TIG Post

Author: aejay_wp

  • Jonathan Mensah wants Columbus Crew to return to winning ways against Orlando City

    Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah is seeking redemption in their Saturday’s clash against Orlando City following their two-game winless streak in the Major League Soccer.

    The Black and Gold lads are seeking to pick their first win in three matches following 4-0 and 2-0 away losses to LA Galaxy and New York City.

    “We’re putting in the work for the coming game,” Mensah told his club’s official website.

    “We’ll use last Saturday’s [reversal] as a motivation. We’re preparing very well for this team [Orlando].

    “We want to generally improve from the previous games, taking our chances when we get them, because [playing against] Orlando is going to be tough.”

    Read: Jonathan Mensah: How Daniel Opare helped me exchange jersey with Ronaldo

    Currently fourth on the Eastern Conference table, Crew could draw near to third-placed New York Red Bulls with three points against Orlando.

    “We just have to go in with the mindset to win the game at all cost,” Mensah added.

    “We just have to do our best.

    “[Orlando] won their last game, so they’re gonna have something to stand on to play.

    Read: Jonathan Mensah: My story

    “We are at home and we have to do anything we can to win the game.”

    Mensah has made 17 leagues appearances, involving 16 starts, so far for Crew this season.

     

    Source: ghanasoccernet.com

  • Accounts officer jailed 12 years for stealing GH¢2.5m

    A Tamale High Court on Friday sentenced an accounts officer at the Domestic Tax Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Tamale to 12 years in prison for stealing GH¢2,430,774.30 belonging to the state.

    The convict, Fuseini Hamza, was also fined GH¢36,000 for money laundering or in default serve an additional five years.

    The court presided over by Mr Justice Edward Apenkwah, also ordered that a house in Tamale which Hamza built with the stolen money be confiscated to the state.

    Mr Justice Apenkwah said the sentence was to serve as a deterrent to public officials who wanted to steal state funds meant for national development.

    Facts

    The facts of the case, as presented in court by a Principal State Attorney, Mr Salia Abdul Quddus, were that Hamza, as part of his duties, was responsible for lodging money collected by his office into the various accounts of the GRA.

    In June 2017, the Northern Regional Accountant of the GRA discovered, during a validation exercise, that there was a shortfall of GH¢2,430,774.30 in the accounts of the authority.

    When Hamza was questioned by the accountant, he said he had duly lodged all the money into the accounts of the GRA.

    The accountant followed up to the GCB Bank Limited to verify whether or not Hamza had lodged the money with the bank and realised that GH¢2,430,774.30 had not been deposited in the account.

    The prosecutor said following further interrogation, Hamza admitted to not paying the money into the accounts of the GRA but had rather used it to acquire personal property, including two plots of land, a house and a 4×4 vehicle.

    The matter was reported to the police and Hamza was arrested.

    After investigations were completed, he was charged with two counts of stealing and money laundering and put before the court.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Accounts officer jailed 12 years for stealing GH¢2.5m

    A Tamale High Court on Friday sentenced an accounts officer at the Domestic Tax Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Tamale to 12 years in prison for stealing GH¢2,430,774.30 belonging to the state.

    The convict, Fuseini Hamza, was also fined GH¢36,000 for money laundering or in default serve an additional five years.

    The court presided over by Mr Justice Edward Apenkwah, also ordered that a house in Tamale which Hamza built with the stolen money be confiscated to the state.

    Mr Justice Apenkwah said the sentence was to serve as a deterrent to public officials who wanted to steal state funds meant for national development.

    Facts

    The facts of the case, as presented in court by a Principal State Attorney, Mr Salia Abdul Quddus, were that Hamza, as part of his duties, was responsible for lodging money collected by his office into the various accounts of the GRA.

    In June 2017, the Northern Regional Accountant of the GRA discovered, during a validation exercise, that there was a shortfall of GH¢2,430,774.30 in the accounts of the authority.

    When Hamza was questioned by the accountant, he said he had duly lodged all the money into the accounts of the GRA.

    The accountant followed up to the GCB Bank Limited to verify whether or not Hamza had lodged the money with the bank and realised that GH¢2,430,774.30 had not been deposited in the account.

    The prosecutor said following further interrogation, Hamza admitted to not paying the money into the accounts of the GRA but had rather used it to acquire personal property, including two plots of land, a house and a 4×4 vehicle.

    The matter was reported to the police and Hamza was arrested.

    After investigations were completed, he was charged with two counts of stealing and money laundering and put before the court.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Infrastructure provision in the north on course – President

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that the resolve of the government to build the necessary infrastructure in the north to boost the agricultural sector in the area is on course.

    He said it was unacceptable that 60 years after independence, farmers in the three regions of the north could not engage in all-year farming due to the lack of requisite agricultural infrastructure.

    Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Builsa Traditional Area yesterday on the second day of his visit to the Upper East Region, the President indicated that it was for that reason the government was rolling out the One-Village-One-Dam policy where 570 dams were being sited in the three regions of the north in addition to the construction of 50 warehouses in the country to curb post-harvest losses.

    “It is extremely important that we establish proper infrastructure for the enhancement of agriculture in the north. It is not right that 60 years after our independence, we do not have all-year-round farming in the north,” the President intimated.

    According to him, a $150 million loan facility to help establish agricultural mechanisation centres across the country had been put before Parliament for consideration.

    Human capital

    President Akufo-Addo pointed out that the government was committed to ensuring that it built the human capital of the country to address the challenges of the 21st Century.

    “Every child in Ghana must have access to education and money should not be an impediment and that is why the free Senior High School policy has been rolled out, “he noted.

    Response

    Responding to some requests by the Builsa traditional authorities, President Akufo-Addo observed that the provision of a tertiary institution in the Builsa area was long overdue while the completion of the Chuchuliga Senior High School project would also be looked at, as well as the elevation of the Builsa North District to the status of a municipality.

    The President also stated that the request for a solution to the frequent power outages in the area by establishing a substation would be looked at.

    Commendation

    The Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Area, Nab Azagsuk Azantilow, commended the government and the President for “demonstrating your love once more to the people of Ghana by abolishing the obnoxious fee-paying system with the introduction of the free Senior High School programme”.

    He stressed the need for the government to tar roads in the area, which are of relevance to the successful implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.
    The paramount chief equally entreated the government to help address the high cost of services and goods, including building materials.

    Nab Azantilow suggested the need for a cement depot to be built in the north to ensure that cement was sold at factory prices.

    He appealed to the government to tar the Navrongo-Sandema-Fumbisi-Wiaga road and the Sandema-Doninga-Santejam-Wa road.

    “Both roads are of economic importance to the Planting For Food and Jobs programme as the vast fertile lands in the areas will be opened up for cultivation, ” he stated.

    The paramount chief said he had released 3,000 acres for the establishment of an industrial park, and added that a site plan for the project had already been made available to the district assembly.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Infrastructure provision in the north on course – President

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that the resolve of the government to build the necessary infrastructure in the north to boost the agricultural sector in the area is on course.

    He said it was unacceptable that 60 years after independence, farmers in the three regions of the north could not engage in all-year farming due to the lack of requisite agricultural infrastructure.

    Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Builsa Traditional Area yesterday on the second day of his visit to the Upper East Region, the President indicated that it was for that reason the government was rolling out the One-Village-One-Dam policy where 570 dams were being sited in the three regions of the north in addition to the construction of 50 warehouses in the country to curb post-harvest losses.

    “It is extremely important that we establish proper infrastructure for the enhancement of agriculture in the north. It is not right that 60 years after our independence, we do not have all-year-round farming in the north,” the President intimated.

    According to him, a $150 million loan facility to help establish agricultural mechanisation centres across the country had been put before Parliament for consideration.

    Human capital

    President Akufo-Addo pointed out that the government was committed to ensuring that it built the human capital of the country to address the challenges of the 21st Century.

    “Every child in Ghana must have access to education and money should not be an impediment and that is why the free Senior High School policy has been rolled out, “he noted.

    Response

    Responding to some requests by the Builsa traditional authorities, President Akufo-Addo observed that the provision of a tertiary institution in the Builsa area was long overdue while the completion of the Chuchuliga Senior High School project would also be looked at, as well as the elevation of the Builsa North District to the status of a municipality.

    The President also stated that the request for a solution to the frequent power outages in the area by establishing a substation would be looked at.

    Commendation

    The Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Area, Nab Azagsuk Azantilow, commended the government and the President for “demonstrating your love once more to the people of Ghana by abolishing the obnoxious fee-paying system with the introduction of the free Senior High School programme”.

    He stressed the need for the government to tar roads in the area, which are of relevance to the successful implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme.
    The paramount chief equally entreated the government to help address the high cost of services and goods, including building materials.

    Nab Azantilow suggested the need for a cement depot to be built in the north to ensure that cement was sold at factory prices.

    He appealed to the government to tar the Navrongo-Sandema-Fumbisi-Wiaga road and the Sandema-Doninga-Santejam-Wa road.

    “Both roads are of economic importance to the Planting For Food and Jobs programme as the vast fertile lands in the areas will be opened up for cultivation, ” he stated.

    The paramount chief said he had released 3,000 acres for the establishment of an industrial park, and added that a site plan for the project had already been made available to the district assembly.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Deal with your own people if you want ‘galamsey’ curbed – Amansie Chiefs to Akufo-Addo

    Traditional leaders in the Amansie Central district of the Ashanti region have urged President Akufo-Addo to deal with his own people if he is really determined to stop illegal mining activities in the country.

    They are accusing the CEO of the Ghana Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John, of giving the Aprapram forest reserve to Chinese nationals to mine under the pretext of doing reclamation.

    The chiefs also cited the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Bernard Antwi Bosiako aka Chairman Wontumi, who they say is supervising illegal mining activities at the forest reserve.

    This came to fore during a meeting between the Minister of Chieftency and Traditional Affairs and the Chiefs of Amansie.

