TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • How to get your cheating husband to stop what he’s doing and apologise

    If your husband has committed infidelity but hasn’t left you, it’s because he doesn’t want to leave.

    Even if your husband is with the “other woman” right now, he more than likely wants to stay married to you.

    Men and women communicate differently when it comes to relationships. Chances are, that means the burden to fix your marriage is on your shoulders — even if he’s the one who cheated.

    And if you truly want all of him, here’s how to recreate love and passion — and put your marriage back on a committed track. 

    After all, if he wanted to divorce you he would’ve left already. 

    Of course, not all marriages can be saved and some people will always be cheaters, regardless of how good their marriage is. But most of the time, infidelity happens for a reason — a reason within the marriage.

    These are the four basic types of cheating — and a solution for each

    1. A lack of commitment

    He was never committed to the marriage. He always had an exit strategy and doesn’t care if you find out.

    Ask yourself: When you married, why did he propose to you? What worked for him and for you?

    Do you realize that you’ve done less of that over time? Now that you understand, you can regroup and begin again based on something real. Something you actually want.

    2. Poor communication skills

    He cares about you but doesn’t have the words or skills to discuss what he needs from you, so eventually he finds companionship and passionate physical intimacy elsewhere.

    Working on developing more effective communication skills almost always fixes this kind of disconnection. 

    3. Casual infidelity

    He is “married for life” and no matter what needs aren’t met for him or for you, if you don’t rock his boat he’ll stay and cheat on you.

    This is the easiest version of cheating to fix because you have time to learn how to regain his attention and keep it — if you want to, that is.  

    4. Inadequate emotional connection

    He is an emotional cheater. He has a need for deep intimacy which you aren’t providing so he finds a woman who makes him feel loved.

    As a wife who wants to shift her husband’s behaviors, you need to shift your own reactions first. Husbands have the space to reconsider their actions if the wives give them that space.

    If you’re tempted to make him suffer, please reconsider. He hasn’t left you yet so don’t push him out the door unless you truly want a divorce.   

    Even if you have the normal reaction of hating him now, expressing your panic, agony and rage will make the situation much, much worse if sustained over time.

    While these emotional responses are understandable, they will risk your one chance to save your marriage.

    Am I asking you to become a slave to his needs and force down your feelings forever? Of course not. 

    But you have a small window to turn this around, to look at the underlying cause of infidelity and repair the problems that have turned your home into a house of cards.

    How to become a peacemaker — and avoid divorce

    You may be stuck in denial, but ignoring his unhappiness is how cheating starts.

    You may feel betrayed and need honesty and think this means you can rage at him. But if you want to save your marriage, please don’t.

    You may feel grief and agony because your need for trust hasn’t been met and you want to complain non-stop — but you need to just stop. 

    Some wives think their husbands should just stop cheating as if that solves the problem, but cheating is like the steam that escapes from a tea kettle. 

    Here is what has worked for the 1,000s of clients I’ve helped transform their marriages, end cheating, and enjoy peaceful, passionate lifelong marriages.

    Figure out his key needs that aren’t met in your marriage

    Here is what I often hear from cheating husbands:

    1. “She is always nagging me!” = a husband who needs some peace

    2. “I just want some fun on the weekend. Is that too much to ask?” = a man who needs some fun, satisfying sex

    3. “Before the kids came, she wanted me all the time and now I have to beg for attention” = a husband who feels unloved, unappreciated and who needs to be touched.

    Many wives push their husbands away without realizing it

    When wives tell me when cheating started my next question is to ask what happened six months to a year before he strayed.

    Wives may feel completely blindsided by infidelity but when I walk them down memory lane, they always find one shocking piece of commonality.

    About one year before he started disappearing his wife had a conversation with her sister, her mother, or a friend and expressed her disgust or indifference to her husband, and he felt it.

    The big shift to end infidelity

    Right now he’s on the fence, so you can’t demand anything. Later, after you’ve reminded him of how wonderful you are and how much he stands to lose, then he will be open to meeting more of your needs.

    A man who is cheating already has one foot out your door and the other foot inside someone else’s, so you can’t complain and win.

    If you want more commitment, that will come from learning to meet more of his emotional needs and enjoying it. Of course, he needs to meet your needs as well. You may need to figure out what those are, but it’s well worth your time.

    I have seen women twist themselves into pretzels to become sexier but being sexy is a vibe and you have to feel it.

    I have seen wives who hated cooking who forced themselves to make elaborate meals but without joy and generosity. The food was tasteless.

    Instead, work on tools that can help heal.

    Tools for a better you — and a stronger relationship

    Self-soothe so that you self-generate inner peace. If you want your husband to be all yours, you have to convince him that you are his, mind, body, and soul.

    Develop some tools based on Tantra that allow both of you to enjoy consistently thrilling physical intimacy.  

    The answer to lifelong love and monogamy (at least, when both partners truly want it) is The Tantric Lock, a set of skills that combine the emotional, physical, and verbal aspects of manifesting the deepest connection and ecstatic intimacy that lasts a lifetime.

    When you and your partner are merged, two into one; there is no room for a 3rd person and that is the greatest gift to both of you.

    Source: Your Tongo

  • Hindu woman’s mutilated body found in Pakistan

    The mutilated body of a Hindu woman was found in a field Thursday in southeastern Pakistan, police said, as they investigate her alleged murder in the latest suspected attack against minorities in the Muslim-majority country.

    The woman’s son, Somar Chand, said he found her disfigured body after searching for his missing mother with some relatives, according to a police report seen by CNN. He alleged that her skin had been peeled off, her breast cut off and her head split with a sharp object.

    Daya Bheel, 40, had gone missing Wednesday, according to Surender Valasai, an assistant to Pakistan’s Chief Minister for Human Rights. Her son told police in Sindh province that his mother had gone to collect grass but did not return home, according to the police report.

    Police in Sindh said they have made an unspecified number of arrests in connection with the case and have set up a special team to investigate. They have not been able to determine a motive for the alleged murder and did not share further details.

    Pakistan’s Women Democratic Front said it was “extremely disturbed, saddened and shocked” to hear about the case.

    “Our sister was mercilessly murdered, her body was found tortured and mutilated, a few days ago, yet there is deafening silence in the power corridors and in the mainstream media,” the group said. “Women Democratic Front calls upon all the women of the country, all our sisters to join our hands to bring an end to this reign of violence and oppression.”

    Nearly 97% of Pakistan’s 270 million people are Muslim, according to the country’s bureau of statistics, and minority groups often face discrimination and persecution.

    According to the United States government’s 2021 report on International Religious Freedoms, mobs targeted and killed Christians, Hindus, Ahmadi Muslims and Shia Muslims in attacks believed to be motivated by religion or accusations of blasphemy. Members of the Sunni Muslim majority had also faced similar attacks in Shia-majority areas, the report added.

    Last December, a Sri Lankan national working in Pakistan’s Punjab province was killed and later burnt by a mob after being accused of committing blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed.

  • What made Pelé so great


    Born into poverty – he used to kick a grapefruit around Brazil’s Minas Gerais state – Pelé finished his career as arguably soccer’s greatest ever player.

    He was that rarity; like Muhammad Ali, Pelé was a sports star, who transcended his sport.

    soccer-gods-illustration

    The Brazilian brought joy and creativity to a sport often stuck in rigidity and personified o jogo bonito – “the beautiful game.”

    “Pele changed everything,” wrote current Brazil international Neymar Jr. after Pelé’s death was announced.

    “He turned football into art, into entertainment. He gave a voice to the poor, to Black people and especially. He gave visibility to Brazil.”

    From dazzling as a 17-year-old in 1958 on his way to his first World Cup success to claiming the Golden Ball award as player of the 1970 World Cup as he won a third global title, “O Rei” (“The King”) achieved almost everything possible in the famous yellow and blue of Brazil.

    And there were goals – lots of them.

    Pelé scored 757 goals in 812 official matches for club and country. However, there is disagreement over just how many goals he scored in his career. According to Reuters, Brazil’s football association and Santos say Pelé scored 1,283 goals in 1,367 matches, though FIFA puts the number at 1,281 goals in 1,366 games.

    But it wasn’t just the phenomenal number of goals he scored. As Neymar suggests, Pelé was also an artist on the pitch.

    “Even if he did not use a brush, or a pen, but simply had a ball at his feet,” says CNN Sport’s Don Riddel

    A master at work

    The world first got a glimpse of Pelé at the 1958 World Cup.

    “When we arrived in Sweden, no one knew what Brazil was. They know about Argentina … Uruguay. It was a surprise for us,” Pelé told CNN in 2016.

    At the age of 17 years and seven months, Pelé became the youngest person to play in a World Cup, a record the Brazilian held until Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside took that landmark in 1982.

    Almost 15 years after leaving the world agog at the 1958 World Cup, Pelé hung up his boots for the Seleção, bequeathing his nation the legacy as the most successful in World Cup history and the most feared team in international football.

    Pelé’s crowning moment for Brazil came at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, a tournament further romanticized by being the first World Cup broadcast in color.

    Throughout that tournament, Pelé blazed a trail of technicolor splendor, a blur of yellow and gold, beguiling and bewitching opposition teams.

    His four goals earned him player of the tournament, capped by an assist to Carlos Alberto’s breathtaking goal in the final against Italy.

    “We won the World Cup, and I think in my life in sport (that was the pinnacle), no doubt,” Pelé told CNN.

    Italian defender Tarcisio Burgnich summed up Pelé’s superhuman genuis fittingly: “I told myself before the game, he’s made of skin and bones just like everyone else. But I was wrong.”

    Even moments when Pelé didn’t score helped cement his legend status – notably England goalkeeper Gordon Banks’ incredible block from the Brazilian’s powerful header in a group game, which is widely considered to be the greatest save of all time.

    “The save was one of the best I have ever seen – in real life and in all the thousands of games I have watched since,” wrote Pelé in a 2019 Facebook post in tribute to Banks following the goalkeeper’s death.

    “When you are a footballer, you know straight away how well you have hit the ball. I hit that header exactly as I had hoped. Exactly where I wanted it to go. And I was ready to celebrate.

    “But then this man, Banks, appeared in my sight, like a kind of blue phantom.”

    The greatest team to never win the World Cup? How the Brazil side of 1982 became one of the most beloved in history

    Despite playing all but three years of his club career with Brazilian side Santos, Pelé’s dynamism, majesty with the ball and lethality in front of goal ensured he became one of football’s first Black global stars.

    Pelé admitted to CNN in 2015 that he had plenty of interest from Europe to make the move across the Atlantic, but chose not to out of loyalty and “love” for Santos; yet another reason why he is so beloved in his native country.

    Brazilian soccer legend Pelé dies at 82

    “In the past, it was a profession filled with love, now it’s just a profession,” Pelé said.

    “There isn’t that love of playing for my club, playing for my country. Clearly, a footballer needs to make a living from the game. It’s different from my time.”

    Such was his impact as a soccer player, Pelé also became the symbol of a new country, according to a recent Neflix documentary.

    “To cope with that, I think he creates this Pelé character, someone who almost kind of forgoes his own identity to become Brazil essentially,” Ben Nicholas, co-director of the documentary about the Brazilian’s life, told CNN.

    As well as shouldering the burden of a country’s aspirations on the world stage, the ascension of the Brazilian military in 1964 that showed interest in football as a tactical and political strategy – in particular, targeting the 1970 World Cup as a “government issue” – presented a problem for the apolitical Pelé, according to the Netflix documentary.

    “There’s a really telling line at the end of the film,” the other director of the documentary, David Tryhorn, said, “where you’re expecting Pelé to give us perhaps a ‘Pelé-ism,’ where he would talk about joy and happiness, but he actually talks about ‘relief.’”

    Pelé poses with the World Cup trophy on March 9, 2014, in Paris.

    Pelé poses with the World Cup trophy on March 9, 2014, in Paris.Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

    The footballing GOAT debate is one which will rage on until the end of time – is it Pelé? Or is it Diego Maradona? Or Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

    But, Brazil’s pure love and adoration for Pelé cannot be matched and is one which extends further than just an excellent footballer, but to a totem pole for a nation.

  • 6 reasons why having kids is good for your marriage

    Without a doubt, having kids can be stressful, expensive, and exhausting, and it can put a strain on your relationship. You’re suddenly responsible for the care and upbringing of this precious little person (or little people), and that can feel like a heavy weight that only gets heavier as the years go on.

    Studies show married couples with children reported lower “marital satisfaction” than those who did not have children. Different research shows that after 18 or 20 years of marriage — about the time kids have grown up and moved out of the house — couples who stayed together were able to rekindle passion and connection.

    The time in between the honeymoon and empty nest phases of life, however, wasn’t all that happy.

    Of course, these surveys and studies don’t dictate what your experience has to be. There are plenty of folks who create happy, close and passionate marriages — and they have children, too.

    It’s not always easy to keep your marriage healthy and connected when you have a family, but it’s most definitely possible. You may actually find that your relationship is better off because of your decision to have kids.

    Here are 6 reasons why having kids is good for your marriage.

    1. Your focus shifts.

    When you have children who need your care, attention and love, you have to shift at least some of your focus back to them. It can be too easy to become a workaholic or obsessed with your job or community status, but having kids draws you back home.

    No matter how busy you and your spouse are, home is what ties you together and reinforces your bond with one another.

    2. You lighten up.

    Yes, kids can sometimes be frustrating, irritating, and even infuriating, but they can also be funny. Very funny!

    Whether it’s your baby blowing raspberries, your preschooler learning how to crack jokes, or your teenager sharing an amusing insight, your children can help you lighten up and take life a little less seriously. The great thing about lightening up is you’ll be more fun and easygoing with your partner, too.

    3. You think twice before making big decisions.

    If you’re like most people, you cringe when you think back to some of the impulsive and not-so-smart choices you made in your young adult years. When you have children, you’re less likely to jump into a situation that may have lasting consequences and hurt your family.

    This is great for your marriage because you’re more likely to pause and consult with your partner about what you both think would be best.

    4. You value the alone time you DO have with your spouse.

    Between child care, home care, pet care, and transporting your kids to and from school and extracurriculars, it can be tough to find a moment alone with your partner. This can bring distance to your marriage, but it doesn’t have to.

    When you make regular time — even if it’s 5 or 10 minutes a day — to check in with each other and connect, it makes a big difference. Because, in this phase of your lives, alone time is a limited quantity, you’re going to treasure it and make the most of it.

