Sam Kerrscored four goals as Chelsea crushed Vllaznia 8-0 in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday, maintaining their perfect start in Group A.
Pernille Harder also struck a hat-trick and Katerina Svitkova headed home late on as the Blues followed up last week’s impressive win over Paris Saint-Germain with a dominant display at Kingsmeadow.
Kerr needed just an hour to hit the net four times, finishing from close range on three occasions as well as converting Guro Reiten’s corner with a towering header.
Chelsea now hold a two-point advantage at the top of their group after Real Madrid played out a lively 0-0 draw with Paris Saint-Germainat the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
In Group B, Wolfsburg recorded their second win in as many games as goals from Jule Brand and Ewa Pajor helped them to a 2-0 success against Slavia Prague.
However, the two-time Champions League winners look set to be pushed all the way by tournament debutants Roma after they triumphed 4-3 in a remarkable meeting with St. Polten.
Alessandro Spugna’s Giallorosse were 2-0 down with 15 minutes to play, but held firm after goals from Elena Linari, Valentina Giacinti, Manuela Giugliano and Paloma Lazaro turned the contest around to move onto six points.
Shoe brand Skechers claims it had to escort Kanye West from its corporate offices in Los Angeles after he showed up “unannounced and uninvited”.
The company added it had “no intention” of working with the rapper and designer who goes by the name of Ye.
It comes after Adidas, the German sportswear giant, cut ties with Mr West over anti-Semitic remarks he made on social media.
The BBC has contacted Mr West’s representatives for comment.
In a statement Skechers said Mr West had arrived at its offices with a party and was “engaged in unauthorised filming”.
The party were escorted from the building after a brief conversation, it said.
The brand said: “We condemn his recent divisive remarks and do not tolerate antisemitism or any other form of hate speech.”
It added: “We again stress that West showed up unannounced and uninvited.”
Mr West, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, has been involved in a string of high profile spats with big brands in recent months and many have cut ties.
On Tuesday, Adidas ended its Yeezy brand collaboration with Mr West saying it does “not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech”.
His products will be pulled from sale with immediate effect, said Adidas. The collaboration was put under review last month after the rapper showed a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt design at Paris Fashion Week.
Days later, the rapper posted anti-Semitic comments on his Twitter account which led to his account being blocked. Mr West responded to his suspension by rejoining Twitter and saying he would go “death con 3 On Jewish people”, earning him a second disbarment.
Cutting the partnership, which has been hugely successful, means Adidas will make a net loss of £217m in 2022, it said.
Brands cut ties
JP Morgan and fashion house Balenciaga have also parted ways with the rapper over his remarks, while he has been dropped by his talent agency. Gap, which ended its tie-up with Mr West in September, is taking immediate steps to remove Yeezy Gap products from its shops and online store.
Film and television production company MRC said on Monday it will not be airing its recently completed documentary on the rapper.
Mr West has not apologised for the anti-Semitic remarks and on 15 October defended them on US podcast Drink Champs.
The scandal has hit the rapper’s income and he has lost his position in Forbes magazine’s list of billionaires. The magazine estimates the loss of the Adidas partnership has cut Ye’s net worth from $1.5bn to $400m.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta concedes his side’s premature Champions League exit is a shame but was philosophical about their “young project” under Xavi.
The Blaugrana were officially eliminated and consigned to the Europa League following Inter’s 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen earlier on Wednesday, before producing a limp home display in a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich.
Barcelona have been condemned to a group-stage exit for the second straight season, while that comes almost 12 months since Xavi’s appointment to replace Ronald Koeman.
The five-time Champions League winners spent significantly in Xavi’s first off-season at the helm, bringing in Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin, Franck Kessie, Marcos Alonso and Raphinha.
Barca’s failure to reach the Champions League knockout stages will have a financial impact on the club, but Laporta was philosophical.
“It’s a shame, but you can’t blame the players or the coach for anything,” Laporta told Barca TV. “We have to look forward, because we have LaLiga and other competitions left.
“This is a young project in which from the beginning we knew we were going to have ups and downs. The league remains and we have to show that we continue.”
The Blaugrana are second in LaLiga after a strong start to the campaign with 28 points from 11 games, three points behind Real Madrid, whose El Clasico victory earlier this month put them top.
“LaLiga is very important and we have it close,” Laporta said. “The message is to look forward. This has already happened.”
❝I want to thank the fans … from the first minute to the last, they were cheering the players on … we have the best fans in the world.❞
Barca’s 3-0 home loss to the German champions marked the sixth straight defeat against Bayern, including the 8-2 Champions League quarter-final rout in 2020.
“Bayern is a consolidated and powerful team, one of the best in Europe and they did not play anything, they left relaxed,” Laporta added.
“For us it was very complicated and the [Inter] game against Plzen was torture, but we still have faith.”
Barca midfielder Pedri was more forthright in his assessment of the side’s elimination.
“For me it’s a failure,” he told Movistar. “We don’t deserve to be in the Champions League, we’ve shown it in games. But we have many competitions to face and give joy to the fans who have been with us at all times.”
This was the first time Barca have been eliminated from the Champions League group stage in back-to-back seasons since the 1997-98 and 1998-99 campaigns under Louis van Gaal.
Madrid will be Spain’s only team in the last 16 with Sevilla, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid all out with a game to spare. The last season Spain only had one team in the knockout rounds was 1998-99, also Los Blancos.
Presbyterian Boys Senior High School is the 2022 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) champions.
Presec Legon by this victory, has won the NSMQ competition for seven times.
At the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, they beat the reigning champions, Prempeh College, and one-time champion Adisadel College.
It was a revenge game for Presec as they were beaten by Prempeh College in the 2021 NSMQ contest.
It must be admitted that today’s contest was nerve wracking as all three schools, particularly Presec and Prempeh College showed outstanding performance.
Max Verstappenhas seen numerous records fall his way this season and one of the most illustrious is up for grabs this weekend in Mexico, where a victory would take him to 14 for the season.
Such a win would see him become the driver to have won the most races in a single season, having joined Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel on 13 with his success in the United States.
That triumph was his ninth this season without starting in pole – surpassing Lewis Hamilton (eight) for the most such wins in a single campaign – and he will be full of confidence given a stellar record in Mexico, where he has prevailed three times (2018, 2019, 2021). Verstappen and Jim Clark share the record for the most Mexican Grand Prix wins.
Red Bull also have a team record in their sight, having now won eight races in a row to stand one shy of the nine victories in a row they secured in 2013, which is the sixth-longest winning streak for a team in F1 history.
While Verstappen and Red Bull are in search of further records, Hamilton is looking to avoid one as he is still in search of his first victory in 2022, and the Mercedes driver was strong in the United States.
The British driver has never finished a Formula One season in his career without a race win and has just three grands prix to ensure this is not the year when he stands winless for the first time.
Much of the attention will continue to be off the track, however, with Red Bull’s cost-cap breach in 2021 yet to be resolved and dominating debate, though a final outcome should be right around the corner.
The Mexican Grand Prix has seen 10 different drivers on pole position in the last 10 editions.
The last driver to win consecutive pole positions in this race was Ayrton Senna in 1988 and 1989, and it is highly unlikely that will change after qualifying on Saturday as 2021 pole sitter Valtteri Bottas is now at Alfa Romeo.
Leclerc’s late change
Charles Leclerc was Verstappen’s biggest threat early in the season, but a plethora of problems derailed the title ambitions of the Ferrari driver, with mistakes, bad luck and mechanical issues all plaguing his performances.
Some consistency has been found recently, however, with Leclerc finishing on the podium in each of his last five Formula One races – his longest such run in his career.
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has rejected reports from the IMANI Africa and the Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP), indicating the Corporation could cost Ghana between US$5 billion and US$6 billion.
According to the two companies, the GNPC’s current arrangement with Genser Energy Holdings, a US-based Ghanaian-owned energy company, would lead to financial loss to the state.
GNPC, however, disagrees, stating that the figures quoted by ACEP and Imani to represent programmed losses are in fact budgeted deficits.
GNPC further stated that what it presents to Parliament in its annual Work Program is what the Corporation intends to spend on its activities and the sources of funding for such projects, and the means of financing the forecasted deficit, if any.
“It is based on these mis-represented figures that ACEP and Imani draw their conclusion that GNPC’s operations raise significant debt concerns, and that cumulatively, the Corporation’s actions could cost Ghana between US$5 billion and US$6 billion. These conclusions cannot be any further from the truth,” a document from GNPC sighted by The Independent Ghana read.
“The two organizations make basic errors, in their inability to distinguish between deficit financing and profit/loss,” the Corporation added.
According to GNPC, it remains a perennial loss-making organisation that has made a loss in only one year, i.e. 2020.
In 2020, GNPC made a loss of USD163.392 million. The company has blamed this on the COVID-19 pandemic which wreaked havoc on many economies.
“The years 2020 and 2021 particularly were difficult years for GNPC, and most other companies, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ghana does not manage its price risk unlike many other E&P companies. As such, we are particularly hit when extraneous circumstances like the Covid-19 pandemic affect both oil prices and production levels,” it explained.
Meanwhile, GNPC has entreated Imani and ACEP to reach out to the Corporation on any matter they need clarification to,
“GNPC is transparent and ready to provide any information to ACEP and Imani. Despite all GNPC’s contributions to the development and well-being of the nation, the Corporation is yet to hear a single positive or uplifting statement from Imani and ACEP,” it said.
GNPC believes such errors would not have been made by the two institutions should they have reached out.
Audi and Sauber have announced their partnership in Formula 1, which will see the team race as a factory entrant from 2026.
Confirmation of Audi’s move into F1 had been announced earlier this year and it was long expected that the Swiss team would become the home for the German car giant.
Wednesday’s announcement sets out the future for the Sauber team, who see their branding deal with Alfa Romeo expire at the end of 2023 and will have two further seasons with Ferrarias an engine supplier before the unification with Audi.
Formula 1’s engine supplier regulations have been adapted from 2026 onwards, encouraging new entrants to come forward, and Audi is among them alongside sister company Porsche, who are looking for a partnership of their own on the grid.
Finn Rausing, the chairman of Sauber Holding, said in a statement: “Audi is the best partner for the Sauber Group. It is clear that both companies share the same values and vision. We are looking forward to achieving our common goals with a strong and successful partnership.”
MEDIAINFO: Audi selects Sauber as strategic partner for Formula 1 entry
The four rings of Audi will race as a factory team and a deal with Sauber makes sense given the proximity between the Swiss team’s base in Zurich and Audi’s home in Ingolstadt, with the two locations separated by a drive of just under four hours.
Audi have an established history in motorsport stretching back to the 1930s, where Auto Union, who would evolve into the current brand, dominated elite Grand Prix racing alongside Mercedes.
More recent success has come in the World Endurance Championship, where Audi were 13-times winners at Le Mans before announcing their departure from the racing category this year.
