TIG Post

Author: aejay_wp

  • Tunisian health minister resigns over 11 baby deaths

    The Tunisian Health Minister Abderraouf Cherif has resigned following the deaths of 11 newborn babies at a hospital in the capital, Tunis.

    Tunisia’s health ministry said evidence suggested they had all died from septic shock between 7-8 March.

    Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said investigations have been launched into the state-run facility’s medical, pharmaceutical and hygiene practices.

    Read: Tunisian President receives Ghana’s Foreign Minister

    Mr Cherif’s resignation comes just four months after his appointment.

    In a Facebook post, Tunisia’s paediatrics society said the infection may have been caused by an intravenous product.

    The group also criticised “precarious conditions in which health professionals work”.

    Tunisia’s public healthcare had a reputation as one of the best in North Africa, and medical tourism is a source of considerable revenue for the country.

    But since the overthrow of President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, the system has been hampered by management and financial problems, along with recurrent drug shortages.

     

    Source: BBC 

  • Brexit: Could the UK drop tariffs to zero?

    MPs are set to hold key votes next week on the terms of Brexit, the outcome of which could determine whether the UK has greater flexibility to set its own trade tariffs.

    A second “meaningful vote” on the Brexit agreement negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May is due to take place on Tuesday.

    However, if no agreement can be reached, and the UK ultimately leaves the European Union on 29 March with no deal in place, reports last week suggested the UK government might cut trade tariffs on between 80% and 90% of goods, with some tariffs being scrapped completely.

    Business Secretary Greg Clark told the BBC that new tariff schedules would be published only after next week’s vote on Mrs May’s Brexit agreement, if it became clear the UK would be leaving the EU without a deal.

    Read: Jeremy Corbyn: Labour will support Brexit referendum

    He said the changes would have “big implications” for some sectors.

    What is a tariff?

    A tariff is a tax applied only to internationally traded goods.

    In the great majority of cases, tariffs are applied to imported goods by the country importing them.

    What are tariffs for?

    Import tariffs give a competitive advantage to local industry because it is not subject to the tariffs.

    They also provide revenue for governments, although compared with other types of tax the contribution is relatively small in rich countries.

    Tariff revenue collected by the UK was about £3bn in 2017.

    Under a no-deal Brexit it could be less, if tariffs are eliminated widely enough, or more, because remaining tariffs would be applied to EU goods that are currently tariff free.

    Why does the UK have to set new tariff rates?
    In one word: Brexit. As a member of the EU, the UK currently applies the EU’s common customs tariff to goods imported from outside the EU (with exemptions for goods from countries with which the EU has a free trade agreement).

    That will continue if there is a withdrawal agreement, and then for as long as the backstop to avoid a hard border in Ireland is in force.

    After that, or in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the UK would no longer apply the EU’s tariff policy and so would have to make decisions about what, if any, tariffs to impose.

    What are the current tariffs?
    To give some examples that the UK could apply if it chose to: the EU maximum tariff on cars is 10%, while on some types of clothing and crockery it is 12%.

    On some types of beef it is 12.8% plus 265 euros per 100kg (agricultural tariffs can be very complicated).

    Read: Brexit must not be frustrated, Theresa May vows

    If the UK does reduce tariffs some industries, especially agriculture, could face more competition
    Are there any restrictions on the tariffs the UK could set?
    The rules of the World Trade Organization (the UK is a member) do impose some constraints. WTO members have “schedules” which are mainly lists of tariffs they promise not to exceed.

    Countries can freely apply tariffs below those levels. Generally they must apply the same tariffs to goods from all members, subject to some exceptions.

    They can reduce or eliminate tariffs on goods from countries with which they have a free-trade agreement.

    Rich countries can also do that for goods from developing countries.

    What are the potential benefits?

    Tariff revenue (such as it is) would go the UK Treasury. It is currently paid to the EU (less 20% for the cost of collecting it).

    It would also enable the UK government to set tariff levels in line with its judgement of the UK’s best interests (rather than the interests of the whole EU). It is likely that some tariffs would be reduced or eliminated, especially where there are no British producers to protect.

    That could help lower costs in the shops.

    It is, however, important to note that some goods are already exempt from the EU tariffs, where the country concerned has a trade agreement.

    Another consideration is that lower tariffs might be offset by a decline in the value of the pound, which analysts think is particularly likely in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

    What are people worried about?

    If the UK does reduce tariffs some industries, and especially agriculture, could be exposed to more competition.

    Some have suggested that if the UK were to remove all tariffs (as some have advocated) it could lead to many business failures among manufacturers and farmers.

    That is probably why (unconfirmed) reports about the government’s plans suggest some sectors will retain tariff protection, including agriculture, ceramics and cars.

    To the extent that the UK does retain any tariffs, they would, in the event of a no-deal scenario, have to apply to imports from the EU, which are currently completely tariff free. That follows from WTO rules.

    That could make EU goods more expensive.

     

    Source: BBC 

  • Jennifer Lopez is engaged to Alex Rodriguez

    Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are engaged! A-Rod popped the question on Saturday night and, according to his Instagram, “she said yes.”

    Both J.Lo and A-Rod posted photos of the former New York Yankee holding her hand, which bore a massive diamond sparkler on it. Plus, her nails were appropriately painted white.It looked as if there was a bonfire going in the background. How romantic!

    The couple is currently on a romantic getaway in Bakers Bay where their days are filled with white sand beaches, palm trees and warm weather. A-Rod perhaps hinted at his engagement on Saturday in one of his Instagram Story moments. He shared an excerpt from a poem called “Soulmate” that was most definitely in honor of his now-fiancée.

    “A soulmate isn’t someone who completes you. No, a soulmate is someone who inspires you to complete yourself,” the poem says. “A soulmate is someone who loves you with so much conviction, and so much heart, that it is nearly impossible to doubt just how capable you are of becoming exactly who you have always wanted to be.”

    J.Lo’s longtime manager Benny Medina told E! News, “Jennifer and Alex are engaged!” and confirmed the news.

    The happy couple has been together for about two years and hardly shy away from professing their love for each other on social media and in public. On their two-year anniversary, J.Lo posted a sweet tribute to her man on Instagram. It said, “You make my world a more beautiful safe and stable place… in the midst of our ever-changing, ever-moving life…you make me feel like a teenager starting out all over again…”

    A-Rod offered up just as much of a loving account on his Instagram profile on their big anniversary. “I can’t believe it’s been two years. Only 730 days, which have flown by, but it feels like we have been together forever. We are meant to be, and how much you mean to me cannot be put into words,” he wrote out. “From baseball games, to traveling across the world to shows in Vegas. We have done it all together and every moment with you is cherished. Where this road will take us next is unknown but there is no one else I would rather have by my side. The journey is just beginning and I am excited for what’s ahead.”

    She even referred to the “twin” comment during the 2018 MTV VMAs when she accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award. She thanked her “twin soul” during her speech and added, “The universe is infinite, as what we can accomplish together, with love, trust and understanding.”

    Indeed, their journey is just beginning!

    In late 2018, the couple appeared on Vanity Fair‘s December cover and opened up about their relationship. “We are very much twins. We’re both Leos; we’re both from New York; we’re both Latino and about 20 other things,” Rodriguez told the magazine.

    She added, “I understand him in a way that I don’t think anyone else could, and he understands me in a way that no one else could ever.”

    In January, the 49-year-old talked about her past relationships with Harper’s Bazaar and how she blames herself for some of her failed ones.

    “For me, the relationship journey has been very up and down. But it didn’t have to do with anybody else but me—it was about me figuring out me,” she said. 

    J.Lo continued, “Until you learn to love yourself, you can’t completely love [someone else] in a way that is pure and true. Once you do that, you can have relationships that are based on love and respect, that are supportive and nourishing. There’s an evolution there that had to happen for me. I feel like I’m in a better place now.”

    Lopez also hasn’t been afraid to gush about her man. 

    “We complement each other, and there’s really pure, true love,” she told HOLA! USA for its October/November 2017 issue. “Just wanting to support the other person and make them happy. So there’s a different selflessness in the love that’s beautiful and different. And healthy!”

    The couple’s love story started over two years ago when Lopez approached Rodriguez at the Beverly Hills Hotel. However, the “On the Floor” singer told Vanity Fair the two actually met years ago at a baseball game when her ex Marc Anthony threw the opening pitch. 

     
    Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Marc Anthony

    Anthony J. Causi/ Splash News

    After running into each other at the hotel, Rodriguez invited Lopez on a first date—or at least what J.Lo considered a first date—at the Hotel Bel Air.

    “So he’s talking, talking about his plans, about how he had just retired from baseball, about how he saw himself getting married again, all these things you wouldn’t normally talk about on a first date,” she told Vanity Fair for the couple’s cover story. “I don’t know if he thought it was a date. I thought it was a date.”

    However, that first date led to a whirlwind romance. The two kept their relationship relatively low-key. They vacationed together, visited the Yankees training camp together, and dined in New York together. Still, they didn’t make their red carpet couple debut until the 2017 Met Gala.

    Throughout the course of their relationship, the two have enjoyed joint family outings. In fact, the athlete told Jimmy Kimmel his daughters considered him a hero for dating Lopez.

    “My daughters think of dad as a hero now for the first time. It’s amazing,” the former Yankees player said while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live back in October. “They think they went to Heaven, and now they’re hanging out with Jennifer backstage. They’re dancing. They’re singing with her.”

    This will be Lopez’s fourth marriage. The singer was married to Ojani Noa from 1997 to 1998 and then to Cris Judd from 2001 to 2003. She later married Anthony, with whom she shares two children: Emme and Max. Rodriguez was also formerly married to Cynthia Scurtis. However, the two filed for divorce in 2008. They share two children: Natasha and Ella.

    Congratulations to the happy couple! 

    Source: www.eonline.com

  • A Menzgold in London? Londoners lose £236m to ‘mis-selling’ scheme

    At a time when some Ghanaians are coming to terms with the loss of their investments to gold dealership company, Menzgold, thousands in London are waking up to a similar reality.

    The BBC reports that thousands of people who invested in a high-risk bond scheme marketed as a “Fixed Rate ISA” fear they have lost everything after the company collapsed.

    Read: Some Ghanaians in London took loans from UK banks to invest in Menzgold – UK-based radio presenter

    London Capital & Finance (LCF), now in administration, took £236m following a marketing campaign that is now under investigation for mis-selling.

    Many were first-time investors – inheritance recipients, small business owners or newly retired.

    ’35 years of savings gone’

    Peter Thornley and his wife retired to Devon after a teaching career. He now fears he may have to return to work if their money is lost.

    “It put us under a lot of pressure – socially and emotionally. It makes you feel really foolish,” he said. “There is a group of us bondholders; there are about 900 in ours.

    Read: Menzgold Saga: Signing fees, cars and mansions given to Zylofon Media signees can pay off half of monies locked up at Menzgold

    “We have all got money that we have been left by parents or a lump we got on retirement, then all of a sudden 35 years of savings has gone in a couple of months.”

    John Wright, a retired joiner from Northampton, was recovering from heart surgery when he found out LCF was in administration.

    “This was money for our grandchildren, we weren’t going on fancy holidays or buying flash cars – my wife worked in BHS and saved her whole life, this is hard-earned money, we saved and saved and saved.

    The marketing campaign

    LCF paid an agent, Brighton-based Surge PLC, 25% commission – which amounted to £60m – to run the marketing campaign.

    A series of web adverts promising 8% returns from secure ISAs were released and in addition a comparison website – run by a company with links to Surge – would compare the 1% and 2% return ISAs from high street banks with the investments at LCF.