    5. You learn to work as a team.

    With kids, there are frequently challenges to overcome and mysteries to unravel: “Why is the baby doing that?” “What does our teenager mean when she says that?”

    No matter the situation, marriages thrive when a couple learns how to come together and work as a team. It’s not just for the good of your children, it’s for the good of your relationship, too.

    6. You’re inspired to be a better you.

    As we said, parents are under a lot of pressure. One pressure that many feel is to be a positive role model for their kids. One potential benefit of this pressure is that your kids inspire you to be better than you were before. After all, they’re watching you and following your example!

    As you take on the challenge and start cleaning up bad habits and making improvements, you’ll also feel more confident and clear which makes you a better spouse.

    So before you dismiss the idea of having children because you’re worried about what that will do to your marriage, re-consider. Build on these potential positives that having a family can bring to your marriage and discover new reasons of your own.

    Source: Your Tango

  • Controversial internet personality Andrew Tate and his brother detained in Romania

    Controversial internet personality Andrew Tate and his brother were detained in Romania on Thursday, according to their defense lawyer.

    Authorities in Romania said police served search warrants at five homes and detained four suspects, including two Britons and two Romanians, as part of an investigation into organized human trafficking and rape. They did not name any of those detained.

    A lawyer for Andrew and Tristan Tate told CNN that the brothers were expected to appear in court later Friday. He stressed that Andrew Tate was not under arrest. “He was not arrested. He was detained for 24 hours,” said the lawyer, Eugen Vidineac.

    The attorney did not discuss any of the allegations.

    Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, a government agency, released an edited, grainy, sometimes out-of-focus video purportedly showing the raids. A man can be seen being patted down by police. It’s unclear who is being detained in the video.

    In a separate video aired by CNN affiliate Antena 3, officers from the crime agency can be seen escorting Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate into police vehicles.

  • Why Obasanjo’s Nigeria threatened to cut gas supplies to Ghana in 1979

    As a form of expression of its disgust against the shooting of the military generals in 1979, the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the leadership of then General Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo threatened to cut gas supply to Ghana which had Jerry John Rawlings as head of state.

    The angst of Nigeria and its leader against the gruesome killings of military generals, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, FWK Why Nigeria threatened to cut gas supplies to Ghana in 1979

    In a bid to register their disgust over the shooting of the military generals in 1979, the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the leadership of then military ruler, General Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo threatened to cut gas supply to Ghana which at the time was led by Jerry John Rawlings as head of state.

    The angst of Nigeria and its leader Obasanjo to the gruesome killings of the military generals, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, FWK Akuffo, AA Afrifa, and Utuka, among others in 1979 was captured in the book titled ‘The Trial of JJ Rawlings”.

    The book which was written by the venerable Kojo Yankah captures a letter by the National Union of Ghana Students, NUGS, to the governments of Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo criticizing their condemnation of the actions of the Rawlings regime.

    “We condemn the threats allegedly issued by the Obasanjo government in Nigeria to cut off supplies to Ghana. The clean up exercise here had set a new precedent in African Politics. The pleas of the Paris-teleguided governments in Ivory Coast, Togo and Upper Volta also show the depth of their hypocrisy and how unfair they’ve been to the suffering people of Ghana.



    “When our timber, cocoa, gold, rice, maize and essential imported communities were being smuggled to these countries by the few local enemies of the people of Ghana, these ‘good neighbours’ of ours actively collaborated with them”, parts of the statement read.

    The book also highlights the response of the United Kingdom under Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher to the killing of the military generals.

    Margaret Thatcher, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is reported to have indicated her ‘abhorrence’ to the execution of the military generals and said that she had been in touch with US, Canada, and members of the European Economic Community to make representations to the Ghana government about their disdain for the murder of leaders of the deposed military regime.



    About June 4 Revolution

    The June 4 Revolution, otherwise known as June 4th Uprising was incited by the arrest and trial of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and other junior military officers by the leadership of the Supreme Military Council II (SMC II). Jerry John Rawlings and the junior officers were arrested and charged with mutiny for a failed coup attempt on the 15th of May, 1979.

    Jerry John Rawlings cited a number of reasons for the failed coup attempt on 15th May, 1979. Firstly, the junior military officers, including Jerry John Rawlings, were refused salaries on countless occasions. Also on the broader scale, issues of widespread corruption among Supreme Military Council officials, poor governance, economic hardship and general frustration on the part of populace as well as high levels of indiscipline within the Ghana Army were among the issues highlighted.

    One of the main architects of the uprising, Major Boakye Djan, has in later interviews revealed that they deliberately added a political twist to it to help emancipate the whole of Africa. According to Osahene Boakye Djan, after several secret meetings with John Rawlings, the team decided to establish a secret movement known as the Free Africa Movement (FAM) to drive the uprising. Boakye Gyan noted that although Nkrumah fought for the liberation of the whole African continent, Africa still appeared to be under the rule and control of the colonial masters. Boakye Gyan mentions in an interview that though Ghana was independent, the country was not free enough to determine the prices of cash crops like cocoa and other commodities hence the movement.

    Trial Day

    Prior to the trial was the failed coup attempt by Rawlings and some junior officers on the 15th of May, 1979. On the morning of the day of the coup, there was exchange of fire between the coup plotters and officers of the SMC II. It took the effort and bravery of one senior military officer, Major General Odartey Willington to get to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to announce that the attempted coup by junior officers of the force had been foiled.

    He, Major-General Odartey Willington, one Major Sulemana, other military officers who embarked on the said action at GBC were subsequently rewarded by the SMC II government and Rawlings and the junior officers arrested for trial.

    The trial of Rawlings and the Junior officers took place at Burma Hall in Accra. On the day of the trial, as ABC News Ghana gathers, thousands of civilians trooped into the hall to witness the trial. The president of the military tribunal was Col. Aninful and the prosecutor for the state was Flt. Lt. Atiemo.

    Rawlings was asked if he wanted a separate trial. His response was “I want to be with my men,” a comment which sparked wild applause in the hall.

    Rawlings was found guilty by the tribunal and was imprisoned in a “guardroom”. It was during this time that all his ten fingers were severely damaged.

    A key point in the trial was when Jerry Rawlings turned the tables and began accusing the government of massive corruption. He demanded his colleagues accused of aiding him in the treasonable act be set free insisting that he was solely responsible for the attempted coup.

    On the day of 4th June, 1979

    As has been stated earlier, Rawlings was found guilty and imprisoned in a guardroom. Two weeks later, on the night of June 4th, Captain Boakye Djan led other officers to overthrow the SMC II government and released Rawlings from prison. He was then sent to GBC and the government overthrow was announced. Rawlings was made to speak to allay fears of his death as had been earlier rumoured.

    Notable on the day was a display by Major-General Odartey Willington. He entered an armoured car and single-handedly shot for three continuous hours. When he ran out of cartridges, he dashed to the Nima Police Station to surrender.

    Unfortunately, he was killed on the spot by military officers immediately he came out of the armoured truck. He was given a somewhat befitting burial by Rawlings.

    That incident marked the beginning of the uprising.

    After the incident, all military installations were searched and senior military officers who were on the side of the SMC II were killed. It was on the same day that Col. Aninful, the president of the military tribunal that tried Rawlings and the junior officers on 15th May was killed. His wife and children who were also in the same room were shot. Many sympathizers of the previous government fled the country to seek asylum elsewhere.

    The coup plotters then set up the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). The membership was as follows;

    1. Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings – Chairman

    2. Captain Boakye Gyan – Official Spokesperson

    3. Major Mensah Gbedemah

    4. Lt Commander Akpaloo

    5. Warrant Officer 2 Obeng

    6. Private Owusu Adu

    7. Corporal Owusu Boateng

    8. Leading Air Craftsman Gaktipo

    9. Lance Corporal Ansah Atiemo among other people.

    The Aftermath of the Revolution

    The regime introduced what become known as the “House Cleaning Exercise”. The House cleaning exercise was mainly against corruption. Three former military leaders of Ghana, Lt. Gen. Afrifa, Gen. Acheampong and Lt. Gen. Akuffo were all executed together with five other senior officers deemed to have been corrupt by the Special Courts set up by the government. That was when the infamous slogan “let the blood flow” originated. Supporters of the regime used this slogan to rally military support in killing sympathizers of the previous regime who were deemed corrupt.

    Numerous business entrepreneurs were also targeted and had their assets confiscated by the government.

    Critics of the regime note that the period witnessed high levels of indiscipline among the junior officers towards senior officers and civilians. The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) soon lost control of the soldiers who had gone on rampage. There was total breakdown of law and order, a situation which led to arbitrary arrests, beatings, abductions, killings, detentions, and seizure of money and personal property by soldiers.

    The AFRC ruled from June 1979 to September 1979. Power was handed to Dr. Hilla Limann in September 1979. But Rawlings again overthrew Limann on 31st December 1981. Though June 4 became a noted date in Ghana’s history, it has been said to be a date that brings a lot of pain to people who either lost loved ones, lost businesses or had to flee the country for their dear lives, AA Afrifa, and Utuka, among others in 1979 was captured in the book titled ‘The Trial of JJ Rawlings”.

    The book which was written by the venerable Kojo Yankah captures a letter by the National Union of Ghana Students to the governments of Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo over their condemnation of the actions by Rawlings and his military cohorts.

    “We condemn the threats allegedly issued by the Obasanjo government in Nigeria to cut off supplies to Ghana. The clean-up exercise here had set a new precedent in African Politics. The pleas of the Paris-teleguided governments in Ivory Coast, Togo and Upper Volta also show the depth of their hypocrisy and how unfair they’ve been to the suffering people of Ghana.

    “When our timber, cocoa, gold, rice, maize and essential imported communities were being smuggled to these countries by the few local enemies of the people of Ghana, these ‘good neighbours’ of ours actively collaborated with them”, parts of the statement read.

    The book also highlights the response of the United Kingdom under Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher to the killing of the military generals.

    Margaret Thatcher, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is reported to have indicated her ‘abhorrence’ to the execution of the military generals and said that she had been in touch with US, Canada, and members of the European Economic Community to make representations to the Ghana government about their disdain for the murder of the deposed military regime.

    About June 4 Revolution

    The June 4 Revolution, otherwise known as June 4th Uprising was incited by the arrest and trial of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and other junior military officers by the leadership of the Supreme Military Council II (SMC II). Jerry John Rawlings and the junior officers were arrested and charged with mutiny for a failed coup attempt on the 15th of May, 1979.

    Jerry John Rawlings cited a number of reasons for the failed coup attempt on 15th May, 1979. Firstly, the junior military officers, including Jerry John Rawlings, were refused salaries on countless occasions. Also on the broader scale, issues of widespread corruption among Supreme Military Council officials, poor governance, economic hardship and general frustration on the part of populace as well as high levels of indiscipline within the Ghana Army were among the issues highlighted.

    One of the main architects of the uprising, Major Boakye Djan, has in recent times revealed that they deliberately added a political twist to it to help emancipate the whole of Africa. According to Osahene Boakye Djan, after several secret meetings with John Rawlings, the team decided to establish a secret movement known as the Free Africa Movement (FAM) to drive the uprising. Boakye Gyan noted that although Nkrumah fought for the liberation of the whole African continent, Africa still appeared to be under the rule and control of the colonial masters. Boakye Gyan mentions in an interview that though Ghana was independent, the country was not free enough to determine the prices of cash crops like cocoa and other commodities hence the movement.

    Trial Day

    Prior to the trial was the failed coup attempt by Rawlings and some junior officers on the 15th of May, 1979. On the morning of the day of the coup, there was exchange of fire between the coup plotters and officers of the SMC II. It took the effort and bravery of one senior military officer, Major General Odartey Willington to get to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to announce that the attempted coup by junior officers of the force had been foiled.

    He, Major-General Odartey Willington, one Major Sulemana, other military officers who embarked on the said action at GBC were subsequently rewarded by the SMC II government and Rawlings and the junior officers arrested for trial.

    The trial of Rawlings and the Junior officers took place at Burma Hall in Accra. On the day of the trial, as ABC News Ghana gathers, thousands of civilians trooped into the hall to witness the trial. The president of the military tribunal was Col. Aninful and the prosecutor for the state was Flt. Lt. Atiemo.

    Rawlings was asked if he wanted a separate trial. His response was “I want to be with my men,” a comment which sparked wild applause in the hall.

    Rawlings was found guilty by the tribunal and was imprisoned in a “guardroom”. It was during this time that all his ten fingers were severely damaged.

    A key point in the trial was when Jerry Rawlings turned the tables and began accusing the government of massive corruption. He demanded his colleagues accused of aiding him in the treasonable act be set free insisting that he was solely responsible for the attempted coup.

    On the day of 4th June, 1979

    As has been stated earlier, Rawlings was found guilty and imprisoned in a guardroom. Two weeks later, on the night of June 4th, Captain Boakye Djan led other officers to overthrow the SMC II government and released Rawlings from prison. He was then sent to GBC and the government overthrow was announced. Rawlings was made to speak to allay fears of his death as had been earlier rumoured.

    Notable on the day was a display by Major-General Odartey Willington. He entered an armoured car and single-handedly shot for three continuous hours. When he ran out of cartridges, he dashed to the Nima Police Station to surrender.

    Unfortunately, he was killed on the spot by military officers immediately he came out of the armoured truck. He was given a somewhat befitting burial by Rawlings.

    That incident marked the beginning of the uprising.

    After the incident, all military installations were searched and senior military officers who were on the side of the SMC II were killed. It was on the same day that Col. Aninful, the president of the military tribunal that tried Rawlings and the junior officers on 15th May was killed. His wife and children who were also in the same room were shot. Many sympathizers of the previous government fled the country to seek asylum elsewhere.

    The coup plotters then set up the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). The membership was as follows;

    1. Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings – Chairman

    2. Captain Boakye Gyan – Official Spokesperson

    3. Major Mensah Gbedemah

    4. Lt Commander Akpaloo

    5. Warrant Officer 2 Obeng

    6. Private Owusu Adu

    7. Corporal Owusu Boateng

    8. Leading Air Craftsman Gaktipo

    9. Lance Corporal Ansah Atiemo among other people.

    The Aftermath of the Revolution

    The regime introduced what become known as the “House Cleaning Exercise”. The House cleaning exercise was mainly against corruption. Three former military leaders of Ghana, Lt. Gen. Afrifa, Gen. Acheampong and Lt. Gen. Akuffo were all executed together with five other senior officers deemed to have been corrupt by the Special Courts set up by the government. That was when the infamous slogan “let the blood flow” originated. Supporters of the regime used this slogan to rally military support in killing sympathizers of the previous regime who were deemed corrupt.

