TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Chief Justice, Others on coronavirus treatment – Justice Jones Dotse assumes Head Of Judiciary

    Details reaching The Herald, suggest that the deadly Coronavirus pandemic, has hit Ghana’s Judicial Service, with some senior judges and their staff in isolation and receiving treatment.

    The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah, is mentioned as one of the Supreme Court judges, who has tested positive for the disease.

    He is reported to have handed over all his official duties to Justice Jones Dotse and gone into treatment. He was not at work on Monday and yesterday, and will not be available for today.

    Other members of the Chief Justice’s family, are also reported to have tested positive of the virus.

    Reports are that, there have been series of the COVID-19 tests at the superior courts, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, during which some tested positive of the virus.

    Additional information available to this paper is that, some courtrooms and offices located within the law complex building in Accra, have been closed.

    The Lands Court and the Human Rights Court Registry, The Herald was told, are among the places closed down as a result of the virus.

    Additional information available to This paper is that, some of the judges are currently on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Legon.

    It is not yet clear, if Justice Dotse, can empanel Supreme Court judges presently to hear a case.

    Source:www.theheraldghana.com

    Source: theheraldghana.com

  • Prof. Opoku-Agyemang more than qualified to be president – Analyst

    Social policy analyst Mr. Kojo Addo has opined Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is more than qualified to be elected as President of the Republic of Ghana.

    Commenting on suggestions that the former education minister lacked the competence to hold office as vice president, the analyst indicated Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has distinguished herself in the various fields she served.

    Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Addo said Prof. Opoku-Agyemang has the governance capability to partner Mahama as running mate.

    “She is capable, competent and experienced. She has been a vice chancellor for the University of Cape Coast, she was a former education minister for four years. She has also held international positions. The woman is not only cap-able but experienced for her job.”

    He said the position of vice president in Ghana means that the person will chair the Economic Management Team, the chairperson for internal security, working with the police and other forces and I think she has the political knowledge to hold d that position.

    On party cohesion, she has the capability to unite the party and ensure aa smooth campaign and a possible victory for the NDC.

    He added that despite the lack of economic experience on the pair, they can work together with the team of appointees to deliver on their campaign promises.

    The appointment of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang he said has created an avenue where women who are not even members of the NDC will vote massively for the NDC come December 7, 2020.

    Although he was not sure of the percentage the running mate will gain towards the victory for the NDC, he said the umbrella family will be favoured by selecting Prof. Opoku-Agyemang because women will see that as an opportunity to have representation at the highest decision-making table.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • COVID-19: Asante Mampong records 38 cases

    The Asante Mampong Municipality has recorded a total of 38 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease since its outbreak in the country.

    Mr Danso Yeboah, Municipal Director of Health Services told the Ghana News Agency that, three of the infected persons were nurses.

    He said the infected persons were in self-isolation and responding to treatment. Mr Yeboah said the Municipal Risk Management and Education Committee had intensified public education campaign on the preventive protocols to help contain further spread of the virus in the area.

    He commended the district assembly for its continued support for the educational campaign and stressed the need for the people to adhere to all the preventive protocols to stay safe. In a related development, the Sekyere Central District has identified 27 suspected cases of the coronavirus.

    Mr Kwadwo Banahene Bediako, the District Chief Executive, told the GNA that all the suspects were transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi for further examination.

    He advised the people in the District to strictly observe all the preventive protocols put in place by the government to prevent themselves from catching and spreading the virus in the area.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Breaking News: COVID-19 shuts down Ghana’s Supreme Court indefinitely

    Lawyers and their clients who thronged the Supreme Court, this morning, were treated to a rude shock after waiting for the panel of judges to sit and hear their cases as well as deliver judgement.

    But after about two hours in the courtroom, the registrar of the court, walked in and announced that the Supreme Court, has suspended all its sittings indefinitely.

    The lawyers and their clients, were instructed to go home and wait for further notice. The registrar did not explain why the apex court will not be sitting henceforth.

