TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Commonwealth unveils online platform to help governments tackle coronavirus

    A COVID-19 dashboard has been launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat to help member countries make vital decisions during the ongoing crisis.

    The Commonwealth COVID-19 Dashboard is now live and offering crucial data and analysis to help equip governments and health workers with the information they need to tackle the pandemic and its devastating impacts.

    Powered by cutting-edge technology and algorithms, the dashboard analyses and compares the latest data on national, regional and pan-Commonwealth levels using information from a range of internationally respected sources such as the World Health Organisation.

    To ensure that the data can be used as effectively as possible it presents all of this information using seven-day rolling averages, doubling times and daily percentage changes in cases and fatalities, for each of the 54 Commonwealth countries. According to the Commonwealth COVID-19 Dashboard, the total number of people across the Commonwealth who have tested positive so far stands at 2,601,364 with 98,046 deaths.

    The dashboard also reveals the number of confirmed cases and deaths is rising most sharply in Commonwealth countries in the Asia region.

    Commenting on the dashboard, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland said: “This innovative tool will help health workers, governments and officials make the right decisions at the right time using the right information.

    “We all must recognize that this crisis is far from over, while the virus is subsiding in some countries it is unfortunately increasing in others. Its impact on people’s health, livelihoods and general well being and on the economies of countries and regions around the world continues to be devastating.

    “Having access to robust, reliable and up-to-date information, presented using clear and easy to understand graphics, make the dashboard a valuable tool for those seeking to limit these impacts.”

    Other dashboard features include a Trend Analysis Tool comparing current and historic data for multiple countries.

    Meanwhile, a Commonwealth COVID-19 Analysis page illustrates the pandemic’s ongoing effects on key social, economic and environmental indicators.

    This includes data from a recent United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report the impact of the virus on the tourism sector a key slice of many Commonwealth economies.

    Source: africabusinesscommunities.com

  • Comedians DKB & Lekzy ‘blast’ Ghana media over negative reportage of comedy shows

    Ghanaian comedians, DKB and Lekzy, have appealed to the media in Ghana to throw the needed spotlight on the positives of the country’s entertainment, particularly with regard to comedy.

    The two comedians, speaking on Neat FM’s ‘Entertainment Ghana’ with host Ola Michael, accused the the media of being one-sided in their reportage about comedy shows in the country.

    According to them, bloggers and entertainment journalists are ultimately interested in negative stories and so when they attend the comedy shows, they would be looking for negativity and even where there’s none, some would create their own negative stories to draw traffic to their web portals and media organizations.

    Lekzy was particularly worried that their comedy shows are never a topic on the air waves until a comedian goofs on stage or something bad happens during the show.

    DKB, on the other hand, argued that unlike the Ghanaian media, the media in Nigeria has adopted a mechanism to balance both negative and positive news in that they are able to widely sell positive stories about their celebrities to the world.

    DKB wondered why Ghana’s media cannot emulate the culture of the Nigerian media.

    “Nigerians, they also move towards negative news . . . but how come, with the Nigeria media, they’ve been able to direct the thing in such a way that now they celebrate the positive news with equal energy as they celebrate the negative news . . . They’ve been able to push the positive agenda for people to accept it whether they like it or not,” he asserted.

    Watch video below:

    Source: Peace FM

  • Eradicating poverty is my mission – Mahama on why he is running for a second term bid

    Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama says his mission will not be complete if poverty is not eradicated in Ghana.

    According to him, the average Ghanaian is expected to live a meaningful life within an inclusive community and until this is achieve he will continue to strive to give the Ghanaian a good life.

    The former President made this known in a post he shared on his social media handles to create awareness on what he stands for in his bid for s second term as President of Ghana.

    The NDC flagbearer who is the first among the major political parties in the country to have appointed a woman as his running mate said he will never renege on his bid to ensure that Ghanaian women and girls are truly empowered for greater exploits.

    He said “Our mission will not be complete until poverty is eradicated in our country, Ghana, until every child has access to quality and free education, until Ghanaian girls and women are genuinely empowered, until all Ghanaians are truly equal under the law, and until all of us live a meaningful life within an inclusive community.”

     

    Source: My News GH

  • Sudan civilian governors appointed for Sudan’s 18 states

    Khartoum — On Wednesday, Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok announced the names of the new civilian state governors. Two of them are women.

    In a televised press conference at the Council of Ministers in Khartoum on Wednesday evening, Hamdok described the appointment of the new governors as “the real start of change in the states”.

    The selection process was thorough, he said. It was based on proposals of politicians, and nominations presented by the Forces of Freedom and Change in the states.

    The PM regretted the poor representation of women in the governors’ seats (of the two northern states). “We will work for a better participation of women,” he said.

    The new governors are: Ayman Khalid (Khartoum), Abdallah Ohaj (Red Sea state), Saleh Mohamed (Kassala), Suleiman Ali (El Gedaref), El Mahi Suleiman (Sennar), Abdelrahman Noureldayem (Blue Nile state), Hamid El Bashir (South Kordofan), Hamid Abdelrahman (West Kordofan), Khalid Mustafa (North Kordofan), Ismail Warrag (White Nile state), Abdallah Idris (El Gezira), Amna Ahmed (River Nile state), Amal Ezzeldin (Northern State), Mohamed Arabi (North Darfur), Mohamed Eisa (East Darfur), Mousa Mahdi (South Darfur), Adeeb Yousef (Central Darfur), and Mohamed El Doma (West Darfur).

    Following the formation of the Council of Ministers in early September, the Sudanese people expected the acting military governors appointed by the regime of ousted President Al Bashir to be replaced by civilian state managers.

    Yet, in the peace negotiations between the government and the rebel movements that started the same month, it was agreed that new, civilian governors would only be appointed after the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement.

    In April this year, the rebel groups in principle agreed on the appointment of civilian state rulers. In early July, the government and the armed movements agreed on replacing three to four federal ministers and two members of the Sovereign Council in favor of the rebels. The last outstanding issue to be discussed before reaching a final peace agreement concerns the security arrangements.

    In response to questions of journalists at the press conference concerning the changes to the country’s 2020 General Budget approved on Wednesday, Hamdok said that the cash support program for poor families is now linked with production.

    This increases productivity in the country, and will overcome many problems in the import and the trade balances, he explained.

    Hamdok described the removal of Sudan from the US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism as “complicated”. As a result of “hard work and extensive discussions” Sudan now has to pay $400 million instead of $11 billion. Khartoum is now working “with external parties to provide this amount”.

    After completion of the matter, Sudan will be able to fully cooperate with the regional and international community, and the doors of the country will be opened wide for investors, he stated.

    Other legal amendments “will protect the Sudan from any court case in the future” [such as the 1998 bombings of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, and the attack on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000].

    In reply to a question about his staff, Hamdok said that his four-member office is the smallest in the world. He pointed in this regard to Sudan’s shift from a presidential system to a parliamentary system, in which the executive apparatus, represented by the prime minister, bears the greatest responsibility.

    Concluding the press conference, the prime minister addressed the “youth of the revolution and resistance”. He described their “battle to topple the regime of Al Bashir” as “very fierce”. He asking them “to focus on the implementation of the revolution program”, saying that “the fiercest battle everyone must fight is the battle of rebuilding Sudan”.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • UN ‘horrified’ by killing of five aid workers in Nigeria

    The United Nations has said it is “utterly shocked and horrified” by the killing of five aid workers by unknown armed groups in northeastern Nigeria.

    The statement late on Wednesday by Edward Kallon, UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, followed the release of a video showing the murder of the humanitarian workers who were kidnapped last month in Borno state.

    The Nigerian government identified the victims as employees of the country’s State Emergency Management Agency as well as international aid organisations Action Against Hunger (ACF), International Rescue Committee and Rich International.

    “They were committed humanitarians who devoted their lives to helping vulnerable people and communities in an area heavily affected by violence,” Kallon said.

    The aid workers were abducted while travelling on a main route connecting the town of Monguno with Borno state capital, Maiduguri.

    Kallon said he was troubled by the number of illegal checkpoints set up by non-state armed groups along the region’s main supply routes.

    “These checkpoints disrupt the delivery of life-saving assistance and heighten the risks for civilians of being abducted, killed or injured, with aid workers increasingly being singled out.”

    Northeast Nigeria has been ravaged by a decade-long armed campaign led by the armed group Boko Haram that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced about two million from their homes.

    Last year, fighters from a Boko Haram splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province, abducted a group of six humanitarian workers – including a female ACF employee – in the region.