    Numerous business entrepreneurs were also targeted and had their assets confiscated by the government.

    Critics of the regime note that the period witnessed high levels of indiscipline among the junior officers towards senior officers and civilians. The Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) soon lost control of the soldiers who had gone on rampage. There was total breakdown of law and order, a situation which led to arbitrary arrests, beatings, abductions, killings, detentions, and seizure of money and personal property by soldiers.

    The AFRC ruled from June 1979 to September 1979. Power was handed to Dr. Hilla Limann in September 1979. But Rawlings again overthrew Limann on 31st December 1981. Though June 4 became a noted date in Ghana’s history, it has been said to be a date that brings a lot of pain to people who either lost loved ones, lost businesses or had to flee the country for their dear lives

  • Why I cheated on every partner I had

    I’ve never been a faithful partner. Not once.

    I cheated on my first boyfriend when I was 17. When I was married, I had an affair with my yoga instructor, a fisherman, a Sufi poet, my florist, a hairdresser, and a tango teacher.

    I loved the thrill of being naughty and never getting caught. I craved excitement.

    I’d go at it in broad daylight at cheap motels, in cars, and even in a Pilates studio. I’d shop for lingerie, used explicitly for these cheating trysts, and then toss it in the trash.

    I thrived on the newness of a ripped body pressed up against mine. I was absolutely addicted.

    Eventually, I left my marriage and found myself in a new relationship. After a few months, we stopped having sex, cold turkey. For eight months, he didn’t lay a finger on me.

    I tried to be a loyal, supportive partner but my old ways (and sexual needs) crept back in.

    Before I knew it, I was doing the no-pants dance with this incredibly hot musician from a popular rock band. He was married and bored; I was intimacy-starved.

    We met up once a month and let it all out. I carried on like that for a while, then called it quits with my boyfriend.

    Here’s the thing: I never became emotionally attached to any of the men I ran around with. I just needed the rush.

    I’d always be dressed and out the door before they tried any of that cuddling or pillow-talk nonsense. Many of them would comment that I was “like the man in the arrangement.” I got off on that. I felt empowered, fierce, and invincible.

    Somewhere along the way, I found that what I truly craved were those exact feelings. I had all of this energy and no other person could help me spend it fast enough.

    One day I just woke up — literally. It turned out I had it within me all along to boost myself up and feel like a bada**.

    Cheating was the wrong outlet and I needed to cut it out. I was wasting time, and disrespecting myself and my partners.

    I found myself a cute apartment, took a new job, and started spending quality time alone.

    I stopped dating and didn’t have random hook-ups anymore. I got busy taking care of myself. My urge to constantly get naked simmered down.

    I adored living alone. I took up snowshoeing; I loved the feeling of trekking out into the newly fallen snow in my winter gear. I went on day trips and would disappear, not telling a soul where I was.

    These moments filled the void I used to fill with sex.

    I found hidden beaches, hiked gorgeous trails, and learned to make fresh jam and bread. I’d prepare elaborate meals just for me, and treat myself to high-end cheese and wine.

    In lieu of orgasms with strangers, I’d recreate meals from “Cooks Illustrated,” listen to Chet Baker albums, and take myself to the movies.

    For the first time in my life, I was having a healthy relationship with myself.

    Eventually, I met and fell in love with someone to whom I’m fiercely loyal. He’s a dedicated, strong, and present partner. Because I feel more complete as an individual, and he’s living a life he loves, we balance each other out.

    I’m no longer interested in cheating because I learned how to stop distracting myself with meaningless sex and relationships.

  • Five dead in accident on Akatsi-Sogakope highway

    Five passengers were said to have perished in an accident on Tuesday, December 27, on the Akatsi-Sogakope stretch of the Aflao – Accra highway.

    The accident, which occurred at about 1320 hours, involved a Nissan Urvan Minibus with registration number GG 2596-22, carrying 15 passengers and driving from Accra towards Akatsi.

    According to Police sources at Akatsi, the tragedy occurred at a section of the road at Torve, near Akatsi on the Accra- Aflao highway, when the rear tyre of the vehicle got burst, while the vehicle was on speed and as a result, Dagba Stephen, the driver lost control of the vehicle and veered into a gutter before somersaulting and landing on its Tyres.

    Police sources added that, the passengers on board the vehicle got injured and were rushed to the Akatsi Municipal Hospital for treatment, but two adults, Ama Dagba, and Vida Dagba, aged 45 and 35 respectively, were pronounced dead on arrival.

    The Akatsi Police also revealed that three other victims, namely Felix Dagba 27, Douglas Ahiagble 31, and another male deceased, believed to be in his 60s, passed away whilst receiving treatment at the same health facility.

    However, the rest of the accident victims are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

    The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the St. Paul’s Hospital Morgue awaiting autopsy.

    The GNA also gathered that the victims were traveling as a family from Nsawam to Gefia, a community near Akatsi to celebrate the new year when the accident occurred.

  • Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum: The Education Minister Ghana has always wanted

    As 2022 comes to an end with all the difficulties that the country has gone through, the Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum remains the brightest spot in this administration and therefore, is worthy of praise and recognition.

    The minister has not only exceeded the expectations of many Ghanaians, especially at the policy level but also distinguished himself as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the people of Bosomtwe.

    His elevation as the substantive minister in 2021 has brought a lot of innovative and transformative interventions in the education sector, creating opportunities for thousands of Ghanaian children to climb the academic ladder without difficulties.

    Today, Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) which hitherto, was merely considered an option for the academically weak, has become attractive; thanks to the leadership of Dr. Adutwum.

    Even more intriguing, is the fact that students who offer technical courses, as well as visual arts in senior high Schools (SHS), have a window of opportunity to pursue engineering courses at the tertiary level.

    This intervention which forms part of strategies to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education has been touted as one of the best initiatives ever introduced in the sector.

    Prior to his appointment as the substantive minister, Dr. Adutwum was seen as the brain behind the free Senior High School Policy which remains the flagship policy of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    Aside being one of the outstanding ministers under this administration, Dr. Adutwum has also been hailed by his constituents for supporting the poor within the constituency to access tertiary education.

    Dr. Adutwum recently won the heart of many Ghanaian teachers when it was announced that transfer and car maintenance allowances of Ghana Education Service (GES) that have been in arrears are to be paid to the staff members concerned.

    His ambition to produce hundreds of engineers for Bosomtwe in the next few years has impacted many families whose wards would have stayed home but for the intervention of Dr. Adutwum.

    In the last two years, Dr. Adutwum has personally paid for tuition, hostel fees and pocket monies of hundreds of students from Bosomtwe studying engineering and science related courses in various public universities.

    The minister is also taking steps to build hostels in some of the universities to accommodate students from Bosomtwe.

    Beyond his ministerial and parliamentary exploits, he has always represented Ghana on the world stage during international conferences with exquisite delivery.

    Early this year, he received international applauds when he bluntly spoke about how Africa’s education system trains children to be timid rather than being assertive and confident.

    Even as Ghana grapples with the current economic challenges, Dr. Adutwum is one minister that the country can be proud of.

  • Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood dies at 81

    Iconic British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood died Thursday in Clapham, South London, Westwood’s company confirmed Dec. 29.

    In a tweet, the official brand account wrote: “Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family… the world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better.”

    Westwood, who was also awarded damehood by the late Queen Elizabeth II, was born on April 8, 1941.

    Westwood’s designs came to prominence during the punk era of 1970s England, with many of her clothes being donned by punk music pioneers the Sex Pistols. Westwood’s impact on punk is widely acknowledged, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s Costume Institute going so far as to call her the “Mother of Punk.”

    As explained by Vogue, through the 1990s, Westwood’s designs became known for elaborate and luxurious 18th Century European elements akin to those seen by the likes of Marie Antoinette. Many of these ornate elements can be seen in one of Westwood’s most recognizable pieces: the “Sex and the City” wedding dress. The gold and ivory multi-layered bridal gown was worn by star Sarah Jessica Parker for the 2008 film — and was worn when Parker, as Carrie Bradshaw, was left at the altar.

    The gown was so beloved that Westwood released a series of pieces inspired by the dress to commemorate the movie’s 10th anniversary, according to Harper’s Bazaar.

  • Kudus Mohammed’s mum sees him off at the airport as he returns to Ajax

    Ghana and Ajax midfielder Kudus Mohammed has been pictured at the Kotoka International airport in the company of his mother.

    The midfielder was on a short break after Ghana’s exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar where he was the guest of several outfits and also the recipient of merit awards.

    Kudus Mohammed scored twice in Ghana’s only win against Korea earning Ghana all three points in the 3-2 victory.

    He also earned Ghana a penalty which was missed by Black Stars captain Andre Ayew as Ghana lost 2-0 to Uruguay and crashed out of the competition.

    The ajax midfielder also provided the assist for Andre Ayew’s equalizer against Portugal and was the stand-out player for the Black Stars.

    The talented midfielder has been linked with a move away from Ajax with several clubs interested in him.

    The Dutch Eredivisie will resume on January 6th, 2023 as his Ajax side face NEC away from home on 8th January 2023.

  • Pele: The player who united a nation

    Outside the Albert Einstein hospital in São Paulo, fans started gathering when they heard the news of Pele passing. Some were dressed in the number 10 shirt Pele wore when playing for Santos. Outside a banner had been draped that read “Eternal King Pele”.

    This is a moment that Brazilians had been expecting for some time but also dreading. In recent weeks, Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento had taken to Instagram to keep his fans updated about his condition – every post or story fervently followed for any news of “O Rei” (“The King” in Portuguese).

    When news eventually came of his passing, it was still a big moment. The hospital issued a statement confirming his death from multiple organ failure connected to his colon cancer but it was more than just a medical bulletin – it also said that the hospital shared the suffering felt by the family and everyone over the loss of “our beloved King of football”.

    That is a mark of just how important he was for Brazilians – while Pele was of course a footballing legend the world over, for people here, he was so much more.

    President-elect, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is due to be sworn in on Sunday, said he had had the privilege of seeing Pele play, although he added it wasn’t merely “playing”, it was a “show”.

    “Few Brazilians took the name of our country as far as he did,” he said in a tweet, adding that there was never another number 10 like him.

    For every Brazilian, Pele meant something. The older generations remembered him as a player, the younger Brazilians were told about his phenomenal skills – but he united people in this footballing nation.

    Brazil fans hold a banner showing support for Pele during the Fifa World Cup in Qatar
    Brazil fans showed their support for Pelé during the Fifa World Cup in Qatar

    This is a country that defines itself by football. During the World Cup, Brazilians are given leave to watch their national team. Pele was cheering them on from his hospital bed, wishing them well. And so his death coming after the tournament he won three times is even more poignant.

    These past few weeks, Brazilians have had time to reflect on his life, knowing that his condition was worsening. Even people with no interest in football refer to him as the King.

    He was a footballer that stayed very Brazilian, playing for Santos for many years rather than playing for clubs abroad. In fact, president Janio Quadros in 1961 even declared him a national treasure, which meant for years he couldn’t be “exported” to play for clubs abroad, such was his hero status and importance for national pride.

    In a country where racism and classism are still so dominant, Pele, a black footballer from a poor background, was an incredible success story. He rarely talked about racism, a stance that he was at times criticised for. But he always championed the power of football to bring the nation together, to give opportunities to even the poorest Brazilians.

    Pele was also known to keep his head down when it came to politics. Again, many felt that was a weak position given his huge influence – and of course the turbulent politics that he lived through – including a dictatorship. But in a country that has once again become increasingly divided when it comes to politics, this silence also allowed him to transcend politics, to be loved and respected universally as the King of all Brazilians, both on and off the field.

    The greatest footballer of all time has now gone, but his memory here in Brazil will remain forever.

    Source: BBC

  • Police allegedly brutalise district assembly officer for refusing to pay GH¢5 bribe

    Four personnel of the Ghana Police Service in the Bono Region have been accused of brutalising an assistant environmental health analyst at Sene West District Assembly in the Bono Region after he allegedly refused to pay a GH¢5 bribe.

    According to a Peace FM report, the police officers, who are stationed at Kwame Danso a suburb of the Sene West, asked the victim; James Combat, to pay GH¢5 for committing a road traffic offence.

    The report indicated that Combat refused to pay the money which led to the police beating him up mercilessly.

    Narrating his ordeal in a Peace FM interview, the assistant environmental health analyst said that the police stopped him on his way to his farm for riding his motorcycle without a helmet.

    He said that he explained to the police that he had only one helmet which he gave to his daughter, who was on the motor with him, but the police insisted that he pays the GH¢5.

    “I told Peter (one of the policemen) that I had no money on me because I was on my way to my farm. Then Doe and Akomea (two senior policemen) instructed him (Peter) to remove my motor key if I am not willing to pay the GHC5,” he said in Twi.

    Combat said that he took his motor key and refused to give it to the policemen which led to the beatings.

    “My daughter was on the floor weeping as they were beating me up mercilessly. They forced me into their vehicle took me to the police station and they kept me in cells from 8:00 am to around noon,” he said

    The victim also added that he was only released after some officers of the Sene West District Assembly and his family raised an amount of GH¢700 to pay the police.

  • CHAN 2023: Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt donates $1000 to Black Galaxies

    Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt Lt. Gen. Obed Boamah Akwa has donated $1000 to the Black Galaxies ahead of the TotalEnergies 2023 African Nations Championship in Algeria.

    The playing body have been in camp at Cairo as they prepare for the tournament.

    His Excellency visited the playing body and technical team at the Jewel Sports City Resort & Spa Hotel and left them with a stirring message.

    “Set a high aim for yourselves and work together to develop a team spirit that will help you fight to the very end. Also never give up till victory is won”.

    “Everything is possible and let us consider this as a golden opportunity to lift high the flag of Ghana and prove to Africa that we are the best when it comes to football on the continent.

    “Work together as a team. There is teamwork and there is team spirit. Teamwork is mechanical but team spirit means you want to die for your country.

