Heavy rainfall in the Upper West region on Friday, 31 August 2018 has displaced hundreds of residents and many properties destroyed in the Wa municipality.
Read: A/R: Death toll reaches 12 after 5 days of downpour
The four-hour torrential rain flooded major parts of Wa and its surroundings.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO)officials were on the secene to help with rescue efforts.
No casualty has been recorded.
Source:Â classfmonline.com
Heavy rainfall in the Upper West region on Friday, 31 August 2018 has displaced hundreds of residents and many properties destroyed in the Wa municipality.
Read: A/R: Death toll reaches 12 after 5 days of downpour
The four-hour torrential rain flooded major parts of Wa and its surroundings.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO)officials were on the secene to help with rescue efforts.
No casualty has been recorded.
Source:Â classfmonline.com
Athletic Bilbao star Oscar de Marcos is expected in Ghana this year for humanitarian work.
The 29-year-old will be accompanied by teammate Inaki Williams who is of Ghanaian descent.
Williams was born to a Ghanaian father and a Liberian mother in Spain.
De Marcos recently revealed his charity works on social media.
The 29-year-old was spotted paying visits to kids in the oncology ward of the Cruces Hospital in Bilbao – a journey that he makes every Friday when he has a day off from football.
This, however, is not the only humanitarian action the player has undertaken, as he has already travelled to Central Africa several times in order to provide disadvantaged communities with aid.
The former Alaves right-back has also travelled to Peru, where an NGO linked to his former teammate Carlos Gurpegui operates.
Source:Â GHANAsoccernet.com
Athletic Bilbao star Oscar de Marcos is expected in Ghana this year for humanitarian work.
The 29-year-old will be accompanied by teammate Inaki Williams who is of Ghanaian descent.
Williams was born to a Ghanaian father and a Liberian mother in Spain.
De Marcos recently revealed his charity works on social media.
The 29-year-old was spotted paying visits to kids in the oncology ward of the Cruces Hospital in Bilbao – a journey that he makes every Friday when he has a day off from football.
This, however, is not the only humanitarian action the player has undertaken, as he has already travelled to Central Africa several times in order to provide disadvantaged communities with aid.
The former Alaves right-back has also travelled to Peru, where an NGO linked to his former teammate Carlos Gurpegui operates.
Source:Â GHANAsoccernet.com
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has clarified that it will soon meet with the business associations to have further consultation and sensitize them on the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) system.
According to the Customs division of the GRA, the engagement is necessary to clear all doubts harboured by the business associations over the CTN policy.
Read: 7 institutions shutdown operations at ports in protest against CTN
Following the agitations from the businesses, the GRA released a statement rescheduling the date for the CTN implementation to October 15.
Commissioner of Customs at the GRA, Isaac Crentsil explained to Citi Business News the negotiation with the businesses will also provide detailed information on what the CTN is all about.
He believes all concerns raised by the business body will be addressed before the new date of implementation.
Read: CTN row: Shippers bemoan drop in revenue
Earlier, the business associations had threatened to embark on a demonstration to express their displeasure with the implementation of the CTN.
After calling off the demonstration, they called for the GRA to suspend the CTN charges at the ports. President of GUTA, Joseph Obeng led the business delegation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Isaac Crentsil assures that no fees will be charged the trading community both in Ghana and abroad, adding that all already paid for fees will be refunded by his outfit.
Source:Â citibusinessnews.com
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has clarified that it will soon meet with the business associations to have further consultation and sensitize them on the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) system.
According to the Customs division of the GRA, the engagement is necessary to clear all doubts harboured by the business associations over the CTN policy.
Read: 7 institutions shutdown operations at ports in protest against CTN
Following the agitations from the businesses, the GRA released a statement rescheduling the date for the CTN implementation to October 15.
Commissioner of Customs at the GRA, Isaac Crentsil explained to Citi Business News the negotiation with the businesses will also provide detailed information on what the CTN is all about.
He believes all concerns raised by the business body will be addressed before the new date of implementation.
Read: CTN row: Shippers bemoan drop in revenue
Earlier, the business associations had threatened to embark on a demonstration to express their displeasure with the implementation of the CTN.
After calling off the demonstration, they called for the GRA to suspend the CTN charges at the ports. President of GUTA, Joseph Obeng led the business delegation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Isaac Crentsil assures that no fees will be charged the trading community both in Ghana and abroad, adding that all already paid for fees will be refunded by his outfit.
Source:Â citibusinessnews.com
The Avengers have re-assembled with a few extra superheroes in tow to send a cancer-stricken teenage boy some heartwarming messages to help him through his treatment.
Spider-Man: Homecoming star Tom Holland, Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds and Captain America himself, Chris Evans, are among the Marvel icons to have offered their best wishes to 17-year-old Josh, who has leukaemia.
He was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma – the same aggressive form of cancer Senator John McCain had – at the age of 15 and the average survival rate is only about 15 months.
This month his mother launched a social media campaign to “try to get as many celebrities to message him while he is still with us” – and the response has already been overwhelming.
Reynolds kicked things off, introducing himself as “Uncle Deadpool” in a video in which he lauded the youngster as having “more courage and more strength in your pinky finger than any superhero in their entire body”.
He added: “We love you, I love you, we’re thinking about you, Deadpool is thinking about you – maximum effort and hang in there, buddy.”
Such a special man with a huge heart thank you @VancityReynolds josh loves you so much for brightening up his days. Everyone please let’s get more @chrishemsworth @RobertDowneyJr @MarkRuffalo @MargotRobbie @TheRock pic.twitter.com/7FulT1Zh1P
— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 21, 2018
Similar clips soon followed from a whole host of Marvel heroes, including Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman.
The Australian told Josh – who is also from Down Under – that he was “sending lots of positive thoughts”.
Massive thanks to @RealHughJackman for putting a smile on my brave sons face, what a legend pic.twitter.com/gEmxQ7OqVU
— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 15, 2018
Evans joked that while he was disappointed to hear Josh was a bigger fan of Deadpool than he was of Captain America, he accepted the preference and sent his own well wishes.
Ok guys now we need more messages of support for my hero please. @RobertDowneyJr @MargotRobbie @chrishemsworth @SamuelLJackson @TheSlyStallone @MarkRuffalo and anyone else you may have any contacts with please pic.twitter.com/UIPsPab9De
— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 20, 2018
Another Marvel Chris – Chris Pratt, of Guardians of the Galaxy fame – said he was “moved” by Josh’s story and told him he “wanted to help put a smile on your face”.
“I’m praying for you and your mum, and just want to say I want you to be strong,” he said.
“For what it’s worth, I play Star Lord in the movies and play a hero, but I think real heroes are young people like you who have to face challenges and do so with the bravery that I heard you do.”
Amazing beautiful man. Please support josh with more videos from celebrities please. @CharlizeAfrica @SamuelLJackson @RobertDowneyJr @MarkRuffalo @MargotRobbie @chrishemsworth @TheRock @JonahHill pic.twitter.com/Hpk8uvL9YR
— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 21, 2018
And Holland recorded his message from the set of the upcoming Spider-Man: Far From Home, which is due for release next summer.
He said: “I just want to let you know that I’m thinking about you, everyone at Marvel’s thinking about you, and we send you all our love.”
https://twitter.com/THollandNews/status/1032658659443175425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1032658659443175425%7Ctwcon%5Elogo&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.sky.com%2Fstory%2Favengers-assemble-marvel-stars-unite-to-record-messages-for-boy-with-cancer-11486369
Josh’s mother is hoping that other superhero actors will join in with the campaign and those who have already sent messages have encouraged some of their fellow Hollywood stars to do the same.
Some of those who have been asked to chime in with their own well wishes are Robert Downey Jnr, Samuel L Jackson, Charlize Theron, Dwayne Johnson and Chris Hemsworth.
A Go Fund Me page has also been launched to help pay for Josh’s bucket list, with more than A$8,400 (£4,673) raised by 146 donations so far.
Source:Â news.sky.com
The Avengers have re-assembled with a few extra superheroes in tow to send a cancer-stricken teenage boy some heartwarming messages to help him through his treatment.
Spider-Man: Homecoming star Tom Holland, Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds and Captain America himself, Chris Evans, are among the Marvel icons to have offered their best wishes to 17-year-old Josh, who has leukaemia.
He was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma – the same aggressive form of cancer Senator John McCain had – at the age of 15 and the average survival rate is only about 15 months.
This month his mother launched a social media campaign to “try to get as many celebrities to message him while he is still with us” – and the response has already been overwhelming.
Reynolds kicked things off, introducing himself as “Uncle Deadpool” in a video in which he lauded the youngster as having “more courage and more strength in your pinky finger than any superhero in their entire body”.
He added: “We love you, I love you, we’re thinking about you, Deadpool is thinking about you – maximum effort and hang in there, buddy.”
Such a special man with a huge heart thank you @VancityReynolds josh loves you so much for brightening up his days. Everyone please let’s get more @chrishemsworth @RobertDowneyJr @MarkRuffalo @MargotRobbie @TheRock pic.twitter.com/7FulT1Zh1P
— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 21, 2018
Similar clips soon followed from a whole host of Marvel heroes, including Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman.
The Australian told Josh – who is also from Down Under – that he was “sending lots of positive thoughts”.
Massive thanks to @RealHughJackman for putting a smile on my brave sons face, what a legend pic.twitter.com/gEmxQ7OqVU
— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 15, 2018
Evans joked that while he was disappointed to hear Josh was a bigger fan of Deadpool than he was of Captain America, he accepted the preference and sent his own well wishes.
Ok guys now we need more messages of support for my hero please. @RobertDowneyJr @MargotRobbie @chrishemsworth @SamuelLJackson @TheSlyStallone @MarkRuffalo and anyone else you may have any contacts with please pic.twitter.com/UIPsPab9De
— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 20, 2018
Another Marvel Chris – Chris Pratt, of Guardians of the Galaxy fame – said he was “moved” by Josh’s story and told him he “wanted to help put a smile on your face”.