    LCF was authorised by regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – but the FCA said the authorisation was to provide consumer financial advice, not the sale of bonds or ISAs.

    The FCA subsequently ordered the advertisements should stop running.

    Where did the money go?

    In a letter to bondholders administrator Finbarr O’Connell said once the £60m to Surge was paid, returns of up to 44% would be required in order for LCF to make good on its promises.

    Investors were told the funds – and therefore risk – would be spread across hundreds of companies but, according to Companies House records, LCF loaned money to 12 – four of which have never filed accounts, nine are fewer than three years old, and nine had loans from LCF in 2017.

    Much of the cash was loaned to companies that then “sub loaned” to others. Bondholders have raised concerns about connections between the directors of companies that received money and those who ran LCF.

    Who were the directors?

    Michael Andrew Thomson, known as Andy Thomson, took over as the boss of LCF in 2015 and is also director of horse riding company GT Eventing.

    Paul Careless is the majority shareholder of both Surge PLC and RPDigitalServices – the company that powered ISA comparison websites.

    ‘Life of Riley’

    Christine Anderson put thousands of pounds into LCF. She runs her own business, a surf school in Devon.

    “They have done very well out of hard-working people – a lot have put some or all of their savings into this company,” she said.

    “The directors and ex-directors are living the life of Riley from what I can see, with their helicopters, their horses and their properties.

    “It is very sad that this could have been allowed to happen.”

    Christine Anderson put thousands of pounds into LCF. She runs her own business, a surf school in Devon.

    “They have done very well out of hard-working people – a lot have put some or all of their savings into this company,” she said.

    “The directors and ex-directors are living the life of Riley from what I can see, with their helicopters, their horses and their properties.

    “It is very sad that this could have been allowed to happen.”

    Let down by the regulator?

    In December the FCA froze LCF’s activities, pulled the adverts and in January found that LCF had “made communications in relation to its fixed rate ISA or bond which were misleading, not fair and not clear”.

    The FCA findings included that LCF’s bonds did not qualify to be held in an ISA account and therefore investors were being misled by being told the interest they earned would be tax free.

    The FCA said it was “unlikely” investors would be protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) but it was “for the FSCS to determine”.

    Independent financial adviser Neil Liversidge wrote to the FCA in 2015 warning it about the scheme.

    Mr Liversidge said: “The way it was promoted, a great many people could have fallen for this.

    “A client brought it to us but when we looked into it there was a lot of interconnection between the people they were lending to and the management of LCF themselves.

    “We warned our clients off and the same day we wrote to the regulator raising our concerns about the promotion.”

    Ms Anderson said: “We feel let down – we trusted this company because they had been regulated and authorised – we then found that they weren’t even allowed to manage ISAs.

    “The FCA should have known that before they allowed us to buy these products.”

    What do those involved say?

    A spokesman for Surge Financial said: “Surge has a number of clients and its fees for LCF are in line with the industry standard.

    “LCF was an FCA regulated business and it signed off all marketing materials and financial promotions prior to publication as required by the Financial Services and Markets Act.

    “Surge was a supplier of services used in relation to raising investment for LCF. It did not handle client money and had no involvement in the deployment of funds to borrowing companies.”

    Mr Thomson has not responded to BBC requests for comment.

    The FCA said it could not comment further.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • BOND Savings and Loans joins in Wear Ghana Month

    BOND Savings and Loans Plc joined in the Wear Ghana Month, where the staff of the company across all outlets in Accra, Tema and Kumasi showcased their fashion flair in Ghanaian traditional clothes.

    The National Commission for Culture declared March, as the month for wearing Ghanaian Made Products. The move is to promote locally manufactured products as part of activities to commemorate the Independence Anniversary of our dear country.

    Read: Ghanaian company turning coconut husk into usable products

    The Head of Human Resource, Maame Esi Abbam indicated that BOND as a wholly owned Ghanaian company keen on showcasing its “Ghanaians”, chose the 5th of March, 2019 to mark the day which was dubbed “PROUDLY GHANAIAN DAY”. She said the day was full of excitement as management and staff recognized the need to help in the growth of local industries in our own small way.

    She also believes that the call for Ghanaians to patronize made in Ghana products was a noble call hence the participation by staff and management of BOND SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC.

    Read: Rebecca and Samira stun in classic African attire at SONA 2019

    The Chief Executive Officer stated his full support for the concept of Ghana month as a way of focusing on the ability of the Ghanaian and reigniting the spirit of patriotism. BOND SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC being wholly owned Ghanaian business with a strong brand has an absolute belief in the capability of citizens of this nation.

    He was excited about the level of spontaneity and enthusiasm exhibited on this day and the apparent sense of fulfilment on the faces of the staff.

    He said, for BOND, the marking of the day goes beyond wearing Ghanaian; it is a manifestation of the ability of the company to marshal its rich human capital to achieve the desired objective. Looking at how each staff turned out to mark the day, it was evident of the fact that some level of careful study, planning and great thought was actually invested in the process.

    He further stated that, the level of participation by staff illustrates a virtuous culture of teamwork, unity of purpose and that when BOND decides to embark on any venture the commitment given to it by all staff is invariably total.

    BOND will continue to do what it does best which is providing relationship-based financial services with ample focus on value-driven innovative products and services and make it a point to use such opportunities to lend its support to all activities that will help in encouraging the forward movement of this great nation.

    Source: citibusinessnews.com

  • Wendy Shay releases ‘Shay On You’ audio and video

    It’s a step by step movement from Wendy Shay with the best of music. The female act signed to RuffTown Records released her debut album on the 20th of December, 2018 and it was captioned Shay On You. Surprisingly, the title of the album is also a single on the album. 

    “Shay On You” is an afrodancehall themed song in which she brings the best of her afrobeat craft and fuses it with the dancehall genre. For someone who is new to dancehall, the Uber Driver hitmaker puts much energy into this one to make a statement.

    Read: Wendy Shay gets new wig at last

    Shay On You is coined from her name Wendy Shay with the song sending the message that she is right in the faces of people and they must be ready to accept her as she is here to stay. Music is about versatility and she gets it on point. 

    This single comes with a music video which was directed by Yaw SkyFace. Shot on location in Jamestown, a suburb of Accra, the video shows a different element of Wendy Shay in the midst of men in a male dominated music industry. Not perturbed, her stand is very strong and she is ready for the game. 

     

    Source: Alexander Fifi Abaka

  • Ghanaians angry over Koforidua Technical University’s award to Fella Makafui

    A significant number of Ghanaians, have expressed anger over the decision by the SRC of Koforidua Technical University , K.T.U, to recognize Fella Makafui as a feminist who has played a vital role in women empowerment across the globe.

    Makafui, 23, brags of having about 30 people on her payroll from her 4 businesses, visited the campus of the K.T.U with her “Start Now” empowerment tour and as part of the talk show, she was honoured with a citation.

    Read: I wonder why AUCC SRC will pick Fella Makafui as a guest speaker – Attractive Mustapha

    The citation read: “You toiled to make dreams come true for most women around the globe. A feminist, a leader per excellence, you became a source of empowerment for women. Time and time again, you consistently manifested singular willingness to render your support to the world. The level of activism and diligence you have displayed towards the growth and protection of feminism is greatly appreciated. Indeed, we are grateful for your efforts in promoting feminism in Ghana.”

    The story, first reported by Pulse.com.gh and shared on facebook, has generated over 200 comments and 80 shares.

    In the comments, many Ghanaians expressed shock, anger and surprise at the citation.

    “The globe?? As in the world? As in the whole wide world? Saahhh?? Ahhh ok,” Nana Aphya Owusua wrote in shock.

    Obed Moxon Quansah sarcastically noted: “Please is it the globe we use in schools to teach Geography and Social Studies or which one?”

    Naa Kukua wrote in anger: “Such stupidity …. what kind of SRC is that…. ??? no wonder that university is NOT recognized in the world. such a low class…”

    While Yaw Agyekum called on the SRC President of the University to step down: “The SRC president must step down asap. Ponzi SRC President. Fraud,” he said.

    Read: I never compromised my integrity in my journey to stardom Fella Makafui

    Bright Bentum Antwi wrote “Eeiii!!! Is there a different Ghana somewhere? Why are our educational institutions stooping so low? Or Koforidua Poly is in Niger? Maybe.”

    “First of all I wish I could have someone from Koforidua University to explain to me the meaning of feminist, entrepreneur and also the things they look out for before honouring someone. These are some of the reasons why this pota potty thing won’t stop,” Shirley’s Beauty noted.

    Courage Dzatagbo said: “This polytechnic should not be changed in to a Technical university because they don’t know their aims and values.”

    Source: Pulse.com.gh 
     
     

  • MP for Shai-Osudoku constituency donates to Constituents

    As part of the effort to promote good sanitation practices and also ensure broad-based participation in decision making in the Shai-Osudoku constituency, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Constituency, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo has distributed over Twenty tricycles, motorbikes to all electoral areas within the constituency.

    According to her, this seeks to strengthen accountability and also enable local participation in the constituency which is a growing component of development in the country.

    Read: Prestea MP donates to church, farmers and communities during tour

    This she added “is in line with the rising interest in improving governance increasingly seen as the touchstone of successful development.”

    “I encourage broad-based participation: strengthening the political involvement of constituents in decision-making processes and in mechanisms for legitimacy and control,” she said

    Read: MP for old Tafo donates computers and other educational materials to constituents

    The Member of Parliament used the opportunity to outline projects and activities she has undertaken within the two (2) years as a member of parliament for the good people of Shai-Osudoku constituency.

    Some information equipment were also donated to the electoral areas in the constituency to promote feasibility.

    The Member of Parliament also commissioned a six-seater Water Closet (W/C) and three bath facility for the people of Dodowa Odumasi. while she also cut the sod for the construction of eight seater for the people of Apperkon electoral area within the Shai-Osudoku constituency.

    Read: Krowor MP donates to KROMA schools

    Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, MP express appreciation to the good people of Shai-Osudoku for the mandate given her to represent them and admonished them to continue to maintain the peace within the constituency because she believed that the constituency is very unique which crucial to the advancement of the Greater Accra Region.

    The Chiefs and the people also on their part expressed gratitude to the MP and encourage her to be focused in the face of obstacles.

    Source: Theodore Kelvin Odjamgba

  • I have stopped employing the services of male prostitutes Afia Schwarzenegger

    Controversial presenter and self-acclaimed Queen of comedy Afia Schwarzenegger has lambasted and threatened to expose men who have sent her their pictures or DM her on social media with love letters.

    Some days ago, the comedienne in an interview with Zionfelix revealed that she was done with relationships and that she now pays male prostitutes to sleep with her whenever she is in the mood for sex.

    I pay male prostitutes to ‘service me’ – Afia Schwarzenegger

    In a new video shared, Afia Schwarzenegger, lashed out at the men who after watching the interview started sliding into her DM to asking her to contact them so they can also sleep with her and get paid.

    She referred to those men as lazy like her former husband Lawrence Abrokwa who want her to work, get paid and waste her money on them when they could just step out and look for work.

     

    Source: ghpage

  • McBrown’s childbirth: Ex-boyfriend Okyeame Kwame praised for saluting actress

    Nana Ama McBrown’s ex-boyfriend Okyeame Kwame has come up for praise on social media over his best wishes to the actress following the birth of her first child.

    McBrown was reported on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, to have given birth in Canada.

    But she remained quiet and only gave a hint about the childbirth the next day. The actress finally confirmed giving birth after releasing beautiful baby bump photos on Thursday, March 7.

    Read: Nana Ama McBrown excites social media with baby news

    Since the photos emerged online, many congratulatory messages have come McBrown’s way from friends, colleagues, and other celebrities.

