Six people from Ghana, including three soldiers, have been given the punishment of death by hanging for their part in planning a takeover of the government three years ago.
This was the first time someone was tried for treason in Ghana since 1966 when the leader of the country after gaining independence, Kwame Nkrumah, was removed from power.
Six people were taken into custody in 2021 for trying out weapons in the capital city of Accra. It’s believed they were planning to overthrow the government.
The group, which had a gun maker, said they were not guilty during a trial that caught the nation’s attention.
The lawyers for the defense said they will ask a higher court to review the decision.
Three more people, including a high-ranking police officer and two military officers, were found not guilty.
A lot of police were outside the High Court in Accra when the decision was made on Wednesday.
The court decided that the six people were guilty of trying to betray their country and planning to betray their country.
The men were caught with guns made nearby, homemade bombs, and AK-47 rifles, according to papers from the court.
The prosecutors said the group wanted to arrange protests to try to overthrow President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government before the 2020 elections.
The court said it found strong evidence against the men, such as intercepted messages and testimonies.
Lawyer Godfred Yeboah Dame, who was in charge of the case, said that the court’s decision is very important.
MrDame said that the constitution of Ghana is the most important law in the country. It keeps the country stable. It is very serious and not allowed to try to remove the government. This is called treason and it is punished by death.
Ghana did not execute anyone from 1992 when they had democracy.
Lawmakers decided to get rid of the death penalty for regular crimes last year. Instead, they chose to give people a life sentence.
Author: Chris Kodo
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Ghana coup plot: Six soldiers have been sentenced to death by hanging
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Police in Spain apprehend group of suspected former military thieves
The Spanish police caught a group of former soldiers from Eastern Europe who were stealing from fancy houses in the southern Málaga province.
Six people got arrested on Wednesday. One of them is believed to be the leader from Albania. A collection of jewelry, watches, money and weapons was discovered.
The gang is accused of stealing from 71 fancy homes and businesses, mostly in Marbella.
The police say the suspects were very good at stealing and breaking into places.
The police say that the people knew a lot about military tactics and were careful about their personal safety and watching for anyone who might be watching them while they walked or drove around. They would change their route or stop suddenly to avoid being followed.
“They were also taught how to enter any kind of building, no matter how tall the walls or fences were, and to move fast and get the job done well,” it says.
The person who is thought to be in charge is believed to have been involved in all of the robberies, and always had a gun with them. The police said he is very good at getting on boats and watching out for people spying on him.
The gang also went after houses in the city of Málaga, as well as in the towns of Estepona and Torremolinos.
In at least four of the robberies, the police said that the robbers used physical force.
The police caught the suspects with the help of a nearby business owner.
We don’t know the nationalities of the other five alleged gangsters. -
2024 Hajj Pilgrimage fee set at GH75K
Ghanaians aspiring to embark on the 2024 Hajj Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia will be required to pay a fee of GHS75,000, according to an announcement made by the chairman of the board, Ben Abdallah Banda, during a news conference at the Hajj Village in Accra.
Over 4,000 Ghanaians are expected to participate in this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, maintaining the same fare as the previous year. The decision to maintain the cost was emphasized last year, regardless of potential fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Cedi and the dollar.
Chairman Ben Abdallah Banda reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and organized exercise for all participants. He assured prospective pilgrims that any discrepancies in the cost estimation would not be transferred to them, and the board is dedicated to upholding the promise made during the previous year’s announcement.
The deadline for payment is set for mid-March 2024, taking into account the timeline for various activities such as the submission of passports, visa issuance, and the preparation of flight schedules.
“When the package was announced last year, we did say that we would maintain the same cost irrespective of whether the Cedi loses its value against the dollar or not. Today, we are happy to announce that we are making good on our promise. The gaps that have obviously cropped up in costing the package will not be borne by the pilgrims,” stated Chairman Abdallah Banda.
This announcement comes as the Hajj Board aims to facilitate a smooth and efficient process for Ghanaian citizens participating in the sacred pilgrimage. The decision to maintain the previous year’s fare reflects the board’s dedication to providing accessibility and stability for those embarking on this significant religious journey.
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Land grabbin: Bestlink Ventures ‘fights’ Nii Okpe family’s land registration
Bestlink Ventures Limited, represented by its solicitors, has filed a petition with the Lands Commission to contest the registration of land in favor of Nii Okpe Family.
In a letter addressed to the Regional Lands Officer, the company seeks the cancellation of Certificate Number TD 21159 issued to Nii Okpe Family, citing errors in the registration process.
Bestlink Ventures Limited asserts ownership of a parcel of land situated at East Oyibi, measuring approximately 176.187 acres, which it purchased from the late Kwesi Ofosu Aduo of Accra.
The company submitted a land title application in 2015, which has remained in abeyance for five years without apparent cause.
According to the solicitors, a recent letter from the Lands Registration Division dated June 5, 2023, informed Bestlink Ventures that its land is now affected by a Land Certificate issued to Nii Okpe Family with Certificate No. TD. 21159, Volume 020, and Folio 208. The company contends that the entire parcel is covered by a transaction documented at the Public and Vested Land Management Division, with evidence dating back to 1990.
The petition questions the legitimacy of the registration of Nii Okpe Family, alleging errors such as the inclusion of a statutory declaration dated February 28, 1994, which was already accounted for in a prior lease. The solicitors argue that Bestlink Ventures and its grantor were not parties in the case that led to the judgment in favor of Nii Ashitey Saasabi in 2015.
Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution, cited in the petition, emphasizes the need for administrative bodies to act fairly and reasonably, with individuals having the right to seek redress in court or tribunal if aggrieved. Article 296 further outlines the principles guiding discretionary powers, emphasizing fairness, non-arbitrariness, and compliance with due process.
Bestlink Ventures, therefore, requests a thorough investigation into the application processes of both parties, urging the Lands Commission to cancel the Land Certificate issued to Nii Okpe Family. The company asserts that the issuance was an error and looks forward to the commission’s cooperation in resolving the land ownership dispute.
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Tragic accident claims life of Police Constable on Kwahu-Omanpe road; 3 others injured
A Police Constable stationed at the Enchi District Police Command lost his life in a fatal accident on the Kwahu-Omanpe Road in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region. The deceased officer, identified as Prince Amoah, was involved in the incident that occurred on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, between 12:00 and 13:00 hours.
Prince Amoah’s body has been deposited at the Agyapa funeral home for autopsy and preservation. Three other personnel who were traveling with him survived the accident but are currently receiving treatment at the Samartex hospital in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality.
According to reports gathered by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the police personnel were on their way to carry out their daily routine patrol duty in the Aowin Municipality. They were aboard a vehicle with registration number GP 2694 when the tragic incident occurred.
The vehicle, reportedly traveling on the Kwahu-Omanpe Road, veered off a wooden bridge and landed in a ditch. The accident took place between Kwahu-Omanpe, leading to the unfortunate demise of Prince Amoah. Witnesses in the vicinity immediately responded to the incident, rescuing the victims and rushing them to the Samartex hospital for urgent medical attention.
Despite the efforts made, Constable Prince Amoah could not be saved and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The surviving personnel are currently undergoing treatment as the community grapples with the shock of the tragic event.
The Ghana Police have initiated investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident, aiming to determine the cause and contributing factors. The incident underscores the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty and serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those dedicated to ensuring public safety.
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New Hampshire primary: Haley continues to fight, but this is now Trump’s party
Donald Trump won in New Hampshire. He beat Nikki Haley to become the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
He won, so he will probably get nominated. Even though Ms. Haley is still running, the former president is annoyed by that.
“She is doing. ” OR “She is working on. ” “He said his rival gave a confident speech, even though he had promised to stay in the race earlier in the evening. ” “She lost” She didn’t win.
A second match in the November election is likely with President Joe Biden, who is expected to be the Democratic candidate.
Even though Mr. Trump didn’t win by as much as expected in New Hampshire, it should still help him stay ahead in the race.
He won by a lot in the first contest in Iowa. The states in the upcoming Republican primary elections are more likely to support him than New Hampshire. This means he is likely to win more states and secure the nomination.
With every vote, the truth becomes more and more obvious. For many months, polls have shown that the Republican Party still belongs to Donald Trump.
His followers always support him, even when he faces legal or political problems. His type of conservative populism matches what his party’s voters like, and he cares about things like immigration, crime, and energy, just like they do.
It might not stop Ms Haley right now, but the truth is that New Hampshire was her best chance to slow down Mr Trump’s progress towards becoming the Republican presidential nominee.
She spent a lot of money here and had the support of the state’s popular Republican governor. But, even though New Hampshire has a lot of independent voters and college graduates, she still didn’t win.
Ms Haley is now getting ready for the primary election in her home state of South Carolina next month. But she needs to keep getting money for her campaign to reach her goal.
She finished better than expected, but that doesn’t mean she will definitely win. It’s harder for her to win the nomination now because Donald Trump is leading in many of the states left to vote.
If she does manage to stay above water, she may not get a very welcoming reception. Trump has the support of many important Republicans in South Carolina, and he is winning by a lot in the polls. The former president made sure to mention this in his speech on Tuesday night.
“We’re going to South Carolina and I’m pretty sure we will win easily,” he told the excited crowd in Nashua.
Ms Haley would be embarrassed to end her relatively successful campaign with a big loss in the place she used to be known for. She might be able to avoid it, but she has a month to try and change her fate.
Even if Ms Haley decides to quit soon, the New Hampshire election results might worry Mr. Trump’s team
A study by Fox News found that 32% of people who voted in the Republican primary would not vote for the nominee in the general election if he wins. Only 49% of people said they would think of themselves as a supporter of the political campaign called Make America Great Again.
A survey from CBS shows who supports Mr. Trump, but it also shows the things it can’t tell us. Most voters who said they were “very conservative” liked the former president and voted for him. He got the vote from 66% of people who didn’t go to college and also from evangelical Christians by a similar amount.
He got support from only 23% of moderates and 39% of college graduates, who he needs to convince in order to win against President Biden.
And after the results from Tuesday night, it looks like a rematch of the 2020 presidential election is more likely. But many Americans don’t want that to happen, according to polls. -
Aircraft carrying employees of Rio Tinto to diamond mine in Canada crashes
A plane taking workers to a diamond mine in Canada crashed right after taking off, and many people died.
Authorities said the little Jetstream airplane was flying to the company’s Diavik mine and some people on the plane were workers.
“We are very upset by this news,” said Jakob Stausholm, the CEO of Rio Tinto, in a statement.
The company is helping the authorities with their investigation.
The coroner’s office in the Northwest Territories said that several people died in the crash on Tuesday. They haven’t said how many yet because they are still trying to tell the families of the victims. The Jetstream plane can hold up to 19 passengers.
The Northwestern Air plane crashed close to Fort Smith, a small town about 740 kilometers south of Yellowknife, near the Alberta border.
Canada’s national broadcaster CBC said the plane crashed about 500 meters away from the end of the runway at Fort Smith Regional Airport. The rescue center in Trenton said it couldn’t communicate with the plane shortly after it took off.
The Fort Smith Health Center said it had “put its emergency plan into action” in response to the crash.
The Diavik Diamond Mine is located about 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, in Rio Tinto. The company has been working since 2003, as stated on its website.
The deputy mayor of Fort Smith, Dianna Korol, said that the incident has been really terrible for the close community.
“Everyone has a small connection – or someone they know,” Ms Korol said to the CBC.
RJ Simpson, the leader of the Northwest Territories, expressed his sympathy to the families and friends of the victims.
“Mr Simpson said that this incident is affecting the whole area. ”
“The people who died were not only on a plane; they were also our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members. ” “We won’t forget their stories and how they helped our communities. ”
The Canadian police and safety board are both looking into the crash. -
Explosives kill nine people at Gaza as combat rages – UN reports
Nine people died and many others were hurt in explosions at a UN building where refugees live in Khan Younis. This was reported by the UN agency that helps people in Gaza.