    They indicated that illegal mining is so rife in the area that the Kobro forest reserve has been tagged as the ‘Nana AKufo-Addo galamsey site’. Anybody who attempts going to the forest they claim, is turned away, even to the extent that Member of parliament for the people of Jacobu, Hon Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi was turned away when he tried entering the Kobro Forest to appreciate the spate of ongoing reclamation in there.

    Omanhene of Bekwai traditional Area , Nana Osei Kwadwo Ababio appealed to the Council of state member of Ashanti region, Nana Owusu Ahiaw, to inform the president to act swiftly in lifting the ban on small scale mining because hunger brings anger.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Deal with your own people if you want ‘galamsey’ curbed – Amansie Chiefs to Akufo-Addo

    Traditional leaders in the Amansie Central district of the Ashanti region have urged President Akufo-Addo to deal with his own people if he is really determined to stop illegal mining activities in the country.

    They are accusing the CEO of the Ghana Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John, of giving the Aprapram forest reserve to Chinese nationals to mine under the pretext of doing reclamation.

    The chiefs also cited the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Bernard Antwi Bosiako aka Chairman Wontumi, who they say is supervising illegal mining activities at the forest reserve.

    This came to fore during a meeting between the Minister of Chieftency and Traditional Affairs and the Chiefs of Amansie.

    They indicated that illegal mining is so rife in the area that the Kobro forest reserve has been tagged as the ‘Nana AKufo-Addo galamsey site’. Anybody who attempts going to the forest they claim, is turned away, even to the extent that Member of parliament for the people of Jacobu, Hon Emmanuel Akwasi Gyamfi was turned away when he tried entering the Kobro Forest to appreciate the spate of ongoing reclamation in there.

    Omanhene of Bekwai traditional Area , Nana Osei Kwadwo Ababio appealed to the Council of state member of Ashanti region, Nana Owusu Ahiaw, to inform the president to act swiftly in lifting the ban on small scale mining because hunger brings anger.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 41 illegal miners arrested by Operation Vanguard

    The Joint Taskforce on illegal mining, Operation Vanguard has arrested forty-one illegal miners in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions on a two-day operation.

    The operation which took place on Wednesday and yesterday [Thursday] was carried out together with the Ghana Airforce.

    Twenty-one Ghanaians and twenty Chinese were arrested after land and aerial patrol by the team.
    Public Operations Officer for the Vanguard, Captain Nathaniel Asamoah, told Citi News, the arrested miners have been arraigned.

    “In addition to the land patrol we had an Air Force patrol, in operation, a total of 41 suspected illegal miners were arrested of those arrested 21 were Ghanaians, and 20 were Chinese. Some of them have been to court since the operation and granted bill, but others are yet to go to court,” he said.

    A total of ten illegal miners, comprising nine Ghanaians and a Chinese, were arrested last month by the Operation Vanguard taskforce at two separate locations in the Upper Denkyira East district in the Central Region.

    One set of the illegal miners, all Ghanaians, was grabbed today (Monday) at Mfanteman when the task-force was on its regular patrol in the area.

    They are Joe Afful, Yaw Boakye, Kofi Osei, Antwi Nicholas, Talata Gangiba, Emmanuel Coffie and Mustapha Demon.

    As at the end of last month, Operation Vanguard had immobilized over five thousand (5, 000) Chanfangs in the four illegal mining areas it currently operates.

    Colonel Amoah Ayisi said a total prohibition would help in the fight against the galamsey menace.

    “Somebody would argue that there are other uses for the Changfang, but for now in endemic areas, this is what they are using to destroy water, and so if it is banned in those areas, the police at the barriers can check inflow. So if we can stop the destruction of the river bodies, then later on other measures can be brought in to make sure that the Changfang equipment is not brought in for dredging,” he said.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • 41 illegal miners arrested by Operation Vanguard

    The Joint Taskforce on illegal mining, Operation Vanguard has arrested forty-one illegal miners in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions on a two-day operation.

    The operation which took place on Wednesday and yesterday [Thursday] was carried out together with the Ghana Airforce.

    Twenty-one Ghanaians and twenty Chinese were arrested after land and aerial patrol by the team.
    Public Operations Officer for the Vanguard, Captain Nathaniel Asamoah, told Citi News, the arrested miners have been arraigned.

    “In addition to the land patrol we had an Air Force patrol, in operation, a total of 41 suspected illegal miners were arrested of those arrested 21 were Ghanaians, and 20 were Chinese. Some of them have been to court since the operation and granted bill, but others are yet to go to court,” he said.

    A total of ten illegal miners, comprising nine Ghanaians and a Chinese, were arrested last month by the Operation Vanguard taskforce at two separate locations in the Upper Denkyira East district in the Central Region.

    One set of the illegal miners, all Ghanaians, was grabbed today (Monday) at Mfanteman when the task-force was on its regular patrol in the area.

    They are Joe Afful, Yaw Boakye, Kofi Osei, Antwi Nicholas, Talata Gangiba, Emmanuel Coffie and Mustapha Demon.

    As at the end of last month, Operation Vanguard had immobilized over five thousand (5, 000) Chanfangs in the four illegal mining areas it currently operates.

    Colonel Amoah Ayisi said a total prohibition would help in the fight against the galamsey menace.

    “Somebody would argue that there are other uses for the Changfang, but for now in endemic areas, this is what they are using to destroy water, and so if it is banned in those areas, the police at the barriers can check inflow. So if we can stop the destruction of the river bodies, then later on other measures can be brought in to make sure that the Changfang equipment is not brought in for dredging,” he said.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Mohammed Dauda bags brace in Anderlecht’s pre-season draw

    Striker Mohammed Dauda climbed off the bench to score two goals as Anderlecht rallied to draw 2-2 with Westerlo in a pre-season friendly.

    Westerlo took the lead when Naessens took advantage of a blunder from goalkeeper Boeckx.

    Just before the hour mark, Westerlo was awarded a penalty and Lucas van Eenoo expertly put it away.

    Anderlecht made changes and Dauda joined the action and after just three minutes on the pitch, he connected a cross from the right to halve the deficit.

    On the 90th minute mark, the budding talent headed in a corner kick to restore parity.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Mohammed Dauda bags brace in Anderlecht’s pre-season draw

    Striker Mohammed Dauda climbed off the bench to score two goals as Anderlecht rallied to draw 2-2 with Westerlo in a pre-season friendly.

    Westerlo took the lead when Naessens took advantage of a blunder from goalkeeper Boeckx.

    Just before the hour mark, Westerlo was awarded a penalty and Lucas van Eenoo expertly put it away.

    Anderlecht made changes and Dauda joined the action and after just three minutes on the pitch, he connected a cross from the right to halve the deficit.

    On the 90th minute mark, the budding talent headed in a corner kick to restore parity.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Teacher jailed for stealing from a bank

    A teacher who falsified the signature of St Luke Catholic Hospital at Apam and unlawfully withdrew GH¢14,500.00 from its account at Gomoa Community Bank has been jailed one-year in hard labour by a Circuit Court in Cape Coast.

    Prince Kofi Selby, 32 denied the charges of stealing and forgery and pleaded not guilty was found guilty by the court after months of trial.

    The Court presided over by Mrs Afia Nyarko Adu-Amankwah in addition, ordered the convict to refund the stolen amount.

    Prosecuting, Senior State Attorney, Vincent Nyinaku told the court that one Dr. Frank Odame, Medical Director at the hospital and Mr Emmanuel Bosompim, the Administrator are the complainants.

    The hospital operates an account at the Gomoa Community Bank where the convict also has an account.

    The Medical Doctor, the Nurse Manager and the Accountant are the signatories to the hospital’s account and two of the signatories could sign for withdrawal at any time.

    The Prosecution said on Friday, March 9, 2018, the hospital requested the financial statement of their account and realised there had been separate unauthorised withdrawals from it.

    It was detected that two withdrawals of GH¢4,800.00 and GH¢4980.00 were made on Saturday, March 3, 2016, while GH¢4,820.00 was also withdrawn.

    Further checks by the hospital authorities revealed that the two signatures on the cheques were not signed by any of the three signatories despite its seeming likeness.

    The hospital drew the attention of the police and the bank to the unauthorised withdrawals in their accounts and while some bank staff who were informed of the incident told the police they could identify the convict.

    Eventually, the convict was arrested at Mankessim and some employees of the bank identified him as the one who produced the unauthorised cheques and withdrew the monies.

    A police search conducted in the covict’s room recovered two Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) deposit slips, one loan acceptance letter to Akatakyiman Rural Bank and a Komenda College of Education identity card.

    Police forensic laboratory analysis of the original cheques used for the withdrawal from the bank, loan acceptance letter and the two deposit slips of ADB as well as the handwriting on the convict’s personal documents were the same as that on the three checks used for the withdrawal and he was charged with the offence, Mr Nyinaku added.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Teacher jailed for stealing from a bank

    A teacher who falsified the signature of St Luke Catholic Hospital at Apam and unlawfully withdrew GH¢14,500.00 from its account at Gomoa Community Bank has been jailed one-year in hard labour by a Circuit Court in Cape Coast.

    Prince Kofi Selby, 32 denied the charges of stealing and forgery and pleaded not guilty was found guilty by the court after months of trial.

    The Court presided over by Mrs Afia Nyarko Adu-Amankwah in addition, ordered the convict to refund the stolen amount.

    Prosecuting, Senior State Attorney, Vincent Nyinaku told the court that one Dr. Frank Odame, Medical Director at the hospital and Mr Emmanuel Bosompim, the Administrator are the complainants.

    The hospital operates an account at the Gomoa Community Bank where the convict also has an account.

    The Medical Doctor, the Nurse Manager and the Accountant are the signatories to the hospital’s account and two of the signatories could sign for withdrawal at any time.

    The Prosecution said on Friday, March 9, 2018, the hospital requested the financial statement of their account and realised there had been separate unauthorised withdrawals from it.