    Among the well-wishers was rapper Okyeame Kwame who once dated the actress in a much-publicised relationship.

    Taking to Instagram to share one of the many baby bump photos of McBrown, the rapper who is also known as Rap Dacta wrote: “Congratulations @iamamamcbrown.”

    Read: God has finally wiped my tears and sorrows – McBrown praises God

    The award-winning rapper’s message, even though very short, has melted the hearts of social media users who have applauded him.

    kojo.s.asamoah agreed with Okyeame’s post: “There’s nothing wrong with maintaining a civil relationship after a failed courtship.

    @okyeamekwame you’ve done what any wise person will do. @iamam@yampomah saw the move as good one and prayed for both families: “Maturity at its peak. God bless both families.”

    @naa_adukss also wrote: told guys on the page to learn from Okyeame: “The level of Maturity you have shown should be a lesson and a good example to all the boys following”.

    ekuah_akoto also had her respect for the Rap Dacta shot up: “I’ve always and will always respect you for this King @okyeamekwame.”

    And so did @derealsis: “Awwwwn this is beautiful. Respect sir!”

    The two were lovers around 2004 when Okyeame Kwame had started his solo career after the Akyeame group with Okyeame Quophi split.

    The relationship ended without acrimony and the Kwame and McBrown have found lovers they are happily married to.

    Source: yen.com.gh

  • Northern Development Authority faces financial crisis

    The Northern Development Authority (NDA) is suffering from a massive financial crisis, making it difficult for the management team to deliver its core mandate in tandem with the government’s Ghana beyond aid mantra.

    Since its rebranding and the appointment of a new management team, the NDA is battling with myriad challenges and money is the major issue.

    The situation is to the extent that the management team cannot even pay for services rendered by the NDA’s clients executing several projects including the much touted one village one dam projects.

    Read: Ghana Beyond Aid within our reach Akufo-Addo

    It is against this background development partners operating in Northern Ghana have pleaded with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to provide enough financial support to the NDA.

    They made the plea at a day’s stakeholders meeting in Tamale spearheaded by the Northern Development Authority.

    Read: Ghana Beyond Aid is imperative Seth Terkper

    The event created the opportunity for the NDA to form synergies between multinationals ready to support the socioeconomic growth of Northern Ghana.

    Present at the said meeting was a delegation from the African Development Bank led by the Country Manager, Dr. Yero Baldeh.

    Youth empowerment, jobs creation, education, modernized agriculture, technology, climate change mitigation and gender mainstreaming were some of the thematic areas highlighted at the meeting.

    The stakeholders maintained that the NDA management needed instant money required to deliver its core mandate of growing Northern Ghana’s economy as a means of bridging the poverty gap.

    Read: ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ impossible without strong industrial sector Imani Fellow

    They emphasized that the NDA’s pro-poor programmes should be financially sustainable with the support of the AfDB.

    They insisted that the NDA should have enough resources to serve as a source of collateral to incoming investors.

    They advocated a multifaceted approach to solve the problems in the Agriculture sector which is the economic mainstay of most rural dwellers.

    According to them, there are virgin opportunities within the Savannah Ecological Zone desirous of the NDA’s interventions. 

    They advocated the establishment of a centre to coordinate the policies of the NDA and other development partners to avoid duplications and waste of resources.

    They further called for gender and climate change desk at the NDA.

    In response, the AfDB’s Country Manager, Dr. Yero Baldeh said the bank will adequately address the concerns raised in their next strategy.

    According to him, financing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remained the AfDB’s major concern.

    Dr. Baldeh lauded the Ghana government’s idea of establishing a national bank but suggested that it should be geared towards addressing the financial constraints the private sector is confronted with.

    “The whole agriculture transformation agenda of Ghana cannot succeed without proper financing. We believe that the private sector is where the jobs can be created,” he underscored.

    He called for interagency coordination and the role of the NDA in actualising the master plan.

    Dr. Baldeh stressed trade facilitation between African countries to promote South-South cooperation.

    The NDA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alhaji Dr. Majeed Haroun thanked the African Development Bank for its continued support.

    He also commended the development partners for their contributions to Northern Ghana’s growth.

    A member of the NDA Board, Boniface Agambillah tasked the nation’s tertiary institutions to change the direction of training students and concentrate on practicals than theory.

    The NDA was rebranded in 2017 under the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives 

    Its core mandate is to support the implementation of government’s flagship initiatives earmarked under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Program (IPEP).

    Source: Abdul Karim Naatogmah

  • Chelsea fans dig at Sarri for playing Hudson-Odoi from the bench

    Chelsea fans have taken a swipe at their manager, Maurizio Sarri, for playing Callum Hudson-Odoi on the bench despite his current form.

    The English-born Ghanaian youngster has been linked with a move to Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, but the London club was reported to have turned down several offers from the Bavarians.

    Read: Too much pressure on Hudson-Odoi – Maurizio Sarri

    However, the 18-year-old has had a limited play time for Chelsea although his impact on the game has been significant anytime his is introduced.

    Hudson-Odoi who has scored three goals with one assist in his seven Europa League appearances, came off the bench in the 78th minute to score a late goal to give the Blues a 3-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in their Europa League match on Thursday

    Read: Playing for Chelsea a dream come true – Hudson-Odoi

    This has left the fans wondering why the talented player is still kept on the bench by the manager when his contribution on the pitch is always felt.

    After the game, the fans took to social media to criticise the manage for the limited play time given to the talented young player with some insisting he needs more time than what he currently gets.

    ‘How are we not playing him every game!’ Questioned one Chelsea fan. ‘Give him a new contract too!’

    Another said ‘Hudson-Odoi with his fourth goal of the season despite hardly getting any playing time. What does this kid have to do to win over Sarri!?’

    A fan compared him to Real Madrid wonderkid Vinicius Jr, and stated that Hudson-Odoi “has to go to a club that will play him regularly.”

    Another fan wrote “almost as if they should be playing every game on merit,”

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Emmanuel Frimpong retires from football

    Former Ghana and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has called time of his career at age 27 after battling with persistent knee injuries.

    The player in a Tweet Friday revealed that for the last five years, he has been playing through.

    Read: Chelsea’s great Didier Drogba retires from football

    He said: I have had problems with my knee for the last five years or so and have got back to playing at a professional level.

    “But since November 2017 I haven’t been in action as I had a tear in my knee ligament. I decided with my own will that I will not opt for the operation since I was not enjoying football playing through pain”.

    Read: GFA, Government have failed footballers – Ibrahim Sunday

    Frimpong signed for Arsenal aged nine, where he won a FA Youth Cup and two Premier Academy League titles.

    His last club was Ermis Aradippou who he signed a two-year deal with on August 17, 2017. Frimpong also had stints with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Atletic, Fulham and Barnsley.

    He made his Ghana international debut on March 24, 2013, during a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Sudan.

    It is with great sadness I have decided to retire from professional football.

    I have had problems with my knee for the last five years or so and have got back to playing at a professional level.

    But since November 2017 I haven’t been in action as I had a tear in my knee ligament.

    I decided with my own will that I will not opt for the operation since I was not enjoying football playing through pain.

    I would love to thank all the clubs I have represented, Arsenal, Charlton, Barnsley, Fulham, Ufa, AFC Eskilstuna and Ermis for the love and support they have given and to the fans who always supported me. Thank you and let’s see what the future holds.

    Spending time with my daughter and family the last year has made me realise I’m blessed.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Two year treasury bonds rolled-over

    Government has initiated processes to rollover maturing two year treasury bonds this month, which are expected to mature in 2021.

    This is according to announcement made by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.

    Read: GHC1.92 billion GAT bonds go up on sale

    According to the Ministry of Finance issuance calendar, the bond value to be issued for this month is GHc 400 million. In total, the government is expected to issue GHc1,800 million during the first quarter of 2019, with the issue of GHc1, 000 million in January, GHc400 billion in February.

    The bonds will be issued with each having a face value of GHc1, with a minimum subscription of GHc 50,000 and multiples of GHc 1,000 thereafter. The offer will be open to both local and foreign investors.

    Read: Non-bank financiers turning from bonds to deposits

    The two-year notes would be issued through Barclays Bank, Databank, Stanbic Bank, Fidelity Bank and IC Securities acting as book runners for government.

    Books were closed midday on Thursday, with the final pricing and allocation determined.

    Successful bids will be cleared at a single clearing level. However in the event of oversubscription, there will be a discretionary allocation at the single clearing level.

    Per the issuance calendar of the Ministry, government aims to build benchmark bonds through the issuance of the different instruments, including the 2-Year Note which will be issued once a month through the book-building method.

    Read: Government raises GHC485.9m bond to finance infrastructure

    Although the Bank of Ghana cut its benchmark Monetary Policy Rate by 100 basis points in January this year to 16 percent the yields on medium to long term issuances in which foreign investors are allowed to participate those with tenors of two years or more have been allowed to rise over the past one year in an effort to keep those investors interested. Rising interest rates in the western hemisphere have persuaded foreign investors to transfer their portfolio investments from cedi denominated Government of Ghana bonds to dollar and euro denominated bonds and this is a major reason why the cedi has depreciated significantly since the second quarter of 2018.

    Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy

    The 2019 debt strategy, which is expected to be a continuation of the strategy implemented in 2018, government would issue an annual borrowing and recovery plan for 2019 in line with section 60 (5) of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law.

    Source: goldstreetbusiness.com

  • Meet the 36 female MPs in Ghana’s Parliament

    Statistics from the population and housing census puts Ghana’s female population at 51%.

    Currently, there are 36 women in Ghana’s parliament and this represents 12.75 percent from both the majority and minority sides, a clear short of the 30 percent representation set by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

    Read: NDC women cannot be trusted; NPP MPs are ‘bonking’ them Haruna Iddrisu

    The figure is an increase of 7, as against the election 2012 figure of 29, where 133 women contested 102 parliamentary seats.

    Yet females are underrepresented in Ghana’s legislature.

    The figure is worse and lacks representation regionally.

    Read: UN Secretary General calls on Ghana MPs to re-establish public trust

    Though the figure represents a slight increase from 29, some gender activists have complained that women’s representation in the Legislature was still low, as it still fell short of the minimum UN recommended threshold of 30 per cent requirement, that was deemed satisfactory by activists at the Beijing Conference of 1995.

    Indeed, women’s representation in Parliament has not been impressive since the country returned to constitutional rule in 1993.

    The First Parliament of the Fourth Republic had 16 women out of the 200 MPs, and the Second, Third and Fourth parliaments, saw a slight increase in the number of female parliamentarians.

    Below is a list of female MPs who form part of the 7th Parliament of Ghana’s 4th Republic.

