TIG Post

Author: Abigail Ampofo

  • Two people suffer injuries after leopard attack at South Africa Air Force base

    Two people suffer injuries after leopard attack at South Africa Air Force base

    A leopard has attacked two men at a South African Air Force base adjacent to the renowned Kruger National Park.

    One of the victims, a member of the Air Force, was assaulted while jogging. The other, a civilian employed at the base, encountered the leopard during a walk, according to an air force spokesperson.

    Both men sustained scratches but no serious injuries and were taken to the hospital. Brig. Gen. Donavan Chetty reported to the BBC that one individual has been discharged, while the other is expected to be released on Thursday.

    On Wednesday, authorities captured the leopard and transported it to a sanctuary approximately 100 km (62 miles) from the Hoedspruit Air Force Base.

    This action followed the recent attacks.

    Gen. Chetty mentioned that while leopard encounters are common near the park, they are typically not dangerous.

    The Kruger National Park, known for its abundant wildlife and major tourist attraction, is largely enclosed by fences.

    However, Gen. Chetty noted that leopards, due to their agility, are difficult to confine with fencing.

    “[The leopards] are basically in and amongst the human population,” he said, adding that around 150 of them are known to be living in the area.

    Leopards are nocturnal animals that hunt a variety of prey, including wildebeest, antelope, and fish, the Kruger National Park website says.

  • Ghanaian-German QueenLet reveals she spent over GHS 800k on her sing-a-thon

    Ghanaian-German QueenLet reveals she spent over GHS 800k on her sing-a-thon

    Ghanaian Gospel artist QueenLet, who is based in Germany, has shared details about the costs associated with her recent singing marathon.

    The event, which began on Sunday, July 21, in Hamburg, Germany, is set to conclude on July 26, 2024.

    In an exclusive interview she revealed that she invested over GH¢800,000 into organizing the sing-a-thon.

    She also discussed her motivation for participating in the Guinness World Records’ individual singing marathon.

    QueenLet applied for the record in December 2023 and received approval in January 2024.

    For more insights, watch the video below.

    https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=506663378516028
  • Ghana Music Awards Europe organisers announce nominees for 2024

    Ghana Music Awards Europe organisers announce nominees for 2024

    The nominees for the 3rd Ghana Music Awards Europe (GMA Europe) have been announced in anticipation of the main event, set for September 7, 2024, in Amsterdam.

    The announcement event took place at the La Villa Boutique Hotel in Osu (Accra) and was attended by prominent musicians, up-and-coming artists, talent managers, critics, media figures, and other industry professionals.

    The awards aim to recognize and honor the achievements of Ghanaian music talents, both within Ghana and those residing in Europe.

    The 2nd edition of the GMA-Europe, which was a major highlight in Ghana’s music industry, occurred in Toulouse, France, in September 2023.

    This year’s prestigious ceremony will be held in Amsterdam, with music legends such as Amandzeba Nat Brew, highlife star Samuel Owusu, and MUSIGA President Bessa Simons praising the GMA-Europe for its role in promoting Ghanaian music internationally.

    Vida Adutwumwaa Boateng, the head of PR for the awards, reiterated the organizers’ dedication to ensuring a fair and exciting event for all attendees on September 7.

  • Massive overhaul at state media houses as Akufo-Addo names new boards for GBC, GNA, others

    Massive overhaul at state media houses as Akufo-Addo names new boards for GBC, GNA, others

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced the appointment of new boards for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and three additional state media entities.

    These appointments comply with Article 168 of the Constitution and Section 2(1)(e) of the National Media Commission Act, 1993 (Act 449).

    The other state media organizations receiving new boards are the New Times Corporation, Ghana News Agency, and the Graphic Communications Group Limited.

    Here is the complete list of appointees and their respective media outlets.

    In alignment with Article 168 of the Constitution and Section 2(1)(e) of the National Media Commission Act, 1993 (Act 449), the National Commission, in consultation with H.E.

    The President, has appointed the following individuals to the governing boards of the public corporations managing state-owned media.

    Graphic Communications Group Limited

    Ebenezer Asante Sefa – Chair
    Yaw D Oppong
    Kyei-Brobbey Ishaq
    Roderick Emil Larsen Reindorf
    Prof Kofi Afranie
    Nana Ama Poku
    Gilbert Tietaah
    Juliet Amoah
    Managing Director


    Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

    Samuel Kojo Intsiaba – Chair
    Tanoh Debrah
    Francis Dadzie
    Peter Djakwah
    Ama Serwa N-T
    Thomas Broni
    Adjei Afriyie Nketia
    Raymond Kumah Acquah
    Director General
    Ghana News Agency

    Nana Gyan Apenteng – Chair
    Alexander Mawusi Kofi Buadi
    Nana Sefa Twum
    Ivy Hoetu
    Kwasi Adu-Mante
    Rev Helena Opoku Sarkodie
    Emmanuel Ahene-Affoh
    General Manager


    New Times Corporation

    Kwamina Quansah Aidoo – Chair
    Kwesi Adjei Kersi
    Theresa Larteley Adu
    Ambassador Lawrence Roland Satuh
    Charity Binka
    Julio De-Medeiros Esq.
    Samuel S Sarfo
    Abdul Moomin Gbana
    Managing Director

  • Save yourself from God’s wrath, assent to anti-gay bill – Osu Traditional Council to Akufo-Addo

    Save yourself from God’s wrath, assent to anti-gay bill – Osu Traditional Council to Akufo-Addo

    The Osu Traditional Council has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo to quickly approve the anti-LGBTQ bill to prevent divine retribution on Ghana.

    This follows the bill’s proponents announcing plans to protest against the Chief Justice on August 21, 2024, due to accusations of delaying the bill’s transmission to the President for his assent.

    Acting President of the Osu Traditional Council, Nuumo Gbelenfo III, issued a warning against further delays during a courtesy call by the bill’s proponents.

    “If it were the norm that marriage was set between people of the same sex, we would have seen our president marry a man. But that is not the case. So I am appealing to the president to ensure that the right thing is done by signing the bill into law in order for Ghana not to incur the wrath of God.

    “It is a filthy practice, so we are urging the president and the Chief Justice to do the needful to avert the anger of God.”

    The Supreme Court of Ghana has postponed its ruling on the injunction applications filed by Broadcast Journalist Richard Dela Sky and Researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi regarding the transmission of the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill to President Nana Akufo-Addo.

    The court announced that it will deliver its ruling on the injunction applications concurrently with the final judgment.

    Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, presiding over a five-member panel, emphasized that an expedited trial would better serve the interests of justice in this matter.

    The decision comes amidst heightened public interest and legal scrutiny surrounding the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill recently passed by Parliament.

    During separate hearings, the Supreme Court addressed the concerns raised by Richard Dela Sky and Dr. Amanda Odoi. Mr. Sky challenges the constitutionality of the bill, arguing that it violates multiple provisions of the 1992 constitution and encroaches upon fundamental human rights.

    Dr. Odoi, on the other hand, expressed specific reservations about certain provisions within the bill and sought an injunction to halt its transmission to the President for approval. Her legal counsel, Dr. Ernest Ackon, contended that the bill’s passage lacked a fiscal impact analysis, potentially infringing Article 108 of the constitution.

    In response, the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, defended Parliament’s actions, asserting that the Speaker’s discretion in transmitting bills to the President is constitutionally bound and does not require additional fiscal scrutiny beyond what is explicitly stated in the bill.

    Thaddeus Sory, representing the Speaker of Parliament, argued against the injunctions, emphasizing that the legislative process remains ongoing until the bill receives presidential assent, thus placing it outside the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to intervene prematurely.

    Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, passed the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill after three years following its introduction.

  • Otumfuo to lecture UK’s Black Heritage Network Symposium on history, legacy of Asante Kingdom

    Otumfuo to lecture UK’s Black Heritage Network Symposium on history, legacy of Asante Kingdom

    Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural Black Heritage Network Symposium, organized by Citibank UK.

    According to a press release from Manhyia Palace, the symposium is a collaboration between Citi London’s Black Heritage Network and the Asante Professionals Club UK, themed “Celebrating Asante Legacy, Excellence and Partnerships.”

    This event, coinciding with Otumfuo’s silver jubilee anniversary, will be held at the Citigroup UK Head Office in London.

    “Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural Black Heritage Network Symposium, hosted by Citibank UK, in collaboration with Citi London’s Black Heritage Network and the Asante Professionals Club UK.

    “The symposium, titled Celebrating Asante Legacy, Excellence and Partnerships, marks Otumfuo’s silver jubilee anniversary and will take place at the Citigroup UK Head Office in Canary Wharf, London.

    “The keynote address, ‘The Asante Kingdom: Historical Legacy and Its Impact on Modern Economic Development,’ will highlight the rich history of the Asante Kingdom and explore how its legacy continues to influence contemporary economic strategies and partnerships,” part of the statement said.

    The statement added, “Distinguished guests will include former President of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, who will join Citi Group Chief Client Officer, David Livingstone, and other notable dignitaries, scholars, and business leaders to honour the Asantehene’s contributions and vision for sustainable development.

    “Their participation underscores the importance of the Asante Kingdom’s enduring legacy in the socio-economic fabric of Ghana.”

  • U.S. Embassy to switch to a new visa services provider website starting August 26

    U.S. Embassy to switch to a new visa services provider website starting August 26

    The U.S. Embassy in Accra has revealed plans to switch to a new visa services provider starting August 26, 2024.

    As a result, the current visa service provider’s website and services will be discontinued on August 16, 2024.

    This transition means that from August 16 to August 26, applicants will be unable to schedule new visa appointments, cancel or reschedule current appointments, or access customer service.

    However, all existing nonimmigrant visa interview appointments will remain valid during this time.