    It was detected that two withdrawals of GH¢4,800.00 and GH¢4980.00 were made on Saturday, March 3, 2016, while GH¢4,820.00 was also withdrawn.

    Further checks by the hospital authorities revealed that the two signatures on the cheques were not signed by any of the three signatories despite its seeming likeness.

    The hospital drew the attention of the police and the bank to the unauthorised withdrawals in their accounts and while some bank staff who were informed of the incident told the police they could identify the convict.

    Eventually, the convict was arrested at Mankessim and some employees of the bank identified him as the one who produced the unauthorised cheques and withdrew the monies.

    A police search conducted in the covict’s room recovered two Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) deposit slips, one loan acceptance letter to Akatakyiman Rural Bank and a Komenda College of Education identity card.

    Police forensic laboratory analysis of the original cheques used for the withdrawal from the bank, loan acceptance letter and the two deposit slips of ADB as well as the handwriting on the convict’s personal documents were the same as that on the three checks used for the withdrawal and he was charged with the offence, Mr Nyinaku added.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • ‘Wicked’ Police Officer hit my head with his gun – Assaulted woman recounts

    Patience Osafo, the woman who was brutally assaulted by a police officer at the Shiashie branch of Midland Savings and Loans has revealed that aside from being beaten mercilessly by the Police Officer, he also hit her hard on the head with his gun, a scene that was not captured on video.

    Recounting her ordeal, Madam Patience Osafo said, “where he hit me with the gun was not captured in the video. He used his gun to hit the side of my head and so it fell. I have been experiencing severe pains in that area since the attack.”

    In a video that went viral on social media, police officer, Frederick Amanor Skalla, was seen virtually punching and slapping Patience Osafo in a banking hall.

    Starting with an umbrella, the policeman hit the woman and her baby several times in the head before continuously slapping and punching her, paying little attention to her cries for help.

    Skalla is currently in the hands of the police awaiting trial.

    Meanwhile, the company has issued a release condemning the incident and admitting a better approach could have been taken.

    They also issued an apology to the assaulted customer and the general public.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • ‘Wicked’ Police Officer hit my head with his gun – Assaulted woman recounts

    Patience Osafo, the woman who was brutally assaulted by a police officer at the Shiashie branch of Midland Savings and Loans has revealed that aside from being beaten mercilessly by the Police Officer, he also hit her hard on the head with his gun, a scene that was not captured on video.

    Recounting her ordeal, Madam Patience Osafo said, “where he hit me with the gun was not captured in the video. He used his gun to hit the side of my head and so it fell. I have been experiencing severe pains in that area since the attack.”

    In a video that went viral on social media, police officer, Frederick Amanor Skalla, was seen virtually punching and slapping Patience Osafo in a banking hall.

    Starting with an umbrella, the policeman hit the woman and her baby several times in the head before continuously slapping and punching her, paying little attention to her cries for help.

    Skalla is currently in the hands of the police awaiting trial.

    Meanwhile, the company has issued a release condemning the incident and admitting a better approach could have been taken.

    They also issued an apology to the assaulted customer and the general public.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • I got there at 7:30am; waited till 4pm – Woman assaulted by police at Midland branch speaks

    Patience Osafo, the lactating mother who was assaulted by a police officer at the Shiashie branch of Midland Savings and Loans, has spoken about the incident and said it happened on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

    According to her, she started going to the Midland branch to withdraw her savings on Friday, July 13, 2018, and for four days, she could not get her money totalling Gh?270, with the explanation that, the financial institution was experiencing network challenges.

    In a radio interview with Accra based Peace FM, Friday evening, Patience Osafo said she sells toffees at Spanner junction near the Accra Mall and went to the Shiashie branch of Midland to withdraw her savings.

    According to her, she has been saving at Midland Savings and managed to accumulate Gh?270.

    So on Friday, July 13, 2018, she decided to go and withdraw same as other customers were doing because she was broke and had borrowed some monies.

    She claimed that after waiting for the whole day, the money was not given to her and was asked to come back on Monday, July 16.

    On Monday, Patience Osafo said she went there in the morning and waited the whole day and still did not get her money with the explanation that, there was a network challenge.

    According to her, on Tuesday and Wednesday, she was still not given the money after waiting the whole day.

    On all occasions, she was asked to leave the banking hall for the office to be closed after the close of the day’s work.

    So on Thursday, when she arrived at the bank at about 7:30am and waited till about 4pm, she vowed not to leave until the money was paid because she was broke.

    She said it was during her protestations at about 4:30pm that the police officer was invited to pull her out and it resulted in the scuffle and the assault.

    However, she added that, after the incident, all her savings totalling Gh?270 was paid in full.

    She complained of pains in her ear and said she has decided to go to the nearest police station at East Legon to lodge a formal complaint.

    The Management of Midland Savings and Loans has since issued a public apology to Patience Osafo after the video showing the brutality by the police officer went viral and generated public outrage.

    A statement issued by the management of Midland confirmed that the incident took place at one of their branches. It also condemned in no uncertain terms the act of brutality meted out to the customer.

    Meanwhile, the police administration has identified the officer as Corporal Godzi Frederick Amanor, popularly known by his colleagues as Skalla.

    He is stationed at Accra Regional Police Operations Unit.

    He has since been arrested for criminal processes to begin.

    On all occasions, she was asked to leave the banking hall for the office to be closed after the close of the day’s work.

    So on Thursday, when she arrived at the bank at about 7:30am and waited till about 4pm, she vowed not to leave until the money was paid because she was broke.

    She said it was during her protestations at about 4:30pm that the police officer was invited to pull her out and it resulted in the scuffle and the assault.

    However, she added that, after the incident, all her savings totalling Gh?270 was paid in full.

    She complained of pains in her ear and said she has decided to go to the nearest police station at East Legon to lodge a formal complaint.

    The Management of Midland Savings and Loans has since issued a public apology to Patience Osafo after the video showing the brutality by the police officer went viral and generated public outrage.

    A statement issued by the management of Midland confirmed that the incident took place at one of their branches. It also condemned in no uncertain terms the act of brutality meted out to the customer.

    Meanwhile, the police administration has identified the officer as Corporal Godzi Frederick Amanor, popularly known by his colleagues as Skalla.

    He is stationed at Accra Regional Police Operations Unit.

    He has since been arrested for criminal processes to begin.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • I got there at 7:30am; waited till 4pm – Woman assaulted by police at Midland branch speaks

    Patience Osafo, the lactating mother who was assaulted by a police officer at the Shiashie branch of Midland Savings and Loans, has spoken about the incident and said it happened on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

    According to her, she started going to the Midland branch to withdraw her savings on Friday, July 13, 2018, and for four days, she could not get her money totalling Gh?270, with the explanation that, the financial institution was experiencing network challenges.

    In a radio interview with Accra based Peace FM, Friday evening, Patience Osafo said she sells toffees at Spanner junction near the Accra Mall and went to the Shiashie branch of Midland to withdraw her savings.

    According to her, she has been saving at Midland Savings and managed to accumulate Gh?270.

    So on Friday, July 13, 2018, she decided to go and withdraw same as other customers were doing because she was broke and had borrowed some monies.

    She claimed that after waiting for the whole day, the money was not given to her and was asked to come back on Monday, July 16.

    On Monday, Patience Osafo said she went there in the morning and waited the whole day and still did not get her money with the explanation that, there was a network challenge.

    According to her, on Tuesday and Wednesday, she was still not given the money after waiting the whole day.

    On all occasions, she was asked to leave the banking hall for the office to be closed after the close of the day’s work.

    So on Thursday, when she arrived at the bank at about 7:30am and waited till about 4pm, she vowed not to leave until the money was paid because she was broke.

    She said it was during her protestations at about 4:30pm that the police officer was invited to pull her out and it resulted in the scuffle and the assault.

    However, she added that, after the incident, all her savings totalling Gh?270 was paid in full.

    She complained of pains in her ear and said she has decided to go to the nearest police station at East Legon to lodge a formal complaint.

    The Management of Midland Savings and Loans has since issued a public apology to Patience Osafo after the video showing the brutality by the police officer went viral and generated public outrage.

    A statement issued by the management of Midland confirmed that the incident took place at one of their branches. It also condemned in no uncertain terms the act of brutality meted out to the customer.

    Meanwhile, the police administration has identified the officer as Corporal Godzi Frederick Amanor, popularly known by his colleagues as Skalla.

    He is stationed at Accra Regional Police Operations Unit.

    He has since been arrested for criminal processes to begin.

    On all occasions, she was asked to leave the banking hall for the office to be closed after the close of the day’s work.

    So on Thursday, when she arrived at the bank at about 7:30am and waited till about 4pm, she vowed not to leave until the money was paid because she was broke.

    She said it was during her protestations at about 4:30pm that the police officer was invited to pull her out and it resulted in the scuffle and the assault.

    However, she added that, after the incident, all her savings totalling Gh?270 was paid in full.

    She complained of pains in her ear and said she has decided to go to the nearest police station at East Legon to lodge a formal complaint.

    The Management of Midland Savings and Loans has since issued a public apology to Patience Osafo after the video showing the brutality by the police officer went viral and generated public outrage.

    A statement issued by the management of Midland confirmed that the incident took place at one of their branches. It also condemned in no uncertain terms the act of brutality meted out to the customer.

    Meanwhile, the police administration has identified the officer as Corporal Godzi Frederick Amanor, popularly known by his colleagues as Skalla.

    He is stationed at Accra Regional Police Operations Unit.

    He has since been arrested for criminal processes to begin.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Police officer arrested for beating up woman with baby

    The police officer on guard duty widely condemned for assaulting a woman at the Midlands Savings and Loans has been arrested.

    The officer, identified as Frederick Amanor, is seen in a video striking the woman, who was holding her baby, multiple times on the head, first with an umbrella, and then with his fists.