    Five of the hostages were later executed and the ACF worker remains in captivity.

    Aid groups provide a vital lifeline for some 7.9 million people in the region who the UN says are in need of urgent assistance.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • South Africa’s transport Dept extends validity of expired licences

    If you are worried about your driving licence that has expired during the lockdown, don’t stress, as you have until next year to renew it.

    Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has publicized the gazette announcing amended directions on the validity period of licences, which was published on Wednesday, 22 July.

    “All learner’s licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits, which expired from 26 March up to 31 August 2020, are extended to 31 January 2021,” the gazette reads.

    In addition, all motor vehicle discs, temporary permits and roadworthy certificates, which expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 May 2020 are deemed valid until 31 August 2020.

    Furthermore, motor trade number licences, which expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 May 2020, will also be given a grace period ending on 30 November 2020.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Voters registration: 6 foreigners arrested for attempting to register at Kaneshie

    Six foreigners, who allegedly attempted to register in the ongoing voter registration at the Kaneshie Cripples Home Centre,  Accra, have been arrested by the police.

    Mohammed Iddrisu, Ibrahim Inusah, Abdulai Aziz, Abdulai Alhassan, Adams Osman and Issaka Bubaa were in the custody of the police assisting in investigations.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge confirmed the arrest to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday

    She said yesterday at about 10:30a.m, the suspects believed to be foreigners were seen in a queue about to register at the Kaneshie Cripples Home registration centre.

    DSP Tenge said that some political agents at the centre, who suspected the people were non-Ghanaians, arrested and handed them over to the police.

    She said the suspects had since been taken to the Accra Regional Command.

    The Ghanaian Times gathered that when the party agents confronted the suspects, they claimed some party executives had asked them to come to the centre and register.

     

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Court issues arrest warrant for 2 hotel managers

    A magistrate court in Tamale, in the Northern Region, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of two hotel managers in the metropolis.

    The two managers (names withheld) of Mole Guest House and Galaxy Guest House, failed to appear before the court presided by Amadu Issifu.

    The two are among ten hotel operators in the Tamale metropolis, standing trial for stealing electricity.

    The hotel owners allegedly stole power up to the tune of GH¢50,000.

    The Deputy Director of Public Affair Directorate of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), Mr Alhassan Abaaba, revealed that three hotels stole 50,000 worth of power.

    He named the three as Mole Guest House that stole electricity worth GH¢15,000, Baobab Guest House GH¢11,000 and Galaxy Guest House GH¢25,000.

    Mr Abaaba lamented that the rate at which customers steal electricity in the region was alarming and that if nothing was done to halt it, could affect power supply in the region.

    He said that NEDCo would adopt legal means to recover the stolen money from customers, adding, “We will pursue the court case to its logical conclusion.”

    Mr Abaaba admonished all those engaged in power theft to desist from the practice and asked the public to assist NEDCo fight illegal connections in the region.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Coronavirus: Ghana records revenue shortfall of GH¢13.6 billion

    Ghana has recorded revenue shortfall of GH¢13.6 billion and an unanticipated “but necessary” expenditures of approximately GH¢11.7 billion due to COVID-19, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, has said on Thursday.

    “…This will result in a projected fiscal deficit of 11.4 per cent of GDP…This is above the five per cent limit as stated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018,” the Minister said.

    He attributed the situation to the slowdown in economic activities, shortfalls in domestic direct and indirect taxes, as well as custom taxes, estimated at GH¢5,089 million, representing 1.3 per cent of GDP.

    There is also a reduction in petroleum revenue mainly due to decline in crude oil prices (from US$62.6 per barrel used in the 2020 budget to US$39.1 per barrel) due to the pandemic, estimated at GH¢5,257 million-1.4 per cent of GDP and increase in expenditures to contain the spread of the virus.

    He said sectors such as the hotel and hospitality industry, foreign direct investment, trade and industry, agriculture, health, transportation, manufacturing, real estates, financial and education were heavily impacted.

    The Minister said, households and businesses had equally been hit with significant job losses and reduced incomes.

    “Collectively, 1,531 job losses were recorded between April to June, 2020 from eight companies within the Ceramics, Timber, Food and Agro-processing industries in the manufacturing sub-sector,” he said.

    He said the disruptions in the global supply chain, reduction in demand, low productivity, high recurrent expenditure, and low revenue turnover combined to impact the operations within the manufacturing sub-sector.

    The Finance Minister said as a result, in some institutions the entire workforce was either asked to stay home or downsized to accommodate social distancing protocols, while in other instances, salary cuts were instituted to enable factories to survive.

    Mr Ofori-Atta said the economic shock of the pandemic had also manifested through external trade disruptions and decline in commodity prices, particularly, oil whose prices had fallen by more than half, and tightening of global financial markets.

    “The Ghana cedi, after appreciating strongly against the three major currencies in the first quarter 2020, came under pressure, depreciating against the US dollar in April and May,” he noted.

    The Minister stated that the cedi further depreciated by 2.4 per cent against the dollar and the Euro in June 2020.

    Mr Ofori-Atta said inflation also inched up by 2.8 percentage points to 10.6 per cent in April and further to 11.3 per cent in May and moderated to 11.2 percent in June.

    He said a projected real Growth Domestic Product for 2020 had been revised considerably downwards from 6.8 percent to 0.9 percent.

    “It is only the solid foundation established by the Government and the resilient buffers built by the Bank of Ghana that has saved the economy from contracting, as have happened in many countries,” the Finance Minster said.

    Mr Ofori-Atta said COVID-19 had also led to disruption in corporate and general business confidence, with threats to projected revenues, profitability, liquidity and corporate growth.

    He said 19 out of the 28 State-owned Enterprises were projecting losses up to GH¢1.55 billion for 2020.

    Source: GNA

  • Less than half of Ghanaians think Mahama deserves a return as president: poll

    49% of Ghanaians surveyed in the Ghana Election Poll think former President John Dramani Mahama deserves to return as President of Ghana as the country is gearing towards the December 2020 presidential election.

    The first wave of results of the Ghana Election Poll conducted online via the renowned market research firm MSI-ACI from May 1 through to June 30 finds 39% of the respondents against the return of the former president to power while 12% were not sure if he deserves a return as president.

    Out of the weighted sample of 792 adults, more females than males – making 50.5% and 47% respectively – agree that John Mahama deserves another chance as President of Ghana. Young voters between ages 20 and 39 are not sure whether the former president deserves to return to power while those who are between 40 and 49 years think he deserves to return as president.


    In the Greater Accra Region, voters differed slightly on the return of John Mahama to power as just a few thought he absolutely deserves a comeback. Voters in the other four regions polled were not sure if he deserves a comeback.


    Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error (with finite population correction) of plus or minus 3.482%. A representative sample of the Ghanaian population was achieved by weighting (matching) the data according to age and gender demographics of the 2010 population and housing census and the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 7).

    Seven questions were asked in the first wave of the Ghana Election Poll and their corresponding results would be published within the next three weeks. The questions include:
    • Do you plan to vote in the 2020 election?
    • If the December 2020 elections were to be held today, which party do you feel will win?
    • Do you think Akufo-Addo has fulfilled his promises well enough to deserve re-election?
    • Do you think former President John Mahama deserves to return as President of Ghana?
    • Do you think it is time to vote another party into power apart from the NDC and NPP?
    • Do you feel there is a possibility of vote-rigging in the 2020 election?
    • Who are you planning to vote for if the 2020 elections were held today?

    The Ghana Election Poll is powered by GhanaWeb and the Africa Consumer Panel which is a partnership between the digital publisher Africa Business Communities and renowned market research firm MSI-ACI.

    The online poll is conducted every month and the results are published at the beginning of every other month on GhanaWeb.com. It is devoid of spam as the respondents can take the survey only once. The MSI-ACI platform that hosts the survey records the device on which the respondent takes the poll and does not allow for a second attempt from the same device.

    The Ghana Election Poll is different from the open-access poll which is running on GhanaWeb. The latter allows participants to self-select into participation and its results cannot be generalized because it is a representative of only the participants of the poll.

    Click here to take part in the second wave of the Ghana Election Poll.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

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  • I want to be President of Ghana – Sarkodie reveals

    Africa’s best rapper Michael Owusu Addo affectionately called Sarkodie who is currently holding the best International flow BET Awards posted on his Facebook revealed he’s hoping to be president of Ghana in the year 2024.