    Key Details for Visa Applicants:

    Interviews on or Before August 16:

    No further action is required.
    Continue to access your account at ustraveldocs.com to review appointment details and contact customer service as needed.
    Interviews Between August 16 and August 26:

    No further action is required, but you will lose access to your ustraveldocs.com account after August 16.
    Print your appointment confirmation letter before August 16.
    Attend your scheduled visa interview as rescheduling or cancellation will not be possible during this period.
    If you miss your interview, check the website after August 26 for rescheduling instructions.
    Interviews on or After August 26:

    No further action is required, but access to your ustraveldocs.com account will end on August 16.
    Print your appointment confirmation letter before August 16.
    Beginning August 26, visit the new visa services website to create a new user account for managing appointments and accessing customer service.


    For Applicants Who Have Paid the Visa Application Fee:

    Schedule a visa appointment as soon as possible and follow the guidance based on your interview date.
    For Those Planning to Travel to the U.S. in August or September:

    Pay the visa application fee and schedule your appointment promptly. Note that appointment slots are limited during these months.
    For Those Planning to Travel After September:

    Consider waiting until after August 26 to begin the visa application process.
    Important Dates to Remember:

    August 16: Last day to access ustraveldocs.com for fee payments, appointment scheduling, and customer service.
    August 21: Last day to drop off documents at Premium Delivery locations.
    August 23: Last day to drop off documents at Ghana locations for Embassy delivery.
    August 26: New visa appointment website goes live with updated services.
    The U.S. Embassy encourages all applicants to take necessary actions before the transition to avoid any disruptions in their visa application process.

  • Afenyo-Markin petitions Bagbin to end Parliament’s recess

    Afenyo-Markin petitions Bagbin to end Parliament’s recess

    Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has requested Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to reconvene Parliament.

    This request follows the Majority caucus’ dissatisfaction with the Speaker’s decision to adjourn the session indefinitely on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

    In a letter dated Wednesday, July 31, Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasized the necessity of reconvening Parliament to address and execute crucial government matters.

    These matters include the motion on the Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association, requests for Tax Exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme, the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, and several bills.

    “Mr Speaker will recall that Parliament adjourned sine die on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, at which time the aforementioned items had been duly advertised and scheduled for consideration.

    The urgency of these matters necessitates our reconvening to fulfil our constitutional mandate and serve the interests of the Ghanaian people.”

    “We wish to emphasise that this requisition is made in the utmost good faith and in the national interest, to enable the Government to discharge its constitutional and democratic obligations to the people of Ghana.

    “The matters outlined herein are of pressing importance and require the urgent attention of Parliament,” he added.

  • Ahmed Suale’s death: A Plus blasts Vim Lady over remarks on IGP and his relationship

    Ahmed Suale’s death: A Plus blasts Vim Lady over remarks on IGP and his relationship

    Kwame Asare Obeng, also known as A Plus, an independent parliamentary candidate-hopeful for Gomoa Central, has criticized Ghanaian journalist Afia Pokua, alias Vim Lady, for her comments regarding his recent summons to the CID headquarters.

    The criticism follows a Facebook live video by A Plus on Friday, July 13, 2024, in which he claimed to have information about the murderer of Ahmed Suale, an investigative journalist who was shot dead several years ago.

    A Plus stated that he was prepared to reveal the identities of Ahmed Suale’s killers, regardless of the repercussions.

    “Me, I know the person who killed Ahmed Suale. I swear to God… I swear by the children I have brought to this world, if you try me, you will conduct a press conference every day,” A Plus said in the live video.

    As a result, the police invited Kwame A Plus to their headquarters to assist in investigations into the murder of Ahmed Suale.

    In reaction to A-Plus’s comments in a Facebook post, Vim Lady urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare not to allow his friendship with A Plus to cloud fair judgment.

    She wrote “Invited to the Police HQ? IGP Dampare must prove that his friendship with him will not cloud the investigation #AhmedSuale.”

    It is on the back of this that the former musician during an interview with Kumawood actor, Kwaku Manu, slammed the journalist describing her comments as nonsense.

    “A lot of people on social media behave as if they are intelligent, but they are not smart. I can’t tell why they do that. A typical example is Vim Lady, Afia Pokua. She’s a typical example. She claims she’s a lawyer; lawyer from where? What I hate is when I show people respect yet they do not reciprocate.

    You’ve reached a certain level where you are supposed to teach people about how the law works; you are someone that a lot of people listen to, so every time you have to give people the right information.”

    “The fact of the matter is that I have a lot of respect for her, but if she doesn’t respect herself, then I’ll do the same to her. I don’t play like that. You came and said, ‘IGP, make sure your friendship with A Plus does not cloud your judgment,’ meaning that A Plus said he has information about Ahmed Suale’s death, but don’t allow your friendship with him to interfere with the law. What nonsense is that? Why would you say such a thing?” he quizzed.

    Kwame A Plus expressed his bewilderment over Afia Pokua’s post suggesting that his actions were justified. He argued that instead of criticizing him, the journalist should have inquired why he had withheld such sensitive information without reporting it to the police.

    He said, “Someone has been killed, and another person said he can help the police to investigate and arrest the killer. So, all you had to do was ask why that person didn’t report the case to the police until now. But if you come out to say the person who’s coming to listen to me should deal with me according to the law, then what are you saying? What nonsense is that?”

    The aspiring parliamentary candidate for Gomoa Central added, “I have decided to help you unravel what happened, but if you tell them to deal with me according to the law, what law are you talking about? What wisdom is in this? If I come and tell you about the killer and you think what I narrated would be effortless, then you let me go and sleep.”

  • Sam George to lead demonstration against Chief Justice over delay in sending bill to Akufo-Addo

    Sam George to lead demonstration against Chief Justice over delay in sending bill to Akufo-Addo

    Supporters of the anti-LGBTQ bill have announced plans to protest against the Chief Justice on August 21, 2024, due to what they consider a delay in forwarding the bill to the President.

    The Supreme Court postponed its decision on the injunction requests from Dr. Amanda Odoi and Broadcast Journalist Richard Sky concerning the bill’s transmission to the President, choosing instead to deliver the ruling on the same day as the final judgment.

    Samuel Nartey George, the lead sponsor of the anti-LGBTQ bill, made this statement during a visit with some minority members to the National Chief Imam and the Acting President of the Osu Traditional Council.

    He promised a peaceful demonstration to ensure the bill reaches the President for approval.

    “We want to do a peaceful march on the 21st of August to the Chief Justice because right now it is not the president that is holding it. It is the Chief Justice. She is the one who is preventing parliament from sending it to the president.”

    “…The people of Ghana just want her to do what we pay her salary for. Hear the case and give a judgement…If you don’t give a judgement, we are all hanging in the air,” he stated.

  • GJA warns politicians against assaulting journalists

    GJA warns politicians against assaulting journalists

    Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged politicians to stop assaulting journalists as the 2024 elections draw near.

    The GJA has noted that politicians often take advantage of journalists’ tolerance, subjecting them to various forms of abuse when political tensions rise.

    Speaking at the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Accra on Wednesday, GJA President Albert Dwumfour cautioned politicians about the consequences of assaulting journalists.

    He stressed that any attacks on journalists occurring before, during, or after the 2024 elections would be dealt with seriously.

    “As Barack Obama said, we need strong institutions, not strong individuals. We are going to do that also, I have always cautioned and always said, recently, we’ve realised that the GJA and the other media block have formed an alliance called the media coalition and we have started cautioning and exposing, unprofessional and unethical behaviour in the media among our members.

    “Let me take the opportunity to once again caution politicians, groups who have the tendency of attacking journalists that in this election if you don’t have the temperature or commitment to accommodate journalists you stay away from us because if you come to us with hostility, we welcome you with hostility,” he stated.

  • Man City slapped with a £2m fine for delaying games

    Man City slapped with a £2m fine for delaying games

    Manchester City have been fined over £2 million for delaying Premier League kick-offs and restarts 22 times over the last two seasons.

    The club admitted to breaching Premier League regulations by delaying either the kick-off or the second-half restart on multiple occasions without valid reasons.

    In the 2022-23 season, City delayed restarts eight times and were fined £390,000. The following season, there were 14 breaches, resulting in fines totaling £1.7 million. During this period, the start of the second half was delayed 11 times and the initial kick-off four times.

    Penalties ranged from warnings to a maximum fine of £200,000, which they incurred for the longest delay of two minutes and 46 seconds during their 3-1 win against West Ham on 19 May 2024, a match that clinched their fourth consecutive Premier League title.

    Additionally, their 1-0 home win over Newcastle on 19 August 2023 saw delays in both the kick-off and the second-half restart. Twelve of the total breaches occurred during home matches over the two seasons.

    The League said the club “has apologised for the accepted breaches and confirmed that it has reminded the players and football management teams of their responsibilities”.

    “Rules relating to kick-offs and re-starts help ensure the organisation of the competition is set at the highest possible professional standard and provides certainty to fans and participating clubs,” the league said.

    “It also ensures the broadcast of all 380 League matches around the world is kept to schedule.”

    Later this year, a Premier League disciplinary commission is set to hear 115 charges against Manchester City for allegedly breaching financial regulations, with some accusations dating back to 2009.

    Several of these charges pertain to payments made to City by sponsors associated with Abu Dhabi.

    The club has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that they have a “body of irrefutable evidence” to support their case.

  • Hamas leader assassinated in Iran

    Hamas leader assassinated in Iran

    Hamas’ top political leader was killed Wednesday by a predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital, Iran and the militant group said, blaming Israel for a shock assassination that risked escalating into an all-out regional war.

    Iran’s supreme leader vowed revenge against Israel.

