TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Make Adutwum the substantive Education Minister Send Gh to Akufo-Addo

    Former Deputy Education Minister in charge of Second Cycle Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has demonstrated more than enough that he is capable of being the substantive sector minister, George Osei Bimpeh, Director, Send Ghana, has said.

    He has, therefore, indicated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should consider making the Bosomtwe lawmaker the substantive Minister in his second government.

    Dr Adutwum is credited with several initiatives at the Education Ministry including the double-track system to accommodate the high number of enrollment into the secondary schools following the implementation of the free senior high school programme.

    He founded the New Designs Charter Schools but prior to that, he worked as a Mathematics and Information Technology teacher at the Manual Arts High School for ten years and within this period, he founded the International Studies Academy which served as a small learning community for students to thrive academically and socially.

    He also served as the lead Maths teacher in the USC/ Manual Arts Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI).

    He was also part of the task force established by the National Research for Career and Technical to develop a national model for career and technical education in High School and College levels.

    Speaking in an interview with Dela Michel on the Mid Day news on TV3 Tuesday, January 12, while contributing to a discussion on the impending ministerial appointment by the President, Send Ghana boss, Mr Bimpeh said Nana Akufo-Addo should consider him for the substantive ministerial position because “he has demonstrated that he is more than fit to be the substantive minister.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Another inferno in Kumasi as fire guts warehouse at Suame Magazine

    Fire officers are battling an inferno at a warehouse used for the storage of vehicle spare parts at Suame Magazine in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi.

    This is the fourth fire incident recorded in the Region in three days.

    The Suame Magazine fire incident is reported to have started Tuesday morning at about 7 am.

    Two fire tenders are at the scene as fire officers break into the building to contain the situation.

    This fire comes after a fire swept through some wooden structures serving as makeshift shelters at the Dagombaline slum in Kumasi on Monday, January 11, 2021.

    Before that, there had been fires at the Republic Hall Mini Market at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where over 10 shops were affected, and a fire incident at Aboabo station, also in Kumasi.

    The Divisional Officer Grade One in-charge of operations at the Fire Service in Ashanti Region, Francis Darko-Konoh, who spoke to Citi News about the fire also revealed that one of the fire officers has been rushed to the hospital after he sustained an injury.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Your efforts will not go in vain – Dr. Nsiah-Asare urges NPP faithfuls

    Presidential advisor on Health Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare has encouraged all members of ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) that their hard work towards the party’s victory in the 2020 elections, is very much appreciated and they will not be forgotten.

    He also assured of scholarships and employment opportunities for qualified persons in the party.

    He made this known the Patriotic Health Team held a victory dinner party at the Accra Digital Center.

    The event was commemorated to show appreciation to all members of the Patriotic Health Team and other volunteer groups who played a significant role in the just ended Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

    The Patriotic Health Team led by Douglas Boateng under the NPP party campaigned in support of the party through health screenings and the Team together with other health volunteer teams were grouped as regional representatives promoting good healthy living in the various constituencies of their respective regions.

    The team is made up of health professionals and Non-Health Professionals of the party which seeks to propagate the Good news of the party.

    Speaking at the event, the former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, expressed his deepest gratitude to all persons present and promised: “indeed all NPP party faithful will not be forgotten.”

    Present at the event were the Deputy Ambassador To China, Dr Charles Dwamena who Double as Patron of Patriotic Health Team, Mr Bright Ernest Akomea The Live Patron, CEO of Alpha Gold who double as V20 Coordinator for Eastern Regional Campaign Team, Mr Alpha Nyarko Kissi, Mr Dennis Miracle Aboagye – former MCE Akuapem North and Mr Ofosu Nkansah – CEO of Accra Digital centre.

    All the speakers assured party faithful gathered to remain calm for they shall be rewarded for their good works.

    The event was attended by hundreds of Patriotic Health Team members and other volunteer groups of the NPP.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • FBI warns of plans for nationwide armed protests ahead of Biden’s inauguration

    The FBI has warned of armed protests being planned for Washington and all 50 U.S. state capitals in the run-up to President-elect Joe Biden’s Jan. 20 inauguration, a federal law enforcement source said on Monday.

    Threatened with more violence from outgoing President Donald Trump’s supporters following last Wednesday’s storming of the U.S. Capitol, the FBI issued warnings for next weekend that run at least until Inauguration Day, the source said.

    In other steps to safeguard the U.S. capital, the National Guard was authorised to send up to 15,000 troops to Washington, and tourists were barred from visiting the Washington Monument until Jan. 24.

    The chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel Hokanson, told reporters he expected about 10,000 troops in Washington by Saturday to help provide security, logistics and communications.

    He said the number could rise to 15,000 if requested by local authorities.

    At least one lawmaker asked the Pentagon to do more.

    Senator Chris Murphy, who said he was sending a letter to the acting secretary of defense on Monday, said it was unclear if the National Guard would be sufficient to protect the nation’s capital and that active-duty troops may be needed also.

    “I’m not afraid of taking the oath outside,” Biden told reporters in Newark, Delaware, referring to the traditional setting for the swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol grounds. But he said it was critically important that people “who engaged in sedition and threatened people’s lives, defaced public property, caused great damage” be held accountable.

    Biden’s inaugural committee said on Monday the theme of the Jan. 20 ceremony would be “America United.” Trump, who has sought unsuccessfully to overturn the Nov. 3 election results with false claims of widespread fraud, said last week he would not attend the ceremony, a decision the president-elect supported.

    Washington monument closed to tours

    The Park Service said it would suspend tours of the Washington Monument, an obelisk honouring the country’s first president, due to safety concerns from threats to disrupt the inauguration.

    Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called for the U.S. Interior Department to cancel public-gathering permits through Jan. 24. “This inaugural planning period has to be very different than all the others,” she told reporters on Monday.

    In a letter to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf made public on Sunday, Bowser called for a fresh approach to security after what she called last week’s “unprecedented terrorist attack.”

    Bowser asked Wolf to extend the National Special Security Event period from Monday through Jan. 24. The Secret Service heads security operations for events, including presidential inaugurations, considered to be nationally significant.

    Wolf said in a statement he had instructed the Secret Service to begin National Special Security Event operations for the inauguration effective Wednesday, instead of Jan. 19 as previously scheduled. The acting secretary told his staff he was stepping down on Monday.

    The assault on the Capitol, challenging the certification of Biden’s election victory, sent lawmakers into hiding and left five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer. Dozens of people have been charged in the violence and hundreds more cases are expected.

    The assault occurred shortly after Trump urged supporters to march on the Capitol during a rally where he repeated false claims his resounding defeat in November’s election was illegitimate.

    Democrats in Congress began a push on Monday to force Trump from office, introducing an article of impeachment that accuses him of inciting insurrection.

    The presidential inaugural committee and Bowser have told Americans not to travel to the inauguration, and said Washington’s National Mall would be covered with 191,500 flags of different sizes, to represent the missing crowds.

    A presidential inauguration traditionally draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Washington, but the ceremonies have been scaled back dramatically because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In state capitols, governors are on high alert ahead of the inauguration.

    In Wisconsin, a swing state where Trump alleged election fraud, Governor Tony Evers authorised the Wisconsin National Guard to support the state’s Capitol Police.

    In Michigan, another swing state where Biden’s victory was contested by Trump, the state’s Capitol Commission, which oversees the legislature, issued an order to ban the open carrying of weapons inside the Capitol building in Lansing.

    Source: france24.com

  • Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine says military raided his home

    Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine said soldiers raided his home on Tuesday and arrested his security guards, two days before an election.

    “The army has this morning raided my home, arrested all my security guards and anyone they could see around my premises,” Wine, who is the opposition frontrunner, said on Twitter.

    “No reason for the arrest was given,” he said.

    Spokesmen for the military and the police did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.

    Ugandans vote on Thursday in elections pitting long-time leader Yoweri Museveni against 10 candidates including Wine, a singer-turned-lawmaker whose star power has rattled the ruling party.