    He also attempted to violently drag her out of the building.
    Frederick Amanor is expected to be detained.

    The Director of Police Public Affairs, DSP Sheila Aberquaye Buckman, had told Citi News the police had started processes to identify and punish him.

    The management of Midlands Savings and Loans has condemned the assault of a nursing mother by one of its officers on guard duty at one of its branches.

    Social media was rife with outrage when video of the incident went viral on social media.

    The management of Midlands Savings and Loans has since condemned the assault.

    It assured that necessary action will be taken to ensure that the victim gets justice.

    Though what sparked the confrontation is unclear, a lot of the people reacting to the incident insist that the action of the police officer was totally unjustified.

    The police officer is seen holding onto the woman and hitting her multiple times with an umbrella, as she tried to wrestle away.

    Some bystanders eventually rescued the baby from the incident as the officer drags the woman to the floor.

    The officer also lands several punches to the head of the wailing woman who appeared to be trying to withdraw GHc 250.

    Some incensed Ghanaians have demanded that the officer lose his job for assaulting the woman.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Police officer arrested for beating up woman with baby

    The police officer on guard duty widely condemned for assaulting a woman at the Midlands Savings and Loans has been arrested.

    The officer, identified as Frederick Amanor, is seen in a video striking the woman, who was holding her baby, multiple times on the head, first with an umbrella, and then with his fists.

    He also attempted to violently drag her out of the building.
    Frederick Amanor is expected to be detained.

    The Director of Police Public Affairs, DSP Sheila Aberquaye Buckman, had told Citi News the police had started processes to identify and punish him.

    The management of Midlands Savings and Loans has condemned the assault of a nursing mother by one of its officers on guard duty at one of its branches.

    Social media was rife with outrage when video of the incident went viral on social media.

    The management of Midlands Savings and Loans has since condemned the assault.

    It assured that necessary action will be taken to ensure that the victim gets justice.

    Though what sparked the confrontation is unclear, a lot of the people reacting to the incident insist that the action of the police officer was totally unjustified.

    The police officer is seen holding onto the woman and hitting her multiple times with an umbrella, as she tried to wrestle away.

    Some bystanders eventually rescued the baby from the incident as the officer drags the woman to the floor.

    The officer also lands several punches to the head of the wailing woman who appeared to be trying to withdraw GHc 250.

    Some incensed Ghanaians have demanded that the officer lose his job for assaulting the woman.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Policeman in Rambo-style assault of nursing mother arrested

    The policeman whose assault of a nursing mother in a banking hall has gone viral, Friday, has been arrested, Myjoyonline.com has learnt.

    Frederick Amanor Skalla, is currently at the Police Headquarters awaiting possible prosecution for indecent assault.

    In a video that has gone viral on social media, Skalla, was seen virtually punching and slapping a nursing mother in a banking hall.

    Reports suggest the woman, who is yet to be identified, had gone to the Midland Savings and Loans to withdraw an amount of money.

    She, however, reported a little late after banking hours and was asked to leave. The woman who was clutching to her baby is reported to have pleaded with the bank officials to allow her cash her money.

    For daring to appeal, Frederick Amanor Skalla, was asked to send her out of the banking hall and he did that in Rambo-style.

    Starting with an umbrella, the policeman hit the woman and her baby several times in the head before he started slapping and punching her.

    Not even the tears of the weeping child will stop the policeman from continuing with his assault. He pummeled the lady and threw her out of the banking hall.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Policeman in Rambo-style assault of nursing mother arrested

    The policeman whose assault of a nursing mother in a banking hall has gone viral, Friday, has been arrested, Myjoyonline.com has learnt.

    Frederick Amanor Skalla, is currently at the Police Headquarters awaiting possible prosecution for indecent assault.

    In a video that has gone viral on social media, Skalla, was seen virtually punching and slapping a nursing mother in a banking hall.

    Reports suggest the woman, who is yet to be identified, had gone to the Midland Savings and Loans to withdraw an amount of money.

    She, however, reported a little late after banking hours and was asked to leave. The woman who was clutching to her baby is reported to have pleaded with the bank officials to allow her cash her money.

    For daring to appeal, Frederick Amanor Skalla, was asked to send her out of the banking hall and he did that in Rambo-style.

    Starting with an umbrella, the policeman hit the woman and her baby several times in the head before he started slapping and punching her.

    Not even the tears of the weeping child will stop the policeman from continuing with his assault. He pummeled the lady and threw her out of the banking hall.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Midland Savings condemns assault of nursing mother by policeman

    The management of Midland Savings and Loans has condemned the assault of a nursing mother by a police officer on guard duty at one of its branches.

    Midland in a statement said the necessary action will be taken to ensure that the victim gets justice.

    “We wish to render an unqualified apology to the customer in question and the general public for the uncivilized act.”

    “We have reported the matter to the police for the necessary action to be taken to ensure our client gets justice.We want to assure the public that we are an institution that really cares about the welfare and safety of our customers.”

    In the video, the police officer, who was armed with an assault rifle, is seen striking the woman, who was holding her baby, multiple times on the head, first with an umbrella, and then with his fists.

    The officer, identified as Frederick Amanor, also attempts to violently drag her out of the building.

    The woman was holding on to the baby while the officer kicked and shoved her around.

    Not much was done by the bank during the incident, except a man who appears to be an employee asking the woman to give him the baby.

    He was also heard promising to give the woman Ghc250 cedis, which was the amount she had wanted to withdraw from the bank.

    Reports say the woman had entered the Midland Savings and Loan banking hall after transaction hours to withdraw some money.

    The officer, who was supposed to walk her out, assaulted her in the process, although it is unknown what action by the woman angered the officer. He has since been arrested.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Midland Savings condemns assault of nursing mother by policeman

    The management of Midland Savings and Loans has condemned the assault of a nursing mother by a police officer on guard duty at one of its branches.

    Midland in a statement said the necessary action will be taken to ensure that the victim gets justice.

    “We wish to render an unqualified apology to the customer in question and the general public for the uncivilized act.”

    “We have reported the matter to the police for the necessary action to be taken to ensure our client gets justice.We want to assure the public that we are an institution that really cares about the welfare and safety of our customers.”

    In the video, the police officer, who was armed with an assault rifle, is seen striking the woman, who was holding her baby, multiple times on the head, first with an umbrella, and then with his fists.

    The officer, identified as Frederick Amanor, also attempts to violently drag her out of the building.

    The woman was holding on to the baby while the officer kicked and shoved her around.

    Not much was done by the bank during the incident, except a man who appears to be an employee asking the woman to give him the baby.

    He was also heard promising to give the woman Ghc250 cedis, which was the amount she had wanted to withdraw from the bank.

    Reports say the woman had entered the Midland Savings and Loan banking hall after transaction hours to withdraw some money.

    The officer, who was supposed to walk her out, assaulted her in the process, although it is unknown what action by the woman angered the officer. He has since been arrested.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Derrick Luckassen recounts difficult debut season at PSV; hopes to make a mark in upcoming campaign

    Dutch-born Ghanaian defender Derrick Luckassen has set his sights on flourishing in the upcoming campaign for PSV Eindhoven following his difficult debut season at the club.

    Luckassen joined the Philip Stadion outfit at the start of last term on a four-year contract from AZ Alkmaar.

    But the 23-year-old failed to establish himself as a regular, making 19 appearances – 10 as a substitute – as the club clinched the Eredivisie league.

    Read: Daniel Amartey set for breakout season at Leicester City

    “Nevertheless, I enjoyed the title and the party. I take the positive points with me. “

    “My teammates and everyone at the club, I totally granted it, if that’s clear. Perhaps I needed this phase in my life to become stronger and to benefit later in my career. “

    “Sitting on the couch, it was eating at me. I was not good at it, but I think that for a sportsman is also quite normal. Yet I have continued to fight. I do not really take another year. That has nothing to do with the club or the players, but it is bad for my own development as a player.

    Read: Inter Allies striker Prince Appiah dies after fatal car crash

    “I will work on it later in the base. At AZ I have also experienced such a period and I came out stronger. Also by trainer John van den Brom, with whom I felt good. With a combination of humor and hard work, we beat through the seasons.”

     

    Source: ghanasoccernet.com

  • Derrick Luckassen recounts difficult debut season at PSV; hopes to make a mark in upcoming campaign

    Dutch-born Ghanaian defender Derrick Luckassen has set his sights on flourishing in the upcoming campaign for PSV Eindhoven following his difficult debut season at the club.

    Luckassen joined the Philip Stadion outfit at the start of last term on a four-year contract from AZ Alkmaar.

    But the 23-year-old failed to establish himself as a regular, making 19 appearances – 10 as a substitute – as the club clinched the Eredivisie league.

    Read: Daniel Amartey set for breakout season at Leicester City

    “Nevertheless, I enjoyed the title and the party. I take the positive points with me. “

    “My teammates and everyone at the club, I totally granted it, if that’s clear. Perhaps I needed this phase in my life to become stronger and to benefit later in my career. “

    “Sitting on the couch, it was eating at me. I was not good at it, but I think that for a sportsman is also quite normal. Yet I have continued to fight. I do not really take another year. That has nothing to do with the club or the players, but it is bad for my own development as a player.

    Read: Inter Allies striker Prince Appiah dies after fatal car crash

    “I will work on it later in the base. At AZ I have also experienced such a period and I came out stronger. Also by trainer John van den Brom, with whom I felt good. With a combination of humor and hard work, we beat through the seasons.”

     

    Source: ghanasoccernet.com

  • Forward given ‘green light’ to join Man U team-mates in USA

    Manchester United say forward Alexis Sanchez has been given the go-ahead to join up with his team-mates in the United States.

    Sanchez, who accepted a 16-month suspended jail sentence in February for tax fraud, missed the start of the tour as he was unable to get a visa.

    United said on Thursday the Chilean had been given the “green light” to travel.