    Israel, which kept silent about the strike, had pledged to kill Ismail Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the group’s Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

    The strike came just after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president in Tehran — and hours after Israel targeted a top commander in Iran’s ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

    The assassination was potentially explosive amid the region’s volatile, intertwined conflicts because of its target, its timing and the decision to carry it out in Tehran. Most dangerous was the potential to push Iran and Israel into direct confrontation if Iran retaliates. The U.S. and other nations scrambled to prevent a wider, deadlier conflict.

    In a statement on his official website, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said revenge was “our duty” and that Israel had “prepared a harsh punishment for itself” by killing “a dear guest in our home.”

    Bitter regional rivals, Israel and Iran risked plunging into war earlier this year when Israel hit Iran’s embassy in Damascus in April.

    Iran retaliated, and Israel countered in an unprecedented exchange of strikes on each other’s soil, but international efforts succeeded in containing that cycle before it spun out of control.

    Haniyeh’s killing also could prompt Hamas to pull out of negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the 10-month-old war in Gaza, which U.S. mediators had said were making progress.

    And it could inflame already rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which international diplomats were trying to contain after a weekend rocket attack that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

    Israel carried out a rare strike Tuesday evening in the Lebanese capital that it said killed a top Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the rocket strike.

    Hezbollah, which denied any role in the Golan strike, said Wednesday it was searching for the body of Fouad Shukur in the rubble of the building that was hit in a Beirut suburb. The strike killed three women and two children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

    There was no immediate reaction from the White House to Haniyeh’s death. A key question was whether Israel told the U.S., its top ally, ahead of time.

    Asked about Haniyeh’s killing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “This is something we were not aware of or involved in.” Speaking to Channel News Asia, Blinken said he would not speculate about the impact on cease-fire efforts. “But I can tell you that the imperative of getting a cease-fire, the importance that that has for everyone, remains.”

  • King Charles’ Lobster dinner cost France €450k – Country’s audit office

    King Charles’ Lobster dinner cost France €450k – Country’s audit office

    A luxurious lobster dinner for King Charles III cost the French president’s office €475,000 (£400,000), as reported by the country’s audit office.

    President Emmanuel Macron spared no expense for the monarch’s visit in September, treating guests to blue lobster, crab, and a variety of cheeses.

    However, in its annual report on the presidential accounts, the Cour des Comptes cautioned that increased spending on state receptions had contributed to a budget deficit of €8.3 million.


    And it says the Elysée now needs to make “significant efforts… to restore and sustain the financial balance of the financial balance of the presidency”.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2vXHYdS1gk


    Of the money spent on the dinner, over €165,000 went towards catering, with an additional €40,000 spent on drinks.

    Guests at the star-studded banquet, which included actor Hugh Grant, football manager Arsene Wenger, and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, enjoyed a luxurious menu featuring blue lobster and crab, followed by Bresse poultry with mushroom gratin.

    The meal also included a cheese course with French Comté and British Stichelton blue, and for dessert, they were served a rose macaroon cookie, made with rose petal cream, raspberries, and lychees.

    This lavish banquet at the Palace of Versailles was part of King Charles’ three-day state visit to France, aimed at strengthening the key alliance between the two countries. Initially scheduled for March, the visit was postponed due to widespread protests over pension reforms in major cities.

    King Charles’ visit is not the only one highlighted in the report; a July 2023 banquet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Louvre, which cost the presidential office €412,000, was also mentioned.

    The audit office noted that higher spending on state receptions, including these banquets, resulted in a 14% increase in expenditure compared to the previous year, while revenue earned by the presidency only saw a 6.5% rise.

  • Olympics 2024: CAS throws out Canada’s appeal in drone spying case

    Olympics 2024: CAS throws out Canada’s appeal in drone spying case

    Canada’s appeal against the points deduction for their soccer team at the Paris Games, related to a drone spying incident, was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday.

    A panel of three CAS judges dismissed Canada’s appeal, upholding the six-point penalty that FIFA had imposed on Saturday.

    The controversy arose when two assistant coaches used drones to spy on New Zealand’s training sessions before their opening match.

    Consequently, Canada was docked six points, and head coach Bev Priestman, along with officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander, received a one-year ban from all soccer-related activities after New Zealand reported the drone surveillance to FIFA.

    “The application filed by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer in relation to the six-point deduction imposed on the Canadian women’s soccer team for the football tournament at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 has been dismissed,” CAS said in a statement.

    The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered its urgent verdict less than eight hours before defending Olympic champion Canada faced Colombia in Nice for their final Group A match.

    Despite having won both of their previous games against New Zealand and France, Canada remains in third place with zero points. A victory on Wednesday could still see them progress to the quarterfinals.

    The unprecedented six-point deduction for breaching FIFA rules during the tournament has no recent precedent in modern soccer.

    For comparison, a three-point penalty is currently applied to Ecuador in the qualifying campaign for the men’s 2026 World Cup due to fielding an ineligible player with falsified documents during their 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

    In response to the ruling, the Canada Olympic Committee and Canada Soccer issued a joint statement expressing their gratitude to CAS for the swift hearing.

    “While disappointed in the outcome of our appeal, we commend the players for their incredible resilience and grit over the course of this tournament, and look forward to cheering them on in today’s match against Colombia,” the statement said.

    On Monday, Sport Canada said it was withholding funding allocated for the salaries of Priestman and the two other suspended team officials, calling the drone scandal that has rocked the Paris Olympic soccer tournament an embarrassment to all Canadians.

  • “No club, no country for now” – Klopp dismisses England, USMNT coaching links

    “No club, no country for now” – Klopp dismisses England, USMNT coaching links

    Jürgen Klopp has dismissed the possibility of taking on the roles of head coach for the United States and England men’s national teams, declaring he has no plans to return to coaching after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season.

    The 57-year-old has been heavily linked to the USMNT position following the July firing of Gregg Berhalter after the team’s group stage exit at the Copa América, which was held in the U.S.

    Klopp has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Gareth Southgate, who will step down as England’s coach after eight years following Euro 2024.

    Since his departure from Liverpool in May, after nearly nine years at Anfield, Klopp has expressed no interest in resuming his coaching career and hinted that his break from football might be permanent.

    “As of today, that’s it for me as a coach,” Klopp said at the International Coaches’ Congress in Wurzburg, Germany.

    “I didn’t quit on a whim, but it was a general decision. I’ve also coached the best clubs in the world.

    “Maybe we can talk about it again in a few months. I still want to work in football and help people with my experience and contacts. Let’s see what else there is for me.”


    Sources told ESPN earlier this month that Klopp was determined to have at least 12 months away from the game after leaving Liverpool. Sources also said that he may also choose not to return to football in a coaching capacity.

    But despite the links to the USMNT and England jobs, Klopp said that he has no offers on the table.
    “At the moment, there is nothing at all in terms of jobs,” he said. “No club, no country.

    “A few people must not have heard this part, and it would be the biggest loss of face in the history of football if I said, ‘I’ll make an exception for you now.’

    “I’m going to do some work. I’m too young to only do padel tennis and grandchildren. Will that be coach again? I would actually rule that out at the moment.

    “Let’s see what it will look like in a few months, but nothing is coming through at the moment.”

  • Euro 2024: Heartbroken Grealish speaks on pains of England call-up snub

    Jack Grealish has expressed his heartbreak over being excluded from England’s squad for the European Championship, stating that being left out by Gareth Southgate was devastating for him.

    This comes after Gareth Southgate, the England manager, announced his final squad list for the tournament, and Grealish’s name was notably absent.

    Despite having a successful season with Manchester City, Grealish did not make the cut, which led to widespread surprise and disappointment among fans and analysts.

    “When you are on your holidays, every time you turn on the phone or the TV you just see it [the tournament], so it was hard not to see,” Grealish said.

    “I’ll be honest, football-wise it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to deal with in terms of my own career.

    “I was absolutely heartbroken. For myself now moving forward, I have to just try and use that as motivation going into this season. I felt I should have been in the [England] squad.

    “I feel like I offer something different to players in the England squad. But it is what it is.

    “As I said, it was the hardest moment for me as a footballer. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career.“

  • Loosing Haaland would be a probem – Pep after City’s ‘goal machine’s’ muscle discomfort

    Loosing Haaland would be a probem – Pep after City’s ‘goal machine’s’ muscle discomfort

    Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has been dealing with muscle discomfort, according to manager Pep Guardiola.

    The Norwegian striker was substituted at half-time for the second consecutive match during their preseason tour in the United States.

    City lost 4-1 on penalties to Barcelona after a 2-2 draw in Florida.

    Haaland was also taken off at half-time during their 3-2 defeat to AC Milan in New York over the weekend.

    “He’s got some niggles. He didn’t feel good,” Guardiola said on Tuesday. “[It is] disturbing something, he doesn’t feel comfortable.

    “Muscular niggles is not worth the risk. Sooner or later he has to take a step. To lose him for three weeks, that would be a problem as 60-70% of the squad are on holiday.”

    Premier League champions Manchester City will face FA Cup winners Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10. They will then start their league title defense with a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 18.

  • “We want to do the same as them” – Barca’s Hansi Flick wants to be like City’s Pep

    “We want to do the same as them” – Barca’s Hansi Flick wants to be like City’s Pep

    New Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants to do “something similar” to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City after beating the Premier League champions on penalties in Orlando on Tuesday.

    Young goalkeeper Ander Astralaga was the hero, saving penalties from Kalvin Phillips and Jacob Wright after the match had ended 2-2 after 90 minutes at the Camping World Stadium.


    Pau Víctor and Pablo Torre had twice given Barça the lead in the friendly, but City responded on both occasions, first through Nico O’Reilly and then Jack Grealish.

    “We were really good against a great team,” Flick said in the post-game news conference. “We defended together and attacked together, as a team, and that’s what we want. We fought for each other.