    “Never give up,” he told the team.

    The Black Galaxies on Tuesday defeated Egypt’s U-20 team. Annor Walker and his side will take on Al Ahly on Saturday.

    Ghana is in Group C alongside Madagascar, Sudan and Reigning Champions Morocco.

  • Owusu Bempah used his connections to make me rot in Jail, fear him – Nana Agradaa

    Evangelist Patricia Asiedu, the fetish priestess formerly known as Nana Agradaa, has claimed that her recent issues with the police are due to the political power of Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah.

    Over the past month or two, Agradaa has spent weeks on police remand. This was after she was arrested three separate times for defrauding her church members and had to make bail all three times.

    During the periods Agradaa struggled to meet her bail conditions, she slept behind bars for days.

    Following her release, she has gone back to her old ways of trying to extort money from her church members, yet Agradaa believes she’s done nothing wrong.

    Reacting to a recent meeting between Owusu Bempah and Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Agradaa said that proves the political powers of Owusu Bempah.

    She said Bempah recently fell out with the government and could have easily told them to jail her (Agradaa) before he accepted them back.

    She said such a man of God cannot be trifled with hence she has no desire to have any beef with him going forward.

    Agradaa advised any other person having a beef with Owusu Bempah to simply retreat and accept defeat because they will lose since the man is too powerful.

  • Music Duo, Psquare Knelt Down And Apologized To Their Fans For Their 5 Years Split

    Naija Music Duo, Psquare goes on their knees to apologize to their fans during their performance at 2022 Afrochella festival in Ghana.

    The pair on their knees begged the fan’s to forgive them for denying them good music for 5 years.

    The excited audience applauded them for their concern and humility.

    The once upon a time most vibrant music duo in Africa decided to go their separate ways after a misunderstanding.

    The Duo, Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye together known as Psquare seperated in 2016 as a result of family squabbles.

    However, they trashed out their differences in November, 2021, smoked the peace pipe and are back together.

    They have been thrilling their fans with good music ever since their return. It’s always a vibe when they are both on stage.

    Watch a video of their apology below.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by GHANA’S LIVE UPDATE KING👑 (@ronnieiseverywhere_official)

  • Camera Captures Moment Kwashe Boys Surrounded Meek Mill And Stole His Phone

    There have been reports that American rapper Meek Mill lost his phone during the Afrochella Festival which happened yesterday, December 29th, 2022.

    Meek Mill has personally taken to his social media platform to announce the loss of his phone during the event and asked that whoever has his it return it.

    Coming after that, a controversial video of Meek Mill in the midst of a crowd during the event has surfaced on social media.

    The American rapper is seen in the midst of some kwashe boys who were hyping him.

    The crowd mobbed around him at the venue, cheered him up, and gave him the usual celebrity welcome.

    There was no proper security for him, he just found himself in the midst of the erratic fans. That could probably be the moment he lost his phone.

    The person who stole the phone is in this video, that is the assumption of social media users.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Don’t Forget To Follow ☝️☝️☝️ (@switchfocus)

  • How Abedi Pele won the UEFA Champions League for Marseille in 1993

    On 26th May 1993, Olympique de Marseille defeated AC Milan by a lone goal at the Olympiastadion in Munich to be crowned champions of Europe.

    Ex-Black Stars player, Abedi Pele, was instrumental in the victory over the Italian giants as he provided the assist through a corner kick for Basile Boli to nod home the only goal of the game.

    The quality of Abedi Ayew, who was 29 at the time, was notable and created the corner kick which subsequently resulted in the goal.

    Abedi Pele, on the right side of the attack, came up against the Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi who were dominant defenders for AC Milan.

    In a match dominated by the Italian side, Olympique Marseille utilised their attacking options through the trickery and pace of Abedi Pele, the assurance of Didier Deschamps in midfield and strength of Marcel Desailly in the heart of the defence for the French outfit.

    In an interview with UEFA, Basile Boli described the second half of that final as agonizing.

    “Those 45 minutes felt like 45 years, and by the time the final whistle blew, it felt like 100 years”.

    Frenchman, Boli won Olympique Marseille’s only UEFA Champions trophy but it was the performance of Ghana’s Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew that resonates among fans.

    Source: Citisports

  • Abedi Pele, Micheal Essien and 3 other Ghanaians who won UEFA Champs League

    The 2021 UEFA Champions League group stages fixture continue on Tuesday.

    House-hold names like Michael Essien, Abedi Ayew Pele, all feature in the five-man list, as Ghana remain the African country with the most winners ever.

    The full list is provided below.

    1. Michael Essien – Chelsea (England)

    “The Bison”, after narrowly losing out to English rivals Manchester United on penalties, and getting his hopes of trying again broken by the 2009 semi-final by Barcelona, lifted the trophy in 2012.

    2. Sulley Muntari – Internazionale Milan (Italy)

    Under the tutelage of manager, Jose Mourinho, Sulley Muntari and his Inter Milan team-mates like Etoo and Diego Milito, and Sneijder, were too much to handle for Bayern Munich in the 2010 final at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    The fact that this Jose Mourinho Inter side won the treble, (Italian league, Italian cup, and the UCL) probably means no team in the world stood a chance against them, not even Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona as was proved in their semi-final lost to Inter, in whcih Muntari played a key role.

    UEFA Champions League: Micheal Essien and 4 Other Ghanaian Winners
    Ghanaian International, Sulley Muntari. Source: Twitter/@KobbyKyeiSports.
    Source: Twitter

    3. Abedi Pele – Olympique Marseille (France)

    Abedi Ayew, father of current Black Stars players, Dede Ayew and Jordan Ayew, was the first Ghanaian player to win the elite club football competition.

    He contributed heavily to Olympique Marseille’s only UEFA Champions League triumph in 1993 season when the competition’s name and format was changed from European Cup to UEFA Champions League.

    UEFA Champions League: Micheal Essien and 4 Other Ghanaian Winners
    Former Ghana International, Abedi Ayew Pele. Source: Twitter/@KobbyKyeiSports
    Source: Twitter

    4. Samuel Osei Kuffour – Bayern Munich (Germany)

    Osei Kuffuor is notably remembered for his agony after Bayern Munich dramatically lost out to Manchester United in the final of the 1999 UEFA Champions League at the Camp Nou.

    He probably would not have made a fuss about that defeat if he knew that he would taste victory in two years time, as Bayern Munich edged Valencia in a shootout thanks to some remarkable defense of Kuffour and Oliva Khan combined.

    5. Ibrahim Tanko – Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

    Many young Ghanaian football fans memory of the last Dortmund UEFA Champions League might be of the ‘black and yellow’s 2:1 lose to Bayern Munich in 2013.

    However before that recent defeat, Borrusia Dortmund beat Italian giants Juventus to win their only UEFA Champions League triumph in 1997.

    Ghana’s Ibrahim Tanko was a part of Dortmund’s squad that year but could not make the match-day squad due to injuries.

    The striker made just three appearances in Dortmund’s quest, which earned him a winner’s medal.

    17-year-old Dreams FC lad scoring stunner only in GPL

    Issahaku Fatawu is bidding his time till he is 18 years old and can make his move to Primeira Liga side, Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

    While he waits though, the 17-year-old is raising his stock market with headlining performances week in week out for Dreams FC.

    Source: Yen.com

  • 2 month-old baby found dead in a well at Assin Fosu

    A two-month-old baby has been found dead in a 13-foot well at Numeriso, a suburb of Assin Fosu Municipality of the Central Region.

    The baby boy, who was found in the well with his two hands up, had black thread tied around his neck.

    He was also wearing a diaper and had beads on both legs and arms.

    The residents in the area got to know about the incident after some people had gone there to fetch water and found the baby floating in the well.

    According to residents, this is the second time such an incident has happened in the area and they believe the perpetrators live around.

    They also alleged that the culprits must be calculating the movement of people before executing their cruel acts.

    A unit committee secretary who gave his name as Wofa Atta hinted that they would organize a search party for the perpetrators by going from house to house.

    Meanwhile, a team of police officers in Assin Fosu led by Chief Inspector Rose upon hearing the sad incident rushed to the scene and called the fire service crew to intervene.

    They successfully retrieved the baby and quickly handed him over to the ambulance service for first aid treatment and onward transportation to the hospital.

    But unfortunately, the baby was pronounced dead on arrival.

    According to the police, although the baby’s parents were not immediately known, investigation led to the arrest of the father, a 39-year-old man who gave the mother’s name as Janet Saawah, 23 years old.

    The father, however, could not tell the police what influenced the mother’s decision since he provides for both mother and child.

    Currently, the mother is at large, and efforts are far advanced to get her arrested.

  • I’ve received 47 prophecies from God so far, number 14 is about Dampare – Nigel Gaisie

    The founder and leader of the Prophetic Hill Chapel, Prophet Nigel Gaisie has indicated the readiness of him and other prophets to call the bluff of the Ghana Police Service over the communication of prophecies.

    Prophet Nigel Gaisie argued in an interview on Power FM that prophets are the mouthpieces of God and that controlling them is akin to putting a check on God which is not possible.

    He insisted that God has so far given him 47 prophecies to communicate to Ghanaians on 31st December watch night.

    Nigel Gaisie says that the number is likely to increase as he continues to prepare for what he believes will be a mega service.

    “We are not scared of the prophecies because we speak the mind of God not humans. Already God has revealed 47 things to me and there could be more. Before midnight Saturday, we could get more.

    “God has revealed a lot of things to me and I’m not alone. Other prophets have also received prophecies. We are ready to speak the minds of God so Ghana police should avert their minds to the serious in the country and leave the prophets and church to do the work of God.

    “If the spirit of God is in you, you say it as it is, you don’t get scared. There will be prophecies on Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, and England. We have prophecies on IGP. Prophecy number 14 is about the IGP. I’ve seen something about him so I will say it. I’m surprised he is acting that way because he is Pentecostal,” he said.

    Prophet Nigel Gaisie also offered his view on how ‘fake’ prophets can be distinguished from genuine ones.

    He mentioned that the accuracy of prophecies and the boldness of the prophets are some of the ways Prophets could be determined in the country.

    “The best way to differentiate between fake and real prophets is whether their prophecies manifest. No prophet has a 100% record on prophecies. It can never be 100% because we pray against some of things and we also sometimes see things halfway. The sign of boldness is also another factor,” he said.

  • Meek Mill’s ‘Accra Slay Queen’ Discovered – Checkout Her Photos Plus Details

    The slay queen Meek Mill has been moving around the streets of Accra with who kept her face hidden the whole time has been smoked out!

    Her Instagram handle has been revealed, giving Ghanaians access to some of her uploaded content.

    First off, it turns out she’s not a Ghanaian but a Jamaican model cum singer.

    Since their arrival, multiple photos and videos of the group have been taken and shared online and in each one of them, she was spotted covering her face.

    That sparked speculation that she’s a girl in a relationship and is covering herself so her boyfriend doesn’t discover her.

    However, it turns out she’s not Ghanaian.

    Checkout photos of Meek Mill’s boo below…

  • Fans troll Mzbel for going offbeat singing her own song at Afrochella Festival 

    Musician Mzbel is trending after her performance at the just-ended Afrochella Festival.

    Apparently, Mzbel couldn’t impress patrons of the show as fans are largely criticising her for embarrassing herself.

    In a viral video, Mzbel went offbeat singing her own song.

    Her voice got strained after trying to lift the spirits of the audience, shouting ‘whoosh, Ajeeei’.

    Mzbel could not control her voice as she sang offbeat along with her song.

    Currently, she is trending for embarrassing herself.

    How could she blow such a golden chance to rock the same stage with Meek Mill, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, P-Square and others?

    This could have opened other chances for Mzbel to take her music career to another level but she underperformed – she didn’t make the mark.

    Some people even claim she performed like someone who was already tired before mounting the stage.

  • Condom patronage on the low – AIDs commission worried over its impact on citizenry 

    The Ghana AIDs Commission has expressed concern over a decline in the patronage of condoms, especially during this festive season.

    Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, says people are engaging in unprotected sex, a situation that has shot up HIV/AIDS.

    He attributed the development to a notion held by a section of the public to the effect that casual sex without a condom is better, which according to him is erroneous.

    “Casual heterosexual sex contributes to over 70 percent of all new HIV infections, but people still continue to engage in casual sex without condoms. Sex is fun but while having fun, remain cautious,” he said. 

    Kwaku Ankomah, a pharmacist in charge of the lesson pharmacy, confirmed the reduction in condom usage. 

    He said the rate of consumption of the product (i.e condom) has drastically fallen, compared to last year’s sales.

    ‘’Sales are quite low compared to December last year. Every month we sell about fifty packs of condoms but this month, it is less than ten. I think we need to up the advocacy,” he added.

    Statistics from the National STIs and HIV/AIDS Control Programme indicate that a total of 23,495 people tested positive for HIV in the first half of t 2022.

    Further reports also indicate that over one hundred thousand persons are living with HIV without even knowing their status. 

    Meanwhile, the festive season is also a time when people make merry. As these celebrations go on, people often engage in sexually related activities. 

    According to the Ghana AIDS Commission, more people engage in casual sex during this period than ever before.

    Backing this claim, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, disclosed that eighty percent of all HIV infections occur as a result of risky sexual behaviours such as casual sexual encounters, which are the result of hookups, booty calls, and one-night stands.

    He, thus, entreated the public not to throw caution to the wind regarding protecting themselves during sexual intercourse, in order not to expose themselves to such risks. 

    The Ghana AIDS Commission is responsible for embarking on HIV AIDS sensitisation programmes.

    As part of measures to curtail the disease, the commission also distributed condoms, organised testing for the public, and beefed up sensitisation, especially during the festive season. 

    However, the commission has indicated that it can no longer embark on these activities due to financial constraints. 

    The AIDS Commission, thus, entreated the public to come to their aid with support.

    “We are calling on all Ghanaians to come to the aid of the AIDS commission financially as this should be a collaborative effort between all stakeholders.”

    Source: The Independent Ghana|

  • Petrol to hit GH₵ 9.50 per litre, diesel, GH₵11.60 from January 2023 

    Prices of petroleum products are expected to further decline come 2023, according to the Institute for Energy Security (IES).

    IES believes the cedi’s recent appreciation in value against major trading currencies, as well as the 5.28% and 5.09% drops in the cost of petrol and liquefied petroleum gas, respectively, will be the major reasons why prices will reduce.  