    Sanchez, 29, is set to link up after Friday’s game with Club America (03:00 BST).

    United boss Jose Mourinho said on Wednesday that Sanchez was “sad” to miss the start of the tour.

    “It’s not good for him or me, not good for anyone,” added Mourinho.

    “There is no-one to blame – the club is making an effort. I have to respect the US authorities in their process of selection of visas.”

    Sanchez posted a picture on Instagram on Thursday of him training in Manchester, with the word “soon” next to a US flag.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Forward given ‘green light’ to join Man U team-mates in USA

    Manchester United say forward Alexis Sanchez has been given the go-ahead to join up with his team-mates in the United States.

    Sanchez, who accepted a 16-month suspended jail sentence in February for tax fraud, missed the start of the tour as he was unable to get a visa.

    United said on Thursday the Chilean had been given the “green light” to travel.

    Sanchez, 29, is set to link up after Friday’s game with Club America (03:00 BST).

    United boss Jose Mourinho said on Wednesday that Sanchez was “sad” to miss the start of the tour.

    “It’s not good for him or me, not good for anyone,” added Mourinho.

    “There is no-one to blame – the club is making an effort. I have to respect the US authorities in their process of selection of visas.”

    Sanchez posted a picture on Instagram on Thursday of him training in Manchester, with the word “soon” next to a US flag.

    Source: bbc.com

  • ‘Dangerous complacency’ to global HIV epidemic risks resurgence

    A “dangerous complacency” in the response to the global HIV pandemic is risking a resurgence of the disease, according to a report.

    Experts said a stalling of HIV funding in recent years was endangering efforts to control the illness.

    As things stand, the world is no longer on course to end the pandemic by 2030 – a target agreed by UN member states, say experts in The Lancet.

    They call for urgent changes in how the disease is treated and controlled.

    ‘Situation has stagnated’ About 37 million people worldwide live with HIV or Aids. And there are an estimated 1.8 million new cases every year.

    New cases of HIV/Aids have been falling in recent years.

    But the Lancet Commission said the fall was happening too slowly to reach the UNAids target of 500,000 new infections by 2020.

    While HIV rates were falling overall, they remained persistent in marginalised groups, younger people – particularly women – and in developing countries, all of whom were less likely to access treatment, the commission said.

    Experts said HIV funding had remained flat in recent years, at about £14.7bn – roughly £5.4bn short of the estimated amount needed to achieve the UNAids targets.

    Dr Linda-Gail Bekker, president of the International Aids Society and professor at University of Cape Town, South Africa, said: “Despite the remarkable progress of the HIV response, the situation has stagnated in the past decade.

    “Reinvigorating this work will be demanding – but the future health and wellbeing of millions of people require that we meet this challenge.”

    The Lancet Commission also called for more collaboration between health professionals and for HIV treatment to become better incorporated into other areas of healthcare.

    This would mean an end to HIV “exceptionalism”, where specific funding and services have been provided for HIV alone, and could include combining HIV screening with screening for other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

    In India, for example, if HIV testing and treatments were combined with those for syphilis among women sex workers and gay men it could reduce the number of new HIV cases at a national-level by 7% between 2018 and 2028, the report estimated.

    “Health systems must be designed to meet the needs of the people they serve, including having the capacity to address multiple health problems simultaneously,” Prof Chris Beyrer said.

    “No-one can be left behind in our efforts to achieve sustainable health.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • ‘Dangerous complacency’ to global HIV epidemic risks resurgence

    A “dangerous complacency” in the response to the global HIV pandemic is risking a resurgence of the disease, according to a report.

    Experts said a stalling of HIV funding in recent years was endangering efforts to control the illness.

    As things stand, the world is no longer on course to end the pandemic by 2030 – a target agreed by UN member states, say experts in The Lancet.

    They call for urgent changes in how the disease is treated and controlled.

    ‘Situation has stagnated’ About 37 million people worldwide live with HIV or Aids. And there are an estimated 1.8 million new cases every year.

    New cases of HIV/Aids have been falling in recent years.

    But the Lancet Commission said the fall was happening too slowly to reach the UNAids target of 500,000 new infections by 2020.

    While HIV rates were falling overall, they remained persistent in marginalised groups, younger people – particularly women – and in developing countries, all of whom were less likely to access treatment, the commission said.

    Experts said HIV funding had remained flat in recent years, at about £14.7bn – roughly £5.4bn short of the estimated amount needed to achieve the UNAids targets.

    Dr Linda-Gail Bekker, president of the International Aids Society and professor at University of Cape Town, South Africa, said: “Despite the remarkable progress of the HIV response, the situation has stagnated in the past decade.

    “Reinvigorating this work will be demanding – but the future health and wellbeing of millions of people require that we meet this challenge.”

    The Lancet Commission also called for more collaboration between health professionals and for HIV treatment to become better incorporated into other areas of healthcare.

    This would mean an end to HIV “exceptionalism”, where specific funding and services have been provided for HIV alone, and could include combining HIV screening with screening for other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

    In India, for example, if HIV testing and treatments were combined with those for syphilis among women sex workers and gay men it could reduce the number of new HIV cases at a national-level by 7% between 2018 and 2028, the report estimated.

    “Health systems must be designed to meet the needs of the people they serve, including having the capacity to address multiple health problems simultaneously,” Prof Chris Beyrer said.

    “No-one can be left behind in our efforts to achieve sustainable health.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Liverpool make Brazilian world’s most expensive keeper

    Liverpool have made Roma’s Alisson the world’s most expensive goalkeeper after signing him on a six-year deal.

    The Reds have not revealed how much they have paid for the Brazil number one but Roma said the deal is worth up to £66.8m (72.5m euros).

    “In terms of my life and my career, it’s a huge step for me being part of this club and this family,” said the 25-year-old.

    He has been at Roma for two years and played 37 Serie A games in 2017-18.

    ‘One of the world’s best goalkeepers’

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he has signed “a real personality”.

    “At one point in the last few weeks it came up, the opportunity to sign one of the world’s best goalkeepers,” he added. “The owners were quite excited, so we did it.

    “He has nothing to do with the price, we have nothing to do with the price, it’s the market, that’s how it is and we will not think a lot about it.

    “He needs to adapt to the English Premier League, that’s how it is. The league is different, the refs are different, the goalkeeper’s life is different in the Premier League.

    “But that’s not important now because again, we got him here because of his existing strengths, which is in all goalkeeper departments the highest level.”

    Alisson said the move was a “dream come true” and revealed Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who he used to play with at Roma, had sent him a message before he completed the move to Anfield.

    “Yesterday, he sent me a message saying: ‘Hey, what are you waiting for?’ As the negotiations were at an advanced stage, I replied to him straight away saying: ‘Calm down, I’m on my way!’

    “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to play alongside him again. As well as being a great player, he is a huge character and a great person – which is the most important thing.”

    Alisson is Liverpool’s fourth major signing since they finished the 2017-18 season fourth in the Premier League and were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

    Brazil midfielder Fabinho, 24, has joined from Monaco in a deal which could be worth more than £40m, while Guinea midfielder Naby Keita, 23, has moved to the Merseyside club from German side RB Leipzig in a £48m deal.

    Liverpool have also signed Switzerland forward Xherdan Shaqiri, 26, from Stoke City after triggering his £13m release clause.

    In addition, 26-year-old forward Salah – who has scored 44 goals in 52 appearances for the club – signed a new five-year contract this summer.

    World’s most expensive goalkeepers
    The previous record fee for a keeper was the 53m euros paid by Juventus to Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

    The Premier League record for a keeper is the 40m euros Manchester City paid Benfica for Ederson in June 2017.

    Buffon’s deal was worth £32.6m at the time, while Ederson’s was worth £35m because of changing exchange rates, but as most deals between clubs in Europe, including the Premier League, are completed in euros Buffon’s deal is recognised as the record.

    Source:     bbc.com

  • Liverpool make Brazilian world’s most expensive keeper

    Liverpool have made Roma’s Alisson the world’s most expensive goalkeeper after signing him on a six-year deal.

    The Reds have not revealed how much they have paid for the Brazil number one but Roma said the deal is worth up to £66.8m (72.5m euros).

    “In terms of my life and my career, it’s a huge step for me being part of this club and this family,” said the 25-year-old.

    He has been at Roma for two years and played 37 Serie A games in 2017-18.

    ‘One of the world’s best goalkeepers’

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he has signed “a real personality”.

    “At one point in the last few weeks it came up, the opportunity to sign one of the world’s best goalkeepers,” he added. “The owners were quite excited, so we did it.

    “He has nothing to do with the price, we have nothing to do with the price, it’s the market, that’s how it is and we will not think a lot about it.

    “He needs to adapt to the English Premier League, that’s how it is. The league is different, the refs are different, the goalkeeper’s life is different in the Premier League.

    “But that’s not important now because again, we got him here because of his existing strengths, which is in all goalkeeper departments the highest level.”

    Alisson said the move was a “dream come true” and revealed Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who he used to play with at Roma, had sent him a message before he completed the move to Anfield.

    “Yesterday, he sent me a message saying: ‘Hey, what are you waiting for?’ As the negotiations were at an advanced stage, I replied to him straight away saying: ‘Calm down, I’m on my way!’

    “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to play alongside him again. As well as being a great player, he is a huge character and a great person – which is the most important thing.”

    Alisson is Liverpool’s fourth major signing since they finished the 2017-18 season fourth in the Premier League and were beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

    Brazil midfielder Fabinho, 24, has joined from Monaco in a deal which could be worth more than £40m, while Guinea midfielder Naby Keita, 23, has moved to the Merseyside club from German side RB Leipzig in a £48m deal.

    Liverpool have also signed Switzerland forward Xherdan Shaqiri, 26, from Stoke City after triggering his £13m release clause.

    In addition, 26-year-old forward Salah – who has scored 44 goals in 52 appearances for the club – signed a new five-year contract this summer.

