to negotiate a reduction of 100 acres out of the 362 acres, which had been cast in iron by the previous government and the current administration had been bound legally by the previous government for the release of 362 acres of the Achimota government,” he noted.
The Minister continued, “As we speak today, we’ve negotiated a reduction of 100 acres and now the parcel of the land that is supposed to be released back to the family is 262 acres.
Now, we’ve structured the agreement in such a way that even for an individual to take possession of the land given the ecological sensitivity of the forest reserve, we’ve put in place stringent measures before the person can take possession of the land.
“So as I speak today,even though the transactionwas concluded a year ago, nobody is taking even a square meter of the Achimota Forest Land.”
Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues with host Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom, Bediako argued that removing the tax could lead to an increase in gambling among the youth.
Bediako criticized the proposal, stating, “From where I sit, it seems that removing the tax might inadvertently encourage more young people to engage in betting.
Nowadays, children are going so far as to steal from their mothers or even their employers to place bets, which is a serious issue.
Allowing easier access to bet could potentially divert them from working and focusing on productive activities.”
He highlighted the importance of carefully evaluating policies related to gambling, pointing out that they should not unintentionally encourage irresponsible behavior among young people.
National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has accused the Interior Minister of attempting to bribe Minority MPs with offers of police recruitment slots.
During an appearance on Joy News’ PM Express, he claimed that Henry Quartey made these offers to suppress opposition from NDC legislators who were challenging the recruitment of approximately 10,000 party foot soldiers into the police force.
Asiedu Nketia, also known as General Mosquito, voiced serious concerns about the potential impact of such actions on the upcoming election, warning that the Interior Minister’s alleged clandestine activities could threaten peace.
He urged organizations like the National Peace Council and the Catholic Bishops Conference to publicly address the matter, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability.
Additionally, General Mosquito elaborated that the Interior Minister had attempted to bring these individuals into the security services but encountered resistance.
“At some point, the Interior Minister himself went to Parliament to try to, like, bribe our MPs and say, ‘Look, bring two persons each from your constituency, and let’s add them so that you allow me to do it.’ Our MPs rejected it flatly,” he alleged on Wednesday.
Mr Asiedu Nketia revealed that he had followed up on the matter, advising NDC MPs not to accept the offer.
“I said, don’t give them even one person because if you add one person, they recruit 10,000,” he stated.
He further claimed that the Interior Minister made the offer privately to the Minority leadership, but the NDC firmly opposed it.
“We made it clear that any NDC member who falls for that will face challenges in their constituency because what is wrong is wrong.
If there is an opportunity for recruitment into the security services, it must follow the proper procedure, ensuring equal opportunity for all qualified Ghanaians,” he asserted.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia revealed that the NDC has lodged a petition with the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) concerning the alleged bribery attempt by the Interior Minister.
He claimed that despite the petition, the government is continuing with the recruitment process, supposedly under the pretense of adhering to legal procedures.
When asked for proof, Mr. Asiedu Nketia pointed to letters sent to party candidates, emphasizing that even those who lost their primaries were not considered for the recruitment.
He added that the NDC has included these letters in their petition to CHRAJ as evidence.
“There is no denial of these facts, and we are insisting that if they believe in the rule of law, they should withdraw those advertisements and wait for CHRAJ to make a determination,” he concluded.
Lamine Yamal’s father, Mounir Nasraoui, was reportedly stabbed multiple times in a car park near Barcelona and was subsequently rushed to the hospital.
According to La Vanguardia, the 36-year-old Nasraoui was attacked on Wednesday evening in a car park in the town of Mataro, located along the coast from Barcelona.
The altercation, which started as a fight, escalated into a stabbing, leaving Nasraoui in serious condition.
He required immediate medical attention but is now believed to be in stable condition. Local sources confirmed that emergency services quickly responded to the scene, transporting Nasraoui to the nearby Can Ruti hospital.
Despite some reports suggesting he had been discharged, Mundo Deportivo claims that Nasraoui remains under observation at the medical facility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO71BjicOUc
The police in Mataro have initiated an investigation into the incident, with reports indicating that three arrests have already been made.
The stabbing is thought to have stemmed from an earlier confrontation, though the exact cause remains unclear.
Later that evening, Yamal posted a photo of himself with his father on social media, accompanied by heart emojis, but he later deleted the post.
Yamal has frequently spoken about the significant influence his father has had on his life and football career. Nasraoui’s support has been crucial in Yamal’s rise as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
Following this incident, there are now concerns about whether Yamal will be able to play for Barcelona against Valencia at Mestalla in La Liga on Saturday.
July 2024 Food Security Monitor report reveals a troubling escalation in food insecurity across Ghana, with the rate of insufficient food consumption (IFC) surging by 5.77%.
This increase is largely driven by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, fueled by persistently high inflation, a weakening currency, and soaring fuel prices.
These factors have notably inflated the cost of essential commodities, particularly staples such as maize and rice.
This trend mirrors earlier projections from the World Food Programme (WFP) in their February 2024 report.
According to the WFP’s February 2024 country brief and preliminary March 2024 analysis, an estimated 1.05 million Ghanaians were expected to experience food insecurity between June and August 2024.
Contributing factors include climate change, low agricultural prices, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to education, compounded by Ghana’s vulnerability to global market shifts, especially in the case of imported rice.
The report also highlights that, while the rate of IFC remained stable in most countries between June and July, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda saw increases of 5.77%, 3.98%, and 7.5% respectively. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, reported a 5.45% decrease.
On a year-over-year basis, the majority of countries have witnessed an increase in IFC, with exceptions being Mozambique, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia, where current levels are lower than those recorded a year ago.
Furthermore, the report identifies several nations as food insecurity hotspots—where more than half of the population faces IFC—including Burkina Faso (56.6%), Mali (69.1%), Niger (82.6%),and Nigeria (51.5%).
Electoral Commission (EC)has assured that it will conduct a comprehensive voter exhibition exercise to ensure that political parties have access to a reliable voter register for the upcoming December elections.
This assurance comes after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) urged the EC to release the provisional voter register for the December 7 general elections ahead of the exhibition.
NDC’s Director of Elections, Dr. Boamah, took to Facebook to criticize the EC for the delay, attributing it to what he described as incompetence and a deliberate attempt to offer a subpar register to political parties.
Dr. Boamah warned that this delay has raised significant concerns among the NDC and other stakeholders, suggesting that the EC’s approach, particularly its IT Department, could lead to chaos in Ghana if not promptly addressed.
In response,the EC’s Director of Training, Dr. Serebuor Quaicoe, dismissed these claims during an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News.
He urged the NDC and other stakeholders to cooperate with the commission throughout the exhibition process to address any issues.
Dr. Quaicoe assured that the final voter register, following the exhibition exercise, will be of high quality and meet the expectations of all political parties.
“Why would we fight the same people who are going to help us do the work? We all know the quantum of work to be done…
So, they should understand it and once we give it to them, they and the voters and everybody will help to contribute and by the time we finish the eight-day exhibition, we will identify all the challenges and rectify them.”
“They should all expect that when everything is done we will give them the final register. So, we will do good work and give them the final register which willbe a quality register,” he stated.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, he expressed doubts about the effectiveness of such agreements, citing previous experiences as a basis for his scepticism.
“Signing a peace declaration doesn’t mean anything to the party, as previous pacts have not yielded any real results,” Asiedu Nketia stated.
He stated that preventing violence requires proactive measures rather than symbolic gestures.