    Wine also said in a separate post on Twitter that soldiers raided the home of one of his aides overnight and took the man to an unknown destination.

    Source: reuters.com

  • Bayer Leverkusen and Ajax join race to sign Timothy Fosu-Mensah

    Bayer Leverkusen are in talks to sign Timothy Fosu-Mensah from Manchester United but face competition from Ajax.

    The defender is out of contract at Old Trafford in the summer and has rejected the offer of a new deal in order to seek more first-team football elsewhere.

    Leverkusen and Ajax have since come in for the Netherlands international and are trying to sign him on a permanent basis.

    The German club are said to be leading the race for his signature but Fosu-Mensah has a soft spot for Ajax, having spent time there as a youth player.

    The 23-year-old has only made 30 first-team appearances for United since making his debut as a substitute in the 3-2 win over Arsenal in February 2016.

    Leverkusen have also spoken to United about a loan deal for Brandon Williams but they have not yet decided whether or not to let him leave this month.

    Source:Sky Sports

  • Two illegal miners remanded for stealing

    The Nkawie circuit court has remanded two illegal miners into prison custody for assault and stealing at Asuowin, in the Amansie West District.

    Emmanuel Boakye Mensah 19, and Kwabena Agyeman 24, were said to have attacked their victim at a drinking spot in the town at night and made away with his hand bag, containing mobile phone, money and other items.

    Their pleas were not taken and would reappear before the court presided over by Mr Johnson Abbey on January 19, this year.

    Detective Chief Inspector Comfort Amankwaa told the court that both the complainant and the accused persons resided at Asuowin.

    She said at about 0930 hours on January 3, the accused persons entered the drinking spot, beat the complainant and snatched his bag valued at GH¢50.00 which contained a mobile phone valued at GH¢400.00 and other items and bolted.

    A report was made to the Asuowin police who arrested them in three days.

    Chief Inspector Amankwaa said the police were still investigating the case.

    Source: GNA

  • SEC warns against trading with Chy Century Heng Yue Group Limited, Sairuir-Commerce Ghana Limited

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public to abstain from engaging in any capital market activity with Chy Century Heng Yue Group Limited and Sairuir-Commerce Ghana Limited.

    According to SEC, the two entities have not been licensed to invest or trade for returns as mandated by Section 3 of the Securities Industry Act, 2016 (Act 929).

    A statement dated January 8 and issued by SEC said, “Chy Century Heng Yue Group Limited/Sairui E-Commerce Ghana Limited are therefore not regulated by the SEC. The General Public is advised to be cautious with investing in unlicensed products.”

    It added that SEC is dedicated to ensuring rigorous implementation of all the rules for operators in the Capital Market in order to promote the orderly growth and development of an efficient, fair and transparent securities market in which investors and the integrity of the market are protected.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Nigerias Covid-19 cases count crosses 100,000 mark

    Nigeria has crossed the 100,000 mark of total infections since the pandemic began, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    This is after 1,024 new cases were confirmed on Sunday. The commercial hub of Lagos reported 653 new cases, the highest in the country.

    The west African country has over the last eight weeks seen an increase in new cases.

    Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state government has opened a new oxygen plant to generate oxygen for patients. The plant can produce about 300 cylinders of oxygen per day, he said in a tweet.

    The NCDC said 1,358 people have so far died of Covid-19 related complications in the country.

    Source:BBC

  • Rwanda launches largest treatment centre amidst coronavirus surge

    Rwanda has launched its largest treatment centre for Covid-19 patients, which is expected to provide relief for overwhelmed hospitals across the country.

    The new centre has the capacity to admit 140 patients under its intensive care unit and comes at a time when the country is desperately trying to control a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic that had by January 8 claimed 115 lives, with 2,313 active cases.

    The treatment centre is housed within the newly launched Nyarugenge District Hospital in Kigali City, built to the tune of about $10 million.

    “The facility is expected to improve Covid-19 case management. It offers the highest standard of oxygen therapy and its ICU capacity allows to admit 136 patients,” Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) said on Twitter.

    Prior to its launch, Rwanda had a total of 114 intensive care unit beds, 90 fixed ventilators and 130 portable ventilators prioritised for Covid-19 patients, according to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre.

    More than 50 patients needing oxygen and intensive care are slated for transfer to the centre from other treatment centres in Kigali.

    Experts anticipate a third wave of the virus infection before the vaccine is accessible to much of the population.

    “Covid-19 has some factors in common with the previous respiratory pandemics such the 1918 Spanish Flu. It takes three waves for us to be able to manage it. Since the vaccine will not take effect immediately everywhere at the same time, we might have another wave of infections this year,” Dr Menelas Nkeshimana told The EastAfrican.

    Dr Nkeshimana, a member of Rwanda Joint Task Force for Covid-19 with experience in handling pandemics, added that the country faces the risk of rising infections because of its young and mobile population which facilitates contagion.

    In mid-December, Rwanda authorised up to 42 private clinics to begin Covid-19 tests using the rapid antigen tests. This was done to ease access to testing services and relieve pressure on public testing facilities.

    As of Friday, Rwanda had recorded 9,368 total coronavirus infections and 6,940 recoveries, out of 760,897 tests done since the virus was reported in the country in March.

    As the pandemic rages, Rwanda last week temporarily restricted movement of people between its capital city Kigali and other districts in its latest bid to curb surging coronavirus infections and deaths.

    A strict 8 pm to 4 am curfew was maintained while police and security agencies traverse the country to ensure that people adhere to social distancing and mask-wearing.

    The government announced plans to purchase vaccine doses from British-Swedish pharmaceutical AstraZeneca and American biotechnology firm Moderna.

    Rwanda expects to vaccinate 20 percent of its population in March 2021.

    Source: theeastafrican.co.ke

  • Boeing 737 plane carrying more than 50 people missing after take-off

    A Sriwijaya Airplane with more than 50 people on board lost contact after taking off from Indonesian capital Jakarta on Saturday en route to Pontianak in West Kalimantan province, local media reported.

    Reliable tracking service Flightradar24 said on its Twitter feed that Flight SJ182 “lost more than 10,000 feet of altitude in less than one minute, about 4 minutes after departure from Jakarta”.

    The aircraft is a 27-year-old Boeing 737-500, according to registration details included in the tracking data.

    Sriwijaya Air, an Indonesian airline, said in a statement it is still gathering more detailed information regarding the flight before it can make any statement.

    Source: www.reuters.com

  • Hearts coach Kosta Papic laments over his team’s lack of consistency after Elmina Sharks draw

    Hearts of Oak coach Kosta Papic is worried by his side’s lack of consistency after their draw at Elmina Sharks on Sunday. 

    The Phobians failed to build on their impressive 6-1 thrashing of Bechem United last week as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Elmina on matchday 8 of the Premier League.

    Sharks took the lead through midfielder James Bissue before in-form forward Victor Aidoo rose high to head in the equalizer for Hearts.

    “Not good enough,” said the Serbian tactician after the game. “Five of my players were not on the pitch so it very difficult to win the match,” he added.

    The Phobian traveled to Elmina with a depleted team following injuries to several of their starters.

    “They are still missing that killing instinct. What I said is going to happen, happened. One day we play fantastic and the other day poo,” he said.

    “Consistency is missing from the football we want to play and in that case it difficult to discuss properly,” he concluded.

    Hearts of Oak will next host Techiman Eleven Wonders on matchday 9 of the Ghana Premier League.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Gideon Mensah provides assist in Vitoria Guimaraes’ draw at Moreirense

    Ghana defender Gideon Mensah provided an assist in Vitoria Guimaraes’ 2-2 draw against Moreirense in the Portuguese Primera Liga on Saturday.

    The 22-year-old who lasted the entire duration sent in a beautiful cross which was met by Andre Andre to put Vitoria SC into the lead.

    The lead was short-lived after Alex Soares pulled levelled two minutes later.

    Filipe Pires had given the home side Moreirense an early lead before Vitoria Guimaraes pulled parity five minutes later through Marcus Edwards.