    “Maybe in the first half we were too deep, our idea is to be a bit further forward, we need more possession, but we played against Manchester City … Pep has been there for eight years and we want to do the same as them in terms of philosophy. Maybe a little bit different, but with that idea.”

    Barça are without 10 players in the United States due to injuries and international commitments, while Ilkay Gündogan, Raphinha and Jules Koundé were also unavailable for this game as they return to start preseason this week.

    Flick, therefore, used the match to look at some of the younger players in the travelling party.

    Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal both impressed in midfield, while striker Victor — a €2.5 million summer signing from Girona who scored 20 goals on loan with Barça’s B team last season –– and Pablo Torre got the goals.

    “The [youngsters] did really well,” Flick added. “I already spoke in my presentation about La Masia, everyone talks about it — and with reason.

    “But I don’t want to focus on individual names after just one game. They all did really well. As I said, we attacked together and defended together. I wasn’t sure we would have that defensive balance, but we did.”


    Victor, 22, became the first scorer of the Flick era with his opener in the 24th minute and he’s hoping to earn a place in the German coach’s plans.

    “I am looking forward to an exciting season,” he told reporters. “I am really motivated to stay with the first team and working hard every day to prove I deserve it.

    “My intention is to stay here. I am convinced I can, but I am taking things day by day. What will be, will be.”

    Barça are next in action on Saturday when they play Real Madrid in New Jersey. They close their tour of the U.S. against AC Milan in Baltimore on Aug. 6.

  • Chelsea successfully signs goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen from Villarreal

    Chelsea successfully signs goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen from Villarreal

    Chelsea have announced the signing of Danish under-21 goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen from LaLiga’s Villarreal, the Premier League club revealed on Tuesday.

    Jörgensen, 22, who secured the position of Villarreal’s first-choice keeper last season, has committed to a seven-year contract with Chelsea.

    While the transfer fee remains undisclosed by the clubs, British media estimate the deal to be approximately £20 million ($25.67 million).

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2UVJrFVDw8

    “This move is a dream come true,” Jörgensen told club media.

    “I am very excited to have signed for Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world. I can’t wait to get to know everyone and to start playing with all my new teammates.”

    Born in Sweden to a Danish father and Swedish mother, Jörgensen represented Sweden at youth levels before making a switch to Denmark in May 2021.

  • No signings for Real Madrid this summer – Carlo Ancelotti confirms

    No signings for Real Madrid this summer – Carlo Ancelotti confirms

    Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has announced that the club will not be making any additional signings this summer, following the acquisitions of Kylian Mbappé and Endrick.

    However, Los Blancos were unable to secure the signing of French centre-back Leny Yoro, who opted to join Manchester United instead.

    Amid reports that the Spanish giants are still in the market for a centre-back following the departure of Nacho and Rafa Marín, Ancelotti said: “The squad is closed. [Jesús] Vallejo is back, [David] Alaba is recovering.

    “We have young centre-backs like Joan, Jacobo and Raul [Asencio] who are training and have a lot of quality. I believe we are well covered in this position.”

    Veteran defender Nacho has recently joined Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah, ending his two-decade tenure with Real Madrid.

    Meanwhile, Marin, who was on loan at Deportivo Alavés last season, has completed a permanent transfer to Napoli. Additionally, Spain striker Joselu has left Madrid for Qatari club Al Gharafa.

    Despite these departures, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who led the team to victories in LaLiga, the Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup last season, does not anticipate any further player exits.

    “No one will be leaving because everyone wants to stay,” Ancelotti said.

    Ancelotti, meanwhile, admitted Madrid will have to adapt without Toni Kroos.

    The German midfielder retired from football after Euro 2024 and having enjoyed a trophy-laden nine-year stay with Madrid.

    “We are missing Kroos,” Ancelotti said. “But we have possibilities to replace him, although in a different way because there is no player like him, with his quality.

    “But we have many other resources.”

    Real Madrid will kick off their U.S. summer tour with a match against Ancelotti’s former club, AC Milan, on Wednesday at Soldier Field in Chicago.

    Following that, they will face FC Barcelona in the Clásico on August 3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

    The tour will conclude with a game against Chelsea on August 6 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

  • Former Kotoko CEO recuperating after alleged poisoning at friends party

    Former Kotoko CEO recuperating after alleged poisoning at friends party

    Local media reports indicate that Nana Yaw Amponsah, the former Chief Executive Officer of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, is recovering after allegedly being poisoned at a friend’s party in Tarkwa.

    He is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed health facility.

    Despite the incident, no arrests or suspects have been identified so far.

    Amponsah served as CEO of the Kumasi-based club until its life patron dissolved the board before the previous season began.

    Subsequently, he moved to Moldova, where his agency partnered with FC Petrocub Hincesti in January 2024.

    However, he departed from the partnership after six months in July 2024.

  • ECG takes Koforidua Multipurpose Youth Resource Centre off the national grid over GHS 30k debt

    ECG takes Koforidua Multipurpose Youth Resource Centre off the national grid over GHS 30k debt

    The Koforidua Multipurpose Youth Resource Center has had its electricity cut off by the Electricity Company of Ghana due to a significant unpaid debt.

    GhOne TV reports that the center owes GH¢30,000, a debt that has remained unsettled for an extended period.

    ECG officials decided to disconnect the power after repeated failures by the center’s management to address the outstanding balance.

    Since its inauguration by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2023, the facility has been the venue for various significant events, including sports activities.

    “ECG has cut power to the Koforidua Multipurpose Youth Resource Center due to GH¢30,000+ outstanding debt,” GhOne TV shared on X.

    The 67th Independence Day parade took place at the Koforidua Resource Centre, drawing national attention to the Eastern Region.

    The management of the centre has yet to comment on the actions taken by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and their plans to promptly restore electricity to the facility.

    Concerns have been raised about the neglected condition of several sports complexes across the country.

    In response, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has pledged to tackle these issues diligently.

  • Hearts of Oak’s Phobia House handed over to them by contractors

    Hearts of Oak’s Phobia House handed over to them by contractors

    Hearts of Oak has officially taken possession of their new commercial centre, marking a major milestone for the club.

    The handover ceremony occurred on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, and was attended by prominent figures such as Togbe Afede XIV, board members Vincent Sowah Odotei and Akwasi Agyemang, who is also the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority.

    Togbe Afede XIV expressed pride in the club’s new asset, stating, “This is a demonstration of our commitment to building an infrastructural base for Accra Hearts of Oak.”

    “These infrastructural enhancements, including ongoing works at Kpobiman, are integral to our strategic plans of positioning Accra Hearts of Oak at a competitive level within the football landscape globally,” an official statement added.

    Although the furnishing of the building is still in progress, the completion of the major construction phases has enabled the club to start using the new facility.

    This development is viewed as a crucial step in boosting the club’s infrastructure and overall prestige.

    Hearts of Oak is also gearing up for the upcoming season, focusing on strengthening their squad after barely avoiding relegation last season, where they finished 14th in the standings.

    The club considers these infrastructural upgrades essential to enhancing their competitive edge in both local and international football scenes.

  • Algerian transgender boxer allowed to fight women in women’s division at 2024 Olympics

    Algerian transgender boxer allowed to fight women in women’s division at 2024 Olympics

    Algerian transgender boxer Imane Khelif has been authorized to compete in the women’s division at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

    The 25-year-old received the green light from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to fight in the Women’s U-66 Kg category.

    Khelif was previously disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships due to failing gender eligibility requirements.

    However, the IOC has now confirmed that she meets their criteria, allowing her to participate in the Olympics.

    Before her 2023 disqualification, Khelif had been active in various continental and international competitions, including the Olympics.

    She secured a gold medal at the African Championships in Maputo and the Mediterranean Games in Oran, as well as a silver medal at the World Championships in 2022.

    With her clearance, Khelif is set to compete in her second Olympic Games, having debuted in Tokyo.

    She and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu Ting are the two transgender boxers approved to compete at the Olympics.

    Imane Khelif’s first fight is scheduled for Friday, August 2, 2024, while Lin Yu Ting will compete in the under 57kg division on August 3, 2024.

  • ‘It was just God’ – Derek Boateng on how he escaped Menzgold investment

    ‘It was just God’ – Derek Boateng on how he escaped Menzgold investment

    Former Black Stars midfielder Derek Boateng credits divine intervention for saving him from falling prey to the Menzgold scam.

    In an interview with Kingdom, Boateng explained that he did not invest in Menzgold due to a combination of divine guidance and his personal principles.

    The ex-Fulham player mentioned that aside from divine intervention, he was deterred by the fact that Menzgold’s offers seemed too good to be true.

    He revealed that some Ghanaian football stars did fall victim to the scam, which was allegedly masterminded by Nana Appiah Mensah (NAM1).

    Boateng noted that these footballers have not spoken out about their experiences due to the potential disgrace it could bring.

    “I wasn’t a victim of Menzgold, but I heard that a lot of players had deposited their money there. They cannot come out now and say it. It is their business.

    “I did not join Menzgold because the deal was too good to be true. It’s not like I’m more sensible than the others, but I think God was the one who saved me from it because it was too much. I like to suffer before getting my funds, so I don’t like freebies.”

    Derek Boateng mentioned that if he had fallen victim to the Ponzi scheme, he would have found a way to recover his money. He revealed that since NAM1 was his neighbor, he would have persistently demanded his cash by frequently showing up at his doorstep and becoming a thorn in his side.

    “If I were a victim, I’d have been knocking on his gate regularly because we are neighbors. He would have given me my money because I’d go there every day,” he said.

  • Parliament passes Affirmative Action bill into law

    Parliament passes Affirmative Action bill into law

    Parliament has officially passed the Affirmative Action bill into law.