    “Despite the marginal rise in the price of gasoil [diesel] on the international market, the Ghana cedi’s appreciation against the dollar will force prices down locally.”

    “Prices are, therefore, set to reach ¢9.50 and ¢11.60 per litre for gasoline [petrol] and gasoil [diesel] respectively, and ¢9 per kilogramme for LPG in the coming days,” the Institute stated.

    After a series of astronomical hikes in the prices of petroleum products, the prices eventually began to fall during the second pricing window of December 2022.

    This was ascribed to the strengthening of the cedi against the dollar as well.’

    Prior to the fall in the price of the product, a litre of fuel was selling for an average national price of GH¢12.68, down from GH¢15.16 over the same time period.

    Also, diesel was estimated to have a national average price per litre that decreased by around 17.20%, from GH¢15.55 to GH¢18.78.

    On the international market as well, Brent fell by 0.51% over the previous window’s average price of $81.90 per barrel to the present average price of $81.48 per barrel.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Education Ministry to penalize Universities charging above 15% fee increment

    The Ministry of Education has announced that it will sanction universities that charge more than the authorised 15% fee increment for public universities and tertiary institutions.

    Speaking to the media, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng, warned institutions that are culpable to desist from such actions.

    He added that “I am saying that whenever we have an official complaint as a ministry that any university has charged more than what Parliament approves, of course you don’t need Kwesi Kwarteng to confirm this because the law is clear. The legal framework and provision upon which the Appropriation and subsequent approval of fees is done if you go beyond, that’s completely illegality.

    “The necessary action ought to be taken and of course, we will take the necessary action within the framework of the law. The Universities are expected to comply so far as GTEC and the Ministry are concerned, it is the 15 percent increment fees of last year that the Universities are supposed to charge. And so far we are aware that is what they are charging, but there are institutions that might flout the GTEC directives”.

    The ministry’s comment comes after speculation that the management of some universities are flouting a law passed by parliament.

    Parliament recently endorsed a maximum 15% increase in fee over the preceding academic year in university fees under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080).

    In connection with the passage, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in a statement dated December 16, 2022 said “Please be advised therefore that Fees and Charges applicable in all Public Tertiary Education Institutions for the 2022/2023 Academic Year may be adjusted by up to maximum of 15% of the last approved rates”.

    However, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has alleged that certain public universities are imposing over 15 percent increase on students for the 2022–2023 academic year on students.

    Speaking to the media on Wednesday, December 28, the NUGS President Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo said students were dissatisfied with these increases and called on the government to intervene.

    He contended that increasing tuition at the moment isn’t the best the government can do considering the country’s current economic hardship.

    “The University of Ghana has increased its academic user fees for some departments by over 40%. To make matters worse, they have increased residential facility user fee to about 70% and in some situations 100%.

    “UCC is also deeply involved, with some increments crossing 25%. As we speak, UCC Faculty of Social Science has increased its fees at a rate of 27%. University of Mines and Technology is also doing the same with an increment as high as 40%,” he added.

    On the other hand, the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) of the NDC also petitioned the managed universities to review their decision to increase tuition.

    In a press release dated December 22, president of TEIN KNUST, Selma Yoda said “In this case, students of various public universities risk a denial of their basic right to education as a result of the 15% approved increase by parliament”.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Petrol ‘likely’ to sell at single digit by Monday – Analysts

    For the first time in 12 months, petrol is likely to sell at a single-digit rate at the local pumps in the first week of January 2023, some market analysts have projected.

    The Institute for Energy Security (IES) is projecting that the price of petrol would drop significantly to about GHS9.50 per litre, from the current national average of GHS12.68.

    Diesel is also expected to drop significantly to about GHS11.60 from the current national average of GHS15.55.

    In the first week of January 2022 petrol and diesel were selling at a national average of GHS 6.7 and GHS 6.9 per litre respectively.

    Mr Fritz Moses, Research Analyst, IES, told the GNA that the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) was expected to drop to GHS9 per kilogram from January 1, 2023.

    He said the downward decline in fuel prices experienced in the last few weeks would be sustained so long as prices of petroleum products on the international market plummeted and the Cedi strengthened against the Dollar.

    “Despite the marginal rise in the price of Gasoil on the international market, the Ghana Cedi’s appreciation against the Dollar (26.51 per cent) will force prices down locally.

    “Prices are set to reach GHS9.50p and GHS11.60p per litre for Gasoline and Gasoil respectively, and GHS9 per kilogram for LPG in the coming days,” Mr Moses said.

    The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) also projected that prices of petrol and diesel would record significant decline at the pumps from January 1, 2023.

    The Chamber projected that petrol would sell at GHS GHS10.63, representing 13.78 per cent drop, while diesel would sell at GHS GHS12.85, representing a decline of 15.86 per cent.

    “With the international price decreasing from $573.43/MT to $544.23/MT (-5.09 per cent) the projected retail price of LPG is expected to decrease by about 25.16 per cent from the current average of 13.63/kg to GHS10.20/kg,” the Chamber projecte

  • Christian Council engages journalists on peace project

    The Northern Sector office of the Christian Council of Ghana has engaged journalists on its “Promoting Peace through Inter-Faith Dialogue in Northern Ghana” project to seek their support to promote peace in society.

    The journalists, numbering about 15, were drawn from various media houses in the Tamale Metropolis.

    Mr Emmanuel Sumani Alhassan, Northern Sector Manager, Christian Council of Ghana, called on the journalists to partner with and support the project to achieve its objective of promoting religious tolerance among various religious and other interest bodies.

    The Promoting Peace through Inter-Faith Dialogue in Northern Ghana project seeks to promote peace, and tolerance among religious groups and foster unity for a peaceful society in the northern part of the country, as well as across the country.

    The first phase of the project commenced in January 2020 and ended in December 2021 while the second phase started this year, and would end in February, 2024.

    Mr Alhassan said, “The Project, over the years, has been targeting and contributing to sustainable peace and development among people in 10 selected communities in Northern Ghana, specifically in the Tamale Metropolis, Sagnarigu, Tolon, Kumbungu and some selected communities in the Savannah Region.”

    He said the project, since its commencement in the year 2020, had been engaging in a series of activities, including community education, youth engagement, capacity building for community members, formation and training of five child to child clubs in schools, inter-faith dialogue meetings, formation of community peace clubs/committees and fun games with the aim to achieve the project’s objectives.

    He said, “Our biggest dream is however, for the years ahead, is to expand the project’s scope across the Northern Region and beyond. We will be targeting the border communities to advance the fight for inter religious cooperation for peace against terrorism.”

    Mr Alhassan underscored the role of the media in promoting peaceful co-existence and tolerance in communities, urging journalists to continue the fight for a peaceful northern Ghana and the entire country.

    Alhaji Imoro Tahidu, Tamale Metropolitan Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, lauded the role of the media in nation building and called on them to promote the values of society and the country to ensure sustained peace and tolerance amongst religious groups and people.

  • FIFA mourns Pele

    World football governing body, FIFA has reacted to the death of football great, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as ‘Pelé’.

    In a post on social media, FIFA said this is the day it never wanted to see come to pass.

    The FIFA statement while mourning the passing of Pelé adds that may he rest in peace after joining his ancestors.

    “FIFA and all of the football world is mourning the death of O Eterno Rei – the eternal king. Rest in peace, Pelé. Our thoughts and sympathies are with your family, friends and all who had the joy of watching you play.

    “For everyone who loves the beautiful game, this is the day we never wanted to come. The day we lost Pelé.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement to pay tribute to Pelé.

    FIFA and all of the football world is mourning the death of O Eterno Rei – the eternal king.

    “Rest in peace, Pelé. Our thoughts and sympathies are with your family, friends and all who had the joy of watching you play”.

    Pelé passed away at the hospital on Thursday at the age of 82 after battling cancer for several years.

    In an official statement from the family of Pele, it said, “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pele who peacefully passed away today. On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world, and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love.

    “His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love. And love

  • Ghana yet to record cases of sickle cell recovery – Dr Awuttey 

    Although the cure for sickle cell anaemia has been around for over three decades, Ghana is yet to record any case of complete recovery.

    Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder marked by defective haemoglobin. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen. 

    However, in the case of sickle cell patients, the haemoglobin is abnormal, making it difficult for the blood to carry oxygen and flow throughout the body. 

    Often, patients are left with agonising crises and sometimes fatal long-term complications, including organ damage and strokes. 

    Per reports, approximately 15,000 Ghanaian newborns are diagnosed with sickle cell disease annually.

    Fortunately, the genetic disorder, according to a medical officer at the Chripod Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Accra, is treatable.

    Speaking to The Independent Ghana, Dr Emmanuel Kojo Awuttey noted that stem cell or bone marrow transplants are the only cure for sickle cell disease.

    He explained that with a medical procedure, “ we can wipe out their bone marrow and will transplant a compatible marrow that is not a sickling marrow and when that normal marrow takes over the person’s body, all the subsequent red cells that are produced are all normal red cells, and the person is cured.”   

    This milestone achievement, however, is yet to be recorded in Ghana, as the country is yet to cure patients with the genetic alignment. 

    According to Dr Awuttey, the country, currently does not have the facilities to conduct a marrow transplant procedure.

    Describing it as unfortunate, he called on the government to collaborate with other stakeholders in the country to provide hospitals with the needed apparatus to conduct such procedures. 

    Meanwhile, a stem cell treatment centre has been established at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (GARH) in November 2022.

    According to the Medical Director, Dr Emmanuel Srofenyoh the centre has technology to cure diseases such as chronic kidney diseases, stroke with neurological deficit and chronic liver diseases.

    “There is now technology to cure certain chronic diseases. This technology is called stem cell technology, where stem cells can be extracted from your body, processed, nurtured, and grown. When those stem cells are sent back into your body, they will identify organs that are defective and heal them,” the Medical Director said.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • We have constructed more roads, factories, airports than any government since 1957 – Bawumia

    Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has declared that the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has an unmatched record in terms of public infrastructure in the history of Ghana.

    According to him, in the last six years, the government he has served as Vice President in has undertaken among others, more roads, airports and interchanges than previous governments.

    The Second Gentleman was speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra on Thursday, December 29, 2022.

    “We have built more roads…, there is no government that has built more roads than the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    “We have built more factories than any other government since independence. We have built more airports than any other government,” he told teeming supporters clad in white and the party’s colours.

    In the case of interchanges, he ranked the NPP the most prolific in terms of the Fourth Republic: “We have built more interchanges than any other government in the 4th Republic.”

    Bawumia was accompanied by his wife Samira to the service that took place at the party headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra. It was organised by the National Executive Committee.

    Special prayers were said for the party’s upcoming activities especially as relates to election of a presidential candidate for the 2024 polls and parliamentary candidates across the 275 constituencies.

    On his part, General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong assured that the NPP will succeed in its planned activities and sought the face of God in their programmes for 2023.

    “No harm will befall us [NPP] in the coming year [2023], as we prepare to elect our presidential candidate as well as parliamentary candidates.

    “We pray to God to see us through the incoming primaries. God is our only hope, we pray to him to protect us and make our primaries a successful one devoid of any untoward issues. We are praying and pleading to God to shower his blessings on NPP,” he prayed.

  • Parliament failed Ghanaians in 2022 – Minority leader

    The leader of the minority caucus of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has said that the House failed Ghanaians in 2022.

    He explained that the house failed Ghanaians because it did not check the unbridled borrowing of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.

    Haruna Iddrisu, who said this in a TV3 interview monitored by GhanaWeb, added that the huge debt accumulated by the government is the cause of the economic challenges in the country now.

    “Where the country is today, you will hear everybody talking about unsustainable debt. It means we overborrowed. We borrowed excessively.

    “Parliament, under Article 181 of the Constitution, exercises that mandate (to check the executive) for and on behalf of the people of Ghana. So, it simply means that Parliament has failed the people of Ghana. We didn’t hold the executive to check to say that don’t borrow any longer or borrow at this limit.

    “We all know that when debt exceeds 70 percent of GDP you are debt distressed. So now Ghana is a debt-distressed high-risk country,” he said.

    Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, however, indicated that the minority caucus cannot be blamed for failing to hold the executive in check.

    “There are those who have been very critical of the minority including me, saying that why did we pass the budget. It was because we don’t want the country to come to a standstill. A budget means a lot not just for government or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) but for citizens,” he added.

  • Essikado Masqueraders launch 10th year anniversary

    Representatives from the 10 Masquerading clubs in Essikado, Sekondi and Takoradi have lined up activities, which will climax on January 2, 2023 as the Essikado “Ye Wo Adze Oye” Masqueradors Carnival marks 10 years.

    The event will begin with a quiz competition at the Nana Nketsia School Essikado on December 30, 2022, followed by a football gala among the 10 Masquerades Clubs at the Nana Nketsia Astro Turf Park at Essikado.

    The event enters the New Year with Yewo Adze Oyie Fun Games on the afternoon of January 1, 2023, with games such as ludo, oware, and cards among others would be played, among the clubs.

    The three-day celebration is under the auspices of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Essikado-Ketan Mr.Joe Ghartey with support from the MP for Sekondi, Mr Andrew Agyaapa Mercer.

    The 10 Masquerading clubs are gearing up for the mega performances to showcase their innate capabilities and skills and to thrill the spectators from Essikado-Ketan and beyond.

    In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, the MP for Essikado-Ketan, Mr.Joe Ghartey who founded the Essikado Street Carnival 10 years ago, said the programne was to bring entertainment and boost economic activities in Essikado and its environs.

    He said the event was expected to bring people in the Constituency together to foster unity and peace, adding the event would be sustained and made more vibrant to attract tourists.

  • Meek Mill’s phone stolen in Accra

    American rapper, Meek Mill, has reportedly been robbed of his mobile device prior to his performance on the second day of the Afro Nation concert in Accra.

    This was disclosed on the rapper’s Instagram story where he lamented bitterly about the ordeal while entreating the perpetrators to return his phone.

    “They pick pocketed me for my phone. SMH. Bring that jawn back if you got it!!” Meek Mill wrote on his Instagram at about 1 am on December 29, 2022.

    Multiple videos that went viral on the internet, captured the rapper in the midst of a large number of street boys who swamped him with their motorbikes before his phone got stolen.

    However, the development has attracted a series of interesting comments from social media users.