“If you allow violence to brew, it will happen whether you sign a declaration or not. That’s why, more than a year ago, I started talking about the need to remove the building blocks for a violent election,” he explained.
He further criticised the focus on signing peace agreements after tensions have already escalated, urging authorities to address the root causes of potential violence before it spirals out of control.
“At any stage when something is happening, I call on those who, in the future, will call us to sign a declaration to speak up and stop it from happening.
“Otherwise, if you let these issues build up and then say, ‘Let’s play a peace football match, sign a declaration, and hope for a peaceful election,’ it won’t work. We did all this and more in 2020,” he said.
Mr Asiedu Nketia, affectionately known as General Mosquito, pointed out that despite the involvement of bodies like the Council of State and the Peace Council in previous peace declarations, the 2020 election was still marred by violence.
“Signing or not signing is not the issue. What we need to address are the building blocks that lead to violence,” he insisted.
He also highlighted concerns about the illegal recruitment of about 10,000 individuals into the security services, warning that this could be a brewing source of unrest.
“It’s brewing now,” he added.
In the 2020 election, theNDC challenged the results, labeling them as “flawed” and accusing state security forces of voter intimidation in their key areas.
According to the National Election Security Taskforce (NESTF), the 2020 general elections saw five fatalities and 61 incidents of electoral and post-electoral violence nationwide, including six cases involving gunfire.
Barcelona are exploring the possibility of signing French midfielder N’Golo Kanté this summer, according to Diario Sport.
Kanté, 33, transferred to Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad last summer on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea.
Despite his move to the Middle East, Kanté has expressed a desire to return to European football, attracting interest from several clubs, including Barcelona, West Ham, and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, has long admired Kanté, who was a standout performer for France at Euro 2024.
The UK’s inflation rate has increased for the first time this year, according to official data.
Prices climbed by 2.2% in the year leading up to July, surpassing the Bank of England’s 2% target, which had held steady since May.
The rise, although anticipated, was driven by a smaller-than-expected decline in gas and electricity prices compared to last year. This increase was lower than many economists had predicted.
While inflation is now growing at a faster rate than in previous months, it remains slower than the spikes seen in 2022 and 2023, when households faced steep rises in energy and food costs.
The Bank of England projects inflation could reach 2.75% in the coming months before dropping below 2% next year.
Before the Bank’s next interest rate decision on September 19, additional inflation figures, along with employment and wage data, will be released.
Last month, the Bank of England reduced interest rates from 5.25% to 5%—the first cut since the pandemic began—in an effort to curb inflation. While higher rates benefit savers, they can lead to increased mortgage and loan costs for consumers.
‘September cut not off the table’
Experts have been predicting further cuts this year, with investors now raising their bets that the Bank will opt for a cut in September.
Sanjay Raja, chief UK economist at Deutsche Bank Research, said: “A September rate cut should no longer be off the table. And it’s entirely conceivable to think that we could get multiple more rate cuts this year.”
But Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at research group Capital Economics, said Wednesday’s data “may not alleviate the Bank’s concerns about persistent price pressures entirely”.
The Bank of England also monitors inflation within the services sector when determining interest rates. Although inflation in this sector eased to 5.2% in July, this slowdown was influenced by fluctuations in airfares and hotel prices, which can be unpredictable.
Gregory noted, however, that she anticipates the Bank will implement another rate cut later this year, reducing the main interest rate from 5% to 4.5%.
Prominent Ghanaian business mogulDaniel McKorley, known as McDan, has revealed that gambling is the reason he has not sponsored the Ghana Premier League.
He expressed concern over the prevalence of gambling, particularly in relation to Ghana Premier League matches, and stated that he does not want to invest in such an environment.
McKorley mentioned that he aspires to sponsor the league, but the association with betting is a significant barrier preventing him from doing so.
“The gambling is too much. They are using betting to destroy our football. If not, I would have sponsored it [Ghana Premier League]. Sometimes they play a ball and a goalkeeper will go a different way for the ball to score just for someone to win a bet.
He highlighted that the prevalence of betting in football is one reason why Ghanaian players struggle to progress, emphasizing the need for reforms in the sport during an interview with Asempa FM on August 14, 2024.
In response to these concerns, Ghana Football Association(GFA) President Kurt Okrakuassured that efforts are underway to secure a headline sponsor for the league, which would provide much-needed financial support.
Many league clubs have expressed frustration over the financial strain caused by the absence of sponsorship, leading to delayed salary payments and various management challenges.
A disturbing video of a female student being assaulted and manhandled by a group of male students from Kumasi Academy Senior High School (KUMACA) over alleged sexual misconduct has emerged.
The video shared by X (formerly Twitter) user @eddie_wrt captures close to a dozen male students, hooting at, beating and pushing a fair female student in a blue ‘check-check’ uniform.
“Huu! Huuu! She has gone to mess up her female genitalia” the voices from the background claimed.
A d!sturbing video shows some male students of Kumasi Academy SHS (KUMACA) boò!ng and phys!cally àssäulting a female student while accùsing her of engaging in a s£xùal act. pic.twitter.com/EJ1o7Jlwq7
As she continued walking, the boys around her kept hooting, with some started slapping the back of her head with tree branches, while others shoved her from behind.
Just as she was about to break free from the group,another boy stepped in, grabbed her by the chest, and tripped her to the ground.
In response, netizens have urged the Ghana Police Service to apprehend the culprits, with many questioning their right to assault their female colleague in such a manner.
See some reactions below:
@blessmanbuzz This is bad ..Someone sex life is people’s problem ah ..The way they treated the gal is not right ..The guy she had sex with is walking free and they treating the gal anyhow.
McvooE🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭 @Mcvoo2@GhPoliceService take action now
Enokay’s houseboy @Mogyimii Buh why dem got hit am? This be n0nsense. Dem for arrest dem
Para-Powerlifter Tahiru Haruna has been named the captain of Ghana’s Paralympic team for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Recognized for his experience and leadership, Haruna has earned the respect of his teammates.
Following his selection, Haruna expressed deep appreciation to the team for the honor of being chosen as their captain.
“I’m truly honoured by the trust and support shown by my teammates. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity,” Haruna said.
“This is a testament to the strong team dynamics we have built. I am committed to making good use of it to represent and market Ghana at the Paris 2024 Games by mounting the podium,” he added.
As captain, Haruna will guide Team Ghana through the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where they will aim to excel and win medals for the nation.
The team is set to compete in four sports:para-athletics, para-powerlifting, para-cycling, and para-taekwondo. The Paralympic Games will take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024.
Ghanaian coach Kwasi Appiah is reportedly facing pressure from influential figures to resign from his position as an Executive Council member of theGhana Football Association (GFA).
Well-informed journalist Muftawu Nabila Abdulai reported that despite the increasing calls for his resignation, Appiah appears satisfied with his current role and is unlikely to step down.
Abdulai further noted that during a recent Executive Council meeting, Appiah exited when the conversation shifted to matters concerning the Black Stars.
“Grapevines have it that Sudan head coach Kwasi Appiah is being told to resign as an Executive Council member of the Ghana Football Association. If Appiah resigns, ‘Chief of Staff’ Michael Bogdan Osekere could be a likely candidate to replace him on the ExCo.
“It doesn’t appear Appiah will step down, though. Apparently, in the last Executive Council meeting, Appiah excused himself when matters of the Black Stars were about to be discussed,” Nabila wrote on X on August 14, 2024.