    Name of MP – Political party – Constituency

    Tina Gifty Naa Ayeley Mensah – NPP – Weija Gbawe

    Sophia Karen Ackuaku – NDC – Domeabra/Obom

    Shirley Ayorkor Botchway – NPP – Anyaa Sowutuom

    Sarah Adwoa Safo – NPP – Dome-Kwabenya

    Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie – NPP – Ablekuma North

    Ursula Owusu Ekuful – NPP – Ablekuma West

    Dr. Zanetor Rawlings – NDC – Klottey Korle

    Elizabeth Afoley Quaye – NPP – Krowor

    Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo – NDC – Shai Osudoku

    Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah – NDC – Ada East

    Nana Dokua Asiamah Adjei – NPP – Akropong

    Mercy Adu-Gyamfi – NPP – Akwatia

    Gifty Twum Ampofo – NPP – Abuakwa North

    Abena Osei Asare – NPP – Atiwa East

    Betty Mensah Nana Afua Krosby – NDC – Afram Plains North

    Joyce Adwoa Akoh Dei – NPP – Bosome Freho

    Ama Pomaa Boateng – NPP – Juaben

    Francisca Oteng Mensah – NPP – Kwabre East

    Patricia Appiagyei – NPP – Asokwa

    Barbara Asher Ayisi – NPP – Cape Coast North

    Queenstar Ama Pokua Sawyerr – NDC – Agona East

    Naana Eyiah Quansah – NPP – Gomoa Central

    Cynthia Maamle Morrison – NPP – Agona West

    Abena Durowaa Mensah – NPP – Assin North

    Mavis Hawa Koomson – NPP – Awutu Senya East

    Ayamba Laddi Ayii – NDC – Pusiga

    Joycelyn Tetteh – NDC – North Dayi

    Della Sowah – NDC – Kpando

    Helen Adjoa Ntoso – NDC – Krachi West

    Angela Oforiwaa Alorwu Tay – NDC – Afadjato South

    Bernice Adiku Heloo – NDC – Hohoe

    Hajia Alima Mahama – NPP – Nalerigu/Gambaga

    Catherine Abelema Afeku – NPP – Evalue Ajomoro- Gwira

    Barbara Oteng-Gyasi – NPP – Prestea Huni Valley

    Freda Prempeh – NPP – Tano North

    Lydia Seyram Alhassan – NPP – Ayasaso West Wuogon

    Source: Pulse.com.gh

  • Nigerians vote in governor elections

    Nigerians are heading to the polls to elect state and local representatives, two weeks after the presidential poll.

    The exercise will take place in 29 of the country’s 36 states.

    Read: What we’ve learnt from the Nigerian election

    In oil-rich Nigeria, some state governors control budgets larger than those of neighbouring countries and so these are often keenly contested.

    President Muhammadu Buhari beat his main rival Atiku Abubakar in the 23 February election, securing a second term.

    Across the country, Mr Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) got 15.2 million votes while Mr Abubakar’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) received 11.3 million. There are 73 million registered voters.

    Read: Nigeria’s Atiku won the elections, Buhari rigged – Prophet Nigel

    The APC won 19 states, while the PDP secured 16 plus the capital Abuja.

    Mr Abubakar said the election was a “sham” and was not free and fair. He has since filed a petition challenging President Buhari’s win. 

    Although turnout for the presidential election was low across the country, it was higher in the northern states – one factor behind Mr Buhari’s victory.

    This is likely to change in Saturday’s election because the seats being contested are closer to the grassroots and their impact is more felt by the ordinary people, says BBC Nigeria Editor Aliyu Tanko.

    Fears of possible election-related violence has led to the massive deployment of security personnel across the country.

    Seven states – Kogi, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Edo and Anambra – will not hold elections because their governors have not finished their four-year terms.

    The turnout for the state elections is expected to be higher than the 35.5% in last month’s presidential election, down from 44% in 2015.

    Most Nigerians take state elections seriously because their lives are directly impacted by the governor and representatives in the state legislature.

    For instance, in 2000 – Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima introduced sharia law in Zamfara state and some other state governors in the north followed suit, even though the federal government wasn’t fully in support of that idea.

    The governors also enjoy political influence and control huge budgets.

    Lagos, one of the most contested states, has an estimated population of 17.5 million people – this is more than the combined population of Gabon, The Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone.

    The state’s GDP is more than that of Kenya. In fact, Lagos would be the fifth largest economy in Africa if it were a country.

    Other key battle grounds that will be hotly contested between the APC and PDP are Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Kano and Kwara.

    Source: bbc.com

     

  • ‘Ex-convict’ Kwame Bonsu set for greater heights- Yusif Chibsah

    Ex-Asante Kotoko and Black Stars player Yusif Alhassan Chibsah says in-form Asante Kotoko midfielder Kwame Bonsu Conte is set for greater heights after the player has seen a resurgence in his career after been released from prison a year ago.

    The 23-year-old spent one-year in prison out of the two years handed him after being found guilty of sexual assault on his former wife.

    Read: CAF Confed Cup: Kotoko is best team in Group C – Michael Osei

    Yusif Chibsah who currently manages Kwame Bonsu admitted that the player’s rise in form after all his miseries is as a result of his hardwork and determination and he has more to offer Ghana football.

    “I personally believe it’s a blessing in disguise but it doesn’t just happen,It calls for hardwork,determination and discipline. He didn’t have it easy,he struggled to earn a first team place but through the encouragement we gave and his hardwork,he’s doing great now”, he told Kumasi FM.

    Read: Kotoko’s Maxwell Baakoh to undergo surgery next Monday

    “I’ve known him for a couple of years and I know his qualities and abilities reason why I’ve been behind him all this while but I’ve cautioned him against complecency. “He is a player who started his football in Kumasi and those who know him can testify he has more in him. He has a lot more to offer for Ghana football,we need to guide and encourage him”, he added.

    After an impressive performance against Nkana FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on match day four of the CAF Confederation Cup, there have been calls from some football fans and the media to Kwesi Appiah to hand Kwame Bonsu a national team call up.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Man Utd penalty against PSG was right – Uefa

    Uefa has backed the video assistant referee system’s decision to award Manchester United an injury-time penalty that knocked Paris St-Germain out of the Champions League.

    Diogo Dalot’s shot hit Presnel Kimpembe’s arm but was only deemed a spot-kick after the VAR intervention.

    Injured PSG forward Neymar called the decision a “disgrace”.

    But Uefa said the distance the ball covered was “not short” and Kimpembe’s arm was “not close” to his body.

    Based on this, it added that “the impact could therefore not be unexpected” and “the defender’s body [was made] bigger thus resulting in the ball being stopped from travelling in the direction of the goal.

    “The referee, therefore, awarded a penalty kick.

    “Given that the referee did not recognise the incident clearly during live play [referred to as serious missed incident in the VAR protocol] an on-field review was conducted.”

    After a lengthy delay where Slovenian referee Damir Skomina conducted the review on a pitch-side monitor, Marcus Rashford scored the penalty to earn United a 3-1 win on the night and send them through on away goals.

    It was the 21-year-old’s first competitive spot-kick for his club and ensured that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team became the first in Champions League history to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the home leg in a knockout tie.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Wesley Girls High School dominates WAEC Distinction Awards

    It was another day of glory for Wesley Girls’ High School in Cape Coast when the school swept four of the six prizes at stake at the 2019 WAEC Distinction Awards ceremony on Friday.

    Wilhermina Opoku, a former student of the school, currently pursuing science at the KNUST was adjudged the Overall Best in the WASSCE.

    Read: No disease outbreak at Wesley Girls – GHS

    In addition, she also emerged the Best Candidate for the General Science programme.

    Ms Sarpong Brago Afrifa formerly of Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ SHS, Kumasi and currently at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) came up as the Second Overall Best student.

    Read: ‘Better’ version of Double Track system at Wesley Girls, Univ Practice SHS

    Ms Imelda Naa Ayorkor Adjei also a former student of the Wesley High Girls’ School, Cape Coast and currently pursuing science at the University of Ghana, took the third position.

    The Overall Best in the General Arts Programme went to Ms Davina Seyram Gbedy, another former student of Wesley Girls’ High School, while the lone gentleman in the midst of the ladies

    Master Dennis Acquah a former student of St Augustine’s College picked the Overall Best Business student.

    Source: www.graphic.com.gh

  • Joy News ‘militia” documentary misleading – Government

    The government says a documentary produced by a subsidiary of the Multimedia Group, Joy News which alleged that a militia had been uncovered training and operating at a Security Zone in Accra with permission from the current administration was misleading.

    At a press briefing Friday in Accra, the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said the documentary titled ‘Militia in the heart of the Nation’, carried a number of significant misrepresentations.

    Read: Government castigates JoyNews over exposé on pro-NPP militia

    He stressed that although the documentary stated emphatically that a militia had been uncovered in its promotion, it only showed young people converging at the Castle, Osu in the belief that jobs will be found for them.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah further urged the producer of the documentary, Manasseh Awuni Azure to avoid such “unprofessional misrepresentations” in the future, given that the narrative in its advertisement did not support the footage aired.

    Read: Soldiers clear out NPP militia group, De-Eye over Joy News exposé

    “Firstly, the promotion of the documentary, and the narrative of the documentary stated emphatically that a “militia” (a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency) has been uncovered training and operating at a “Security Zone”, with the complicity of the current administration, and identified them as belonging to the New Patriotic Party. Surprisingly, the 20-minute documentary does not show any evidence of such a militia or a vigilante group training or operating at a “Security Zone”. Rather, it shows a group of young men and women, dressed up in white shirts and black suits, converging at the Castle, Osu, in the belief that jobs will be found for them,” MR Oppong Nkrumah said.

    The documentary – Militia in the heart of the Nation – which aired on Joy News Thursday claimed that a pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) militia group De Eye Group led by Nana Wireko Addo has been training at the Christianborg Castle, Osu since the party won power in 2017.

    Read: Osu Castle Militia: Akufo-Addo painting Ghana black with vigilantism Mahama breaks silence

    It further alleged that the group receives state support and trains at the Castle where its leader (Nana Wireko Addo alias Choman)  has an office.

    However, the Minister said from JoyNews’ own documentary, it was clear that the company is only involved in helping young people find jobs as stated on its website.

    Source: www.graphic.com.gh

  • CAF Confed Cup: Kotoko is best team in Group C – Michael Osei

    Former Asante Kotoko coach Michael Osei says the Porcupine Warriors are the best side in group C of the CAF Confederations Cup.

    The Ghanaian giants have impressed in the group stages of the competition despite the lack of competitive football in the West African nation.

    Osei praised the Kumasi based outfit for reaching this stage of the competition and believes they have enough quality to go all the way.

    “The entire Kotoko team have done a very good job so far looking at the current state of football in the Country. The technical team is also doing well because it wasn’t easy looking at inactivity of football in the Country,” he told Ashh FM.

    “We must keep on supporting and encouraging the team because technically, Kotoko is the best in their group,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the deputy Black Stars coach was also quick to admit the players lack some match fitness.

    “The players lack match fitness so we must be calm and support them positively because the players are trying their best though there is no competitive games been played in the Country,” Osei said.

    “Selection of players should be left to the Technical Team because they are competent enough to give their best for the team,their selection for the game against Nkana fc was very good so I think we must support the coach and his team.”

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Kotoko’s Maxwell Baakoh to undergo surgery next Monday

    Asante Kotoko midfielder Maxwell Baakoh is set to undergo surgery on Monday in Kumasi, the club have confirmed.

    The diminutive winger has been playing through the pain barrier since arriving at the club from Karela United before the start of the

    He has been suffering from a stress fracture in his left shin.

    ”We examined him sometime back and found that he had a stress fracture. We also identified that it was hugely manageable. It appears we can no longer manage it now so he has to undergo surgery,” team doctor Christiana Baah told Kotoko Express.

    ”Baakoh has been playing with pain and that has had a toll on him- that’s on his psyche and his performance. But he would be stronger after the surgery.

    ”The pain of having to play with an injury would be no more. This would improve his game.”

    Baku will be up for up to six months, including eight weeks for recovery and another 12 weeks for rehabilitation and match fitness

  • CAF Confed Cup: Kotoko are the best in group C – Michael Osei

    Former Asante Kotoko coach Michael Osei says the Porcupine Warriors are the best side in group C of the CAF Confederations Cup.

    The Ghanaian giants have impressed in the group stages of the competition despite the lack of competitive football in the West African nation.

    Osei praised the Kumasi based outfit for reaching this stage of the competition and believes they have enough quality to go all the way.