    Gideon Mensah has been on a run of good form after beating COVID-19 and injuries to make the starting eleven.

    Watch video below:

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Results of the Ghana Premier League matches after week eight

    Herewith results of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) after week eight.


    Accra: Legon Cities 1-0 WAFA

    Joseph Adjei


    Tarkwa: Medeama 2-1 Aduana FT

    Agyenim Boateng (2) Bright Adjei


    Bechem: Bechem 1-1 King Faisal

    Moro Salifu Kwame Peprah


    Berekum: Chelsea 1-0 Inter Allies

    Paul Adjei

    Dawu: Dreams 2-0 Dwarfs

    Precious Boah (2)


    Techiman: Wonders 3-1 Karela

    Tetteh Nortey Diawiase Taylor

    Nana Kwabena

    Osei Amponsah


    Accra: Olympics 1-2 Ashgold FT

    Gladson Awako Amos Addae

    Yaw Annor

    Source: GNA

  • GHALCA elections: Incumbent Kudjoe Fianoo tipped to retain seat by landslide

    Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) chairman Kudjoe Fianoo has been tipped to retain his seat as he seeks re-election for a second term bid, GHANAsoccernet.com sources say.

    The astute football administrator is facing a contest from policeman Isaac Wilberforce Koomson who has thrown his hat into the race.

    Fianoo, a former Chief Executive Officer of Ashantigold has been largely tipped to win the election by a landslide as he is widely deemed as the man with the personality to lead the association.

    The tenets of Mr Fianoo’s four-year tenure was anchored on transparency and accountability and discharged his leadership qualities with aplomb amid the Anas exposé and coronavirus pandemic in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

    However, he is being challenged by former GHALCA vice-chairman Isaac Wilberforce Koomson – whose administration was accused of doing little to enhance the image of the club’s welfare body.

    GHANAsoccernet.com understands that Mr Fianoo has received the ringing endorsement of several football aficionados and clubs to bag his second term.

    The incumbent is credited for liaising with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ghana Football Association for spearheading financial assistance from government to Premier, Division One and Women Football clubs.

    GHALCA, under the leadership of Mr Fianoo, became the sole mouthpiece and conveyor vehicle for the football fraternity to communicate its views during the normalisation era.

    His administration liaised with the Sports Ministry, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports and the Presidency.

    During the torrential period of normalisation, GHALCA was the body that stood in for Clubs when the interim Committee threatened to withdraw the NC Competition over disagreements with members.

    GHALCA was also the vehicle used to get alternative views of the football fraternity considered during the formulation of the new Statutes of the Ghana Football Association.

    Mr Fianoo’s administration swiftly implemented a policy of retooling and refurbishing the Secretariat which had been left in shackles by the previous administration, paying off mounting debts which had crippled the association and today the GHALCA Secretariat boasts of a more professional outlook.

    The hitherto Top 4 Competition was expanded to G6 to accommodate the Champion and Runner-Up of the FA Cup.

    The G6 Competition was eventually expanded to G8 to give opportunities to newly promoted clubs from Division One, to test their wits and prepare adequately ahead of their campaigns in the Elite Division which was won by Dreams FC at the Cape Coast stadium.

    The Great Olympics Executive Director is an accomplished football administrator who has worked his way to the top of Ghana football from the grassroots.

    He is affable, trustworthy, competent, visionary, humble, a mixer, approachable, eloquent, innovative, has the experience and has the ability to deliver amongst other widespread positive traits.

    GHALCA goes to the polls to elect a Chairman and an Executive Council to steer the affairs of the association for the next four years on January 21, 2021.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • 2020/21 Ghana Premier League: Week 8 Match Report – Elmina Sharks 1-1 Hearts of Oak

    Ten-man Elmina Sharks threw away yet another lead to draw 1-1 with Hearts of Oak at home on Sunday in the Ghana Premier League.

    Maybe the score would have been two-all had the referee awarded penalties to both sides in the second half.

    Sharks dominated the first half and deservedly found the back of the net and Hearts turned on their style in the second to claw back into the game.

    Umar Manaf made a beautiful attempt to score but his effort went over the frame in the 17th minute.

    Elmina Sharks would hit back three minutes later through Benjamin Tweneboah but he shot wide.

    Midfield gem James Bissue produced an eye-catching performance to beat the Hearts of Oak defence and slotted the ball home for the opening goal of the match.

    The Phobians nearly equalized just after the half-hour mark but goalkeeper Bawa Martey produced a quality with another beautiful save from a low powerful drive.

    Hearts of Oak continued their push for the equalizer before the break but Elmina Sharks thwarted their efforts with some convincing defending.

    Left-back Raddy Ovouka sent a perfectly weighted pass to Daniel Afriyie but a timely clearance by the sharks defenders denied him of a goal.

    At the other side, Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richmond Ayi showed quick anticipation to prevents sharks from doubling their lead.

    Just before the break, Justice Ato Mensah narrowly missed an empty goal.

    Referee Benjamin Kwame Sefa waived play to continue after Sharks talisman Benjamin Tweneboah went down inside the box.

    Tweneboah got booked for a yellow after protesting to the centre referee.

    Hearts of Oak’s pressure paid off and go the equalizer through Victor Aidoo who headed in a cross from Fatawu Mohammed.

    After 76 minutes, Elmina Sharks were reduced to ten men after Benjamin Arthur accumulated yellow cards.

    A minute later, Hearts of Oak coach Kosta Papic introduced Patrick Razak for Daniel Afriyie.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Monza star Kevin-Prince Boateng named Serie B Player of the Month

    Monza forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has been named Serie B Player of the Month for December.

    The 33-year-old contributed two goals and two assists as Monza recorded five wins and a draw after eight league matches in the month under review.

    Boateng scored a quick-fire brace on December 15 when the White and Reds cruised past struggling Virtus Entella with a 5-0 victory at home.

    Four days later, he assisted Davide Bettella in finding the back of the net as Monza fell to a 3-2 loss against Pescara. It was their second defeat in December after a 3-0 loss at Reggiana.

    Boateng continued with another assist for Carlos Augusto as he helped the U-Power Stadium outfit bounce back to winning form with a 2-0 win over Ascoli on December 22.

    Since he joined Monza from Fiorentina in September, the former Barcelona and AC Milan forward has contributed four goals in 13 Serie B appearances and his return in front of goal has helped the White and Reds climb to fourth in the league table as they aim for promotion to the Italian top-flight.

    Monza started 2021 with a goalless draw against Lecce on Monday with the 33-year-old playing 86 minutes of football before he was replaced.

    With four points adrift of the summit, Boateng will be aiming to help Cristian Brocchi’s side boost their chances of promotion when they host Cosenza for their next league fixture on January 16.

    Boateng moved a step lower to the second division in September to reunite with former AC Milan President Silvio Berlusconi who first brought him to Italy in 2010.

    “How did Silvio Berlusconi convince me [to come to Monza]? He called me and said ‘my son, come home’. There was no need for many more words,” Boateng said.

    Source: goal.com

  • Fire outbreak rages Tema New-Town, Aponkor community

    A fire outbreak has raged the community and homes of residents in the Tema New Town-Aponkor enclave.

    The area serves as a residence and business center of mostly fish mongers who ply their trade.

    According to an eyewitness at the scene, the fire outbreak occurred at around 3:30am of Saturday, January 9, 2021.

    Though the cause of the fire is still unknown, the witness narrated to GhanaWeb that some residents have suggested the outbreak may have been caused by a cooking gas or an electricity meter malfunction.

    “The homes in the Aponkor area are made of many wooden structures so as soon the fire started a lot the things were burnt to the ground and it took the Fire Service less than 45 minutes to arrive at the scene,” the eyewitness told GhanaWeb in the interview.

    “After the Fire Service arrived, there were some rumors that some three children have unfortunately been consumed by the fire outbreak yet the main cause of the fire is still unknown to us here,” the eyewitness added.

    Though the eyewitness says the Fire Service Department has been able to quench the fire, some residents of the area have since lost their homes with many displaced.