Pressure on Kwasi Appiah has intensified following the draw that placed his team, Sudan, in the same group as Ghana for the2025 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Despite growing criticism and concerns over a possible conflict of interest, Appiah continues to hold his position.
Whether he will ultimately step down remains uncertain.
Jordan Ayew’s time at Crystal Palace may be nearing its conclusion as the club weighs a £4 million bid from newly-promoted Premier League side, Leicester City.
According to the Daily Mail on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Leicester City has put forward an offer to acquire the seasoned Ghanaian striker.
Crystal Palace is reportedly giving serious thought to the proposal, as it closely aligns with their valuation of the 30-year-old.
“Leicester offer £4 million for Crystal Palace attacker Jordan Ayew. Palace considering the bid.
Fee is within touching distance of what Palace are looking for,” a tweet by the Daily Mail’s Samik Mokbel reads.
Jordan Ayew is strongly linked with a move to Leicester City, as the club seeks to bolster its squad with experienced Premier League talent to enhance their survival prospects.
Ayew has struggled for game time under new manager Oliver Glasner, who has opted for other options in the attacking positions.
With Ayew’s contract due to expire in June 2025,Crystal Palace, having already seen winger Michael Olise depart for Bayern Munich, is reportedly open to selling the Ghanaian forward.
Last season, Ayew contributed four goals and eight assists in 37 appearances for Palace and made history by becoming the first player since 2017 to score a hat trick for the Black Stars during Ghana’s 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Former Nigerian footballer Mikel Obirecently recounted a conversation he had with Lionel Messi after Nigeria’s loss to Argentina in the 2005 U-20 World Cup final.
Obi shared that he had played exceptionally well throughout the tournament and was hopeful of winning an individual award despite the defeat.
However, when Messi was awarded the Golden Ball, Obi felt disheartened and approached him to express his disappointment.
The former Chelsea star recalled accusing Messi of “stealing” the award, feeling that he was more deserving of the honor.
🎙️John Obi Mikel: “When we lost against Argentina in the U-20 World Cup, Messi won the Golden Ball and I won the Silver Ball.
At the end of the coronation, I told him, ‘You stole the Golden Ball from me. I deserved it, I was better than you’.
“When we lost against Argentina in the U-20 World Cup, Messi won the Golden Ball and I won the Silver Ball. At the end of the coronation, I told him, ‘You stole the Golden Ball from me. I deserved it; I was better than you’.
“Messi smiled and said to me, ‘I have nothing to do with the matter; the committee is the one who chooses,’” Obi said in a tweet shared by influencer Vince on X.
Argentina emerged victorious over Nigeria with a 2-1 win in the 2005 U-20 World Cup final, with Lionel Messi netting two penalties and being a key player in the match.
Although Nigeria fell short of claiming the title, their journey to the finals was a source of pride for many Africans.
Maureen Mwanawasa was married to Zambia’s third President, Levy Mwanawasa, who served from 2002 until his death in 2008. President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed deep shock at her passing.
A trained lawyer, Mrs. Mwanawasa was known for her advocacy in social justice, community development, and public health.
She co-managed a law firm with her husband before he entered politics and played a significant role in his successful presidential campaign in 2001.
Though she was considered a potential successor to her husband, she did not pursue a political career following his death.
In 2016, she ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Lusaka.
Mrs. Mwanawasa was a founding member and past president of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS, now known as the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.
Her contributions to community development earned her numerous accolades, including the International Hope Award from World Vision in 2006.
“May her legacy of hardworking, kindness, compassion, and dedication to our nation continue to inspire us,” said Nevers Sekwila Mumba, leader of Mr Mwanawasa’s Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), now in opposition.
In his statement, President Hichilema called on the country to unite “as we join her family, and indeed the nation, in prayer”.
Sports journalist Saddick Adams has taken Minister of Agriculture Bryan Acheampong to task over the escalating prices of food items in Ghana.
Adams highlighted the significant rise in the cost of essentials such as tomatoes, onions, and pepper, which has made them increasingly inaccessible, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society.
He voiced his frustration over the minister’s attention to acquiring state hotels rather than tackling the pressing issue of food price inflation, which has sparked widespread public discontent.
“I tell the morning show hosts to come down and assess the prices of pepper, onion, tomatoes that ordinary people purchase all the time. We always hear on the radio that the Agric minister wants to buy six hotels.
Doesn’t he know the price of tomatoes in town?
“You can buy all the hotels, but plantain and other food items have become expensive. He should stop the hotel deal and fix the prices, then later he can go and buy them and even add the sea. I likeBryan Acheampong,but this is not the time to discuss hotel deals,” he said in Twi while speaking on Angel FM.
There has been a surge in complaints from various figures in Ghana regarding the escalating food prices, which are intensifying the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
Minister Bryan Acheampong has come under intense scrutiny after news emerged that his organization planned to acquire six state hotels.
The backlash was swift and severe, leading to the cancellation of the proposed deal.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelifhas initiated legal action against Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), and author J.K. Rowling, accusing them of “acts of aggravated cyber harassment.”
Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, filed the complaint with French authorities, requesting an investigation into all responsible parties.
The lawsuit aims to address online hate speech and safeguard Khelif’s reputation, particularly in response to false transgender allegations made on social media that were intended to tarnish her public image.
“What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary. If the case goes to court, they will stand trial, could target personalities overseas.
“The prosecutor’s office combating online hate speech has the possibility to make requests for mutual legal assistance with other countries,” Boudi told Variety, as shared by American influencer Collin Rugg on X on August 14, 2024.
Khelif, addressing the media about the transgender accusations, stated, “I have made statements to the media saying that I fully qualify to take part in this competition.
I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman and lived as such and I compete as a woman. There are enemies of success, that is what I call them. It just gives my gold medal an extra special taste because of their attacks.”
Dampare believes that his successor should not only maintain but also enhance the legacy that he and his team have established, rather than undermine it.
Dampare, speaking at an event organized by the Methodist Church, said, “When it comes to life and the job that I do, my biggest fear is walking out of the position that I find myself in today and not getting someone who is better than me to continue.”
“My colleagues will tell you, and I’m saying that for a divine reason, I keep telling God all the time that if all I’m doing with my colleagues as a team is that you cannot get somebody who is better than us to come and continue by maintaining what we have achieved and building upon it, then why are you allowing us to do it because somebody who is not better than us will come and destroy it anyway? So that is my biggest fear,” he said.
“So pray for us. So that it doesn’t become that when we are no more, we are used as a reference to judge the people who come after us.
We would rather have come to do our work as God has destined, and the next person will do their work.
But we want them to be better so that they will build upon what we left behind so that it will beunto the benefit of everybody and to the glory of God,” he added.
Renowned Ghanaian musician, Esther Smith,has clarified that she is not related to Chef Smith of Cookathon fame. She shared this information during an interview with Abeiku Santana on OKAY FM in Accra.
“My father is the one called Smith, who is from Cape Coast. My mother is from Akomadan. I’m an Ashanti because of my mother.”
When asked whether she has any close family relations with Chef Smith, she retorted, “Please, I’m not related to Chef Smith in any way. I don’t know him from Adam.”
Ghanaian Millennium Chef Ebenezer Smith claimed the title of Guinness World Record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, with a purported time of 802 hours and 25 minutes, according to the citation he provided.
However, it has been revealed that Chef Smith’s record attempt was not officially recognized by Guinness World Records, and his claim was misleading.
Meanwhile, Esther Smith is returning to Ghana for two performances after a long hiatus from the local music scene.