“I’m praying for you and your mum, and just want to say I want you to be strong,” he said.
“For what it’s worth, I play Star Lord in the movies and play a hero, but I think real heroes are young people like you who have to face challenges and do so with the bravery that I heard you do.”
Amazing beautiful man. Please support josh with more videos from celebrities please. @CharlizeAfrica @SamuelLJackson @RobertDowneyJr @MarkRuffalo @MargotRobbie @chrishemsworth @TheRock @JonahHill pic.twitter.com/Hpk8uvL9YR
— BraveheartJosh (@josh_braveheart) August 21, 2018
And Holland recorded his message from the set of the upcoming Spider-Man: Far From Home, which is due for release next summer.
He said: “I just want to let you know that I’m thinking about you, everyone at Marvel’s thinking about you, and we send you all our love.”
https://twitter.com/THollandNews/status/1032658659443175425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1032658659443175425%7Ctwcon%5Elogo&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.sky.com%2Fstory%2Favengers-assemble-marvel-stars-unite-to-record-messages-for-boy-with-cancer-11486369
Josh’s mother is hoping that other superhero actors will join in with the campaign and those who have already sent messages have encouraged some of their fellow Hollywood stars to do the same.
Some of those who have been asked to chime in with their own well wishes are Robert Downey Jnr, Samuel L Jackson, Charlize Theron, Dwayne Johnson and Chris Hemsworth.
A Go Fund Me page has also been launched to help pay for Josh’s bucket list, with more than A$8,400 (£4,673) raised by 146 donations so far.
Source:Â news.sky.com
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has lauded the Board Chairman of the Bulk Oil Transportation Company (BOST), Dr. Kyei Acheampong for stepping down following allegations of his involvement in the collapse of Sovereign Bank.
Read: BOST Board Chairman resigns over collapse of Sovereign Bank
Deputy National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwaku Boahen says the decision by the former Board Chairman of the now defunct Sovereign Bank must be applauded as he has shown leadership.
According to him, it is rare for men and women in high positions in the country to voluntarily relinquish their positions when they are cited in corrupt practices or conflict of interest issues.
Read: Boakye Agyarko masterminded my sack Former BOST MD reveals
In his opinion, the move by the Chairman of GLICO, is most commendable and shows he is a man of integrity that must be emulated by all men and women in high places.
“I duff my hat out for the man. He has done absolutely well and we must all praise him for such a bold and decisive move. He has shown that he is a man of integrity and has earned my utmost respect. Infact after the investigations if he is exonerated, he should be promoted†he said during a discussion on Accra based UTV and monitored by MyNewsGh.com.
Source:Â mynewsgh.com
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has lauded the Board Chairman of the Bulk Oil Transportation Company (BOST), Dr. Kyei Acheampong for stepping down following allegations of his involvement in the collapse of Sovereign Bank.
Read: BOST Board Chairman resigns over collapse of Sovereign Bank
Deputy National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwaku Boahen says the decision by the former Board Chairman of the now defunct Sovereign Bank must be applauded as he has shown leadership.
According to him, it is rare for men and women in high positions in the country to voluntarily relinquish their positions when they are cited in corrupt practices or conflict of interest issues.
Read: Boakye Agyarko masterminded my sack Former BOST MD reveals
In his opinion, the move by the Chairman of GLICO, is most commendable and shows he is a man of integrity that must be emulated by all men and women in high places.
“I duff my hat out for the man. He has done absolutely well and we must all praise him for such a bold and decisive move. He has shown that he is a man of integrity and has earned my utmost respect. Infact after the investigations if he is exonerated, he should be promoted†he said during a discussion on Accra based UTV and monitored by MyNewsGh.com.
Source:Â mynewsgh.com
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade have a love made for the movie screens. No, literally.
For their four year anniversary, Union shared a movie trailer showcasing the fairytale wedding day they experienced. In the beginning, Kevin Hart delivers a funny and sincere speech, before the record scratches and the trailer dives into the wedding festivities. Then in a series of clips, the basketball player and his bride are seen surrounded by their family and friends as they get ready, dance and celebrate their marriage.
Read: Gabrielle Union reveals her plan to make Dwayne Wade feel â€special†on their anniversary
Gabrielle posted the video to her Instagram, with the caption: “Waking up every morning next to my best friend is a blessing I could’ve never imagined. 4 years later… You’re still the one I wanna laugh with and snuggle and love on and ride with.”
“Happy Anniversary baby,” she concluded in her sweet message.
The couple deserves all the happiness on the momentous occasion considering all it took for them to get here. Since they started dating in 2009, they have weathered many storms together, from his ex-wife suing them, to suffering several miscarriages and even a brief split. Yet, they came out on the other end happier than ever.
Union once told E! News, “It’s almost kind of embarrassing to talk about. We really enjoy each other.”
Source: www.eonline.com
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade have a love made for the movie screens. No, literally.
For their four year anniversary, Union shared a movie trailer showcasing the fairytale wedding day they experienced. In the beginning, Kevin Hart delivers a funny and sincere speech, before the record scratches and the trailer dives into the wedding festivities. Then in a series of clips, the basketball player and his bride are seen surrounded by their family and friends as they get ready, dance and celebrate their marriage.
Read: Gabrielle Union reveals her plan to make Dwayne Wade feel â€special†on their anniversary
Gabrielle posted the video to her Instagram, with the caption: “Waking up every morning next to my best friend is a blessing I could’ve never imagined. 4 years later… You’re still the one I wanna laugh with and snuggle and love on and ride with.”
“Happy Anniversary baby,” she concluded in her sweet message.
The couple deserves all the happiness on the momentous occasion considering all it took for them to get here. Since they started dating in 2009, they have weathered many storms together, from his ex-wife suing them, to suffering several miscarriages and even a brief split. Yet, they came out on the other end happier than ever.
Union once told E! News, “It’s almost kind of embarrassing to talk about. We really enjoy each other.”
Source: www.eonline.com
The family of a 40-year-old man who died in police cells at the Central Police Station in the Kumasi metropolis of the Ashanti Region, has threatened to take legal action against the police.
The family suspects foul play in the death of Collins Merz, who had been remanded in police custody for an alleged involvement in robbery.
Read: Stop having sex with prostitutes in exchange for their freedom Policemen told
Brother of the deceased, Richard Merz, told host of Kumasi Morning Show, Akwesi Agudey, on Kumasi 104.1FM, on Friday, 31 August 2018 that some bruises were found on the remains of his late brother and they suspect he was tortured to death by the police.
He said the deceased was healthy prior to his remand and the family was not informed of his death before the body was taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue.
Mr Merz said his brother’s death was only announced to them by the Regional Police Commander after they had gone to the police station to look for him.
Read: Video: Child abused in prayer camp; police on manhunt for culprits
He alleged that the police intentionally killed Collins Merz, adding that the family will head to court to seek justice.
The deceased, who was a drinking bar operator, was arrested at his residence at Tepa last month on suspicion that he was part of a gang of armed robbers terrorising people in the area.
He was subsequently transferred to the Central Police Station in Kumasi for prosecution.
He was remanded in police custody after being put before court and later died while in cells.
Source: ClassFMonline.com
The family of a 40-year-old man who died in police cells at the Central Police Station in the Kumasi metropolis of the Ashanti Region, has threatened to take legal action against the police.
The family suspects foul play in the death of Collins Merz, who had been remanded in police custody for an alleged involvement in robbery.
Read: Stop having sex with prostitutes in exchange for their freedom Policemen told
Brother of the deceased, Richard Merz, told host of Kumasi Morning Show, Akwesi Agudey, on Kumasi 104.1FM, on Friday, 31 August 2018 that some bruises were found on the remains of his late brother and they suspect he was tortured to death by the police.
He said the deceased was healthy prior to his remand and the family was not informed of his death before the body was taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue.
Mr Merz said his brother’s death was only announced to them by the Regional Police Commander after they had gone to the police station to look for him.
Read: Video: Child abused in prayer camp; police on manhunt for culprits
He alleged that the police intentionally killed Collins Merz, adding that the family will head to court to seek justice.
The deceased, who was a drinking bar operator, was arrested at his residence at Tepa last month on suspicion that he was part of a gang of armed robbers terrorising people in the area.
He was subsequently transferred to the Central Police Station in Kumasi for prosecution.
He was remanded in police custody after being put before court and later died while in cells.
Source: ClassFMonline.com
Some irate youth numbering about 20, said to be members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday attacked the Upper West Akyem District Chief Executive, Eugene Sackey at Adeiso in the Eastern Region.
Read: NPP Congress: Steve Ntim supporters allegedly attacked
They accused the DCE of destroying a grader belonging to the Assembly and therefore attempted to beat him.
They were however prevented from doing so.
Read: Police station attacked over arrest of NPP executive in Sawla
The angry youth said the DCE has been hobnobbing with members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the area.
The youth, in unison, surged at the DCE at a public function at Adeiso, where he had gone to inaugurate a new complex for the District Assembly, plunging the whole event into chaos, in the process.
The attack happened just when the DCE was about to deliver his speech at the event.
Source:Â classfmonline.com
Some irate youth numbering about 20, said to be members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Friday attacked the Upper West Akyem District Chief Executive, Eugene Sackey at Adeiso in the Eastern Region.
Read: NPP Congress: Steve Ntim supporters allegedly attacked
They accused the DCE of destroying a grader belonging to the Assembly and therefore attempted to beat him.
They were however prevented from doing so.
Read: Police station attacked over arrest of NPP executive in Sawla
The angry youth said the DCE has been hobnobbing with members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the area.
The youth, in unison, surged at the DCE at a public function at Adeiso, where he had gone to inaugurate a new complex for the District Assembly, plunging the whole event into chaos, in the process.
The attack happened just when the DCE was about to deliver his speech at the event.