UNRWA reported that a college in the western part of the city was hit by two tank shells. Around 800 people were staying there for shelter.
Israel has not said anything about the explosions, but they mentioned that their soldiers were in the nearby area.
The soldiers have surrounded the city and told over 500,000 people to leave.
UNRWA director Thomas White said on Twitter that the center was hit during fighting and many people were seriously hurt.
He said to CNN that there were explosions at a building where carpentry work is done. This happened after two days of fighting near the center, when UN workers couldn’t reach the building.
We are always talking to the Israeli army, who have promised to keep people in safe places protected. “They are secure,” he said.
“People have died at or near these places in the past few days. ”
There is intense fighting in southern Gaza, including in a crowded refugee camp near the UNWRA training college in Khan Younis.
The Israeli military said its forces are in the western part of the camp and have started operating inside it.
It was said that they were moving around western Khan Younis as part of a plan to take apart Hamas’ military system.
“The operation will keep targeting the military sites, bases, buildings, and leadership centers in the area,” it stated, also mentioning that Hamas took advantage of the crowded area, including its shelters and hospitals.
The Gaza health ministry, run by Hamas, reported that over 200 Palestinians were killed in the last day in some of the most intense fighting during the Israeli campaign to get rid of Hamas.
Israel went into Gaza after Hamas attacked and killed many people in Israel.
There was strong fighting near hospitals in Khan Younis, including Al-Aqsa, Nasser and Al-Amal. Palestinians were trying to escape, according to OCHA, a UN agency in Gaza.
OCHA said that because of the ongoing bombings, nobody can go in or out of Nasser Hospital. The medics also said that staff at the hospital are digging graves there because they expect a lot of people to die.
On Tuesday, Israel’s army ordered people to leave part of Khan Younis, where 500,000 people live. Most of them are refugees from other parts of Gaza.
Many countries have asked Israel to stop bombing the area for several months.
The leader of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said again that Israel will keep fighting in Gaza until Hamas is removed from power and the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October are returned.
A person who was not in the military and was carrying a white flag was killed by being shot.
A person with a camera from the UK’s ITV News recorded a video of a Palestinian civilian getting killed on a street about 1. 7km (1 mile) south of the UNRWA shelter on Monday.
Five men were walking towards a dangerous area with a white flag. Then, there was a sudden gunfire and one of them got shot and fell to the ground. It was not clear who started shooting.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was asked in the British parliament if seeing those pictures would make him want to work towards stopping the fighting in Gaza.
He said: “Nobody wants this fight to continue any longer than it has to, and we want to see a quick and lasting break for helping people. ”
On Tuesday morning, a leader from Palestine who knows about the current discussions in Cairo told the BBC that Egyptian negotiators have suggested a new plan to Hamas to end the war.
The official wants to start a new plan with a temporary peace to help people in need, in return for letting Israeli civilians go free from Hamas.
One big issue is when Israeli soldiers will leave Gaza.
Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, says that Israel is purposely delaying aid at the Rafah border crossing into Gaza to make things harder for Hamas.
He said to a group of military and government officials that because Israeli inspections take a long time, only a third of the usual number of trucks carrying aid were able to go into the area.
Israel says inspections are needed to make sure no weapons get to Hamas. -
Xinyu: Fire at China shop leaves dozens of people dead
At least 39 people died and nine got hurt in a fire that started in the basement of a shop in the Chinese city of Xinyu.
The news on tv said the fire started on Wednesday afternoon in the city in Jiangxi province.
Video from the state-backed Global Times showed smoke coming out of buildings and people jumping out of windows.
President Xi Jinping wants to look into the fire.
He also asked for serious action to prevent more deadly incidents in the country.
On Wednesday, another fire happened, just a few days after a fire in Henan province killed 13 children in a school dormitory. Seven workers were later taken in by the police.
In November, a fire at a coal company office in northern China’s Shanxi province killed 26 people and injured many more who were taken to the hospital.
Last month, there was a big explosion at a barbecue restaurant in north-western China. 31 people died and the government promised to work on making workplaces safer all over the country.
Last April, a fire in a hospital in Beijing caused the death of 29 people and made survivors jump out of windows to get away. -
Mahama shakes Kumasi
The streets of Kumasi, traditionally considered a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), witnessed a massive turnout of people, predominantly NDC supporters, during the former President, John Dramani Mahama’s ‘24-hour Economy Sensitisation Walk.
The event, held on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, aims to promote the NDC’s primary policy proposal for the 2024 elections: the establishment of a 24-hour economy in Ghana.
Noteworthy personalities, not typically associated with active party politics, were also spotted at the event, including the retired Commissioner of Police, Kofi Boakye.
Former President John Dramani Mahama outlined the 24-hour economy proposal, emphasizing that the next NDC government intends to implement measures to encourage businesses in Ghana to operate around the clock. The policy initiative involves providing incentives for businesses to function day and night, potentially in three shifts, ultimately generating more employment opportunities for the youth.
Mahama highlighted the crucial role of a robust police service in safeguarding businesses during the night economy. He expressed the commitment of a prospective NDC administration to equip the youth with entrepreneurial knowledge and skills for a sustainable future.
“A new NDC administration will work urgently to equip our youth with the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable future. We will introduce a 24-hour economy with incentives and tax breaks for manufacturers who will run extra shifts to create more room for employment,” Mahama stated during the rally.
The “24-hour Economy Sensitisation Walk” serves as a platform for Mahama and the NDC to engage with the public, promoting their vision for economic development and job creation. As the 2024 elections draw near, the rally in Kumasi signifies a strategic move by the NDC to garner support and showcase their policy priorities to the electorate.
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More than 40 people dead as gold mine collapses in Mali
At least 40 people died when a tunnel collapsed in a gold mine in Mali, according to officials.
“It began with a sound. ” “The ground started to shake,” said Oumar Sidibe, a local official for gold miners, to the AFP news agency.
A tunnel in the south-western Koulikoro region collapsed on Friday, but the number of deaths is not known yet.
According to officials, over 70 people have passed away.
Mr Sidibe said that there were more than 200 people mining for gold in the field. The search is finished. We found 73 dead people.
The Mining ministry spokesperson Baye Coulibaly told Reuters news agency that more than 40 people have died.
Mali’s government said they are very sorry for the families who are sad and for the people of Mali.
It also told people living near mines to follow safety rules and only pan for gold in designated areas.
Mining accidents happen a lot because many miners don’t follow safety rules when they’re digging for gold.
Mr Coulibaly said that the government told miners not to dig unauthorized tunnels, but they didn’t listen.
The government said they will look into what happened and send a group to the area on Thursday.
Mali sells a lot of gold to other countries. -
Go and bring Abena Korkor to come and vote for you – Akim Swedru delegates tell MP
Delegates in Akim Swedru have reportedly voiced their discontent and a strong determination to vote against the incumbent Member of Parliament, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, in the upcoming elections.
The dissatisfaction stems from allegations that the MP heavily invested in social media influencer Abena Korkor while neglecting the needs and concerns of his constituents.
According to reports, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, seeking reelection, is facing backlash from delegates who feel overlooked and underserved amid claims of significant financial support directed towards the social media personality, Abena Korkor.
Reports from a Twitter user, identified as ‘Oh Menua’ indicate that delegates have allegedly vowed to express their discontent for the incumbent MP by voting against him, unless he addresses their concerns and priorities.
This comes after Abena Korkor called out the MP of being lousy in bed after attracting enormous online traffic by releasing photographs of her raw and unprotected body on social media.
Abena Korkor was seen sitting in the back of a moving automobile, making a few revelations and allegations in a live Instagram video in which she took bullets at the NPP MP who once served as Deputy Agriculture Minister during President Akufo-Addo’s first term.
Abena Korkor sparked outrage on social media after going live on Instagram to reveal the new name to her current list, which she had previously hinted at.
Abena Korkor revealed that Hon Kennedy Osei Nyarko, purportedly checked into her DM and requested her to keep quiet about their romance, but she isn’t easily swayed.
Korkor revealed that the minister allegedly slept with her in Peduase but was unable to fulfill, and that he is now in her DM pleading for her silence.
Sources suggest that delegates are particularly irked by what they perceive as a misallocation of resources, with emphasis placed on external interests rather than addressing the needs of the constituency.
In a bold move, the delegates are reportedly demanding the presence and endorsement of Abena Korkor in the upcoming elections. They insist that if the MP sought support from the social media influencer, he should now bring her to personally advocate for him among the constituents.
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Ambulance Case: Passport of Ex-Health Ministry Chief unlocked for urgent medical treatment in India
The High Court in Accra has approved the release of the passport belonging to Dr Sylvester Anemana, former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health.
The decision allows Dr Anemana to undergo a medical procedure in India while he is standing trial for alleged financial misconduct in the purchase of ‘defective’ ambulances for the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Anemana is facing charges alongside Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and private businessman Richard Jakpa. The trio is accused of willfully causing financial loss to the state, amounting to €2.37 million, through a contract to procure 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health.
The prosecution has focused on whether the ambulances were acquired in line with the approved purchase agreement by Parliament, asserting that the vehicles lack the necessary equipment for ambulance functionality.
The trial, currently in progress, has faced interruptions due to Dr. Anemana’s health issues, prompting his legal team to file an application for the release of his passport. The retired public servant was initially receiving medical treatment in Ghana, but the severity of his condition has led to the request for overseas medical care.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal judge presiding over the case, made the decision to release Dr. Anemana’s passport. The court considered the consent of those who stood surety for the accused, acknowledging their commitment to producing Dr. Anemana when required after his medical procedure.
As the case involves complex financial allegations and health-related concerns, the court is set to obtain a warrant from the Chief Justice to facilitate the testimony of any witness who wishes to testify via video link.
The trial, marked by its intricate legal and health-related dynamics, is scheduled to resume on January 30, 2024, for further proceedings. The decision to release Dr. Anemana’s passport for medical treatment abroad adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the controversial ambulance procurement.
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COP Kofi Boakye spotted at John Mahama’s ‘Building Ghana Tour’ in Ashanti Region
The ‘Building Ghana Tour’ led by former President John Dramani Mahama received an unexpected participant on Wednesday as retired Commissioner of Police, Nathan Kofi Boakye, joined the political figure during his activities in the Ashanti region.
Commissioner Boakye, who once served as the Police Commander for the Ashanti Region before his retirement, was notably present at the Kejetia Market, a focal point for the ‘Building Ghana Tour.’
Former President Mahama addressed a gathering there as part of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s “24-Hour Economy Walk,” an initiative aimed at sensitizing the public about the party’s policies.
Despite his prominent presence, the retired Police Commissioner declined to comment when approached by Joy News at the Kejetia Market, leaving the public and media curious about his involvement in the political event.
Later in the day, Commissioner Kofi Boakye was spotted on the podium at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi, where John Mahama addressed the enthusiastic crowd following the culmination of the 24-hour walk.
Commissioner Boakye, who has been elevated to the retired rank after serving as the Police Commander for the Ashanti Region, brings an intriguing dimension to the political landscape by aligning himself with the ‘Building Ghana Tour.’
His presence has sparked discussions about the potential intersections between retired law enforcement officials and political engagements.
As the ‘Building Ghana Tour’ progresses, the unexpected participation of Commissioner Kofi Boakye adds an element of intrigue to the political narrative, leaving observers to speculate on the dynamics at play and the implications for the political landscape in the Ashanti region.
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German train drivers go on longest walkout in history
Train drivers all over Germany have started a strike. It will go on for six days, which is the longest strike they have ever had.