    The Affirmative Action Gender Equity Bill 2024, which has encountered several delays over the years, was finally unanimously approved by Parliament.

    This legislation aims to ensure that a substantial number of women hold significant roles in governance, public life, and decision-making positions, thereby improving the status of women in the country.

    Earlier today, Gender Minister Darkoa Newmann proposed the motion for the bill’s passage, which was subsequently voted on and approved by the House.

    Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin remarked that, despite this progress, additional efforts are necessary to achieve true gender equity.

    “Don’t just celebrate and don’t really put in place the vision that we have created for the country. But more importantly, I hope that members will commit themselves to the constitutional reforms.

    We need to do more there to be able to create this free and just society we are looking for to liberate more of our women to be able to support us to be able to develop mother Ghana,” he said.

    The law also aims to promote efforts to address socio-cultural, political, economic, and educational gender imbalances in both private and public sectors, as stipulated in Clause 4 of Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution.

    Its goal is to progressively increase and ensure the active participation of women in public and civic life, aiming for a minimum representation of 30 percent by 2030, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • EAC raises alarm over rising monkeypox cases

    EAC raises alarm over rising monkeypox cases

    On Monday, the East African Community (EAC) urged its eight member nations to educate their populations on safeguarding against and preventing the spread of mpox (monkeypox), a contagious disease caused by the mpox virus.

    This alert follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) reports of a mpox outbreak in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), both EAC members.

    The EAC, in a statement from its headquarters in Arusha, noted that Burundi had verified three mpox cases in its western region through national laboratories and the WHO.

    Since 2022, the DRC has recorded over 21,000 mpox cases and more than 1,000 fatalities, as reported by the WHO.

    Burundi shares borders with the DRC, Rwanda, and Tanzania, while the DRC is bordered by five EAC member states: Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Sudan.

    Kenya and Somalia are also part of the EAC.

    Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, the EAC deputy secretary-general responsible for infrastructure, productive, social, and political sectors, emphasized the importance of preventive measures to limit the disease’s spread.

    “EAC member states must provide the necessary information on the disease and take preventive measures,” he said.

    The mpox virus spreads from animals to humans and is spread between people through close contact, contaminated objects, and respiratory droplets.

    Symptoms of mpox include skin rash or lesions, fever, severe headache, muscle aches, back pain, general body weakness, and swollen lymph nodes, typically lasting two to four weeks.

  • Otumfuo to soon announce new Board of Directors for Asante Kotoko – Reports

    Otumfuo to soon announce new Board of Directors for Asante Kotoko – Reports

    Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asante Kotoko’s Patron, is reportedly preparing to announce a new Board of Directors for the club.

    According to Nhyira FM, the official announcement is anticipated before the start of the 2024/2025 Ghana Premier League season in September.

    The club has been operating under an Interim Management Committee (IMC) for a year following the removal of the board led by Dr. Kwame Kyei.

    The Club Licensing Committee’s regulations necessitate the establishment of a formal Board of Directors, as an interim body is not permitted to manage a club for more than one season.

    The IMC, which has been managing the club’s affairs, included Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua, a chartered accountant and Kontomponiaferehene.

    Other members of the IMC were former Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, and Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi, who served as the administrative manager.

    However, Dasoberi resigned from his position before the season concluded.

  • Ghana’s Patrick Twumasi to join Israeli’s Beitar Jerusalem FC on a permanent move

    Ghana’s Patrick Twumasi to join Israeli’s Beitar Jerusalem FC on a permanent move

    Israeli Premier League side Beitar Jerusalem FC has announced the signing of Ghanaian striker Patrick Twumasi during the current transfer window.

    The 30-year-old forward joins Beitar Jerusalem on a permanent transfer following his tenure with Cypriot club Pafos FC.

    Twumasi, who previously played for Astana, Alaves, and Hannover 96, will wear jersey number 27 and is anticipated to be a key player for the team in the 2024/25 season.

    While the club revealed the signing, they chose not to disclose the specific details of the contract, though it is understood that Twumasi has agreed to a one-year deal.

    “Welcome Patrick! The midfielder signed his contract at the club this morning and then received the number 27.” The club wrote on Facebook.

    Last season, the Ghanaian attacker made 24 appearances for Pafos FC, scoring 3 goals and providing five assists across the period.

    Noted for his experience across Europe, the Ghanaian attacker is expected to contribute immensely towards the success of the club in the upcoming season.

    Twumasi has had stints with a hosts of clubs in Europe including, Deportivo Alaves, Hannover 96, FC Astana, and others.

    He has managed 91 goals and provided 41 assists in 283 matches across Europe.

  • How 8 companies linked to Akufo-Addo’s daughters used $54m to buy 307 instead of 678 ambulances

    How 8 companies linked to Akufo-Addo’s daughters used $54m to buy 307 instead of 678 ambulances

    Eight companies with alleged connections to President Akufo-Addo’s daughters have been implicated in the procurement of 307 ambulances for $54.3 million, a figure that is supposedly inflated.

    According to the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, these companies secured single-source contracts under dubious circumstances, raising serious concerns about corruption and nepotism.

    Ablakwa is among Minority Members of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee

    Ablakwa revealed that the same individuals involved in a previous $34.9 million ambulance spare parts deal also managed these new contracts.

    His ongoing parliamentary oversight has uncovered that these companies were hastily formed around the time Akufo-Addo assumed office in 2017 and lacked prior experience in ambulance importation.

    Akufo-Addo’s daughters and weed

    The companies involved are:

    Elok Consult and Services Limited
BEFT Engineering Works Limited
Bluemix Company Limited
Prestige Era Company Limited
RDC Company Limited
Luxury World Auto Group Limited
Quality Suppliers and Builders Company Limited

    Elok Consult and Services Limited, for instance, was incorporated in July 2017 and is co-directed by Stephen Okoro, a known associate of the President’s daughter, Gyankroma Akufo-Addo.

    This company alone received over $5 million for supplying 40 ambulances.

    A performance audit by the Auditor-General found that each ambulance was priced at $80,000, suggesting that the $54.3 million spent should have procured 678 ambulances, not 307.

    Ablakwa pointed out that even with an added 10% insurance premium per ambulance, the total cost would still be inflated by $27.3 million. Moreover, the audit revealed that no insurance premiums were paid on the ambulances.

    Ablakwa has called for a forensic audit to investigate the discrepancies in payments and procurement practices. He also intends to update his petition to the Special Prosecutor to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

  • “I’m still pushing, sending messages” – Mikel Obi on convincing Osimhen to Chelsea

    “I’m still pushing, sending messages” – Mikel Obi on convincing Osimhen to Chelsea

    Former Nigerian footballer John Mikel Obi has disclosed that he has been in frequent contact with Victor Osimhen, encouraging him to sign with Chelsea.

    Mikel Obi revealed that he has been consistently messaging and interacting with Osimhen to sway him towards choosing Chelsea over other European teams.

    The ex-Chelsea player advised the Napoli striker to have realistic expectations if he joins the club, given its current phase of transition.

    Mikel Obi is convinced that acquiring Osimhen would address Chelsea’s goal-scoring challenges.

    “I think there’s genuine interest from both sides. He loves the club and wants to come. He wants to follow in my footsteps as a Nigerian player at Chelsea. And he likes London.

    Instead of going to Liverpool or other places, he prefers London.

    “But he also has interest from Paris and Manchester United. I’m still pushing, sending messages, and trying to ensure he doesn’t expect too much. We need a striker who will score goals, and that’s what Victor will provide.

    He’s not the most skillful, but goals are guaranteed,” Mikel Obi said during a Web Summit in Qatar.

    Meanwhile, reports indicate that Chelsea is in contact with Napoli to sign Osimhen, as reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

  • 2024 Olympics: Ghana’s Harry Stacey takes 7th Place in Men’s 100m Freestyle

    2024 Olympics: Ghana’s Harry Stacey takes 7th Place in Men’s 100m Freestyle

    Ghanaian swimming sensation Harry Stacey fell short in the Men’s 100m freestyle at the 2024 Olympic Games.

    In his Olympic debut, Stacey finished 7th in Heat 4 with a time of 51.12 seconds at the La Défense Arena on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

    This performance was below his national record and personal best of 50.67 seconds. Stacey secured his spot at the Olympics through national rankings and wildcard entries.

    With Stacey’s exit, Joselle Alice Mensah remains Ghana’s sole contender in the swimming events.

    She is set to compete in the Women’s 50m Freestyle – Heat 6 on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

    Ghana still has eight athletes yet to compete in the Games, including Joseph Paul Amoah, Rasheed Saminu, Issac Botsio, Benjamin Azamati, Edwin Gadayi, Fuseini Ibrahim, Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah, and Joselle Mensah.

    High jumper Rose Amoanimaa will be the next Ghanaian to compete, making her Olympic debut on Friday, August 2, 2024.

  • Saddick Adams calls out on Mikel Obi’s foreign-born ‘attack’ on players who treat Africa as an option

    Saddick Adams calls out on Mikel Obi’s foreign-born ‘attack’ on players who treat Africa as an option

    Renowned Ghanaian sports journalist Saddick Adams, also known as Sports Obama, has expressed his views on Nigerian football legend John Mikel Obi’s recent criticism of players of African descent opting to play for African countries after being overlooked by European nations.

    Adams, who heads the sports department at Angel Broadcasting Network in Accra, acknowledges the Chelsea legend’s perspective but believes it addresses only a part of a complex issue.

    In a social media post, Sports Obama elaborated on the various factors contributing to the situation Mikel Obi highlighted and offered some potential solutions to address the problem.

    “I perfectly agree with your sentiment on diaspora players choosing Africa as their second option. I agree players should be proud of their African heritage and represent their fatherlands in their prime.