Source:Â classfmonline.com
Thomas Schaefer, Head of the Sub-Saharan Region and the Honorable Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerenmaten of Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the presence of Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany and Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana to establishing a vehicle assembly facility and to assess the feasibility of a modern Mobility Concept for Ghana.
Read: VW to set up in Ghana: Germany to supply technologies for power plant
This would also include developing a fully-fledged sales and service network in Ghana as well as establishing a Training Academy for Production and After Sales.
Volkswagen undertook to commence with a feasibility study for an integrated mobility solution which will include a review of the commercial viability of introducing car sharing, ride hailing and shuttle services by way of a Ghanaian subsidiary of VWSA, or the appointment of a local service provider.
In turn, the Ghanaian Government undertook to develop a comprehensive Automotive Industry Policy which will incentivise and facilitate vehicle manufacturing and assembly in Ghana. This includes a preferential procurement policy for locally assembled vehicles.
Schaefer commented: “We are impressed with the determination and desire of the Ghanaian Government to develop a motor industry. As the second biggest economy in West Africa, Ghana is the ideal next building block in our Sub-Saharan Africa development strategy. The realisation of the MOU should see our assembly locations increase from four to five, the other locations are in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria. Our long term commitment to this region is real and sustainable. We believe that our committed actions and delivery of the last two years are proof of this.”
Volkswagen has a fully-fledged manufacturing facility in South Africa. It also assembles vehicles in Kenya, Nigeria and most recently in Rwanda in conjunction with an Integrated Mobility Solution, offering Community Car Sharing and shortly to be launched Ride Hailing.
“The first locally assembled vehicles are planned to be on the streets in Accra in early 2019,” added Schaefer.
Under its TRANSFORM 2025+ brand strategy, Volkswagen is strengthening the regions and focusing on new up-and-coming markets. Alongside North and South America as well as China, the Sub-Sahara region plays an increasingly important role. Although the African automotive market is comparatively small today, the region could develop into an automotive growth market of the future.
Read: VW coming to Ghana huge statement to other investors Yaw Preko
President of the Republic Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo said: “Ghana is committed to developing a modern automotive and vehicle assembly industry as one of the new strategic anchor industries, which is part of our industrial transformation agenda. We are, therefore, pleased to collaborate with Volkswagen to realise this vision. This joint enterprise between our two countries opens a new chapter in Ghana-German relations, which would further strengthen the long-standing bonds of friendship and commercial engagement between Ghana and Germany.”
President Akufo-Addo added: “I assure Volkswagen and its local assembler in Ghana of the full support of government in creating an enabling environment and incentive framework to make their investment a major success.”
“We continue to work with the German Government on development initiatives and are as committed to Africa as they are. We hope to partner with the German Government in providing training facilities and development opportunities in all the countries that we are operational in Sub-Saharan Africa,” concluded Schaefer.
Volkswagen has been in Ghana for the past 20 years with Universal Motors Limited (UML) operating as its licensed importer since 2005
Source: Volkswagen South Africa
Thomas Schaefer, Head of the Sub-Saharan Region and the Honorable Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerenmaten of Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the presence of Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany and Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana to establishing a vehicle assembly facility and to assess the feasibility of a modern Mobility Concept for Ghana.
Read: VW to set up in Ghana: Germany to supply technologies for power plant
This would also include developing a fully-fledged sales and service network in Ghana as well as establishing a Training Academy for Production and After Sales.
Volkswagen undertook to commence with a feasibility study for an integrated mobility solution which will include a review of the commercial viability of introducing car sharing, ride hailing and shuttle services by way of a Ghanaian subsidiary of VWSA, or the appointment of a local service provider.
In turn, the Ghanaian Government undertook to develop a comprehensive Automotive Industry Policy which will incentivise and facilitate vehicle manufacturing and assembly in Ghana. This includes a preferential procurement policy for locally assembled vehicles.
Schaefer commented: “We are impressed with the determination and desire of the Ghanaian Government to develop a motor industry. As the second biggest economy in West Africa, Ghana is the ideal next building block in our Sub-Saharan Africa development strategy. The realisation of the MOU should see our assembly locations increase from four to five, the other locations are in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria. Our long term commitment to this region is real and sustainable. We believe that our committed actions and delivery of the last two years are proof of this.”
Volkswagen has a fully-fledged manufacturing facility in South Africa. It also assembles vehicles in Kenya, Nigeria and most recently in Rwanda in conjunction with an Integrated Mobility Solution, offering Community Car Sharing and shortly to be launched Ride Hailing.
“The first locally assembled vehicles are planned to be on the streets in Accra in early 2019,” added Schaefer.
Under its TRANSFORM 2025+ brand strategy, Volkswagen is strengthening the regions and focusing on new up-and-coming markets. Alongside North and South America as well as China, the Sub-Sahara region plays an increasingly important role. Although the African automotive market is comparatively small today, the region could develop into an automotive growth market of the future.
Read: VW coming to Ghana huge statement to other investors Yaw Preko
President of the Republic Ghana, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo said: “Ghana is committed to developing a modern automotive and vehicle assembly industry as one of the new strategic anchor industries, which is part of our industrial transformation agenda. We are, therefore, pleased to collaborate with Volkswagen to realise this vision. This joint enterprise between our two countries opens a new chapter in Ghana-German relations, which would further strengthen the long-standing bonds of friendship and commercial engagement between Ghana and Germany.”
President Akufo-Addo added: “I assure Volkswagen and its local assembler in Ghana of the full support of government in creating an enabling environment and incentive framework to make their investment a major success.”
“We continue to work with the German Government on development initiatives and are as committed to Africa as they are. We hope to partner with the German Government in providing training facilities and development opportunities in all the countries that we are operational in Sub-Saharan Africa,” concluded Schaefer.
Volkswagen has been in Ghana for the past 20 years with Universal Motors Limited (UML) operating as its licensed importer since 2005
Source: Volkswagen South Africa
The rebranded TV Africa is suspending all of its on-air programs except news from Monday September 3, 2018, Starrfmonline.com has gathered.
This is because the owner of the business has told senior management members that he is unable to pay workers going forward.
Read: TV Africa apologises to Atubiga for defamatory comment by Schwarzenegger
Obuobia Darko-Opoku who was made the Chief Operations manager of the company after the departure of popular filmmaker Shirley Frimpong Manso told StarrFMonline.com she resigned just under a week of accepting the post.
“I have reigned and left the job because the CEO says he cannot pay staff henceforth. So from Monday all shows including the Morning show, that has become popularly, will be suspended. The only programe that I understand will be running is the news,†she said.
Read: Shirley Frimpong-Manso, 5 other managers quit TV Africa
Starrfmonline.com sources at the media company say workers have not been paid for a couple of months creating uneasiness at the firm.
Barely six months after her appointment as the Chief Operations Officer of TV Africa, Frimpong Manso left the job with five other senior managers.
Shirley was appointed to her post to help place the station in a better position in the competitive media market.
Read: TV Africa disclose why Shirley Frimpong Manso resigned
This was after TV Africa had undergone re-branding of its programs, style and content.
About two years ago, a private financial holding company, the Ideal Groupe, acquired a majority share in TV Africa after 13 years of operation from the old Kwaw Ansah management.
The re-branding process brought on board Ghanaian politician and journalist, Obuobia Darko Opoku, actress Nikki Samonas and Khadijat El- Alawa as morning show hosts.
Source:Â Starrfmonline.com
The rebranded TV Africa is suspending all of its on-air programs except news from Monday September 3, 2018, Starrfmonline.com has gathered.
This is because the owner of the business has told senior management members that he is unable to pay workers going forward.
Read: TV Africa apologises to Atubiga for defamatory comment by Schwarzenegger
Obuobia Darko-Opoku who was made the Chief Operations manager of the company after the departure of popular filmmaker Shirley Frimpong Manso told StarrFMonline.com she resigned just under a week of accepting the post.
“I have reigned and left the job because the CEO says he cannot pay staff henceforth. So from Monday all shows including the Morning show, that has become popularly, will be suspended. The only programe that I understand will be running is the news,†she said.
Read: Shirley Frimpong-Manso, 5 other managers quit TV Africa
Starrfmonline.com sources at the media company say workers have not been paid for a couple of months creating uneasiness at the firm.
Barely six months after her appointment as the Chief Operations Officer of TV Africa, Frimpong Manso left the job with five other senior managers.
Shirley was appointed to her post to help place the station in a better position in the competitive media market.
Read: TV Africa disclose why Shirley Frimpong Manso resigned
This was after TV Africa had undergone re-branding of its programs, style and content.
About two years ago, a private financial holding company, the Ideal Groupe, acquired a majority share in TV Africa after 13 years of operation from the old Kwaw Ansah management.
The re-branding process brought on board Ghanaian politician and journalist, Obuobia Darko Opoku, actress Nikki Samonas and Khadijat El- Alawa as morning show hosts.
Source:Â Starrfmonline.com
President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw the US from the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the body fails to change the way it treats America.
“If they don’t shape up, I would withdraw from the WTO,” Mr Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg News.
The WTO was established to provide rules for global trade and resolve disputes between countries.
Read: Trump calls for CNN boss to be fired
But Mr Trump, who has been pushing protectionist policies, says the US is treated unfairly by the body.
His warning about a possible US pull-out from the organisation highlights the conflict between the president’s trade policies and the open trade system that the WTO oversees.
Meanwhile, Washington has recently been blocking the election of new judges to the WTO’s dispute settlement system, which could potentially paralyse its ability to issue judgments.
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has also accused the WTO of interfering with US sovereignty.
What’s Trump’s beef with WTO?
The US president has been sounding off about unfair trade since even before he became president.
Last year, Mr Trump told Fox News: “The WTO was set up to benefit everybody but us… We lose the lawsuits, almost all of the lawsuits in the WTO.”
The US has been embroiled in a tit-for-tat trade battle on several fronts in recent months.
The one creating the most interest is the one with China, as the world’s two largest economies wrangle for global influence.