The GDL rail drivers’ union went on strike, which affected passenger trains starting at 02:00 on Wednesday. Goods-train drivers also took part in the strike.
Many Germans were involved in the situation when the union made a long-standing disagreement with state-owned Deutsche Bahn worse.
The most recent attack is the fourth time they have taken action since November.
The union wants to get paid more because the cost of things is going up. They also want to work fewer hours each week without getting less money.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has changed their train schedule because of the strike. They will go back to the normal schedule at 6:00 PM on Monday.
Germany’s trains are not running, and it’s never happened before. Passenger trains have been stopped for 136 hours. Train services will be affected by the strike on a weekend for the first time.
There were really bad traffic jams in cities like Hamburg because of a farmers’ protest with 100 tractors. Drivers were getting ready to deal with it.
Local and suburban train services were significantly impacted, and 80% of long-distance trains were cancelled.
The company that runs the trains and government leaders are unhappy about the long strikes because they are causing problems for the German economy and people who need to travel.
Tanja Gönner, who is in charge of a group of German businesses, said that a six-day strike could cost the economy up to €1bn. Germany is an important place for moving goods around Europe.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing asked the union to try to work things out with the help of a mediator. He said that right now, it’s unlikely that a solution will be found.
“Passengers are really worried right now, and no one is talking about a solution,” he told Deutschlandfunk radio.
“If people can’t talk to each other, we really need someone to help them figure things out. ”
A survey by YouGov asked over 4,000 adults in Germany about a strike. They found that only 34% understood why the strike was happening, while 59% said they didn’t understand it at all.
Discussions between the union and DB have been going on since November, but the company said no to the request for a three-hour shorter work week. Instead, they suggested an optional plan where employees could work one hour less without a pay cut or choose to get a 2. 7% pay raise
The GDL said no to the offer. -
I’m totally disgusted! – Mahama fumes as he accuses BoG of illegally printing billions of cedis
Former President John Dramani Mahama has called upon the minority caucus to closely scrutinize the activities of the Bank of Ghana concerning the recent release of the second tranche amounting to $600 million by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This disbursement follows the successful completion of the first review of the $3-billion three-year extended credit facility, approved by the Bretton Woods institution in May 2023.
In his appeal to the minority caucus for prudent utilization of the IMF funds by the government, Mr Mahama didn’t mince words as he criticized the Bank of Ghana, alleging that it has worsened Ghana’s economic challenges by introducing a surplus of newly-printed banknotes into the financial system.
While emphasizing the need for the government to exercise responsibility in handling the recently acquired IMF funds, Mahama directed a pointed critique at the central bank.
According to him, the alleged flooding of the system with freshly minted currency by the Bank of Ghana has contributed to the exacerbation of the economic difficulties faced by the nation.
Mr Mahama said “under normal circumstances, the release of $600 million by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the government of Ghana should provide relief to the already-overburdened and suffering Ghanaian.”
“It is, however, evident that Ghanaians will continue to suffer as long as Akufo-Addo, Bawumia and the NPP remain in office”, he posted on Facebook.
Mr Mahama urged “the outgoing NPP government to be cautious, responsible and judicious in utilising the IMF $600 million and other funds that may be made available to Ghana from the World Bank and other development partners”.
The former President declared that his party will closely monitor the government’s handling of the recently acquired funds.
“I have already encouraged the NDC minority in parliament to ensure strict oversight on both the government and not to take their eyes off the Bank of Ghana that illegally printed billions of cedis and aggravated our economic situation”.
“On my part, I will, from time to time, continue to engage the Ghanaian public about my vision to build the Ghana we want and how we will work together to create well-paying jobs through my 24-hour economy policy and other pragmatic initiatives”.
Last year, the Cassiel Ato Forson-led minority caucus marched in demand for the resignation of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison as well as his two deputies.
“The purpose of this protest is to express our revulsion at the illegal printing of money (about GHS80 billion) between 2021 and 2022 by the BoG for the corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government which led to a hyperinflation rate of 54.1 per cent in December 2022”, Dr Ato Forson said in a statement at the time.
The caucus claimed GHC22.04bn of that amount was used by the BoG to support the government’s budget without parliamentary approval.
“This singular act of BoG”, he emphasised, “has negatively impacted livelihoods and businesses and pushed about 850,000 Ghanaians into poverty in the year 2022 alone”.
The caucus said as representatives of the people, it was “totally disgusted by the crass mismanagement and reckless mishandling of the affairs of the Bank of Ghana,which resulted in a gargantuan loss of GHS60.8 billion and a negative equity of GHS55.1 in 2022 with its attendant hardships on Ghanaians”.
The Bank of Ghana, however, denied the allegations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 26 July 2022, the central bank said Dr Forson’s claim could not be farther from the truth.
The bank observed that Dr Forson’s reaction was in response to the 2022 mid-year fiscal policy review which was presented to parliament by the Minister of Finance on Monday, 25 July 2022.
It explained: “In Appendix 2A of the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review document, under Financing, out of the total financing of GHC28.12 billion, an amount of GHC22.04 billion was captured under BoG”, adding: “This is the amount being referred to by the Ranking Member as BoG’s printing of currency to support the budget”.
Concerning the loss and negative equity posted by the central bank, Governor Addison later explained at a press conference that it was important for Ghanaians to appreciate that the GHS60.8 billion loss recorded by the nank in 2022 “were technical losses arising from the haircut and the application of accounting standards (in particular, IFRS 9) to estimate expected credit losses over the tenor of the Government debt held by Bank of Ghana”.
He told journalists on Monday, 21 August 2023: “It is not money lost by the Bank of Ghana through its operations in 2022”.
Rather, he said “one should look at this as a reflection of the total cost of the economic and social crisis the country faced over the years and an attempt to resolve a major structural problem of the Ghanaian economy.”
Also, Dr Addison said this is not the first time the central bank has recorded negative equity.
“I must also add that, if one takes time to go through historical financial statements of the Bank of Ghana, you will realise that this is not the first time that the Bank has gone into negative equity”, he stated.
He reported: “During the early years of structural adjustment, very large exchange rate depreciations led to revaluation lossesthat drove the Bank into negative equity”.
Indeed, Dr Addison mentioned, “anytime the economy faces major challenges, the Bank of Ghana balance sheet suffers, and the equity position moves into negative territories”.
“You will recall that in 2017 and 2018, the Bank of Ghana incurred similar negative equity from the impairment of legacy liquidity support loans granted in 2015 and 2016 to insolvent banks, which our external auditors impaired due to the doubtful prospects of recovering from those insolvent banks”.
“The Bank of Ghana, however, recovered and generated profits throughout the period 2019 to 2021”, he pointed out.
“It is worth noting that Central Banks are not commercial banks”, he highlighted, stressing: “Bank of Ghana’s current financial condition will not impact negatively on the operations of the Bank”.
He said the IMF Technical Assistance mission validated this conclusion before the necessary decisions were taken.
“In their opinion, the Bank of Ghana was policy solvent and would remain so, as it had enough income to cover monetary policy operational costs”, Dr Addison said.
The Bank of Ghana, he indicated, “had sufficient capital amounting to about 15 per cent of its total liabilities”, noting: “Its recommendation was for the Bank to retain all profits and a reassessment should be made in the year 2027”.
“The Bank will also manage to reduce its operational costs during this period”, he promised.
In all these, Dr Addison said the Bank of Ghana has “acted within the applicable laws”. He also denied claims that the central bank has been bankrolling the government annually.
“It is not true that Bank of Ghana has been providing financing for the Government every year. There has been zero-financing in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. The Bank of Ghana has only had to support in the pandemic year of 2020 and the crisis year of 2022. The Bank of Ghana Act (612), as amended, limits financing of Government to 5 per cent of previous year’s tax revenue”, Dr Addison reiterated.
“This provision in the law has been adhered to since I took office in April 2017. Between 2017 and 2019, in addition to the requirements of the Bank of Ghana Act (612), as amended, the Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Finance to even impose a tighter restriction of zero-central bank-financing, and this was observed strictly, even though MOUs are not legally binding. Between 2012 and 2015, the Bank of Ghana provided overdraft to finance government and COCOBOD every year. And there was neither a pandemic nor a global economic crisis”.
“When Ghana was hit with the COVID-19 in 2020, Section 30(6) of the Bank of Ghana Act (612), as amended, was triggered, and as indicated earlier, the Bank purchased GHC10 billion worth of Covid-19 bonds to support the economy through the pandemic”.
“This was done within the applicable laws governing the Bank of Ghana. When section 30 (6) of the Bank of Ghana Act (612), as amended, is triggered, it, allows the Governor, the Minister for Finance and the Controller and Accountant General to agree on a new limit of central bank financing”.
“The law further says that the Minister of Finance will then have to inform parliament and the Minister has since informed parliament as part of his briefing to update Parliament on the IMF programme and status of the Domestic Debt Exchange”.
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Vietnam’s tragic fall was an accident – Coroner
A British person who was very drunk fell from the third floor of a guest house in Vietnam and died. This was revealed at an inquest.
The coroner heard that Ben Milner, who is 46 years old, was seen stumbling and talking to himself before he fell into a street in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2022.
Mr Milner, who lived in London but was originally from Dorset, passed away because he had skull fractures.
The Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin said that the person’s death was an accident.
She said Mr Milner had a very high amount of alcohol in his blood, which would have made him very drunk.
The investigation found no proof that anyone else was involved in the fall. However, Milner’s wallet and phone were taken after he died.
Amanda Milner told the inquest that her brother Ben was a smart young man who cared a lot about eating well and taking care of himself.
She said he didn’t drink much in social situations in the UK. But his family said he was clumsy when he was drunk.
The doctor said: “Ben was loved very much and his death has made a lot of people very sad. ”
“He lived life to the fullest. ” He liked living and he liked going places. -
Billionaire Joe Lewis enters admission of insider trading
British billionaire Joe Lewis, who owns Tottenham Hotspur football club through his family trust, admitted to breaking the law by trading stocks using secret information in a court in the United States.
Lewis, who is 86 years old, was accused of sharing information about the businesses he put money into with his private pilots, friends, personal assistants, and girlfriends.
US officials say the scam made many millions of dollars in profit.
Lewis admitted to being involved in a plan and committing fraud with stocks. He will find out his punishment in March.
This story is still being updated. Make sure to come back later for any new update. -
Thai political optimism clears first legal obstacle
Thailand’s political leader will be back as a member of parliament after winning a trial. His supporters believe the trial was meant to stop him from being a politician.
Pita Limjaroenrat, who went to Harvard, and his party Move Forward, won the most votes in a big election last year.
However, he was not able to lead because the Senate, which was not elected by the people, stopped him.
The charming young leader was seen as a problem for the government because he said he would change the strict insult laws and reduce the power of the military.
After winning the election, he was trying to form a government with others, but then he got sued two times. His followers thought that this was part of a bigger plan by conservative politicians to remove him from politics and make his party’s ideas look bad.
On Wednesday, he was found not guilty in the first case, but he has another more serious legal problem next week.
The Constitutional Court will make a decision about whether his plan to change Thailand’s strict lese majeste law was an attempt to overthrow the government with the king as the leader.
A decision saying that Move Forward did something against the rules could make it shut down, and its leaders could be told they can’t be in politics anymore.
In 2019, the court ended Move Forward’s old form called Future Forward because it did well in an election. The decision caused many people to have protests on the streets and to say things that were not said before about the king and queen.
On Wednesday, Pita’s fans cheered outside the Constitutional Court after hearing that he had won his case. They chanted “PM Pita” to celebrate his victory.
Luksikarn Tangchotithanavid, 40, said that Pita told us to live with hope.
“Our generation can understand the law when we read it. ” We understand what it says and how to do it. By the law, he should not be kicked out in this situation.