    The rapper who is the most successful Ghanaian rapper has gained a lot of respect and acronym for his Breakthrough with the style of rap he does both in Ghana and Abroad, could be the next Ghanaian president.

    But the question is can a rapper ever be president? Looking at the nature of their job. Rapping in N*words, attacking politicians who aren’t delivering the promises they give when seeking for positions.

    To continue with Sarkodie’s reputable brand he’s been able to build for himself over the years and overcoming every obstacle on his way to reach this far would be excellent for the presidential seat.

    Or king Sark is just playing a mind game with his fans looking at how his mentor Kanye West current swap from rap to politics. Knowing how Ye isn’t finding it easy with all the pressure and backlash I don’t think King Sark is serious about what he posted.

  • Ghanaians doubt, shocked by GH¢54.3m price tag for coronavirus free food

    Some social media users in Ghana have expressed doubts after revelations that a government initiative to distribute hot meals to the underprivileged during a three-week COVID-19 lockdown cost the state over GH¢54 million.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta said on Thursday, July 23, 2020, while he was presenting the 2020 Mid-year Budget Review to Parliament that the cost of providing cooked food for vulnerable people in lockdown areas in Accra and Kumasi was GH¢54.3 million.

    “Mr Speaker, the support to households, in terms of supply of dry food packs and hot cooked meals cost Government GH¢54.3 million to enable them to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. This was in addition to an amount of GH¢50.2 million transferred to the 400,000 most-vulnerable individuals under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme,” Mr Ofori-Atta said in Parliament.

    The Minister further disclosed that 470,000 families were reached with the food distribution exercise and it was carried out in collaboration with faith-based organisations.

    Shortly after that, Facebook users came online to mock the cost figure of GH¢54.3 million because they claim it is outrageous and most likely inflated.

    Some comments accuse the Nana Akufo-Addo administration of blatant corruption.

    Read some of the comments gathered on Facebook below.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Over 900 more stranded Ghanaians expected back home

    Government is making arrangements for more Ghanaians stranded abroad as a result of the coronavirus pandemic to return home.

    So far, a total of 2,250 have been aided back home safely.

    The evacuees would go through the mandated 14-day quarantine before being allowed to go to their individual homes.

    Presenting the mid-year budget review on Thursday, July 23, Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta indicated that government rolled out the Operation Return Home Programme in response to calls by about 3,212 Ghanaians stranded abroad in the thick of the global fight against coronavirus.

    “As at end-June 2020, a total of 2,250 individuals had been evacuated with Government bearing the full cost of flight and mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine services for 1,116 persons, most of whom are students,” he stated.

    “Additionally, support was given to 1,134 persons to cover part of the cost of the mandatory quarantine.

    “The remaining 962 are expected to be evacuated by end of July 2020.”

    Mr Ofori-Atta noted that Ghanaians back home were also not left out in terms of the aid given by government.

    He mentioned that a total amount of GH¢54.3 million was expended on dry food packs and hot cooked meals to support households during the three-week lockdown in Accra, Kumasi, Kasoa and Tema.

    “This was in addition to an amount of GH¢50.2 million transferred to the 400,000 most-vulnerable individuals under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme.”

     

    Source: 3 News

  • Cooked meals disbursed during COVID-19 cost GH¢54.3 million – Ofori-Atta

    The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has revealed that spent government ¢54.3 million on cooked meals distributed during the 21-day lockdown in Accra and Kumasi.

    According to him, ¢50.2 million was also transferred to over 400,000 most-vulnerable individuals under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme.

    Giving a breakdown in his Mid-year Budget review to Parliament Thursday, he said the Gender Ministry provided 1,827,581 packed hot meals while the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) gave out 917,142 packs to the old and less privileged persons in the affected areas.

    “In collaboration with Faith-Based Organizations, Government also distributed dry food packages to about 470,000 families.

    “Let me extend my deepest gratitude to the Faith-based organisations for this unique partnership with government and may the Lord count this as righteousness for the FBOs and government,” he said.

    In April this year, government embarked on an exercise to provide food for underprivileged persons in parts of the country that are under lockdown.

    The package was targeted at some 400,000 individuals and homes in the affected areas of the restrictions imposed by President Nana Akufo-Addo in his bid to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    However, a few days into the exercise, the government was accused of distributing the food and other relief items on a partisan basis  choosing members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) over non-members. Government has since denied that claim.

    Giving a review of government expenditure in that regard, the Finance Minister said, “Mr Speaker, the support to households, in terms of supply of dry food packs and hot cooked meals cost Government GH¢54.3 million to enable them to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

    “This was in addition to an amount of ¢50.2 million transferred to the 400,000 most-vulnerable individuals under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme”.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Ghana failed to meet target for GDP growth rate in 2019 Ofori-Atta reveals

    Ghana failed to meet its target for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in 2019.

    This was revealed by Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta when he delivered the 2020 mid-year budget statement in Parliament Thursday.

    Mr Ofori-Atta noted that the country recorded a growth rate of 6.5 per cent as against a target of 7.0 per cent.

    Nonetheless, this represented a 0.2 improvement from the 2018 figure of 6.3.

    This, Ofori-Atta argued, confirms that the economy has “continued with its robust performance since 2017.”

    Non-oil real GDP growth rate was 5.8 percent as against a projection of 5.9 percent

    End-period December inflation remained 7.9 percent with the target being 8.0 percent

    Overall Budget Balance, which was projected to end in a deficit equivalent to 4.5 percent of GDP, reached 4.8 percent

    Primary balance reached 0.8 percent as against a projected surplus equivalent to 1.1 percent of GDP

    Accumulated Gross International Reserves exceeded the projected 3.5 months of cover for imports of goods and services to reach 4 months.

    “Key drivers of this performance include the Information Communication Technology (ICT), which recorded the highest subsector growth rate of 46.5 percent, followed by Real Estate with growth rate of 19.9 percent,” the Minister said.

     

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Kantanka granted license to formally continue auto assembly operations

    Kantanka automobile company, a Ghanaian automobile company, has been formally granted a license to continue their auto assembly operations in Ghana, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has said.

    Kantanka automobile company can now benefit from incentives under the Ghana Automotive Manufacturing Development Policy.

    The finance minister said this while delivering the 2020 mid-year budget review on the floor of Parliament on Thursday 23rd July 2020.

    “An indigenous Ghanaian company, the Kantanka Group has also been formally granted a license to continue their auto assembly operations in Ghana and to benefit from incentives under the Ghana Automotive Manufacturing Development Policy,” Ken Ofori-Atta said.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • ‘I’m ever ready to battle with my sweat, blood for Mahama’ – Mr Beautiful

    Ghanaian comic actor Clement Bonney popularly known as Mr Beautiful has stated though his acting career might have been affected for publicly declaring his support for former president Mahama, and the NDC, he has not regretted making that decision.

    The actor who has been missing in action after the NDC’s defeat in 2016 elections, in an interview with Graphic Showbiz reiterated his love for the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress.

    “Many people think that because I have been silent and off the public scene for sometime, I am abandoning Mahama and the NDC this time around, but that’s not it all. I am ever ready to battle with my sweat and blood.”

    According to him, it is a public knowledge that the NPP in the last 4 years has performed poorly in the creative arts industry.

    “This is not about Mr Beautiful and his love for Mahama, but it is glaring that Mahama and the NDC administration performed better for the arts than the NPP has done in the last four years.”

    He claimed that, even though Mr John Dramani Mahama lost the 2016 elections, he was still upholding his pledge of supporting the aged in the industry.

    He listed CK Mann, Super OD, Ewurama Badu, Bob Okala, Ataa Mensah, Paa George and Obuoba J.A Adofo and Maame Dokono as the beneficiaries of Mahama’s benevolence every 3 months.

    “You can find out from Maame Dokono. Mahama made donations to her last week. I’m not just talking but providing evidence as well,” he said in his interview sighted by GhanaWeb.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • King Faisal coach Slavisa Bozicic set to receive $3000 as monthly salary

    King Faisal head coach Slaviša Boži?i? is set to receive $3000 as monthly salary, according to Oyerepa FM.

    The 54-year-old penned a new three-year deal with the club after successful negotiations.

    He has been tasked to finish in the top four when football finally resumes after the 2019/20 season was cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic.

    King Faisal were bottom on the league table with only six points after 14 matches played before the suspension.