    World’s most expensive goalkeepers
    The previous record fee for a keeper was the 53m euros paid by Juventus to Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

    The Premier League record for a keeper is the 40m euros Manchester City paid Benfica for Ederson in June 2017.

    Buffon’s deal was worth £32.6m at the time, while Ederson’s was worth £35m because of changing exchange rates, but as most deals between clubs in Europe, including the Premier League, are completed in euros Buffon’s deal is recognised as the record.

    Source:     bbc.com

  • US faces retaliation if car tariffs go ahead

    The EU, Mexico and Canada have said they will retaliate against the US if the White House places new tariffs on foreign cars and vehicle parts.

    The countries delivered the warning on Thursday to a panel examining whether to recommend the taxes on grounds of national security.

    US President Donald Trump ordered the Commerce Department to investigate the move in May.

    The idea has also prompted widespread opposition in the US.

    More than 2,000 comments were submitted in response to the inquiry, with major US car-makers such as General Motors submitting responses alongside ordinary car enthusiasts worried the measures could raise the cost of parts for antique cars.

    “This is insane,” one man from Arizona said.

    At Thursday’s hearing on the matter, Mexican Ambassador Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez said imports from his country did not threaten national security.

    “We will remain vigilant for any unjustified trade restriction and will exercise our rights to ensure that the Mexican automotive industry is not adversely affected,” he said.

    The Mexican ambassador was one of more than three dozen representatives scheduled to testify, most of whom oppose the measure, which represents one of the most sweeping Mr Trump has proposed.

    Canada and the EU also said they are preparing counter-measures, which would add to retaliation already in place in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

    Jennifer Kelly, research director for the United Auto Workers union, noted significant job losses in the US car industry over the past two decades, but said the US should consider “targeted measures”.

    “We caution that any rash actions could have unforeseen consequences, including mass layoffs for American workers, but that does not mean we should do nothing,” she said.

    ‘Tremendous retribution’

    The US imported more than $200bn (£154bn) in foreign cars and trucks last year, almost 80% of which came from Mexico, Canada, Japan and Germany.

    Foreign car companies like BMW and Toyota also represent some of the industry’s biggest employers in the US, while more than $100bn worth in auto imports enter the country each year.

    Car firms say the tariffs, which could be as high as 25%, would cause the price of a car imported into the US to increase by an average of almost $6,000, and a US-made one to go up by about $2,000.

    They also say tariffs would lead to less investment in the US and job cuts.

    The Peterson Institute for International Economics has warned the tariffs, even without retaliation, could lead to the loss of 195,000 US jobs.

    Political opposition

    Mr Trump has appeared resolute in the face of the criticism.

    On Wednesday, he again raised the idea of auto tariffs against the EU, threatening “tremendous retribution” if trade negotiations do not go his way.

    However, the proposed auto tariffs have drawn growing political opposition.

    Car workers held a rally in Washington DC opposing the hearing.

    And nearly 150 members of the House of Representatives, including members of both parties, sent a letter to the Commerce Department this week urging it to reject the plan for auto tariffs.

    US Senator Orrin Hatch has said if the president moves forward, he will consider legislative measures to curb White House power to make trade policy.

    Source: bbc.com

  • US faces retaliation if car tariffs go ahead

    The EU, Mexico and Canada have said they will retaliate against the US if the White House places new tariffs on foreign cars and vehicle parts.

    The countries delivered the warning on Thursday to a panel examining whether to recommend the taxes on grounds of national security.

    US President Donald Trump ordered the Commerce Department to investigate the move in May.

    The idea has also prompted widespread opposition in the US.

    More than 2,000 comments were submitted in response to the inquiry, with major US car-makers such as General Motors submitting responses alongside ordinary car enthusiasts worried the measures could raise the cost of parts for antique cars.

    “This is insane,” one man from Arizona said.

    At Thursday’s hearing on the matter, Mexican Ambassador Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez said imports from his country did not threaten national security.

    “We will remain vigilant for any unjustified trade restriction and will exercise our rights to ensure that the Mexican automotive industry is not adversely affected,” he said.

    The Mexican ambassador was one of more than three dozen representatives scheduled to testify, most of whom oppose the measure, which represents one of the most sweeping Mr Trump has proposed.

    Canada and the EU also said they are preparing counter-measures, which would add to retaliation already in place in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

    Jennifer Kelly, research director for the United Auto Workers union, noted significant job losses in the US car industry over the past two decades, but said the US should consider “targeted measures”.

    “We caution that any rash actions could have unforeseen consequences, including mass layoffs for American workers, but that does not mean we should do nothing,” she said.

    ‘Tremendous retribution’

    The US imported more than $200bn (£154bn) in foreign cars and trucks last year, almost 80% of which came from Mexico, Canada, Japan and Germany.

    Foreign car companies like BMW and Toyota also represent some of the industry’s biggest employers in the US, while more than $100bn worth in auto imports enter the country each year.

    Car firms say the tariffs, which could be as high as 25%, would cause the price of a car imported into the US to increase by an average of almost $6,000, and a US-made one to go up by about $2,000.

    They also say tariffs would lead to less investment in the US and job cuts.

    The Peterson Institute for International Economics has warned the tariffs, even without retaliation, could lead to the loss of 195,000 US jobs.

    Political opposition

    Mr Trump has appeared resolute in the face of the criticism.

    On Wednesday, he again raised the idea of auto tariffs against the EU, threatening “tremendous retribution” if trade negotiations do not go his way.

    However, the proposed auto tariffs have drawn growing political opposition.

    Car workers held a rally in Washington DC opposing the hearing.

    And nearly 150 members of the House of Representatives, including members of both parties, sent a letter to the Commerce Department this week urging it to reject the plan for auto tariffs.

    US Senator Orrin Hatch has said if the president moves forward, he will consider legislative measures to curb White House power to make trade policy.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Senegal convicts 13 suspected Boko Haram fighters

    Senegal’s criminal court sentenced 13 people to prison for attempting to establish a homegrown cell modelled after Boko Haram in the West Africa country.

    One of those jailed by the Dakar court on Thursday was Makhtar Diokhane, described as the ringleader of the group. He was handed a 20-year prison term.

    “The court was very heavy-handed in sentencing our client and we are going to appeal,” Diokane’s lawyer Alassane Cisse told Reuters news agency.

    Fourteen people, including two of Diokhane’s wives, were acquitted.

    About 30 Senegalese were put on trial in April for their suspected involvement in the cell after some spent time in Nigeria with the armed group Boko Haram.

    Attacks involving Boko Haram have displaced more than 1.8 million Nigerians in the country’s predominantly agricultural northeast over the last 10 years. An estimated 20,000 people have been killed.

    Moving west?

    Twenty-nine other suspects, three of them women, were accused of criminal conspiracy related to financing an armed group, money-laundering, and acts of terrorism.

    The public prosecutor had requested life sentences for 11 of the accused, and a 30-year prison term for Alioune Ndao – a popular imam from the town of Kaolack in central Senegal – who was accused of acting as a coordinator. He received a suspended one-month sentence.

    Most were arrested in 2015 in Senegal. Prosecutors said was their plan was to foment violence in neighbouring countries as well.

    Senegal has so far escaped the al-Qaeda-linked insurgency that has destabilised neighbouring Mali along with attacks on other West African nations including Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

    But Dakar has stepped up security outside hotels and public buildings.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Senegal convicts 13 suspected Boko Haram fighters

    Senegal’s criminal court sentenced 13 people to prison for attempting to establish a homegrown cell modelled after Boko Haram in the West Africa country.

    One of those jailed by the Dakar court on Thursday was Makhtar Diokhane, described as the ringleader of the group. He was handed a 20-year prison term.

    “The court was very heavy-handed in sentencing our client and we are going to appeal,” Diokane’s lawyer Alassane Cisse told Reuters news agency.

    Fourteen people, including two of Diokhane’s wives, were acquitted.

    About 30 Senegalese were put on trial in April for their suspected involvement in the cell after some spent time in Nigeria with the armed group Boko Haram.

    Attacks involving Boko Haram have displaced more than 1.8 million Nigerians in the country’s predominantly agricultural northeast over the last 10 years. An estimated 20,000 people have been killed.

    Moving west?

    Twenty-nine other suspects, three of them women, were accused of criminal conspiracy related to financing an armed group, money-laundering, and acts of terrorism.

    The public prosecutor had requested life sentences for 11 of the accused, and a 30-year prison term for Alioune Ndao – a popular imam from the town of Kaolack in central Senegal – who was accused of acting as a coordinator. He received a suspended one-month sentence.

    Most were arrested in 2015 in Senegal. Prosecutors said was their plan was to foment violence in neighbouring countries as well.

    Senegal has so far escaped the al-Qaeda-linked insurgency that has destabilised neighbouring Mali along with attacks on other West African nations including Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

    But Dakar has stepped up security outside hotels and public buildings.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • 11 dead in Branson, Missouri, after tourist boat accident on Table Rock Lake

    BRANSON, Mo. 11 people are dead and several others hospitalized after a “mass casualty” drowning incident Thursday on Table Rock Lake in Missouri.

    According to Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader, a Ride the Ducks tourist boat reportedly sank with 31 people on board.

    Rader said an off-duty sheriff’s deputy was working security at the scene and helped rescue survivors. Recovery efforts continued after dark, with some passengers still unaccounted for. A dive team from Western Taney County was in the water and a team from the Missouri State Highway Patrol was on the way, as well.

    First responders from multiple agencies responded to the incident, initially reported as a “mass casualty incident” involving a “tourist type boat” on Table Rock Lake near Branson.

    Divers staged near the Showboat Branson Belle, according to a statement issued by the Southern Stone County Fire Protection District.

    The statement, issued at 8:20 p.m., specified that the Branson Belle itself was not involved.