    While some have commiserated with the rapper, others have lambasted him for what they described as carelessly vibing with street boys who are noted for such crimes.

    Read the post below:

  • Pele: Brazil legend dies aged 82 after battle with cancer

    Brazil football legend Pele, one of the greatest players of all time, has died at the age of 82.

    The former striker, who is the only player in history to win three World Cups, passed away at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo following a battle with cancer.

    A message from Pele’s official Twitter account on Thursday read: “Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today. Love, love and love, forever.”

    Pele, who is Brazil’s joint all-time top scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches, became an icon of the game after winning the World Cup in 1958 as a 17-year-old, netting twice in the final to defeat hosts Sweden.

    Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, to a poor family in Sao Paulo, won the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups with Brazil.

    Injury restricted his contribution to Brazil’s triumph in 1962 in Chile but he was player of the tournament eight years later, as Brazil assembled one of the greatest sides of all time and lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in Mexico thanks to a 4-1 win over Italy in which Pele scored the opening goal.

    That goal makes him one of only five players to have scored in two World Cup finals and, thanks to his exploits in 1958, he remains the youngest player to have netted a goal at the tournament.

    In total, Pele scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup appearances and also provided 10 assists – the most by any player in the history of the competition, and a reminder that he was much more than a goalscorer.`

    It was his spectacular scoring feats, though, that made him a Santos legend at club level.

    Pele holds his hometown side’s all-time goal record and helped them to two Copa Libertadores titles and six Brazilian league crowns during a glittering 18-year spell with the club.

    Pele, who scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 games for club and country during his career, ended his playing days at New York Cosmos and retired from football in 1977.

    Pele embraces Brazilian goalkeeper Ado at the Estadio Azteca, in Mexico City, after Brazil beat Italy 4-1 to win the World Cup, 21st June 1970. Pele scored the first goal in a game that ensured Brazil kept the Jules Rimet trophy
    Image: Pele celebrates winning the 1970 World Cup

    After retiring, Pele acted as an ambassador for football. In 2013, he was awarded the FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur in recognition of his career and achievements. In 2020, he was named in the Ballon d’Or Dream Team, a greatest of all-time XI.

    Neymar: King Pele is forever

    Neymar, Brazil’s joint-highest scorer in men’s international football alongside Pele, shared an emotional tribute to his idol following his passing.

    “‘Before Pelé, 10, was just a number’,” Neymar, who wears the No 10 for Brazil and also started his career with Santos, wrote in a post on Instagram.

    “I’ve read this phrase somewhere, at some point in my life. But this sentence, beautiful, is incomplete.

    “I would say before Pelé football was just a sport. Pelé has changed it all. He turned football into art, into entertainment.

    “He gave voice to the poor, to black people and especially: he gave visibility to Brazil. Soccer and Brazil have raised their status thanks to the King! He’s gone but his magic remains. Pelé is forever.”

    Martin Tyler: ‘In the football world Pele is immortal’

    Sky Sports football commentator Martin Tyler says Pele deserves to be remembered as the best player to have played the game.

    He said: “For me he is the greatest player of all time. One of my early jobs outside of television was to put the English voice on a VHS, as it was in those days, of his Brazil career and his 1,000 goals.

    “If I had any doubts about how good he was, that video proved it. It was a privilege to do that and pay tribute to a man who could do so much more than score goals.

    “He will always be remembered for the ability to score amazing goals in terrible conditions on bumpy pitches, when players had more license to use all means to stop him. He was irresistible.

    “Undoubtedly for me he will always be the greatest and in the football world he is immortal.”

    Source: SkySports

  • Brazil football legend Pele dies aged 82

    Brazilian football legend Pele has been reported dead.

    He died at the age of 82.

    The player, Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is arguably the best in the world is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.

    The only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Pele was named Fifa’s Player of the Century in 2000.

    He had been suffering with kidney and prostate problems in recent years.

    Pele had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon in September 2021 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, after the tumour was detected in routine tests.

    Source: Myjoyonline

  • Special Prosecutor welcomes reversal discount policy on imported vehicles, general goods

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor has welcomed the reversal of the discretionary discount on the Free on Board (FOB) value of goods and the home delivery value (HDV) of vehicles.

    The reversal takes effect on January 1, 2023.

    A statement issued by the Special Prosecutor on Thursday said the new policy effectively shuts all avenues for officers of the customs division to grant discretionary markdowns and removes opportunities for corruption and corruption-related activities.

    The move comes on the back of various investigations and interventions at the Customs Division by the Office of the Special Prosecutor following the OSP’s investigation report in respect of a complaint against Labianca Company Limited and the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority.

    A major finding of the investigation, which led to the recovery of GHC1,074,627.15, is that there appears to be an institutionalised culture of lighthearted unconcern regarding the impropriety of action at the Customs Division in respect of the grant of customs advance rulings and other rulings regarding the importation of goods – which indicates a high propensity to engender corruption and corruption-related activities.

    Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor in its statement further noted that the various investigations commenced at the customs division would still proceed nonetheless and the Office will monitor the implementation of the new policy.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Zimbabwe bans all lithium exports

    Zimbabwe has banned all lithium exports after the government said it was losing 1.7 billion euros from exporting it as a raw mineral and not processing it into batteries in-country.

    Lithium is so valuable as a component of electronic batteries – mostly for cars mobile phones and computers – that it’s known as “white gold.” The price has gone up by 1,100 percent in the past two years alone.

    Zimbabwe has the largest amount of the mineral in Africa and has enough of it to supply a fifth of the world’s needs, the government says. 

    Whilst it’s on track to become one of the world’s largest lithium exporters, the government says it should start its own battery industry rather than allow foreign companies to dominate battery production

    If it succeeds it will mark a sea change for Zimbabwe’s economy. 

    Like many other mineral-rich African states, it has allowed its raw minerals to be extracted by multinationals for decades without developing local industries that could process them, and create many jobs.

    The Zimbabwean Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said it would also clamp down on the artisanal miners digging up lithium and smuggling the mineral across borders.

  • Ukraine war: Civilians flee Kherson as Russian attacks intensify

    A person boards an evacuation train at Kherson station (18 December)
    Image caption, Authorities are encouraging residents to leave Kherson, which was liberated from Russian control in November

    Thirteen-year-old Nika Selivanova made a heart shape with both her hands, waving goodbye to her best friend Inna who was pressed up against the glass partition that divided the entrance hall of Kherson’s train station from the waiting area.

    Moments earlier, they’d hugged, tears welling up in their eyes. Inna had kissed Asia, a tan dachshund dog wrapped up in a warm blanket, carried by Nika in her arms.

    The girls didn’t know when they might see each other again.

    Nika’s family was leaving Kherson, not sure of where they would end up eventually. For now, they were heading to the western city of Khmelnytskyi, hoping they would get some help there.

    The past few days in Kherson had simply been too much for Nika’s mother ElenaUkraine war: Civilians flee Kherson as Russian attacks intensify.

    “Before, they [Russian forces] shelled us seven to 10 times a day, now it’s 70-80 times, all day long. It’s too scary.” Elena said. “I love Ukraine and my dear city. But we have to go.”

    Elena and her three daughters are among more than 400 people who have left Kherson since Christmas Day, after a sharp increase in the intensity of the bombardment of the city by the Russian military.

    On Tuesday, a hospital maternity ward was shelled. No-one was hurt but it has further escalated fear among people.

    Elena left by train, in an evacuation facilitated by the Ukrainian government.

    Cars evacuating Kherson on Christmas morning
    Image caption, These cars were driving out of Kherson on Christmas morning

    Hundreds of people are leaving on their own, a queue of cars building up at the checkpoint leading out of Kherson, filled with terrified civilians.

    Iryna Antonenko was in tears when we walked up to her car to speak to her.

    ‘We can’t take it anymore. The shelling is so intense. We stayed this whole time and thought it would pass and that we would be lucky. But a strike hit the house next to ours, and my father’s home was also shelled,” she said.

    She planned to travel to Kryvyi Rih, a city in central Ukraine where she has family.

    Cars burn on a street after a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack of Ukraine, in Kherson, Ukraine (December 24, 2022)
    Image caption, This image shows the aftermath of one of many strikes which hit Kherson on 24 December

    Just last month, there had been jubilant scenes in Kherson. Taken by Russian forces on the second day of the invasion, the city was liberated on 11 November.

    Close to the spot where masses had gathered waving Ukrainian flags to celebrate being freed from Russian control, a mortar attack on Christmas Eve left eleven dead, and dozens injured.

    Among the dead were a social worker, a butcher and a woman selling mobile Sim cards – ordinary people working at or visiting the city’s central market.

    That day, Kherson was hit by mortars 41 times, according to the Ukrainian government.

    The Russians are firing from the left (east) bank of the Dnipro river, where they withdrew to; the waterway has become a de facto frontline in the south of Ukraine.

    A map showing the areas of Ukraine held by Russia

    Kherson is a strategically important region, often called the gateway to Crimea. Many analysts say that Russia has now been forced into a defensive position here.

    It’s hard to see what it hopes to gain from the pounding of Kherson. In addition to mortar shells, we have also seen incendiary munitions being used – fiery sparks raining down on the city, intended to set fire to targets.

    It’s also unclear if the Ukrainian military is attempting to take back control of areas on the left bank of the river.

    Here in the city, there’s barely ever a break from the constant sound of mortar shell attacks.

    Serhii Breshun, 56, was killed when he was asleep. His home collapsed on him after a shell hit it.

    Serhii's mother holds his passport with his photo in
    Image caption, Serhii’s passport was retrieved from the ruins of his home

    The day after he died, we met his mother, 82-year-old Tamara, who had come to search for his passport in the rubble. She needed the document to get his body released from the morgue.

    “I must have had a sense that something would go wrong that day. Because I spoke to him [over the phone] and urged him to leave the house. He didn’t and that was it. Our lives have been ruined,” she wept.

    We’d barely finished talking to her, and there were more loud explosions.

    The elderly mother’s lone pursuit to give her son a dignified farewell is a dangerous one, because no part of Kherson is safe.

    Tamara (older woman and mother of Serhii) is seen in Kherson
    Image caption, Tamara, 82, must now bury her son

    Surviving here, whether out in a street or inside a home, is a matter of chance.

    Thirty-nine-year-old Red Cross volunteer Viktoria Yaryshko was killed in a mortar shell explosion just outside the organisation’s base in Kherson, a few feet away from safety.

    Her mother Liudmyla Berezhna showed us the medal of honour Viktoria was given.

    “I’m very happy she helped a lot of people. She was so kind. But it’s also painful for me. I must recover and raise her two children. I tell them they should be proud of their mother because she is a hero,” she said.

    Viktoria Yaryshko in her Red Cross uniform
    Image caption, Viktoria was a Red Cross volunteer and the mother of two children

    Viktoria had been living in the underground shelter of the Red Cross with her two children – 17-year-old Alyonushka and 12-year-old Sasha. They continue to live there, feeling comfort and protection amidst a group of volunteers who’ve become family.

    ‘When someone so close dies, it is difficult. But if we give up and stop, then her death would have been in vain. We work to make sure people live. Everything else is secondary,” said Dmitro Rakitskyi, Viktoria’s friend and another volunteer.

    But it’s hard to do that knowing your own family could be in danger every minute.

    When a few moments later, more bombs go off, Dmitro paces up and down trying to call his wife, tension visible on his face. He has two children.

    “They don’t want to leave. They worry about me, and I worry about them. That’s how we live,” he said.

    Red Cross volunteer Dmitro sits in his car, wearing protective gear
    Image caption, Dmitro, a friend of Viktoria’s, knows he and his family remain at risk in Kherson

    “What makes me most angry is that they [Russian forces] always hit civilian infrastructure. Houses, apartment blocks, boiler rooms. It’s impossible to understand the logic behind these attacks,” Dmitro said.

    “We almost never have power or water. It comes briefly sometimes and is gone again because of shelling. It’s very scary at night. We still have gas though, and are able to stay warm,” one resident, Larysa Revtova, said.

    Tens of thousands of civilians are still living in Kherson, but at least twice this week the regional administration has urged them to leave.

    It is a city haunted by relentless and indiscriminate attacks.

    Additional reporting by Imogen Anderson, Mariana Matveichuk, Daria Sipigina and Sanjay Ganguly.

  • Netanyahu’s hard-line new government takes office in Israel

    Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a special session of the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem on 29 December 2022
    Image caption, Benjamin Netanyahu said his administration would “restore governance, peace and personal security”

    The most religious and hard-line government in Israel’s history has been sworn in.

    Benjamin Netanyahu returns as prime minister, after his Likud party formed a coalition with ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies.

    There is domestic and international concern it will inflame the conflict with the Palestinians, damage the judiciary and restrict minority rights.

    Mr Netanyahu has promised to pursue peace and safeguard civil rights.

    Addressing a special session of the Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem before taking office, he stated that his administration would “restore governance, peace and personal security to the citizens of Israel”.

    “I hear the opposition’s constant laments about ‘the end of the state’, ‘the end of democracy’, members of the opposition, losing the elections is not the end of democracy – this is the essence of democracy.”

    Several hundred protesters gathered outside, waving Israeli flags, rainbow flags bearing the Star of David, and signs reading “shame”, “danger” and “down with racism”.

    Mor, a woman from Jerusalem, told the BBC: “I’m here because my country’s falling apart from its democratic values. I’m getting hurt as a woman and my friends are getting hurt as women, LGBTQ [people], Arabs.”

    People protest against Israel's new government outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on 29 December 2022
    Image caption, Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Knesset ahead of the swearing-in ceremony

    This is a record sixth term as prime minister for Mr Netanyahu, who was ousted by his opponents 18 months ago, but his coalition partners are pledging to lead the country in a new direction.

    They have promised to give parliament powers to overrule the Supreme Court, made anti-LGBTQ statements, and called for businesses to be allowed to refuse services to people based on religious grounds.

    The first guiding principle of the new government, published on Wednesday, declares that “the Jewish people have an exclusive and unquestionable right to all areas of the land of Israel”. It says that includes the occupied West Bank and promises to “advance and develop” settlements there.

    About 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.

    There are also some 100 outposts – small settlements built without the Israeli government’s authorisation – across the West Bank.