Mr Pita was found not guilty of breaking election laws by owning shares in a media company while running in last year’s election.
He was told he could not be an MP anymore last July because of the accusations. He was also not allowed to go to parliament, so he had to quit leading his party.
He says he got the shares from his dad, but the company wasn’t running for a long time before he became a politician. Most of the judges agreed with him when they made their decision on Wednesday.
“Keeping the stocks was not against the law. ” The judge said that the court decided he is still a member of parliament.
Before the decision was made, Mr. Pita also spoke to the reporters and said he will continue to push for the changes his party had said they would make.
In addition to changing the lese majeste law, they also want to stop big companies from having too much power and reduce the military’s role in politics and business. This platform was very popular in the 2023 election. It helped Move Forward win 151 out of the 500 seats in parliament, more than any other party.
He said on Wednesday before the decision that he will keep working for the people no matter what happens. “This court case is just a temporary change of plans. ” No matter the decision, we will keep on fighting.
Under the rule of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailand has been using lese majeste laws more to quiet people who criticize the government. Over 260 people have been accused of breaking the law since November 2020.
A 30-year-old man was given a 50-year jail sentence for making comments that were found to have insulted the Thai king. This was the harshest punishment ever given under the country’s strict lese majeste laws. -
Breaking: Alleged Coup plot: 6 sentenced to death by hanging
Six persons in the alleged coup plot against the state have been found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
The six including three soldiers are; Donya Kafui, aka Ezor (a blacksmith) and Bright Alan Debrah Ofosu (a fleet manager), were found guilty of conspiracy to commit treason and treason, while Johannes Zikpi (a civilian employee of the Ghana Armed Forces) was found guilty of conspiracy to commit high treason.
Three of the accused; ACP Benjamin Agordzor, Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli and one other junior military officer, Corporal Seidu Abubakar, however, have been acquitted and discharged.
The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, concluded a case that began on June 8, 2021, with charges dating back to April 24, 2021. The accused faced various charges, including conspiracy to commit high treason, abatement to high treason, and high treason.
Among the accused were the late Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, CEO of Citadel Hospital, ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, and eight others.
The late Dr. Mac-Palm’s testimony was officially removed from the records following his passing. All ten accused individuals pleaded not guilty and were granted bail during the trial.
The prosecution, led by Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, included figures from the Attorney General’s Department, such as Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Director of Public Prosecution, Hilda Craig, Winifred Sarpong, Lawrencia Adika, and Akosua Agyapomaa Agyemang. The defense team comprised lawyers from Legal Aid and private practitioners, including notable names like Rita Akukunti Ali, Victor Kodjogah Adawudu, and others.
The three-member panel of judges, sitting as additional High Court judges, consisted of Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, and Justice Stephen Oppong, with Justice Asare-Botwe serving as the President of the panel.
Colonel Samuel Kodzo Gameli and ACP Dr. Benjamin Agordzo, charged with abetment, were among the three individuals acquitted.
Throughout the trial, State Prosecutors presented 13 witnesses, including seven soldiers. The Prosecution concluded its case on July 12, 2022. The defense had been robustly represented by a team of lawyers, and the verdict, delivered on Wednesday, marks a critical moment in the legal proceedings surrounding the alleged coup plot.
The convictions and acquittals have sparked discussions about the nature of the evidence presented and the complexities of the case. The legal teams are expected to review the judgment, and the implications of this decision will likely resonate across the legal and political landscape.
Counsel for the acquitted persons have also declared their intentions to sue the state for what they described as a frivolous case.
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Ghanaians call for Asamoah Gyan, Essien, and Appiah to replace sacked Hughton after AFCON23 exit
The Ghanaian public has expressed its frustration and disappointment with the performance of the Black Stars at the ongoing Afcon23 in Ivory Coast, and has called for the appointment of former players Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien, and Stephen Appiah as the new coaches of the national team.
The Black Stars, who were among the favourites to win the tournament, crashed out of the group stage after losing to Mozambique by 2-1 on Monday. This was their third consecutive defeat, following a 1-0 loss to Cape Verde and a 3-0 thrashing by Egypt.
The dismal showing led to the sacking of coach Chris Hughton, who had been in charge of the team since July 2023. He was the fifth coach to be fired by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in the past six years.
Many Ghanaians have taken to social media to vent their anger and frustration, and to suggest possible replacements for Hughton. Some of the names that have been mentioned are Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien, and Stephen Appiah, who are all former captains and strikers of the Black Stars.
These three players are widely regarded as some of the best and most successful in Ghana’s football history, having played for top clubs in Europe and Asia, and represented Ghana at several World Cups and Afcons.
Some of the fans believe that these players have the experience, the skills, and the passion to revive the fortunes of the Black Stars, and to inspire the current generation of players to perform better.
Moses Robert Wilson Antiri, in a Facebook comment, said that Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari should work together to raise the Ghana national team. If not, Asamoah should not take the offer alone; he should remember what they did to him at the World Cup.
He was referring to the infamous incident at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Gyan missed a crucial penalty in the quarter-final against Uruguay, after Muntari had scored a stunning goal in the first half. Ghana lost the match on penalties, and missed the chance to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
However, not everyone agrees that these former players are the best candidates for the coaching job. Some of the critics argue that coaching is a different profession from playing, and that being a great player does not necessarily mean being a great coach.
They also point out that none of these players have any formal coaching qualifications or experience, and that they may not have the tactical acumen, the managerial skills, or the temperament to handle the pressure and expectations of coaching the Black Stars.
Mickay Coachito Mumin stated on the same Facebook post that, “No, coaching is not about fame; it’s all about technical competence. There’s a difference between coaching experience and being a great player at all levels. I think experience on the job, coaching, experimenting, and learning on the job in coaching are paramount. Being a great player doesn’t guarantee that you can be a great coach.”
He suggested that the GFA should look for a more qualified and experienced coach, preferably from abroad, who can bring a fresh perspective and a new approach to the team.
As it stands now, the Black Stars team has no coach, and the GFA has not announced any plans or timelines for the recruitment of a new one. The next major assignment for the team is the 2024 World Cup qualifiers, which will begin in June 2024.
The Ghanaian public is eagerly waiting to see who will be the next coach of the Black Stars, and whether they will be able to restore the pride and glory of the nation’s football.
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Election day should be holiday so people can vote – EC proposes
The Electoral Commission (EC) has tabled a proposal, advocating for the designation of election days as national holidays.
The recommendation was presented during the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on Monday, January 22, 2024.
The EC emphasized at the meeting that such a move could significantly contribute to cultivating a more robust democratic culture in the country.
Advocates of the proposal argue that designating election days as national holidays would provide citizens with ample time and opportunity to participate actively in the electoral process.
This increased civic engagement, they believe, could lead to a more informed and participatory electorate.
In addition to this, the EC is also proposing that the December 7 election date should be reviewed to November 7. The EC clarified that the proposal, initially brought forward by political parties, aims to provide ample time for the commission to effectively manage its operations, particularly in the event of a run-off.
However, in a reaction the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has kicked against changing the December 7 election date.
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Wooden structures reduced to ashes in Bantama
A significant number of wooden structures in Bantama, near the Methodist Church in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, have been ravaged by a fierce fire outbreak.
Reports from the Fire Service indicate that the affected structures served both domestic and commercial purposes.
Promptly responding to the emergency, three fire engines from Komfo Anokye Kumasi Metro and Manhyia Fire Stations were dispatched to the scene to help quench the fire.
The firefighters grappled with the challenge posed by the rapid and aggressive spread of the fire, which has already consumed multiple structures.
Eyewitnesses recount scenes of panic and concern as residents, along with the firefighting teams, worked tirelessly to control the inferno.
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Plateau state violence: Nigerian churches and mosques burned as curfew enforced in Mangu
Mosques and churches were set on fire in Nigeria’s Plateau state after a fight over cattle became violent.
During a fight in Mangu, eight people died when cows got loose and stopped cars on the road.
The governor of the state has ordered everyone to stay at home for 24 hours to stop the fighting. People who have died are still allowed to have a burial.
This area often has fights between different groups because of their religion and ethnicity.
Plateau is a place where the mostly Muslim north and mostly Christian south come together, and there are many mixed communities.
There was fighting on Tuesday in Mangu, a place 74km (45 miles) south-east of Jos. It was between people from the Fulani and Mwagaful ethnic groups.
Reporter Ado Musa, from the Daily Trust newspaper, said to the BBC that six mosques and two churches were set on fire in the chaos.
The problem started when some robbers with weapons tried to steal cows from the Fulani people, he said.
The robbery didn’t work, but when the cows got out during the fight and shots were fired, it caused a lot of chaos on the roads and upset other people who live there.
Musa said that there was violence and people died and things got destroyed very quickly.
Young men from the Christian and Muslim communities attacked churches and mosques.
There are reports that the fighting is still happening on Wednesday even though there’s a curfew.
Over 100 people died in a violent incident in a different area of Plateau state during Christmas.
The fighting in Mangu is not connected to the political trouble in Jos on Tuesday when police used tear gas on some politicians trying to get into the state assembly.
They were mad because a court said their election in March was wrong and took away their power. -
Julius Malema blames Ghana’s leadership for IMF, World Bank influence
Renowned Pan-Africanist and South African politician, Julius Malema, has expressed concern over the present condition of Ghana under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Addressing the youth of Ghana and other African nations during an event organized by the AriseGhana Movement in Accra on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Julius Malema, the Commander in Chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters, expressed deep concern over the prevailing levels of corruption in the country.
He emphasized that the escalating levels of corruption pose a significant threat to Ghana’s democracy, once regarded as a beacon for many African nations.
He added that the current leadership of Ghana has failed in its duties which is why the country that led the liberation efforts in Africa is now being dictated to by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Ghana has had democratic elections in succession, which are peaceful. Of course, it experienced a bit of difficulty at some point, but since then Ghana has become the most celebrated democracy.
“But the democracy of Ghana is threatened by corruption. A corruption that made sure that Ghana does not pay its international debt,” he said.
The firebrand South African politician added, “As a result, Ghana is unable to self-determine because everything else is dictated to Ghana by IMF and the World Bank because the current leadership fails to honour their obligations”.
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Numerous deaths reported as fighting rages in Khan Younis, Gaza
Many people were killed in strong Israeli attacks in Khan Younis in Gaza. There are fights between soldiers and Hamas fighters on the ground.
The people who live here said big military machines are all around a hospital and school where lots of homeless people are staying.
Ambulances couldn’t get to the injured people because they were stuck.
Israeli soldiers have been paying special attention to Khan Younis because they believe that important Hamas leaders are hiding there.
On Sunday, the Israeli military found a hidden place underground in the city. They think about 20 Israeli hostages were kept there.
In Israel, families of hostages interrupted a meeting to ask the government to help get their loved ones back.
A family member yelled, “We won’t stop until our kids are home. ”
The US, Qatar, and Egypt are trying to help, but Hamas wants Israel to stop fighting and leave before they release the hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said no to the deal because he thinks it would be giving in to bad people and would mean that soldiers who died in war did so for no reason.
On Monday evening, the US news website Axios reported that two US officials said Israel offered a deal to Hamas. The deal included a two-month break from fighting in exchange for releasing all remaining hostages in Gaza.
Hamas fighters held about 250 people captive and killed 1,300 others in a surprise attack on southern Israel, according to Israeli officials.
The Israeli military attacked Gaza and more than 25,295 people have died, according to the health ministry in Gaza. More people are thought to have died under the collapsed buildings.
On Monday, Israeli tanks moved into the western part of Khan Younis and surrounded the city’s two main hospitals after a night of heavy bombing.
The Red Crescent in Palestine says that Israeli forces have surrounded the area where they run a hospital and their headquarters. They are worried about the safety of their staff, patients, and civilians in the area.