    “The entire Kotoko team have done a very good job so far looking at the current state of football in the Country. The technical team is also doing well because it wasn’t easy looking at inactivity of football in the Country,” he told Ashh FM.

    “We must keep on supporting and encouraging the team because technically, Kotoko is the best in their group,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the deputy Black Stars coach was also quick to admit the players lack some match fitness.

    “The players lack match fitness so we must be calm and support them positively because the players are trying their best though there is no competitive games been played in the Country,” Osei said.

    “Selection of players should be left to the Technical Team because they are competent enough to give their best for the team,their selection for the game against Nkana fc was very good so I think we must support the coach and his team.”

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Caleb Ekuban earns debut Ghana call-up for Kenya clash

    On-loan Trabzonspor striker Caleb Ekuban has earned a maiden Ghana call-up for the final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya in Accra, GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The Italian-born has been impressive in the Turkish Super Lig since moving from Leeds United.

    Ekuban, 24, has scored six goals in all competitions and made 14 appearances in the league.

    Head coach Kwesi Appiah wants to give him an opportunity to audition for a spot in the team ahead of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals.

    Ekuban, who qualifies to represent Italy, announced his decision to play for Ghana in the summer of 2017 after completing his switch from Chievo Verona to Leeds United.

    In April last year, he met Appiah in London where they held discussions about his international future.

  • CAF Confed Cup: We are going to beat Kotoko on Sunday – Al Hilal Coach

    Al Hilal Assistant Coach Adam Salah Mohammed believes his side will cause an upset at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday as they play against Asante Kotoko in Group C match day five of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    The Sudanese club defeated the Porcupine Warriors on match day one in Omdurman by 1-0.

    Read: Benevolent Kotoko supporter secures 500 tickets for fans

    Speaking to Oyerepa FM ahead of the game on Sunday Adam Salah said, “We know Asante very well, very respected in Africa,we are here to beat them,yea am sure”.

    He also stated that upon their arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, the Kotoko fans had told them they were going to lose by three goals.

    “On our way from the Airport,the supporters saying they will beat us three but it wont be easy. We are not afraid ,no fears. Hilal is also big in Africa”.

    He added that: “The weather in Sudan is hot and Ghana is hot,its very good for football.

    Read: Kotoko’s Kwame Bonsu handed maiden Black Stars call-up

    “We are praying for good a day and a good day for the referee as well”.

    A win for Al Hilal on Sunday will see them qualify to the next stage.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • US police detain black man picking up rubbish outside home

    Police in the US state of Colorado have launched an internal probe after an officer detained a black man holding a rubbish picker in front of his building, US reports say.

    Footage showed the man asking an officer why he had drawn his gun.

    “I don’t have a weapon! This is a bucket! This is a clamp!” he says in the video taken by a neighbour.

    Police in Boulder said an officer had called for back up as the man was “unwilling to put down a blunt object”.

    Several more officers attended the scene before they determined that the man had a legal right to be on the property and took no further action, a police statement said.

    During the incident the man gave officers his university ID and said repeatedly that he lived and worked at the shared occupancy building.

    One of the officers has been placed on leave while the investigation takes place, the New York Times reported.

    Earlier this week Police Chief Greg Testatold told Boulder city officials that it was an “extremely concerning issue”.

    He confirmed that an officer had drawn his gun but said he had pointed it at the ground, the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper reported.

    Protesters at the city council meeting clacked rubbish pickers and held Black Lives Matter signs, the newspaper reported.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Stormy Daniels: Porn star’s Trump hush money case thrown out

    A US federal judge has dismissed porn actress Stormy Daniels’ lawsuit seeking to annul a hush money agreement she had with President Donald Trump.

    The agreement prevented her from discussing an alleged 2006 fling with Mr Trump – but Mr Trump had already agreed not to enforce it.

    Mr Trump has denied having an affair with Ms Daniels.

    His former lawyer Michael Cohen has said the $130,000 (£100,000) payment was made to help Mr Trump get elected.

    Last month Mr Cohen told Congress that Mr Trump had reimbursed him for the payment “as part of a criminal scheme to violate campaign finance laws”.

    Mr Trump has denied wrongdoing.

    The decision in favour of Mr Trump by Los Angeles Federal Judge James Otero follows the failure of Ms Daniels’ defamation case against Mr Trump last year – a case over which Judge Otero also presided.

    She had sued the US president after he mocked her claim that a stranger had threatened her to keep quiet.

    Ms Daniels said the latest ruling amounted to the end of the non-disclosure agreement.

    “More than a year ago when I was being threatened with a 20 million lawsuit, I asked a judge to toss out this illegal NDA. Glad I stood my ground and kept fighting,” she said on Twitter.

    Her lawyer Michael Avenatti also insisted the result was a win for his client.

    Source: bbc.com

  • No pressure to withdraw from Syria by specific date: US general

    The general overseeing US forces in the Middle East said on Thursday that he was under no pressure to withdraw forces from Syria by any specific date, after President Donald Trump ordered the pull-out of most US troops from Syria.

    “What is driving the withdrawal of course is our mission, which is the defeat of ISIS and so that is our principal focus and that is making sure that we protect our forces, that we don’t withdraw in a manner that increases the risk to our forces,” Joseph Votel, head of the US Central Command, said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing.

    “There is no pressure on me to meet a specific date at this particular time,” Votel said.

    Trump had ordered the withdrawal of all 2,000 US troops in Syria in December and declared the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) defeated. The abrupt decision sparked an outcry from allies and US politicians and was a factor in James Mattis’s resignation as defence secretary.

    But Trump was persuaded by advisers that about 200 US troops would join what is expected to be a total commitment of about 800 to 1,500 troops from European allies to set up and observe a safe zone being negotiated for northeastern Syria.

    About 200 other US troops will remain at the US military outpost of Tanf, near the border with Iraq and Jordan.

    Thousands of people could still be left inside ISIL’s last enclave in eastern Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said, as waves of evacuations from the tiny area continued on Thursday.

    The SDF has said it wants to ensure all civilians have been evacuated before launching a final assault on the besieged enclave of Baghouz. It is the last shred of populated territory held by ISIL, which once controlled swaths of Iraq and Syria.

    On Wednesday, a senior SDF commander said that about 400 ISIL fighters were captured as they tried to leave the enclave. He said hundreds of others surrendered from the last shred of territory they control in the village of Baghouz in Deir Az Zor province.

    Votel said he believed that ISIL fighters being evacuated from the remaining territory controlled by the armed group were largely “unrepentant, unbroken and radicalised”. He said the armed group was waiting “for the right time to resurge”.

    “We will need to maintain a vigilant offensive against this now widely dispersed and disaggregated organisation that includes leaders, fighters, facilitators, resources and toxic ideology,” Votel added.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Ayawaso Probe: I slapped Sam George for calling me foolish Northerner

    A member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of National Security, Mohammed Sulemana has indicated that he beat Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George for calling him a foolish Northerner.

    Mr. Sulemana was testifying before the Justice Emile Short Commission on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Osu Castle in Accra.

    Read: I’m sorry Sam George’s SWAT assailant

    He said on the day of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, he was sitting in a car with other members of the SWAT Team when he heard Mr. George shouting on top of his voice.

    He noted that Mr. George came close to the car on the La Bawaleshie Park and that when Sulemana got down, Mr. George upon seeing his tribal mark, called him foolish Northerner.

    According to him, from the conduct of Mr. George on that day, he did not appear to be a Member of Parliament.

    Read: I regret slapping Sam George SWAT member

    He stated that if he knew Sam George was an MP he would not have “knocked” him.

    Sam George was slapped twice on January 31, 2019 during the bloody by-election.

    When asked if he would apologize when given the opportunity, he responded in the affirmative.

    Read: ‘I shielded Sam George in hail of bullets; was ready to die for him’ Double

    “My Lord, I will apologize to him. My Lord, I was guilty at what I did. I regret what I did,” he said in Dagbani.

    He appeared very remorseful throughout his short testimony.

    A member of the Commission, Prof. Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, admonished him to be mindful of actions as a public official.

    She said “so never forget that when you wear a uniform, you are not Sulemana but a Ghanaian official and you must treat all Ghanaians with respect.”

    She told him that “you need to apologize not only to the person (Mr. George) but also to your unit and to all of us.”

    A video was shown to Mr. Sulemana during the hearing in which he was seen dropping off the vehicle angrily towards Mr. George and ended up slapping him.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • UN rights chief warns against harassment of Muslims in India

    The United Nations human rights chief has warned India that its “divisive policies” could undermine economic growth, saying that narrow political agendas were marginalising vulnerable people in an already unequal society.

    “We are receiving reports that indicate increasing harassment and targeting of minorities – in particular, Muslims and people from historically disadvantaged and marginalised groups, such as Dalits and Adivasis,” Michelle Bachelet said in her annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday.

    Bachelet’s warning came a day after Amnesty International’s India chapter said it had recorded a “disturbing” number of hate crimes, including assault, rape and murder, against marginalised groups in 2018.

    Relying on cases reported in mainstream English and Hindi media, the group on Tuesday said it had documented a total of 218 incidents of alleged hate crimes last year. Some 142 of them were against lower-caste Dalits, while 50 were against Muslims.

    Aakar Patel, executive director of Amnesty India, told Al Jazeera that there was “a culture of impunity for hate crimes” in India.

    The country’s law, with some exceptions, does not recognise hate crimes as a specific offence, Patel said, urging political leaders to be more vocal in denouncing such violence and calling on the police to “take steps to unmask any potentially discriminatory motive in a crime”.

    “Legal reforms that enable recording of hate crimes and strengthen accountability must be a priority for any government that comes to power following the upcoming general elections,” he added.

    ‘India’s moral stature stunted by attacks’

    Kavita Krishnan, an activist based in New Delhi, said “the UN human rights chief should be concerned about this irrespective whether it affects economic growth or not”.

    “Everything cannot be measured in terms of economic growth. India’s moral stature is stunted by these organised attacks on minorities which is justified in the name of protecting cows or in the name of protecting Hindu women,” she said.

    The report comes weeks ahead of the general elections due in April and May. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accused of not doing enough to address the rising attacks against minorities.

    In December, Factchecker.in, a data journalism outfit, said “the year 2018 saw the most hate crimes motivated by religious bias in India in a decade”.

    The group said 30 people were killed in 93 such attacks last year, the highest number of deaths since it began tracking hate crimes in 2009. More than 300 people were wounded, the group said.

    Most of the attacks took place in states ruled by the BJP. Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state, topped the list with 27 cases. Bihar, with 10 cases, came second. The figures by Factchecher.in show a spike in alleged hate crimes after Modi took power in 2014.

    State governments ruled by the BJP have cracked down on the slaughter of cows, an animal many Hindus consider sacred, with vigilante groups beating and even killing poor Muslim and Dalit men over allegations of slaughtering cows and eating beef.

    Modi has repeatedly said the state governments should punish vigilantes who commit violence in the name of cow protection, but his critics say the government has not done enough to prosecute the people accused of killings.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Afghanistan: Explosions target political gathering in Kabul

    At least three people have died after multiple explosions targeted a political gathering attended by Afghanistan’s chief executive and a former president in the capital Kabul, government officials said.

    “We have reports of explosions in the western part of Kabul. Investigations have been launched,” said Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesman at the interior ministry.

    Another source at the interior ministry told the local media that the source of the explosions came from someone firing mortar shells from a house in Kabul’s District 18.

    There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

    An official who was at the ceremony, speaking on condition of anonymity, however, told The Associated Press that seven people were killed and 10 wounded. The different accounts of casualties could not immediately be reconciled.