    Rader said weather was thought to have caused a Ride the Ducks tourist boat to capsize. Weather reports said high winds hit the area at about 7 p.m.

    Jim Pulley, owner of Sea Tow Table Rock Lake, said the storm hit the lake with 80 mph winds that kicked up waves 5 feet high.

    He said his Sea Tow boats were helping with crowd control near the site where the Duck boat capsized a short distance behind the Showboat Branson Belle, which was tied to its dock.

    “The Ducks have a ramp access where they put in, and when the wind hit it pushed the boat right square behind the Branson Belle,” Pulley said.

    Pulley said several docks also broke loose during the wind storm, and the Water Patrol helped rescue people from two personal watercraft boats that capsized in the wind.

     

    A spokeswoman for Ripley Entertainment said the company is aware of an incident involving one of its tour boats. The schedule for Thursday showed there were tours every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Steve Linderberg, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said a severe line of storms blew through the Springfield area between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. “We had a line of very strong thunderstorms that caused 74 mph winds here in Springfield,” he said.

    Linderberg said a top wind speed of 63 mph was measured at the Branson Airport near 7 p.m. Thursday. He said the winds were likely stronger over the lake.

     

    Source: www.msn.com

  • 11 dead in Branson, Missouri, after tourist boat accident on Table Rock Lake

    BRANSON, Mo. 11 people are dead and several others hospitalized after a “mass casualty” drowning incident Thursday on Table Rock Lake in Missouri.

    According to Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader, a Ride the Ducks tourist boat reportedly sank with 31 people on board.

    Rader said an off-duty sheriff’s deputy was working security at the scene and helped rescue survivors. Recovery efforts continued after dark, with some passengers still unaccounted for. A dive team from Western Taney County was in the water and a team from the Missouri State Highway Patrol was on the way, as well.

    First responders from multiple agencies responded to the incident, initially reported as a “mass casualty incident” involving a “tourist type boat” on Table Rock Lake near Branson.

    Divers staged near the Showboat Branson Belle, according to a statement issued by the Southern Stone County Fire Protection District.

    The statement, issued at 8:20 p.m., specified that the Branson Belle itself was not involved.

    Rader said weather was thought to have caused a Ride the Ducks tourist boat to capsize. Weather reports said high winds hit the area at about 7 p.m.

    Jim Pulley, owner of Sea Tow Table Rock Lake, said the storm hit the lake with 80 mph winds that kicked up waves 5 feet high.

    He said his Sea Tow boats were helping with crowd control near the site where the Duck boat capsized a short distance behind the Showboat Branson Belle, which was tied to its dock.

    “The Ducks have a ramp access where they put in, and when the wind hit it pushed the boat right square behind the Branson Belle,” Pulley said.

    Pulley said several docks also broke loose during the wind storm, and the Water Patrol helped rescue people from two personal watercraft boats that capsized in the wind.

     

    A spokeswoman for Ripley Entertainment said the company is aware of an incident involving one of its tour boats. The schedule for Thursday showed there were tours every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Steve Linderberg, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said a severe line of storms blew through the Springfield area between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. “We had a line of very strong thunderstorms that caused 74 mph winds here in Springfield,” he said.

    Linderberg said a top wind speed of 63 mph was measured at the Branson Airport near 7 p.m. Thursday. He said the winds were likely stronger over the lake.

     

    Source: www.msn.com

  • Government to levy NHIL, GETFund separately

    The government is set to separate the Health Insurance Fund Levy and the GETFund component from the Value Added Tax (VAT).

    These two components will now have straight levies of 2.5 percent.

    “Both the Health Insurance Fund and the GETFund levies will continue to be 2.5 percent each, while the applicable VAT rate is 12.5 percent,” the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta said during the Mid Year Budget review on Thursday.

    This comes amid the growing concern about financial challenges facing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    The National Health Insurance Authority CEO and the Health Minister have consistently warned that the NHIS risks collapsing if financing issues were not addressed.

    The GETFund also has a bearing on the infrastructure needs of Senior High Schools amid the increased intake brought on by the Free SHS policy.

    Read: Full statement: Budget Review 2018

    Explaining the reasons for the change, Mr. Ofori-Atta said “studies have indicated that current revenue sources do not guarantee the sustainability of the NHIS given that enrollment to the Scheme has increased over the years. The GETFund is also inadequate in the face of an expanding student population and need for additional infrastructure.”

    “Mr. Speaker, government is therefore, consolidating contributions to the Health Insurance Fund Levy and the GETFund portion of the VAT into a separate Health and Education Levy. This will enable the Government isolate and increase the budget for health and education,” the Finance Minister said.

    This measure was in response to the fiscal performance for the first five months of 2018.

    https://www.facebook.com/Parliament.of.Ghana/videos/477886042651448/?t=2

    Mr. Ofori-Atta said these measures, among others, are to ensure the government meets its fiscal deficit target of 4.5 percent of GDP.

    The government is also imposing a luxury vehicle tax on vehicles with capacity of 3.0 litres and above.

    The Personal Income Tax is also to include an additional band of GH¢10,000 and above per month at a rate of 35%.

     

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Government to levy NHIL, GETFund separately

    The government is set to separate the Health Insurance Fund Levy and the GETFund component from the Value Added Tax (VAT).

    These two components will now have straight levies of 2.5 percent.

    “Both the Health Insurance Fund and the GETFund levies will continue to be 2.5 percent each, while the applicable VAT rate is 12.5 percent,” the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta said during the Mid Year Budget review on Thursday.

    This comes amid the growing concern about financial challenges facing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    The National Health Insurance Authority CEO and the Health Minister have consistently warned that the NHIS risks collapsing if financing issues were not addressed.

    The GETFund also has a bearing on the infrastructure needs of Senior High Schools amid the increased intake brought on by the Free SHS policy.

    Read: Full statement: Budget Review 2018

    Explaining the reasons for the change, Mr. Ofori-Atta said “studies have indicated that current revenue sources do not guarantee the sustainability of the NHIS given that enrollment to the Scheme has increased over the years. The GETFund is also inadequate in the face of an expanding student population and need for additional infrastructure.”

    “Mr. Speaker, government is therefore, consolidating contributions to the Health Insurance Fund Levy and the GETFund portion of the VAT into a separate Health and Education Levy. This will enable the Government isolate and increase the budget for health and education,” the Finance Minister said.

    This measure was in response to the fiscal performance for the first five months of 2018.

    https://www.facebook.com/Parliament.of.Ghana/videos/477886042651448/?t=2

    Mr. Ofori-Atta said these measures, among others, are to ensure the government meets its fiscal deficit target of 4.5 percent of GDP.

    The government is also imposing a luxury vehicle tax on vehicles with capacity of 3.0 litres and above.

    The Personal Income Tax is also to include an additional band of GH¢10,000 and above per month at a rate of 35%.

     

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Government releases GHC30 million for NaBCo

    Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, says Government has released GH¢30 million to take care of the initial cost of the Nation Builders Corps Programme (NaBCo).

    The Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) programme is a government initiative to address graduate unemployment to solve social problems.

    Read: Stop taking policy direction from social media Ofori-Atta

    The focus of the initiative will be solving public service delivery in health, education, agriculture, technology, governance and drive revenue mobilization and collection.

    Presenting the 2018 mid-year budget review in Parliament Thursday July 19th 2018, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta mentioned that government had released GH¢30 million out of GH¢600 million provided for the program.

    Read: Government to prosecute tax evaders Ofori-Atta

    “The 2018 Budget provided GH¢600 million for the implementation of NaBCo, out of which GH¢30 million has been released to take care of the initial cost of the programme,” he said.

    https://www.facebook.com/Parliament.of.Ghana/videos/477886042651448/?t=0

     

    Source: Atinkaonline.com 

  • Government releases GHC30 million for NaBCo

    Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, says Government has released GH¢30 million to take care of the initial cost of the Nation Builders Corps Programme (NaBCo).

    The Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) programme is a government initiative to address graduate unemployment to solve social problems.

    Read: Stop taking policy direction from social media Ofori-Atta

    The focus of the initiative will be solving public service delivery in health, education, agriculture, technology, governance and drive revenue mobilization and collection.

    Presenting the 2018 mid-year budget review in Parliament Thursday July 19th 2018, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta mentioned that government had released GH¢30 million out of GH¢600 million provided for the program.

    Read: Government to prosecute tax evaders Ofori-Atta

    “The 2018 Budget provided GH¢600 million for the implementation of NaBCo, out of which GH¢30 million has been released to take care of the initial cost of the programme,” he said.

    https://www.facebook.com/Parliament.of.Ghana/videos/477886042651448/?t=0

     

    Source: Atinkaonline.com 

  • Free SHS has eased burden on parents Ofori-Atta

    The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has hailed the Nana Akufo-Addo government for putting in place the right policy initiatives that has lessened the economic burden on parents and guardians.

    According to him, the NPP government has reduced the burden of Ghanaians as result of the introduction of some policy interventions such as the free senior high school initiative.

    The Minister in his mid-year budget review in Parliament on Thursday, mentioned that the implementation of the free SHS programme has provided over 90,000 teenagers access to Senior High School education.

    Watch: Finance Minister delivers Mid-year budget review

    He noted that the policy initiative has also helped parents save significant sums of monies to cater for other responsibilities other than taking care of school related expenditure for their wards in day and boarding schools.

    “On the socio-economic front, the Akufo-Addo government has eased the burden of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians and invested in the future of our children and our country. We implemented the Free SHS programme that has provided over 90,000 additional teenagers an opportunity to access high school education and improve their future prospects. This major flagship programme has saved parents a minimum of GH¢3,000 and GH¢1,950 per student per academic year for boarding students and day students respectively”

    The Finance Minister also mentioned “sufficient allocation has been made in the 2018 to cover the first term of the 2018/2019 academic year” for the free senior high school policy.

    He said government has put in place some stop gap measures to expand access to Senior High Schools.