Manchester Unitedmust “show consistency” before they can discuss if they are catching up with their rivals, according to Christian Eriksen.
The Denmark international arrived during the close season at Old Trafford alongside new boss Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman tasked in ensuring a turnaround in fortunes for United.
Following a rocky start to the campaign, the Premier League side have shown vast improvements since, albeit with some less-than-stellar results – such as a derby thrashing from Manchester City –along the way.
Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League tie with Sheriff, which United enter unbeaten in six games, Eriksen played down suggestions there is more pressure upon United than his former clubs, adding he feels they are making strides forward.
“The pressure has been the same, the focus on the outside is bigger,” he stated. “Publicity around the club is bigger but pressure around the football, I don’t feel it.
“I think you can see the development in the games, how we go into them. You see it with the fans and with us. But we need to show our consistency before we can compare to other teams.”
With the season set to be bisected by the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Eriksencould be eyeing a return to major tournament football a year and a half on from suffering cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
But he says his focus remains on club matters for now, adding: “For every footballer it is the same. We are focused on the next game.”
Manchester United have been charged by the FA for the second time in a little over a week for failing to control their players.
The latest incident is in relation to their protests over a Chelsea penalty during Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw.
United were incensed by Stuart Attwell’s decision to award a spot-kick for a Scott McTominay foul on Armando Broja, which was subsequently converted by Jorginho in the 87th minute.
While Casemiro rescued a point in injury time, the reaction of United’s players when crowding the official has seen them hit with another charge from the FA for their actions.
It is United’s second breach of FA rules this month, having been accused of failing to control their players after Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed in their goalless draw with Newcastle United on October 16.
An FA statement on Wednesday read: “Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League game against Chelsea FC on Saturday 22nd October in the Premier League.
“Manchester United FC allegedly failed to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 84th minute, and the club has until Friday 28th October to provide a response.”
European champions England will face off against Copa America Femenina champions Brazil at Wembley in the inaugural Women’s Finalissima next year.
The clash on April 6 has been organised between UEFA and CONMEBOL to follow on from the success of the men’s Finalissima in June, where South American champions Argentina defeated European title-holders Italy in front of a sold-out crowd at Wembley.
A cross-continent fixture has also taken place at youth level, with UEFA Youth League winners Benfica overcoming Uruguay’s Club Atletico Penarol at the Estadio Centenario in August in Montevideo.
The clash will give both England and Brazil the opportunity to clinch a further title before the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, leading Three Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman to outline her excitement for the fixture.
“The great games keep on coming for us. This time, we have the opportunity to welcome Brazil to Wembley and it will be another big moment after the Euros and USA match,” she said.
“Like us, they will be thinking about the World Cup next summer. This is a chance to again test ourselves against another top 10 team in the world, an opportunity to win another trophy and give our fans something special to watch, hopefully in a packed-out Wembley.”
England’s Euro success was only the second senior title they have ever lifted, while Brazil’s triumph against Colombia in the Copa America was their fourth in a row and eighth in the nine editions of the tournament.
The first-ever Women’s Finalissima will take place on Thursday 6 April 2023 😍
Tickets for 🏴🆚🇧🇷 at @wembleystadium will go on sale from Monday…
Speaker Alban Bagbin made the ruling today, arguing that the Privileges Committee report is not final.
The Privileges Committee recommended that the 40-year-old’s seat is declared vacant for failing to provide an explanation for her absence.
Delivering the much-anticipated ruling, the Speaker noted that the report of the Committee must be placed before the whole House for a decision to be made.
“It is for the House that will go through it because the mandate given to an MP, representation is so crucial that it cannot be left to the subjective view of any person or group of people but the whole house,” Speaker Bagbin said on the floor on Wednesday.
This did not go down well with the Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu. The Majority Leader who doubles as the Suame MP said the ruling is unfortunate.
“I am expressing my discomfort with this unfortunate ruling that you have made. I totally disagree. I think it doesn’t sit with the Constitution and with your own earlier statements that you made in this House relating to those same things. Very inconsistent,” he retorted.
This reaction caused a clash between himself and the Speaker who did not take the comment lightly.
Alban Bagbin demanded a retraction to which the MP reluctantly obliged.
According to the Speaker, they will both remain friends despite their positions in the House.
Ordinarily, there shouldn’t be anything special about the day, Wednesday, October 26, 2022, but politically, Ghanaians would have two major things to look out for.
Coincidentally too, these two things concern members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
It becomes even more relevant because of the many relationships that a lot of people are drawing between all the things happening in the United Kingdom at present, and why Ghana should take cues from it.
For more clarity, in the last week in the UK, Prime Minister, Liz Truss succumbed to mounting pressure from parliament and tendered in her resignation, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister ever.
Days after, British-born Indian Member of Parliament for Richmond, Rishi Sunak, made history by being elected the first person of colour and the youngest in the last 200 years to be PM of the UK.
The fate of Ken Ofori-Atta in the balance:
In Ghana, calls are already mounting for the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to be sacked, or, as other people have suggested, he should resign.
And that is one of the reasons Ghanaians should be interested in the happenings of Wednesday, October 26.
A day before – Tuesday, October 25, 2022, Ghanaians got the shock of their lives when news emerged that some 80 Members of Parliament from the Majority Caucus (whose government is in power) called for Ken Ofori-Atta to be sacked.
The MPs, most of whom are backbenchers, stated that this was a simple scenario of doing the bidding of their constituents and nothing else.
“Most of the majority caucus came to this decision because it is what our constituents wanted. This is not something we wanted to do but it is what the people who voted for us, our constituents wanted. This was not by a rebel group in the caucus.
“There is a lot of pressure on us. If you go to your constituency office and you listen to the concerns of your constituents it is very disheartening. Just yesterday, three women visited my office and they were crying while narrating how they had lost their businesses because the price of a gallon of oil they used to purchase for GH¢60 [600] is now selling for GH¢1000.
“The other MPs also shared their experience and we saw that it all boils down to the same thing. So, this is how we came to the decision that we have to let the president know what our constituents want. We had to let him know, otherwise, our people will not listen to us if we go to them again,” Ahenkrorah said in a radio interview on Neat FM.
The 80 MPs also stated in their press briefing that should President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo fail to heed to their call, they will henceforth make government business in parliament a difficult one for him.
They added that they will begin by absenting themselves from the reading and participation in the 2023 budget statement in parliament.
Although President Nana Akufo-Addo held a late meeting with the NPP MPs calling for the sack of Ken Ofori-Atta, asking them to allow the minister to seal the IMF deal first, it is the hope of many that the minister would make an announcement on his own before close of day.
Speaker to determine fate of Sarah Adwoa Safo:
News of the fate or otherwise of the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, is no longer a big news but the decision that will be made by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, is one many are looking forward to.
It will be recalled that since 2021, there have been many calls for the MP to make clear her stance in her political position, both as MP and as minister, but she never did come clear on it.
As a major first step, and after many attempts to get her to fall in line, President Akufo-Addo sacked her as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Having been away from Ghana for the greater part of 2021 and 2022, many have also wondered how it is that she is able to execute her work as an MP in absentia.
Calls have been made for her seat to be declared vacant, among others, though the decision by parliament has taken some time, it appears a finality will be brought to the subject when parliament sits on Wednesday.
Giving his assurances of delivering his final verdict on the fate of the MP on this day, many people are looking forward to what that ruling would be.
The last time parliament was to determine the fate of Sarah Adwoa Safo, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, speaking during the last sitting of the third meeting of this eighth parliament, said he would not want to make a hasty decision.
He therefore informed the House that on resumption for the fourth sitting of this parliament, he would deliver his verdict on the matter.
“I have consulted the old lady. The old lady has given me an advice and I think that advice is clear because the issues raised by the Majority Leader is both substantive and procedural law and I need time to submit to this House a reasoned, written ruling.
“I cannot in the haste of today, give you the ruling. In the circumstances, I’d urge this House for us to call it a day,” he said.
It is also worth mentioning that the call for the seat of Dome-Kwabenya to be declared vacant was made by the NPP MPs, knowing very well that it is the seat of one of their members.
The events of the day are surely expected to be interesting.
Parliament is still yet to determine the fate of Dome Kwabenya MP, Adwoa Safo, although Speaker Alban Bagbin pledged to give his ruling when the House returned from recess.
The House has resumed sitting and the Speaker has failed to bring finality to the matter.
Speaker Alban Bagbinon Wednesday ruled that the report of the committee set up to look into the case of the MP and two others who absented themselves for a number of sittings should be presented before the whole house to be debated.
He, therefore, dismissed the objection of the Majority Leader to the admissibility of the committee report for the consideration of the house.
“As I have noted in this ruling, the decision (sic) on not to admit a motion is the exclusive preserve of the Speaker. In view of the foregoing, the House is well within its right to receive and consider reports of the committee and make a determine arising out of the consideration.
“In the circumstances, it is my ruling that the motion was rightfully admitted and the report of the committee is subject to the consideration of the house. It goes without saying that the (sic) objection of the Majority Leader today (sic) is hereby dismissed…” he concluded his verdict.
Adwoa Safo and her two other colleagues, Kennedy Agyapong and Henry Quartey were reported to the Privileges Committee for their absence in Parliament.
Mr Agyapong and Quartey appeared before the Committee to provide reasons behind their absence but Adwoa Safo failed to.
Sarah Adwoa Safo was scheduled to appear before the Committee on May 27, 2022.
Speaking to the media on the said day, she explained that she had not been served any notice to appear before the Committee, and further attributed her absence to the medical attention she was giving to her son living in the United States of America.
Adwoa Safo no longer Gender Minister
President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, July 28, 2022, relieved Sarah Adwoa Safo of her duties as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection in accordance with Article 81(a) of the constitution.
He has appointed the Member of Parliament for Walewale, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, as the new Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Until her approval from Parliament, Cecilia Dapaah, who is the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, remains the caretaker minister.
Lariba Zuweira Abudu is currently the Deputy Minister for Gender.
The digitalisation vision of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been vindicated after a report on financial inclusion in Africa named Ghana as the only country to have a 100% score.
The ‘State of Inclusive Instant Payment in Africa’ report put together by AfricaNenda and launched at the ongoing Mobile World Congress Africa 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, found Ghana far ahead of her peers in regard to financial inclusion.
The 2022 ‘State of Inclusive Payment in Africa’ report focused on inclusive instant payment systems in 12 African countries.
Ghana, remarkably, was the only country that scored 100% on access to financial inclusion.
Ghana’s feat is due to the successful implementation of the mobile money interoperability (MMI) platform, a bedrock of Dr Bawumia’s digitalisation agenda and a policy he has been working on since 2007.
The mobile money interoperability MMI platform integrates all payments platforms across banks, fintechs and telcos, giving access to every Ghanaian to make and receive instant payments.
Speaking at the Mobile World Congress Africa, Chief Executive Officer of GhIPSSS, Archie Hesse, spoke on how the platform was gradually improved upon to get to its current state.