    Earlier, a senior interior ministry official said the attackers could have targeted a large gathering of Shia Muslims attending a commemoration on the anniversary of a leader’s death at Musala-e-Mazari compound

    Hundreds of people were attending the Kabul meeting to mark the 24th anniversary of the death of Abdul Ali Mazari, leader of the Hezb-e-Wahdat party.

    Mazari was killed by the Taliban after he was taken prisoner by them in 1995.
    ‘High-value targets’

    Al Jazeera’s Charlotte Bellis said military vehicles were heading to the site.

    “There was intelligence last night that this [gathering] may be attacked as there are many high-value targets,” she said, reporting from Kabul.

    The country’s Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and former president were both in attendance and unharmed, AFP news agency reported.

    Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani – who was at the scene – later tweeted “terrorists launched rocket attacks on commemoration ceremony,” and said he escaped safely.

    “The ministry of interior told us they have arrested one person they believe to have fired one rocket and that special forces have surrounded a house nearby to where this gathering took place where they believe the rockets were sent from,” Bellis said.

    Speaking to local news agency Tolo, a witness said security forces were attempting to evacuate the attendees, and that the area had already been cordoned off.

    “The people I saw who were evacuated were those inside their own homes, which had smoke and fire coming out of them,” the unnamed witness said.

    “People were trying to get to any means of transport available in order to evacuate the wounded quickly to the hospital,” he added. “One of the injured was lying on a cart.”

    The incident came as the United States and the Taliban continue to hold peace talks in Qatar aimed at ending the nearly 18-year conflict.

    The last major attack in Kabul occurred in January when the Taliban claimed responsibility for a car bomb that struck the heavily fortified Green Village foreign compound.

    Heavy snowfall across large swaths of Afghanistan has led to a reduction in violence this winter, but warmer weather in the country’s south is likely to lead to an increase in bloodshed.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Arsenal bid to slow Man Utd juggernaut as Pep juggles

    Arsenal host Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend in a game that could have a major bearing on who secures a coveted Champions League spot for next season.

    Third-placed Tottenham, now realistically out of the title race, are just five points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea as the finishing line comes into sight.

    Leaders Manchester City host Watford and Liverpool welcome Burnley to Anfield, while Spurs visit Southampton and Chelsea entertain Wolves.

    AFP Sport picks out some of the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

    Will fixture pile-up and injuries cost City?

    Manchester City have been installed as favourites to retain their Premier League crown after retaking top spot from a faltering Liverpool, but the picture is more complicated than it seems.

    Kevin De Bruyne limped off against Bournemouth last week to compound a miserable season for the Belgian while Fernandinho is also currently out of action.

    One good piece of news for Guardiola is that defender Aymeric Laporte returned to training this week, though it is unclear when he will be ready for action.

    City are through to the FA Cup quarter-finals and look certain to progress next week to the last eight of the Champions League as they chase an unprecedented quadruple.

    But despite the depth and quality of their squad, they need their big players available at the sharp end of the season.

    Will Klopp trust Shaqiri?

    Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri made a big impact in the first few months of his career at Liverpool but he appears to have slipped off Jurgen Klopp’s radar in recent weeks.

    Shaqiri was an unused substitute last week as Liverpool laboured to break down a stubborn Everton defence, drawing 0-0.

    Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes Liverpool are missing the creative spark provided by Shaqiri.

    “He’s a player who can come on and change a game,” Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo. “People are bound to question what’s happened there because earlier in the season he was a great option off the bench.

    “He’s still our fourth top scorer behind the front three. We’re not getting goals from all over the place and he would give us another threat.”

    Lethal Lukaku

    Romelu Lukaku appeared to be one of the fall guys under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Norwegian interim boss quickly made it clear that Marcus Rashford was his first choice up front.

    Critics pointed to a heavy first touch and the fact he was carrying too much bulk.

    A nine-game barren run appeared to justify the decision but the Belgian, taking advantage of a spate of injuries to United’s forwards, has now turned his season around with six goals in three games.

    Lukaku has improved his shot conversion rate under Solskjaer and has given United an extra goal threat, either down the right or in the middle.

    Kane hunts Golden Boot

    Harry Kane took advantage of a blank week for his main rivals — Sergio Aguero, Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — to revive his chances of winning a third Premier League Golden Boot in four seasons.

    The England captain, who missed four Premier League games with an injured ankle, is on 16 goals, level with Aubameyang, one behind Salah and two adrift of Aguero.

    With three goals in four games in all competitions since he returned from injury, Kane will fancy his chances against struggling Southampton.

    Arsenal’s last big test?

    Arsenal have flown under the radar in recent weeks but have quietly been going about their business as they battle for a return to the Champions League after two seasons away from Europe’s top table.

    Unai Emery’s men missed out on returning to the top four after Aubameyang saw his late penalty saved by Hugo Lloris in last week’s north London derby draw against Tottenham.

    But after their home game against Manchester United on Sunday, the fixture list looks kind, with none of the top six sides left to play.

    For all Arsenal’s inconsistency this season, the latest wobble a 3-1 Europa League defeat at Rennes, a return to the Champions League next season would be proof of progress in the post-Arsene Wenger era.

    Fixtures (1500 GMT kick-off unless stated)

    Saturday

    Crystal Palace v Brighton (1230), Cardiff v West Ham, Huddersfield v Bournemouth, Leicester v Fulham, Newcastle v Everton, Southampton v Tottenham, Manchester City v Watford (1730)

    Sunday

    Liverpool v Burnley (1200), Chelsea v Wolves (1405), Arsenal v Manchester United (1630)

    Source: France24

  • Medikal attacks blogger for publishing fake news about him

    Rapper Medikal has rubbished reports circulating on social media that some military men have stormed his house to seize all his cars including the ones he bought for his girlfriend, actress Fella Makafui.

    The online portals reported that the military men chased Medikal because they suspected he had acquired some stolen cars from the USA.

    Read: My cars are not seized; no military men stormed my house – Medikal

    Other reports claimed the Military men seized the cars from the rapper because they were not cleared through the right channels at the port.

    But reacting to this, the AMG rapper took to Twitter saying: 

     

    “None of my cars have been seized, No police or Soldier come my house, Cadet sef no come here, poverty fall on the blogger making those fake news”

     

     

    Source: Adomonline 

  • Emmanuel Gyamfi sidelined for two weeks; major doubt to face Zesco United

    Emmanuel Gyamfi has been ruled out of Asante Kotoko’s remaining two Group C matches in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    The winger has been sidelined for two weeks after picking up a foot injury in last week’s 3-0 win over Nkana FC at home.

    Gyamfi had to be stretchered off after sustaining the setback as he connected home a rebound to register Kotoko’s second goal on 24 minutes at the Baba Yara Stadium.

    Read: Sabail FC honour ex-Ghana Star Michael Essien

    He suffered a contusion and according to team doctor Christiana Baah the player would require 14 days to fully recover.

    Gyamfi remains a major doubt for Kotoko final Group match against Zesco United in Ndola, Zambia on 17 March, 2019.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Benevolent Kotoko supporter secures 500 tickets for fans

    Aspiring National Circles Chairman of Asante Kotoko Christopher Dwamenya as part of his efforts to ensure the Baba Yara Sports Stadium is filled to capacity as Kotoko host Al Hilal in the CAF Confederation Cup match day five as secured 500 tickets worth Gh 10,000 for the fans.

    According to the benevolent supporter who is also aspiring for National Circles Council (NCC) Chairman, he believes that the supporters play an indispensable role to supplement the effort of the players on the field to wrestle for victory , hence, the decision to buy the tickets.

    Read: Abednego Tetteh issues fresh warning to Asante Kotoko ahead of Al Hilal clash

    The match day tickets purchased will be distributed to all the regional circles chairmen to augment their preparations ahead of the Kotoko-Al Hilal, acording to a statement released from his camp.

    The business mogul is also urging the fans to rally behind the team to propel the team to victory on Sunday.

    Read: Kotoko’s Kwame Bonsu handed maiden Black Stars call-up

    Asante Kotoko will be hoping for a win against Al Hilal in this crucial encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

    The Porcupine Warriors lost the first leg by 1-0 in Omdurman on match day. Kotoko will be hoping for a revenge in this game.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Jerome Boateng and two other stars axed from Germany squad

    Germany manager has acted on his sides failure at last summer’s World Cup by telling Jerome Boateng, Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels they are no longer wanted by the national team.

    Last summer Germany entered the World Cup in Russia as holders, having won in Brazil four years earlier, and one of the favourites. Joachim Low dealt one of the biggest pre tournament shocks by not picking Leroy Sane, despite his brilliant season for Manchester City, but still had a star studded squad.

    Read: Emmanuel Frimpong announces retirement from football at age 27

    The four time champions were beaten in their opening game by Mexico and the central Americans hit them over and over again on the break. Against Sweden in the next group game Toni Kroos’ brilliant last minute free kick gave them three points and it was assumed they would turn round the first game loss to qualify.

    In their final game South Korea scored two injury time goals, with the second coming via an embarrassing moment from Manuel Neuer, and Germany were out of the World Cup before the knockout stages.

    Both Low and many of the senior players received criticism but the manager was allowed to stay on in his role.

    Read: Sabail FC honour ex-Ghana Star Michael Essien

    Now he’s taken the steps to get back to former glory by dropping three of his most senior players.

    Unless there is a huge change of heart from Low, or a change in manager, he won’t get the chance to score for the national team again.

    Between the three men they have amassed 244 international caps but they now have to get on with concentrating on winning the Bundesliga and Champions League with Bayern Munich.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Sabail FC honour ex-Ghana Star Michael Essien

    Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has been honoured at Azerbaijani top-flight side Sabail FC, GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively report. 

    Essien was at the Bayil Arena Stadium in Baku and met players of the top-flight side to motivate and inspire them.

    He was presented with a Sabail FC shirt.

    Read: Emmanuel Frimpong announces retirement from football at age 27

    The retired Ghana international wished the club success in the future activities.

    Essien was in the Azerbaijani capital where he played in an exhibition match dubbed “Baku 2019: Stars Final” held on March 3.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Abednego Tetteh issues fresh warning to Asante Kotoko ahead of Al Hilal clash

    Ex-Al Hilal forward Abednego Tetteh issued another caution to Asante Kotoko ahead of the penultimate CAF Confederation Cup Group C showdown against his former employers.

    The Porcupine Warriors will be aiming to boost their chances of advancing to knockout round of the CAF Confederation Cup when they host Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

    The Reds sit second on the Group C standings with six points, one adrift of their Sunday’s opponents and a win for either side will brighten their chances of qualifying from the group.

    Read: New Edubiase United vice president narrowly escapes death in horrific car crash

    Having lost to the Sudanese in the reverse leg by a goal to nil, Tetteh who donned the jersey of the Blue Sharks during the 2016/17 season says the Ghanaian side could be laughing at the wrong side of their mouths should they underrate the away performance of his former club.

    The Real Kashmir striker made a similar call before Charles Akonnor’s charges lost 1-0 in Omdurman.

    “Al Hilal are really thirsty for the CAF Confederation Cup so they will come into the game to win in Kumasi,” he told Ashhfm.

    “Kotoko players should be very careful else Al Hilal can come and cause havoc in Kumasi”

    Read: Kwadwo Asamoah confident of Inter’s Europa League quarter finals qualification

    The 28-year-old disclosed how the Sudanese over the years have approached their games, which seem to be working for them in this years campaign.

    “I don’t think the players were given winning bonus in their win against Kotoko in their home game because, the management of the team don’t give winning bonus when they win by a goal to nil. It happened during my days with the club.