The place is very unsafe now. “They can hear loud bombs in the area,” said Nebal Farsakh on Al Jazeera TV. “Anyone who tries to leave or go outside is at risk of being targeted. ”
She said that PRCS ambulances were stuck and couldn’t help injured people in the area. Also, a communication problem meant that staff could only talk to each other using VHF radios.
There was smoke and gun sounds near Nasser Hospital, which is the biggest hospital still in use in Gaza.
The hospital’s surgical director in Palestinian media said they got 50 dead and over 100 injured since last night.
Gaza’s health department said many people were killed or hurt near Khan Younis on Monday. They had to bury 40 bodies at Nasser Hospital because it wasn’t safe outside.
A doctor at the hospital’s emergency department told Reuters that the hospital was facing too many patients and was in danger of collapsing.
Ahmed Abu Mustafa said it’s really hard to bring medical supplies to the hospital, and it’s hard to keep treating the patients because of the attacks on the nearby neighborhoods. He also said there are no painkillers, anaesthesia, or other medical supplies available.
A spokesperson from the health ministry said that Israeli soldiers went into the al-Khair Hospital in the al-Mawasi area, which is west of Khan Younis.
On Monday, a spokesperson from the White House National Security Council said that Israel must do everything it can to keep innocent people in Gaza hospitals safe, according to international law.
The Israeli military has not said anything yet about the reports from the three hospitals. But, it has said before that Hamas is working near medical buildings, but Hamas says it’s not true. -
FIFA Football for Schools commemorates United Nations International Day of Education
The International Day of Education celebrates the vital role that education plays in peace and human development. It was launched by the United Nations in 2018, which was also the same year that the Football for Schools programme saw the light of day at the eighth FIFA Council meeting in Rwanda. A Memorandum of Understanding was subsequently signed by FIFA and UNESCO so as to roll out the programme all over the globe. Six years down the line, 105 countries have joined the initiative.
In addition to this impressive number of signed-up nations, tens of millions of children have been positively affected by F4S. And it is these children that the programme aims to support and nurture, by incorporating football-related activities into the education system, with an overriding goal of making the sport more accessible to young people.
“The objective is to create a link between education and football by ensuring that children’s introduction to kicking a ball around is as fun as possible, and by teaching them essential life skills,” explained Football for Schools Director Fatimata Sidibe.
She added, stressing the importance of 24 January to her and to the entire world: “This day places the focus firmly on education and raises awareness among stakeholders to support transformative actions that help achieve inclusive, equal and high-quality education for all. Education and sport play such a key role in children’s well-being and in building sustainable and resilient societies, transforming lives and breaking the cycle of poverty that tends to trap so many youngsters.”
The F4S Director is well-versed in this topic, having traveled the globe with her team over the past three years to meet these children, as well as the teachers and trainers expected to become true ambassadors of the programme, helping them to implement it everywhere, especially in some of the most remote regions of the world.
“Football is not only a universal sport, but it also has an extraordinary ability to unify and contribute to social integration, as well as educating and liberating boys and girls,” she said. “FIFA harnesses this power to provide children from all over the world, from very different backgrounds, with the opportunity to play and learn.”
In 2023, 71 FIFA member associations successfully introduced the programme. One of the many countries to join the F4S club was Fiji. “Football is now part of my life,” said 12-year-old Joeli Nakakai, a Fijian pupil at Tavua Primary School. “The experience has helped me to improve my technical skills, and as a person.”
He continued: “Through this programme, I’ve learned a lot about gender equality, for example. I was shy about playing with members of the opposite sex, but now I’m more comfortable with the idea. I’ve also learned so much about respecting others, disabilities, and cultural differences. “Now I know how to play in a team, and I feel like I know myself better. I’m better at communicating with others. At the start of the programme, I didn’t know how to juggle the ball, but now I can do 35 easily!”
Although Fiji has traditionally been regarded as a rugby stronghold, Football for Schools has nevertheless managed to establish itself there. The programme partly owes its success to the overwhelming support it has received from local authorities. “Incorporating football into the national education system and the school curriculum will contribute to social change and help children to become better citizens,” said Sidibe.
“By learning intrapersonal and cognitive skills, interpersonal skills, active citizenship skills and healthy behaviour, children will boost their personal development and contribute to sustainable development goals.”
Sustainable development is, of course, one of Africa’s major challenges. Interestingly, it is the global region in which Football for Schools has established itself the most, proportionally speaking: 37 of FIFA’s 54 African member associations are on board with the programme, equating to 70 per cent of the continent. It was first introduced in Malawi in 2022 (https://apo-opa.co/498XdM3), where it has since become indispensable, suggesting that the project can be durable and viable once it is up-and-running.
“As a girl, this has been a very beneficial experience,” said Ulemu Matchado, 13, a pupil at Chipoza Primary School in Kasungu, central Malawi. “I’ve learned the benefits of teamwork, self-confidence, leadership abilities, discipline, time management, setting realistic goals and consistently having a positive outlook. On the football side, I have improved my focus, which has enabled me to do things on the pitch I didn’t think I was capable of.
“I’ve also learned that able-bodied individuals are not necessarily superior to those who might have a physical disability, and that these people should be given equal opportunities in life. They are more than capable of making a positive contribution to the country’s development.”
Learning is at the very core of what Football for Schools does, and ‘Learning for a lasting peace’ is the theme of the 2024 International Day of Education. “Courtesy of the F4S initiative, children learn to know themselves and the world around them better, learn to live and interact in harmony with others, and learn to take responsibility for their own health and well-being,” concluded Sidibe.
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Russian plane carrying prisoners of war from Ukraine crashes – Moscow
A Russian military plane called Ilyushin-76 crashed in southern Belgorod region near Ukraine.
Russia’s defense department said 65 Ukrainian soldiers who were captured were on a plane going to the Belgorod region for a swap with prisoners.
We cannot confirm any of the information about the people on board.
Ria Novosti news agency reported that there were nine more people on the plane, including six crew members.
Ukraine’s military leaders said the plane was carrying missiles for Russia’s air defense systems. They told this to the Ukrainska Pravda website. It didn’t talk about prisoners of war.
However, the leader of Ukraine’s military intelligence department, Andriy Yusov, said that a swap of prisoners was supposed to happen.
“I want to say that the trade that was supposed to happen today is not happening,” he told Radio Liberty.
A video on social media showed a plane crashing and exploding with a big fireball near a place called Yablonovo. It happened at 11:00 am local time near the city of Belgorod, about 44 miles away.
The leader of Belgorod region in Russia said a plane crashed in a field near houses and everyone on the plane died.
Some news sources in Ukraine said at first that the Il-76 might have been shot down by Ukrainian forces, but those reports were taken off later.
The Ukraine military told BBC Ukrainian that they didn’t have the right information yet and were looking into what happened.
The Ukrainian government group in charge of prisoners of war said that Russia is doing secret operations to cause problems in Ukrainian society.
In a later message, the Russian defense ministry said a military plane took off from Chkalovsky air base near Moscow and was heading to Belgorod. They claimed that Ukraine’s air force had shot two anti-aircraft missiles from the Lyptsi area, south of the Ukrainian border.
A swap of prisoners was supposed to happen on Wednesday afternoon at a border checkpoint 100km west of Belgorod.
Andrei Kartapolov, the head of Russia’s military defense committee, said there was another plane carrying 80 Ukrainian prisoners in the sky, but it changed direction later.
MrKartapolov told Russian TV that there will not be any more prisoner exchanges.
Ukraine and Russia have traded prisoners during the war.
Earlier this month, Ukraine and Russia swapped prisoners. Ukraine let go of 248 Russian prisoners of war, and Russia released 230 people. The United Arab Emirates helped make this deal happen.
More than 8,000 Ukrainians are still kidnapped by Russia, and tens of thousands are still missing, according to Ukraine’s Coordination HQ.
A warning was issued across Ukraine after a plane crash.
Belgorod, a place close to Ukraine, has been hit by air strikes and drones many times and many people have been hurt or killed.
In December, an air attack happened and 25 people died while 100 were hurt. Ukraine said they only aimed at military buildings and blamed Russia for the pieces landing in the city.
Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022 and the war has been going on for almost three years.
Russia said they took over a village near the damaged city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv has not said if the claim is true.
Recently, the Russian air attacks have been happening more often. On Tuesday, 18 people died and 130 were hurt in missile attacks on cities in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Ukrainian forces do not have enough ammunition. He also said that Russia has used over 600 missiles and 1,000 drones in the last two months.
Ukraine is using drones to fight. Over the weekend, a drone attack caused a big blast at a gas terminal near the city of St Petersburg. -
New trains set to commence operations in the railway sector by June this year
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Yaw Owusu, has quashed prevailing rumors asserting that the Authority has acquired 12 state-of-the-art trains from Poland, setting the record straight on recent procurement speculations.
In an interview he clarified that, although the Authority acknowledges the necessity of a larger fleet, they have acquired two modern trains, refuting the circulating rumors in the media.
Expected to make their official debut in Ghana on February 15, 2024, these state-of-the-art coaches are set to bring a transformative impact to Ghana’s railway sector.
Scheduled to officially arrive in Ghana on February 15, 2024, these cutting-edge coaches are poised to revolutionise Ghana’s railway sector.
Mr. Owusu affirmed that, the new coaches, destined for the Tema-Mpakadan lines, will go to numerous communities to alleviate the burden on commuters and also contribute to socio-economic development.
He said the advanced plans in place is to ensure the seamless operation of the trains, with operations set to commence by June 2024.
He underscored the pivotal role that efficient railway systems play in propelling economic growth.
The government of Ghana has unveiled an ambitious masterplan for the construction of 4000km of rail lines, signaling a commitment to the revitalization of the rail sector.
This undertaking is part of a systematic approach, with each project being tackled step by step to ensure the sustainable development of the nation’s rail infrastructure.
As the nation eagerly awaits the arrival of the two modern coaches, the focus is not just on the enhanced transportation they promise but on the broader implications for economic progress. The introduction of these trains is anticipated to be a catalyst for increased productivity, improved connectivity, and a boost to the overall economy.
With the operational commencement slated for June, Ghanaians are poised to witness a new era in rail transportation, marking a significant stride towards the realization of a modern, efficient and interconnected railway network.
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2 modern trains procured, not 12 – Railway Development Authority sets record straight
The Ghana Railway Development Authority has dispelled reports suggesting the acquisition of 12 contemporary diesel-powered trains for the Ghana Railways Company.
The Authority has clarified that only two trains have been procured from Poland.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Yaw Owusu, revealed that the newly acquired passenger coaches are designated for testing purposes on the nearly finished Tema-Mpakadan Railway line.
Mr. Owusu stated that the railway line is nearing completion, with approximately 98 percent of the construction finished, and it is set to be commissioned in May.
The first train is expected to be shipped in mid-February and will arrive in Ghana in March, while the second one is set to be shipped in May and arrive in August.
“For now, we are trying to test a commission at the Tema-Mpakadan line. It’s about 98 percent, Tema port all the way to Mpakadan. To be able to commission and test the line, we have ordered two trains from Poland and not 12 trains. The first one will be shipped somewhere in the middle of February, and expect it to be here realistically in March. The 2nd one will be shipped in May, and it will arrive in August, the summertime,” Yaw Owusu told Adom News.
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Parliament of Turkey supports Sweden’s NATO membership
Turkish lawmakers have approved Sweden’s request to join Nato in a vote that was delayed for a long time. This is a major step for Sweden in becoming a member of the organization.
Sweden asked to join in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, but Turkey didn’t agree because they thought Sweden supported Kurdish separatists.
Turkish President Erdogan will probably approve the law in a few days.
Hungary is the only NATO member that hasn’t approved Sweden joining.