She will take the stage at theBantama Pentecost Churchin Kumasi on August 25 and at the Perez Dome in Accra on August 30, 2024.
National Lottery Authority (NLA)has announced that the commission for lotto writers will be increased to 25 percent, up from the previous 20 percent, effective at the end of August 2024, as stated by the Board Chairman, Gary Nimako Marfo.
In addition to this commission hike, the NLA has relaunched its Caritas Lottery platform.
This platform is designed to boost public trust in lottery promotions and combat fraud by enabling organizations and individuals to conduct legitimate lottery promotions to enhance their business operations.
This adjustment, approved by the NLA Board, follows a petition from lotto writers who requested a higher commission due to economic hardships.
Mr. Nimako clarified that the new commission rate will be exclusively available to licensed lotto companies and issued a warning to unlicensed operators, stating that the NLA will intensify its efforts to crack down on them, especially as the 2024 election approaches.
Mr. Nimako clarified that “the new 25% commission applies only to lotto companies licensed by the NLA. The NLA would intensify its crackdown on illegal lotto operators, particularly as the 2024 election year approaches.”
Mr. Nimako went ahead to warn illegal operators who seek protection from high-ranking party and government officials that the current Board and management would not yield to such interventions.
The NLA has faced financial challenges in recent years, recording a loss of GH¢788,818 in 2020 and a more significant loss of GH¢17.1m (GH¢17,148,582) in 2021.
However, under the current Director General, Samuel Awuku, the authority has made a turnaround, posting profits of GH¢2.5m and GH¢2.6m.
This recovery followed a substantial increase in miscellaneous income, which rose from GH¢35.54 million in 2020 to GH¢133.45 million in 2023.
The NLA also generates income from Nigeria and Ivory Coast, where its draw results are used for local lotteries, demonstrating its regional influence.
Mr. Awuku revealed that “a task force including security personnel and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) officials will be conducting operations against illegal lotto operators.
According to him, despite the estimated GH¢1.8 billion yearly value of Ghana’s lotto industry, the NLA captures only about GH¢800 million, while illegal operators take in over GH¢1 billion annually.
“We believe this is an opportunity for NLA to promote the benefits of lottery and diffuse misconceptions and stigma, “he mentioned.
The NLA’s recent measures reflect its dedication to cleaning up the lottery industry and restoring public trust.
Mr. Awuku highlighted that out of approximately 700 illegal lotto companies, primarily in rural areas, only about 20 are officially registered with the NLA.
He also pointed out that many of these illegal operators are significant financial backers of Ghana’s two major political parties.
He emphasized the need to prevent political interference in the NLA’s revenue generation activities and ensure that regulations are enforced consistently across all operators.
He also mentioned that past political divisions within the NLA had led to staff dissatisfaction and decreased productivity.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has strongly criticized President Akufo-Addo, labeling him as the most reckless and heartless leader in Ghana’s history.
Mahama’s remarks were in response to Akufo-Addo’s comments regarding the people of Mepe and other villages severely impacted by the Akosombo Dam spillage in 2023.
During a community engagement in Dadedo, Ho West, as part of his #Mahama4Change2024 campaign tour, Mahama contrasted Akufo-Addo with former presidents like Atta Mills, JJ Rawlings, Kufuor, and himself, asserting that they all showed compassion for all Ghanaians, unlike Akufo-Addo, who he claimed only cares about his supporters.
“President Rawlings cared about everybody in the country. President Kufuor cared about everybody in the country; Prof. Mills cared about every Ghanaian anywhere in this country.
I cared about every Ghanaian anywhere in this country. Unfortunately, we have a caring president who for him; those he cares about are those who voted for him.”
He added: And so when the Akosombo Dam spillage took place, it flooded people’s property.
Mepe was underwater completely, several villages were inundated, and people were living in refugee camps, and then the President of Ghana goes there and says I came here just because I am president, but if it were about the number of votes you voted for me, I wouldn’t be here.
Kenyan journalist Rukia Bulle has been named the winner of the2024 BBC News Komla Dumor Award.At 30 years old, Bulle, who is the ninth individual to receive this prestigious award, is a journalist for Kenya’s Nation Media Group and is known for her compelling human interest stories.
Bulle has also gained a significant following on TikTok, where she shares insightful content about the life of a journalist, making her work both relatable and informative.
The award, established in memory of Komla Dumor—a Ghanaian journalist and BBC World News presenter who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 41 in 2014—aims to honor his efforts to showcase a more nuanced and entrepreneurial image of Africa to the global audience.
The judges praised Bulle for her resilience, her dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices, and her strong on-air presence in tackling difficult stories.
“Winning this award means a great deal to me. As a journalist, you constantly strive to do your best, regardless of recognition, so to be acknowledged on a global stage through the Komla Dumor Award is incredibly validating,” said Bulle, who appeared last year on a list of 100 Most Influential Kenyan Muslims.
“I hope this award inspires young girls like me, who wear the hijab and come from minority communities, to dream big and achieve their goals.”
The Kenyan journalist will spend three months working with BBC News teams across television, radio and online in London.
She will also receive training and be mentored by leading BBC journalists.
A year before his death, Komla Dumor featured in New African magazine’s list of the 100 most influential Africans
Tarik Kafala, acting director of the BBC World Service, said he was delighted that the Komla Dumor Award had nurtured the careers of several journalists across the continent.
“Previous recipients of the award have made significant contributions to public service journalism so we are thrilled to welcome Rukia Bulle as this year’s winner,” he said.
As part of her award placement, Rukia Bulle will have the opportunity to travel to an African country to cover a story that will be broadcast to BBC’s global audience.
This tradition follows in the footsteps of previous winners such as Paa Kwesi Asare, Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya, Victoria Rubadiri, Solomon Serwanjja, Waihiga Mwaura, Amina Yuguda, Didi Akinyelure, and Nancy Kacungira, who was the first to receive the award.
Last year, Paa Kwesi Asare visited Kenya to report on the emerging electric motorbike taxi industry, showcasing the innovative changes taking place in the country.
Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cut off power to the Kumasi City Market, also known as the New Kejetia Market, due to unpaid arrears exceeding GH¢7 million.
Despite a prior agreement to settle the debt, ECG states that the market has not adhered to the payment plan, prompting the disconnection.
This is not the first time the market has faced a power outage for unpaid bills; a similar situation occurred in April 2024, when electricity was restored after the management committed to clearing the debt.
While the market’s management, headed by Managing Director Edmond Kofi Duffuor, asserts that they have been making efforts to pay, ECG remains dissatisfied with the progress, leading to the latest disconnection.
“From a total of 9.7 million Ghana cedis as of June, we have paid about 1.7 million Ghana cedis…So why should we be in darkness, when we are committed? I’m not paying any other service provider any money.
No other person is receiving money from Kejetia Market apart from ECG.
He added, “Buying diesel is so expensive, we are now depending on a generator.”
The traders are calling on the Local Government Ministry to intervene and address the electricity supply issue to ensure the market’s smooth operation.
Currently, the market is relying on generators, which management deems unsustainable.
Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State,Togbe Afede XIV, has praised NDC flagbearer John Mahama for his ambitious 24-hour economy policy and his commitment to reviving Ghana’s economy and addressing youth issues.
He noted that the former President’s proposed 24-hour economy could be a key solution to restoring the nation’s struggling economy, generating jobs, and boosting foreign exchange through increased exports, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
Togbe Afede shared these remarks when Mr. Mahama, along with his delegation, paid him a courtesy visit in Ho during the NDC’s campaign tour of the Volta Region.