    “The management don’t like a one goal win in a game,they always want more goals when playing games so it will be do or die playing against Kotoko on Sunday”

     
     
    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • New Edubiase United vice president narrowly escapes death in horrific car crash

    New Edubiase United vice president Alex Ackumey came out unscathed after being involved in a horrific car crash.

    The hardworking football administrator and his friend drove into a stationary long vehicle on the Tema Motorway on Wednesday night.

    They had to be cut from the mangled wreckage of their saloon car by rescuers following the crash.

    Read: Naa Odofoley Nortey threatens to resign over NC removal claims, Baah Nuako to replace her?

    Ackumey miraculous had no cuts or injuries but the driver suffered some bruises and wounds.

    ”I can only thank God for my life. I am at the 37 Military Hospital for a check up and run another test, but I can only be grateful I’m alive and unhurt,” Ackumey told GHANASoccernet.com.

    Ackumey is also vice chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Kwadwo Asamoah confident of Inter’s Europa League quarter finals qualification

    Midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah says Inter Milan will “fight for qualification at San Siro” when they host Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of the last 16 tie of the Europa League next week. 

    Asamoah lasted the entire duration of the game as the Nerazzuri’s return to Italy with a goalless draw from Frankfurt.

    Despite the stalemate, the Ghana international is confident of his side’s chances ahead of the second leg in Italy.

    “It was a tough match, It wasn’t easy to play in this atmosphere tonight,’ he said after the game.

    Read: Emmanuel Frimpong announces retirement from football at age 27

    “We had good chances in the first half, while they were more attacking in the second half and we struggled to keep possession. 0-0 is a good result that allows us to fight for qualification at home. Unfortunately, I’ll be suspended for the return leg but I have full faith in my teammates.”

    Marcel Brozovic missed a penalty that could have handed the Milan club a slim victory in Germany.

    Read: Ghanaian coach joins Henry Thierry at French giants AS Monaco

    Inter Milan created more chances in the first half but could just not break the deadlock.

    The 2010 UEFA Champions League winners will host Frankfurt at the San Siro next week.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Too much pressure on Hudson-Odoi – Maurizio Sarri

    Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri believes fans of the club are demanding too much of Ghanaian youngster Calum Hudson-Odoi, and that can be dangerous for the player’s development. 

    Hudson-Odoi climbed off the bench to score as Chelsea beat Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 tie.

    Fans of the club chanted for the teenager to be brought on in the second half with the scoreline at 2-0.

    Read: Emmanuel Frimpong announces retirement from football at age 27

    “I am convinced, he doesn’t have to do anything to convince me. He is a very good player. He needs to improve. At 18 he can’t be at the top,’ Sarri said when asked if the teenager can fulfill his potential.

    “He will be ready to be at the top at 22 or 23 years. We need to improve without the media of the pressure of the media, fans the club. His training is really very good,” he added.

    Read: Kepa Arrizabalaga still Chelsea’s No 1, insists Maurizio Sarri

    “When you have pressure when you are 18 it is dangerous, you can lose the target. The target is to improve. So it is dangerous. This is why I don’t like to speak about him.”

    Hudson-Odoi was close to leaving Chelsea in the winter transfer window but the Club rejected a transfer request from the youngster.

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet

  • Emmanuel Frimpong announces retirement from football at age 27

    Former Ghana and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel “Dench” Frimpong has announced his retirement from from football at just the age of 27.

    The midfielder, who joined the Gunners at the age of nine and made six first team appearances, has struggled with a knee injury for the past five years.

    And the Ghanaian free agent, who last played for Turkish outfit Ermis Aradippou in 2017, has decided it is time to hang up his boots.

    Frimpong announced his retirement on Twitter and thanked all that have been supportive through his football journey.

    “It is with great sadness I have decided to retire from professional football,” Frimpong wrote.

    Read: Charles Taylor weeps amidst fears of suspected assailants spotted at his house

    ‘I have had problems with my knee for the last five years or so and have got back to playing at a professional level.

    ‘But since November 2017 I haven’t been in action as I had a tear in my knee ligament.

    ‘I decided with my own will that I will not opt for the operation since I was not enjoying football playing through pain.

    ‘I would love to thank all the clubs I have represented, Arsenal, Charlton, Barnsley, Fulham, Ufa, AFC Eskilstuna and Ermis for the love and support they have given and to the fans who always supported me. Thank you and let’s see what the future holds.

    Read: Sammy Kuffour replaces Dua Adonteng on Normalization Committee – Reports

    ‘Spending time with my daughter and family the last year has made me realise I’m blessed.

    BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT FROM FRIMPONG

     

     

    Source: Ghanasoccernet 

  • Fear grips Chereponi SHS final year students over possible ethnic clashes

    Some students of the Chereponi Senior High School in the Chereponi District of the North East Region have fled over fears of clashes between the Chekosis and Konkombas.

    It is unclear what triggered the latest misunderstanding between the two ethnic groups, although the two have a long-standing dispute over a piece of land.

    Read: Chereponi SHS students flee campus over attacks; pregnant women stranded

    The conflict has in the past resulted in the burning of houses and led to the loss of human lives.

    Although some security personnel have been deployed to the area, more students continue to leave the school due to pressure from their parents.

    Read: Chereponi clashes: Schools ordered to remain closed till calm is restored

    A teacher, who spoke to Citi News on condition of anonymity, described the situation as worrying because the final year students who are preparing for their final year exams are mostly affected.

    “Last week, we realised that a lot of the Konkomba students were leaving without permission. We investigated and realized that it was indeed true that they were leaving. But the majority of them we consulted never confirmed that it was because of attack although they were leaving with their chop boxes. The House master also confirmed that there are speculations that there was going to be an attack on the 5th of March.”

    “All those who have left are final year students who are going to write their examination on 1st April. Because of what happened on 31st [January], we were not able to write our Mock exams because we did not reopen on time. The teachers do not feel motivated to teach because, you enter a class and majority of the students are not there”, the teacher added.

    Fear grips nurses, midwives in Chereponi over renewed clashes

    Earlier this year, the Chereponi branch of the Association of the Registered Nurses and Midwives appealed to authorities within the district to protect them by evacuating them from the area.

    It followed recent clashes between the Konkombas and the Anufuls that led to four deaths, with several persons injured and property worth thousands destroyed.

    General Secretary of the group, Mahamudu Ibrahim Nasah, said they no longer feel safe in the area as their lives are in danger.

    He thus called on their superiors to allow them to leave the area and return when calm is restored.

    Renewed clashes at Chereponi and curfews

    The clash was reportedly triggered by suspicions that some Chekosi had attacked some Konkombas with stones, which resulted in a confrontation.

    The clash has usually led to the imposition of a 6:00am to 6:00pm curfew on the Chereponi township effective today

    The curfew means there is a total ban on the carrying of arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon.

    The Defence Ministry has since been deploying more troops to the area to ensure calm.

    Government has also inaugurated a five-member fact-finding committee to look into the circumstances that led to the deadly clash between Konkombas and Chokosis in the Chereponi District of the Northern Region.

    There were concerns that not enough attention was being paid to the situation.

    Some members of the Anuful community in Tamale complained at the Regional Coordinating Council that the government may be underestimating the situation.

    A spokesperson for the group, Dr. Solomon Gumang said, “we think it is because of underestimation of the threat and the extent to which the threat is such that we think they should act very decisively.”

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • More troubles for Cecilia Mafo as her associate pastor releases damning tape

    There seems to be more troubles brewing for gospel musician Evangelist Cecilia Marfo as her associate pastor Reverend Gideon has released a damaging tape about the former which suggests that he has fallen out with the ‘anointed’ woman of God few days after a certain Mr Bright who is said to be a businessman ransacked her church premises with police officers for allegedly duping him.

    The associate pastor sounded very bitter in a 30 minutes audio in the possession of Ghanacreativearts.com and warned that the gospel musician should desist from churning out lies against him as reasons underlining the break in their long-standing relationship.

    Pastor Gideon further stated Evangelist Cecilia Marfo and her husband are ungrateful people who do not appreciate the efforts of others contributions towards their success.

    Read: Gospel musician Cecilia Marfo wanted for allegedly defrauding business partner

    According to him, Evangelist Cecelia Marfo and her husband are engaged in preaching the Gospel for business purposes and that he decided to leave the church because the musician is not from God.

    Rev Gideon also accused the musician of fornicating and cheating on her husband for monetary gains.

    Pastor Gideon also reiterated an earlier claim by some well-known musicians that Evangelist Cecilia Marfo has hypnotized some of her colleagues in the industry in order to dominate over them.

    Read: Cecilia Marfo parts ways with manager after 10 years

    A few days ago, a businessman whose name was given as Mr Bright and the main ‘sponsor’ behind renowned musician Evangelist Cecilia Marfo stormed her church in relation to duping allegations leveled against her by the said businessman.

    Below is the audio:

     

     

     

    Source:  Ghanacreativearts.com

  • Wassa East Assembly identifies 5 projects under 1D1F

    The Wassa East District Assembly of the Western Region has identified five sustainable projects under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative as part of measures to create more jobs for the youth in the area.

    This came to light during a town hall meeting to review its performance in the year ended 2018 as part of measures to remain accountable to the people and bring governance closer to their doorsteps.

    Read: Government to revamp Ayensu Starch Company under 1D1F

    The meeting which featured the Ateiku Area Council is the first to be held among four Area Councils in 2019.

    It was attended by Assembly Members, traditional rulers, staff of the Assembly, opinion leaders, residents in the catchment area of Ateiku Area Council and the media.

    Read: Akufo-Addo commissions ceramic tile manufacturing company under 1D1F

    Giving an overview of the Assembly’s performance last year in a power point presentation, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wassa East, Mr. Wilson Arthur touching on critical development and social issues, said, the Assembly had made giant strides in creating an enabling environment for investment to thrive in the District.

    He disclosed that five (5) projects have been identified under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative.

    The projects are the Wassa East Quarry, an Oil Palm Processing Factory, a Starch Factory, a Seed Factory and a Rubber Factory.

    The DCE contended that more jobs were likely to be created out of the 1D1F initiatives to stem youth unemployment and alleviate poverty.

    Mr. Arthur said the Assembly made Agriculture attractive as 1,060 farmers benefited from the planting for food and jobs programme.

    As part of this feat, the Assembly procured 50 spraying machines to support activities of spraying farms in the District.

    Under the planting for Export and Rural Development, 430,060 cocoa seedlings were distributed to farmers free of charge.

    Touching on Social Protection and Vulnerability, he said the Assembly was able to expand LEAP from 288 households in 34 communities.

    On Education, Mr. Arthur said 6,955 children from 23 schools benefited from the School Feeding Programme.

    The District registered 2083 candidates for the BECE out of which 2032 representing 91.1% passed and enrolled in Secondary and TVET in the District.

    Mr. Arthur added that the Assembly made special investments by distributing 5,100 school uniforms to school children adding that additional 5,000 uniforms were received and are yet to be distributed.

    Still, on education, the Assembly sponsored Mock examinations and a Mega awards day organized for teachers and also sponsored an Inter-District Sports competition at Axim where it emerged the best.

    He disclosed that 20 additional ICT centers have been built with 10 computers with UBS for each center.

    On Social Protection and Vulnerability, the Assembly was able to expand LEAP from 288 households in 34 communities.

    About 260 persons with disabilities (PWDs) were supported with cash, food and equipment and an additional 181 supported with start-up capital.

    On infrastructure, the DCE mentioned the re-shaping of the New Subri-Appesuma 3km road, the Sekyere-Krobo-Sekyere-Didiso 4km roads as projects completed.