    But The Herald, reported today, that the deadly Coronavirus pandemic has hit the Ghana’s Judiciary, with some senior judges and their staff down with the disease and are either in isolation or treatment.

    The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah, is mentioned as one of the Supreme Court judges who has tested positive of the disease. He is reported to have handed over all his official duties to Justice Jones Dotse and gone into treatment.

    He was not at work on Monday and yesterday, and will not be available for today, Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

    Other members of the Chief Justice’s family are also reported to have tested positive of the virus.

    The Herald’s information are that there have been a series of the COVID-19 tests at the superior courts including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, during which some tested positive of the virus.

    Additional information available to this paper is that some courtrooms and offices located within the law complex building in Accra, have been closed.

    The Lands Court and the Human Rights Court Registry, The Herald was told are among the places closed down as a result of the virus.

    Additional information available to The Herald is that some of the judges are currently on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre in Legon.

    Against, wise counsel and fears of COVID-19 spread, the Supreme Court, two weeks ago, unanimous ruled that the Electoral Commission (EC) should go ahead and compile a new register.

    The seven-member panel that heard the case was presided over by Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah. Other panel members are Justices Jones Dotse, Paul Baffoe Bonnie, Sule Gbagegbe, Samuel K. Marful-Sau, Nene Amegatcher, and Professor Ashie Kotey.

    The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) recently called for swift prosecution of all persons including the EC staff, officials, commissioners, voter I.D card applicants, observers and political party agents who may be responsible for any breaches of any COVID-19 preventive protocol.

    The GMA made this known in a letter to the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensah addressing the ongoing Voters’ registration and the need for adherence to the safety protocols at all registration centres across the country to mitigate the spread of the virus.

    But a group of medical practitioners later petitioned the EC to stop the ongoing voters’ registration exercise over some breaches of Covid-19 preventive protocols at centres across the country and “figure out safer ways of carrying it out.”

    According to the group, the development has the propensity to result in a spike in novel coronavirus cases in the country.

    The group, in an open letter to the EC Chairperson Jean Mensa believes, such a situation is likely to turn our dire for the country as reports are rife of an already overstretched nature of health facilities to handle the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.

    “A significant reduction in the number of effective health workers available to render preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care for patients. This will occur because the already high number of infected health workers is likely to remain on that trajectory, with a concomitant increase in the number of deaths from COVID-19 if care is not taken. In addition, a higher number of specialist staff would be required to take care of the ever-increasing number of “sick people” with COVID-19 leading to even fewer health workers available to treat non- COVID-19 conditions,” the petition read.

    More to come!

    Source: theheraldghana.com

  • Supreme Court adjourns all cases over COVID-19 scare

    The Supreme Court has adjourned all cases which were scheduled to be heard this week.

    Citi News checks at the apex court show that all nine cases listed to be heard by the Judges from Tuesday, July 7, 2020, have been rescheduled to yet to be announced dates.

    This development comes on the back of fears of an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Judicial Service, which led to the closure of some courts.

    During the COVID-19 induced lockdown in the country, the Chief Justice, Anin Yeboah directed that legal cases should be adjourned to later dates following the restriction of movement of persons in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    “For this reason, registrars are directed to adjourn all cases listed during this period to dates in May and June 2020,” a statement signed by the Chief Justice indicated.

    However, some courts in the affected regions have been designated to deal with critical cases such as “breaches arising from the restriction orders and other criminal matters”.

    With increasing cases of COVID-19 cases in Ghana, some members of the judicial service have tested positive for the virus.

    The adjournment of the cases comes, therefore, comes as a measure to reduce the number of infections at the law courts.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Check out 53-page CV of Mahamas running mate, Naana Opoku-Agyemang

    Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama has been lauded for her achievement especially in the educational sector.

    The veteran educationist and the first female first Vice Chancellor of a public university in Ghana after she was appointed to head University of Cape Coast (UCC) in 2008.

    Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang CV by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    The former Education Minister in the Mahama administration has received many awards both in Ghana and abroad for her enterprising work in the education sector.