“Let me congratulate you, first of all on your 24-hour economy policy. As someone who believes in hard work, I believe this is what we need. It is obvious that the application of this policy in the manufacturing sector can indeed be a game changer”, he said.
He indicated that machinery in the manufacturing sector is designed to keep running 24 hours to maximize profit and hence must be used as such.
He said the 24-hour Economy Policy would help Ghana expand its production capacity to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), which seeks to promote intra-trade on the African continent.
“It has been established that we are far behind those countries currently in the pilot phase as far as export to our counterparts are concerned.
“I am aware that Nigeria actually launched an ambitious $50 billion program to expand production and, therefore, export to Africa, taking advantage of AfCFTA.
“So I think your policy is a sure way of making us ready to also export to other African countries and of course by so doing expand employment. The factory which just runs for 8 hours, one shift, decides to do 3 shifts”, he said.
He further indicated the proposed 24-hour policy would reduce the cost of production and promote competition adding that “so I think it is a great policy and it deserves all of our support.”
The esteemed traditional leader praised the NDC Flagbearer, John Mahama, for his commitment to engaging the youth in decision-making across all levels of government, recognizing the importance of empowering the next generation.
Togbe Afede also expressed support for Mahama’s plan to reassess the payment of ex-gratia to Article 17 officeholders.
Additionally, he congratulated Mahama on his recent exoneration in the Airbus scandal, acknowledging the significance of this development.
“I want to wish you, on behalf of all of our people, success in all your endeavours as you tour the length and breadth of our region. Thank you very much for coming”, he concluded.
On her part, such a partner is more of a bouncer other than a boyfriend and she wouldn’t one to date one.
Though she wouldn’t jump into a relationship with a bouncer, she would prefer to date one with a degree.
Making an appearance on a podcast, the UPSA student, revealed that “A protective boyfriend and being broke is a bouncer. And I don’t want to date a bouncer. If I wanted to date a bouncer I would have gone for a bouncer degree. You can buy me a phone but I can’t useit at home“.
A protective boyfriend who’s broke is a bouncer – UPSA student lady who sleeps in a 4 in a room hostel details. pic.twitter.com/hJMkA5ejRg
Deputy National Youth Organiser of theNational Democratic Congress (NDC)has taken a swipe at Deputy Director of Communications for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu-Bempah, over his persistent attacks on the former president and flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama.
Labelling Owusu-Bempah as a mentally unstable person who needs treatment, he asserted that the NDC has an antidote to deal with the communications officer.
On his part Owusu-Bempah’s incessant jabs targeted at the Mahama is a sign of what he describes as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
OCD is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform.
“The solution to Owusu-Bempah’s mental health disorder is stipulated in the 2020 manifesto of the NDC.
There’s actually a solution we can give to Mr Owusu-Bempah and I realised that the 2020 NDC Manifesto page 64 bullet point T and with your permission I will read, the NDC would develop Pantang Mental Hospital into a first class mental health facility.
This is the solution to Owusu-Bempah’s sickness. His issue has gone beyond normal. He has mental illness. I’m not mincing words in any form or context because this is a man who is seriously obsessed with the former president Mahama and in fact in health terms is what we call Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)” he noted during an appearance on Metro TV.
Brentford have completedthe signing of attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool on a five-year contract, as confirmed by the West London club on Monday.
Although financial terms weren’t disclosed, reports in the British media suggest the deal is valued at approximately £27.5 million ($35.10 million).
The 21-year-old Carvalho, who has represented England at various youth levels before switching his allegiance to Portugal at the Under-21 level, joined Liverpool from Fulham in 2022.
Last season, he was loaned out to Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and English Championship side Hull City.
Carvalho made 21 appearances for Liverpool, scoring three goals, and also netted in preseason victories against Arsenal and Manchester United this summer.
Additionally, on Monday, Serie A club AC Milan announced the acquisition of Brazilian defender Emerson Royal from Tottenham Hotspur.
Emerson, who has been capped 10 times by Brazil, signed a contract with Milan until June 2028, with an option for a one-year extension.
The 25-year-old defender, who previously played for Barcelona and Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro, made 101 appearances for Spurs across all competitions.
Manchester City’s hearing regarding the alleged 115 breaches of Premier League regulations is expected to commence on September 16, sources have exclusively revealed to ESPN.
According to sources, the independent panel’s proceedings are likely to span around two months, with a final decision — including any possible appeals — anticipated by the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
Initial reports suggested that the trial might begin later in the year, but efforts have been made to expedite the process to start next month.
Sources indicate that September 16 has been tentatively set as the start date, barring any unforeseen delays.
The Premier League charged Manchester City with 115 violations of financial regulations in February 2023, following a five-year investigation.
These charges cover a 14-season period beginning in 2009-10 and include 54 counts of providing inaccurate information, 14 counts related to inaccurate player and manager payment details, seven counts of breaching the league’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), five counts of non-compliance with UEFA regulations, including financial fair play (FFP), and 35 counts of failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations since 2018.
City strongly deny all the charges, and claimed in a statement released in response to the initial charges that they have “irrefutable evidence” to support their position and “look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
Manchester City have previously won a legal battle against UEFA after allegations of misconduct surfaced in November 2018, following a report by the German newspaper Der Spiegel.
In February 2020, City were initially banned from UEFA competitions, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned that ruling later the same year.
Ghanaian journalist and author,Manasseh Azure Awuni, has delivered a powerful critique of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, suggesting that the President would have been more highly regarded in Ghanaian history if he had never assumed office.
In his new book, “The President Ghana Never Had,” Manasseh scrutinizes Akufo-Addo’s tenure since 2017.
During an interview on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Manasseh voiced his disappointment, saying that the President would have earned his respect if he had not taken office or had passed away before becoming President.
Manasseh argued that Akufo-Addo had the potential to be a transformative leader, but the chance to elevate Ghana’s fortunes was ultimately squandered.
He further expressed concern that the President’s actions fell short of his pre-election promises, leaving many Ghanaians disillusioned after seven years of his leadership.
“If Akufo-Addo had died without becoming President, I personally would have respected him more than he being President.
His place in history would have been bigger than he becoming our President. But we would have said look, this is a visionary leader who would have transformed Ghana, unfortunately, we didn’t get him.
“Fortunately or unfortunately, we got him, but we did not get him, because the Akufo-Addo some of us expected, was not the president Akufo-Addo,we got when he became a President. So, either way, he’s the President that Ghana never got.”
He revealed that he had initially supported and celebrated President Akufo-Addo’s election by casting his vote for him but later became disillusioned with his performance in office.
“In 2016, a lot had happened and the question was if Ghanaians were still going ahead and doing this. [retain Mahama]. Then what is the point in risking my life, when this is what they want?
So, when Akufo-Addo was announced as President, I celebrated it as if it was as if I had won,” Manasseh disclosed.
NBA star Kevin Durant has become a minority shareholder in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the three-time defending Ligue 1 champions, as announced by the French club on Wednesday.
The recent Olympic gold medalist, who represented Team USA at the 2024 Olympics, invested several million dollars of his own money into the club, according to a source from ESPN.
Durant’s investment was made through Arctos Sports Partners, an American investment fund that acquired a 12.5% stake in PSG in 2023, valuing the club at $4.6 billion (€4.25bn).
His involvement is aimed at enhancing PSG’s brand presence in the U.S., particularly with the upcoming 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup, both set to take place in America.