    “But blaming the players and ignoring all other major factors and circumstances will not cure the topic. It is not only the players that are opportunistic. Part and, in fact, a bigger share of the blame goes to the African countries and their Federations.

    “A lot of these countries and Federations do not even have basic training facilities in their countries to start with. No deliberate plan for talent development both home and abroad. You cannot talk about patriotism and overlook the duties owed by the state to the potential player.

    “A child born to migrant parents and developed in England by the English government and FA will not wake up at age 16 and suddenly feel proud about a country that has never contacted him, a country he has never visited, and a culture he has only read or heard about.

    A migrant parent whose child is born and developed in Spain with huge potential will not wake up one day and carry their son to Guinea Bissau when Spain comes calling because they feel patriotic.

    The biggest blame should be laid at the doorstep of the African countries, not the players,” Obama said.

    John Mikel Obi recently criticized Nigerian players born abroad, accusing them of considering their African heritage as a backup option when selecting their nationality.

    Mikel pointed out that these foreign-born players often delay committing to their native African nations, hoping instead to play for the European countries where they were born.

    According to him, it is only when the possibility of representing their birth countries diminishes that they express interest in playing for their African roots.

    “I have talked extensively about players not representing their African roots. We meet with these kids and their parents and say, ‘Listen, you’re from Nigeria, your dad is Nigerian, your mum is Nigerian—why don’t you represent your fatherland?’

    They often respond, ‘We want to play for England, France, whatever it is,’ and then they wait. When they turn 25 or 29 and don’t receive a call-up from England, they then consider Nigeria,” he said on his podcast.

    He called on the Nigerian Football Federation and other African nations to assert themselves and not accept being treated as a fallback option.

    “We shouldn’t be treated as a second option. You should be proud of your African roots and your African country. I want the best players to play in Africa, so you should make a decision and stand by it.”

  • “It for my children’s future” – NPP MP defends “Ponzi Scheme” comment against gov’t

    “It for my children’s future” – NPP MP defends “Ponzi Scheme” comment against gov’t

    Former Deputy Finance Minister Kwaku Kwarteng has clarified his recent criticism of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express, Kwarteng addressed the controversy surrounding his critical remarks, stating that economic mismanagement is a persistent issue affecting multiple administrations, not just the NPP.

    Kwarteng explained that his criticism was motivated by genuine concern for the future, particularly for his children. He expressed that he could not support parliamentary decisions that he believed would have detrimental effects on future generations.

    As a former Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Kwarteng noted that his concerns are shared by several colleagues from both the Majority and Minority sides.

    He called for a culture of healthy debate where differing opinions can be freely expressed without fear of retaliation.

    The Obuasi West MP emphasized the importance of open dialogue in addressing national issues and stressed that alternative viewpoints should be welcomed.

    By sharing his perspective, Kwarteng aims to contribute to a more transparent and effective governance process, advocating for a political environment that values diverse opinions.

    “When I get home from work and I see my kids, I hug them. And the next time, when I come to work, I come and support decisions that will hurt their future. I can’t live with that and I can’t support that,” he said.

    The lawmaker stated that many Ghanaians, including himself, are concerned that if the country continues on its current path, its democracy could collapse, taking all political parties with it.

    He noted that since independence, the political norm has been for parties to sing praises of their past achievements and make grand promises for the future when going into elections.

    “At the same time, a political party must paint its opponents in the worst possible light. We have mastered this art, and in the process, we have forgotten that politics should be about the future of our children and our motherland.

    We have reduced election campaigns to bitter struggles between competitors seeking power for the wrong reasons.”

    Kwaku Kwarteng also likened the management of Ghana’s economy to a Ponzi scheme.

    According to him, the current economic challenges at both national and household levels stem from decades of poor governance, marked by political mismanagement and economic inefficiency across various administrations.

  • 2024 Olympics: The Ghanaian Mawuli Sisters who are representing Japan

    2024 Olympics: The Ghanaian Mawuli Sisters who are representing Japan

    Ghanaian siblings representing the Japanese women’s basketball team, are competing in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris Evelyn and Stephanie Mawuli.

    The duo played for Japan in their opening game, which resulted in a 102-76 defeat against the USA.

    The Mawuli sisters, born three years apart (Evelyn in 1995 and Stephanie in 1998), hail from Toyohashi, Japan. Their Ghanaian immigrant parents became Japanese citizens in 2009, coinciding with their children’s naturalisation to play for Japan.

    Evelyn, the elder sister, has been a key player for Japan since her international debut at the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship in 2009.

    She has earned four FIBA medals and six total medals, including those from her junior career.

    Although she entered the WNBA draft in 2017, she went undrafted and subsequently joined the Toyota Antelopes, where she has played ever since.

    Evelyn won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

    Stephanie, who began her professional career in 2017, has collected eight medals throughout her career. She has represented Japan at all levels, including 3×3 basketball.

    In 2023, Stephanie signed with the New York Liberty for a training camp but was waived after a year, leading her to join the Japanese team Basket Zaragoza.

    The 2024 Paris Olympics marks Stephanie’s Olympic debut, highlighted by her performance in the game against the USA on July 29.

  • Minority petitions CHRAJ to probe reported secret recruitment by govt

    Minority petitions CHRAJ to probe reported secret recruitment by govt

    Minority in Parliament has filed a petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), requesting an investigation into ongoing covert, unequal, and unfair recruitment practices by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government.

    These practices allegedly affect the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Ghana Police Service (GPS), the Ghana Prisons Service, and the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC).

    As reported by citinewsroom.com, the petition, dated July 16, 2024, emphasizes the Minority’s commitment to vigilance and asserts their intention to use every legitimate means to halt the ‘secret, illegal, and unfair recruitments.’

    “We pray for the following remedies/reliefs after the Commission’s investigation into this complaint: 1. as means of ensuring equal access to all, the security services and other administrative organs of the state, including the Respondent (GIS, GNFS, GPS, Prisons and NACOC) and indeed, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Services CEPS, CHRAJ should direct that recruitments into these Public Services should be effected through public advertisements in the national newspapers/dailies setting out eligibility criteria for potential applicants/candidates for such recruitments,” it stated.

    The Minority is also calling on CHRAJ to require that recruitment advertisements for public services be published in national newspapers. Additionally, they have asked CHRAJ to compel the GIS, GNFS, GPS, Prisons, and NACOC to reveal the specific processes and procedures they use in their recruitment exercises.

    “Concerning applicants/candidates already shortlisted or being prepared for recruitments based on a purported backlog as announced per ‘The Chronicle’ publication on the 80 July, 2024 as well as the CPS and Prisons Press Release of 7th July, 2023. CHRAJ should direct the GIS. GNFS, GPS, Prisons and NACOC to provide details of the process and procedures adopted by them in line with the Constitution as well as Section 7(a)(b) of Act 456.

    “Any other remedies/reliefs that CHRAJ may deem fair and just to ensure transparency and equal access to security services, particularly the GIS, GNFS, GPS Prisons and NACOC in terms of recruitment,” it stated.

  • Video: Wode Maya shows proposed Sports complex for his alma mater

    Video: Wode Maya shows proposed Sports complex for his alma mater

    Well-known Ghanaian YouTuber Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, better known as Wode Maya, has announced his intention to construct a state-of-the-art sports complex for his alma mater.

    The planned facility will feature a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a netball court, all integrated into a single venue on the school’s grounds.

    Wode Maya shared that this initiative aims to support his former school by providing students with improved facilities for their athletic pursuits, enhancing their ability to compete in various sports.

    In a recent update shared on X, Wode Maya revealed that construction has begun, with the foundation for the complex already completed.

    Explaining the motivation behind the sports complex and detailing its features, Wode Maya said, “The project is still ongoing. This is definitely one of the projects I am determined to complete.

    The Wode Maya Sports Complex will be a multipurpose facility, featuring a basketball court, a volleyball court, a netball court, and a tennis court, all within one sports area.”

    Wode Maya has established himself as one of the personalities who make huge sums of money from YouTube skit videos and embark on various projects to impact lives.

  • Ghana hit with GHC95m judgement debt for unlawful West Blue contract termination

    Ghana hit with GHC95m judgement debt for unlawful West Blue contract termination

    The State is set to pay GH¢95 million in judgment debt to IT consultancy firm West Blue Consulting, according to reports.

    This payment follows the termination of a contract in which West Blue Consulting provided technical and support services to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) from 2015 to 2020, under the Ministry of Finance’s facilitation.

    The contract termination prompted West Blue Consulting to pursue legal action, claiming an outstanding debt of GH¢289 million from the government.

    The dispute’s resolution led to the awarded amount, confirmed by GRA Commissioner-General Julie Essiam during a public accounts committee meeting.

    Essiam acknowledged the court’s decision, stating, “Indeed, the judgment debt is GH¢95 million.

    We will not be able to pay the full amount immediately, and therefore, the agreement with the court is to make the payment in three installments.

  • 46 promises of Mahama he didn’t fulfil after winning 2012 elections – Report

    46 promises of Mahama he didn’t fulfil after winning 2012 elections – Report

    Former President John Mahama’s past unfulfilled “lavish campaign promises” have resurfaced following the official launch of his 2024 presidential campaign over the weekend.

    Mahama, who served as Vice President from 2009 to 2012 and President from 2012 to 2017, is making another attempt to regain the presidency after losing in 2016 and failing to win in 2020.

    Despite the grand promises made during his campaign launch, Mahama’s track record of unfulfilled promises has come under scrutiny.

    Abdul Razak Yando, a political scientist, questioned Mahama’s sincerity in an open article copied to Ghanaguardian.com.

    Yando highlighted Mahama’s history of making numerous political promises without delivering on them when in office, casting doubt on his current campaign commitments.