Mr Trump has introduced tariffs on a number of goods imported into the US.
A third round of tariffs on $200bn (£154bn) of Chinese goods could come as soon as a public-comment period concludes next week, according to a Bloomberg report citing various sources.
Asked to confirm this during the Bloomberg interview, President Trump said that it was “not totally wrong”.
China has responded to US tariffs by imposing retaliatory taxes on the same value of US products and has filed complaints against the tariffs at the WTO.
China’s commerce ministry has said it “clearly suspects” the US of violating WTO rules.
An initial complaint at the WTO was filed by China in July after Mr Trump imposed his first round of tariffs.
Read: Trump accuses China of stalling progress with North Korea
The WTO, which was set up in 1994, is at the heart of the system of rules for international trade.
It is the forum for sorting disputes between countries about breaches of global trade rules and it is the forum for negotiating new trade liberalisation.
Has Trump made threats about other agreements?
Yes. On Monday Mr Trump announced that the US and Mexico had agreed to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), calling it a “really good deal” that was “much more fair” for both countries.
He had previously threatened to pull out of the deal, triggering a year of talks, and demanded a renegotiation of the 1994 agreement – which he blames for a decline in US manufacturing jobs, especially in the car industry.
Canada, the third member of Nafta, is yet to agree to the new terms. Mr Trump has said that Canada has until Friday to sign an agreement and has threatened to tax the country’s automotive sector or cut it out entirely.
Source: BBC
President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw the US from the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the body fails to change the way it treats America.
“If they don’t shape up, I would withdraw from the WTO,” Mr Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg News.
The WTO was established to provide rules for global trade and resolve disputes between countries.
Read: Trump calls for CNN boss to be fired
But Mr Trump, who has been pushing protectionist policies, says the US is treated unfairly by the body.
His warning about a possible US pull-out from the organisation highlights the conflict between the president’s trade policies and the open trade system that the WTO oversees.
Meanwhile, Washington has recently been blocking the election of new judges to the WTO’s dispute settlement system, which could potentially paralyse its ability to issue judgments.
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has also accused the WTO of interfering with US sovereignty.
What’s Trump’s beef with WTO?
The US president has been sounding off about unfair trade since even before he became president.
Last year, Mr Trump told Fox News: “The WTO was set up to benefit everybody but us… We lose the lawsuits, almost all of the lawsuits in the WTO.”
The US has been embroiled in a tit-for-tat trade battle on several fronts in recent months.
The one creating the most interest is the one with China, as the world’s two largest economies wrangle for global influence.
Mr Trump has introduced tariffs on a number of goods imported into the US.
A third round of tariffs on $200bn (£154bn) of Chinese goods could come as soon as a public-comment period concludes next week, according to a Bloomberg report citing various sources.
Asked to confirm this during the Bloomberg interview, President Trump said that it was “not totally wrong”.
China has responded to US tariffs by imposing retaliatory taxes on the same value of US products and has filed complaints against the tariffs at the WTO.
China’s commerce ministry has said it “clearly suspects” the US of violating WTO rules.
An initial complaint at the WTO was filed by China in July after Mr Trump imposed his first round of tariffs.
Read: Trump accuses China of stalling progress with North Korea
The WTO, which was set up in 1994, is at the heart of the system of rules for international trade.
It is the forum for sorting disputes between countries about breaches of global trade rules and it is the forum for negotiating new trade liberalisation.
Has Trump made threats about other agreements?
Yes. On Monday Mr Trump announced that the US and Mexico had agreed to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), calling it a “really good deal” that was “much more fair” for both countries.
He had previously threatened to pull out of the deal, triggering a year of talks, and demanded a renegotiation of the 1994 agreement – which he blames for a decline in US manufacturing jobs, especially in the car industry.
Canada, the third member of Nafta, is yet to agree to the new terms. Mr Trump has said that Canada has until Friday to sign an agreement and has threatened to tax the country’s automotive sector or cut it out entirely.
Source: BBC
Technology is yet to catch up with Vakpo Senior High Technical School (VASTECH) in the Volta Region as the kitchen staff continue to cook with firewood under a makeshift shed to feed the students.
Students have to wait for long hours to have their meals as cooking takes a lot of time and subsequently disrupts the academic schedule.
Read: 39,000 pupils sit on the floor to study in the Garu Tempane Report
At the launch of the 25th anniversary celebration of the school, the Headmistress , Rev. Mrs Patricia Akpene Tegbe-Agbo, said the event was delayed for over an hour because the kitchen staff had difficulty in setting up the fire to prepare breakfast for the students, because the firewood for cooking got wet when it rained that morning.
She said the school had never undergone any major renovations since its establishment and, therefore, appealed to old students and stakeholders to come to their aid.
Read: Free SHS sustainable with right priorities School Director
Rev. Mrs Tegbe-Agbo also cited the poor road network, lack of potable water, and the unavailability of reliable means of transport as some of the challenges facing the school.
Be watchdogs
The guest speaker for the anniversary launch, Mr Michael Kwasi Oteng, who is the Managing Partner at Lex Larutiss Law Firm, called on the community not to relinquish its watchdog role but be actively involved in the training of the students.
Read: Accra Rehabilitation Centre cries for help
He also advised the students to take advantage of their technical training to be self-employed upon completion.
He called on the teachers to eschew laziness and having amorous relationships with students among other vices, “but rather sow good seeds that will bear lasting fruits in the future.â€
Source:Â Graphic.com.gh
Technology is yet to catch up with Vakpo Senior High Technical School (VASTECH) in the Volta Region as the kitchen staff continue to cook with firewood under a makeshift shed to feed the students.
Students have to wait for long hours to have their meals as cooking takes a lot of time and subsequently disrupts the academic schedule.
Read: 39,000 pupils sit on the floor to study in the Garu Tempane Report
At the launch of the 25th anniversary celebration of the school, the Headmistress , Rev. Mrs Patricia Akpene Tegbe-Agbo, said the event was delayed for over an hour because the kitchen staff had difficulty in setting up the fire to prepare breakfast for the students, because the firewood for cooking got wet when it rained that morning.
She said the school had never undergone any major renovations since its establishment and, therefore, appealed to old students and stakeholders to come to their aid.
Read: Free SHS sustainable with right priorities School Director
Rev. Mrs Tegbe-Agbo also cited the poor road network, lack of potable water, and the unavailability of reliable means of transport as some of the challenges facing the school.
Be watchdogs
The guest speaker for the anniversary launch, Mr Michael Kwasi Oteng, who is the Managing Partner at Lex Larutiss Law Firm, called on the community not to relinquish its watchdog role but be actively involved in the training of the students.
Read: Accra Rehabilitation Centre cries for help
He also advised the students to take advantage of their technical training to be self-employed upon completion.
He called on the teachers to eschew laziness and having amorous relationships with students among other vices, “but rather sow good seeds that will bear lasting fruits in the future.â€
Source:Â Graphic.com.gh
Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko turns 83 years today, 31 August.
According to the history books, Mr J.S.K. Frimpong, popularly called Teacher Frimpong, then a teacher of the Kumasi Government School who had all the time shown interest in “Kumasi Titanics”, a club established in 1926 organized some men from his school and proposed a change of name from “Kumasi Titanics” to Asante Kotoko SC.
Permission had to be obtained from the Asantehene (King of the Kingdom of Ashanti) because the name “Kotoko”, meaning “Porcupine” is the official symbol of the Ashanti nation.
Read: Kotoko, Hearts to shake Baba Yara today
The Asantehene, Nana Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, became the first life patron of the club.
Asante Kotoko SC was subsequently formally founded.
The club has a record 23 league titles and nine Ghana FA Cup trophies.
They are also two times champions of Africa Club Championship which is now the CAF Champions League.
In 2010, International Football Federation of History and Statistics (IFFHS) awarded Asante Kotoko SC as Africa’s club of the century.
source: GHANAsoccernet.com
Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko turns 83 years today, 31 August.
According to the history books, Mr J.S.K. Frimpong, popularly called Teacher Frimpong, then a teacher of the Kumasi Government School who had all the time shown interest in “Kumasi Titanics”, a club established in 1926 organized some men from his school and proposed a change of name from “Kumasi Titanics” to Asante Kotoko SC.
Permission had to be obtained from the Asantehene (King of the Kingdom of Ashanti) because the name “Kotoko”, meaning “Porcupine” is the official symbol of the Ashanti nation.
Read: Kotoko, Hearts to shake Baba Yara today
The Asantehene, Nana Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, became the first life patron of the club.
Asante Kotoko SC was subsequently formally founded.
The club has a record 23 league titles and nine Ghana FA Cup trophies.
They are also two times champions of Africa Club Championship which is now the CAF Champions League.
In 2010, International Football Federation of History and Statistics (IFFHS) awarded Asante Kotoko SC as Africa’s club of the century.
source: GHANAsoccernet.com
Finance Minister Ken, Ofori Atta has been asked to brace himself for the worse should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lose the 2020 elections to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Vociferous party activist and former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ejisu Juaben Municipality, Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh has vowed that the NDC will stop at nothing in having Databank closed down in retaliation to the litany of banks that have collapsed under the current regime.
Read: Databank not going into commercial banking
The central bank recently merged five banks after their licenses were revoked for various forms of violations merging them to become what is now known as the Consolidated Bank of Ghana Limited.
The affected banks include; BEIGE, Sovereign, Construction, UniBank and Royal Banks.
But the former NDC appointee who suspects political play in the collapsed banks on Kumasi-based Abusua Fm accused the NPP government of deliberately collapsing uniBank owned by former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffour because he is a member of the NDC party.
Read: UK to invest £20m to boost job creation, infrastructure development
According to Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta and the NPP government is treating Dr. Kwabena Duffour as an enemy as far as the collapse of Unibank is concerned.
“I want to warn the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta that his Databank cannot survive under a new NDC government. NDC will collapse Databank as the NPP government has deliberately collapsed Unibank†he warned on the show hosted by Kwame Adinkra.