    The Nyamebekyere-Rockshine 3km, the Kakabo junction-Kakabo 4km road and the Ahenkro junction-Ahenkro 2km road were all completed.

    He mentioned capital projects such as the Akyempim Nurses Quarters (complete), Ateiku market (under construction) CHPS compound at Essaman and a Police post at Enyinabrim were under construction.

    On health care delivery, Mr. Arthur said 29 health facilities including private ones abound in the District. However, the Doctor-Patient ratio was 1:2,400.

    During an open forum, the Head at the Business Advisory Center of the Wassa East Assembly, Mr. Daniel Adjei Sarpong said plans were far advanced to establish 2 industrial sites for artisans in the District by the end of 2019.

    Source: Daniel Kaku

  • Armed Macho men with Xtra Gold detain Ghone, TV Africa journalists

    The timely intervention by Police Personnel dispatched by the Kwabeng District Police Commander DSP Harold Opoku Yamoah saved two Journalists unlawfully held captive by armed men with Xtra gold mining company.

    The two journalists – Martin Kwame Henyo, Eastern Regional correspondent of TV Africa and Frank Oteng Bruno, Cameraman for Ghone TV Eastern Regional Correspondent – were in Akyem Apampatia Community to cover the scourge of abandoned mining pits which have become perilous to residents and also open defecation menace in the community particularly the school which has been turned into place of convenience due to lack of toilet facility.

    Read: Police rescue journalists held hostage in Atiwa West district

    However, they were initially put under unlawful arrest by some young men who allegedly held them hostage for 2 hours in a house before releasing to armed security men believed to be providing security for Xtra gold mining company.

    The guns and knives wielding men allegedly took the Journalists to the mining site of the company where they were manhandled and coerced to delete all visuals taken from the abandoned mining sites on their camera.

    The timely arrival of the Police Team from Akyem Kwabeng helped to rescue them from the thugs of the mining firm.

    They were escorted by the Police to Anyinam to board vehicle to Koforidua.

    Last week, Starr News published that the Chief of Akyem Apampatia community Barima Owusu Akyem Boahene and his elders passed a vote of no confidence on the Unit Committee Member, Geoson Owusu Okyere.

    They accused him of insubordination and unjustifiable criticism of the Chief.

    Read: Hypocrites calling themselves Journalists Suhuyini descends on the media

    However, the Unit committee member denied the allegation adding that he has only been demanding accountability from the Chief whom he accused of misappropriating monies paid to him by mining companies including Xtra gold operating in the area while the community grapples with open defecation, inadequate water supply among other basic social amenities.

    He has also been piling pressure for reclamation of abandoned mining pits posing danger to both young and adults.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh 

     

  • Asawase killings: Compensation necessary but we want justice Bereaved families

    The compensation offered to the families of the seven men wrongly killed by police at Manso-Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region in July 2018 will mean little if it is not complemented with the prosecution of the police officers found culpable.

    The bereaved families want the government to work towards the prosecution of the police officers indicted after they were presented cheques of GHc 250,000 each.

    An investigative committee concluded that the deceased persons were not armed robbers as police had suggested following their killing in July 2018. The seven-member government committee tasked to investigate the shooting incident found no evidence to suggest that the seven men were robbers.

    In all, 21 police officers were found to be involved in the killings and were recommended for interdiction by the Police administration.

    Read: 6 armed robbers beat up 2 soldiers, 1 policeman; seize their 2 G3 guns, 1 AK47 rifle

    Before the reported interdictions, the Zongo community in Kumasi expressed their anger with violent protests.

    Relatives and friends of the seven accused the police of planting guns to frame the deceased persons after they had been gruesomely killed.

    Government through the Zongo and Inner Cities Development Ministry pledged to compensate the families.

    Whilst expressing gratitude, the families were clear on what they desired most when Citi News spoke to them.

    Read: Asawase killings: Bereaved families receive GHc250,000 each as compensation

    “Going forward, what we are looking for is the prosecution of these perpetrators of this heinous act so that moles who have infiltrated our police service would be fished out for justice to prevail in the police service,” one family member of the deceased said.

    They also highlighted the social cost, which the money offered to them could not offset.

    “He [one of the deceased] is the one who used to help me to pay my school fees but as at now he is no more there and I am finding it difficult to continue my education,” another lamented.

    “These monies will help us a bit but it cannot bring what would have been there if my brother was to be there because what he could have done for the family would have been better than what we have received.”

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Ex-Trump campaign chief Manafort sentenced to 47 months in prison

    Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced Thursday to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, much less than what was called for under sentencing guidelines.

    Manafort, sitting in a wheelchair as he deals with complications from gout, had no visible reaction as he heard the 47-month sentence. While that was the longest sentence to date to come from special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, it could have been much worse for Manafort. Sentencing guidelines called for a 20-year-term, effectively a lifetime sentence for the 69-year-old.

    Manafort still faces the possibility of additional time from his sentencing in a separate case in the District of Columbia, where he pleaded guilty to charges related to illegal lobbying.

    Before Judge T.S. Ellis III imposed the sentence, Manafort told him that “saying I feel humiliated and ashamed would be a gross understatement.” But he offered no explicit apology, something Ellis noted before issuing his sentence.

    Read: Trump concern over N Korea rocket site

    Manafort steered Donald Trump’s election efforts during crucial months of the 2016 campaign as Russia sought to meddle in the election through hacking of Democratic email accounts. He was among the first Trump associates charged in the Mueller investigation and has been a high-profile defendant.

    But the charges against Manafort were unrelated to his work on the campaign or the focus of Mueller’s investigation: whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russians.

    A jury last year convicted Manafort on eight counts, concluding that he hid from the IRS millions of dollars he earned from his work in Ukraine.

    Manafort’s lawyers argued that their client had engaged in what amounted to a routine tax evasion case, and cited numerous past sentences in which defendants had hidden millions from the IRS and served less than a year in prison.

    Prosecutors said Manafort’s conduct was egregious, but Ellis ultimately agreed more with defense attorneys. “These guidelines are quite high,” Ellis said.

    Neither prosecutors nor defense attorneys had requested a particular sentence length in their sentencing memoranda, but prosecutors had urged a “significant” sentence.

    Outside court, Manafort’s lawyer, Kevin Downing, said his client accepted responsibility for his conduct “and there was absolutely no evidence that Mr. Manafort was involved in any collusion with the government of Russia.”

    Prosecutors left the courthouse without making any comment.

    Evasive and untruthful

    Though Manafort hasn’t faced charges related to collusion, he has been seen as one of the most pivotal figures in the Mueller investigation. Prosecutors, for instance, have scrutinized his relationship with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate U.S. authorities say is tied to Russian intelligence, and have described a furtive meeting the men had in August 2016 as cutting to the heart of the investigation.

    Read: White House lambasts Trump obstruction and abuse of power probe

    After pleading guilty in the D.C. case, Manafort met with investigators for more than 50 hours as part of a requirement to cooperate with the probe. But prosecutors reiterated at Thursday’s hearing that they believe Manafort was evasive and untruthful in his testimony to a grand jury.

    Manafort was wheeled into the courtroom about 3:45 p.m. in a green jumpsuit from the Alexandria jail, where he spent the last several months in solitary confinement. The jet black hair he bore in 2016 when serving as campaign chairman was gone, replaced by a shaggy gray. He spent much of the hearing hunched at the shoulders, bearing what appeared to be an air of resignation.

    Defense lawyers had argued that Manafort would never have been charged if it were not for Mueller’s probe. At the outset of the trial, even Ellis agreed with that assessment, suggesting that Manafort was being prosecuted only to pressure him to “sing” against Trump. Prosecutors said the Manafort investigation preceded Mueller’s appointment.

    The jury convicted Manafort on eight felonies related to tax and bank fraud charges for hiding foreign income from his work in Ukraine from the IRS and later inflating his income on bank loan applications. Prosecutors have said the work in Ukraine was on behalf of politicians who were closely aligned with Russia, though Manafort insisted his work helped those politicians distance themselves from Russia and align with the West.

    In arguing for a significant sentence, prosecutor Greg Andres said Manafort still hasn’t accepted responsibility for his misconduct.

    “His sentencing positions are replete with blaming others,” Andres said. He also said Manafort still has not provided a full account of his finances for purposes of restitution, a particularly egregious omission given that his crime involved hiding more than $55 million in overseas bank accounts to evade paying more than $6 million in federal income taxes.

    In the D.C. case, Manafort faces up to five years in prison on each of two counts to which he pleaded guilty. The judge will have the option to impose any sentence there concurrent or consecutive to the sentence imposed by Ellis.

     

    Source: France 24

     

  • Party Militia Disbandment: NDC cannot dictate to Akufo-Addo on what to do – MP

    NPP Member of Parliament [MP] for Nhyiaeso constituency in Kumasi, Kennedy Kwasi Kankam says members of the largest opposition NDC party cannot direct or dictate to the President or the government on what should be done to curb political violence.

    According to him, the letter written to the President by Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo after his pronouncement to disband vigilante groups through dialogue between the two political parties [NDC and NPP] was unnecessary and uncalled-for.

    Read: NDC not ready to disband militia groups – NPP Communicator

    “I say this because a date of the said meeting have not yet been put across but you [NDC] have read into the meeting wanting to decide for the President on what to do,” he said.

    “They [NDC] should know that the President knows how to go about the issue, therefore his statement to introduce laws to disband party militias should the dialogue fail. NDC should stop behaving as knowing the best way to curb the problem when they did nothing about it when they were in government,” he added.

    Read: BREAKING NEWS: NPP militia group trains at a security facility in Accra

    The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed dismay over a letter by the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo requesting mediators and facilitators of the dialogue between the two major political parties in the country.

    It could be recalled that the President in his State of the Nation Address at Parliament this year urged both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the largest opposition NDC to hold a meeting towards the disbandment of vigilante groups.

    Read: Reintegrating members of militia into security forces may not work

    President Nana Akufo-Addo noted with concern the dangers that vigilante groups pose to the lives of Ghanaians following their attacks by them since the inception of the government and so believes the two main political parties can help dissolve the groups.

    The groups are said to owe allegiance to either the NPP or NDC and at their behest have been terrorizing people in the country.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • 38-year-old man shot in robbery attack at Wa

    A 38-year-old man, Adnan Alhassan sustained gunshot injuries after robbers attacked him at a bar at Konta, a suburb of Wa in the Upper West Region.

    The incident happened at about 9 pm on Wednesday when about eight armed masked men, attacked and robbed customers of their mobile phones and other belongings amounting to thousands of Ghana Cedis.

    Read: Uniformed men were not attracted by gun shots, they started it – NDC branch chairman

    Confirming the incident to Citi News, the Wa Municipal Police Crime Officer, ASP Adongo Appia, said “the robbers after the attack requested for the key to a motorbike belonging to Adnan Alhassan but he refused to give it out. This infuriated them and one of them shot at his head”.

    He said the victim is in critical condition at the Upper West regional hospital while his counterparts and neighbours around the spot who were outraged by the attack continue to nurse their traumas.

    Read: Ayawaso Probe: 4 shots were fired at me Sam George

    Citi News checks at the regional hospital indicate that the victim has been referred to the Tamale teaching hospital for intensive medical care.

    Meanwhile, some residents of Wa have expressed worry over the increasing spate of robbery in the town.

    They are therefore calling on the police to beef up security in the capital as a majority of them continue to live in fear of being attacked.

    Citi News can report that the incident has attracted the attention of the Upper West regional security council.

    The council on Thursday convened an emergency meeting to find a lasting solution to the robbery menace in the region.

    Source: citinewsroom.com