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • I don’t want the job but can advise the one who gets it – Databank C.E.O on Kotoko links

    The Chief Executive Officer of Databank, Kojo Adae Mensah, has stated that his expertise is to work in a financial institution and not to assume the day to day running of a club like Asante Kotoko.

    The name of Kojo Adae Mensah, who is a staunch Kotoko fan, came up in the media space after former Ghana Football Association Presidential Candidate, Nana Yaw Amponsah’s quest to be the C.E.O of the club was blocked by the Manhyia Palace.

    The Porcupine Warriors have been without a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after George Amoako who is also the Chairman for the Black Stars Management Committee was relieved of his post by the New Board of Directors which was put together by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, owner and life patron of the club.

    Speaking to Alex Eshun on Cape Coast-based Live FM, he stated that he can only advise the one who will eventually get the job as C.E.O of Asante Kotoko.

    “I work at Databank and that where I belong with my Knowledge. I have no interest whatsoever in that position. I’m ever ready to advise whoever gores up for the job but to take the job? No. They say never say never but I’m saying never.”

    Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko will be representing Ghana in the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League after the truncation of the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • DJ Amess: Castros manager laid to rest in microphone coffin

    Missing Ghanaian rapper, Castro, lost his manager last month and he has now been laid to rest in a microphone coffin.

    The late artiste manager, Darlyn Kotei, aka DJ Amess, died on June 4 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness related to High Blood Pressure and a knee problem that rendered him incapacitated.

    The mortal remains of DJ Amess, who was also a showbiz pundit, were laid to rest last Saturday at the Awudome Cemetery in Accra.

    The burial ceremony was attended by some of his colleagues, radio and television presenters, musicians and music producers.

    Some of the personalities who were at the ceremony are Isaac Abeiku Aidoo, CEO of Goodies Music Productions, Kojo Preko Dankwa of Accra FM, Eddie Ray, Christian Agyei Frimpong of Onua FM, Dr. Cann of Happy FM, Afia Papabi, James Clarke of Chorkor Trotro fame among others.

    See photos from the burial below.

    Photo of the late DJ Amess captured at his funeral grounds
    Photo of the late DJ Amess captured at his funeral grounds

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Government activates processes to establish National Sanitation Authority and Fund

    The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah has disclosed that the government has activated the process to establish a National Sanitation Authority together with a National Sanitation Fund.

    The Authority, when established according to the minister, will help improve the monitoring of the various sanitation projects and mobilise increased funding for sanitation services in Ghana.

    Ms Dapaah disclosed this at the weekly Meet the Press at the Ministry of Information Wednesday morning [July 8, 2020].

    She said, “The establishment of the Authority and the Fund will give our efforts significant focus, attract the requisite human capacity and mobilize resources for improved sanitation services delivery in Ghana.”

    She further added that, in a bid to ensure the constant supply of Environmental Sanitation Officers, the 3 schools of hygiene for the first time in many years have seen major infrastructure development. She said in Accra and Ho, a new 2-storey, 9-classroom block each, is being provided while Tamale is benefiting from a rehabilitation of an existing hostel facility.

    “Additionally, the Ministry has obtained financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance to engage the remaining 1,174 graduates from the three Schools of Hygiene. These are graduates from 2010 to 2019 and in collaboration with Office of the Head of the Local Government Service, they are going through the necessary recruitment processes.”

    On Policy reforms, the Minister said in 2017, a policy reform was initiated in the Community Water and Sanitation sub-sector to expand the mandate of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA).

    She said the reform sought to change the management of Piped Water Systems from Community Own Management concept to Professionalised Management with focus on the application of technology and innovation to ensure sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of the Water Supply infrastructure which have been provided at high cost to the State.

    “To this end, Government has spent a total of GHC60million to rehabilitate and expand 151 Small Town Piped Water Systems across the country. Some of the systems that have been rehabilitated are in Vakpo, Taviefe, Akatsi in the Volta region, Mim in the Bono region, Manso Nkwanta, Manso Atwedie Juaben and Seniagya in the Ashanti region. Most of these Systems were in a state of disrepair at the time the CWSA took over.”