Source:Â mynewsgh.com
Finance Minister Ken, Ofori Atta has been asked to brace himself for the worse should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lose the 2020 elections to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Vociferous party activist and former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ejisu Juaben Municipality, Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh has vowed that the NDC will stop at nothing in having Databank closed down in retaliation to the litany of banks that have collapsed under the current regime.
Read: Databank not going into commercial banking
The central bank recently merged five banks after their licenses were revoked for various forms of violations merging them to become what is now known as the Consolidated Bank of Ghana Limited.
The affected banks include; BEIGE, Sovereign, Construction, UniBank and Royal Banks.
But the former NDC appointee who suspects political play in the collapsed banks on Kumasi-based Abusua Fm accused the NPP government of deliberately collapsing uniBank owned by former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffour because he is a member of the NDC party.
Read: UK to invest £20m to boost job creation, infrastructure development
According to Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta and the NPP government is treating Dr. Kwabena Duffour as an enemy as far as the collapse of Unibank is concerned.
“I want to warn the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta that his Databank cannot survive under a new NDC government. NDC will collapse Databank as the NPP government has deliberately collapsed Unibank†he warned on the show hosted by Kwame Adinkra.
Source:Â mynewsgh.com
Private legal practitioner Ace Ankomah has said Ghana’s laws allow the seizure of assets and properties of the directors and managers of the seven local banks that collapsed, and, in his view, that must be done.
Speaking at the Citi Business Forum on the theme: “Behind The Corporate Curtain; The Hidden Face of Corporate Governance”, Mr Ankomah said: “The monies that have been lost to the state should be recovered from their assets”, adding: “I hope that by now, their buildings, monies, shares in companies have been seized”.
“If it is the law, we have it, defrauding by false pretences, stealing, corruption, fraudulent breach of trust, the laws exist”, he stressed.
Read: Ace Ankomah writes: Before you sign “I consent…â€
The Bank of Ghana, recently fused uniBank together with Sovereign Bank, The Royal Bank, The Beige Bank and The Construction Bank, to form a totally new local bank called Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) Limited.
On 20 March 2018, government announced the takeover of uniBank due largely to liquidity challenges.
Announcing the takeover, the Governor of the BoG, Dr Ernest Addison, said uniBank was currently insolvent.
Read: Ace Ankomah wants answers from Central Bank
KPMG was then named as Official Administrator to manage the bank for some months. The licences of the other banks were also revoked on grounds that some of them used suspicious information in acquiring them while others were insolvent.
Before the morphing of the five banks into CBG, the central bank, in August 2017, revoked the licences of two other local banks, UT Bank and Capital Bank, and were subsequently taken over by GCB Bank after having been declared “irredeemably insolvent” by the Bank of Ghana.
Source:Â classfmonline.com
Private legal practitioner Ace Ankomah has said Ghana’s laws allow the seizure of assets and properties of the directors and managers of the seven local banks that collapsed, and, in his view, that must be done.
Speaking at the Citi Business Forum on the theme: “Behind The Corporate Curtain; The Hidden Face of Corporate Governance”, Mr Ankomah said: “The monies that have been lost to the state should be recovered from their assets”, adding: “I hope that by now, their buildings, monies, shares in companies have been seized”.
“If it is the law, we have it, defrauding by false pretences, stealing, corruption, fraudulent breach of trust, the laws exist”, he stressed.
Read: Ace Ankomah writes: Before you sign “I consent…â€
The Bank of Ghana, recently fused uniBank together with Sovereign Bank, The Royal Bank, The Beige Bank and The Construction Bank, to form a totally new local bank called Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) Limited.
On 20 March 2018, government announced the takeover of uniBank due largely to liquidity challenges.
Announcing the takeover, the Governor of the BoG, Dr Ernest Addison, said uniBank was currently insolvent.
Read: Ace Ankomah wants answers from Central Bank
KPMG was then named as Official Administrator to manage the bank for some months. The licences of the other banks were also revoked on grounds that some of them used suspicious information in acquiring them while others were insolvent.
Before the morphing of the five banks into CBG, the central bank, in August 2017, revoked the licences of two other local banks, UT Bank and Capital Bank, and were subsequently taken over by GCB Bank after having been declared “irredeemably insolvent” by the Bank of Ghana.
Source:Â classfmonline.com
Ghana’s Black Stars will begin their preparation towards their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Kenya on Monday.
The team will base their training camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and with most of the players invited likely to be on duty for their clubs this weekend, and no local player called up, Coach Kwesi Appiah and his backroom staff will take the lead to their camp base while the players join in on Monday.
Appiah, his two assistants, Ibrahim Tanko and Maxwell Konadu and technical coordinator of the team Stephen Appiah, are expected to make the trip, to plan before the arrival of the 21 players called up.
There are not many new faces in the team, with Kwesi Appiah sticking with the squad he used for the two international friendlies last May. Antwerp’s William Owusu will be the new face in the team.
Read: 2019 AFCON qualifier: Black Stars up for $5,000 winning bonus in Kenya clash
This will be the first time since the Stars will be regrouping after their two international friendlies against Japan and Iceland last May, in matches which their guests used to prepare for their 2018 World Cup campaign, while it was a training exercise towards the AFCON qualifiers.
It is also the first time the Stars are coming together after the Anas Amereyaw Anas exposé which has brought football in Ghana to a standstill for over two months.
The Stars, who top Group F with three points after beating Ethiopia 5-0 in their opening game, will play away to third-placed Kenya on Saturday, September 8, in Nairobi.
Read: No special bonus for Ghana against Kenya in AFCON qualifiers
Ghana Squad for Kenya game:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus, USA) Daniel Opare (Antwerp, Belgium) Kassim Nuhu (1899 Hoffenheim, Germany) John Boye (FC Metz, France) Daniel Amartey ( Leicester City, England) Andy Yiadom (Reading Football Club, England) Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy)
Midfielders: Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy) Isaac Sackey ( Alanyaspor, Turkey) Ebenezer Ofori (New York City FC, USA) Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) Edwin Gyasi (CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria) Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy) Frank Acheampong (Tianjin Teda, China) Nana Ampomah (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium)
Forwards: Raphael Dwamena (Levante UD, Spain) Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid) Majeed Waris (FC Nantes) William Owusu (Antwerp, Belgium)
source: Graphic.com.gh
Ghana’s Black Stars will begin their preparation towards their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Kenya on Monday.
The team will base their training camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and with most of the players invited likely to be on duty for their clubs this weekend, and no local player called up, Coach Kwesi Appiah and his backroom staff will take the lead to their camp base while the players join in on Monday.
Appiah, his two assistants, Ibrahim Tanko and Maxwell Konadu and technical coordinator of the team Stephen Appiah, are expected to make the trip, to plan before the arrival of the 21 players called up.
There are not many new faces in the team, with Kwesi Appiah sticking with the squad he used for the two international friendlies last May. Antwerp’s William Owusu will be the new face in the team.
Read: 2019 AFCON qualifier: Black Stars up for $5,000 winning bonus in Kenya clash
This will be the first time since the Stars will be regrouping after their two international friendlies against Japan and Iceland last May, in matches which their guests used to prepare for their 2018 World Cup campaign, while it was a training exercise towards the AFCON qualifiers.
It is also the first time the Stars are coming together after the Anas Amereyaw Anas exposé which has brought football in Ghana to a standstill for over two months.
The Stars, who top Group F with three points after beating Ethiopia 5-0 in their opening game, will play away to third-placed Kenya on Saturday, September 8, in Nairobi.
Read: No special bonus for Ghana against Kenya in AFCON qualifiers
Ghana Squad for Kenya game:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati (Sochaux, France), Richard Ofori (Martizburg, South Africa)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus, USA) Daniel Opare (Antwerp, Belgium) Kassim Nuhu (1899 Hoffenheim, Germany) John Boye (FC Metz, France) Daniel Amartey ( Leicester City, England) Andy Yiadom (Reading Football Club, England) Nicholas Opoku (Udinese, Italy)
Midfielders: Afriyie Acquah (Empoli, Italy) Isaac Sackey ( Alanyaspor, Turkey) Ebenezer Ofori (New York City FC, USA) Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England) Edwin Gyasi (CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria) Kwadwo Asamoah (Inter Milan, Italy) Frank Acheampong (Tianjin Teda, China) Nana Ampomah (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium)
Forwards: Raphael Dwamena (Levante UD, Spain) Thomas Partey (Atlético Madrid) Majeed Waris (FC Nantes) William Owusu (Antwerp, Belgium)
source: Graphic.com.gh
Midfielder Muniru Sulley trained with Turkish Super Lig side Yeni Malatyaspor on Wednesday.
The younger brother of former AC Milan and Portsmouth star Sulley Muntari moved on a free transfer.
He has penned a two-year-deal after terminating his contract with Portuguese side Tondela.
Read: sulley-muntari-wants-to-finish-career-in-ghana-premier-league
Muniru needs more game time after just four appearances in the Primera Liga last season.
The 25-year-old has already featured for Romanian sides CFR Cluj and Steaua Bucuresti.
Sulley enjoyed his first day at the training and looks forward to a successful spell.
1st day of training and I can tell we will have a good year together. Great staff and great teammates. With the support of the fans and Allah’s help we will make it to the top. #YeniMalatyaspor pic.twitter.com/MZRxYwc22E
— Sulley Muniru (@Muniruofficial) August 30, 2018
source: ghanasoccernet.com
Midfielder Muniru Sulley trained with Turkish Super Lig side Yeni Malatyaspor on Wednesday.
The younger brother of former AC Milan and Portsmouth star Sulley Muntari moved on a free transfer.
He has penned a two-year-deal after terminating his contract with Portuguese side Tondela.
Read: sulley-muntari-wants-to-finish-career-in-ghana-premier-league
Muniru needs more game time after just four appearances in the Primera Liga last season.
The 25-year-old has already featured for Romanian sides CFR Cluj and Steaua Bucuresti.