Swedish leader Ulf Kristersson said on social media that Sweden is getting closer to joining Nato.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was happy that Turkey voted in favor. He hopes that Hungary will also approve it soon.
Hungary says Sweden is being unfriendly. In March, a Hungarian government spokesperson named Zoltán Kovács said that officials in Sweden think they are better than others, but their reputation is not as strong as they think. Stockholm said Hungary is not following the EU’s rules about democracy.
But, there have been some improvements. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban asked the Swedish Prime Minister to come to Budapest for a visit and talk about how they can build more trust between their countries.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said he doesn’t think there is a need to talk to Hungary right now, but they can still have a conversation and talk about things in the future.
Turkey stopped Sweden from joining until July, when they finally agreed. On Tuesday evening, politicians voted 287-55 in favor of Sweden being a member. President Erdogan is likely to approve the new law.
Turkey said that Sweden was providing shelter to Kurdish fighters, and they should work harder to stop rebel groups like the PKK, which Turkey sees as a terrorist organization. The EU and US both say the PKK is a terrorist group.
Turkey, as a member of Nato, can stop other countries from becoming members.
Sweden made stricter laws in June to stop terrorism. It’s now against the law to help terrorist groups with money or support.
Sweden and Finland, who were neutral, said they want to join Nato in May 2022. This was after Russia invaded Ukraine. Finland officially joined the alliance in April, making the alliance’s border with Russia twice as long. -
How Samira Bawumia mourned her body guard in pictures
In a deeply emotional display of grief, pictures depicting the mourning of Samira Bawumia, the Second Lady of Ghana, over the loss of her late bodyguard, Mumuni Fuseini, have been circulating on social media.
The poignant images provide a glimpse into the somber moments as Mrs. Bawumia bade farewell to her dedicated protector.
The photographs, shared by Opemsuo Radio on Twitter showcase Mrs. Bawumia in a state of reflection and sorrow.
Additionally, the pictures feature the Vice President, who was also present to express condolences and sympathize with the family of the deceased.
Mumuni Fuseini, sadly passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024, after the car which was among the convoy of Mrs Bawumia crashed.
The Second Lady miraculously survived the accident unscathed.
Speaking on the matter, the Vice President said: “It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of Mumuni Fuseini, a staff in my office. He died yesterday from an accident involving a vehicle in the Convoy of the Second Lady, Hajia Samira.
“Fuseini was a hardworking member of the Closed Protection Unit. He has since been buried according to Islamic traditions. My condolences to his family and friends. May Allah forgive Fuseini’s shortcomings and grant him Jannah,” he added.
According to a reports, the unfortunate event took place while the Second Lady was on her way to the Ashanti Region.
The report reveals that a sprinter bus narrowly avoided a collision with her convoy but unfortunately crashed into two cars trailing behind.
Alhassan Fuseini, now departed, was a member of the convoy escorting Mrs. Bawumia when a collision occurred with a bus at Ohene-Nkwata near Nobewam in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The multi-vehicle accident included the collision of two Toyota Land Cruisers, a Mercedes Benz car, and a Sprinter Benz bus.
Among the eight victims, four sustained severe injuries.
Despite the gravity of the accident, Samira Bawumia remained unharmed and sustained no serious injuries.
However, it is reported that one Fuseini, the bodyguard of the second lady, lost his life in the accident. Fuseini has been with the Bawumia’s since 2008.
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New Hampshire primary: Haley promises to keep fighting despite losing to Trump twice
Nikki Haley, who has aspirations of being the Republican president, has vowed to continue her campaign despite losing to Donald Trump for the second consecutive time.
Ms Haley visited a lot of New Hampshire before Tuesday’s election, trying to win over independent and moderate Republican voters.
However, she couldn’t catch up to Mr. Trump, who was ahead by 11 points with most votes counted.
He is likely to win the Republican nomination.
Last week, the old president won by a lot in the Iowa caucuses. Ms Haley came in third place, after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
After DeSantis dropped out, Ms. Haley was the only person left running against Mr.
At a party on election night in Concord, Ms Haley admitted that she lost the New Hampshire contest and congratulated Mr. Trump for winning.
However, she promised to bring her campaign to the state of South Carolina, where she used to be governor, in one month.
“New Hampshire comes first in the country,” Ms. Haley told a loud and excited crowd of fans. “It’s not the worst in the country. ”
“This race still has a long way to go. ” Many states still need to be visited. And the next place I want to talk about is my favorite state, South Carolina.
Mr Trump didn’t like the speech and he called her “delusional” at his own party on election night. “Who was that liar who went on stage earlier and lied about winning. ” he asked
Team Haley quickly responded, calling his speech a “angry and loud rambling. ”
The campaign asked, “If Mr. Trump is healthy, why is he so mad. ”
For months, Ms Haley was careful in her disapproval of Mr Trump, who was the clear leader and her former boss.
In New Hampshire last weekend, the former UN ambassador criticized him for his friendships with dictators, questioned his mental abilities, and called out his lies as she campaigned on her 52nd birthday.
According to exit polls from CBS News, it looks like Hillary Clinton’s last-minute efforts may have worked. Two-thirds of the voters who made up their minds in the last few days voted for her. Haley did better than the opinion polls had predicted. The polls had shown her behind Mr. Trump by about 20 points, but she did even better than that.
However, even though New Hampshire has a lot of independent voters who were expected to support Ms. Haley, she still couldn’t make up the big difference between her and the former president.
“Nikki spent a lot of time, effort, and money,” Katon Dawson, a representative of Haley, and the former leader of the South Carolina Republican party, said. That means Donald Trump has a lot of power and influence.
Before the primary in New Hampshire, some people said to the BBC that they thought Ms Haley was not conservative enough. Other people said they like her as a person, but they will still support Mr.
On Tuesday in Manchester, Pat Hansen said she’s not certain about some of the things the woman plans to do. Haley felt upset because she thought that important Republicans in South Carolina stopped supporting her and instead supported Mr.
Ms Haley is choosing not to participate in the third Republican contest in Nevada. Her next important competition against Mr. Trump will be in South Carolina on February 24th.
She hopes that the people who voted for her twice to become governor will welcome her there.
“Said Bill Nettles, a Democrat who was a top lawyer in the state while Ms Haley was governor, she has a history of doing this. ” “She was very liked when she left her job. ”
Despite being closely connected to the state, Ms. Haley is behind Mr. Trump in opinion polls by more than 30 points.
Specialists said that if she lost in her local political area, it would probably ruin her campaign.
Ron Bonjean, a veteran Republican strategist, said that Trump is gaining a lot of support quickly and he will probably win the nomination early. “There is very little uncertainty now. ”
And here’s a scary fact for Ms. Haley: every time a Republican candidate has won the first two states, they have always become the Republican nominee. -
US strikes an Iraqi militia supported by Iran
The US has used its military to attack three places in Iraq where an Iran-supported group was operating.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the attacks targeted the Kataib Hezbollah militia group and other groups affiliated with Iran.
He said the accurate attacks were a direct response to the attacks on US and coalition allies in Iraq and Syria.
However, a high-ranking Iraqi official said that they were a clear breach of Iraq’s independence.
Iraq’s top security official, Qassem al-Aaraji, said that the US attacks did not make the situation peaceful.
He wrote on X, previously known as Twitter, that the US should push for a stop to the Israeli attacks in Gaza instead of bombing the bases of an Iraqi national group.
He was talking about the group of former fighters supported by Iran called the Popular Mobilisation force, which is now part of the regular military.
Last week, some US soldiers got hurt in a missile attack on an airbase in western Iraq.
US officials said they are getting checked for head injuries.
The US military’s CentCom said that a group supported by Iran attacked the Al Asad airbase, where American troops are stationed, using missiles and rockets.
A group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq said it was responsible for the attack.
The group started in late 2023 and is made up of a few armed groups connected to Iran that are working in Iraq. It has said it did other attacks on US soldiers in the last few weeks.
In a statement, Mr Austin said he was impressed by the professionalism of the US military in carrying out the recent attacks in Iraq as part of the ongoing effort to weaken ISIS.
Mr Austin said that he and President Biden will do what is needed to protect America’s interests.
We don’t want to make the problems in the area worse. We are ready to do whatever it takes to keep our people and buildings safe. “We ask these groups and their Iranian supporters to stop these attacks right away,” he said.
In another announcement, CentCom said the attacks happened at 00:15 local time (21:15 GMT Tuesday). This was a response to the attack on the Al Asad airbase in western Iraq on 20 January, among other attacks.
“The strikes hit Kataib Hezbollah’s headquarters, where they keep their rockets, missiles, and drones for attacks,” said CentCom.
Kataib Hezbollah is a strong group of fighters in Iraq who follow the Shia Islamic religion. They get money and weapons from Iran.
It is thought to have close connections with Iran’s Quds Force, the branch of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps that operates outside the country.
Since 2009, the US has said the group is a terrorist organization. They say the group has attacked US and Iraqi forces in Iraq for Iran and has made Iraq less peaceful and stable.
The US military didn’t say where they attacked Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq.
The attack on Al Asad airbase happened on Saturday after a US drone strike in Baghdad earlier this month that killed a leader of a pro-Iran militia.
American soldiers in Iraq and Syria have been attacked many times by groups supported by Iran since the conflict between Israel and Gaza began in October.
The US military and its friends, like the UK, have stepped in to stop Houthi missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
The governments of Washington and London have bombed the Houthis, a rebel group in Yemen that is supported by Iran.
On Wednesday, CentCom said the US military attacked two Houthi anti-ship missiles that were aimed at the southern Red Sea and ready to be launched.
“American soldiers found missiles in parts of Yemen controlled by the Houthi group. They decided that the missiles were a serious danger to ships that carry goods and to American warships in that area. ” The US military destroyed the missiles to protect themselves.
The Iranian army launched several missile attacks in the past week in Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan.
On Saturday, Iran said Israel bombed a place in Syria’s capital city, Damascus. The bombing killed five important members of Iran’s security forces. -
Joe Ghartey blames COVID-19 for failure of govt failure to complete Sky Train project
Former Railways Minister, Joe Ghartey, has attributed the challenges faced by the government in advancing the controversial Sky Train project to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He mentioned that pivotal investors for the project withdrew due to the pandemic, resulting in delays that subsequently impacted the project’s implementation.
In an interview with Accra-based Joy News, the Member of Parliament for Essikado Ketan disclosed that South African investors for the project detailed their decision in a letter addressed to him.
“The South Africans pulled out after COVID… What they wrote to me was that because of COVID, things have changed, they can’t come. That is what they wrote to me, that we have to wait,” he recounted.
When asked whether the government should make plans to resume the Sky Train project, Joe Ghartey indicated that it is “up to them [government].”
“It depends on how much money you have, it [also] depends on whether the people are prepared to do it,” he added.
In 2018, the Ghana Sky Train Limited was established by Africa Investor Holdings Limited seeking to incorporate a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in Mauritius for the Accra Sky Train Project’s development through a Design, Build, Finance, and Operate arrangement.
The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) is said to have made a $2 million payment to acquire 10 ordinary shares in the SPV for the project.
The project was later fraught with delays and subsequently hit a snag. In 2021, the Auditor General’s report labeled the transaction as a net liability.
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Serious combat as Somali forces repel al-Shabab assault
There’s a big battle happening in the middle of Somalia because al-Shabab fighters attacked army bases in Mudug region.
People told the media they heard a lot of shooting and explosions early in the morning on Wednesday.
The attack started with a person blowing themselves up, aiming at government special forces.
Galmudug’s Security Minister Mohamed Abdi Aden told the media that soldiers are still fighting the fighters in Aad village, where the army bases are found.
The army and local people stopped the attack and caused a lot of harm to the terrorists, according to the Somali National News Agency (Sonna).