    The Minister added that as part of measures to introduce new skills to support the introduction of Innovation and Technology in Water Systems Management, 1,087 professionals (Engineers, Water Safety Specialist, Accountants) and 409 auxiliary staff (Plumbers, Technical operators) have been employed.

    “An additional 250 jobs are expected to be created by the close of the year. In addition, GHc3.3million out of GHc5million outstanding electricity bills incurred by the Water and Sanitation Management Teams have been paid resulting in the restoration of power to the water supply infrastructure in the communities.”

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Shatana gifts fans with Let Me Talk EP album

    Songstress, Shatana has finally released her much anticipated EP titled Let me talk’.

    ‘Let Me Talk’ is a perfect blend of Afrobeat, up-tempo, and mid-tempo sounds.

    The seven-track EP album includes ‘Smile’, “Slow”, “Natural Love” and a fusion of intriguing songs.

    The artiste who clinched three awards namely; Generational Leadership Award, Favorite Artiste, and Adult Contemporary Award at last year’s Ghana Leadership Awards event described her “Let Me Talk” album as a moment of truth.

    According to Shatana, her quest to curb the insanity in the Ghanaian society which includes the showbiz industry compelled her to come out with her latest EP album.

    She stressed in “Let Me Talk” that hundreds of Ghanaians including female celebs has rebranded the art of prostitution into “Slaying” which is very disturbing.

    She explained that “Slay Queens” are no different from commercial sex workers hence society should desist from embracing slay Queen’s whiles they chastise commercial sex workers.

    Meanwhile the artiste is set to drop more EPs this year, “filled with good vibes, love songs and educative elements”.

    Enjoy her latest banger below.

    Source: Kofi Ehuron

  • See Naa Ashorkors friendly birthday message to Adjetey Anang

    Actress Naa Ashorkor took to social media to celebrate her colleague and friend, Adjetey Anang on his 46th birthday yesterday.

    Naa Ashorkor, who has never hidden her admiration for Adjetey Anang wrote a friendly message on social media to celebrate him.

    She wrote: Happy birthday @adjeteyanang! 💞💞💞 Wishing your the very best of the day !!!!! Imma eat cake on your behalf 🙈🙈🙈 God bless you pleeeeeenty!

    Source: www.ghgossip.com

  • Cabinet gives approval for Phase 3 of the Five Districts Water Supply Scheme

    The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ms Cecilia Abena Dapaah has said cabinet has given approval for the start of the Phase 3 of the Five Districts Water Supply Scheme also known as the STRABAG Project, which is designed to provide water to 183 communities and about 222,075 people in the Central Tongu, North Tongu, Ho West, Adaklu and Agortime Ziope Districts.

    Addressing the Meet the Press series in Accra Wednesday morning, Ms Dapaah said the project concept is in four (4) phases, from feasibility to design and construction.

    “Upon completion of phase 1 and 2, Parliament approved a loan facility of €11.5million in April, 2020, to be financed by Raiffeisenbank International of AG/Vienna, for the implementation of the Phase 3. The scope includes the completion of the distribution network in areas which are already connected by transmission mains, with drinking water treatment plant constructed under phase 1&2; and connection of Waya to Kutime by transmission mains, with 3 water towers and a distribution network along the transmission main.”

    Ms Dapaah announced that the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project which started in January 2018, ended on June 30, 2020. She said, in all, 23 water Systems were provided in 164 Communities within 11 Regions namely; Upper West, Upper East, Northern, Savannah, North East, Central, Western, Western North, Bono, Ahafo and Bono East Regions. In addition, 250 Boreholes were constructed in the Upper West region. She said the total population served by the project is approximately 325,000.

    “I am happy to announce that, H. E. the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, symbolically commissioned all the Water Systems, at two separate ceremonies at Amasamkrom in the Mfantseman Municipality and Jei-Krodua in the Awutu Senya District, all in the Central Region.
    It is worthy to note that, 184,000 people in 146 Communities in the Central Region are benefitting from the Project, and this has increased water coverage for the region from 63.8% to 70.04%. A massive 6.24% in just 3 years.”