    In a coalition deal with the ultranationalist Religious Zionism party he signed last week, Mr Netanyahu agreed to retroactively legalise the outposts. He also promised to annex the West Bank while “choosing the timing and weighing all of the State of Israel’s national and international interests”. Such a step would be opposed by Israel’s Western and Arab allies.

    Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir (L) and Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich (R) attend a special session of the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem on 29 December 2022
    Image caption, Far-right politicians Itamar Ben-Gvir (L) Bezalel Smotrich (R) will hold key positions in the new government

    Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich, a West Bank settler, will be finance minister and also oversee the Civil Administration, which approves settlement building in the West Bank and controls important aspects of Palestinians’ lives.

    Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir, another settler and ultranationalist politician who has previously been convicted of racism and supporting a terrorist organisation, will be national security minister, responsible for the police.

    A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned on Thursday that the plans to develop West Bank settlements “constitute a dangerous escalation and will have repercussions for the region”.

    Mr Netanyahu’s coalition partners reject the idea of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict – the internationally backed formula for peace which envisages an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank alongside Israel, with Jerusalem as their shared capital.

    There have also been expressions of concern both inside and outside Israel about the very rigid views on the application of Jewish law and LGBTQ rights held by incoming ministers in the new government.

    Avi Maoz, head of the anti-LGBTQ Noam party, will serve as a deputy minister in the prime minister’s office. He has called for Jerusalem’s Gay Pride event to be banned, disapproves of equal opportunities for women in the military, and wants to limit immigration to Israel to Jews according to a strict interpretation of Jewish law.

    Activists, doctors and business leaders have meanwhile warned that discrimination against LGBTQ individuals could potentially be legalised if the anti-discrimination law is changed to allow private businesses to refuse to provide a service if doing so would violate the provider’s religious beliefs.

    Although the coalition deal between Likud and the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party calls for such an amendment, Mr Netanyahu has said he will block it and that his government will not allow any harm to the LGBTQ community. He has also chosen an openly gay member of Likud, Amir Ohana, to be parliamentary speaker.

    Critics have also expressed concern at the new government’s declared intention to alter the checks and balances of power, giving a parliamentary majority the ability to override Supreme Court rulings.

    Mr Netanyahu’s coalition partners have also proposed legal reforms that could end his ongoing trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing.

    Israeli LGBTQ activist Daniel Johnas protests outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on 29 December 2022
    Image caption, Daniel Johnas said he was concerned about future of life in Israel for himself, his husband and children

    At Thursday’s protest outside the Knesset, a woman from Tel Aviv, who did not want to give her name, said: “I refuse to accept what I feel is the possibility of the beginning of a fascist regime and I want to protect the rights of every citizen living in this country.”

    “The problem is that the prime minister is so anxious to stay in power that he will give anything to anyone,” she added.

    Daniel Johnas, an activist in the religious LGBTQ community, told the BBC that he was worried for the first time to go on the street with the rainbow flag. He also said he was concerned about future of life in Israel for himself, his husband and children.

    In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal on Monday, Mr Smotrich defended his party and its coalition partners.

    “They say I am a right-wing extremist and that our bloc will usher in a ‘halachic state’ in which Jewish law governs,” he wrote. “In reality, we seek to strengthen every citizen’s freedoms and the country’s democratic institutions, bringing Israel more closely in line with the liberal American model.”

    Source: BBC

  • W/R: Soldiers brutalize masquerader in Takoradi

    Some soldiers on guard at the Bank of Ghana (BoG) premises in Takoradi, in the Western Region on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, allegedly brutalized some innocent members of a masquerade group who were parading through the streets of the metropolis.

    Narrating the incident to Empire News’ Kwame Malcolm, the victim, Roberta Monkah said she has been left with wounds under her right eye following the assault.

    “We were in a procession and someone lighted firecrackers and rushed back to my fiancé and I. Out of nowhere three soldiers from the Bank of Ghana approached us and started assaulting my fiancé. So it was there I told them that he is not the one who lit it. But out of nowhere a soldier from behind kicked me and I fell and he hit my lower eye with the butt of his gun leaving blood gushing out,” she narrated.

    She was thus taken to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Hospital in Takoradi for medical attention.

    She however added that upon lodging a complaint at the Takoradi Central Police station, she was asked to bring a doctor’s report which she’s yet to obtain at a cost of GHc500.

    The Christmas period in the Sekondi Takoradi metropolis is marked by various masquerade groups parading and dancing to brass band music on the streets of the metropolis.

  • Petrol, diesel prices to sell at GHC9.50 and GHC11.60 in the coming days- IES

    Petrol and diesel prices are set to sell at GHC9.50 and GHC11.60 respectively in the coming days, the Institute of Energy Security (IES) has predicted.

    This comes on the back of the 5.28% and 5.09% fall in the prices of Gasoline and LPG respectively and the 26.51% appreciation of the cedi against the US dollar in the second pricing window of December 2022.

    The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has, therefore, predicted that the domestic Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are set to reduce their prices significantly in the first week of 2023, with some selling at single digits.

    In a statement on Thursday (29 December), the IES said: “Despite the marginal rise in the price of Gasoil on the international market, the Ghana Cedi’s appreciation against the dollar will force prices down locally.”

    “Prices are set to reach GHC9.50 and GHC11.60 per litre for Gasoline and Gasoil respectively, and GHC9 per kilogram for LPG in the coming days,” the statement added.

  • Covid in China: People rush to book travel as borders finally reopen

    A person is pictured wearing a mask in front of a passenger airplane landing in Beijing, China

    Chinese people have rushed to book overseas travel after Beijing announced it would reopen its borders next month.

    Passport applications for Chinese citizens wishing to travel internationally will resume from 8 January, the immigration administration said.

    It follows an announcement on Monday that ended almost three years of strict quarantine rules for arrivals.

    Travel sites have since reported a spike in traffic.

    But Chinese tourists will not have unfettered access to all countries.

    Officials in the US are considering new restrictions on travellers from China due to concerns about a surge in cases and a lack of transparency from the Chinese government.

    “There are mounting concerns in the international community on the ongoing Covid-19 surges in China and the lack of transparent data, including viral genomic sequence data,” US officials said in a statement quoted by news agencies.

    “Without this data, it is becoming increasingly difficult for public health officials to ensure that they will be able to identify any potential new variants and take prompt measures to reduce the spread.”

    Japan – one of the most popular destinations for Chinese travellers – has announced that all travellers from China must show a negative Covid test on arrival, or quarantine for seven days, because of the surge in cases there.

    India has also said travellers from China (as well as some other countries) must show a negative Covid test when they arrive – though this was announced before Beijing’s easing of restrictions.

    The easing of travel rules in China – the last part of the country’s zero-Covid policy – comes as the country battles a new wave of infections.

    Resentment against the government’s policy – which sparked rare public protests against President Xi Jinping in November – led to a relaxation of Covid restrictions across the country.

    But an increase in Covid cases followed, with reports of hospitals overwhelmed and a shortage of drugs.

    The announcement on outbound travel on Tuesday came after Monday’s news, which axed quarantine rules for travellers arriving in China. It also scrapped a cap on the daily number of flights.

    On the same day, the National Health Commission announced that Covid would be formally downgraded to a Class B infectious disease on 8 January.

    Before the relaxation of travel rules, people were strongly discouraged from travelling abroad. The sale of outbound group and package travel was banned, according to marketing solutions company Dragon Trail International.

    Within half an hour of Monday’s notice that China’s borders would reopen, data from travel site Trip.com – cited in Chinese media – showed searches for popular destinations had increased ten-fold year-on-year.

    Macau, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and South Korea were the most popular destinations.

    Travellers walk with their luggage at Beijing Capital International Airport

    In addition, Chinese travel agency Qunar saw flight enquiries on its website increase seven-fold within the first 15 minutes after the announcement, the China Daily reports.

    Before the pandemic, the number of outbound tourists from China stood at 155 million in 2019, according to Statista. This number dropped to 20 million in 2020.

    This year, some people in China will hope to visit family and loved ones during Chinese New Year, which begins on 22 January.

    But inside China, there has been a mixed reaction.

    “I’m happy about it but also speechless. If we’re doing this [reopening] anyway – why did I have to suffer all the daily Covid tests and lockdowns this year?” said Rachel Liu, who lives in Shanghai.

    She said she had endured three months of lockdown in April – but nearly everyone in her family had become infected in recent weeks.

    She said her parents, grandparents and partner – living across three different cities in Xi’an, Shanghai and Hangzhou – had all come down with fever last week.

    Many have also expressed concern online about borders reopening as Covid cases peak.

    “Why can’t we wait until this wave passes to open up? The medical workers are already worn out, and old people won’t survive two infections in one month,” read one top-liked comment on Weibo.

    People in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which experience chilly temperatures in the winter, say they’re running out of flu and cold medicine.

    It’s feared that hundreds of deaths may be going unreported as crematoriums are overwhelmed.

    In the capital, Beijing, authorities say they are planning to distribute the Pfizer tablets, Paxlovid, in order to try to reduce the severity of infections. But health centres contacted by The Global Times on Monday said the drug had yet to be delivered.

    On Monday, President Xi issued his first remarks on the changes, calling on officials to do what was “feasible” to save lives.

    China’s about-turn has put Mr Xi in a tough spot. He was the driving force behind zero-Covid, which many blamed for restricting people’s lives excessively and crippling the economy.

    But having abandoned it, analysts say he now has to take responsibility for the huge wave of infections and hospital admissions. Many have questioned why the country was not better prepared.

  • GBC face-lift: Changing the Look and Feel

    Any visitor to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) would have noticed a massive transformation in the road infrastructure on its premises.

    Right from the entrance, the road has been asphalted, and the incidence of potholes is now a thing of the past.

    The appropriate road markings are visibly displayed, and the parking looks beautifully laid out.

    Unlike in the past, the pathways leading to the various departments have been neatly paved, and the area across each pathway is adorned with a thick carpet of lush grass.

    The various departments mostly harbour tall buildings, which are now enveloped in brightly coloured green and yellow paintings, making the entire compound a beautiful sight to behold.

    The facelift was courtesy of the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Amoako Attah.

    The GBC internal road project commenced in 2021 as part of the Ministry’s initiative of constructing internal roads of all government institutions.

    In December, 2022, the Contractor completed the final phase of the project.

    The Director General of GBC, Professor Amin Alhassan, expressed his profound gratitude to the Minister, Mr. Amoako Atta
     in his Christmas message.

    “On this occasion, I want to make a special mention of the Honourable Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Amoako Attah for believing in GBC and helping our compound look great” he said.

    GBC and Ghana Highways have since established a collaborative relationship, culminating in the organization of a festival of Nine Lesson and Carols at the Tarmac of the Ghana Highways Authority on Thursday, December 21, 2022.

    At the joint programme, Professor Amin Alhassan reiterated his heartfelt appreciation for the completion of the facelift project.

    “For us at GBC, we want to use this occasion to express our profound gratitude to the president of the Republic, the vice president and indeed the government for the support that has been extended to GBC during the year through the Ministry of Roads and Highways” he said.

  • Covid in China: US imposes Covid testing for visitors from China

    Travellers at Beijing Capital International Airport
    Image caption, China is starting to reopen borders after three years

    The US has become the latest country to impose Covid testing on visitors from China, after Beijing announced it would reopen borders next week.

    Italy, Japan, Taiwan and India also announced mandatory tests, but Australia and UK said there were no new rules for travellers from China.

    After three years of being closed to the world, China will let people travel more freely from 8 January.

    But the country’s ongoing Covid surge has sparked wariness.

    China is reporting about 5,000 cases a day, but analysts say such numbers are vastly undercounted – and the daily case load may be closer to a million. Hospitals are overwhelmed and residents are struggling to find basic medicines, according to reports.

    On Wednesday, the US said a lack of “adequate and transparent” Covid data in China had contributed to the decision to require Covid tests from 5 January for travellers entering the country from China, Hong Kong and Macau.

    The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this was needed “to help slow the spread of the virus as we work to identify… any potential new variants that may emerge”.

    But Beijing’s foreign ministry on Wednesday had said coronavirus rules should only be instated on a “scientific” basis and accused Western countries and media of “hyping up” the situation.

    Some people reacted angrily on China’s censored social media.

    “I thought all of the foreign countries had opened up. Isn’t this racism?” read one comment that was liked 3,000 times on Weibo. The US has said testing is required of anyone coming from China, or via a third country, regardless of nationality.

    But others said they understood the reason for the conditions: “This is nothing compared to all the restrictions we had for people coming into China,” one user wrote.

    Beijing only announced on Monday its decision to end quarantine for arrivals – effectively reopening travel in and out of the country for the first time since March 2020. Until this week, anyone entering China had to undergo quarantine in state facilities.

    Before the pandemic, China had been the world’s largest outbound tourism market. But it’s unclear how many Chinese people will travel abroad after 8 January given that the number of flights are limited, and many citizens need to renew their passports.

    The international community’s reaction has varied with the UK and Australia saying they were monitoring China’s Covid situation but were not planning on announcing new testing requirements.

    Others have moved swiftly to announce restrictions:

    • In Japan, from Friday, travellers from China will be tested for Covid upon arrival. Those who test positive will have to quarantine for up to seven days. The number of flights to and from China will also be restricted
    • In India, people travelling from China and four other Asian countries must produce a negative Covid test before arriving. Positive passengers will also be put in quarantine
    • Taiwan says people arriving on flights from China, as well as by boat at two islands, will have to take Covid tests on arrival from 1 January to 31 January. Those who test positive will be able to isolate at home
    • Meanwhile Malaysia has put additional tracking and surveillance measures in place
    • Italy has also imposed mandatory Covid testing on travellers from China

    The European Commission said its health security committee would convene on Thursday to discuss “possible measures for a coordinated EU approach” to China’s Covid surge.

    But Italy, an EU member state and an epicentre of the virus in late 2019 and 2020, said it was moving first to “ensure the surveillance and identification” of any new variants of the virus.

    Flights arriving in Milan this week were already testing passengers from China. Authorities found 52% of passengers were infected with Covid on one flight that landed on 26 December.

    Initial tests of Covid-positive travellers arriving from China showed that 15 of them had Omicron variants that were already present in Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said. She described the news as quite reassuring.

    Italy is one of 26 European countries in the border-free Schengen zone and Ms Meloni is calling for EU-wide testing of Chinese passengers, arguing that Italy’s own measures might otherwise be ineffective.