    Oyerepa FM Sports also reported that Dr.Samuel Asiedu-Koranteng of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Directorate of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital will head their newly formed medical team.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • FC Nordsjaelland bid Kudus Mohammed, Abdul Muminin befitting farewell

    Danish side FC Nordsjaelland thanked Ghanaian duo Kudus Mohammed and Abdul Mumin for the services to the club in a befitting farewell ceremony.

    Mohammed and Abdul Mumin were presented with bouquet of flowers in front of some section of the fan ahead of the club’s game against AGF on Tuesday night.

    “Thanks to the boys for everything. And many thanks to our fans. All of you who support us through everything. Even through the hard times. You helped to make this day very special. Thanks,” the club posted on Twitter.

    Mohammed Kudus is heading to Holland to join giants Ajax Amsterdam, after signing a five year contract with the club worth 9 million Euros.

    “Grateful for the development from the ground up to this memorable day. I leave with foot prints & fond memories at heart. I will keep cheering FCN from Amsterdam cos a Lion & Tiger are big cat family but not when I play against you. We roar together,” Kudus posted on Twitter.

    Meanwhile, Abdul Mumin is yet to find a new club after refusing to extend his contract with Nordsjaelland.

    The defender has been on the radar of several clubs including French side Nice.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • 75 students test positive for coronavirus in Western Region

    Since the government reopened schools, seventy-five students in the Western Region have tested positive for COVID-19, the Ghana Health Service has revealed.
    According to the Regional Director for Health Services, Naa Dr. Jacob Mahama, the test was conducted in thirteen (13) educational institutions and the result shows that 75 students contracted the virus.

    Addressing the media in the region on the theme “Continuing Quality Health Service Delivery Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges”, he gave the breakdown that in the Nzema East Municipality, 26 students at Nsien Senior High School tested positive, at the Shama Senior High School in the Shama district, out of 46 samples collected, 19 of the samples turned out positive while in the Amenfi West district, Asankragua Nursing and Midwifery school had 6 positive cases of COVID-19.

    The Health Director said a total of 2,467 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the Western Region, out of which 2,216 have been discharged and 6 patients have passed away as of today, July 23, 2020.

    The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality tops the chart with 639 cases, followed by Sekondi-Takoradi with 632 cases. The Amenfi West Municipality at the border of the region to the Western North has record 442 cases.

     

    Source: Pulse Ghana

  • Joel Fameye takes a knee after scoring in Russia

    Ghanaian striker Joel Fameye took a knee after scoring in his final game of the season for FC Orenburg in the Russian top-flight.

    The 23-year-old scored the only goal as FC Orenburg ended a difficult season with a win. They beat Dynamo Moscow 1-0 away from home.

    The result though impressive count for nothing as Orenburg were relegated prior to the match.

    Fameyeh scored a brilliant header from a difficult angle. In celebrating his goal, he took a knee in a show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

    The former WA All Stars attacker was booed by the home supporters as he knelt and raised his right fist to the heavens.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ashgold unable to tie Shafiu Mumuni down to a new contract

    Striker Shafiu Mumuni has turned down a contract extension offer at Obuasi Ashanti Gold SC.

    The lethal striker was in Romania earlier this year to have a trial session with CFR Cluj ahead of a transfer to the side.

    Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, he could not finalize a deal and has been in the country waiting to be recalled to seal the deal ahead of the next football season.

    According to information gathered from Kumasi FM, Ashanti Gold SC has tried to extend the contract of Shafiu Mumuni but has failed.

    It is understood that the offer presented by the majority shareholder of the club, Dr Kwaku Frimpong has been rejected by the player who is eager to leave the club.

    According to the same report, Shafiu Mumuni has agreed in principle to join Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the end of his contract with Ashgold in case his transfer to CFR Cluj does not go through.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Unhappy Hudson-Odoi ready to leave Chelsea this summer

    England international of Ghanaian descent, Callum Hudson-Odoi, is reported to be unhappy at Chelsea and is prepared to leave the club at the end of the campaign.

    Hudson-Odoi is not happy with the lack of game time which he was assured after signing a new contract last year.

    The 19-year-old signed a five-year deal, ending months of speculation over a move to Bayern Munich.

    But Hudson-Odoi is growing frustrated over a lack of game time.

    He has featured for a total of 48 minutes under Frank Lampard since the return of football which was halted by Coronavirus in March.

    Whilst frustrated, the talented winger is not about to push for a move elsewhere but will weigh up his options.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Asankragua trainee nurses accuse Principal of extortion

    Final-year trainees at the Asankragua Nursing and Midwifery Training College in the Western Region are accusing the Principal, Jessie Asiedua Aduako, of extorting monies from them in the name of fighting the spread of Covid-19.

    According to the trainee nurses, the Principal is charging students between GH¢1,000 and GH¢2,000 for the few months they have left to complete their training.

    The trainee nurses allege that not much has been seen on campus despite assurances by authorities that the monies are being used to procure personal protective equipment (PPEs) in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

    A few Veronica buckets are the only equipment to be seen on campus, the students claim.

    The Principal is reported as saying the funds made available to the College are not sufficient; hence the fees to complement the provision by government.

    The trainees claim the situation is affecting their studies as some have opted to relocate to neighbouring communities to avoid the payment of some of these “exorbitant” fees.

    Efforts to reach the Principal to ascertain the allegations proved futile.

    Meanwhile, the College has not recorded any cases of Covid-19.

    However, samples from all the suspected cases came out negative.

    The trainees involved were immediately isolated until the test results were brought in.

     

    Source: 3 News

  • GH¢10m life insurance package for frontline workers Finance Minister

    Just as other sectors have enjoyed stimulus packages by way of cushioning them after the country was struck with coronavirus, health professionals are from today also going to heave a sigh of relief as an amount of money has been allocated to them.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, during his mid-year budget presentation in parliament Thursday, July 23, 2020, announced that frontline workers will receive a GH¢10 million life insurance package.

    “Mr. Speaker, in motivating health personnel, government has provided a life-insurance package of 10m Ghana Ccedis for those directly involved in surveillance case, management laboratory, and all other health and allied personnel who get infected,” he said.

    The insurance package comes in the wake of challenges being faced by most health professionals in recent times. Whilst some have contracted the deadly coronavirus while on duty, others have lost their lives.

    Transportation of frontline workers has also been covered by government to help alleviate their burden.

    “Additional provision was made over time and re-space payment for key front-line workers. Transport cost and cost for contact tracers and field surveillance officers also absorbed by government to further cushion and incentivise frontline workers. Government waives taxes for 137,000 health workers…”

    Meanwhile, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) have been supplied to health facilities to aid their work.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government reduces ‘talk tax’ from 9% to 5%

    Government has eased the cost of the Communication Service Tax (CST) from nine percent to five percent due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced this reduction in parliament on Thursday, July 23, 2020, when he presented the Mid-year budget review statement.

    Addressing the august House, he noted, “In the short term, we will reduce the CST from 9% to 5% to reduce the cost of communication services to the consumer as more and more people work remotely and utilize online services.”

    He urged telecommunication providers to adhere to the directive and reduce the tariffs for consumers.

    “We will count on the Telcos to match this reduction in the CST by reducing their tariffs. This is important for our youth, entrepreneurs and the burgeoning FINTEC industry.”

    Background

    The government in 2019 increased the Communication Service Tax to nine percent from the initial six percent.

    This increment, according government, was to develop the foundation for the creation of a viable technology ecosystem in the country.

    However, the government announced a reduction to limit the economic burden due to coronavirus pandemic

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • I believe in the principle of Dr. K.K Sarpong – C K. Akonnor

    Charles Kwabla Akonnor, Head Coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars, has expressed his belief in the principles of former Executive Board Chairman of Asante Kotoko Dr. K.K. Sarpong.

    Dr. Sarpong during his term at Kotoko said “Se wunim coachie aa, yen su yenim shw33,” to wit “if you know how to coach the fans also know how to watch football”.

    According to Coach Charles Akonnor, he has much respect for football fans because he is of the belief that, they have a good understanding of the game and can make meaningful suggestions.

    “Never underrate the football fans you see in the stands. They know who a good and bad player is. They have been following the game for long and understands everything about it.

    “That is why i learn and listen to everyone before i take decisions.

    “I have learned from fans, administrators, and the media. That is why i believe in the saying if you know how to coach the fans also know how to watch,” he told the GNA Sports in an interview.

    According to the coach, though he handles the national team, the Black Stars he was still learning new things each day.

    “I learn each day. I learn about new tactics and the latest development in the game. It is my aim to improve on the play of each player in the national team to have improved collective performance,” he added.