    “As Mahama has launched his campaign, laced with promises, it is important to interrogate how he fared the last time heade juicy promises to Ghanaians and was given the opportunity to lead the country between 2012 and 2016,” Abdul Razak Yando wrote.

    “It is important for questions to be asked of the former President, especially for young voters who have just turned 18 years, to know how the only former President who will be on the ballot in the 2024 elections, performed when they were 12 years, as far as some major promises he made to the country are concerned.”

    ” Unfortunately, a detailed analysis of former President Mahama’s 2012 Manifesto, revealed that the former President, after being elected as President, did not fulfil many lavish promises,” continued the political analyst.

    “As many as 46 big promises made by John Mahama during the 2012 elections were not fulfilled after Ghanaians voted for him as President,” he said in the article, and provided a list of all the 46 failed promises.

    Below is the full article

    EXPOSING 46 ‘CAMPAIGN LIES’ OF JOHN MAHAMA AS PRESIDENT, FOLLOWING THE LAUNCH OF ANOTHER CAMPAIGN

    By Abdul Razak Yando (Political Scientist)

    Former President John Dramani Mahama will be appearing as Presidential Candidate for the NDC, once again, in December 2024, as Ghana goes to the polls to choose a President.

    Mahama, following the completion of late President Mills’ remaining six months as President, as well as his own full term from 2013 to 2017, will be the only former President on the ballot, seeking to be voted for again as President.

    What this means is that Mahama, as a former President who has led this country before, has a history and a record as President, as far as campaign promises and delivering those promises are concerned.

    Prior to his election in 2012 as President, Mahama made promises and also presented a manifesto to the people of Ghana, titled “advancing the better Ghana agenda,” to woo Ghanaians to vote for him.

    Majority of Ghanaians, perhaps, were wooed by the sweet promises of John Mahama in 2012 and voted for him to be Ghana’s 4th President of the 4th Republic from 2012 to 2017.

    Last Saturday in Tamale, the former President launched another campaign, seeking to win the votes of Ghanaians to return to the Presidency, after he lost power in 2016 and failed at the polls again in 2020. The campaign launch, unsurprisingly, was full of yet another promises by the former President and his party officials, many of whom served in his erstwhile government.

    As Mahama has launched his campaign, laced with promises, it is important to interrogate how he fared the last time he made juicy promises to Ghanaians and was given the opportunity to lead the country between 2012 and 2017.

    It is important for questions to be asked of the former President, especially for young voters who have just turned 18 years and are eligible to vote, to know how the only former President who will be on the ballot in the 2024 elections, performed when they were 12 years, as far as some major promises he made to the country are concerned.

    To intensely interrogate John Mahama’s history on making promises and fulfilling same or otherwise, is essential in taking what he is promising now seriously or not.

    Unfortunately, a detailed analysis of former President Mahama’s 2012 Manifesto, revealed that the former President, after being elected as President, did not fulfil many lavish promises he made to the people of Ghana in many sectors.

    As many as 46 major promises made by John Mahama during the 2012 elections were not fulfilled after Ghanaians voted for him as President.

    Below are the 46 unfulfilled promises by John Mahama as President of Ghana. You may call them lies or deception by Mahama, but the fact is that he made these lavish promises, but he failed to fulfill or achieve them as President.

    Interestingly, as President, Mahama had 4 years, or 1460 days to fulfill these promises, but he could not, until he heavily lost the 2016 election.

    Here they are, the promises, as contained in the 2012 NDC Manifesto, which is publicly available for scrutiny.

    1. Strengthen the CHRAJ to fight corruption – even without an “explicit complainant”.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Abolish the Office of Accountability that Ghanaians believe protects corrupt officials.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Revise the law on Asset Declaration to increase transparency and accountability.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Enact a Freedom of Information Bill so the public has access to official information to enhance the fight against corruption.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Place an upper limit on the number of Justices on the Supreme Court.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Separate the Attorney General from the Ministry of Justice – for efficiency and transparency.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Reverse Ghana’s image as an easy target for money laundering and drug transport point.

    Verdict: unfulfilled. Ghana was internationally renowned as a drug transit point.

    1. Introduce special tax rates to financial institutions that lend to priority sectors, agriculture, industry, services and micro-, small and medium sized businesses and pensions.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Develop limestone deposits at Buipe, Nauli and Nadowli for cement.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Rejuvenate the textile industry, from seed production to processing and printing.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Establish shea processing in all northern regions to achieve 50,000 tons per year.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Support salt processing to benefit the communities and the petrochemical industry.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Rehabilitate abandoned but viable manufacturing enterprises, such as Kumasi Jute, Aboso Glass, Tannery and Coir Fibre, Pomadze Poultry.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Explore an integrated Iron and Steel industry at Oppon Manso.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Create a special pension scheme to encourage farmers and fishermen associations.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Set up a Ghana Commodities Exchange to provide post-harvest infrastructure, trading standards.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Process at least 60% of the cocoa produce locally, including plans for another Cocoa Processing Factory in the Western Region to reduce transport problems and increase jobs.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Improve fish stocks through education and enforcement by an equipped Navy.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Reduce post-harvest losses: increase storage, processing, freezers and ice facilities.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Correct the quality and management problems of pre-mix fuel.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Improve capacity of small-scale operations and reduce illegal galamsey.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Implement a One-time national health insurance premium.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Pay licensed teachers a professional allowance of 15% of the basic salary.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Pay technical-vocational education teachers an addition 10% allowance of basic salary.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Pay teachers in deprived areas an additional allowance of 20% of basic salary.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Schools under trees will end by 2016

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Build two technical schools in each district.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Rehabilitate and upgrade all technical schools.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Construct a new railway line: Kumasi through Wa to Hamile.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Establish 2 more landing points on the Volta River to reduce transport distances.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Develop the petrochemical industry utilizing local and imported natural gas and Ghana salt.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Double TOR’s capacity toward processing Ghana’s oil.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. constructing two hundred (200) new Community Day Senior High Schools where these do not exist.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Establish ten (10) new Colleges of Education in the medium term to be located in areas currently not well-served and in anticipation of the increase in student numbers on account of our increased access to education programme;

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. An average GDP growth rate of at least 8% per annum;

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. A single digit rate of inflation;

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. An overall budget deficit equivalent to 5% of GDP.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Gross international reserves that will cover not less than four months of imports.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Overall, our economic policies and programmes will aim at the attainment of a per capita income of at least US$2,300 by year 2016.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. An integrated petroleum industry based on bauxite;

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. A petro-chemical industry based on salt and natural gas;

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. A fertilizer industry to give impetus to agro-development.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. A salt-based chemical industry for caustic soda. Verdict: unfulfilled
    2. Allied consumer products and exports based on oil and gas; and • An integrated iron and steel industry based on the iron ore deposits at Oppon Manso in the Western Region

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. Address gender inequality by ensuring the expeditious enactment of the Affirmative Action Act

    Verdict: unfulfilled

    1. To establish a commission of enquiry to investigate matters related to public land acquisitions.

    Verdict: unfulfilled

  • Flashback: “Once you are NPP Secretary, you will never go into opposition – Kusi Boateng’s prayer for JFK

    Flashback: “Once you are NPP Secretary, you will never go into opposition – Kusi Boateng’s prayer for JFK

    Founder and leader of Power Chapel Worldwide, Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng, has predicted a win for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections.

    During a prayer session for NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua at his church on Sunday, July 28, 2024, Prophet Kusi Boateng declared that as long as Frimpong Kodua holds his position, the NPP will secure victory in the upcoming elections.

    “Once my son is the General Secretary of the NPP, he will never lead this party into opposition. I thought and prayed about it before coming to say it here,” he said.

    Prophet Kusi Boateng has been consistent with his prediction that the NPP and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will win the 2024 elections.

    In a prophecy in 2023, Prophet Kusi Boateng predicted that Bawumia was going to win the NPP’s presidential primaries and subsequently lead the country.

    He also predicted the number of regions the NPP will win and the seats the NPP was going to win in Parliament.

    “The NPP will surely emerge victorious in the 2024 elections; Dr. Bawumia will be their flagbearer, and he will win 13 regions out of 16, whilst the NPP will secure 153 seats to lead Parliament,” Prophet Kusi Boateng stated.

    “Dr. Bawumia will secure 64% of the votes in the NPP Presidential primaries by winning 13 out of the 16 regions,” he predicted.

  • Parliament passes Ghana Shippers Authority Bill

    Parliament passes Ghana Shippers Authority Bill

    Parliament passed the Ghana Shippers Authority Bill 2024, granting the authority the power to regulate and standardize shipping charges, fees, and requirements imposed by service providers.

    This legislation aims to foster a more equitable environment for local businesses engaged in shipping and trade.

    The Roads and Transport Committee of Parliament supported the bill, pointing out the fragmented nature of shippers in the country, which has weakened their bargaining power against multinational shipping service providers.

    As a result, local shippers have been exposed to unfair treatment and exploitative practices.

    The committee highlighted that the control of ports by multinational companies has led to exorbitant fees being imposed on port users.

    These high charges have increased the cost of shipping and trade for local businesses, putting further pressure on their operations and profitability.

    The Ghana Shippers Authority Bill aims to rectify these issues by ensuring fair and transparent pricing, thus protecting local businesses from exploitative practices.

    The bill is expected to create a more balanced and competitive shipping industry, benefiting both shippers and consumers.

    During parliamentary proceedings, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced the bill’s passage, stating, “Honourable members, the Ghana Shippers Bill 2024 has been read for the third time and passed.”

  • KNUST worker files fresh lawsuit against tenure extension of vice-chancellor

    KNUST worker files fresh lawsuit against tenure extension of vice-chancellor

    A stores superintendent from the Procurement Department at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has initiated legal action against the extension of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mrs. Akosua Dickson’s tenure.