According to him, GhIPSS started by first integrating banks to make them interoperable on the back of the GhIPSS Instant Pay (GIP); then GhIPSS introduced a biometric payment system called e-zwich, which was also made interoperable, before moving on integrate the mobile money operators into an interoperable platform.
“What we then did was to close the triangle by making all the three platforms interoperable to ensure that no matter who is making payment and from wherever, they will be able to do so seamlessly and instantly,” he said.
Veep’s Vision Bearing Fruit
During his time leading the BOG’s digital efforts, Dr Bawumia spearheaded the introduction of the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GHIPSS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana.
GHIPPS was incorporated in May 2007 with a mandate to implement and manage interoperable payment system infrastructure for banks and non-bank financial institutions in Ghana.
The system has been crucial in moving Ghana’s digital banking revolution forward in leaps and bounds and was crucial to the establishment of the mobile money interoperability system, as Dr Bawumia noted during a ‘Bawumia Speaks’ lecture at Asheshi University in 2021.
“Thanks to the Bank of Ghana and Ghana Interbank Payments and Settlement System (GhIPSS), the mobile money payments interoperability has made it possible to transfer money seamlessly across different mobile money providers and between bank accounts and mobile wallets,” the Vice President stated.
That vision has come full circle, with Ghana’s financial inclusion being hailed at the ongoing Mobile World Congress Africa 2022.
More recently, Kenya’s finest daily, the Standard, praised Ghana’s digital revolution and called on Kenya and the rest of the continent to follow in Ghana’s footsteps, writing that Ghana’s indefatigable Veep is leading a “digitization footprint that Kenya and Africa can emulate.”\
Manchester United signed a number of players from the Eredivisie over the summer — and Ajax striker Brian Brobbey is the next man tipped to make his way to Old Trafford.
The hitman, 20, has made an excellent start to the season and former boss Erik ten Hag, now in charge at Old Trafford, is said to be a huge admirer.
As Liverpool prepare to visit Amsterdam in the Champions League tonight, we turn the spotlight on Ajax’s latest young sensation.
Ajax return
A highly-rated product of Ajax’s famed academy, Brobbey left his boyhood club to join RB Lepizig in the summer of 2021.
But only six months and nine Bundesliga appearances later, he was back in the Dutch capital and working under Ten Hag once again.
Initially rejoining on loan, Brobbey impressed with seven goals in 11 Eredivisie appearances during the second half of the campaign.
But while Ten Hag left for Manchester in the summer, Ajax made Brobbey’sreturn permanent for a reported £14million and he has already bettered last season’s tally — netting eight in 11 league outings.
Brian Brobbey’s Champions League heat map shows he likes to operate in central positions
Healthy competition
With pace, strength and deadly finishing, it is easy to see why Ten Hag may see Brobbey as well suited for the English top flight.
Only PSV’s Cody Gakpo — widely tipped for a big-money move to one of Europe’s top clubs — has bettered the Ajax man’s goal return this term.
That is made all the more impressive when you factor in that he has started only seven of their 11 league outings as he battles for a place with another highly-rated star in Mohammed Kudus.
The Ghanaian briefly took Brobbey’s place in the starting XI after a number of goalscoring displays — including against Liverpool in the reverse fixture at Anfield.
On the healthy rivalry, Brobbey said: “We have a good competition. He does his thing, I do my thing. We only make each other better.
“Kudus scored almost every game. If I did, I wouldn’t think it fair if the trainer then takes me out. So I understood the choice.”
Having netted five goals in his last three games, Brobbey will expect to hold onto his place in the coming weeks.
Theatre of his Dreams
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is a big admirer of Brian Brobbey
Though he is only a few months into his return as a permanent Ajax player, Brobbey has made no secret that he would like to end up at United later down the line.
And it seems the feeling is mutual, with the striker revealing Ten Hag tried to snap him up in the summer.
He told Voetbal International: “Dream club? Manchester United. Erik sent me a message, yes, to congratulate me, and to tell me that he would like to have me at Manchester United.
“But I’m not finished at Ajax yet, I want to show something here first.
“I absolutely wanted to go to Ajax. Erik also wanted to work with me, texted once if I was open to it, but I thanked him nicely.”
The right place
At 20, Brobbey knows that move may still be there for him in the future if he continues with his current form.
With Ajax a club known for nurturing young talent, the Netherlands Under-21s international is in the perfect place for his development right now.
On his return to Ajax, Brobbey added: “I wanted to go back. My friends here, Ajax’s playing style, it just wasn’t finished yet.
“I first have to really succeed here as a striker of Ajax. That’s also how the past six months felt, when I played here on a rental basis.
“I really had the feeling afterwards: I really have to go back. Believe me, in a few years I will provide a nice transfer fee for Ajax and then the club will have made a nice profit.”
Liverpool test
Brian Brobbey is battling with Mohammed Kudus for a place in Ajax’s XI
For all his excellent displays domestically, Brobbey is yet to get off the mark in Europe this term having started all four of their Champions League outings from the bench.
Since a 4-0 win over Rangers on Matchday 1, the Eredivisie champions have lost three straight games — shipping a combined 10 goals across two meetings with Napoli.
Qualification to the knockout stages looks a tall order with Ajax sitting six points behind the Reds in Group A with two games to play.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was an unknown quantity when the Champions League began in September — not any more.
The Napoli star has taken Serie A and Europe by storm after moving from Dinamo Batumi for a paltry £9million in the summer.
A combined seven goals and eight assists in all competitions mean the Georgia international is fast becoming a household name.
Ahead of Rangers’ visit to Naples tonight, we assess what the future holds for the man known as Kvara.
Bargain buy
Kvara was a Rubin Kazan player at the start of 2022 but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw his contract suspended.
He moved to Batumi in his native and netted eight times in 11 games before Napoli made their move for the 21-year-old.
Director Cristiano Giuntoli said: “The first time I watched Khvicha in action was during the lockdown.
“He was playing for Rubin Kazan, but they wanted €30m, so we immediately ended negotiations.
“When the war in Ukraine began, he returned to Georgia to Dinamo Batumi, so we rushed there with a contract and signed him for €10m.
“We were quicker than Roma, Juventus and Real Sociedad. He’s always been on our radar.”
Now the richest clubs in Europe are being linked with him, including Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Quick start
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has impressed in his four Champions League games so far
Even though they had been monitoring the Georgian for a couple of years, Napoli would not have imagined him hitting the ground running quite like he has.
A goal and assist on debut against Verona were followed by four strikes in his next seven Serie A games.
And he netted in both Napoi’s victories over Ajax in Group A — leading to comparisons with club legend Diego Maradona and the nickname “Kvaradona”, not that he thinks the association is warranted.
Kvara said: “Great responsibility comes with being mentioned in the same sentence as him.
“I can’t come close to Maradona, but I will give my all to be a big player for this club. Obviously, I like the nickname.”
Joy to watch
Veteran Russian boss Yuri Semin recently said: “Let’s not forget that the Georgians are well accustomed to skill. In the days of the USSR, they were called the Brazilians of the Soviet Union.”
And that is certainly true of Kvara, whose unique dribbling skill where he almost does not lift his head, has made him a joy to watch.
His 57 take-ons attempted this term rank first in Serie A with the 19 he has completed also top, while he has created 20 chances and eight big chances.
Only Ciro Immobile, Tammy Abraham and Lautaro Martinez have had more than his 12 shots on target and only strikers have scored more than his five goals.
He has a huge part of the reason Napoli are sitting at the top of Serie A at the moment.
Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has announced that Cristiano Ronaldo is back in Manchester United’s squad for Thursday’s Europa League tie with Sheriff.
However, Raphael Varane will not play again before the World Cup.
Portugal international Ronaldo was dropped by United for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute and heading for the tunnel early in last week’s 2-0 win over Tottenham.
The 37-year-old was also briefly excluded from first-team involvement, but he returned to training on Tuesday and will now be considered for selection against Sheriff at Old Trafford.
However, United will be without centre-back Varane until after the World Cup break, though Ten Hag did not reveal whether the France international will be fit in time for his country’s Qatar 2022 campaign.
“Cristiano will be in the squad tomorrow. Rapha Varane isn’t. He will be out until the World Cup,” Ten Hag said at Wednesday’s pre-match news conference.
📍 Training HQ
A solid session ahead of Thursday’s #UEL encounter ✔#MUFC
Varane left the field in tears after sustaining a leg injury in the dramatic draw with Chelsea, with the defender now in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, which begins on November 22 for France with a game against Australia.
Further pressed on a timeline for Varane’s return to action, Ten Hag told reporters: “We will have to see how he develops, how his rehab will develop.”
United will book a place in the knockout stage of the Europa League against Sheriff if they win, draw or avoid defeat by more than one goal.
Ten Hag also confirmed he will make a late decision on whether to field Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, all of whom returned to training this week.
Chelsea have announced the arrival of Laurence Stewart from Monaco as technical director with a focus on global football, in what is seen as the first move towards a multi-club model.
Stewart, a former performance analyst for England during the 2014 World Cup, will arrive at Stamford Bridge upon the completion of his tenure with the Ligue 1 outfit.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has made little secret of his desire to move the Premier League outfit towards a multi-club model, akin to Manchester City and the City Football Group, who own teams in 11 countries.
Stewart, who has experience with such a model through Monaco, appears to be arriving to help facilitate that vision, given the emphasis his role will have on global matters.
“Laurence is an important appointment as we plan to build a deep sporting team that will collaborate closely,” Boehly said in a statement with co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali.
“[He’s] a world-class football leader who understands talent management, data and scouting, player development and performance.”
Laurence Stewart will be joining Chelsea in a new position as technical director to focus on football globally.
The Football Association (FA) is to take no disciplinary action after investigating a comment alleged to have been made by a player in the Premier League match between Arsenaland Liverpool.
A complaint was made regarding an exchange between two players in Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Emirates Stadium on October 9.
However, following the conclusion of a “full and thorough investigation” – in which the accused player “strenuously denied the allegation throughout” – the FA announced on Wednesday the matter had been closed.
The FA added in a statement: “Whilst The FA is entirely satisfied that the allegation was made in good faith, it is equally satisfied that there is no case to answer.”
It explained: “The investigation included taking witness statements from the complainant and accused, along with an additional six players who were within proximity of the alleged incident, reviewing multiple angles of video footage, and seeking independent linguistics experts evidence.
“None of the witnesses heard the alleged comment, and the player accused strenuously denied the allegation throughout.”
The statement added: “The FA continues to take all allegations received extremely seriously and would encourage anyone who believes that they have been the subject of or witness to abuse to report this through the appropriate channels.
“The FA receives a number of complaints in any one season and thoroughly investigates each one that it receives. Following consideration of all of the evidence received, not all cases will result in a charge being issued.”
Following an investigation into an allegation received by The FA in the Premier League fixture between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC on Sunday 9 October 2022, The FA can confirm that it will not be taking any disciplinary action.