    Coach Akonnor is yet to play his first game since his appointment as the coronavirus pandemic has disorganised football activities on the globe.

    Source: GNA

  • I am ready for top-flight football – Ghanaian youngster Samuel Brobbey

    Dutch-born attacker of Ghanaian descent, Samuel Brobbey, has stressed that he is ready for top-flight football after ending his stay with Dutch lower division side Almere City.

    As reported by footballghana.com recently, the left-footed player has parted ways with Almere City following the abrupt end to the 2019/2020 football season as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

    Now in search of a new club, Samuel Brobbey says he has matured enough and will like to move to a club that will afford him top-flight football.

    “In those practice games I got the idea that I can easily handle the level, I am ready. I feel I can participate in the Kitchen Champion Division.

    “In football, it is not even about how good you are, but more about happiness and whether it is awarded to you. Look, I’m disappointed that I didn’t have a chance despite doing it right”, Brobbey said while reflecting on his time at Almere City.

    He added, “I am critical to myself, but I played really good games. At one point I went to Tobiasen to ask what they wanted from me. I normally don’t like talking to trainers, only when I feel it should. He replied that they wanted the Eredivisie experience in the back position.”

    Last season, Samuel Brobbey scored 3 goals for Almere City after making 20 appearances in the Dutch Eerste Divisie.

    It is understood that there are a host of clubs looking to make a move for the 21-year-old this summer. He is the brother of PSV Eindhoven defender Derrick Luckassen who has been loaned to Anderlecht for next season.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Ekumfi MP advises constituents to undertake regular medical check-ups

    Mr Francis Kingsley Ato Codjoe, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ekumfi has advised constituents to undergo regular medical checkups to avoid health complications.

    He stressed that people, especially the aged must do regular exercises under the advice of medical doctors to prevent premature deaths and unexpected sicknesses.

    Mr Ato Codjoe gave the advice at a health screening exercise he organized for his constituents as part of initiatives to improve their health status.

    A medical team comprising; nurses, laboratory scientists, doctors and other health professionals would tour the whole of Ekumfi constituency to undertake health screening exercises with adherence to health safety protocols.

    More than 2,000 people at Ekumfi Otuam, Eshuehyia, Esaakyiri and Eyisam have so far benefited from the exercise and ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, malaria, fever, typhoid, eye and communicable diseases were treated.

    The people who required medicated glasses and other medicines were given to offer quality healthcare to the citizenry.

    According to the MP, who is also the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Acqua- culture, many people were afraid to seek medical care on the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, hence his decision to invite the Medical team from Cape Coast Teaching Hospital to check their health status.

    The MP stated that PPE had been procured for all healthcare centres including; the Polyclinic at Ekumfi Narkwa as part of efforts to help fight the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    Mr Codjoe said over 10 Community based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds were rehabilitated and refurbished for health professionals.

    The Deputy Minister said aside that, all feeder roads in the Ekumfi District have also been reshaped to ensure easy transportation of goods and services, adding that government was leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the people of Ekumfi lived better lives.

    He said the Ekumfi District was the first to benefit from the One District One Factory (1D1F) and production had begun with more youth employed by the fruit processing factory, adding that over 10,000 pineapple out growers were also engaged.

    This, the MP said was the intent of the government to reduce abject poverty and also create huge employment for the unemployed youth in order to stop the migration to the urban areas and cities.

    Mr Bashiru Deen Kofi Mensah, Laboratory Scientist and leader of the Medical Team who spoke to the Media praised the MP for the engagement of Medical Team to check the health status of the people.

    He called on the people not hesitate to undertake regular medical checkups to know their health status in order to avoid health complications.

    On the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Mensah advised Ghanaians to adhere strictly to the health protocols outlined by the President and Ghana Health Service, saying COVID-19 is real and no one should joke about it to avoid being infected”.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Steve Cooper will be a top coach in the future – Andre Ayew

    Swansea City star, André Ayew, believes that his current club coach, Steve Cooper, has the potential to become one of the best coaches in the world.

    The pair have worked together to good effect this season and Swansea are in the running for promotion playoffs though it is slim.

    Cooper led the England U17 to a world cup trophy in 2017.

    Ayew noted that Cooper has done well in bringing an identity and style of play to the club.

    “I’m impressed by the gaffer and his staff. They have done a great job and it’s not easy when it’s your first year and you have a lot of young players around,” Ayew told BBC Sport.

    “He has quality and you can see we have an identity and style of play.”

    “It’s true we’ve had ups and downs, but when you have a team with a lot of young players, you can’t get everything straight away.”

    “His message is coming across well and I’m happy to have met and worked with him. He’s got great ideas and he’s going to be a big manager in the future.”

    Ayew also emphasized on the need to get quality players for the Premier League if they make it there.

    “The quality is there but to get into the Premier League you need quality, young players and experience,” Ayew continued.

    “When you want to win and get to another level, you need experience in your squad.”

    “Maybe we needed a few more to add to what we have already, but I’m happy with what I’ve seen.”

    “The boys have grown quickly and I hope it’s not too late for this season.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Do you remember Cantata movie series? See how some of the veteran actors and actresses look currently (Photos)

    In the early 90s, the first Ghana Movie Production and first ever Ghana Movie series was the Cantata Movie Series which was only shown at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation on Ghana Television Station (GTV). That was the only Television Station back in the 90s and early 2000.

    Cantata movie series produced a lot of dramatic movie stars which made them very famous and widely known. Cantata movie series was very educative and depicted more on social issues. Cantata didn’t only produce actors and actresses but it was the foundation of all Ghana Movie Production now.

    It was the vital source to ease boredom after Church service way back in the days because it was normally shown on Sunday afternoons around, 2 PM. Cantata was the best Movie series in Ghana which was still the best after numerous Movie series started. With the likes of; Taxi Driver and “Kyekyekule.”

    Some actors who starred in the Cantata Movie series have grown very old as compared to their previous appearance when they were acting and some are even dead. Some of these actors and actresses are, Maame Dokono, Akumaa Mama Zimbie, David Dontor, Juli Juu, Super OD and many more.

    These actors and actresses are fully grown now with some dead. Check out some Photos below;

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    Ameyaw Debrah on Twitter: "Where, where, where, where is Adwoa Akyaa Julie Juu?… "

    GHANA Old Cantata Show--Guy Toronto - YouTube

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    Osofo Dadzie Cantata Drama Group Episode Four - YouTube

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Hearts of Oak signs Isaac Mensah from Division One side Nkoranza Warriors

    Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club has announced the signing of teenager Isaac Mensah from Division One League club Nkoranza Warriors.

    Issac Mensah after completing his medicals with the 20 times Ghana Premier League Champions signed a three-year contract.

    Mensah was very instrumental for the Warriors in the truncated 2019/2020 Divison One league after scoring nine goals.

    The Phobians took to their official Twitter handle to announce the news to their fans” Accra Hearts of Oak is delighted to announce the signing of Isaac Mensah from Division One side Nkoranza Warriors.”

    “The teenage striker has signed a three-year contract at the club.

    See the tweet below,

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Five Kingsmen charged with contempt in Western Region

    The Sekondi High Court Two has pronounced a GHC12,500 fine on five Kingsmen belonging to the Mpintsin Royal family for interfering in the chieftancy affairs of the Effia Brempong Yaw Ntwea Royal Family in the Effia-Kwesiminstim Municipal Assembly of the Western Region.

    The five, who are not members of the Brempong Yaw Ntwea Royal Family of Effia would in default serve a three-month jail term as announced by Her Ladyship Hannah Taylor who presided over the case of contempt involving Ebusua Kyeame Ekow Tawiah, Maame Yaaba, Joseph Nyantakyi, John Arhin and Mena Nsia.

    They will in default of the payment of the fine serve a three months jail term.

    The five, according to the Court left their jurisdiction and rather wished to install one John Arhin, a tutor at the Ahantaman Secondary School as Chief over the Brempong Yaw Ntwea Royal Family where their kinship had no bearing contradicting an earlier judgement by the Western Regional House of Chiefs ruling in 1974.

    The Judicial Committee of the Western Regional House of Chiefs ruling held at Sekondi on Thursday, 28th April in 1974 declared the two families as separate entities who cannot interfere in the affairs of each Royal family.

    The Judicial Committee of the Western Regional House of Chiefs who sat on the matter in 1974 included Awulae Kwesi Amakyi III as chairman, Nana Hima Dekyi XIII and Nana Kofi Adianka IV as members with A. P. Pepra ESQ as counsel.