The 35-year-old Phoenix Suns player is an avid soccer fan and part owner of MLS team Philadelphia Union.
Durant, who is a close friend of PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi, has visited PSG’s training ground and Parc des Princes stadium multiple times before making his investment.
On August 6, Durant visited Campus PSGto greet players, staff, and head coach Luis Enrique.
A source told ESPN that Durant is genuinely enthusiastic about his involvement with the club and is taking his investment very seriously.
Manchester City’s title-winning trio—Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Rodri—headline the shortlist for the PFA Men’s Player of the Year award, which was revealed on Tuesday.
Joining them are Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, all vying for the prestigious honor.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who played a pivotal role in securing the club’s first Champions League qualification since the 1982-83 season, completes the list of nominees.
Players across the league are casting their votes for the standout performers of the 2023-24 Premier League season.
Foden, already a two-time Premier League Young Player of the Year, has also claimed both the Premier League’s Player of the Season and the Football Writers’ Player of the Season awards.
Haaland secured his second consecutive Golden Boot last season with 27 league goals, while Rodri went 74 matches unbeaten for club and country before Manchester City’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester United, during a season in which City clinched their fourth consecutive league title.
Palmer is the only contender in the running for both the Young Player of the Year award and the main prize, thanks to an impressive debut season at Stamford Bridge, where he tallied 22 goals and 11 assists.
The PFA also unveiled the nominations for the Women’s Player of the Year award, featuring Lauren James, Erin Cuthbert, and Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.
James, Cuthbert, and Chelsea’s Niamh Charles were instrumental in leading their team to a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) title, while Shaw emerged as the league’s top scorer with 22 goals, pushing Manchester City into a title race that went down to the wire.
City’s Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp also made the shortlist, with Hasegawa aiming to become the first Japanese player to win the prestigious award.
The winners of both the men’s and women’s PFA Player of the Year awards will be announced on August 20.
Vinícius Júnior isthe latest football star targeted by the Saudi Pro League, according to a source who spoke to ESPN. The Real Madrid winger is reportedly considering a lucrative offer to join a club in Saudi Arabia.
The 24-year-old Brazilian, who played a crucial role in Madrid’s Champions League and LaLiga triumphs last season, is seen as a strong contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Discussions have taken place between Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Real Madrid regarding the potential transfer. However, Madrid is reluctant to let go of their star player, the source noted, adding that no formal offer has been made yet.
Vinícius, who scored 24 goals across all competitions in the 2023-24 season, has been pivotal for Madrid since his arrival in 2018, including scoring in two Champions League finals.
The Saudi PIF, which holds a 75% stake in four of the country’s top clubs—Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr—envisions Vinícius as a potential ambassador for the 2034 World Cup.
The Brazilian’s representatives have been approached with an annual salary offer of up to €350 million ($382.5m), and while Vinícius hasn’t ruled out the possibility, Real Madrid would require a transfer fee below his €1 billion buyout clause for any deal to materialize.
The forward’s current contract with Madrid runs until June 2027,and any move would need Madrid’s approval for a fee lower than his release clause, according to the source close to the player.
West Ham United have signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United, the London club announced on Tuesday.
“It was a no brainer for me to join West Ham,” Wan-Bissaka said of his move. “I’m excited and happy to be here.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be back in London, and I’m excited for what’s coming. I was born here, so I know the ins and outs of London, which plays a big part in my life, so to be back playing in this city means a lot to me.
“I’m happy to be here, am grateful for the warm welcome, and I am excited to be playing for the club and will give it my all.”
West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten added that he was pleased to sign a player with Wan-Bissaka’s domestic experience.
“I am delighted we’ve been able to get the deal to sign Aaron over the line,” Steidten said. “He’s exactly the type of player we’re looking to attract to this club in the prime years of his career.
“He’s an incredibly talented defender who we rate very highly — superb in one-on-one situations. He’s versatile too, which is clearly another positive. He’s played over 170 Premier League games during his career, he knows the division inside-out.”
A source informed ESPN on Saturday that if Wan-Bissaka leaves Manchester United, it could pave the way for the arrivals of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.
United have reportedly reached a preliminary agreement to sign the duo for a combined fee of £60 million ($76.7m), including add-ons.
Wan-Bissaka was notably absent from United’s squad during their Community Shield loss to Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
The club has set Wan-Bissaka’s valuation between £15-20 million, amid interest from Galatasaray.
Agbeko pointed out that the practice of staging ‘fake bouts,’ where boxers participate in prearranged matches to inflate their records, is hindering the sport’s progress in the country.
In an interview with Game TV, the former world champion explained that these fixed matches are often arranged to make boxers’ statistics more appealing to promoters.
However, Agbeko expressed concern that this approach backfires when boxers, lulled into complacency by their padded records, struggle to perform against genuine, skilled opponents.
He also shared a personal experience, recalling a moment of embarrassment when he and a friend from the United States witnessed three such fixed bouts.
“We have been building boxers the wrong way. We love giving boxers easy opponents so that they will be able to win fights, but that will not take them anywhere.
Give boxers good competition that prepares them for the future.
“That has been the biggest issue. There are a lot of fake fights in the system. I once took a friend from the US to Kwahu to watch a boxing bout.
The first two fights on the night were fake fights. It was very obvious, so I became embarrassed,” he stated.
Joseph Agbeko urged boxing administrators in Ghana to step up and boldly address the challenges facing the sport with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Agbeko pointed out that the lack of courage among boxing officials to voice their concerns to the ministry is having a negative impact on the sport’s development.
During the visit, Okraku updated the traditional leader on the GFA’s recent activities in the Brong Ahafo region, such as the “Meet The Press” series and various stakeholder engagements.
Okraku also expressed his appreciation to Dormaahene, who is the owner of Aduana FC, for his continuous support of the GFA and the sport as a whole, commending the chief for his investments in football and their positive impact on the local community.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank our revered Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II for his personal support to me and football in general,” Okraku said.
“He has done an excellent job in positioning Aduana FC as a powerhouse in Ghanaian football. We appreciate his continuous investment in the game, which has provided a livelihood for hundreds of families.”
In response, Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II commended Okraku’s leadership and the GFA’s progress since 2019. He praised the association for the swift resolution of football disputes.
“I want to thank you for the visit. You have introduced many innovations to the administration of our game, and I am confident that we will see the results in due course,” Dormaahene said.
“I have noticed the speed with which judicial decisions are now made. The era of delayed judgments is over, and that is very welcome.”
The traditional ruler urged the GFA to maintain fairness and impartiality in its dealings and assured the association of his continued support.
Okraku was accompanied by several football officials, including Brong Ahafo Regional Football Association Chairman Dr. Charles Osei Anto and AduanaFC General Manager Takyi Arhin.
The Abetifi MP had previously remarked that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would take all necessary measures to ensure victory in the December 7 elections, leading to concerns and warnings from various stakeholders.
In an interview with Citi News, Bryan Acheampong explained that his statement was intended to highlight the strategies and determination the NPP would use to secure success in the upcoming elections.
“Omane Boamah said they [the NDC] were going to fight for political power and get 57.3 percent.
What did the NPP say? Nothing, because we know that some of these thoughts are just for nothing.
“When the NDC said that we should go and carve our stool and sit on it and that they would never give us the presidential seat, what did we do? We know winning elections in this country, it is won at the polling station.