    The latest incident in the Tema New Town-Aponkor area follows a series of fire outbreaks that have recently occurred across the country.

    Late last year, a section of the Kaneshie Market also witnessed a fire outbreak.

    Two weeks prior to that, the Odwana market in Accra was engulfed by fire with a similar incident occurring at the Koforidua market which have all resulted in the loss of property.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Parliament defends staff over ballot stuffing allegation

    Parliament has refuted claims that one of its staff tried to stuff a ballot box with papers during the voting to elect the Speaker for the eighth Parliament.

    A statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs of Parliament, Ms Kate Addo, indicated that it was practically impossible for such a thing to happen due to the nature of the voting system in Parliament.

    While admitting that it was a difficult night and most staff including the Clerk of Parliament bore the brunt of some actions from the floor, she stated that the staff at all times during the night remained calm and saw a peaceful resolution of all issues which culminated in the successful selection of the Speaker.

    “Parliament would like to assure all citizens that its staff are dedicated to assisting the Speakership, Leadership and the entire membership of Parliament in the discharge of their duties,” Mrs Addo stated.

    No rigging

    Ms Addo explained that since the number of voters participating in the exercise was already known to be 275, it was practically impossible for anyone to introduce any voting material, indicating that such action would have exacerbated the already volatile situation.

    Additionally, she indicated that staff of Parliament did not participate in proceedings which included voting on the floor of the house.

    “Parliament would like to put on record that the Officer, a Deputy Marshal, was stationed at a particular spot in the chamber to protect the ballot box. As things started getting out of hand, the marshal was reaching for his taser which was hanging behind his belt to use in the protection of the ballot box,” Ms Addo said.

    She went on to add that “the deputy marshal then looked at the taser to turn it on and actually went on to use the taser to prevent one member from forcefully taking the ballot box, which at the time had two votes cast in it.”
    The box in question, she said, was taken away and examined in the presence of some leaders of the house.

    She added that the leader in question later came to the chamber to assure his side of the house that nothing untoward had happened.

    Maintaining peace

    Ms Addo further pointed out that the marshal in Parliament were mandated to maintain peace and order in the house, hence doing anything contrary to that would be at variance with the dictates of their job.

    “Indeed, it was the same marshal who intercepted the honourable member who snatched the ballot papers at the time of collation after the votes had been cast ,” she said.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Man shoots himself dead: After being denied apio

    Residents of Gbane in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region were thrown into a state of shock when a young man shot himself in the head with a locally manufactured pistol because he was refused an alcoholic drink.

    The deceased, Jacob Gbamri, aka Lion, aged 29, had earlier gone on a drinking spree in the neighbourhood before returning home drunk.

    When he attempted to take in more alcohol from a nearby drinking spot owned by his wife, Ms Akua Yinputa Merit, the latter allegedly refused to serve him.

    A few moments later, members of the household heard the sound of a gunshot only to discover that Gbamri, after he was refused the alcoholic drink, picked his pistol and shot himself to death.

    Confirmation

    The Public Affairs Officer of the Upper East Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr David Fianko-Okyere, who confirmed the story to the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga yesterday, said the incident occurred on Sunday, January 3, 2021.

    He further explained that on Monday, January 4, the police received a distress call from the assembly member for the Gaare Gbane-Tongo Electoral Area that the deceased had shot himself

    The police then proceeded to the deceased’s house where they found the body lying in a pool of blood, with gunshot wounds on the right side of his head.

    High fever

    ASP Fianko-Okyere further revealed that preliminary investigations showed that the deceased was a high fever patient.

    He said the body had been released to the family for burial but the pistol that was used for the dastardly act had been retrieved by the police for evidential purposes.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Mahama, NDC hold victory party to celebrate Bagbin as Speaker of Parliament

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has held a party to celebrate its victory in the just ended Speaker of parliament election won by parliamentary veteran Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin of the NDC.

    The party, which was strictly by invitation was attended by parliamentarians from the NDC and top party officials including John Dramani Mahama, campaign Manager Joshua Alabi and other national and regional executives of the party in Accra.

    According to MyNewsGh.com sources, the party announced that it is the majority in parliament and proceeded to celebrate, while commending the leadership of the party in parliament who fought to give NDC the top leadership of parliament.

    In a closely contested secret ballot in Parliament on Thursday for the position of Speaker of Parliament, Former MP for Nadowli Kaleo, Alban Sumana Bagbin of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was elected Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

    Polling 138 votes, Alban Bagbin won against his predecessor Prof. Aaron Mike Ocquaye who had 136 votes. One legislator failed to vote.

    Bagbin himself was not at the party, but was represented, MyNewsGh.com was told.

    Source: My News GH

  • Well ensure a focused House despite regrettable inauguration scuffles Parliamentary Service

    The Parliamentary Service has admitted that the incidents that occurred in the build-up to the inauguration of the 8th Parliament on Thursday, January 7, 2021 were utterly regrettable.

    Several unfortunate incidents marred the inauguration of the new Parliament on the said date.

    Following disagreements over the seating arrangements, after National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs filled the side of Parliament usually occupied by the Majority, the subsequent election of a new Speaker was disrupted by the kicking of the ballot boxes, scuffles between the legislators and the snatching of cast ballots by an MP.

    The invasion of the House by military personnel was yet another blemish on the Parliamentary proceedings.

    These incidents have been met with widespread condemnation and criticism among some stakeholders, political party leaders and even reputable members of the House.

    However, a statement issued by the Parliamentary Service and signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Kate Addo, indicated that while the acts were undesirable, it is very much hopeful that it will not affect the effective and united running of parliamentary business.

    “Parliament wishes to acknowledge the events that characterized the inauguration of the 8th Parliament and wishes to state that while most of the actions during the night were regrettable, Parliament would, however, like to put them behind it and work towards a more focused, unified membership aimed at promoting the best Parliamentary practices and good governance”, the statement said.https://www.youtube.com/embed/st10xhbegOU

    Also, the Parliamentary Service patted itself on the back, explaining that its staff members in a collective effort were able to maintain order amidst the brawl which is evident in the resolution reached between the two sides of the house leading to the election of the Speaker.

    Portions of its release read, “admittedly, it was a difficult night and most of the staff including the Clerk to Parliament bore the brunt of some actions from the Floor. It must be pointed out that, the staff at all times during the night remained calm and saw a peaceful resolution of all the issues, which culminated in the successful selection of the Speaker of Parliament.”

    It has therefore expressed its strongest indication of ensuring that the 8th parliamentary session of the 4th Republic is able to deliver on its mandate as expected without hitches.

    “Parliament would like to assure all citizens that its staff are dedicated to assisting the Speakership, Leadership and the entire Membership of Parliament in the discharge of their duties”, the statement concluded.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Akyem Abuakwa holds special thanksgiving service for Akufo-Addo

    The Akyem Abuakwa State on Friday (January 08, 2021) organised a special thanksgiving service at Kyebi for President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo.

    The service which was organised in collaboration with the Akyem Abuakwa Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and the local council of churches was attended by the President and his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

    Also in attendance was Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his spouse, Samira Bawumia, family members of the President, chiefs, NPP supporters and a host of former ministers of state.

    In a brief address, President Akufo-Addo called on Ghanaians to continue to pray for him and his government to help develop the country and also ask for God’s courage and wisdom.

    He appealed to Ghanaians to continue to have confidence in him, saying that the belief in him meant he was going to work for Ghanaians and would never disappoint them.

    Commissioned Project and donation
    President Akufo-Addo who had earlier commissioned an auditorium for the Kibi Presbyterian College of Education which has been named after him, thanked all who have supported him in all his endeavours as President.

    He specifically mentioned Vice President Dr Bawumia, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, ministers, NPP MPs and the NPP for the continuous trust reposed in him. He also thanked the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin for organising the thanksgiving in his honour.

    President Akufo-Addo who donated GH¢50,000.00 promised to continue working hard for the betterment of Ghanaians as a whole.

    Commendation
    The Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin who extolled the virtues of the President said “you have done well in the last four years but some people would say you have done nothing. We thank God for giving you to Ghana as a President”.