    In 1974 a judgement from the Western Regional House of Chiefs specified that the five persons now convicted with contempt were not close to the Effia Royal Family and therefore cannot install a chief.

    The Judicial Committee, also ruled that the two separate Stools at Effia and Mpintsin could not succeed each other in any way thence, any attempt by a member of Mpintsin branch to occupy the stool is improper, and vice versa.

    Again the Western Regional House of Chiefs Judicial Committee specify that the petitioner, Opanyin Kweku Walabai, whose descendents are the five, are from the Mpintsin branch and definitely not part of the Brempong Yaw Ntwaa Family resident at Effia.

    Moreover, Nana Brempong Yaw III and Nana Brempong Yaw IV are properly of the Effia branch of the Brempong Yaw Ntwaa Family and have therefore been properly enstooled on the Effia Stool.

    On the contrary, the five defied the House of chiefs ruling and somewhere in October 2017 tried installing one John Arhin as a chief whiles Nana Brempong Yaw IV was still the occupant of the stool at Effia and of the Brempong Yaw Ntwaa Family.

    The five, from the Mpintin Royal Family, were therefore convicted for contempt despite plea by their counsel for the court to have mercy on them since they had regretted their action.

    However, Her Ladyship Hannah Taylor ignored the counsel’s plea and finally pronounced a custodial sentence to the tune of GHC2,500.00 on a person or in default serve three months in prison.

     

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Contributor

  • GHC4.7bn spent to keep the lights on, pay inherited ‘questionable’ power contracts Ofori-Atta

    The Minister of Finance, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, has revealed that a lot of investment has been made to ensure the lights are kept on for both domestic and commercial purposes.

    He told Parliament during the presentation of the mid-year budget review on Thursday, 23 July 2020 that the current government also paid the energy sector debts left by the Mahama administration as a result of some “questionable” power contracts which the previous government signed with some private power producers.

    He said: “We have enjoyed three-and-a-half years of reliable and cheaper power”, Mr Ofori-Atta said.

    “We have spent in excess of GHS4.7 billion on capacity payment to ensure that we keep the lights on and also to pay for power we do not use under various questionable contractual obligations we inherited”, he added.

    Mr Ofori-Atta further told Parliament that the current government has successfully digitised the economy, making it easier for businesses to be located within the country.

    This, he said, has also ensured modernity in the way of conducting business in the oil-producing West African nation

    “To modernise the economy in this global competitiveness, we embarked on a transformative agenda, digitising the economy. We implemented the digital addressing system and the national ID programme to ensure each Ghanaian and business location will be duly identified. All these have been made to formalise the economy,” he said.

    Source: Class FM

  • Man armed with grenade takes policeman hostage in Ukraine

    A man armed with a grenade has escaped arrest and took a senior Ukrainian policeman hostage in the central city of Poltava, according to Ukraine’s deputy interior minister.

    “Negotiations are ongoing to force the attacker to surrender to the police without harming himself or others,” Anton Gerashchenko said on Facebook on Thursday.

    Police were trying to arrest a man suspected of hijacking a vehicle when he took out a grenade and threatened to kill one of the officers, Gerashchenko said.

    After negotiations, the man exchanged the police officer for a police colonel and drove off with him in a car provided by the police.

    It was the second hostage-taking in Ukraine in three days. On Tuesday, an armed man held 13 people captive on a bus for hours before releasing them.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • We have invested in about 100,000 jobless youth – Finance Minister

    The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Attah has said that the government has invested in about 100,000 unemployed youth under the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) programme.

    According to him, the unemployed youths have been given jobs under the Akufo-Addo government with its various employment initiatives including planting for food and jobs.

    He said this while updating the public on the mid-year budget in Parliament today, July 23, 2020.

    More soon…

    Source: Atinka Online

  • China’s Tianwen-1 Mars rover rockets away from Earth

    China has launched its first rover mission to Mars.

    The six-wheeled robot, encapsulated in a protective probe, was lifted off Earth by a Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang spaceport on Hainan Island at 12:40 local time (04:40 GMT).

    It should arrive in orbit around the Red Planet in February.

    Called Tianwen-1, or “Questions to Heaven”, the rover won’t actually try to land on the surface for a further two to three months.

    This wait-and-see strategy was used successfully by the American Viking landers in the 1970s. It will allow engineers to assess the atmospheric conditions on Mars before attempting what will be a hazardous descent.

    Tianwen-1 is one of three missions setting off to Mars in the space of 11 days.

    On Monday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched its Hope satellite towards the Red Planet. And in a week from now, the US space agency (Nasa) aims to despatch its next-generation rover, Perseverance.

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    The targeted touchdown location for the Chinese mission will be a flat plain within the Utopia impact basin just north of Mars’ equator. The rover will study the region’s geology at, and just below, the surface.

    Tianwen-1 looks a lot like Nasa’s Spirit and Opportunity rovers from the 2000s. It weighs some 240kg and is powered by fold-out solar panels.

    A tall mast carries cameras to take pictures and aid navigation; five additional instruments will help assess the mineralogy of local rocks and look for any water-ice.

    This surface investigation is really only half the mission, however, because the cruise ship that is shepherding the rover to Mars will also study the planet from orbit, using a suite of seven remote-sensing instruments.

    The historic statistics for the exploration of the Red Planet are well known: about a half of all ventures have failed. Indeed, China’s first effort to send a satellite, Yinghuo-1, to the dusty world stalled in Earth orbit when its Russian carrier stage failed and fell back towards the Pacific Ocean.

    So far, only the Americans have managed to run long-lived operations on Mars (the Soviets’ Mars-3 and Europe’s Beagle-2 missions got down but failed shortly after).

    China, however, can take confidence from the successes of its two recent Chang’e Yutu lunar rovers, the second of which made the first ever soft landing on the far side of the Moon last year.

    The country’s engineers will believe they are now ready to tackle the infamous “seven minutes of terror” – the time it takes for a spacecraft to make the perilous trip from the top of Mars’ atmosphere to the ground.

    “Entering, deceleration and landing (EDL) is a very difficult (process). We believe China’s EDL process can still be successful, and the spacecraft can land safely,” mission spokesperson Liu Tongjie was quoted as saying ahead of launch by the Reuters news agency.

    Tianwen-1 will use a combination of a capsule, parachute and a retro-rocket to burn off entry speed and slow itself to a stop right at the surface. If all goes well, the landing mechanism will then deploy a ramp to enable the rover to begin its traverse across the Martian plain.

    Chinese scientists would like to get at least 90 Martian days of service out of the robot. A day, or Sol, on Mars lasts 24 hours and 39 minutes.

    “It’s incredibly exciting to see what China is doing,” observed Dr Rain Irshad, autonomous systems leader at RAL Space in the UK.

    “Their space agency was only formed in 1993, and yet here they are, less than 30 years later, sending an orbiter, a lander and a rover to Mars.

    “But they put themselves through a training program with their Chang’e missions at the Moon. It’s very impressive the way they’ve been banging out the lunar missions one after the other.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Full text: Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Attas Mid-year Budget Review

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was in Parliament on Thursday, July 23 to present the Mid-year and Supplementary Budget Review.

    This was done in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921)

    Find the full presentation from the Finance Minister below

    Final 2020 Mid-year Fiscal Policy Review 23072020 Correct by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

  • Last Qantas 747 flight draws iconic kangaroo in the sky on its final journey from Australia

    After 50 years of flying, Qantas’ last remaining Boeing 747 passenger jet departed Australia for the final time on Wednesday and left a special message for everyone in the sky — a drawing of the airline’s iconic kangaroo logo.

    The flight path of Flight QF7474 traced the logo in the sky after it took off from Sydney Airport for the US, where the jumbo jet will be retired, Qantas, Australia’s biggest airline, said in a statement on Wednesday.

    “This aircraft was well ahead of its time and extremely capable,” said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce in a statement. “Engineers and cabin crew loved working on them and pilots loved flying them. So did passengers. They have carved out a very special place in aviation history and I know they’ll be greatly missed by a lot of people, including me.”

    The 747 is being replaced by more fuel-efficient aircraft with better range, like the 787 Dream liner and the Airbus A350, according to Joyce. While the fleet was set to be retired this year, Qantas said the pandemic decimated travel globally, which moved up the retirement by six months.

    The travel industry has taken a huge hit as countries have gone on lockdown and limited traveling to curb the spread of COVID-19. Earlier this month, British Airways retired its fleet of 747s four years ahead of schedule because of the pandemic.