Sulley enjoyed his first day at the training and looks forward to a successful spell.
1st day of training and I can tell we will have a good year together. Great staff and great teammates. With the support of the fans and Allah’s help we will make it to the top. #YeniMalatyaspor pic.twitter.com/MZRxYwc22E
— Sulley Muniru (@Muniruofficial) August 30, 2018
source: ghanasoccernet.com
Boxing legend Azumah Nelson says world champion Dogboe should go for the unification of all belts under his division.
“In my time I couldn’t do you unification because all the other boxers were scared of him but I wish he would and must unify all the belts under his domain,” he told the Graphic Sports in an exclusive interview in Accra yesterday.
He praised the powers of the undefeated 23-year-old boxer who recently demolished Japanese Hidenori Otake and says the young pugilist is insurmountable.
Read: Isaac Dogboe returns to the ring in December
“He can fight any boxer, the guy is good, and a great fighter and disciplined”, the former world champion noted.
He called on Dogboe to prepare and fight any boxer and challenged the fighter who has won all.his 20 bouts professionally to be at his best always.
Azumah also called on Dogboe’s management to remain steadfast and always prepare him for uncertainties.
According to him, Dogboe has so far won all.his bouts and does not need to.change his style of boxing but fight the same style.
He expressed the hope that the pugilist.known as the Royal Storm would unify all titles in his division.
source:Â Graphic.com.gh
Boxing legend Azumah Nelson says world champion Dogboe should go for the unification of all belts under his division.
“In my time I couldn’t do you unification because all the other boxers were scared of him but I wish he would and must unify all the belts under his domain,” he told the Graphic Sports in an exclusive interview in Accra yesterday.
He praised the powers of the undefeated 23-year-old boxer who recently demolished Japanese Hidenori Otake and says the young pugilist is insurmountable.
Read: Isaac Dogboe returns to the ring in December
“He can fight any boxer, the guy is good, and a great fighter and disciplined”, the former world champion noted.
He called on Dogboe to prepare and fight any boxer and challenged the fighter who has won all.his 20 bouts professionally to be at his best always.
Azumah also called on Dogboe’s management to remain steadfast and always prepare him for uncertainties.
According to him, Dogboe has so far won all.his bouts and does not need to.change his style of boxing but fight the same style.
He expressed the hope that the pugilist.known as the Royal Storm would unify all titles in his division.
source:Â Graphic.com.gh
The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party, Yaw Preko has lauded the decision by German car manufacturing giant Volkswagen, to establish a vehicle assembly plant in Ghana calling the initiative ‘ a huge statement to the investing world’.
Read: Merkel travels to West Africa for talks on migration, trade and investment
This follows the agreement between the government of Ghana, Volkswagen, as well as a local industry to assemble vehicles as part of Germany’s foreign policy agenda.
This was disclosed at a joint conference today [Thursday] with President Akuffo Addo and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a discussion on her plans to increase investment in Africa to assist development.
Read: Angela Merkel to visit Ghana in August
In a post shared by the Dep. Communications director, this agreement is one which speaks very well of Volkswagen and should serve as an inspiration to other investors to take steps towards operating in Ghana.
He encouraged investors to take cue from VW, stating that less money would be required to conduct a feasibility study of the target market as this has already been done by German automaker, Volkswagen.
If consummated, this agreement will involve setting up a car manufacturing plant in West Africa which will contribute immensely to the growth of the economy.
Source: backend.theindependentghana.com
The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party, Yaw Preko has lauded the decision by German car manufacturing giant Volkswagen, to establish a vehicle assembly plant in Ghana calling the initiative ‘ a huge statement to the investing world’.
Read: Merkel travels to West Africa for talks on migration, trade and investment
This follows the agreement between the government of Ghana, Volkswagen, as well as a local industry to assemble vehicles as part of Germany’s foreign policy agenda.
This was disclosed at a joint conference today [Thursday] with President Akuffo Addo and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a discussion on her plans to increase investment in Africa to assist development.
Read: Angela Merkel to visit Ghana in August
In a post shared by the Dep. Communications director, this agreement is one which speaks very well of Volkswagen and should serve as an inspiration to other investors to take steps towards operating in Ghana.
He encouraged investors to take cue from VW, stating that less money would be required to conduct a feasibility study of the target market as this has already been done by German automaker, Volkswagen.
If consummated, this agreement will involve setting up a car manufacturing plant in West Africa which will contribute immensely to the growth of the economy.
Source: backend.theindependentghana.com
Defilement cases in Ghana went up by 25.7% in the year 2017.
Statistics from the Ghana Police service show that the Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of such cases in the year under review.
Read: Teenager jailed seven years for defilement
According to the Annual Crime statistics released by the Ghana Police Service, a total of 1,686 defilement cases were recorded nationwide in 2017 compared to 1,341 recorded in the previous year.
The report said the Greater Accra Region recorded 534 cases which show a 73.4 percent increase compared to the 308 cases recorded in 2016.
The Ashanti Region followed with 209 cases, Central Region, 176, Volta Region, 166 and Western Region 149 cases.
The rest are Eastern Region, 137, Brong Ahafo Region, 132, Tema, 93, Northern Region, 50, Upper East 25 and Upper West recording the lowest number of cases, 15 in all.
Rape cases however did not go up that much increasing by 3 percent compared to the previous year.
Per the Annual Crime Statistics, whereas a total of 497 rape cases were recorded in 2016, the figure went up to 514 in 2017.
Read: Robbers rape, kill hairdresser
Many have complained that most rape and defilement cases are not reported due to the stigmatization of the victim or the status of the suspect in society. There are complaints that even with such cases that are reported, the family of the victims discontinues the cases in court.
Some have also accused the police of not investigating rape and defilement cases thoroughly
Source: citinewsroom.com
Defilement cases in Ghana went up by 25.7% in the year 2017.
Statistics from the Ghana Police service show that the Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of such cases in the year under review.
Read: Teenager jailed seven years for defilement
According to the Annual Crime statistics released by the Ghana Police Service, a total of 1,686 defilement cases were recorded nationwide in 2017 compared to 1,341 recorded in the previous year.
The report said the Greater Accra Region recorded 534 cases which show a 73.4 percent increase compared to the 308 cases recorded in 2016.
The Ashanti Region followed with 209 cases, Central Region, 176, Volta Region, 166 and Western Region 149 cases.
The rest are Eastern Region, 137, Brong Ahafo Region, 132, Tema, 93, Northern Region, 50, Upper East 25 and Upper West recording the lowest number of cases, 15 in all.
Rape cases however did not go up that much increasing by 3 percent compared to the previous year.
Per the Annual Crime Statistics, whereas a total of 497 rape cases were recorded in 2016, the figure went up to 514 in 2017.
Read: Robbers rape, kill hairdresser
Many have complained that most rape and defilement cases are not reported due to the stigmatization of the victim or the status of the suspect in society. There are complaints that even with such cases that are reported, the family of the victims discontinues the cases in court.
Some have also accused the police of not investigating rape and defilement cases thoroughly
Source: citinewsroom.com
Ed Sheeran’s Divide was last year’s biggest-selling album, shifting 2.7 million copies in the UK, but the star has no immediate plans to follow it up.
“I’d like to bring out a project next year that isn’t an album,” he told BBC News.
“Something that isn’t pushed on radio. Something that’s not what I usually do, that just clears the air a little bit.”
He added he’d “happily” take a year off when his world tour ends next September before starting his fourth album.
The news may disappoint fans, but Sheeran pointed out that spending three years on tour was “weird” and he’d need time to decompress.
The star previously took a “gap year” between his second record, Multiply, and its chart-conquering successor – time he spent whitewater rafting, swimming with bull sharks (without a cage) and bungee jumping.
However, he admitted he had never stopped writing songs.
“I’ll never not make music. It’s my hobby,” he told the BBC’s Chi Chi Izundu. “I wouldn’t enjoy life if I didn’t do music.
“I don’t see music as work. I see this [speaking to the press] as work. No-one picks up a guitar hoping one day they’re going to be interviewed.”
The 27-year-old hinted his new music would be more experimental than the radio-friendly pop of Shape of You and Thinking Out Loud, namechecking his pre-fame EP No. 5 Collaborations Project, which featured UK rappers Wiley, Devlin, JME and Sway.
“I would love to do something like that again,” he said, calling the 2011 EP “the most interesting project I think I’ve ever made”.
He also said he would “love to do a musical” and follow up his cameo roles in Game of Thrones, Bridget Jones’s Baby and Home & Away with a bigger acting role.
“I’d like to make one movie. Just one,” he said,” and continue making albums and continue touring and hopefully have a family.”
The star, who recently hinted that he has secretly married his childhood friend Cherry Seaborn, was speaking to the BBC ahead of the release of a new documentary, Songwriter, which follows his career over a 10-year period, leading up to the creation of Divide.
Shot by Sheeran’s cousin Murray Cummings, it includes never-before-seen videos from his childhood and fly-on-the-wall footage as he creates some of his biggest hits in the studio.
“There’s no juicy gossip in it,” he joked. “It’s just me writing songs.”
However, he said he hoped the intimate, revealing film would inspire other young songwriters.
“I went to comprehensive school in Suffolk and lived in the middle of nowhere and ended up being here – and it’s just through writing loads of songs and doing loads of gigs. And you can get to that.
“I didn’t start off being able to sing or play guitar. I had to learn to do both of them.”
In the documentary, he credits his music teacher at Thomas Mills High School, Richard Hanley, with encouraging him to pursue his dream.
“There were a lot of teachers who didn’t quite get it,” he says. “Mr Hanley never had a doubt.”
That’s why he’s disappointed that lessons like art, drama and music are being squeezed by widespread budget cuts.
“The thing that confuses me about it is that most of the wealthiest people in England, who stay in England and pay taxes, are musicians and artists.
“You know, Paul McCartney, Damien Hirst… All these people who have, like, hundreds of millions stay in England and pay their taxes. And half the people that don’t pay their taxes have nothing to do with music.