    According to him it was an undisputable fact that the president has done well for Ghana with his policies, including Planting for Food and Jobs, Free SHS, provision of ambulances among others.

    He was hopeful that at the end of the President’s second term of office Ghana will be prosperous, adding “let us as a nation support the President since he is selfless and with time, truth, goodness would triumph over evil”.

    Parliamentary incident
    In an exaltation, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Reverend Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah expressed regret over what happened in parliament in the early hours of Thursday during the election of the Speaker of Parliament.

    He said the year 2020 was very challenging as a result of the outbreak if the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and praised the leadership of the country for its proactiveness in handling the situation.

    He commended President Akufo-Addo for always giving thanks to God and prayed that goodness and mercy will follow him and the Jubilee House all the days of his life in 2021 and beyond.

    He congratulated the President on his re-election to continue his dedicated service to the people of Ghana.

    Source: George Folley, KYEBI

  • Fomena residents elated over MPs selection as Second Deputy Speaker

    Some residents of the Fomena Constituency in the Ashanti Region have expressed excitement over the selection of their Member of Parliament as the Second Deputy Speaker of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.

    Members of Parliament after their swearing-in on Thursday, elected independent MP, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, as second Deputy Speaker, making him the third most powerful person in the House.

    Some of the Fomena residents shared their excitement with Citi News.

    “I think it is a very good opportunity for us, Fomena members. I never imagined him winning MP for the Fomena constituency and even becoming second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and I am very excited for him and for the Fomena Members. I think he can lobby for development and also success for the Community, city, and Ghana as a whole,” a resident stated.

    “This is the first time something like this is happening to Fomena constituency. No MP in Fomena has ever been selected as a Deputy Speaker before and looking at him being an independent candidate where people thought that no independent candidate can bring development or will be selected as a Deputy Speaker. We are extremely happy and the mood here is a great one,” another resident said.

    The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) selected Joseph Osei Owusu and Andrew Amoako Asiamah to serve as First and Second Deputy Speakers of Parliament respectively.

    A member of the NDC, Alban Bagbin was also elected Speaker of Parliament.

    The tight Speaker of Parliament race saw Mr. Bagbin winning the election by two votes against former Speaker, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • A/R: 573 lives lost in road crashes in 2020 MTTD

    Road crashes claimed 573 lives in 2020 in the Ashanti Region, the Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) has said.

    The figure shows an increase of 26 percent in road crash deaths, as compared to the 455 deaths of 2019.

    Superintendent Emmanuel Adu Boahen, the Regional MTTD Commander, told Class News’ regional correspondent Elisha Adarkwah that 3,435 road crashes were reported in 2020 while 3,214 were reported in 2019 a 7 percent rise.

    He said 5,618 vehicles were involved in the crashes in 2020 while 5,135 crashes were reported in 2019 an increase of 483, representing 8 percent.

    While explaining some of the causes of road crashes, Superintendent Boahen said 90 percent of the crashes were due to human-related factors like drink-driving, over speeding, overtaking among others.

    Superintendent Boahen said measures have been put in place to ensure that road crashes and its related deaths are reduced this year in the region.

    The measures include public education, ensuring strict adherence to road safety protocols, deployment of personnel on roads, among others.

    Source: Class FM

  • Bagbin didnt win elections, leadership conferred it on him Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

    Majority Leader of the 7th Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has brought to bear happenings that culminated in the former MP for Nadowli Kaleo, Alban Bagbin, becoming the Speaker of the 8th Parliament.

    Reports are rife that the candidate of the National Democratic Congress caucus beat his contender, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye with 138 votes resulting in him getting sworn in as the Speaker of Parliament from 2021 2025.

    But outlining the details on the night of the dissolution of the 7th Parliament in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb, the MP for Suame indicated that during the voting exercise to determine who was to be the leader of the House of Legislature, contrary to the reports, both candidates garnered 136 votes.

    He further explained that two of the votes were unaccounted for, while one got rejected because both candidates had been tainted.

    He noted that after the brouhaha surrounding the ballot sheets involving Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah, he suggested to the leadership for a rerun of the polls to be carried out since it appeared two of the ballots could not be accounted for after they had been retrieved.

    That suggestion was, however, shot down by the leadership on the other side of the divide since the House had spent over 8 hours and were short of time before the inauguration of the President-elect later in the day.

    He indicated that after three failed attempts to decide on whether there should be a rerun or not the police were invited into the chamber to protect the ballots.

    After several deliberations and taking into consideration the actions that marred the exercise, the leadership decided to compromise for the office of the Speaker of Parliament to be conferred on the candidate of the NDC, Alban Sumana Bagbin.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • MPs were behaving like teenagers Boakye Agyarko on Speaker election fracas

    Former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, has described Members of Parliament(MPs) as pubescent [teenage] boys and girls who misconducted themselves and therefore must be corrected.

    According to the former Director of Campaign of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he was saddened and dismayed by the misconduct of the MPs prior to their swearing-in on Thursday dawn to commence work of the Eight Parliament under the Fourth Republic.

    “I was saddened and dismayed by the misconduct of members of parliament. This is an August House which some sacrosanct because it is reposed within them to misconduct themselves, but is the dignity of Ghanaians as a whole that matters,” he said in an interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com.

    “So, I did not expect them to degenerate into pubescent boys and girls. They [MPs] could do better and they must forswear from today to do better because they hold our dignity”. He lambasted

    “My appeal to them is that we all make mistakes, there has been a degenerative attitude which must be corrected. And it is up to them [MPs] to correct it and uphold their dignity,” he further noted.

    Confusion broke out in parliament on Thursday dawn leading to the snatching of ballots while the lawmakers were in the process of electing a speaker.

    In the raging confusion which resulted in fisticuffs between members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), armed military were deployed into the main chamber in order to allow for sanity to prevail.

    The action of the lawmakers has been condemned by a section of Ghanaians who accuse them of bringing of the important arms of government into disrepute considering the turn of events.

    Source: My News GH

  • Karma will reward me for preserving the legacies of Atta-Mills – Koku Anyidoho

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Atta Mills Institute, Koku Anyidoho, has stated categorically that Karma will reward him for being loyal to the late Professor John Evans Atta-Mills.

    He indicated that his sacrifice and the decision to invest in preserving the legacies of the late Mills would pave a way for Karma to reward him handsomely.

    According to him, just as Karma has rewarded and paid Alban Bagbin, Karma will do same to him.

    He was responding to the election of Alban Bagbin as the Speaker of Parliament.

    He opined that the current Speaker has paid his dues in the past and when he was the Minority Leader of his side, he nominated the late Peter Ala Adjetey as Speaker at a point when former President Kufour did not want it so.

    He had in a tweet stated that “Certainly, karma is not a bitch when you invest in it properly: in 2005, when he was Minority Leader, Hon Bagbin was prepared to lead the NDC to maintain Peter Ala Adjetey as Speaker but Prez Kufuor did not want it so. Today, some NPP MPs have paid Bagbin back positively.”

    Speaking to Kwabena Agyapong on Rainbow Radio on 87.5Fm, Koku Anyidoho said Bagbin supported Ala Adjetey because he had had so much confidence in him.

    He said the current support Ala Adjetey because he was objective and today, some two MPs in the NPP have rewarded Bagbin.

    The law of Karma is not a bitch. Karma will pay you back on good terms.

    “What I am doing for President Atta-Mill; investing in his legacy, Karma will pay me heavily in good term for keeping the legacies of the late Mills alive.”

    He insisted that Karma will pay him and reward him as it has paid Bagbin today.

    To him, Karma rewards positively and when you invest in it, you will be rewarded.

    The Atta-Mills Institute is set up as a non-governmental and non-profit, Policy Brainbox with a social-democratic orientation.

    With a Mindset Transformational approach to shaping and driving the discourse of nation-building, we are focused on creating a centre of, research, learning, and information dissemination anchored to the ideas/ideals that defined the human existence of John Evans Atta-Mills, Vice President and President of the Republic of Ghana, between 1996-2000 and 2009-2012, respectively.