Casemiro has highlighted the importance of Brazil remaining grounded after being labelled as one of the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Brazil last lifted football’s most prestigious trophy 20 years ago, when Ronaldo Nazario scored eight goals as Luiz Filipe Scolari’s team triumphed in Japan and South Korea.
However, Tite’s team have been tipped by many to end that drought this year, with the Selecao topping the FIFA World Rankings ahead of the tournament and seeing the likes of Neymar and Vinicius Junior start the club season in fine form.
Speaking to Manchester United’s media channels, Casemiro said: “There are two sides to it. Of course, there’s no hiding from the fact Brazil are favourites, but the favourites don’t always win in football, the favourites aren’t always champions.
“We know there are other national teams doing some great work, teams that are also favourites. Football, nowadays, speaks for itself. We know there are other teams playing very well.
“We know our responsibility, we know we have to respect the teams we come up against.
“It’s inevitable when we talk about Brazil, though we do this with our feet on the ground and a lot of respect for our opponents.”
With 65 senior caps to his name, Casemiro appears a certainty to feature when Brazil open their Group G campaign against Serbia on November 24, and he could be joined by United team-mate Antony.
The winger has scored three goals in his first six Premier League appearances since joining Red Devils from Ajax, and now hopes to make an impact for Brazil on the grandest stage of all.
“My first call up to the Selecao was this year, so it’s a wonderful experience for me,” Antony said, being interviewed alongside Casemiro.
“I’ve always dreamed of putting on the Brazil shirt, today I can live that dream leading up to a World Cup.
“Putting on the national shirt, representing your country and your family is very important to me. I hope to be putting it on more and more and make history with the Brazilian national team.”
Researchers in the US have found a genetic link between people with African ancestry and an aggressive type of breast cancer.
They hope their findings will encourage more black people to get involved in clinical trials in a bid to improve survival rates for people with the disease.
“I never thought I had anything to worry about,” says Laverne Fauntleroy, a 53-year-old African American from New York.
Laverne led a healthy lifestyle.
She ate well and exercised regularly but in January, not long before her birthday, she received a diagnosis that left her feeling confused and afraid.
“They just told me I had breast cancer,” she says.
“Most people that I know that had cancer didn’t survive so, of course, I was devastated and very scared.”
IMAGE SOURCE,LAVERNE FAUNTLEROY
Image caption, Laverne was diagnosed with TNBC in January
Laverne found out that she had triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
It is a less common type of the disease but grows quickly, is more likely to spread, more likely to return and has the worst survival outcome of all breast cancers.
Because it lacks three types of receptor found in other forms of breast cancer, drugs which work for them have no impact on TNBC.
It is more common in women under 40 and disproportionately affects black women.
A study published in the journal JAMA Oncology found that black women diagnosed with TNBC are 28% more likely to die from it than white women with the same diagnosis.
Now a new study has confirmed a definitive genetic link between African ancestry and TNBC.
How to check your breasts
Relax – know what’s normal for you and check your breasts once a month
The best time to check is in the shower with soapy hands
Take a good look in the mirror beforehand and look for any obvious lumps, skin changes, nipple changes or discharge
Remember to check your armpits
Be aware that young women especially can have lumpy breasts which are entirely normal
Breasts can change depending on menstrual cycle but if a lump persists for more than one cycle, see your GP
Know your family history. There will be a stronger suspicion if there are many cases of breast or ovarian cancer in the family (both mother’s and father’s sides)
IMAGE SOURCE,WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE
Image caption, Dr Newman says this latest research is critical to understanding TNBC better
Dr Lisa Newman, of Weill Cornell Medicine, has been part of an international project studying breast cancer in women in different regions of Africa for 20 years.
Her work has shown that TNBC is particularly common in women from countries in western sub-Saharan Africa, such as Ghana.
She says the reason might be that the genetics of women from this area have been shaped over generations by battling deadly infectious diseases such as malaria.
“Studying triple negative breast cancer in women with different ancestral backgrounds, we are learning that some of the genetic markers which were related to developing resistance to different infectious agents have downstream effects on the inflammatory landscape of different organs, such as the breast,” Dr Newman says.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has revealed that from Saturday, October 29, 2022, transport fares would increase by 19%.
General Secretary of the Union, Godfred Abulbire, made this known in an interview on JoyNews.
According to him, the new rate was agreed upon by the Union after an extensive discussion with President Akufo-Addo, together with other transport operators across the country.
Public transport operators have attributed the yet to be implemented rate to the recent hikes in fuel prices coupled with the galloping inflation and the current depreciation of the Cedi.
The new transport fares were to be announced by the GRPTU on Monday, but due to further engagement, the Union was unable to.
This is the third time transport fares have been increased this year. In February, fares were increased by 15%. Two months after, fares rose by 20 per cent.
Since the beginning of the year, transport fares have risen by 54 per cent.
Liverpoolcan seal progression to the Champions League last 16 when they play on Wednesday, but Barcelona could see their exit confirmed from Europe’s top competition.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds make the trip to face Ajax in Group A knowing they are guaranteed a spot in the Europa League at the very least – and simply avoiding defeat would guarantee their place in the Champions League knockout stages.
It is a more dicey affair for Xavi’s Barca, however, as they welcome Bayern Munich to Camp Nou in Group C knowing a loss would spell the end of their journey. Even a win will not be enough if Inter defeat Viktoria Plzen.
Tottenham will hope to keep their noses in front in Group D, with Marseille and Sporting CP just a point behind, while Atletico Madrid have work to do in Group B.
We preview Wednesday’s eight matches by picking through the Opta data.
Ajax v Liverpool
Ajax have made for generous opponents for Liverpool of late, losing their last three against the Reds in the Champions League. Only Juventus (four, 1997-2004) and Real Madrid (seven, 2010-2019) have previously won four in a row against Ajax in the European Cup or Champions League.
Last time out against Ajax… a big Joel Matip late winner in front of the Kop 🤩 pic.twitter.com/asw6zTlKhc
Yet Ajax remain the last Dutch side to achieve a home win against Liverpool, albeit that was back in 1966, with the Premier League side unbeaten in seven subsequent trips to the Netherlands.
Liverpool’s countrymen have also made hay, as Ajax have won just one of their last eight home European matches against English teams, beating Manchester City in October 2012.
With or without another strong result, this will be an historic occasion for Liverpool and Klopp, who will match Rafael Benitez’s 62 Champions League matches in charge of the Reds, who bring up 150 games in the competition.
Barcelona v Bayern Munich
Needing a win, Barca might have hoped to face any team but Bayern, who have a record three Champions League away wins at the Blaugrana. Along with Juventus and Real Madrid, they are one of three teams to have won more matches at Barca than they have lost.
Home and away, Barca have lost nine of their 12 Champions League matches against Bayern, including the past five in a row.
In fact, if Bayern win again, they will match Madrid’s record of 10 wins against a single opponent in the competition – Madrid’s dominance coming against Bayern.
Although Bayern are already through, they are seeking a fourth home-and-away double against Barca in a Champions League season (also 1998-99, 2012-13 and 2021-22). Dynamo Kyiv (in 1997-98) are the only other team to beat Barca twice in the same campaign even once.
Tottenham Hotspur v Sporting CP
Sporting won 2-0 against Tottenham in Portugal in what was the sides’ first meeting, but they have a dismal record in England, with two victories in 15 attempts away to English sides.
Spurs have won six of their seven home European matches against Portuguese opposition, only losing to Benfica in the 2013-14 Europa League.
Both of Tottenham’s wins in this campaign have come at home, where Antonio Conte is bidding to become just the second Spurs coach to win each of his first three at home in the Champions League – after Harry Redknapp.
He and Tottenham will know they must keep their focus early and late; Sporting’s last three Champions League goals have come in either the first or last minutes of the match, netting twice in second-half stoppage time in the reverse fixture.
Atletico have not lost at home to Leverkusen in their prior four such matches, winning two and drawing two, but the Bundesliga team have started to turn the tide, winning two in a row against them in the Champions League.
That strong home record applies whenever Atletico face German opposition, though, as Borussia Dortmund were the last Bundesliga visitors to win there in 1996. Atleti are unbeaten in 11 since.
Diego Simeone needs his team to rediscover their scoring touch, having gone three without a goal in the Champions League.
That is their worst run under Simeone. Only once in the competition have Atletico gone four without netting, back in 2009 under Abel Resino.
Other fixtures:
Club Brugge v Porto
21 – Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has saved all 21 of the shots on target he has faced in the Champions League this season. He has prevented a competition-leading 4.9 goals, according to expected goals on target data.
4 – Four of Porto’s last seven Champions League goals have come from the penalty spot.
Inter v Viktoria Plzen
12 – Inter have scored 12 of their last 14 Champions League goals in the second halves of matches. All three against Barca last time out came after the interval – only the third time an away team has netted three second-half goals at Camp Nou in this competition.
28 – Plzen have averaged just 28 per cent of the possession in the Champions League this season, the lowest average by a team in a single season since Opta data collection began in 2003-04.
Napoli v Rangers
4 – Napoli have won all four of their matches in the Champions League this season and could become the first Italian side to win their opening five games in a single campaign since Juventus in 2004-05.
12 – No goalkeeper has faced more shots on target (29) or conceded more goals (12) than Rangers’ Allan McGregor in the Champions League this season. Indeed, he has only kept four clean sheets in 21 appearances in the competition overall.
Eintracht Frankfurt v Marseille
50 – Eintracht Frankfurt’s Mario Gotze could make his 50th start in the Champions League in this match. He has been involved in 25 goals in his previous 65 appearances, including 21 in his 49 starts.
3 – Marseille have won their last two games in the Champions League – both against Sporting CP – and will be looking to win three in a row for the first time since October-December 2010, when they won four on the spin under Didier Deschamps.
Burkina Faso’s military rulers are accessing more ways to help fight Islamist extremists.
They have launched a drive to recruit tens of thousands of civilian volunteers.
The commander of the force, called Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland, indicated that the aim is to enlist 35,000 new members.
Candidates will receive two weeks of military training before taking part in operations across the country, which has been battling a jihadist insurgency since 2015.
There have been two military coups in Burkina Faso this year with the leaders of both promising to end the violence.
Manchester United are “going in the right direction” under Erik ten Hag, but left-back Luke Shaw says the club know they “can do better”.
Ten Hag arrived from Ajax at the close of a dismal 2021-22 campaign for United and was tasked with turning around their fortunes after another barren season.
Despite a rocky start, Ten Hag has since helped United rediscover their rhythms, having now strung together six games unbeaten in all competitions since derby defeat to Manchester City at the start of October.
Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League encounter with Sheriff, Shaw reflected on the team’s growth under their new boss, and feels there is still yet more to come.
“I think there has been a massive improvement,” he told United’s club website. “The start of the season was obviously nowhere near good enough, we all knew that, but I think, since then, we’ve taken a lot of big strides.