“So what I don’t understand is, if you’re cutting art, drama and music from schools, that isn’t going to happen any more and you’re not going to have home-grown talent at all.
“They’ve cut it in my local high school and I’ve kind of been able to get them back on their feet with it – but not every school has that.
“The music industry in England has always been one of the most powerful things in the world and it just makes no sense that you’d take that off the school curriculum. I just don’t understand it.”
Source:Â bbc.com
Ed Sheeran’s Divide was last year’s biggest-selling album, shifting 2.7 million copies in the UK, but the star has no immediate plans to follow it up.
“I’d like to bring out a project next year that isn’t an album,” he told BBC News.
“Something that isn’t pushed on radio. Something that’s not what I usually do, that just clears the air a little bit.”
He added he’d “happily” take a year off when his world tour ends next September before starting his fourth album.
The news may disappoint fans, but Sheeran pointed out that spending three years on tour was “weird” and he’d need time to decompress.
The star previously took a “gap year” between his second record, Multiply, and its chart-conquering successor – time he spent whitewater rafting, swimming with bull sharks (without a cage) and bungee jumping.
However, he admitted he had never stopped writing songs.
“I’ll never not make music. It’s my hobby,” he told the BBC’s Chi Chi Izundu. “I wouldn’t enjoy life if I didn’t do music.
“I don’t see music as work. I see this [speaking to the press] as work. No-one picks up a guitar hoping one day they’re going to be interviewed.”
The 27-year-old hinted his new music would be more experimental than the radio-friendly pop of Shape of You and Thinking Out Loud, namechecking his pre-fame EP No. 5 Collaborations Project, which featured UK rappers Wiley, Devlin, JME and Sway.
“I would love to do something like that again,” he said, calling the 2011 EP “the most interesting project I think I’ve ever made”.
He also said he would “love to do a musical” and follow up his cameo roles in Game of Thrones, Bridget Jones’s Baby and Home & Away with a bigger acting role.
“I’d like to make one movie. Just one,” he said,” and continue making albums and continue touring and hopefully have a family.”
The star, who recently hinted that he has secretly married his childhood friend Cherry Seaborn, was speaking to the BBC ahead of the release of a new documentary, Songwriter, which follows his career over a 10-year period, leading up to the creation of Divide.
Shot by Sheeran’s cousin Murray Cummings, it includes never-before-seen videos from his childhood and fly-on-the-wall footage as he creates some of his biggest hits in the studio.
“There’s no juicy gossip in it,” he joked. “It’s just me writing songs.”
However, he said he hoped the intimate, revealing film would inspire other young songwriters.
“I went to comprehensive school in Suffolk and lived in the middle of nowhere and ended up being here – and it’s just through writing loads of songs and doing loads of gigs. And you can get to that.
“I didn’t start off being able to sing or play guitar. I had to learn to do both of them.”
In the documentary, he credits his music teacher at Thomas Mills High School, Richard Hanley, with encouraging him to pursue his dream.
“There were a lot of teachers who didn’t quite get it,” he says. “Mr Hanley never had a doubt.”
That’s why he’s disappointed that lessons like art, drama and music are being squeezed by widespread budget cuts.
“The thing that confuses me about it is that most of the wealthiest people in England, who stay in England and pay taxes, are musicians and artists.
“You know, Paul McCartney, Damien Hirst… All these people who have, like, hundreds of millions stay in England and pay their taxes. And half the people that don’t pay their taxes have nothing to do with music.
“So what I don’t understand is, if you’re cutting art, drama and music from schools, that isn’t going to happen any more and you’re not going to have home-grown talent at all.
“They’ve cut it in my local high school and I’ve kind of been able to get them back on their feet with it – but not every school has that.
“The music industry in England has always been one of the most powerful things in the world and it just makes no sense that you’d take that off the school curriculum. I just don’t understand it.”
Source:Â bbc.com
Ex-Ghana striker Matthew Amoah has been named as one of the coaches for the youth side of his former Dutch club NAC Breda, Ghana’s leading football news outfit, Ghanasoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.
The 37-year-old, who was a key part of Ghana’s first World Cup qualification in 2006, was handed his appointment letter to the youth side of NAC Breda on Wednesday night.
Read: Albert Commey wants next GFA Executive Committee to be transparent
Even though he had already started work with the youth side over the past few days, he will officially begin his appointment on Saturday, 1st September 2018.
Amoah will from this season mainly focus on the attackers of the U19 side of NAC Breda and he will also spend some time training some of the younger talents at the club.
The Ghanaian, who shared the same locker room at NAC with the current manager of youth team Tim Gilissen, has the ambition to get his papers and later work as a full time youth coach.
Read: Kwesi Appiah explains choice of players against Kenya
Amoah is currently undergoing courses with the Dutch federation KNVB and hopes to get his trainers’ papers to be one of the full youth coaches as the club he honed his career.
In addition to his duties at NAC, Amoah will continue to assist amateur side Baronie O13 where he played for a year after his active career.
In the period 2007-2011 the former international (44 international matches for Ghana) grew into a Breda crowd favorite .
With 11 goals in 25 games, in his debut year (2007/2008) he was one of the mainstays in the team that finished in a historic third place.
Amoah scored 56 times in 128 games for NAC Breda.
Source: ghanasoccernet.com
Ex-Ghana striker Matthew Amoah has been named as one of the coaches for the youth side of his former Dutch club NAC Breda, Ghana’s leading football news outfit, Ghanasoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.
The 37-year-old, who was a key part of Ghana’s first World Cup qualification in 2006, was handed his appointment letter to the youth side of NAC Breda on Wednesday night.
Read: Albert Commey wants next GFA Executive Committee to be transparent
Even though he had already started work with the youth side over the past few days, he will officially begin his appointment on Saturday, 1st September 2018.
Amoah will from this season mainly focus on the attackers of the U19 side of NAC Breda and he will also spend some time training some of the younger talents at the club.
The Ghanaian, who shared the same locker room at NAC with the current manager of youth team Tim Gilissen, has the ambition to get his papers and later work as a full time youth coach.
Read: Kwesi Appiah explains choice of players against Kenya
Amoah is currently undergoing courses with the Dutch federation KNVB and hopes to get his trainers’ papers to be one of the full youth coaches as the club he honed his career.
In addition to his duties at NAC, Amoah will continue to assist amateur side Baronie O13 where he played for a year after his active career.
In the period 2007-2011 the former international (44 international matches for Ghana) grew into a Breda crowd favorite .
With 11 goals in 25 games, in his debut year (2007/2008) he was one of the mainstays in the team that finished in a historic third place.
Amoah scored 56 times in 128 games for NAC Breda.
Source: ghanasoccernet.com
A member of the soon to be dissolved Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association Albert Commey has suggested that next GFA should do away with the statue that allows a GFA President to appoint his own Vice.
Read: FIFA collapses the Executive Committee of the GFA, Normalisation takes charge
According to Commey, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Aduana Stars, the mandate given to FA President to hire and fire his own deputy should be scrapped.
“One thing I would love to see corrected is the statutes that mandates an FA President to appoint his own Vice and also fire anytime, I think it should be scrapped so we go back to the old system and make sure our finances go through the right process not only one person before it’s approved or otherwise,” Commey told Oyerepa FM.
“Not only that but also our electoral system should be looked at again”
Read: Aduana to suspend captain for assaulting fan
“There are a lot of things we have to do, we have to be more transparent in terms of availing ourselves to the media more than we are doing so Ghanaians know what’s going on”
“I believe it will eradicate the notion about football, I don’t agree with the perception that we (EXCO) failed Ghanaians “
Source: ghanasoccernet.com
A member of the soon to be dissolved Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association Albert Commey has suggested that next GFA should do away with the statue that allows a GFA President to appoint his own Vice.
Read: FIFA collapses the Executive Committee of the GFA, Normalisation takes charge
According to Commey, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Aduana Stars, the mandate given to FA President to hire and fire his own deputy should be scrapped.
“One thing I would love to see corrected is the statutes that mandates an FA President to appoint his own Vice and also fire anytime, I think it should be scrapped so we go back to the old system and make sure our finances go through the right process not only one person before it’s approved or otherwise,” Commey told Oyerepa FM.
“Not only that but also our electoral system should be looked at again”
Read: Aduana to suspend captain for assaulting fan
“There are a lot of things we have to do, we have to be more transparent in terms of availing ourselves to the media more than we are doing so Ghanaians know what’s going on”
“I believe it will eradicate the notion about football, I don’t agree with the perception that we (EXCO) failed Ghanaians “
Source: ghanasoccernet.com
US Open organizers have expressed “regret” for the way French tennis player Alize Cornet was treated for briefly taking off her shirt on court.
In the sweltering heat at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, Cornet took her top off after realizing she had put it on the wrong way during a 10-minute heat rule break between the second and third set against Sweden’s Johanna Larsson.
Cornet, who had been running late getting back to the court, reacted with surprise when she was then handed a code violation by chair umpire Christian Rask.
The incident led to a storm of criticism on social media, with Judy Murray, a former tennis coach and also the mother British star Andy, questioning whether double standards were at work for men and women.
“Alize Cornet came back to court after 10 minute heat break,” tweeted Murray. “Had her fresh shirt on back to front. Changed at back of court. Got a code violation. Unsportsmanlike conduct … But the men can change shirts on court.”
The women’s WTA tour was also critical of the incident, saying in an emailed statement: “Alize did nothing wrong.”
Cornet also suffered problems with the heat at the Australian Open in January.
Severe weather
“We regret that a Code Violation was assessed to Ms. Cornet yesterday,” said the United States Tennis Association in a statement sent to CNN Sport.
“We have clarified the policy to ensure this will not happen moving forward. Fortunately, she was only assessed a warning with no further penalty or fine.
“Female players, if they choose, may also change their shirts in a more private location close to the court, when available. They will not be assessed a bathroom break in this circumstance.”