    The objective of the Institute is to constantly create the necessary critical thinking platforms to engage, government, the private sector players, and actors in the civil society sphere, in order to openly and transparently discuss issues that are impacting negatively on nation-building so as to build consensus on the best ways of retooling our approach to national development.

    It has a mission of striving for the betterment of human existence through deliberate positive disruptive thinking and teaching techniques of growing knowledge base.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Elmina Sharks winger Benjamin Tweneboah confident of victory against Hearts of Oak

    Elmina Sharks winger, Benjamin Tweneboah has said that they are determined to beat Hearts of Oak on Sunday, January 10, 2021.

    The Elmina-based club takes on the Phobians on matchday 8 of the Ghana Premier League at home and Benjamin Tweneboah is confident of a victory against the Accra-based club.

    Speaking ahead of the game, he said, “Our game against Hearts of Oak is a tough match but football has changed, there are no minors in the game anymore. Hearts won their last game against Bechem 6-1 but we lost 3-1 to Karela United at away.”

    “They may think they are coming to score us at home but because we lost in our last game, the determination is high to get back to winning ways.”

    “I believe in my teammates and the coach that no matter what happens we will beat Hearts of Oak. They know my capabilities and the team at large so I believe we will pick all the three points come Sunday,” he said.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Ghanaian midfielder Olokwei Commodore joins Rwandan giants Rayon Sports

    Former Amidaus Professionals midfielder Olokwei Commodore has completed a move to Rwandan giants Rayon Sports after successful two weeks trial, Footballghana.com can exclusively confirm.

    The Ghanaian is joining as a free agent and has signed a two-year contract with an option to extend at end of the season.

    Commodore is reportedly going to be earning a salary of Rwf600,000 in addition to bonuses.

    He has been without a club since leaving the division three side Gaddafi Football club of Agona Swedru.

    The 22-year-old has featured for Amidaus Professionals on loan in 2014.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • 2020/21 Ghana Premier League: Week 8 Match Preview- Bechem United v King Faisal

    Bechem United will be hoping to recover from the 6-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Hearts of Oak when they host strugglers King Faisal at the Nana Gyeabuor Park on Sunday. 

    The Hunters have been in good form in the ongoing campaign despite the defeat to Hearts and currently lie second on the table.

    Bechem United prepared for the match against King Faisal with a friendly encounter against Kapsport management FC. A game they won 11-0.

    The former FA Cup winners have won four games, drawn two, and lost just a game in seven matches. They still hold a 100 percent record at home this season.

    Meanwhile, their opponents, King Faisal are set for another relegation dogfight as they find themselves 17th on the 18 team league table.

    King Faisal have won just a game and are one of the bad travelers in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League.

    Bechem United will rely on key men Hafiz Konkoni and Prince Kwabena Adu to deliver the goals against King Faisal.

    King Faisal and Bechem United have identical records in the Ghana Premier League, having met three times, winning a game apiece and drawing one.

    Prediction: Bechem United 2-0 King Faisal 

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • CAF Confederation Cup: Asante Kotoko to face ES Sétif

    Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko have been handed a difficult draw against Algerian giants, ES Sétif in the preliminary round of the 2020/2021 CAF Confederation Cup.

    The Porcupines will compete in the CAF second-tier competition after missing out on the Champions League group stage slot to Sudanese giants, Al Hilal Omdurman.

    The first of the match will be played on February, 14, 20201 while the return leg comes off a week after (February 21).

    Asante Kotoko was eliminated from the CAF Champions League without playing the second leg of their game against Al Hilal Omdurman.

    The game was called off as they failed to raise a 15- man team for the encounter. Subsequently, Al Hilal was declared as the winner of the tie.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Defender Stephan Ambrosius extends deal with Hamburg

    German lower-tier side Hamburg have officially signed Stephan Ambrosius on a contract extension.

    The 22-year-old has seen his importance grow in the team this season and garnered interest among other clubs in Europe.

    After seeing him make strides, the club pushed for the extension and got it done. It is a three-year deal.

    Ambrosius stated his excitement after signing the deal.

    ‘I am very happy that the negotiations have now been brought to a conclusion and that I will stay with HSV It was always my dream to play in the Volksparkstadion. Thanks to the experience I gained, I was able to swap the initial excitement for great joy in the game. I always try to give 100 percent and want to motivate my teammates with it. In the future I would like to continue my development and play successful football with the team, ” Ambrosius told the club’s official website.

    “Stephan has developed an important role in our professional squad over the past few months. He fought his way back after his cruciate ligament injury and made great development. It is always nice for HSV when players from their own offspring play in the Volksparkstadion. That’s why we’re happy that Stephan will stay with us in the long term,” the club’s Sporting director Mutzel said after the deal was completed.

    Ambrosius is eligible to feature for the Black Stars should he wish to switch allegiances. He has played for the German youth sides.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • English Championship side Middlesbrough interested in 17-year-old Kwadwo Baah

    English Championship side Middlesbrough have expressed interest in signing Ghanaian youngster Kwadwo Baah Kyeremeh in the ongoing winter transfer window, according to Sportsworldghana.com.

    The 17-year-old has been one of the consistent players for Football League 1 side Rochdale so this season, having made seven appearances and scoring one goal so far.

    Boro boss Neil Warnock is in the market looking for a winger to strengthen is wide areas and has identified the Rochdale youngster as a talent who can fit the bill.

    Kyeremeh has also been linked with a move to Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefield as well as several clubs in the Scottish Premier League.

    He is widely regarded as one of the brightest teenagers in the English third tier and is expected to succeed at the highest level.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Kotoko head to CAS after Champions League elimination by CAF

    Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko SC is heading to the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) to challenge the decision by CAF to eliminate them from the Champions League after Coronavirus drama forced their game against Al Hilal to be called off.

    The Porcupine Warriors believe their hosts, Al Hilal, produced false COVID-19 test results to weaken the team ahead of the second leg encounter in Omdurman, Sudan.

    Seven players and four officials were reported to have tested positive leaving the Kumasi-based club with less than the required number to play the game.

    Twenty-four hours after the game was canceled, CAF released teams to have progressed to the next stage with Asante Kotoko omitted.

    The decision has not gone down well with the Reds and will now challenge it at the highest sports tribunal.

    Asante Kotoko lost the first leg in Accra 1-0 and was determined to overturn the results in Sudan.

    The Porcupine Warriors reached the final round of the qualifiers after gaining a second leg walkover Mauritanian FC Noaudhibou.

    Below are documents that show different test results:

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Over two million persons displaced in Nigeria – Minister

    The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk, on Thursday said the country currently has over two million displaced persons.

    She said the affected persons were displaced as a result of the activities of insurgents and bandits or through communal clashes.

    Farouk disclosed this in an interview with State House correspondents after a visit to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The minister said, “As of today, we have over two million displaced persons in the country, ranging from those displaced by insurgency, banditry, communal clashes and so on.

    “The mandate of the ministry is to provide effective communication of national and international humanitarian interventions, ensure strategic disaster education and response as well as to formulate and implement policies and programmes geared towards social protection and inclusion of our citizens.

    “The ministry is doing its best to see that people who are displaced in this country are given the necessary support by way of supporting their livelihoods, rebuilding their homes in areas of disasters and settling those who have fled their places seeking for refuge, provided their communities are safe for them to return. This is what we are working on and we hope to achieve the desired result.”

    On the purpose of her visit to Buhari, the minister said it was meant to thank the President for his support on issues relating to persons with disabilities in the country.

    She recalled that the President had in January 2019 assented to the bill on the prohibition of discrimination against persons with disabilities in the country, describing it as the first milestone.

    “Mr President also graciously appointed the chairman, board members and the executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

    Source: punchng.com

  • Explosive kills 5 Cameroonian soldiers, civilian in troubled Anglophone region

    Authorities in Cameroon said five soldiers and a civilian were killed early Wednesday in the troubled English-speaking region of Northwest when an improvised explosive device hit their vehicle.