    The Minister further announced that the Rural Communities and Small Towns Water Supply Project (RCSTWSP) otherwise known as the Aqua Africa Project is being undertaken by the Ministry through the Community Water and Sanitation Agency. She said the project will construct 150-point sources and 12 Small Town Water Systems to serve 588 communities across 5 regions, namely Volta, Oti, Greater Accra, Ashanti and Eastern. The project when completed will benefit about 282,000 people.

    “The Project Implementation Manual for this project has been developed and the value for money assessment is on-going. Sod cutting will be performed for the take-off of the project by the end of this month, July, 2020.”

    The Sanitation and Water Resources Minister said under the Government Borehole Programme, the Ministry is undertaking the construction of 654 boreholes across the country.
    “Currently, 433 out of the 654 boreholes have been drilled and the accompanying pads constructed. The Ministry has also procured pumps to be installed on these boreholes. The programme when completed will benefit about 220,000 people,” he said.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Premix Cttee chairman fingered in fuel smuggling scheme

    The Kwesimintsim Police Command in the Western Region has arrested two taxi drivers for allegedly smuggling six drums of petroleum products suspected to be premix fuel to a fuel station at Asakai, a farming community in the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality.

    One of the taxi drivers identified as Pope Pius is said to have confessed to the police that he was sent by the Premix Committee Chairman for Bentir, a fishing community in the Shama District, Robert Ackonu, popularly known as Kwesi Woode, to deliver the product to their customer at the station.

    Narrating the event leading to the arrest of Anthony Nyankom and Pope Pius, an NPP Polling Station Organizer for Aboadze Roman Catholic, George Abakah, revealed he had a tip-off that someone had smuggled premix from Bentir and decided to monitor the said consignment to its final destination.

    Meanwhile, the Presiding Member for the Shame District who is also the assembly member for the area Emmanuel Mark Ackon said Mr Woode is innocent of the allegation.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Mahama has not tested positive for COVID-19 – Sammy Gyamfi

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has not tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Sammy Gyamfi has said.

    He has subsequently implored the public to disregard social media speculation that former President John Mahama has contracted COVID-19.

    According to him, he did not want to dignify the speculation which he alleged was being spread on social media by NPP communicators but he was forced to speak out because it was becoming viral.

    He said President Mahama and persons in his close circle including Joyce Bawah Mogtari do not have COVID-19.

    He also mentioned that the Ranking Member of the Health Committee of Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and the Minority Leader, Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed had also not tested positive for the illness which has claimed over 100 lives in Ghana.

    more to follow… 

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh  

  • CEPS intercepts 24 Nigerians at Dabala

    Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority in the early hours of Tuesday arrested 24 Nigerians for allegedly entering the country through unapproved routes.

    The immigrants, that included; five females admitted entering the jurisdiction and were Nigerians but refused to give reasons for their entry.

    Chief Superintendent, Mr Shradrach Azangweo, South Tongu District Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service told the Ghana News Agency that the culprits would be moved to Aflao to assist in further investigations.

    “None of them has been able to give a good reason for crossing into the country having breached our immigration laws and we intend to send them to Aflao for further investigations,” he said.

    He said the immigrants had their temperatures taken with initial investigations and were likely to be quarantined at Aflao.

    Mr Azangweo said the Immigration service would not allow them to continue their journey and they would all be repatriated after their COVID-19 status so that they do not endanger the lives of other people.

    He said the culprits were assisted by ‘Okada’ riders and public transport drivers to the point of arrest.

    He warned the drivers and Okada riders of serious repercussions for them, as they continued to facilitate the movement of the West African nationals into the country saying “you will endanger your life and other members of the public for possible infection of the virus.

    “We will advise the public to support in this fight since the COVID-19 cases keep increasing, we ask everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious characters of foreign extraction to us because we cannot do this alone.” he said.