“We know we can do better – for example against Newcastle at home [earlier this month], we have to be winning those games and taking three points instead of one. But there has definitely been improvements.”
Asked about Ten Hag’s impact, Shaw said: “He speaks to the players individually quite a lot and I think, from the start of pre-season, I could see what sort of manager he was going to be and I was extremely impressed with the way he came across, not just in terms of how he speaks to you, but his ideas of how he wants his team to set up.
“His structure and the way he wants to play with the ball and without the ball – it was really impressive. Things obviously take time, but I think we’re going in the right direction and I think it could be a really good next few months because I feel like we’re taking the right steps.”
Shaw has not been a guaranteed starter for United this term, battling Netherlands international Tyrell Malacia for his berth, but the England defender believes the contest between the two is bringing out the best in him.
“I really like Ty; I sit next to him in the changing room, and he’s a really nice guy and an extremely good player,” he added.
“He’s still very young and we get on really well and, for both of us, it’s nice to get on well with someone who is in your position.”
Tanzanian authorities say more than 400 porters and tour guides have joined groups battling a fire that broke out in Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, which has been spreading due to strong winds.
It comes as the fire reignited in areas that were previously under control.
The permanent secretary in charge of tourism, Prof Eliamani Sedoyeka, said the fire had reignited in three areas by early Tuesday and they had only managed to contain one of the areas by evening.
Two years ago, a week-long inferno destroyed thousands of hectares of woodland on the slopes of the mountain.
Mount Kilimanjaro, which is 5,895m (19,341 ft) high, is a popular tourist destination and tens of thousands of people climb it every year.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter praised his side for qualifying for the Champions League last-16 with a game to spare having lost their opener to Dinamo Zagreb.
The Blues booked their ticket for the knockout stages with a 2-1 away win over Salzburg, after impressive strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz in each half, either side of Junior Adamu’s goal.
Chelsea had lost their opening game of the group stage, 1-0 at Dinamo Zagreb, leading to Thomas Tuchel’s dismissal, but under Potter have bounced back with 10 points from four games, including strong away wins at Milan and Salzburg, securing top spot in Group E.
“Very [satisfied]. It’s not easy to win here as you can see from the record they have and the quality of the team,” Potter told reporters.
“We had to play well and I thought we did. We created some good chances in the first half and were unlucky not to go more than 1-0 up.
“Then one action, with the quality at this level, and it’s 1-1. I thought our response was really good then, so I am delighted to go through, delighted with the performance of the players. I thought they were fantastic tonight.
“To go through with a game to spare is brilliant considering where we started the competition.”
Havertz’s 64th-minute winner was a spectacular left-foot strike that cannoned in off the crossbar.
The goal was the German’s first this season in the Champions League, and third in all competitions. It was also Havertz’s first goal away from Stamford Bridge for the Blues since April.
“His quality is there; he’s an incredibly talented player,” Potter said. “He’s been nearly there and obviously, scoring a goal like that is bound to help.
“I wouldn’t be able to score a goal like that to be fair, I can only imagine. It’s a fantastic strike and an indication of the quality he has, so I’m really pleased for him.”
Potter brushed off concerns about his side’s wastefulness in front of goal, having had 15 shots, including 11 on target, while he hinted they may rotate their squad for their final group game against Dinamo having already qualified.
The Blues take on Potter’s former club Brighton on Saturday, followed by Dinamo (November 2), Arsenal in the Premier League (November 6) and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup (November 9) in quick succession.
“We’re at home at Stamford Bridge [against Dinamo] and we’ll try our very best,” he said. “We want to win every game we play, that is the mentality we have to have.
“But clearly, we have a game at the weekend and another game the weekend after, so maybe we can rotate a little bit. But we will try our best.”
Police in Kenya will on Wednesday exhume the body of a British tourist who died two years ago to establish details about her death.
Ms Luftunisa Kwandwalla, 44, from Leicester in the UK died in August 2020 at the house of a controversial cult leader in Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa.
Her initial cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest, but her family claims she was murdered and her body buried quickly to conceal evidence.
Earlier this month, a Kenyan court granted the family orders to have an autopsy done to see if she was killed.
The body will be exhumed on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of some of her family members and an autopsy carried out later in the day.
Ms Kwandwalla arrived in Kenya from the UK in August 2019 to visit members of her husband’s family. She was due to return to the UK several months later, but a coronavirus lockdown prevented her from going back home in Leicester.
It is during that time that her family says she unknowingly joined a controversial cult in the coastal city.
The family claims that she was later murdered at the home of a reclusive Muslim preacher accused of running a secret sect.
South Africa says it will allow a sanctioned Russian oligarch to dock his superyacht in Cape Town.
The $521m (£472m) vessel, which belongs to Alexei Mordashov – an ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin – left Hong Kong earlier this week.
South African opposition leaders had urged the government to seize the 465ft long (141m) yacht called The Nord.
But a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa said he saw “no reason” to comply with Western sanctions.
“South Africa has no legal obligation to abide by sanctions imposed by the US and EU,” Vincent Magwenya told reporters in Pretoria on Tuesday.
“South Africa’s obligations with respect to sanctions relate only to those that are specifically adopted by the United Nations,” Mr Magwenya added, noting that Mr Mordashov is not under any UN-sponsored sanctions.
Western countries and their allies have imposed sanctions on more than 1,000 Russian individuals and businesses in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Like many other African countries, Mr Ramaphosa’s government has so far avoided directly criticising Russia, abstaining in several UN votes that have expressly condemned the war. Pretoria has also called for a negotiated settlement to end the conflict.
On Monday, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis – a member of the opposition Democratic Alliance party – urged officials to block the superyacht’s entry, writing on Twitter that there could be “no place in our city for accomplices to, and enablers of, Putin’s war”.
“It must be said that so far, our country’s foreign policy conduct in relation to Russia’s illegal, imperialist war has been nothing less than shameful,” Mr Hill-Lewis added in a further statement. “Here is an opportunity to correct some of those errors of judgement and stand up for what is clearly right.”
It is unclear whether Mr Mordashov is actually onboard the vessel. Speaking to local media on Sunday, Mr Hill-Lewis suggested that the billionaire was travelling on his yacht.
But last week a spokesperson for the oligarch told Bloomberg News that he had been in Moscow since his yacht arrived in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s government recently offered similar justifications when refusing to prevent the entry of the superyacht, with Chief Executive John Lee saying the city would be accountable to UN sanctions but not “unilateral” ones imposed by “individual jurisdictions”.
Prior to the war, Mr Mordashov was Russia’s wealthiest man. The 57-year-old built a fortune of some $29.1bn (£25.92bn) through his steel and mining company Severstal.
Early in the conflict he was targeted by extensive Western sanctions due to his links with Mr Putin. But the billionaire has questioned the value of the moves, saying he had no involvement in Russian politics and maintains little influence with the Kremlin.
Mr Mordashov has already lost one of his smaller vessels, the 215ft Lady M, to Western sanctions after it was seized by Italian police in March.
But The Nord is believed to be his biggest yacht asset. The vessel is larger than a football field and is described as one of the world’s most extravagant boats, according to Forbes.
Shortly after the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, the yacht – which features two helicopter pads, a swimming pool and a cinema – left the Seychelles for the far-eastern Russian port of Vladivostok. The move was seen as a bid to avoid the fate of the Lady M.
But experts say owners like Mr Mordashov face serious issues finding international ports capable of maintaining superyachts. Most are in Europe, where the vessels would be instantly seized.
Minority leader in Parliament Haruna Iddrisu and his colleagues in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have initiated processes to file a motion for the immediate removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The move comes shortly after some Members of Parliament who are part of the Majority Caucus called for the dismissal of the Finance Minister, as well as the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen.
Engaging the press on Tuesday, First Deputy Minority Whip Ahmed Ibrahim, noted that the Majority’s demands are long overdue.
“If they meant well, the day they went to the cabinet meeting and President Akufo-Addo pointed to them that ‘you want me to sack my Finance Minister when he was funding my campaign, where were you’ . This is what he told them at the cabinet meeting. That was the day we were expecting them to come with such a statement,” he said.
He further alleged that Mr Ofori-Atta still heads the Ministry of Finance because “he used his Data Bank to support his )Akufo-Addo’s) campaign to become President, therefore the Finance Ministry is compensation.”
Nonetheless, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim charged the NPP MPs who want the sector minister dismissed to demonstrate good will by supporting the motion for immediate impeachment of Ken Ofori-Atta.
He said “as representatives of the people and as duty bearers, we must move a motion to call for the head of the Finance Minister. So if our brothers in the Majority believe in this, what they should do is to support the motion from the Minority Leader for the dismissal of the Finance Minister.”
Two-thirds of Parliamentarians are required to impeach the Finance Minister. The Minority Group currently comprises 136 legislators, while the Majority, 138.
The Assin North Parliamentary seat is being contested at the Supreme Court over dual citizenship claims by James Gyakye Quayson.
Several Ghanaians including opposition parties have mounted pressure on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Mr. Ofori-Atta from office following the country’s current economic predicaments which has compelled government to seek support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Both Minority and Majority Groups believe that the sacking of Ofori-Atta and Adu Boahen will help restore confidence in Ghana’s economy that has been saddled with debt and high inflation.
“We are communicating our strong desire that the President should change the Minister of Finance and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry without further delay in order to restore hope into the financial sector and reverse the downward trend in the growth of the economy,” Asante-Akim North MP, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, who spoke on behalf of the Majority said.
Prior to today’s sitting, Speaker Alban Bagbin received a draft Parliamentary Transition Bill from the Center for Democratic Transitions (CDT).
The draft bill was presented to him in Accra by Professor Kwamina Ahwoi and Nana Ato Dadzie, both consultants with the CDT.
Transitioning from one parliament to another under the Fourth Republican Constitution has had gaps and doubtful legal validity, that have created challenges from one parliament to another in particular, and for democratic governance in general.
The purpose of the draft bill therefore is to ensure a smooth, seamless and peaceful transition for the legislature.
The draft bill is similar to, but different from the Presidential Transition Act, which was passed for the executive for a similar purpose.
The Parliamentary Transition Bill focuses on the peculiarities of the legislature in periods of changeover, and what the experience has been so far.
The idea of enacting legislation in the nature of a Parliamentary Transition Bill dawned on Rt. Hon. Speaker Bagbin immediately he assumed office after the nasty and acrimonious election process on January 7th 2021. The idea was shared with the Parliamentary Service Board, which commissioned the drafting of the Parliamentary Transition Bill.
Speaking after a presentation on the draft bill and related documents, the Rt. Hon. Speaker said the Parliamentary Services Board commissioned the drafting of the bill to help bring closure to some of the unregulated and contestable aspects of what have been the processes, procedures and practices when it comes to parliamentary transition.
He spoke about instances where there have been certain expectations of the Speaker or the Clerk to Parliament, when in truth that mandate does not exist, and said the draft bill takes a retrospective look at what has happened in the past, considers today’s hung parliament, anticipates what could happen in the future and provides direction and guidance.