Al-Shabab said they captured five military bases and killed many soldiers.
Since August 2022, the Somali federal forces have been attacking the al-Qaeda-linked group. -
I make $20 dollars hourly for clearing snow in Canada – Ghanaian man brags, blasts govt over unemployment in Ghana
A Ghanaian residing in Canada has passionately chastised the leadership in Ghana for what he perceives as a failure to address the pressing issue of unemployment.
The individual, who disclosed his identity as Grandpa, expressed frustration over the disparity in earnings and opportunities between Ghana and his current location in Canada.
In the video, the man highlighted the stark contrast in employment conditions, emphasizing that in Canada, individuals earn a substantial $20 per hour for snow removal work.
Drawing a pointed comparison, he underscored that working just 10 hours a day would yield $200—a figure surpassing the monthly salary of many Ghanaians.
The frustrated individual urged Ghana’s leaders to take a more serious stance in managing the country’s affairs, particularly focusing on the urgent need to create employment opportunities for citizens.
He emphasized the economic challenges faced by many Ghanaians and called for a proactive approach to address unemployment, a critical issue affecting the livelihoods of countless citizens.
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Uganda and UAE company negotiating $4 billion oil refinery
The government of Uganda is talking to a company from Dubai, led by a royal family member, to build a $4 billion oil refinery.
Uganda picked Alpha MBM Investments LLC from five companies for the project, according to Ruth Nankabirwa, the Energy and Mineral Development Minister.
The two groups are supposed to make an agreement in the next three months.
Ms Nankabirwa said she hopes they won’t spend much time trying to find money. She believes they can get the money and technology needed to help refine their crude oil and meet environmental regulations.
The minister said that rules will be made to lower the project’s pollution and lessen its impact on the environment.
The government says the refinery will help Uganda process some of its crude oil for money. Officials say there will be $20 billion invested in the sector.
The country plans to start selling crude oil in 2025.
“So far, the investments have helped the economy by $8. 6bn We expect to get even more, between $20bn-$25bn,” Ms Nankabirwa told Newsday.
Uganda is working on a new oil project. They want to build a pipeline that is 1,443km long to move oil from Western Uganda to Tanzania’s Tanga port for export.More update on this story soon.
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Biden prevails in New Hampshire despite not being on ballot
Joe Biden won the Democratic primary in New Hampshire even though he wasn’t listed on the ballot.
Many people voted for him, so he did not have to feel embarrassed about losing to Dean Phillips, a Democratic congressman.
Mr Biden didn’t take part in the primary election because New Hampshire didn’t change its voting date, as the Democratic National Committee (DNC) had asked them to.
In the primary race, South Carolina will be the first state to vote next month.
As New Hampshire and the national party couldn’t agree, Mr. Biden’s supporters in the state started a campaign for voters to write his name on the ballot.
On Tuesday, it looked like Mr. Biden got 67% of the vote, which is much more than Mr. Phillips who only got 19%.
Marianne Williamson, who is 71 years old, is an author and speaker who got 4% of the vote based on some early results.
The fight between Donald Trump and Nikki Haley during the Republican primary was really intense.
The DNC chose South Carolina to be the first state to vote because it has a diverse population that better represents the whole country.
However, New Hampshire couldn’t change the date of its primary election because its state law says it must be the first primary.
The DNC took away the state’s 24 delegates and Mr. Biden didn’t sign up to run for president. Primary voting decides how many delegates will choose the party’s nominee at the national convention in August.
The US president had to deal with a challenge from Mr. Phillips, who is a congressman from Minnesota.
Mr Phillips promised to keep going with his campaign. “I’m worried that Democrats are heading towards a disaster without realizing it,” said Mr. Phillips, 55, in an interview with the media.
We accomplished it in 2016. Doing the same thing on purpose this year is not okay and embarrassing.
A normal guy, Mr Phillips started working in 2019. He is one of the richest members of Congress because he inherited his stepfather’s company that makes schnapps and liquor. According to AdImpact, he spent over $5 million on ads in the state.
Mr Biden used $156,000. -
Report forecasts decline in inflation to 22.4% for January 2024
Ghana is expected to experience a decrease in inflation, dropping from 23.4 percent in December 2023 to a projected rate of 22.4 percent in January 2024.
In their latest report on Ghana, research firm IC Research has disclosed that the country’s inflation is anticipated to decrease, with projections indicating a decline from 23.4 percent in December 2023 to 22.4 percent in January 2024.
The research firm attributed the foreign exchange out-turn recorded from late December 2023 to early January 2024 as a factor expected to perpetuate price pressures within the inflation basket.
“Our forecast shows a modest decline in the annual inflation rate to 22.4% y/y in January 2024 as the improved FX out-turn in late December 2023 into early January 2024 sustains the lid on price pressures,” the firm projected.
It further added that local energy prices are expected to remain stable at the pumps on the back of downward bias in the January 2024 Consumer Price Index (CPI) window relative to the same period in 2023.
The research firm also predicts that a reduction in electricity tariffs implemented in December 2023 will help support the disinflation process in January 2024.
“We also anticipate the lagged impact of the lower electricity tariff implemented last month to sustain the disinflation in January 2024. However, the authorities have signalled the introduction of VAT [Value Added Tax] on residential use of electricity above lifeline consumers (>30kWh) with effect from January 1, 2024,” IC Research said.
The firm, however, pointed out that the new taxes introduced in the 2024 budget of the government will weaken the pace of disinflation in early 2024 while the Bank of Ghana is expected to remain cautious on the timing of policy rate cuts.
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TUC slams government’s move for 15% VAT on electricity, calls it unfair to labor
Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, has condemned the government’s move to impose a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity, labeling it as unjust.
He argues that the government could explore alternative avenues to generate revenue for addressing the mounting energy sector debts, rather than imposing additional hardship on Ghanaians already grappling with economic challenges.
In an interview with Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Mr. Ansah asserted that workers would vehemently oppose the implementation of the 15% VAT on electricity, advocating for a reprieve for the Ghanaian populace.
The TUC deputy general secretary stated that, “Organized labour will advise itself, and unions will do what unions often do when an unpopular decision or tax is introduced that affects workers…VAT is not the only thing the government can do to bring back the lights. I don’t think that is the only way the government can take to make the electricity supply stable when a lot of the population is suffering. This is not fair, and that is why workers are resisting it with all their might.”
“If you are bringing additional taxes or VAT, then it is an easy way for the government. There are other ways the government can use to raise revenue, and it must work harder. To be burdening workers every day is not fair,” he added.
The TUC had earlier given government a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw the tax, citing its detrimental impact on the livelihoods of Ghanaians, particularly pensioners and low-income earners.
His comment comes after government, through the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta directed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) in a letter to implement a 15% VAT on electricity consumption effective January 1, 2024.
He explained that the tax aimed to raise revenue for the COVID-19 recovery programme.
The letter said the VAT will apply to residential electricity customers above the maximum consumption level specified for block charges for lifeline units.
The implementation of VAT for residential customers of electricity is in line with Sections 35 and 37 and the First Schedule (9) of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, 2013 (ACT 870).
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Uproar following Ukrainian-born model’s victory as Miss Japan
“Japanese people have faced racism and it has been hard for them to be accepted. ”
Carolina Shiino said in perfect Japanese that she was very happy and crying after she won Miss Japan on Monday.
The model is 26 years old and from Ukraine. She moved to Japan when she was 5 and grew up in Nagoya.
She is the first person who became Japanese citizen to win the pageant, but her win has started a debate about what it really means to be Japanese.
Some people think her win shows that society is changing, but others say she doesn’t fit the traditional image of a Miss Japan.
She won nearly 10 years after Ariana Miyamoto, who became the first bi-racial woman to win Miss Japan in 2015.
In the past, people were unsure if someone with parents from different races should be allowed to win the competition after Ms. Miyamoto, who had a Japanese mother and an African American father, won.
Some people on social media are upset that Ms Shiino does not have Japanese parents.
“This person who was picked as Miss Japan is not Japanese, she is completely from Ukraine. ” She is pretty, but she is ‘Miss Japan’. A message on X, used to be Twitter, asked “Where is the Japanese culture. ”
“If she was part Japanese, then it’s no problem. ” Another person said that she is not Japanese at all and was not born in Japan.
Some people said her victory was sending a negative message to others in the country.
“I believe that Japanese people might misunderstand if a person who looks European is called the most beautiful Japanese. ”
Some people wondered if it was a political choice to select a model from Ukraine.
“If she had been born in Russia, she wouldn’t have won. ” No way Clearly, the standards are now decided by politicians. “Someone said it’s a very sad day for Japan. ”
Ai Wada, who runs the Miss Japan Grand Prix pageant, told the media that the judges picked Ms Shiino as the winner with a lot of belief in their choice.
Ms Wada said that she speaks and writes in nice and polite Japanese. “She is more like a Japanese person than we are. ”
Last year, Ms. Shiino posted on Instagram that she got Japanese nationality. She said that even though she doesn’t look Japanese, she feels Japanese because she grew up in Japan.
She was very happy to win the Miss Japan 2024 title and called it a dream come true.
“I am happy to be recognized as a Japanese in this competition. “ -
Six people killed as gas tanker explodes following an accident
Six people have died, including three firefighters, after a truck carrying 60 tons of natural gas crashed and exploded in the capital of Mongolia.
Many firefighters went to put out a fire after a car crash in Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday morning.
At least 11 people got hurt, and the fire spread to buildings close by.
One person who lives in the area thought that a plane had crashed at first.
Erdenebold Sukhbaatar, who is a 40-year-old lawyer, told Reuters news agency that the crash happened at around 01:00 local time (17:00 GMT on Tuesday). He said it felt like an earthquake and there was a bright light afterward.
It was really powerful. And I’ve never seen such a powerful explosion before. It was about 60,000 liters of gas. It was like a big, watery gas.
He saw the fire quickly spread to “almost three different buildings”.
A person living in the building said that when they noticed the fire, the front door was already on fire, so they had to escape through the back door. When they turned around, they saw that the fire had gone up to the highest floor of the building.
“They said it happened very fast. ”
Another person said that the explosion was so strong that it broke their windows and ruined their balcony.
Sainbuyan Amarsaikhan, who is the deputy leader of Mongolia, said that no one had been hurt in any of the buildings.
But he said the firefighters died in another explosion, which threw part of the truck very strongly, causing the sad loss of life.
The Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the fire was extinguished by 04:30. They also said that four children were hurt, including one who was being treated for poisoning.
People are wondering why it was okay for a tank carrying dangerous stuff to go into a neighborhood with lots of schools.
Erdenebold Sukhbaatar said that it would be worse if it happened during the busy times in the morning or evening.
“This proves that the city planning is very poor,” said Ankhbayar Galbadrakh to AFP news agency. “All these trucks, with or without gas, must travel outside the city. “ -
There’s so much disrespect in Ghana’s politics – Manhyia chiefs bemoan
Members of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) have voiced their regret over a visit to Jubilee House, the official residence of the President of Ghana, citing disrespectful treatment by the security personnel on duty.
The revelation was made by Otumfuo’s respected linguist, Nana Kofi-Wusu, during discussions with a delegation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which included General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye, and Ernest Owusu Bempah, among other Ashanti regional executives. The summons came in response to alleged disparaging comments made by the Ashanti regional Chairman of the party against Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during the party’s parliamentary vetting ahead of the January 27, 2024 primaries.
Nana Kofi-Wusu expressed his disappointment, stating, “There’s too much disrespect in how you guys are conducting your political activities, even though some NDC and NPP members accord us the needed respect.”
He went on to share a specific incident during their visit to Jubilee House: “Last time we came to your place, I mean Jubilee House, the President had traveled then, so we decided to visit the Vice President. When we got there, this was our treatment: ‘Hay!! Don’t pass here, pass here, go!’ What they did to us in the Jubilee House, oh. But you come here with pride, we even facilitate your coming to Manhyia without any frustration.”