Earlier Wednesday, USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier told CNN by phone that Cornet was given a code violation for “changing her shirt at the baseline. That was considered unprofessional conduct … Basically that was a warning and there was no further penalty and there was no fine.”
In the case of Cornet, Widmaier said the USTA had been following the rules of both the men’s and women’s Tours.
“As it relates to female players changing their shirts on court, they will have the right to do so as long as it is when they are sitting in the chair,” said Widmaier. “We don’t want people changing their attire in the middle of the court.”
He added: “Also, in many of our stadiums and other areas, there are places very close to the court, where if the player wants to quickly move to a more private area to change her attire because of these pretty severe weather conditions, we will allow that, and not consider that a change of attire or bathroom break.”
‘Unduly harsh’
Under WTA rules, the women are given two bathroom breaks during their matches. “So we don’t want to be unduly harsh considering what the severe weather conditions are,” said Widmaier.
“If that player were to decide she would like a little bit more privacy, she will be able to go right off, adjacent to the court, to change and that will not be considered a bathroom break.”
Still, the WTA called the code violation “unfair and it was not based on a WTA rule, as the WTA has no rule against a change of attire on court.”
It added the code violation “came under the Grand Slam rules and we are pleased to see the USTA has now changed this policy.”
The rule was also news to most former players and analysts.
Pam Shriver, a US Open finalist in 1978 and ESPN commentator and analyst, tweeted: “I found out tonight from the ref the rule @usopen for women to change shirts on court has been a code violation for years … I did not know that … In my day Barbara Potter did it often, I did it a few times. How about another rule “change?”
After slumping to a three-set defeat, during which Cornet cried and told the on-court doctor she needed to vomit and felt pain in her head and bones, the 28-year-old French star said the conditions had been a “nightmare.”
Temperatures are set to rise to as high as 93.2F (34 degrees Celsius) on Wednesday in New York, with the US Open’s Extreme Heat Policy in effect for both men and women for a second straight day.
Earlier this year, Cornet also suffered with the heat during her third-round defeat by Elise Mertens at the Australian Open.
“But still, you know, playing in this condition is of course very dangerous for the health of the player,” Cornet told reporters.
“The limit of not playing the match is really high, it’s like it needs to be above 45 degrees and humidity.”
Source:Â cnn.com
US Open organizers have expressed “regret” for the way French tennis player Alize Cornet was treated for briefly taking off her shirt on court.
In the sweltering heat at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, Cornet took her top off after realizing she had put it on the wrong way during a 10-minute heat rule break between the second and third set against Sweden’s Johanna Larsson.
Cornet, who had been running late getting back to the court, reacted with surprise when she was then handed a code violation by chair umpire Christian Rask.
The incident led to a storm of criticism on social media, with Judy Murray, a former tennis coach and also the mother British star Andy, questioning whether double standards were at work for men and women.
“Alize Cornet came back to court after 10 minute heat break,” tweeted Murray. “Had her fresh shirt on back to front. Changed at back of court. Got a code violation. Unsportsmanlike conduct … But the men can change shirts on court.”
The women’s WTA tour was also critical of the incident, saying in an emailed statement: “Alize did nothing wrong.”
Cornet also suffered problems with the heat at the Australian Open in January.
Severe weather
“We regret that a Code Violation was assessed to Ms. Cornet yesterday,” said the United States Tennis Association in a statement sent to CNN Sport.
“We have clarified the policy to ensure this will not happen moving forward. Fortunately, she was only assessed a warning with no further penalty or fine.
“Female players, if they choose, may also change their shirts in a more private location close to the court, when available. They will not be assessed a bathroom break in this circumstance.”
Earlier Wednesday, USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier told CNN by phone that Cornet was given a code violation for “changing her shirt at the baseline. That was considered unprofessional conduct … Basically that was a warning and there was no further penalty and there was no fine.”
In the case of Cornet, Widmaier said the USTA had been following the rules of both the men’s and women’s Tours.
“As it relates to female players changing their shirts on court, they will have the right to do so as long as it is when they are sitting in the chair,” said Widmaier. “We don’t want people changing their attire in the middle of the court.”
He added: “Also, in many of our stadiums and other areas, there are places very close to the court, where if the player wants to quickly move to a more private area to change her attire because of these pretty severe weather conditions, we will allow that, and not consider that a change of attire or bathroom break.”
‘Unduly harsh’
Under WTA rules, the women are given two bathroom breaks during their matches. “So we don’t want to be unduly harsh considering what the severe weather conditions are,” said Widmaier.
“If that player were to decide she would like a little bit more privacy, she will be able to go right off, adjacent to the court, to change and that will not be considered a bathroom break.”
Still, the WTA called the code violation “unfair and it was not based on a WTA rule, as the WTA has no rule against a change of attire on court.”
It added the code violation “came under the Grand Slam rules and we are pleased to see the USTA has now changed this policy.”
The rule was also news to most former players and analysts.
Pam Shriver, a US Open finalist in 1978 and ESPN commentator and analyst, tweeted: “I found out tonight from the ref the rule @usopen for women to change shirts on court has been a code violation for years … I did not know that … In my day Barbara Potter did it often, I did it a few times. How about another rule “change?”
After slumping to a three-set defeat, during which Cornet cried and told the on-court doctor she needed to vomit and felt pain in her head and bones, the 28-year-old French star said the conditions had been a “nightmare.”
Temperatures are set to rise to as high as 93.2F (34 degrees Celsius) on Wednesday in New York, with the US Open’s Extreme Heat Policy in effect for both men and women for a second straight day.
Earlier this year, Cornet also suffered with the heat during her third-round defeat by Elise Mertens at the Australian Open.
“But still, you know, playing in this condition is of course very dangerous for the health of the player,” Cornet told reporters.
“The limit of not playing the match is really high, it’s like it needs to be above 45 degrees and humidity.”
Source:Â cnn.com
The Auditor-General, Mr Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has announced that the Audit Service will soon conduct a construction audit on roads and buildings undertaken by government agencies to ensure that there was value for money.
According to him, the exercise was to protect the public purse and to safeguard allocated funds intended for infrastructural projects.
Read: Audit Service surprised by rate of fraud in the public service
At the maiden launch of the 2018 Audit held in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Domelevo explained that his outfit would adopt the quality assurance approach with engineers and other professionals at its Performance Audit Unit in charge of the exercise.
“For instance, if a 200km road is to be constructed, we want to measure that with the contractors, go the full length of the work with them to see to it that the 200km road we are paying for is being done,†he said.
The launch was on the theme “Accountability: a shared responsibility.â€
Revenue Mobilisation
Mr Domelevo said the areas to be audited would include revenue mobilisation, to be done in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
He said this was to ensure that there was transparency and accountability of public revenue.
Read: We need decentralized payroll to curb ghost names Auditor General
“About a month ago we began training 12 of our staff on the GcNet software system, used in collecting taxes,†he said.
He, however, warned that the Auditor-General is mandated to disallow and surcharge monies government would lose against the person whose negligence or non-performance or misbehaviour caused the loss.
Mr Domelevo indicated that the Auditor-General had completed the auditing of the public services in Central and Western regions with regards to the issue of ghost names, and would from next week continue in the Volta Region.
Audit Service role
The Auditor-General emphasised that the role of the audit service was not to destroy the reputation of organisations but to protect the public purse, adding that, it was time the Audit Service did not only surcharge expenditure but revenue as well.
He called for the strengthening of the internal audit departments of public institutions to help them accurately audit the institutions.
Read: Commercialise prosecution of corruption case Auditor-General
Mr Domelevo entreated public entities to discontinue giving monies to audit teams, saying that the audit service had been adequately resourced to take care of its officers.
For her part, the Chairman of the Public Services Commission (PSC), Mrs Janet Ampadu Fofie, urged the audit service to be independent and courageous in undertaking its auditing activities.
Source:Â Graphic.com.gh
The Auditor-General, Mr Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has announced that the Audit Service will soon conduct a construction audit on roads and buildings undertaken by government agencies to ensure that there was value for money.
According to him, the exercise was to protect the public purse and to safeguard allocated funds intended for infrastructural projects.
Read: Audit Service surprised by rate of fraud in the public service
At the maiden launch of the 2018 Audit held in Accra on Wednesday, Mr Domelevo explained that his outfit would adopt the quality assurance approach with engineers and other professionals at its Performance Audit Unit in charge of the exercise.
“For instance, if a 200km road is to be constructed, we want to measure that with the contractors, go the full length of the work with them to see to it that the 200km road we are paying for is being done,†he said.
The launch was on the theme “Accountability: a shared responsibility.â€
Revenue Mobilisation
Mr Domelevo said the areas to be audited would include revenue mobilisation, to be done in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
He said this was to ensure that there was transparency and accountability of public revenue.
Read: We need decentralized payroll to curb ghost names Auditor General
“About a month ago we began training 12 of our staff on the GcNet software system, used in collecting taxes,†he said.
He, however, warned that the Auditor-General is mandated to disallow and surcharge monies government would lose against the person whose negligence or non-performance or misbehaviour caused the loss.
Mr Domelevo indicated that the Auditor-General had completed the auditing of the public services in Central and Western regions with regards to the issue of ghost names, and would from next week continue in the Volta Region.
Audit Service role
The Auditor-General emphasised that the role of the audit service was not to destroy the reputation of organisations but to protect the public purse, adding that, it was time the Audit Service did not only surcharge expenditure but revenue as well.
He called for the strengthening of the internal audit departments of public institutions to help them accurately audit the institutions.
Read: Commercialise prosecution of corruption case Auditor-General
Mr Domelevo entreated public entities to discontinue giving monies to audit teams, saying that the audit service had been adequately resourced to take care of its officers.
For her part, the Chairman of the Public Services Commission (PSC), Mrs Janet Ampadu Fofie, urged the audit service to be independent and courageous in undertaking its auditing activities.
Source:Â Graphic.com.gh