Rt. Hon. Bagbin commended Professor Ahwoi and his team for the deep thoughts that went into the proposals and recommendations. He looked forward to sharing the proposals and recommendations with the Parliamentary Service Board so that together, they could chart a path that will sustain parliamentary democracy in Ghana.
Presenting the draft bill to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Professor Ahwoi gave examples of the gaps the bill will help close. He said the election of the Speaker of Parliament has hitherto been done by elected Members of Parliament who have not been sworn into office.
This, he said, was problematic and could raise legal issues. The bill therefore proposes that election of the Speaker should be by constituting elected MPs into an electoral college to conduct that business. That would help circumvent the current challenge.
Professor Ahwoi also suggested that to avoid unnecessary complications and complexities in the future, consideration should be given to requesting the Electoral Commission to be responsible for the election of the Speaker of Parliament. The Speaker, once elected and sworn in, will then supervise the election of the deputies.
These, he said, would have to be done at least two days before the Speaker presides over Parliament for the swearing-in of the President-elect of the Republic, in consonance with the Presidential Transition Act.
When validated, considered and passed, the Parliamentary Transition Act will govern how the offices of the Speaker, Leaders of the House, and MPs transition from one person to the other to ensure continuity, sustainability and ultimately enhance parliamentary democracy in Ghana.
Present during the presentation was the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Cyril Nsiah and other officers of the Parliamentary Service.
Two individuals at Anyinam in the Eastern Region are in police custody for their involvement with disturbances and damage caused to properties during the Atiwa East NDC Constituency Elections on October 23, 2022.
The suspects are; Patrick Anyimadu and Millicent Pennin.
According to the Police, the suspects allegedly engaged some people to attack and destroy some properties and also disturb the peace of the area.
The suspects are currently assisting the Police in their investigations while efforts are made to close in on the other conspirators.
Read the full statement below:
POLICE ARREST TWO SUSPECTS OVER ELECTION DISTURBANCES AT ANYINAM IN THE EASTERN REGION
The Police have arrested two suspects at Anyinam in the Eastern Region in connection with disturbances and damage caused to properties during the Atiwa East NDC Constituency Elections on October 23, 2022.
The suspects allegedly engaged some people to attack and destroy some properties and also disturb the peace of the area.
Suspects Patrick Anyimadu and Millicent Pennin are currently in Police custody assisting investigation while efforts are underway to get the other accomplices arrested to face justice.
The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) and Mastercard Foundationhave announced fifteen (15) emerging startup businesses in the agri-tech solutions space as ultimate winners of the 2022 AgriTech Challenge Classic.
The fifteen selected teams out of the twenty shortlisted from a total of fifty will move to the next stage of the competition.
Organised by the Kosmos Innovation Center in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the AgriTech Challenge Classic is a seven-month programme that supports young students with innovative ideas in agri-tech, training, the right exposure to the agriculture value chain, and networking opportunity to build and grow viable solutions to Ghana’s key agricultural challenges.
The fifteen teams are AgroCold, Agyenkwah, Alpha Weeder, AgroEmpire, Green Grow, Dirty Gold, Kigo, Duckweeds Aduanepa, BES Veggie, KoduTech, Plant Aide, Biocul, Premium Coco and Witdeen.
The AgriTech Challenge Classic targets students and graduates from tertiary institutions across the country, however smallholder farmers form a significant part of the indirect beneficiaries of this KIC programme.
AgricTech Challenge Classic uses coaching and market research tours to encourage participants to take a fresh look at the agriculture value chain and identify new areas with potential business opportunities.
The Executive Director of KIC, Benjamin Gyan-Kesse, said the programme is designed to promote more efficient and sustainable agribusiness and support services through technological solutions to farmers.
“The AgriTech Challenge Classic programme is expected to lead to increased trade, better incomes, and livelihood opportunities, for young people as well as smallholder farmers, while also encouraging youth participation in the agric sector,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Gottfried Odamtten-Sowah, Programme Lead- Agribusiness at Mastercard Foundation said that the Mastercard Foundation continues to empower young people through its partnership with KIC to support innovative approaches that create economic opportunities within the agricultural sector.
Through the KIC and the Mastercard Foundation partnership, the AgriTech Challenge Classic expects to train about 4,880 young people across the partner universities in the next four years, collaborating with regional academic partners such as universities and technical schools.
During the first phase of the KIC AgriTech Challenge Classic programme, KIC worked with five major public universities in five regions of the country to recruit participants in their respective regions.
The universities include the University of Ghana, in Greater Accra, SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, in the Upper West region, University of Cape Coast, in the Central region, the University for Development Studies, in the Northern region, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in the Ashanti region.
The next stage of the competition is the Agri Tech Challenge Pro, is an accelerator program aiming to support young entrepreneurs to launch and grow commercially viable, scalable solutions to key problems in the agricultural sector.
The program aims to drive technology and innovation as a catalyst to enhancing productivity, improving yields, and creating more jobs within Ghana’s agricultural sector.
It appears the depreciation pressures are unending, as demand for the US dollars far outstrips supply. On the Forex Forward Auction Market, the Bank of Ghana has since the beginning of the year been supply $25 million every fortnight, though demand exceeds over $100 million.
Checks by Joy Business at some leading forex bureaus across the capital city Accra indicate that the cedi is hovering around ¢15.20.
However, the rate of deprecation against the pound and the euro have slowdown considerably. A pound and euro are going for ¢16 and ¢14 respectively.
Global leader in financial services and US firm, JP Morgan, had said in its recent report on Ghana that the Bank of Ghana’s decision to purchase dollars from mining and oil companies, inadvertently reducing forex availability within the inter-bank market is one of the reasons behind the falling value of the cedi.
It also pointed out that the loss of confidence domestically has resulted in a significant drain from the financial account, even though portfolio outflows have been relatively limited.
The cedi depreciated by more than 20% in nominal term the whole of last week.
In terms of the year-to-date depreciation, it is hovering around over 50% to the American ‘greenback’.
An Accra High Court has instructed the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame to submit the full complement of the evidence it intends to rely on for the prosecution of “galamsey” kingpin, Aisha Huang.
Aisha Huang is standing trial for her alleged role in illegal mining activities in the Ashanti Region.
The A-G on October 11, 2022, told the court it was ready for the trial and will disclose all evidence to be used.
It, however, emerged in court today that the documents had not been submitted.
Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, told the court his officers were at the registry filing the documents.
This explanation did not sit well with the lawyer for Aisha Huang, Nkrabeah Effah Dartey.
“At the last date, the AG said he was ready. Now we are here. And they are saying they are not ready. Please, I want to repeat my application the other time. Grant us bail,” he said.
Justice Lydia Marfo responded that the circumstances that led her to decline the request for bail had not changed.
She also took notice of the fact that the Chinese Interpreter needed for proceedings was also absent.
She, therefore, adjourned proceedings to November 2, 2022, directing the Attorney General to ensure that the documents are made available to enable case management and pre-trial conference to take place.
Deputy AG Alfred Tuah Yeboah told pressmen the delay was only a result of his office being diligent.
“We have complied but it wasn’t within time. As we speak, it has been done. Prosecuting a case like what we have at the moment, you need to dot the “I’s” cross the T’s. At the next adjourned date we will definitely be ready to move on,“ he stated.
Aisha Huang is accused of being heavily involved in Galamsey activities.
She was arrested and charged in 2017 but left the country after she was repatriated.
She is accused of sneaking into the country to continue with her illegal activities. She has at all times pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her.
The acting Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr. Eric Nkansah,has assured the government of his readiness to work very hard to uplift the image of the Service and improve education in the country.
He also pledged to work diligently with all the stakeholders including the teacher unions, agencies and other professional bodies in the education space.
According to him, having taught at various levels of education and also with experience as a Director at the Education Ministry, he Is familiar with issues relating to education development, thus in a better position to help improve the sector.
Dr. Nkansah gave the assurance on Monday when he introduced himself to the Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum as he assumed office after his appointment by the President last week.
He reiterated his passion for the development of education in the country by bringing his expertise to bear and also liaising with other stakeholders especially, adding that the inputs and suggestions of the various stakeholders are welcomed.
The acting Director-General stated for instance, that he will be meeting various stakeholders in the sector to share ideas and also listen to them towards the development of the sector.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum on his part commended Dr. Nkansah on his appointment and pledged to support him in the realisation of the objectives of the government to improve the education sector.
He urged the acting D-G to get down to the teaching and non-teaching staff of schools to know about their challenges for redress.
The Education Minister advised him to endeavour to make employees of the Service happy so that they could open up and work very hard towards the development of the nation’s education.
“Go and meet teachers and listen to them. Make your employees happy, if they are happy, they would work very hard to get the best outcomes for you,” he said.
He urged the HR Directorate to work very hard to get the best for teachers.
“As a matter of fact, teachers in the country deserve the best and let’s work hard to make them happy,” he said.
Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has held bilateral discussions with her counterpart, the Singaporean Minister for Communications and Information, Josephine Teo on cybersecurity cooperation.
The talks spanned Critical Information Infrastructure protection, regulation of Cybersecurity Service Providers, capacity building and professional exchanges between officials of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana.
They agreed to deepen collaboration for cybersecurity skills development and experience sharing on the protection of Critical information infrastructures and regulation of cybersecurity services, among others.
The meeting was held on 20th October 2022 on the sidelines of the 7th Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW) organised by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore. The Minister was accompanied by the Ag. Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako.
Josephine Teo congratulated Ghana on its election to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)’s Council at the just ended ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Bucharest, Romania and expressed appreciation for Ghana’s support for the United Nations – Singapore Cybersecurity Fellowship which Ghana has been participating in.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful invited Mrs. Josephine Teo and David Koh, Commissioner of Cybersecurity & Chief Executive, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, to participate in Ghana’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October 2023.
She also had discussions with representatives of INTERPOL’s Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI) which is based in Singapore. The IGCI is the INTERPOL’s technology arm, responsible for technology innovation in policing as well as leading global cybercrime response. They discussed improving collaboration and support for Ghana’s criminal justice sector through capacity building and assistance with investigations into cybercrimes and digital forensics capabilities.
As part of the events marking the SICW, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful participated in a Ministerial Roundtable on the theme “Cyber Resilience in the New Normal” and emphasized that governments should work with industry to protect and enhance the resilience of cyberspace.
She indicated that combating cybercrime and malicious activities in cyberspace requires a multi-stakeholder approach with the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and other collaborating partners clearly defined.
She shared Ghana’s experiences in working with relevant stakeholders through the Joint Cybersecurity Committee and the Industry Forum established under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and also highlighted the decentralised nature of Ghana’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) as another example of multi-stakeholder approach towards cybersecurity development.
Mrs Owusu-Ekuful is the first African Minister to speak at the SICW.