Nana Kofi-Wusu emphasized the contrasting treatment, pointing out that while political leaders are accorded respect when visiting Manhyia, the same courtesy is not reciprocated during their visits to the Jubilee House.
“The treatment was very bad and humiliating. Most of you come to Manhyia with your cameras to even take pictures in Manhyia with Otumfuo, including when shaking hands with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and us when you come here don’t we allow you to do all this easily?” he questioned the NPP delegation.
He concluded by cautioning the NPP leaders, stating, “So, Nana B, Koduah, and all of you here, do you think we will allow you people in the time ahead of you to destroy Asanteman through NPP’s political activities? No, it will never happen. Kick out the odd one that wants to destroy your party and the relation between Manhyia and the NPP. My proverb for you is that don’t allow one groundnut to destroy thousands of your groundnut. Remove the rotten one and throw it away for your peace.”
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Education remains key influence in tackling health challenges – Ghana Statistical Service
The latest Demographic and Health Survey has underscored the crucial role of education as a primary driver.
The survey brings to light significant disparities in health and well-being linked to varying levels of education.
Echoing UNESCO‘s proclamation that “Education is a human right, a public good, and a public responsibility,” the findings emphasize the interconnectedness of education and public health, advocating for a comprehensive approach to ensure equitable access and quality education for all.
Shedding light on the educational landscape, the 2021 Population and Housing Census reveals a concerning statistic—5.4 million individuals aged 6 and older, constituting one-fifth of the population, have never set foot in a classroom.
The recently published 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey Report further delves into the implications, illustrating stark differences in various health and well-being indicators based on educational attainment. This emphasizes the critical imperative of prioritizing universal education to bridge disparities and ensure a healthier and more equitable future for all.
Women’s education improves maternal and child health. Under-5 mortality for children whose mothers have no education (52 deaths per 1,000 live births) is almost three times higher than for children whose mothers have secondary education or more (19 deaths per 1,000 live births).
Among women 15 to 49 years who had a live birth in the previous two years, one in every four females (26.5%) with no education delivered at home, which is almost 18 times the percentage of females with more than secondary education (1.5%). Less than half (41.8%) of children 12 to 23 months whose mothers have no education have been fully vaccinated according to the national schedule; about half the percentage of children whose mothers have secondary education or more (82.0%).
The frequency of alcohol consumption decreases with the level of education. One in every four males (26.4%) 15 to 49 years with no education reported drinking alcohol daily or almost daily, about three times the percentage of males with more than secondary education (9.0%). The percentage of females in this age range with no education who reported drinking alcohol daily or almost daily (11.6%) is over five times higher than that of women with more than secondary education (2.1%).
The likelihood of experiencing violence for females 15 to 49 years similarly decreases with educational attainment with females with no education having the highest percentage that have experienced physical (15.1%) and sexual (7.1%) violence, with rates about twice that of women with more than secondary education.
Reporting positive attitudes to wife beating declines with education for both males and females. About one in every three women (35.6%) 15 to 49 years with no education agree that a husband is justified in hitting or beating his wife, almost eight times higher than women with secondary education or more (4.5%).
Among men, the percentage of males in this age range with no education who agree wife beating is justified (27.9%) is about seven times higher than men with secondary education or more (3.8%).
Access to mass media and ICT increases with educational attainment. Half (52.2%) of females 15 to 49 years who have no education do not access mass media weekly, more than twice the percentage of women with more than secondary education (14.0%).
Among males with 15 to 49 years with no education, almost half (44.8%) do not access media weekly, compared to males with more than secondary (12.7%) education. Further, one in every ten (11.0%) females and two in every 10 (22.0%) males 15 to 49 years with no education did not use the internet in the previous 12 months compared to over nine in every 10 for those with secondary education or more.
International Day for Education is Commemorated annually on 24th January to raise awareness of the transformative power of education for development. The theme for 2024 is “Learning for lasting peace”.
The Ghana 2022 Demographic and Health Survey report and microdata can be downloaded from www.statsghana.gov.gh. Disaggregated data on education from the 2021 Population and Housing Census can be accessed directly from the GSS StatsBank: https://statsbank.statsghana.gov.gh.
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Corruption is a threat to Ghana’s democracy – Julius Malema
Prominent South African politician Julius Malema has expressed deep concerns about the integrity of Ghana’s democracy, citing corruption as a significant and imminent threat.
His remarks, delivered with a sense of urgency, highlight the pressing need for collective action to safeguard democratic principles in the West African nation.
Speaking to Ghanaian Youth at an AriseGhana Event, Founder of Economic Freedom Fighters, a South African Political Party, highlighted corruption as impeding Ghana’s ability to repay international debts to institutions such as the IMF.
“The democracy of Ghana is threatened by democracy. Today, because of democracy Ghana cannot pay its international debt.”
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We were assaulted in NAM1’s house – 5th Witness tells court
A trader who entrusted GHC760,000 to Menzgold has come forward with allegations of assault against the Chief Executive Officer, Nana Appiah Mensah.
The investor, along with other aggrieved customers, recounts an incident where they confronted Mensah to demand the return of their funds, resulting in an alleged assault.
The unfolding situation adds another layer to the controversy surrounding the defunct gold dealership firm.
During her testimony at the Accra High Court on Tuesday, January 23, Priscilla Adu Boateng, the fifth prosecution witness, revealed that the ex-CEO of Menzgold Ghana Ltd reportedly displayed a firearm when confronted by customers seeking the release of their invested funds and accrued interest.
“All the demands on Menzgold from us did not yield any returns, rather Nana Appiah Mensah assaulted us.
“On 8th January 2020, he pulled out a gun when we went to his house in Trassaco to demand our money.
“I am a single mother with four children, and these investments were made in furtherance of their education.
“My business is not thriving, and I am in the process of selling my house to make ends meet.
“I, therefore, demand that Menzgold, Brew Marketing and Nana Appiah Mensah are made to pay my locked-up investments.”
When the case was called, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa, Priscilla Adu Boateng submitted her witness statement to the court.
She indicated that she first heard about Menzgold and was drawn towards investing after seeing a billboard advertising the same.
After a year of convincing by an executive of the gold dealership firm, she finally got on board and invested in the Kasoa branch of Menzgold.
The court discharged Madam Adu Boateng after adopting her witness statement into evidence and the decision of Kwame Boafo Akuffo, the lawyer for NAM1 not to cross-examine her. The case, which is being heard daily, has been adjourned to Wednesday.
Together with his companies, Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Ghana Limited, Nana Appiah Mensah has pleaded not guilty to a plethora of charges including selling gold without a license, operating a deposit-taking business without a license, inducement to invest, defrauding by false pretense, fraudulent breach of trust and money laundering.
He has been charged with 39 counts of these offences amounting to GHC340,835,650. NAM1 is currently on a GHC500 million bail with four sureties.
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We were disrespected – Manhyia Chiefs express regret over Jubilee House visit
Members of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) have voiced their regret over a visit to Jubilee House, the official residence of the President of Ghana, citing disrespectful treatment by the security personnel on duty.
The revelation was made by Otumfuo’s respected linguist, Nana Kofi-Wusu, during discussions with a delegation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which included General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye, and Ernest Owusu Bempah, among other Ashanti regional executives. The summons came in response to alleged disparaging comments made by the Ashanti regional Chairman of the party against Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during the party’s parliamentary vetting ahead of the January 27, 2024 primaries.
Nana Kofi-Wusu expressed his disappointment, stating, “There’s too much disrespect in how you guys are conducting your political activities, even though some NDC and NPP members accord us the needed respect.”
He went on to share a specific incident during their visit to Jubilee House: “Last time we came to your place, I mean Jubilee House, the President had traveled then, so we decided to visit the Vice President. When we got there, this was our treatment: ‘Hay!! Don’t pass here, pass here, go!’ What they did to us in the Jubilee House, oh. But you come here with pride, we even facilitate your coming to Manhyia without any frustration.”
Nana Kofi-Wusu emphasized the contrasting treatment, pointing out that while political leaders are accorded respect when visiting Manhyia, the same courtesy is not reciprocated during their visits to the Jubilee House.
“The treatment was very bad and humiliating. Most of you come to Manhyia with your cameras to even take pictures in Manhyia with Otumfuo, including when shaking hands with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and us when you come here don’t we allow you to do all this easily?” he questioned the NPP delegation.
He concluded by cautioning the NPP leaders, stating, “So, Nana B, Koduah, and all of you here, do you think we will allow you people in the time ahead of you to destroy Asanteman through NPP’s political activities? No, it will never happen. Kick out the odd one that wants to destroy your party and the relation between Manhyia and the NPP. My proverb for you is that don’t allow one groundnut to destroy thousands of your groundnut. Remove the rotten one and throw it away for your peace.”
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Baby born via caesarean section after mother killed by Israeli artillery
A baby was born by C-section after its mother died in an Israeli bombing in Gaza.
The doctors quickly tried to help the child after its mom, Hanadi Abu Amsha, died from her injuries.
The baby is getting special care in the intensive care unit at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah city.
Officials said the child was orphaned before it was even born because its whole family is thought to have been killed.
UNICEF said that Gaza is the most dangerous place for children because of the fighting between Israel and Palestinians.
After coming back from the Strip, Ted Chaiban, who is the deputy executive director, said that the situation there has become very bad.
UNICEF said that the Gaza Strip is the most dangerous place for children in the world. “We have said that this is a fight against children,” he said.
However, it seems like people are not understanding these truths. Almost 25,000 people have been killed in Gaza. About 70% of them are women and children. -
Colorado pastor charged with $3 million cryptocurrency scam
A pastor and his wife from Colorado are accused of tricking many local Christians in a big cryptocurrency scam.
The pastor Eli Regalado and his wife Kaitlyn are accused of tricking people and making more than $3 million by selling cryptocurrency that is not worth much.
The Regalados are accused of making at least $1. 3 million from their plan between June 2022 and April 2023, according to prosecutors.
Mr Regalado said that his idea came from God, as said in court documents.
The pastor claimed that God told him that people who invest in INDXcoin, a cryptocurrency created by the Regalados, would become rich.
The Regalados, who are in charge of the Kingdom Wealth Exchange, gave INDXcoin to Christians in the Denver area.
The couple didn’t know about cryptocurrency. An auditor found INDXcoin to be unsafe, unsecure, and full of technical problems.
“Even though there was a report about it, the Regalados kept telling people that INDXcoin was a safe and profitable investment,” the report said.
The INDXcoin was not easy to turn into cash and was almost worth nothing. The couple spent the money on their extravagant way of living.
Officials said they found a Range Rover, fancy purses, jewelry, rented boats and snowmobile trips.
Colorado’s top financial regulator, Tung Chan, has accused someone of breaking the law by lying or cheating to investors.
She said her department found out about the problem because many people who invested in INDXcoin complained about losing money.
Mr Relagado talked about the accusations in a video he posted on Friday.
Colorado is saying it’s worthless because people who bought cryptocurrency can’t take their money out.
We started a market where people can trade things. The trade system broke down. Things got worse, and since then, we’ve only been hoping for a miracle from the Lord.
The pastor admitted that it was true that Mr. Relagado and his wife received $1. 3 million
“He said that out of the $1. 3 million, half of it went to the IRS and $200,000 went towards renovating our home, as the Lord had told us to do. ”
Lots of people wrote nice things in the comments on the video, like “sending prayers” and “keep going, be strong”.
The BBC has asked the Regalados for their thoughts or opinions.
In the complaint, Colorado prosecutors want to get temporary help, money for investors, and control of the Relagados’ property.
They have to go to Denver District Court next week.