    Bidding farewell

    People gathered at Sydney Airport to bid farewell to the plane, which received a water salute before departure. The plane was loaded with cargo bound for Los Angeles before the aircraft goes into storage at a boneyard in the Mojave Desert, according to the Qantas press release.

    Joyce said it is hard to overstate the impact the 747 had for a country like Australia. The aircraft’s size helped lower airfares for a nation that is far away as Australia.

    The 747 “put international travel within reach of the average Australian and people jumped at the opportunity,” Joyce said.
    The flight was commanded by Capt. Sharelle Quinn, the airline’s first female captain.

    “I have flown this aircraft for 36 years and it has been an absolute privilege,” Quinn said in the press release.

    Quinn said 747s have carried more than 250 million passengers for Qantas, including a number of rescue missions for Qantas over the past 50 years. The plane brought home a record 674 passengers out of Darwin following Cyclone Tracy in 1974 and flew medical supplies in and tourists home from the Maldives and Sri Lanka following the massive tsunami in December 2004.

    Most recently, it was used in February to bring hundreds of stranded Australians home from Wuhan, China, where the novel coronavirus pandemic began.

    Qantas took delivery of its first 747 in August 1971, the same year the first McDonalds opened in Australia, according to the airline.
    “It has been a wonderful part of our history, a truly ground-breaking aircraft and while we are sad to see our last one go, it’s time to hand over to the next generation of aircraft that are a lot more efficient,” Quinn said.

    Before heading out over the Pacific Ocean, Qantas said that the flight was scheduled to fly by Sydney Harbor and the HARS Museum where it will dip the wings in a final farewell to Qantas’ first 747-400, which is on display there.

    Source: cnn.com

  • 2020 Budget: All 88 hospitals will be built by Ghanaian companies – Finance Minister

    The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has stated that all 88 hospitals promised by the President in all districts across the country will be built by Ghanaian Companies.

    According to him, the contracts will be given to Ghanaian Companies and not foreign ones to enable the companies participate in building the nation.

    He added that the hospitals, although some has been launched, will be completed when the Akufo-Addo-led government comes to power again in 2021.

    More soon:

    Source: Atinka Online

  • Chris Brown is the love of my life Rihanna admits she still loves Chris Brown in a touching video

    Chris Brown and Rihanna were once the favorite celebrity couple in the world before parting ways some few years back.

    During their dating days they were the talk of the town and were the kind of couple most young people admired. Their relationship was yearned for by most youth.

    Years after their break up which sadden many hearts, Rihanna has been seen in a video admitting how much she still loves her ex, Chris Brown.

    Rihanna stated in the video that Chris Brown is the love of her life, after describing how she still feels about the singer. She said she has to keep a straight face like everything is okay but deep inside is a different ball game altogether.

    Watch video below;

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Rihanna still loves Chris Brown! They use to be one of my favorite celebrity dates back then….

    A post shared by Phylx Akakpo (@iamphylxgh) on

    Source: ghbase.com

  • Fake coronavirus testing kits seized from 77 countries in international crackdown

    Some 17,000 fake COVID-19 testing kits discovered in raids against illicit food and drink products across dozens of countries, have been siezed by the International Police (Interpol).

    407 people linked to the seized $40 million (34.5 million euros) worth of fake or substandard products from 77 countries, have been arrested in raids carried out from December 2019 to June 2020.

    Interpol said on Wednesday July 22, that some of the products include contaminated dairy products; meat from illegally slaughtered animals and food products falsely labelled as medicinal cures, disinfectants and even a shipment of seafood in South Africa originating from Asia, cosmetics, footwear, clothing, handbags, car parts, electronics, tobacco and medicines.

    The agency’s secretary general Jurgen Stock said in a statement: “As countries around the world continue their efforts to contain COVID-19, the criminal networks distributing these potentially dangerous products show only their determination to make a profit.”

    AFP reported that this is the agency’s ninth year of coordinated Ops on raids against counterfeit or substandard food and drink, which regularly seize thousands of tons of fake and potentially harmful products.

    Source: AFP

  • Government to launch a GH¢100 billion development program – Ken Ofori-Atta

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has revealed that government is set to launch a GH¢100 billion development program.

    Mr Ofori-Atta said this while delivering the 2020 mid-year budget review on the floor of parliament Thursday afternoon.

    He said the GH¢100 billion program is to revitalise the economy due to the impact of COVID-19.

    According to the Finance Minister, although the pandemic has affected the economy, the country will not be daunted by its effects.

    He said government will continue to do what it has to do to protect lives and livelihoods of Ghanaians and that government is up to the task.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • ‘Ramos is a rock’ – Modric hails Real Madrid team-mate as world’s best defender

    The Croatian midfielder spoke warmly of Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema after winning another La Liga title with the capital club Luka Modric has described Sergio Ramos as a “phenomenon” and says the Real Madrid captain is the best defender in the world.

    Ramos led Madrid to his fifth La Liga title, scoring 11 times in the top flight this season – a record for a defender in the 21st century.

    The 34-year-old has won 22 trophies with Los Blancos since joining from Sevilla in 2005 and remains integral to Zinedine Zidane’s plans, with many suggesting he could have been in the running for the Ballon d’Or this year before the 2020 award was cancelled.

    Modric, who has become a good friend of Ramos since moving to the Spanish capital in 2012, says there can be no doubting his quality.

    “My brother Sergio is a phenomenon,” he told Sportske Novosti. “And I’m not just saying that because in eight years we’ve created a really special relationship, we hang out as families, go on holiday together, or because we’ve had fantastic footballing experiences and successes together.

    “Ramos is a 34-year-old rock, a top-level competitor, and when you watch him working on himself, it’s clear how dedicated he is and how hungry he is for success. He’s a team leader and the best defender in the world.”

    Madrid’s title triumph was also inspired by the form of Karim Benzema, who scored 21 goals this season, and Modric believes he is now starting to get the recognition he deserves.

    “Now, everyone has finally realised what we players have known for a long time,” he said. “Benzema is a top striker who is a pleasure to play with. His understanding of the game, movement, disrupting the balance of the opposition defence, is something special.

    “Benzema has always done a great job for the team and I am just glad that he has now experienced a general standing ovation and great satisfaction from people recognising his class.”

    Madrid trailed Barca at the top of the table when La Liga was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but a run of 10 wins in a row and a draw with Leganes on the final day saw them finish five points clear.

    Modric felt there were signs when the team returned to training that they had a good chance of overhauling Barca.

    Ramos dedicates title to Real Madrid fans who suffered during coronavirus lockdown “I’ve already won 16 trophies at Real, four Champions Leagues, but this La Liga title made me especially happy,” he added.

    “We definitely should have had more domestic titles because we threw away some championships in a very clumsy way.

    “While we were shut in our homes, we all trained. I was in contact with team-mates and noticed everyone was working with extra motivation. When we finally got back to training together, I felt an even stronger connection between the players, enjoying being together again and in full swing.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Greenwood rescues a point as Man Utd struggle against West Ham

    Manchester United need a point from their final game to clinch a Champions League place after coming from behind to draw against West Ham.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side moved into the top four, ahead of Leicester, who they face at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

    But victory for Brendan Rodgers’ side will deny the Red Devils a spot in Europe’s elite club competition next season.

    Meanwhile, the point for David Moyes’ side guarantees Premier League football next season as they now lie four points clear of the relegation zone.

    West Ham went ahead on the stroke of half-time through Michail Antonio’s coolly taken penalty after Paul Pogba handled inside the area.

    United levelled early in the second half through Mason Greenwood who exchanged passes with Anthony Martial before drilling home a low finish for his 17th goal of the season.

    United goalkeeper David de Gea’s position has been under scrutiny after two errors in the FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea, but the Spaniard made an excellent reflex save to deny Jarrod Bowen.

    Declan Rice struck a powerful drive narrowly over but neither side were able to find a winner.

    Source: bbc.com

  • ‘Real effect of coronavirus will be felt in September’ Joe Jackson

    The Chief Operation Officer of Dalex Finance, Mr Joe Jackson, has noted that the real economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be felt in September this year.

    The pandemic was first confirmed in Ghana in March this year.

    Since then, all sectors of the economy have been touched negatively, a situation that forced the government to announce a stimulus package to assist small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

    Jobs have also been lost, especially in the aviation and hospitality sectors of the economy.