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has been exchanging best practices with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore as Singapore is ranked among the top countries in the world with a robust and sustained cybersecurity ecosystem, according to the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index.
The 7th Singapore International Cyber Week sought to strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration in a rapidly evolving global cyber and digital threat landscape.
The Ministers of Education and Defence, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and Mr Dominic Nitiwul, respectively, have been honoured by the leadership of the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P) College of Education at Bimbilla, in the Northern Region on Saturday.
The Education Minister was honoured for his role and support towards the development of education in the College and the rest of the country.
The Defence Minister was also honoured for his support for the development of the area and for helping restore peace in the Nanumba Traditional area and the rest of the country.
In a statement read by the Principal of the College, Dr Ibrahim J. G. M-Minibo, he commended the two Ministers for their dedication and contributions towards the development of teaching and learning in the College.
Again, he lauded the ministers for always being available to help whenever they are called upon by the leadership of the College.
Each of the Ministers, apart from the statement commending them, were presented with gifts as a sign of appreciation by the leadership of the college.
The Minister for Defence, Mr. Nitiwul, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bimbilla on behalf of the Education Minister thanked the leadership of the College for the honour done to them and pledged to continue working very hard
He admonished the students to study hard to justify the huge investment being made by the government into the education sector with the view to transform the economy.
The Lands and Natural Resources Ministry has issued a directive for owners, users, or operators of excavators across the country to get them registered with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
This new directive which is in line with section 100 (1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), is to help fight the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’ and to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the provisions of L.I. 2404.
It was contained in a press statement signed by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor dated 24th October, 2022.
The release indicated that the registration exercise is expected to end across the country on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.
“All owners, operators and/or users of excavators in the country shall, within seven days of this notice, excluding weekends and statutory holidays, register their excavators with the Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly (MMDA) with jurisdiction over the area where the excavator is located,” portions of the release stated.
According to the release, during the registration, owners, operators or users of the excavators shall “specify the purpose for which the excavator is being used or is to be used and the area where the excavator is being used or will be used.”
MMDAs are also required, as part of the registration, to record the following:
the name and particulars of the owner of the excavator;
the date the excavator was brought into the country;
the registration number of the excavator;
the chassis number of the excavator;
the purposes for which the excavator was brought into the country;
the area where the excavator is expected to be used;
the name and particulars of the current operator and/or user of the excavator; and
any other particulars the MMDA may deem necessary;
According to the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, any excavator not registered in accordance with this directive, whether found at a mining site or any other operational site or elsewhere, shall be seized and the necessary legal steps taken to confiscate same to the State.
“Notice is hereby given to the general public, and particularly owners, operators and/or users of excavators, as well as all MMDAs to ensure strict compliance with these directives,” it added.
Read the full statement below:
24th October, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL MINING: REGISTRATION OF ALL EXCAVATORS WITH METROPOLITAN, MUNICIPAL AND DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
WHEREAS illegal mining activities, popularly known as Galamsey, continue to pose a threat to our natural environment, particularly water bodies and forests;
WHEREAS following the National Consultative Dialogue, held on 14th and 15th of April, 2021, it was resolved by paragraph 13 of the Communique issued after the Conference, that “the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources will take appropriate steps, legislative and/or executive action, as the case may be, to give effect to the set of measures arising from this Dialogue and approved by government”;
WHEREAS most of the devastation to water bodies and forests are caused by excavators used in illegal mining activities and the floating platform popularly referred to as “Changfang”; WHEREAS Government has placed a ban on the manufacture, sale, use and/or dealings in the floating platform known as “Changfang”;
WHEREAS by the Minerals and Mining (Mineral Operations – Tracking of Earthmoving and Mining Equipment) Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2404), the Minerals Commission is empowered to register and track all earthmoving and mining equipment used in mining operations; and
WHEREAS Government deems it expedient to register all excavators in the country to be able to determine those used for mining operations, for the purposes of L.I. 2404,
NOW THEREFORE in exercise of the powers conferred on the Minister responsible for Mines by section 100(1) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), and to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the provisions of L.I. 2404, the following directives are issued:
All owners, operators and/or users of excavators in the country shall, within seven days of this notice, excluding weekends and statutory holidays, register their excavators with the Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly (MMDA) with jurisdiction over the area where the excavator is located;
For the avoidance of doubt, the deadline for the registration of all excavators in the country is by close of business on Wednesday, 2nd November, 2022;
An owner, operator and/or user of an excavator shall, at the time of registration, specify the purpose for which the excavator is being used or to be used and the area where the excavator is being used or will be used, as the case may be;
MMDAs shall, as part of the registration, record the following:
the name and particulars of the owner of the excavator; the date the excavator was brought into the country; the registration number of the excavator; the chassis number of the excavator; the purposes for which the excavator was brought into the country; the area where the excavator is expected to be used; the name and particulars of the current operator and/or user of the excavator; and any other particulars the MMDA may deem necessary;
Any excavator not registered in accordance with this directive, whether found at a mining site or any other operational site or elsewhere, shall be seized and the necessary legal steps taken to confiscate same to the State;
The Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, has been formally notified of these measures, and has directed all MMDAs to ensure strict compliance with same;
Notice is hereby given to the general public, and particularly owners, operators and/or users of excavators, as well as all MMDAs to ensure strict compliance with these directives;
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources wishes to reassure the general public that it will continue to take the necessary measures to protect our natural environment, particularly, water bodies, forests and lands, in a transparent and sustainable manner, anchored on integrity.
Political scientist, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has urged President Akufo-Addo to end his tour of the 16 regions in the country.
According to him, President Akufo-Addo cannot be on tour amidst the current economic crisis.
He argued that the President should address Ghanaians to take away the anxiety of many in the country.
In an open letter on Facebook, the lecturer explained that due to the dire economic conditions, Ghanaians have become less receptive to him and therefore the need to publicly address the populace.
“At the moment, Sir, there is a cocktail of challenges brewing even in these times of hardships; namely, galloping and mentally retarded inflation, wanton depreciation of our currency, high transport fares, labour union strike action, GUTA action, banks’ daily liquidity challenges etc.
“These are matters that raise serious national security concerns. Instead of coming into our homes to address us on what we must do as a people in rallying behind your government to sail us through the hardships, you are indulged in unnecessary opulent tour of the regions with too many V8 Land-cruisers”, Professor Gyampo noted in his letter on Monday.
“Also, end the regional tours NOW and come and address the nation on what you are doing to address the current economic hardships as well as what all Ghanaians must do.
“Furthermore, please rethink the managers of our economy beyond your intransigent choice of loyalty over competence/national interest.
“Finally, kindly tone down your practice of winner-knows-all politics and bring on board others from your own party and experts outside your party to help navigate us through the hardships. For clearly, your government doesn’t know it all”, he concluded.
The advice from the political scientist comes in the face of the increasing hardship in the country and calls for the President to address citizens.
At the moment, Ghana’s currency is consistently depreciating against the US dollar and other major trading currencies across the globe.
This has led to what some have described as a galloping inflation; a situation consumers and traders say is having an adverse effect.
The President has therefore been urged to adopt a more sober posture in resolving these challenges.
Meanwhile, government says it is on the verge of finalising a deal with the IMF to lessen the hardship in the system and make the economy more viable.
If concluded, the agreement will help place the economy on a better footing, government communicators have repeatedly assured.
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, has reiterated the High Commission’s commitment to addressing climate change and reducing emissions through UK Aid’s funding for the International Finance Corporation’s EDGE certificate for green buildings.
She also highlighted key contributions of the High Commission in providing solutions at the city level through partnerships.
“We are working to address broader challenges in the built environment, through partnerships with the cities of Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi to identify urban flooding hotspots and model damage from floods which are being increasingly caused by changing weather patterns and intense rainfall”.
“I am pleased to say we recently launched a second phase of this project and will be working with both cities to identify specific solutions to flooding issues – a very live issue given how much rain we have been having” Harriet Thompson expressed further.
The 5th Ghana Green Building Summit organised by Yecham Property Consult was held from October 5-6, 2022 at the green certified CalBank Head Office in Accra and opened by its Managing, Philip Owiredu.
For the second year running, the summit followed a hybrid style that attracted 204 in-person delegates and 1,415 online users who participated virtually from over 30 countries. There was also participation from 35 partner organizations and 27 speakers from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Finland, Australia, Singapore, USA and the UK.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy revealed that an Energy Performance Certification Scheme is being developed for public buildings using their specific energy consumption (KWh/m2).
“A tool for the assessment and the certification in this respect is being developed. Measures are also being put in place to train the needed professionals for the assessment”, the Minister emphasised.
He also pointed out that 17 new energy efficiency standards and labelling regulations for appliances including those commonly used in buildings such as electric kettles, Television sets/Monitors, Clothes Washing Machines, Rice Cookers. These regulations will be ready soon for enforcement.
Representing the substantive Minister of Works and Housing, the Deputy Minister, Abdulai Abanga noted that the Ministry has also initiated the process to establish the Ghana Housing Authority which will have the mandate to regulate, plan, develop and manage housing developments in Ghana.
Being a landmark 5th anniversary, there were a few exciting additions this year. During the summit, an EXPO was held where organizations showcased their green innovations, products and services. The summit concluded with a Gala Dinner Awards Night held at Labadi Beach Hotel, to acknowledge key stakeholders and recognize key facilities in the green building space.
Whilst awareness and interest in green buildings have increased steadily in the last few years as a result of this particular advocacy, affordability and other community issues like absence of green social spaces, reliable transportation, robust infrastructure, increased traffic and pollution have been some of impediments to the holistic development of green buildings and creation of livable cities. Providing practical solutions is what inspired the summit’s theme this: Re-imagining affordable housing and livable cities through green solutions.
This theme cut across many insightful discussions and presentations as speakers re-imagined building materials, construction methods and funding options.
There was also a mayors’ roundtable that addressed the challenges and opportunities in creating livable cities. That panel included Jaewon Peter Chun, President at World Smart Cities Forum (WSCF); Abdallah Mtinika, Mayor Temeke municipality Dar es Salaam Tanzania and Prof. Manuel Antonio Alculete Lopes de Araújo, The Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique.
Government has announced plans it says will help end the continuous depreciation of the Ghana cedi.
Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah says the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Ernest Addison will tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25, 2022, meet all CEOs of commercial banks and forex bureaus to address the issue.
The cedi is currently selling at about GH¢14 to the dollar; a situation many say is affecting businesses.
“The Bank of Ghana will be meeting the Managing Director of some of the Banks and the heads of the forex bureau association to hold discussions aimed at ensuring that the supply of forex on the market is stabilized and the overpricing is halted so that, those who need forex for business get it without hindrances at the banking halls as against rates on the black market or some other quarters.”