“Whatever they [the NDC] want to do to win the election is what they are doing and then for the NPP, whatever we have to do to win the election is what we will do because at the end of the day, the votes will be cast and they will be counted and the winner will be declared so how come when they say something, there is nothing wrong and then when I say that we will win the election, somebody says why would I say that we will win the election?”
Former President John Mahama has criticized the ongoing taxation in Ghana related to COVID-19, stating that the country is still burdened with taxes for a pandemic that has since passed.
Speaking at the Mahama Youth Town hall on Monday, August 12, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer expressed concern that Ghanaians who endured and survived the pandemic are now being unfairly taxed.
“Ghana is the only country I know that is still being taxed for a pandemic that has passed,” Mahama remarked.
He explained that the COVID tax, a value-added tax introduced by the government to increase revenue, remains in place despite political parties’ promises to abolish it.
According to Mahama, the government has included the COVID tax as part of its revenue commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“It’s part of the IMF agreement. As part of their agreement with the IMF to increase revenue, they’ve locked COVID inside.
“So, if you come and want to take the COVID tax out, it means you’re not fulfilling the agreement with the IMF,” Mahama noted.
Mahama further stated that his next government would rationalize these taxes and explore other avenues for tax collection, aiming to expand the tax net and eliminate what he referred to as “obnoxious” taxes.
“One of the taxes that is not performing is the E-Levy. They said the E-Levy would solve every problem in this country. Unfortunately, it’s not performing well,” the former president added.
Politics in Ghana, has essentially been politics of the youth. Apart from the Kufuor regime that was understandably gerontocratic, relatively younger people have generally been dominant in everything governance, politics and leadership in Ghana.
Therefore any deliberate effort to dialogue with them before an election via the decent platform of Town Hall, is commendable, as it would help erase the derogatory perception of young people as immature, dangerous to themselves, and agents used to foment conflict.
This would in turn seize them with the information with which they can demand accountability from governments.
The age cohort of 18 to 35 years is almost 70 percent of Ghana’s voting population. Any serious effort at winning an election must therefore target the youth for the purposes of engaging them in a civil dialogue on matters germane to their welfare and what can be done about them.
Virtually all the problems confronting Ghana would be solved if the problems of young people were clearly articulated, properly grasped, and addressed.
The worry, however, is about the creation of the impression that there are solutions to all the problems of the youth. This, if not managed well, may create more disappointments. Around this time, every cohort in the voting population would want to hear something about what can be done to help them.
But realistically, it would take a lot of strenuous effort to properly rebuild what has been destroyed and regain what is lost.
In this regard, young people must be made to know quite frankly that, given the challenges that lie ahead of us as a people, it would have to be tough before it becomes easier.
We would all have to tighten our belts a little more, from whoever heads the country to the lowest-rated citizen. From the topmost politician to the party footsoldier, all must brace themselves to endure a little more suffering, after which things would begin to ease up.
This should be the message to the youth. Jerry Rawlings in his second bid to win power in the 1996 General Elections, articulated this type of message cleverly and in a manner that should be emulated.
He said he wouldn’t promise anyone anything and that all he could promise was hard work which would in turn pay off to meet the needs of all.
I, therefore, urge all to be measured in the expectations they create, even if it is still true that “yɛte sika so, nanso ɛkɔm de yɛn”, in order to avoid further disappointments that can threaten the very survival of our democracy and peace.
Yaw Gyampo
A31, Prabiw
PAV Ansah Street
Saltpond
&
Suro Nipa House
Behind Old Post Office
Larteh-Akuapim
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Member of the NDC Manifesto Committee on Education, Clement Apaak, has justified the party’s plan to eliminate academic fees for all first-year students.
During the NDC youth manifesto launch in Accra on August 12, their flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, pledged to implement this policy to assist students facing financial difficulties.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle on August 13, the Builsa South MP explained that many WASSCE graduates are unable to pursue tertiary education due to financial barriers.
He emphasized that the proposed policy is designed to address this challenge if the NDC secures victory in the upcoming general elections.
“One of the challenges students face is their ability to pay fees and it has recently become obvious that the number of students who write WASSCE and proceed to the university is not encouraging and this is because the money to pay fees is a problem.
“When we engaged with youth groups on how to resolve this, waiving off fees for first-year students came up strongly.
“From the figures that we have, if we are to go by some information that has been put out by our good brother Kofi Asare of Africa Education Watch,they estimate that if one was to look at the number of students who took up places in tertiary institutions in the 2023/2024 academic year, they are less than 200,000 and when you look at the academic fees of first-year students on average, it works out to anywhere between GH¢2,000 and GH¢2,300 thereabout.
“So if we were to use that as a base, we could posit that the policy will cost less than GH¢300 million a year and of course, student numbers fluctuate each year, so it is doable and if we were to pluck revenue loopholes, we should be able to mobilise the resources to fund this proposal.”
Transport Operators of Ghana have criticized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), over his promise to extend the validity of driver’s licenses from two years to ten years.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 13, the group labeled Bawumia’s pledge as “a mere attempt to win over drivers’ votes,” accusing him of previously demonstrating a lack of genuine concern for their issues.
Current regulations require that driver’s licenses be renewed or validated every two years by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).
Dr. Bawumia argues that this frequent renewal is inconvenient for drivers and has proposed extending the validity period to offer them relief.
The transport operators in their statement admonished Bawumia to focus on removing the taxes his government placed on petroleum products and other challenging issues, including “reducing the acquisition cost of a driving license, roadworthy certificate and vehicle registration as well as honouring his 2020 pledge before gaslighting us with any new pledge.”
Below is the full statement.
Transport Operators of Ghana
13TH August, 2024
Press Statement for Immediate Release
Bawumia Cannot Be Trusted Over the Ten Year Renewal of Driver’s License
We have become aware of Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia’s promise to implement a policy that will allow for drivers license to be renewed only after ten years.
While we welcome the suggestion as a brilliant idea we have genuine cause to not just believe but to also state unequivocally that it is another bait to just win the votes of drivers because he has in times past exhibited a glaring lack of concern for the plight of drivers.
It is of public knowledge that drivers in the country, particularly, commercial drivers are in deep shackles of suffering as a result of policies instituted by the NPP and by the same Bawumia’s led Economic Management Team.
It is Bawumia’s government that introduced the Sanitation and Pollution Levy(SPL) on petroleum products and several other taxes that are contributing to the continuous increment in fuel prices.
Under the same Akufo Addo/Bawumia government, the cost of acquiring, renewing and replacing of driver’s licenses and road-worthy certificates have been increased astronomically.
It is also publicly known that prior to the 2020 elections, the same Bawumia pledged electric vehicles that would have been purchased under hire for drivers but his government’s tenure is almost ending and not even a single electric vehicle has been procured for any driver.
Even recently, Dr Bawumia at the GPRTU executives’ elections which was held in Kasoa pledged to have the situation where vehicle owners pay penalties for road-worthy certificate renewal for vehicles that went to the workshop dealt with swiftly. However, he appears to have completely forgotten the July 5 pledge.
The deception is stark and makes it obvious that he is only acting in a cunning manner to win the votes of drivers.
But just as the adage goes, ‘once bitten twice shy’ and so we wish to call on Bawumia to exercise his commitment by removing the taxes his government placed on petroleum products, reducing the acquisition cost of driving license, roadworthy certificates and vehicle registration as well as honouring his 2020 pledge before gaslighting us with any new pledge.
We call on divers to be more vigilant about these promises being churned out by the vice president who is now leading the NPP into the 2020 elections and not to be swayed by same.