    He said that government has provided dining hall furniture, mono desks, bunk beds and student mattresses, and other materials to address the challenges that come with the implementation of the Free SHS programme.

    Read: Full statement: Budget Review 2018

    “In order to address the initial challenges identified with the implementation of the programme, 96,413 mono desks, 32,171 dining hall furniture, 3,033 tables and chairs for teachers, 12,953 bunk beds, 4,335 student mattresses, and 5,135 computer laboratory chairs have been supplied to various Senior High Schools,” he added.

     

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Free SHS has eased burden on parents Ofori-Atta

    The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has hailed the Nana Akufo-Addo government for putting in place the right policy initiatives that has lessened the economic burden on parents and guardians.

    According to him, the NPP government has reduced the burden of Ghanaians as result of the introduction of some policy interventions such as the free senior high school initiative.

    The Minister in his mid-year budget review in Parliament on Thursday, mentioned that the implementation of the free SHS programme has provided over 90,000 teenagers access to Senior High School education.

    Watch: Finance Minister delivers Mid-year budget review

    He noted that the policy initiative has also helped parents save significant sums of monies to cater for other responsibilities other than taking care of school related expenditure for their wards in day and boarding schools.

    “On the socio-economic front, the Akufo-Addo government has eased the burden of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians and invested in the future of our children and our country. We implemented the Free SHS programme that has provided over 90,000 additional teenagers an opportunity to access high school education and improve their future prospects. This major flagship programme has saved parents a minimum of GH¢3,000 and GH¢1,950 per student per academic year for boarding students and day students respectively”

    The Finance Minister also mentioned “sufficient allocation has been made in the 2018 to cover the first term of the 2018/2019 academic year” for the free senior high school policy.

    He said government has put in place some stop gap measures to expand access to Senior High Schools.

    He said that government has provided dining hall furniture, mono desks, bunk beds and student mattresses, and other materials to address the challenges that come with the implementation of the Free SHS programme.

    Read: Full statement: Budget Review 2018

    “In order to address the initial challenges identified with the implementation of the programme, 96,413 mono desks, 32,171 dining hall furniture, 3,033 tables and chairs for teachers, 12,953 bunk beds, 4,335 student mattresses, and 5,135 computer laboratory chairs have been supplied to various Senior High Schools,” he added.

     

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Full statement: Budget Review 2018

    The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta Thursday presented a review of the 2018 budget statement to Parliament.

    Read: Farmer remanded for mistakenly shooting uncle

    One key highlight of the statement was the non-increment in Value Added Tax (VAT) as speculated.

    Read: Economist singles out Free SHS as cause of imminent VAT increase

    He noted, “I will also like to advise our friends [Minority], that we should stop taking directions on economic policy from social media. Mr Speaker, VAT will be maintained at 12 and half percent.”

    2018 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Full statement: Budget Review 2018

    The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta Thursday presented a review of the 2018 budget statement to Parliament.

    Read: Farmer remanded for mistakenly shooting uncle

    One key highlight of the statement was the non-increment in Value Added Tax (VAT) as speculated.

    Read: Economist singles out Free SHS as cause of imminent VAT increase

    He noted, “I will also like to advise our friends [Minority], that we should stop taking directions on economic policy from social media. Mr Speaker, VAT will be maintained at 12 and half percent.”

    2018 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Government announces Luxury Vehicle Tax

    The Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori Atta has announced the imposition of a luxury vehicle import tax as part of a new policy to help raise more revenue.

    He said the tax would be imposed on luxury vehicles with the capacity of 3.0 litres and above.

    Commercial vehicles are however exempted from the policy.

    Reading the mid-year budget review on Thursday, Mr Ofori Atta said the tax would be paid at registration and subsequently at annual renewal.

    High network income tax

    Ghana currently has five income tax rates for individuals and government is introducing an additional one to make the risk more equitable, he said.

    Mr Ofori Atta said in line with this, “a 35 per cent tax would be applied to incomes of over Ghc10,000 and above per month.

    “We are reviewing personal income tax to include an additional Ghc10,000 and above per month at the rate of 35 per cent,” he said.

    Mr Ofori Atta said in line with this, “a 35 per cent tax would be applied to incomes of over Ghc10,000 and above per month.

    “We are reviewing personal income tax to include an additional Ghc10,000 and above per month at the rate of 35 per cent,” he said.

    “We are converting the National Health Insurance of 2.5 per cent to a strict levy of 2.5 per cent. Mr Speaker, we are converting the GETFund Value Added Tax rate of 2.5 per cent to a strict levy of 2.5 per cent.”

    “Mr Speaker, VAT will thus be maintained at 12 and a half per cent.

     

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Government announces Luxury Vehicle Tax

    The Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori Atta has announced the imposition of a luxury vehicle import tax as part of a new policy to help raise more revenue.

    He said the tax would be imposed on luxury vehicles with the capacity of 3.0 litres and above.

    Commercial vehicles are however exempted from the policy.

    Reading the mid-year budget review on Thursday, Mr Ofori Atta said the tax would be paid at registration and subsequently at annual renewal.

    High network income tax

    Ghana currently has five income tax rates for individuals and government is introducing an additional one to make the risk more equitable, he said.

    Mr Ofori Atta said in line with this, “a 35 per cent tax would be applied to incomes of over Ghc10,000 and above per month.

    “We are reviewing personal income tax to include an additional Ghc10,000 and above per month at the rate of 35 per cent,” he said.

    Mr Ofori Atta said in line with this, “a 35 per cent tax would be applied to incomes of over Ghc10,000 and above per month.

    “We are reviewing personal income tax to include an additional Ghc10,000 and above per month at the rate of 35 per cent,” he said.

    “We are converting the National Health Insurance of 2.5 per cent to a strict levy of 2.5 per cent. Mr Speaker, we are converting the GETFund Value Added Tax rate of 2.5 per cent to a strict levy of 2.5 per cent.”

    “Mr Speaker, VAT will thus be maintained at 12 and a half per cent.

     

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Andy Murray drops to world number 839 in latest tennis rankings

    Andy Murray is now the British men’s number 23 after he dropped to 839 in the world rankings following his injury problems.

    The former world number one fell 690 places in Monday’s rankings after he pulled out of Wimbledon.

    The 31-year-old had hip surgery in January after being out of action since last year’s Wimbledon.

    He has only played three matches since then, winning one at Eastbourne last month.

    Murray is due to return to action at the Citi Open, which starts in Washington on 30 July.

    He also hopes to play Masters level events in Toronto and Cincinnati before the US Open, which begins on 27 August.

    Murray will be able to enter the Masters events under the exemption available to players coming back from long-term injury.

    His current position in the rankings sees him alongside part-time US College and Challenger Tour players.

    British number one Kyle Edmund is up to a career-high 16th, followed by Cameron Norrie (77) and Liam Broady (177).

    Also ranked above Murray are Jay Clarke (225), Dan Evans (323), James Ward (333), Alexander Ward (338), Edward Corrie (446), Tom Farquharson (479), Brydan Klein (498), Lloyd Glasspool (538), Jonathan Gray (589), Billy Harris (679), Ryan James Storrie (698), Luke Bambridge (706), Oliver Golding (728), Evan Hoyt (745), Neil Pauffley (746), Ryan Peniston (769), Finn Bass (787), Richard Gabb (811) and Luke Johnson (825).

    source: bbc.com

  • Andy Murray drops to world number 839 in latest tennis rankings

    Andy Murray is now the British men’s number 23 after he dropped to 839 in the world rankings following his injury problems.

    The former world number one fell 690 places in Monday’s rankings after he pulled out of Wimbledon.

    The 31-year-old had hip surgery in January after being out of action since last year’s Wimbledon.

    He has only played three matches since then, winning one at Eastbourne last month.

    Murray is due to return to action at the Citi Open, which starts in Washington on 30 July.

    He also hopes to play Masters level events in Toronto and Cincinnati before the US Open, which begins on 27 August.

    Murray will be able to enter the Masters events under the exemption available to players coming back from long-term injury.

    His current position in the rankings sees him alongside part-time US College and Challenger Tour players.

    British number one Kyle Edmund is up to a career-high 16th, followed by Cameron Norrie (77) and Liam Broady (177).

    Also ranked above Murray are Jay Clarke (225), Dan Evans (323), James Ward (333), Alexander Ward (338), Edward Corrie (446), Tom Farquharson (479), Brydan Klein (498), Lloyd Glasspool (538), Jonathan Gray (589), Billy Harris (679), Ryan James Storrie (698), Luke Bambridge (706), Oliver Golding (728), Evan Hoyt (745), Neil Pauffley (746), Ryan Peniston (769), Finn Bass (787), Richard Gabb (811) and Luke Johnson (825).

    source: bbc.com

  • Therell be no VAT increment Ofori-Atta declares

    The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Attah has promised that the government will not increase the Value Added Tax (VAT), contrary to earlier reports.

    Presenting the 2018 mid-year budget review in Parliament on Thursday, the finance minister said the government would not increase the VAT rate despite some economic challenges.

    “I wish to assure the House that VAT will not be increased, Ken Ofori-Atta declared.”

    Ahead of the reading, there had been suggestions that there may be an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) and National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL).

    This was after a report by a pro-government newspaper, The New Statesman, suggested that VAT and NHIL may be increased from 17.5 percent to 21.5 percent.

    Though the government tried to allay the fears that the reports sparked, some Ghanaians including the Minority caucus in Parliament said the introduction of new taxes could affect businesses and the cost of living.

    At a press to present its review of the economy for the year, the Minority said it only sees tough times ahead for Ghanaians.

    The Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, predicted that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, would on Thursday announce a barrage of new taxes and reintroduce some old taxes scrapped in the 2017 budget, in his mid-year budget review.

    However, Mr. Ofori Atta said the government would maintain the current VAT rate of 17.5 percent.

    Source: citinewsroom.com