According to the government’s spokesperson, the Economic Management Team (EMT) as well as cabinet will also be holding talks over the free fall of the cedi and other matters arising from the country’s engagements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“We will also be looking at long-lasting measures to ensure that forex rate is stabilized in the country, even as we expect a lot more inflow of forex following the completion of the syndication of the COCOBOD transaction loan. The Economic Management Team is also meeting to appraise itself on some of the recommendations as we get closer to the end of the year. On Thursday, Cabinet itself will be meeting to receive what has gone through the EMT and updates from the IMF negotiation so that some decisions will be made and then update the country on the next step forward.”
The Ghana cedi has lost close to 50 percent of its value since the beginning of the year.
Bloomberg has also rated the currency as the worst-performing worldwide after considering a basket of 148 currencies around the world.
Government has been working to inject some $2 billion into the Ghanaian economy.
In August, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the 750 million dollars was expected to hit the accounts of the Bank of Ghana from the Afremix Bank whilst the cocoa syndicated loan was to add $1.3 billion.
A political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has entreated the Paramount Chief of the Akyem Abuakawa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, to be neutral in his utterances to the public.
In a Facebook post, he said the traditional ruler is widely perceived as a unifier and hence the need for him to maintain a neutral outlook before the public.
“Dear Okyenhene, do you truly believe the critics of NADAA are villagers and wizards? You are among the few we will run to when there’s conflict. PLEASE be above this, and let your comments be neutral, unifying and seasoned. Medaase, Nana”, Professor Gyampo urged.
The advice by the political science lecturer comes on the back of recent comments by the Okyenhene, where he described critics of President Akufo-Addo as ‘witches’.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Kyebi Archdeaconry at the St. Martin Anglican Church on Sunday, he said Ghanaians who insult President Akufo-Addo due to the current economic hardship are uncivilised and witches.
He stressed that President Akufo-Addo has contributed immensely to the growth of the country, thus Ghanaians should be grateful.
According to him, the current economic hardship is a global phenomenon.
“We must appreciate the feat of the President and show him appreciation for what he has done for Ghana. We must defend and protect him”.
The Okyenhene minced no words stating that, “those insulting the President are children of villagers. They are uncivilized. No well-nurtured person will insult an elderly. If you were raised in the Church you will not insult an elder. If you are not a villager then you may be a witch or wizard”.
He consoled President Akufo-Addo that, “Not all will like you. Even Jesus Christ was crucified. It won’t bother me if they speak with sincerity but when you speak with hate, witchcraft, and envy, you must be careful because one day, one day ! one day! one day! One day! truth will overcome evil lies and envy”.
Meanwhile, scores of Ghanaians have taken to social media to query the traditional leader for his comments.
For the critics, the remarks by the Okyenhene are distasteful and not befitting of his status.
They have therefore urged him to be more decorous in his language to avoid being an item of mudslinging and public ridicule.
The Minority in Parliament has waded into the controversy surrounding the appointment of Dr. Eric Nkansahas Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Last week, President Akufo-Addo appointed the new GES D-G to replace the former GES D-G, Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwah following the termination of his secondment.
His appointment has been met with opposition, with the major teacher unions urging President Akufo-Addo to rescind the appointment on the grounds that he is not a professional teacher.
Addressing a news conference, Deputy Ranking Member on the Education Committee, Dr. Clement Apaak said the teacher unions are right in opposing the appointment.
He said the Minority is opposed to Dr Nkansah’s appointment, not because of the person involved but due to his banking background.
“Up until his appointment, he had only taught briefly not even a full-time capacity but by training, he is a banker and had been deployed to the Minister’s office in 2021 as one of his senior aides so clearly the teacher unions had a problem.
“Where you take away a man who “rose through the rank, a professional, earned his due” and replace him with somebody who earned his due but in a different area of expertise so that is why the teacher unions are opposed to this appointment,”’ he explained.
“When you bring someone who doesn’t have the requisite background or doesn’t meet their standard, it also affects morale,” he added.
He also alleged that claims by the presidency that former GES D-G, Professor Opoku Amankwah was sacked because his skills were no longer required are false.
He clarified that the dismissal of Professor Amankwah is due to the frosty relationship between him and Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Adutwum, citing the GALOP project as an example.
“When I saw the content from the presidency and the reason assigned to truncate the extended appointment, I was a bit taken aback because anyone who had followed the Education sector and the issues thereof would find it very difficult to admit .. the only real reason is the frosty relationship between Prof. Amankwah and Dr Adutwum.”
Rishi Sunak is favourite to become Britain’s next prime minister after Boris Johnson pulled out of the Conservative Party leadership race to replace Liz Truss, who resigned last week after an economic upheaval.
The only other challenger, Penny Mordaunt, has reportedly the backing of less than 30 MPs. A candidate requires nominations from at least 100 MPs to stand in the race.
Johnson had raced home from a holiday in the Caribbean to try and secure the backing of 100 legislators to enter the contest to replace Truss, the woman who succeeded him in September after he was forced to quit over a string of scandals.
He said late on Sunday that he had secured the backing of 102 legislators and could have been “back in Downing Street”, but that he had failed to persuade either Sunak or the other contender Mordaunt, to come together “in the national interest”.
“I believe I have much to offer but I am afraid that this is simply not the right time,” Johnson said.
The former prime minister had secured the public backing of just less than 60 Conservative legislators by Sunday.
Johnson’s statement likely paves the way for his archrival, the 42-year-old Sunak, to become prime minister, possibly as soon as Monday.
If confirmed, he would replace Truss, who was forced to resign after she launched an economic programme that triggered turmoil in financial markets. According to the rules, if only one candidate secures the backing of 100 Conservative legislators, they will be named prime minister on Monday.
If two candidates pass the threshold, they will go forward to a vote of the party membership, with the winner announced on Friday, just days before new Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt lays bare the state of the country’s finances in a budget plan due to be released on October 31.
That had raised concerns that Johnson would return to Downing Street with the backing of the party members and not a majority of legislators in parliament, leaving the party badly divided. Hunt declared his backing for Sunak late on Sunday.
“I’ve never known this sort of rancour and division and it is very destabilising,” said Daniel Kawczynski, a Conservative legislator. “It is destabilising for the party, and destabilising for the country.”
‘Torn itself apart’
Some Johnson supporters could switch to Mordaunt, who has presented herself as the unity candidate, but many immediately switched to Sunak. A source close to the Mordaunt campaign said the former defence minister would continue in the contest.
“She is the unifying candidate who is most likely to keep the wings of the Conservative Party together,” the source said.
Johnson has loomed large over UK politics ever since he became mayor of London in 2008 and went on to become the face of the Brexit vote in 2016. While he led the Conservative Party to a landslide election in 2019, he was forced out just three years later by a rebellion of his ministers.
Sunak said he hoped Johnson would continue to contribute to public life “at home and abroad”.
One Sunak supporter, who asked not to be named, told the Reuters news agency that his main reaction was relief because if Johnson had won, the “party would have torn itself apart”.
Another Conservative legislator, Lucy Allan, said on Twitter: “I backed Boris for PM, but I think he has done the right thing for the country.”
Other Johnson backers immediately jumped ship.
Cabinet office minister Nadhim Zahawi, who minutes earlier had published an article on the Daily Telegraph website praising Johnson, said “a day is a long time in politics”.
“Rishi is immensely talented, will command a strong majority in the parliamentary Conservative Party, and will have my full support and loyalty,” he said.
Earlier, many of the Conservative legislators who normally back Johnson switched their support to Sunak, saying the country needed a period of stability after months of turmoil that has sparked headlines – and raised alarm – around the world.
Johnson is also still facing a privileges committee investigation into whether he misled parliament over Downing Street parties during COVID-19 lockdowns. He could be forced to resign or be suspended from office if found guilty.
Alex Deane, a Conservative commentator, said despite Johnson dropping his comeback bid, many people in the UK believe he could still run again in the future.
“A week ago we would have been surprised if we were thinking of Boris Johnson becoming our prime minister again very soon. So it’s been a whirlwind of events here in London,” Deane told Al Jazeera.
“Never write off Boris Johnson completely. The political graveyard is littered with the careers of people who say Boris Johnson is finished. Indeed, he’s left the door open for a return down the road in his message to his supporters saying he’s not going to run this time.”
‘Questions over legitimacy’
Deane said Sunak, while all but certain to be confirmed as the UK’s next prime minister, faces many challenges.
“The Conservative Party has now brought down three prime ministers in a row. If you were to ask Theresa May, or Boris Johnson, or Liz Truss, I think all of them will tell you, it was people within their own party that they feared the most and we are now going to have our third prime minister in a single year. He’s going to face some questions over legitimacy. You know, people voted in 2019 for Boris Johnson, as prime minister, and not Rishi Sunak. And he’s got a large number of people in the party that weren’t keen on him becoming prime minister. So there’s real challenges, but the biggest issue isn’t actually with Sunak’s behaviour. The biggest issue is going to be the party rallying together and coming behind him.”
Sunak first came to national attention when, aged 39, he became finance minister under Johnson just as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the UK, developing a furlough scheme to support millions of people through multiple lockdowns.
“I served as your chancellor, helping to steer our economy through the toughest of times,” Sunak said in a statement on Sunday. “The challenges we face now are even greater. But the opportunities — if we make the right choice — are phenomenal.”
If chosen, Sunak would be the first prime minister of Indian origin in the UK.
His family migrated to the UK in the 1960s, a period when many people from former British colonies arrived to help rebuild the country after the Second World War.
After graduating from Oxford University, he later went to Stanford University where he met his wife Akshata Murthy, whose father is Indian billionaire N R Narayana Murthy, founder of outsourcing giant Infosys Ltd.
The group claims that some volunteer leaders’ requests for sole-sourcing metering, as well as lack the foundation required to support successful commercial activities in the market.
Speaking on behalf of the Convenor in Kumasi, Michael Adu-Gyamfi stated that the proposal from the alleged leaders might be tainted with fraud in order to worsen the situation of the struggling traders.
He also mentions that the group is in favour of the Kumasi mayor using an open tender process to acquire and supply meters to the market rather than relying on a single supplier.
According to Mr Adu-Gyamfi, the mayor’s decision to purchase and provide meters for the market enclave through an open tender process is laudable.
“We want to re-echo our position in support of the Mayor’s resort to using the open tender process in the acquisition and provision of meters to the market enclave. To those calling for the sole sourcing process they should go to hell because they lack supporting and convincing position to back such demand,” he said.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi added that “we believe that such proposal from them could be clouded in fraud to further worsen the plight of traders who are currently suffering in the market as a result of bad leadership.”
He noted that some people’s requests for the upkeep of the market facility could be considered inappropriate and advised them to use the proper channels to resolve the situation.
According to him, any attempt to undermine the founding and continued existence of the Kumasi City Market Traders Union would be fiercely resisted and exposed to safeguard the integrity and development of the market facility.
“It is high time that we serve notice and bring to bear that any influence from whoever, wherever including Osei Assibbey to sabotage the creation and existence of the Kumasi City Market Traders Union will be fiercely resisted and exposed to protect the sanctity and progress of the market facility,” Mr Adu-Gyamfi cautioned.
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