    The soldiers were part of a government convoy that had travelled to the remote sub-divisions of Njikwa and Ngie to install newly appointed sub-prefects.

    The blast occurred when they were returning from the installation ceremony, according to Northwest regional chief of communication, Louis Marie.

    The civilian killed was a government official. “They were killed by terrorists,” Marie said referring to armed separatists who are known to be operating in the area.

    Separatists have been clashing with government forces since 2017 in a bid to create an independent nation in Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest.

    Source: GNA

  • Opposition parties in Ivory Coast to take part in legislative polls

    A coalition of opposition parties in Ivory Coast said Thursday, they would participate in legislative elections slated for March 6.

    The announcement further eases political tensions after deadly clashes. The two main opposition parties, the Ivory Coast Democratic Party (PDCI) and Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), are members of the group.

    “We’re not going there for show. We are going to win the parliament and we will win it. I believe that we have to be certain, despite the difficulties, we are going to go and win these elections because the debate is at this level, at the level of parliament, this debate is at the level of the representation of the nation and we do not have the right to be absent”, its spokesman, Georges Armand Ouegnin said.

    Presidential elections on October 31 were marred by an opposition boycott; calling for civil disobedience and violence that claimed scores of lives.

    The RHDP is the party of President Alassane Ouattara, 78, who won a landslide victory in the October 31 poll thanks to the boycott. The opposition said that by bidding for a third term, Ouattara had sought to subvert two-term constitutional limits.

    Ouattara’s camp argued that a 2016 revision of the constitution reset his term counter to zero, allowing him to seek a third term. Pre- and post-election violence claimed at least 85 lives, with around 500 injured, according to an official toll.

    The bloodshed revived traumatic memories of the aftermath of disputed elections in 2010.

    Source: africanews.com

  • Coronavirus: Senegalese President declares state of emergency, curfew in two regions

    Senegalese President, Macky Sall declared Tuesday a reimposition of a state of emergency and a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Wednesday on the regions of Dakar and Thies in order to contain the quick spread of the new coronavirus.

    Speaking on national television after an emergency meeting of the National Epidemic Management Committee, Sall said that these two regions accounted for more than 90 percent of confirmed cases in Senegal.

    Sall called on all members of the government to take all measures to ensure the application of the state of emergency.

    He also urged the population to comply with individual and collective prevention provisions by avoiding non-essential movements, gatherings and other public and private meetings, and to respect barrier gestures.

    Regarding vaccines, the president said that he ordered a national vaccination plan to be proposed as soon as possible, adding that Senegal continues its collaboration in the framework of COVAX initiative.

    Despite this “new wave of epidemic outbreak,” Senegal has human and material resources to deal with the spread, the Senegalese president said. He announced that the government would detail the measures to be adopted in this new phase in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

    Sall lifted the curfew and the state of emergency on June 29, 2020 after several months of semi-lockdown.

    Senegal has recorded to date 19,964 confirmed cases with 428 deaths.

    Source: GNA

  • Bobi Wine asks ICC to investigate Museveni over human rights abuses

    Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine said Thursday he would call on the International Criminal Court to probe murder, torture and other abuses in the country, which is bracing for a tense presidential election next week.

    The pop star-turned-politician is the main rival to veteran President Yoweri Museveni, 76, in the January 14 election, which will take place after a chaotic and violent campaign during which Wine has been arrested multiple times.

    The 38-year-old, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said his complaint would target Museveni and nine senior security officials accused of targeting Wine, his supporters and civil society activists.

    “I hope that the International Criminal Court can call (Museveni) to order and remind him that he is also a human being,” Wine told journalists during a dramatic conference call which was disrupted when a police officer hauled him out of his vehicle through the window accusing him of being illegally parked.

    Wine, dressed in his campaign trail outfit of a bulletproof vest and helmet, struggled to finish as he was choked by teargas fired near his car.

    According to Wine’s lawyer for the case, Bruce Afran, there is little international precedent for the case because the complainants hope to use ten samples of alleged offences stretching over a decade to prove “systemic” violations of international law based on a “history of torture and physical abuse” by the State.

    The complaint details chilling instances of torture including that of an activist allegedly placed in a tank of freezing water with a hot metal plate above his head, who was also later forced to watch another detainee have his eye gouged out.

    The same activist also was targeted with venom sprayed from a number of cobras concealed in a basket, and was shown a pile of about ten bodies, according to the complaint.

    Other allegations include torture faced by Wine himself and the use of a deliberate “shoot to kill” policy by security forces accused of killing at least 54 people in November last year during protests against one of Wine’s arrests.

    The ICC has no obligation to consider complaints filed to the prosecutor, who can decide independently what cases to submit to judges at the court, set up in 2002 to achieve justice for the world’s worst crimes.

    The ICC last month threw out a complaint over the killing of some 150 people by Ugandan police in November 2016 in the western Kasese region, saying it did not meet the threshold for crimes against humanity.

    Nevertheless, Wine used the announcement of the latest complaint to call upon the international community to do more to protect Ugandans from state violence.

    “The international community has not done enough to help the people of Uganda,” he said.

    Source: theeastafrican.co.ke/afp

  • Trump banned from Facebook, Instagram for two weeks — Zuckerberg

    Facebook Co-Founder, Mark Zuckerberg, says United States President, Donald Trump, is banned from Facebook and Instagram till the end of his tenure on January 20, 2020.

    Zuckerberg said this in a post on Facebook while reacting to the violence perpetrated at the Capitol by Trump supporters who wanted to stop the US Congress from certifying the election which Joe Biden won.

    The billionaire said for years Facebook and Instagram had allowed Trump to use the platform to say all sorts but this time, it was time to implement desperate measures since it had become obvious that Trump was instigating violence.

    The statement read in part, “Following the certification of the election results by Congress, the priority for the whole country must now be to ensure that the remaining 13 days and the days after inauguration pass peacefully and in accordance with established democratic norms.

    “Over the last several years, we have allowed President Trump to use our platform consistent with our own rules, at times removing content or labelling his posts when they violate our policies. We did this because we believe that the public has a right to the broadest possible access to political speech, even controversial speech. But the current context is now fundamentally different, involving use of our platform to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government.

    “We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great. Therefore, we are extending the block we have placed on his Facebook and Instagram accounts indefinitely and for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete.”

    Source: punchng.com

  • China cancels $28m of DR Congo debt to help virus fight

    China has cancelled a part of the debt owed by DR Congo to help the sub-Saharan giant fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Congolese presidency said on Thursday.

    Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the gesture to put 180 million yuan ($28 million) back into government coffers during a visit to the country this week.

    Wang also offered a further $15 million to support wider development efforts.

    China is a major investor in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and researchers from Johns Hopkins University in the US have estimated that Chinese entities have extended more than $2.4 billion in loans over the past two decades.

    “The cancellation of the debt should enable the DRC to fight effectively against the Covid-19 pandemic,” the Congolese presidency said in a press release.

    Since the first coronavirus cases were detected on March 10, DR Congo has officially registered 18,738 cases and 610 deaths.

    Source: theeastafrican.co.ke/afp

  • Brighton reportedly interested in signing Ghana captain Andre Ayew

    Premier League club, Brighton & Hove Albion FC is reportedly interested in signing black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew from Swansea City.

    They are said to have joined West Brom in the race to capture the signature of the prolific goalscorer in the ongoing January transfer window.

    Brighton is struggling in the Premier League largely due to their lack of goals.

    They have scored 21 goals in 17 games and as a result, are just three points above the relegation zone.

    They trust Ayew can solve their goalscoring problems and are working to sign him from the Championship this month.

    The 30-year-old has Premier League experience, having played in the competition for three and half seasons. In his first season, 2015/16, Ayew scored an impressive 12 goals, earning him a big-money move to West Ham.

    He returned to Swansea in 2018 and unfortunately suffered relegation. Since taking the bold decision to represent the Swans in the second-tier of English football, Ayew has been in fantastic form in front of goal.