    Isaac Mensah, a 26-year veteran of the university, is calling on the court to annul the extension, citing “illegality and procedural impropriety”.

    Mensah argues that the governing council’s decision is unlawful and should be overturned.

    He believes that allowing the extension would violate the university’s statutes and prevent other qualified candidates from being considered for the Vice-Chancellor position.

    The suit underscores the urgency of the matter, pointing out that the governing council intends for the VC to begin her extended term on August 1, 2024.

    This development follows a similar legal challenge from an alumnus regarding the Vice-Chancellor’s reappointment two weeks ago. That case is set to be heard on July 30.

  • GRA, Finance Ministry dragged to court over tax waivers for 42 companies

    GRA, Finance Ministry dragged to court over tax waivers for 42 companies

    Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Finance Ministry are facing legal action over their plan to grant tax waivers to 42 companies as part of the 1 District 1 Factory Initiative.

    This lawsuit has been filed by three Minority Members of Parliament, led by their Deputy Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

    The MPs are appealing to the Supreme Court to halt the tax waivers, contending that they do not serve the country’s best interests.

    The three MPs involved, Bernard Ahiafor (MP for Akatsi South), Kwame Agbodza (MP for Adaklu), and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP for Ellembelle), argue that the GRA’s decision to provide these tax exemptions is detrimental to Ghana.

    They claim that the tax waivers violate Article 174 of the 1992 Constitution and are therefore unconstitutional. The MPs seek a Supreme Court ruling to declare the waivers null, void, and without effect.

    Bernard Ahiafor, one of the plaintiffs, is calling on the Supreme Court to step in for the benefit of the nation.

    “It appears Article 174 of the Constitution is being violated, the Supreme Court is giving an exclusive jurisdiction to interpret, therefore, any citizen who is aggrieved that a particular portion of the Constitution is being contravened, the remedy available is to seek for interpretation and declaration at the Supreme Court which is the apex court.

    “That is exactly what we have done in the circumstance, we’re seeking relief against the ones that are being implemented and the ones that are yet to be implemented,” he said.

    About the tax waiver

    On May 20, the government released a list of companies requesting tax waivers under the 1D1F initiative.

    In 2021, the Ministry of Finance initiated processes to secure approximately $335,072,712.13 in tax exemptions for 42 companies participating in the government’s One District One Factory initiative.

    The Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083), was presented in Parliament by the former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, in 2022.

    Among the companies, Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited, a newly established entity, has the highest requested exemption amounting to $164,633,012.00.

  • GII recommends a confidential system for reporting bribery and corruption at ports

    GII recommends a confidential system for reporting bribery and corruption at ports

    Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII),Mary Addah, has called for the creation of a confidential, proactive, and accessible system for reporting bribery cases.

    This recommendation follows an investigation by JoyNews, which revealed that customs officials accept bribes to permit traders to transport smuggled goods into local markets from neighboring countries.

    Bribes ranging from ¢20 to ¢200 are reportedly taken to enable these traders to avoid paying taxes on their goods.

    During an appearance on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on July 29, Addah emphasized the need for a reliable complaint system where individuals can report incidents confidentially and expect effective resolutions.

    “When people who have lamented and complained have issues and they know that this mechanism can be trusted, it is confidential and they know that they will make their complaints and get solutions to them, then they would do so.”

    “So we have proposed the toll-free line that we use for the advocacy and legal advice centre to the customs division”.

    She also mentioned that efforts have been made to train customs officials and enhance their integrity.

    The Executive Director noted that if such a system is put in place, the only reason people might believe they can avoid consequences is if they think their actions are safeguarding the country.

    “Those who are protecting the country will know that if they try, they will be caught and when they are caught, they will be sanctioned heavily. I believe they have a unit that is dealing with that. So if we are successful with this, we will see a lot of changes.”

    “When people get sacked for the 20 cedis they take, then their friends would be thinking twice before taking any such action in the future.

    So reporting whistle-blowing effectively and also ensuring there is great compliance, and those who are guilty are taken through the process to get punished in the courts, I believe that is the only way we can deal with this,” she said.

  • “I am here to offer an apology” – Bagbin sorry for controversial L.I on MPs siren use

    “I am here to offer an apology” – Bagbin sorry for controversial L.I on MPs siren use

    Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has issued an apology to the public regarding the government’s effort to amend the Road Traffic Regulations.

    The suggested revisions included provisions allowing Members of Parliament (MPs) and state officials to use sirens and be exempt from speed limits, which triggered significant public backlash.

    Bagbin had initially claimed ignorance about the introduction of the legislative instrument. However, in a formal address to the house on Monday, he admitted the controversy and conveyed his remorse for the incident.

    “Following the oppositions, firm stance against the L.I, the government has decided to withdraw the proposed amendments…

    We recognise the public perception of insensitivity and I am here to offer an apology and assure the Ghanaian people that this parliament remains acutely aware of and responsive to their needs,” he stated.

    Bagbin also announced the implementation of new standing orders that establish a pre-laying procedure for legislative instruments. This new process aims to ensure a comprehensive review before any instrument is formally introduced to the house.

    “Parliament has empowered the subsidiary legislative committee with a critical mandate.

    The committee’s responsibilities are set out under order 220. Include one, that proposed subsidiary legislation aligns with the constitution, Acts of Parliament and other laws.

    Two, detecting any potential inconsistencies, ambiguities or concerns in the proposed legislation and three offering inputs and recommendations to refine and improve the proposed legislation.”

  • Court throws out petition against Peter Amewu, affirms his position as Hohoe MP

    Ho High Court has rejected a petition challenging the election of John Peter Amewu as the Member of Parliament for Hohoe, citing issues of jurisdiction.

    The challenge stemmed from complaints by around 17,000 voters from the Santrofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) enclave, which comprises 13 communities.

    These voters did not participate in the 2020 parliamentary elections due to the creation of the Oti Region from the Volta Region, leaving them unrepresented in the 8th Parliament.

    Five residents from the SALL area brought the case to the High Court in Ho, seeking to overturn the election of John Peter Amewu, arguing that their exclusion from the election was unfair.

    During the case, Amewu raised three new issues, which the National Democratic Congress (NDC) criticized as tactics to delay proceedings, as these issues were introduced late in the process.

    On July 29, 2024, the court ruled that the petition effectively challenged the constitutionality of CI 128, the legal framework used by the Electoral Commission for the 2020 elections.

    Consequently, the court dismissed the petition, allowing John Peter Amewu to continue serving as the MP for Hohoe. The concerns of the SALL residents regarding their representation remain unaddressed for now.

  • FIFA officially receives bid submissions for 2030, 2034 World Cup

    FIFA officially receives bid submissions for 2030, 2034 World Cup

    During the Paris Olympics, FIFA has been engaging with future hosts of the men’s World Cup, including Saudi Arabia.

    On Monday, FIFA announced that it received formal bid books in Paris from leaders of the seven member federations that are the sole bidders for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups.

    For the 2030 World Cup, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will co-host, along with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay from South America, each of which will host one of the tournament’s 104 games.

    Saudi Arabia is the sole candidate for the 2034 World Cup, a decision that was fast-tracked by FIFA last year.

    The two bids are expected to be confirmed during an online meeting of FIFA’s 211 member federations on December 11.

    Before that, detailed World Cup project plans, spanning hundreds of pages, will be published later this week by FIFA. These plans must include proposals for stadiums, hotels, training fields, transportation, and national security.

    “FIFA will thoroughly assess the bid books and publish its evaluation report” due in the last quarter of the year, the world football body said in a statement.

    World Cup bidders are now required to undergo an assessment of their human rights obligations as part of their bid to host the tournament.

    FIFA, invited in May to collaborate with independent experts, will oversee this evaluation of the candidates.

    FIFA’s human rights policy, implemented eight years ago following the controversial awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively, was first applied to candidates for the 2026 tournament.

    The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams instead of 32.

    This bid triumphed over Morocco in a 134-65 vote held in 2018 in Moscow.

  • Police officer reportedly shoots driver’s mate without any provocation at Danchira

    Police officer reportedly shoots driver’s mate without any provocation at Danchira

    A driver’s mate is in critical condition following an alleged shooting by a police officer at a checkpoint in Danchira, located in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

    The incident took place when Corporal Franklin Forson reportedly fired at the victim without any provocation at a Police snap checkpoint opposite the Danchira police station.

    Isaac Okyere, the driver of a Kia truck with registration number GE 9643, witnessed the event. He recounted being stopped at the checkpoint on Saturday evening after delivering electrometers to an ECG subcontracted company in Oblogo, Weija Gbawe Municipality.

    After responding to questions from a Community Police Assistant, Okyere began to drive away when Corporal Forson unexpectedly fired into the truck’s empty bucket.

    The bullets from the assault rifle penetrated the cabin, severely injuring the driver’s mate. The injured individual was then rushed to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital for treatment.

    A traumatized Okyere is now demanding an independent inquiry and justice for the victim. While senior officers at the Danchira Police station have not officially commented, sources suggest the incident is being treated as an accident. The officer who fired the shot has been instructed to cover the victim’s medical expenses.

    The Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau (PIPS) is currently investigating the matter.

  • 2024/25 GPL season to halt over the 2024general elections

    2024/25 GPL season to halt over the 2024general elections

    The 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season will take a brief hiatus for the national elections scheduled for December 7, 2024.

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that the league will pause after matchday 12, with the final matches before the break taking place on November 25, 2024.

    The league is set to resume on December 13, 2024.

    This break allows players and officials to participate in electing a new president and parliamentarians.

    Additionally, the GFA has confirmed that midweek fixtures will be arranged for clubs involved in CAF inter-club competitions.

    The new season will commence on Friday, September 6, 2024, at various locations and is slated to conclude on Sunday, June 8, 2025.