    China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that “currently the development of China’s epidemic situation is overall predictable and under control”.

    However, the true toll of daily cases and deaths in China is unknown as officials have stopped requiring cases to be reported, and changed classifications for Covid deaths. On Sunday, officials said they would also stop releasing daily case counts.

    “The infection surge in China is on expected lines,” Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, an Indian epidemiologist and health systems specialist told the BBC in a recent interview.

    “If you have a susceptible population that is not exposed to the virus, cases will rise. Nothing has changed for the rest of the world.”

    China’s decision to reopen its borders marks the end of the country’s controversial zero-Covid policy, which President Xi Jinping had personally endorsed.

    Even as the rest of the world transitioned to living with the virus, Beijing insisted on an eradication policy involving mass testing and stringent lockdowns.

    The economy took a hit and people grew both exhausted and angry – in November, the frustration spilled onto the streets in rare protests against Mr Xi and his government. Week later, Beijing began to roll back the restrictions.

    Source: BBC

  • Budget-friendly interior decor ideas you can explore this Christmas

    Decorating your space and making your house feel like home, both to you, your family, or your friends may seem like a daunting task but actually, it may not.

    Many-a-times there is the perception that interior décor is expensive, a statement that can be either true or false, depending on where you sit and how you look at it.

    First of all, every individual has a taste, and depending on that taste, they may decide to go for a décor method that highlights that.

    However, there are some general rules and principles that must be applied to achieve a perfect look. This article seeks to highlight a few ideas that can be employed on a low budget.

    In that light, it is also important to note that achieving a classy look does not mean it should be expensive.



    Here are 7 tips to follow.

    1. Carefully take note of the size of your space

    The size of your space, i.e., home, office, shop, etc is a very important tip to note because space plays a major role in what décor pieces and furniture you can choose.



    2. Ensure your space has enough light

    Lighting plays a fundamental role in every space that you find yourself in. How bright or dim, a place is can be very crucial to its ability to look beautiful.

    Poor lighting can affect the beauty of your space, no matter how expensive your décor is. Investing in lighting does not mean one should break the bank to buy chandeliers and other fancy lights. Getting a stylish light bulb or an inbuilt light can help save some coins.

    Also, you must ensure that the lights are placed in places where the brightness can get to almost every part of the room.

    3. Using mirrors

    Mirrors are able to multiply light in your room and apartment while giving the items a duplicated view. Mirrors make your room sparkle and make your space look great.



    4. Choosing a theme

    Choosing a theme and ensuring that it runs through in your home or space will give off a cool and classy vibe when all is set and done. Some people love one colour type of theme while others prefer to blend colours. Now, the colours you choose may not be a problem, it will only be a problem if they are not arranged in a certain sequence.



    5. Don’t overcrowd your space

    As much as it depends on you, make a conscious effort to hide small pieces of items, such as hairbrushes, combs, plates and bowls, cutlery, worn clothes, etc. Leaving these items unattended can make your space look clumsy, no matter how expensive your décor is.



    6. Paint regularly/Take good care of your walls

    It may be quite inconvenient and difficult to paint your space regularly, therefore, it is important to take good care of your walls and protect them from hands, cobwebs, and foreign agents. Dirty walls defeat the whole purpose of a good-looking space.

    7. After all these are done, just go easy, you don’t have to do much. You don’t have to spend so much. Buy only the essential items you may need and keep it simple and classy.

  • The ‘original’ names of three prominent Ghanaian chiefs and the schools they attended

    Togbe Afede XIV

    Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of Asogli Traditional Area was given the name James Akpo at birth. He was born on 23 April 1957. He is a twin whose twin brother Philip died at an early age.

    The great chief was born to Corporal Patrick Akpo and Madam Rose Anyawoe in who in the Volta region.

    Togbe Afede XIV is a product of Labone Secondary School in Accra where he excelled in the GCE “A” Level examination in 1976.

    He however began his education at Ho Bankoe Roman Catholic Boys School in 1961 and then entered Kpedze Secondary School in 1969, successfully completing his GCE “O” Level in 1974.

    Togbe Afede XIV is an alumnus of University of Ghana where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration qualification in Accounting in 1979. He also holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management in 1989.



    Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II

    Born Nana Barima Kwaku Duah on 6th May 1950, he rose to become the 16th Asantehene, when he was enstooled on 26 April 1999 and took the kingly title Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    He is the third son and youngest of the five children (three sons and two daughters) of Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, Asantehemaa (Queen-mother of the Ashanti) and his father Nana Kwame Boakye-Dankwa, who was from Kantinkyere in Ashanti and was also the Brehyia Duke of Asante. Nana Kwame Boakye-Dankwa died on 1st January 2002, in Kumasi, Ashanti.

    Otumfuo is a product of the Sefwi Wiaso Secondary School where he obtained his ‘O’ Level and was taught by the late Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso, Nana Kwadwo Aduhene II who was a cousin of Otumfuo’s guardian uncle, Oheneba Mensah Bonsu, Hiahene.

    He also attended the Osei Kyeretwie Secondary School (OKESS). He studied accountancy studies at the erstwhile Institute of Professional Studies, which is today known as University of Professional Studies in Accra.

    He then enrolled at the Polytechnic of North London (now London Metropolitan University), where he earned the Diploma in Management and Administration. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university at a ceremony at the Barbican Centre on 11 January 2006.

    Okyenhene Amoatia Ofori Panin

    The current Okyenhene Amoatia Ofori Panin had his secondary education at the Abuakwa State College in the Eastern Region. He was born on the 10th October, 1952 as Odehyie Kwame Boakye Ofori Atta to Nana Yaw Boakye and Odehye Abena Akoto into the Asona clan in ER.

    He ascended the throne on October 4th, 1999, after the passing of his predecessor.

    Okyenhene Amoatia Ofori Panin also attended the Oxford University in UK, where he studied Political science and administration.

    He is the 35th King to have ascended the throne referred to as the Ofori Panin Stool.

  • Russia fires dozens of missiles at Ukrainian cities

    An air defence missile moves to intercept a rocket over Kyiv
    Image caption, An air defence missile moves to intercept a Russian rocket over Kyiv

    Cities across Ukraine have been targeted by a wave of Russian missile strikes, in one of the largest bombardments since the war began.

    At least three people – including a 14-year-old girl – were taken to hospital after explosions hit the capital Kyiv, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said.

    Blasts were also heard in the cities of Kharkiv, Odesa, Lviv and Zhytomyr.

    Ukraine’s military said 69 missiles were launched, with air defences intercepting 54 of them.

    Earlier, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said more than 120 missiles had been launched at civilian infrastructure.

    The air raid lasted for close to five hours and the regional leader of the southern province of Odesa, Maksym Marchenko, spoke of a “massive missile attack on Ukraine”.

    The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia attacked the country from “various directions with air and sea-based cruise missiles“. It added that a number of Kamikaze drones had also been used.

    Brig Gen Oleksiy Hromov said in an operational update that the strikes had been targeted at energy infrastructure across the entire country.

    Rescue teams examine a damaged home in the Kyiv region
    Image caption, Rescue teams examine a damaged home in the Kyiv region

    Two homes in Kyiv were damaged by debris from intercepted missiles, according to the city military administration. Mr Klitschko said 16 missiles were destroyed over the city by air defences.

    In the southern region of Mykolaiv, Governor Vitaly Kim wrote that five missiles were intercepted by air defences, while Mayor Andriy Sadovy said several explosions had been reported in the western city of Lviv.

    In the Odesa region Mr Marchenko said 21 missiles were shot down by the Ukrainian military. He added that missile fragments had hit a residential building but no casualties were reported.

    And in a village in the western region of Ivano-Frankivsk, a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky said a missile had crashed into a resident’s home but did not explode. The BBC cannot independently verify the report.

    Mr Podolyak said the strikes were “evil” and accused Moscow of seeking “to destroy critical infrastructure and kill civilians en masse”.

    A missile that flew into a civilian home in Western Ukraine
    Image caption, This unexploded missile struck a house in the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk, according to presidential official Kyrylo Tymoshenko

    Dozens of Russian attacks have pounded Ukraine in recent weeks, causing repeated power cuts across the country. Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said the latest strikes had damaged power generating facilities and said the situation was “difficult” in the Odesa and Kyiv regions.

    The mayor of Lviv said on Thursday that 90% of his city was without power, while Mr Klitschko said that 40% of Kyiv had been left without power.

    Power cuts were also reported in the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

    Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Military Administration in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, said missiles fired at his city had been launched from Russian “ships and planes from the Black Sea”. Power in the city had been switched off as a “precaution”, he added.

    Ukraine’s southern command had already issued a warning that Russian forces were preparing to launch up to 20 missiles from positions in the Black Sea.

    Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians in its missile strikes. However, President Vladimir Putin has recently admitted that Russian troops have been hitting Ukraine’s critical energy facilities.

    The admission followed allegations from some international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, that targeting energy facilities could amount to a war crime.

    In one barrage earlier this month, Ukraine said it shot down 60 of more than 70 missiles fired by Russian forces.

    The government in Kyiv has pleaded with Western leaders to provide it with additional air defences, and US President Joe Biden recently agreed to supply its Patriot system.

    Thursday’s attack came just hours after the Kremlin rejected Ukraine’s suggestion that peace talks could begin in 2023.

    The UK’s ambassador in Kyiv, Melinda Simmons, wrote on Twitter that the attacks proved “Russia does not want peace with Ukraine. Russia wants the subjugation of Ukraine”.

    And Maia Sandu, president of neighbouring Moldova, condemned the strikes as “barbaric, unprovoked acts designed to bring about destruction and death”.

    Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told the BBC that Russia would continue to launch attacks on civilian infrastructure for as long as it could.

    “Continuing that thought, can they do this long?” he asked, “No, because there are not many missiles left.

    “The defence industry is incapable of producing enough to provide that many missile strikes. This is another reason why they are now trying to find missile weapons in other countries of the world.”

    Earlier this month, a senior US official told the Reuters news agency that Moscow had been forced to use decades-old ammunition with high failure rates in recent weeks.

    And the UK’s ambassador to the UN said Russia was attempting to obtain more weapons from Iran, including hundreds of ballistic missiles.

    Dame Barbara Woodward said the UK was also “almost certain that Russia is seeking to source weaponry from North Korea [and] other heavily sanctioned states, as their own stocks palpably dwindle”.

    Map showing areas of Russian control in Ukraine

  • Energy giant ExxonMobil sues EU to block energy windfall tax

    Exxon logo

    US energy giant ExxonMobil is suing the European Union (EU) in a bid to stop its new windfall tax on oil firms.

    A windfall tax is imposed on firms that benefited from something they were not responsible for.

    Energy firms are getting much more money for their oil and gas, partly due to supply concerns after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    But Exxon has accused Brussels of exceeding its legal authority, calling the measure “counter-productive”.

    ExxonMobil reported a quarterly profit of almost $20 billion (£17.3 billion) in October.

    The company, along with other major players in the oil and gas sector, has argued that a crackdown, however, would discourage investment.

    In September, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced an emergency plan for major oil, gas and coal companies to pay a “crisis contribution” on their increased 2022 profits.

    A 33% tax on this year’s profits was announced – those profits were more than 20% higher than the average for the three previous years.

    Exxon has also argued that the levy undermines investor confidence, in a challenge filed at the EU’s Luxembourg-based General Court.

    “Whether we invest here primarily depends on how attractive and globally competitive Europe will be,” Exxon spokesperson Casey Norton told the Reuters news agency.

    In an investor meeting earlier this month, ExxonMobil’s chief financial officer estimated that the EU tax would cost the group “over $2 billion”.

    The European Commission said it “takes note” of Exxon’s lawsuit.

    In a statement on Thursday, its spokeswoman said it would now be up to the General Court to rule on the case.

    “The Commission maintains that the measures in question are fully compliant with EU law,” Arianna Podesta said in a statement.

    The EU is largely trying to wean itself off Russian energy in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, but that has left it scrambling for alternative sources.

    EU ministers estimate that they can raise €140bn (£123bn) from the levies on non-gas electricity producers and suppliers that are making larger-than-usual profits from current levels of demand.

  • Michael Nfodzo becomes the new president of GISPA

    Michael Komla Kumah Nfodzo has been appointed as the next president of the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA).

    Ing Richard Densu of MTN, who oversaw the association for two terms in a row, is succeeded by Mr. Nfodzo.

    Members of the association and other participants in the internet business attended the ceremony, which was held in Accra.

    Mr Nfodzo was elected together with four others; Daniel Kofi Ansa Akufo of INET Communications, Isaac Teye Ayiku of Dolphin Telecom, Peter David Kotoko of Dimension Data, and Emmanuel Kwarteng of MainOne to constitute the GISPA governing board for the next two years.

    In his address after the oath of office, Mr Nfordzo appreciated members of the association for the honour to lead in the capacity as the President and Chairman.

    He pledged his commitment to the members and the constitution of the association while also calling on all members to give the desired support in executing the mandate.

    He indicated that although the erstwhile leadership has chalked several successes, there is still much more to achieve going into the future. Key among them is to become a thought leader on key national policy dialogue relating to the internet service industry in Ghana.

    “We have achieved a lot together in the past years, but we must look to the future again for more successes and deliver collectively on the heavy mantle handed to us. There are several calls for GISPA to lead conversations with policymakers around reducing the cost of doing business; there is also the need to contribute to National Industry dialogues and etch our association as an indispensable stakeholder. These will be our key focus even as we continue collaborating with the government, stakeholders and other policymakers to create the required environment for more value for all GISPA members,” Mr Nfodzo said.

    The outgoing President, Ing Richard Densu, recounted the hard work and dedication that went into rebuilding the association and admonished members to uphold the tenets of the industry and work towards making their work as internet service providers more impactful.

    said although COVID-19 impacted the business sustainability of members, it also provided valuable lessons on ways to innovate and improve with disruptive technologies.

    Ing. Densu also urged the new board to expand the annual Ghana Internet Conference to attract more sponsors, stakeholders and partners, increasing the association’s recognition in the industry.

    He also called for the retooling of the research desk to function efficiently, as it will constitute a critical area of growth for the association in the coming years.

    GISPA is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of local ISPs and other internet providers.

    The association aims to lobby the government and regulatory bodies to grow the internet in the region and make it easier for the community to access effective communications services.