    Last season, he was their top scorer with 18 goals as they came close to securing promotion to the top-flight.

    Andre Dede Ayew has maintained his form this season and currently has eight goals.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ghana legend Abedi Pele spotted playing tennis

    Ghana legend, Abedi Ayew Pele has been spotted playing table tennis as he aims to be in good shape.

    The former Olympic Marseille great remains one of the best attackers to have played the game of football from the Africa continent.

    Retired and living in his home country, Abedi Pele is keen on staying fit and continues to engage in various exercises.

    Today, he has been spotted playing table tennis at a program in Kawukudi organized by retail partners of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Decathlon.

    Abedi Pele, 56, during his playing career won the Uefa Champions League with Olympic Marseille and enjoyed successful stints with clubs including Real Tamale United, Al-Saad, FC Zurich, Lille, Lyon, and a few others.

    He made 77 appearances for the Black Stars and scored 33 goals to bring joy to the West African country.

    Below are pictures of Abedi Pele as he plays table tennis:

    Source: Football Ghana

  • There is no smoke without fire – Jonathan Mensah speaks on Black Stars captaincy

    Black Stars defender, Jonathan Mensah has reacted to the purported captaincy feud that exists in the senior national soccer team.

    Ghana in the last decade has been to the Africa Cup of Nations final twice but has failed to win the trophy on both occasions making the country wait for 3 years without a continental trophy.

    This and other abysmal performances of the Black Stars especially in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 and 2019 Afcon have been attributed to the alleged captaincy feud that ensued between former captain Asamoah Gyan and current captain Andre Dede Ayew.

    A similar rivalry was purported to have existed between Abedi Pele and Anthony Yeboah.

    Though authorities and other players have denied the report of a captaincy feud in the camp of the Black Stars, Jonathan Mensah who is an integral member of the squad has said otherwise.

    According to the Columbus Crew captain who has been missing in the Black Stars in recent times, officials who are close to the team cannot continue to deny these reports when they know the captaincy rival is real and not a myth

    “The fact that it comes out should tell you that there is something like that there. This is because if there is nothing, you won’t hear anything and every rumour they say comes with a certain iota of truth in it,” Jonathan Mensh told Saddick Adams Obama in an interview on Accra-based Angel FM.

    “For us to do well, we need to be honest with ourselves because we cannot continue to deceive ourselves that it is not happening when we truly know that it is happening.”

    “And you cannot solve a problem when you have not admitted there is indeed a problem in the team.”

    Jonathan Mensah has made 65 appearances for the Black Stars and has scored a goal.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Asamoah Gyan emerges most attractive player in Ghana Premier League – Report

    Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan has emerged as the most attractive player in the Ghana Premier League this season.

    The Legon Cities striker has barely played games for his side so far this season but remains the player with the most attention.

    Gyan pulled out an incredible 52% in a survey report conducted by Ghanaian data and research firm African Sports Centre for Data, Research & Technology.

    The 35-year-old came top ahead of Medeama SC midfielder Justice Blay, Felix Annan, Yahaya Mohammed, Patrick Razak, Fabio Gama and Emmanuel Gyamfi.

    Since joining the Ghana Premier League side, the ex-Sunderland and Udinese star has been able to make just three appearances for the Club so far this season.

    Source: ghanasportsonline.com

  • Aston Villa ace Anita Asante criticizes English FA over coin toss proposal

    Aston Villa Women midfielder Anita Asante has questioned the English FA over a proposal to decide Women’s FA Cup matches by a coin toss after the competition was suspended due to coronavirus.

    The English FA have held talks to decide best way to progress with competition after second and third-round matches were postponed following the latest coronavirus lockdown as the Women’s FA Cup classified as ‘non-elite’.

    Second and third-round matches in the competition, which is currently classified as non-elite, were postponed last month following the government’s announcement of new lockdown restrictions.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Nyantakyi admitted wrongdoing during FIFA ban appeal

    Former Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi is reported to have admitted to breaching some of FIFA’s code of ethics during his appeal hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sports(CAS).

    The former Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had his lifetime football ban reduced to 15 years plus a fine of $500,000 to $100,000 after appealing his sentence at the sports apex court.

    This new development comes as a surprise as the football guru had previously denied breaching FIFA’s code of ethics after the airing of the Anas Number 12 documentary on June 6, 2018, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

    However, according to a report by the BBC, the lawyers of Kwesi Nyantakyi were able to get a reduced sentence for their client after arguing that a lifetime ban was neither fair nor matched the offenses committed.

    “[Nyantakyi] admitted his guilt only on the morning of the final hearing.”

    “[He] added that a life ban would ruin his life and be disproportionate in the circumstances.”

    “[He] accepted at the hearing the necessity of CAS imposing a significant sanction and that, since he had admitted the offenses, the ban could not be quashed,” CAS wrote in its report as reported by the BBC.

    Background:

    In June 2018, Kwesi Nyantakyi was filmed by ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas when he took $65,000 in cash.

    Nyantakyi in the video was seen packing the money into a black plastic bag as an inducement from a purported investor who wanted to sponsor Ghana football.

    He was subsequently banned for life by FIFA while President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo banned football in the country

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Continue being citizens not spectators in my 2nd term Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has renewed his charge to Ghanaians to continually subject his mandate to rigorous scrutiny to enable him to deliver successfully during his tenure of office.

    In his popular expression, “Be citizens and not spectators”, Akufo-Addo said this is the surest way the confidence reposed in him by the electorate will be realized to bring the socio-economic development they so desire.

    Speaking at his investiture in Parliament today, [Thursday, January 7, 2021], President Akufo-Addo charged the citizenry to continue being citizens and not spectators by actively participating in the day to day running of the administration of government to make Ghana a better place for all.

    “The sheer can-do-spirit of the Ghanaian, which I have witnessed all my life, is the bedrock on which we can build the Ghana of our dreams. Indeed, four years ago, at my first inauguration, I urged all Ghanaians to be, and I quote, “citizens and not spectators”. I appealed to you to be active participants in the effort to help build the Ghana we want the democratic, free, prosperous and united Ghana envisioned by our founding fathers as the Black Star of Africa”, Nana Addo said.

    The President claimed that while accepting the inputs of Ghanaians in his first term, he came to a realization that citizens are interested in their overall progress and not to be left in a state of abject poverty hence the need for a collectivized effort to achieve this aim.

    “In my first term as President, I was able to count on the contribution of all citizens in attempting to create this Ghana. What I have seen these last four years is further evidence, if any were needed, that the Ghanaian will no longer accept poverty and deprivation as his or her portion, but is rather determined to work to chart a path of growth and development for himself or herself.”

    According to Akufo-Addo, never will he take the honour and privilege bestowed on his modest self lightly following the emphatic margin with which voters renewed his mandate in office for four more years during the December 7 polls.

    “It is a demonstration of the confidence and trust you, the Ghanaian people, have reposed in me, not only in appreciation for the achievements chalked throughout my first four (4) years, but more significantly for the considerable amount of work that is to be done over the next four (4) years, in our drive to take our nation firmly onto the path of progress, prosperity and development, following the havoc wreaked by COVID-19”, he added.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Probe military invasion, unruly attitude of Carlos Ahenkorah in Parliament – Mahama

    Former president, John Dramani Mahama, has called on Parliament to conduct investigations into the snatching of ballot papers by the Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah as well as the invasion of the chamber by military personnel on Thursday, January 7, 2020.

    According to him, the uncalled for attitude displayed by the lawmaker is unacceptable.

    While condemning the military invasion in the House, the former president labelled the act as worrying and needless.

    John Dramani Mahama stressed that “The attempt to snatch ballot papers by the MP-elect for Tema West and the invasion of the Chamber by armed military personnel are images one had never expected to see in our 4th Republican Parliament. The recent use of the military in civil democratic processes has become a major worry and gives the impression that this administration is continually seeking to resurrect the exorcised ghosts of our military past. Parliament must conduct an investigation into the two incidents and exact appropriate sanctions.”

    He made these comments on his social media page, Facebook and was sighted by GhanaWeb.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com