    Speaking on the Executive Breakfast Show on Class91.3FM on Thursday, 23 July 2020s, Mr Jackson said: “From September, you will start to see the real effect of the job losses, these value chains that have disappeared.”

    He noted also that in spite of the impact of the virus, the informal sector remains vibrant.

    “The key positive is that there is still a remarkable amount of resilience in the informal sector and that should be harnessed,” he said.

    Source: Class FM

  • We did not conspire with BoG to collapse Ghanaian banks – Ofori-Atta

    The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta says government did not to conspire with the Central bank, the Bank of Ghana (BoG), to collapse some indigenous Ghanaian banks that were affected in the financial sector clean-up exercise.

    According to him, government has no time and energy to collapse Ghanaian banks, urging the people who hold the view that the government conspired with the Central Bank to deliberately collapse some Ghanaian banks to speak the truth.

    He said as of the time the current government took over power from the then governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), all the collapsed banks “were totally insolvent” due to mismanagement which was happening in the financial sector.

    Mr Ofori-Atta, who was presenting the mid-year budget today [Thursday, July 23, 2020] at Parliament, said the government was only interested in fixing the broken economy they inherited.

    “As a serious government as we are, and as patriotic as we are, we absolutely have no time, no energy, to conspire with the central bank to deliberately collapse Ghanaian banks,” he said.

    He explained that as a result of mismanagement in the banking sector, funds of depositors have been locked up with no hope of such depositors accessing their funds.

    Mr Ofori-Atta said what the government did in the banking sector was a usual practice in the banking sector globally, and that the exercise was aimed at straightening the banking sector and boosting the confidence of customers.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Convent outside Detroit lost 13 nuns to coronavirus with 12 dying in one month

    Coronavirus spread so quickly through a convent in Michigan that it claimed the lives of 12 nuns in one month, beginning on Good Friday.

    They were all members of the Felician Sisters convent in Livonia, outside of Detroit, ranging in ages from 69 to 99, the executive director for mission advancement, Suzanne English, confirmed to CNN on Tuesday. A 13th sister initially survived the virus but passed away from its effects in June.

    The women were long-time members of the convent and leave behind a legacy of service, according to their obituaries supplied by English. They all served others through different roles, from teaching to helping at-risk children to playing music to publishing a 586-page book about the history of the convent.

    One sister won a commercial script-writing contest for Campbell’s Soup with her second-grade class. Another was assigned to the Felician Generalate in Rome twice and worked as secretary in the English section of the Vatican Secretariat of State.

    “We grieve for each of our sisters who has passed during the time of the pandemic throughout the province, and we greatly appreciate all of those who are holding us in prayer and supporting us in a number of ways,” said Sister Mary Christopher Moore, provincial minister of Our Lady of Hope Province.

    The women all lived and worked on the 360-acre campus that was once home to 800 sisters, according to the Global Sisters Report, an independent, non-profit Catholic news publisher. Now, only around 50 reside there, according to English.

    English said the Livonia convent is one of 60 convents in the US and Canada, plus a mission in Haiti, where the 469 Felician Sisters of North America reside.

    The Global Sisters Report said the death of the 13 nuns in Livonia may be the worst loss of life to a community of religious women in the US since the 1918 influenza pandemic.

    Sister Mary Danatha Suchyta, 98, was the most recent sister the convent lost. She died on June 27.

    At the beginning of the pandemic in March, the convent, like other long-term housing residences, implemented a no-visitors rule and placed restrictions on group activities to help curb the spread of the virus, according to Global Sisters Report.

    ‘It kind of shattered our faith life a little bit’
    But the virus spread through the convent and on Good Friday, April 10, came the first death: Sister Mary Luiza Wawrzyniak, 99.

    Her death was followed by Sister Celine Marie Lesinski, 92, and Sister Mary Estelle Printz, 95, who both died on Easter Sunday, April 12.
    By May 10, a total of 12 sisters died, according to English. They include; Sister Thomas Marie Wadowski, 73, Sister Mary Patricia Pyszynski, 93, Sister Mary Clarence (Adeline) Borkoski, 83, Sister Rose Mary Wolak, 86, Sister Mary Janice (Margaret) Zolkowski, 86, Sister Mary Alice Ann (Fernanda) Gradowski, 73, Sister Victoria Marie Indyk, 69, Sister Mary Martinez (Virginia) Rozek, 87, and Sister Mary Madeleine (Frances) Dolan, 82.
    The convent grappled with how they were able to care for each other and only 10 people could attend each funeral, according to Global Sisters Report.

    “The faith we share with sisters as they are dying, the prayers we share with sisters as they are dying: We missed all that. It kind of shattered our faith life a little bit.” Sister Joyce Marie Van de Vyver told the publication.

    At the end of June, the convent lost Sister Mary Danatha (Lottie) Suchyta, 98, to COVID. In total, at least 30 sisters in Livonia were infected with the virus and 17 recovered, English said, citing Sister Noel Marie Gabriel, director of clinical health services for Our Lady of Hope Province.

    “Some of our sisters who have had COVID-19 are struggling to recover from a variety of effects, including continuing weakness, respiratory issues and more,” a statement released by Felician Sisters in early July read.

    Sister Mary Ramona Borkowski died on April 18 at a convent in New Jersey.
    In the United States, nearly 142,000 have died from the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University’s tally of cases on Tuesday. More than 3.89 million people have been infected with the virus in the US.

    The Livonia convent is not the only religious order that has seen the devastating effects of the virus. Sister Mary Ramona (Florence) Borkowski, 93, died of Covid on April 18 at a convent located in Lodi, New Jersey. In 1971, Borkowski founded and became the director of the Felician School for Exceptional Children in Lodi, a position she held until 2018, according to her obituary.

    Between April and May, six sisters of different religious orders that lived at Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Greenfield, Wisconsin, died from COVID-19.

    Source: cnn.com

  • Protests in Turkey over brutal murder of young woman

    The brutal murder of yet another Turkish woman has triggered widespread outrage in the country, with many taking to the streets and social media to express their anger.

    University student, Pinar Gultekin, 27, was killed in the Aegean province of Mugla. She was reported missing last week and was found dead in the woods on Tuesday.

    According to autopsy results, Gultekin was strangled and her body placed in a barrel, which was then burned and had concrete poured on it.

    Her former partner Cemal Metin Avci, a bar manager in the resort town of Akyaka, has been arrested for the murder. Police said he confessed to the killing during questioning, according to local media.

    On Tuesday, several groups protested across Turkish cities, including the largest city of Istanbul, against the rising violence inflicted upon women in the country.

    More protests are expected as anger over the killing continues on social media, with users calling for further action by the authorities.

    Femicides have doubled since 2012

    According to We Will Stop Femicides Platform, a rights group that monitors violence against women, at least 474 women were murdered in 2019, most of them by current or former partners, family members, or unrelated males who wanted a relationship with them.

    Turkey was the first country to ratify a 2011 Council of Europe accord, named the Istanbul Convention, on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Turkey also adopted a law in 2012 to prevent violence against women.

    However, the number of murdered women has more than doubled since then, with rights groups blaming the trend on the government’s failure to implement the convention and laws.

    A conservative section within Turkish media and social groups has been lobbying for Ankara to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, arguing it has a negative influence on Turkish family values.

    Speaking at an Istanbul rally calling for an end to violence against women, Fidan Ataselim, general secretary of We Will Stop Femicides Platform, said their protests will continue until the authorities hear their voices.

    “We are carrying banners for a woman we do not know. It is enough now. We want to live,” she said on Tuesday, demanding that the government implement the Istanbul Convention better.

    “The solution is clear. Open and read the Istanbul Convention,” added Ataselim.

    “The sadness of our daughter Pinar Gultekin, who was murdered in Mugla, has pierced through our hearts. Another life has been lost,” Zehra Zumrut Selcuk, Turkey’s minister of family, labour and social services, said in a tweet.

    She added the government would “intervene in the case to follow the judicial process so that the murderer will get the hardest possible sentence”.

    Anger on social media

    Meanwhile, social media users continued to voice their anger over the murder, using the hashtag #pinargultekin.

    Gozde Aydin tweeted: “We want justice for all the girls, daughters, sisters, mothers that are being brutally murdered every single day in Turkey!!”

    Another user Rengul Selma said the number of women murdered in Turkey was far more than reported.

    “The latest femicide once again proves how hard it is to live in Turkey as a woman. How many more femicides do we need to hear of?” she tweeted.

    Source: aljazeera.com