Bank of Ghana (BoG)has confirmed that the Gold for Oil policy introduced by the government is advancing according to schedule.
This initiative was implemented to tackle Ghana’s declining foreign currency reserves and the significant dollar demand from oil importers, which was negatively impacting the Cedi and increasing living expenses.
In a report to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Monday, August 12, Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari, the First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, offered an update on the progress of the policy.
“The gold for oil programme is on track and the reason why the risk for the separate account is mitigated somehow is that the Central Bank’s participation in terms of financial contribution to the gold for oil is capped and nothing more is being added to that.
“So it is the receivables that are coming from within that cap amount that has been used to continue to finance the gold for oil programme.”
The Gold for Oil policy,as outlined by the government, involves settling payments for imported oil products with gold, facilitated through direct exchanges with gold acquired by the Central Bank.
The G40 Programme Framework, dated February 3, 2023, details the policy’s execution, which involves two payment methods: barter trade or using foreign exchange obtained from selling gold to a broker.
In the barter method, suppliers who agree to accept gold in exchange for petroleum products receive the equivalent amount of gold from the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
Alternatively, through the Broker Channel, the BoG enters into a gold supply agreement where it sells gold to a broker, who then provides the foreign currency needed to pay for the petroleum products.
Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has announced that over six private investors have shown interest in partnering with the government to develop and operate the Keta Port in the Volta Region.
GPHA’s Director-General, Michael Luguje, noted that an environmental and social impact assessment report will be prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and shared with the investors as part of the port’s development process.
In October 2018, President Akufo-Addo signed an Executive Instrument (EI) officially designating the location in Keta as the Port of Keta, to be overseen by the GPHA.
However, residents of Keta have voiced concerns over the government’s delay in advancing the port’s construction.
In a recent interview, Mr. Luguje revealed that the government is still awaiting formal proposals from the interested investors for the project.
“Whilst we are waiting for the environmental and social impact assessment, we started already engaging potential investors. So far over six different companies, local and international, have expressed interest in partnering government to build that port.
“But they also need the environmental and social impact assessment report to help them inform and refine the proposals they will be submitting to us.
“We hope that in the next month or two, if we get the report released by the EPA, then we will submit it to these investors and then they will go through and then work towards giving us much more concrete proposals on what kind of partnership they want to have with us to build andoperate the Port of Keta.”
The donation included footballs, boots, jerseys, Kivo Gari, and other essential items to aid the club in their training and activities.
In a video shared by sports journalist Saddick Adams on X on August 12, 2024, the young players were overjoyed to receive the items from their former teammate, now a global star.
Although Kudus was unable to attend the event due to his preparations with West Ham for the upcoming season, his representatives were present at the handover.
A Strong Tower team official expressed heartfelt thanks to the Black Stars forward for his thoughtful contribution.
“We are thankful to Kudus for his contributions. Kudus has been a strong figure for Strong Tower, and we thank God for everything he is doing for us. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” he said.
One of the young players also thanked Kudus and mentioned that he would continue to be their role model.
“We are grateful to Kudus for these kits. He is an inspiration to us, which is why he is our mentor.”
Kudus is looking forward to the new 2024/2024 Premier League season, aiming to surpass his previous records and make a significant impact.
FormerPresident John Mahamahas vowed to explore alternatives to the controversial betting tax as part of his election campaign strategy.
Speaking at the NDC’s Youth Townhall Meeting in Accra, the party’s flagbearer underscored his commitment to addressing critical issues impacting Ghanaians.
Mahama reiterated his promise to eliminate both the Electronic Levy (E-Levy) and the tax on betting winnings if he wins the upcoming election.
He criticized the E-Levy for failing to meet revenue expectations while burdening citizens financially. His campaign pledges are part of a broader effort to tackle the country’s pressing economic challenges.
Additionally, Mahama calledfor a more organized approach to exporting local talent, expressing concerns about the current exodus of professionals due to economic hardships.
New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer for the 2024 elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has temporarily paused his campaign efforts to rest and prepare for the party’s upcoming manifesto launch this weekend.
According to a statement from Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Communications for the Bawumia 2024 campaign, the Vice President is taking this short break to refine key elements of the manifesto before its official release.
“The Leader of the New Patriotic Party will, together with the team, spend the next few days preparing and finalizing the NPP 2024 Manifesto, which is scheduled to be launched on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
“Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia resumes the campaign tour immediately after the manifesto launch,” the release read.
Dr. Bawumia has been actively campaigning across the country, making several noteworthy promises. Among them, he has pledged to abolish the Electronic Levy (E-levy) and eliminate the tax on sports betting.
Additionally, he has committed to allocating 3 percent of Ghana’s GDP to infrastructure and road development.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to unveil its manifesto in Takoradi, the capital of the Western Region, on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
Ministry of Health (MoH) has acquired 30 additional dialysis machines for Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, with the intention of enhancing the facility’s service delivery and cost efficiency.
These machines, which come with consumables sufficient for one year, will be stationed at the hospital’s new Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence and are expected to be operational before year-end.
Mustapha Salifu, Head of Public Relations at Korle Bu, shared in an interview with the Daily Graphic that these machines were procured through the efforts of Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye.
Unlike the current machines that require consumables to be ordered directly from manufacturers, the new equipment’s specifications allow for essential consumables to be sourced from the open market, enabling more competitive pricing.
Mr. Salifu also addressed the recent closure of the hospital’s Renal Dialysis Unit due to a shortage of consumables. He revealed that a substantial supply of these essential items has now been secured and is in the process of being delivered from Tema Port.
As a result, the unit is expected to reopen for outpatient dialysis tomorrow.
Dialysis services for inpatients resumed yesterday, with five inpatients having been treated by 2 p.m.
“The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Ghana Supply Company are providing vital support to expedite this clearance on an emergency basis to ensure that we continue to deliver top-notch care to our valued patients. We anticipate that the outpatient section of our Dialysis Centre will return to full operations by Wednesday,” Mr Salifu said.
Mr. Salifu explained that the shutdown occurred because the consumables needed for dialysis were supposed to be cleared from the port two weeks ago. However, the process was unexpectedly delayed due to procedural lapses and documentation issues on the part of the shipping line.
During this time, the hospital had to temporarily relocate some of its dialysis operations and refer certain patients to the National Cardiothoracic Centre to reduce disruption and inconvenience.
“We sincerely apologise to our patients and clients for any inconvenience this situation may have caused and wish to express gratitude for their restraint and understanding,” he said.
He extended the gratitude of the hospital to the Minister of Health, the Ministry of Finance and GRA, among others, for helping to overcome the challenge.
Reacting to the news of the reopening of the Renal Dialysis Unit, the President of the Renal Patient Association of Ghana, Baffour Kojo Ahenkorah, said it was welcome news because they did not need to seek the services of private facilities where the cost of treatment was very high.
“The cheapest we get are between GH¢600 to GH¢1,000. Your medication has not come; your injection has not come. So roughly, you need to look for about GH¢1,500 a week if you go to the private facilities.
Korle Bu charges GH¢491 per session and that is the cheapest you can get anywhere,” he explained.
Mr Ahenkorah said apart from the cheap cost, the treatment at Korle Bu was quality, explaining that it had a powerful machine, which after passing through, felt like one’s system was working well.
“The kind of servicesKorle Bu provides some of the private facilities cannot compare with them. That is why when the unit is shut down, we are worried,” he said.
He called on the hospital to find a lasting solution to the problem of shortage of consumables, adding that almost every day somebody had to be dialysed.