    Source: GNA

  • Thomas Partey wants Arsenal transfer completed as quickly as possible

    Thomas Partey is believed to be pushing for a move to Arsenal in the coming days.

    Arsenal have made the Ghanaian their top man on the transfer wish list next summer with the player also reportedly interested in moving to London.

    Reports say the 27-year-old wants to seal his move to the Gunners as “quickly as possible” to avoid fallout with his current club Atletico Madrid.

    Atletico Madrid are not willing to release the midfielder for any fee less than £45million.

    With Arsenal willing to meet the release clause of Partey, the English Club are also considering pushing out some big names to meet the demands of Atletico Madrid.

    Frenchmen Alexandre Lacazette and Matteo Guendouzi as well as Uruguayan Lucas Torreira who has fallen out of favor at the Club are being considered in s possible swap offer for the Ghana star.

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Sporting Director Edu are said to have approved the signing of the hardworking midfielder.

    Partey moved to Atletico Madrid in 2013 after passing a trial with the Club and has gone on to make 125 appearances for the Club.

    Source: Ghana Sports Online

  • Court of Appeal judge Justice Paul K. Gyaesayor is dead

    A judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Paul K. Gyaesayor has died.

    According to Joy News sources, he passed on Tuesday morning after complaining of not being well.

    Sources at the Judicial Service say the experienced judge reported for work on Tuesday, but went back home after complaining that he was unwell.

    Justice Paul K. Gyaesayor died shortly after he got home.

    The late Justice was affirmed as Court of Appeal Judges in March 2008 together with eight others by former president John Agyekum Kufuor.

    Other judges he was sworn in alongside were Justice Francis G. Korbieh, Justice Emmanuel Kwami Ayebi, Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenugah and Justice Kwasi Nkrumah Aduma Osei.

    Others were Justice Irismay Brown, Justice Wisdom Herbert K Addoh, Justice Victor D. Ofoe and Justice Kobena Adoe Acquaye

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fumes over Eddie Nketiah’s red card against Leicester

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta feels Eddie Nketiah’s red card in the game against Leicester was harsh.

    The English born Ghanaian was red-carded just four minutes after being on the pitch following a reckless challenge on James Justin.

    Arteta feels Leicester City goalscorer Jamie Vardy should have also been shown the marching orders after an early nasty challenge on Shkodran Mustafi.

    “I am extremely proud of the team – the way we played, against this type of opposition, and how dominant we were,” Arsenal boss Arteta told Sky Sports.

    “In the first half we should have gone three- or four-nil up and killed the game.

    “With the red card decision, he doesn’t see the player and you have to know that he is a young kid.

    “But if that is a red card then Leicester have to play with 10 men after 42 minutes. That has to be a red card as well.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • KNUST SHS students resume protest over colleague’s demise

    Students of KNUST SHS in Kumasi have resumed protests over the death of their colleague after agitating one on Tuesday.

    The students on July 7, 2020, embarked on a demonstration accusing school authorities of neglecting their colleague who was ill. Reports say authorities looked on while the helpless student died over fears that he may have contracted COVID-19.

    The police were called to stop the demonstration after the agitated students destroyed some properties including a salon car. The said car, according to reports, belongs to the headmistress of the school.

    Barely 24 hours after calm was restored, the students are back to express discontentment, GhanaWeb’s correspondent reports.

    The students are reported to have gone on a rampage again this morning, prompting school authorities to call in the police who once again.

    As at the time of filing this report, some parents had stormed the school premises to demand the release of their wards.

    The police are said to have brought the situation under control whiles the Municipal Directorate of Education is also said to be engaging the students to calm nerves.

    From videos recorded by some students and sighted by GhanaWeb, the student, before his demise, could be seen surrounded by some of his male colleagues as he struggled for breath. Some other personalities said to be teachers stood at a distance looking on.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanaian forward Patrick Joosten starts training at FC Utrecht

    Dutch-born Ghanaian forward Patrick Joosten has commenced training with FC Utrecht ahead of the upcoming Eredivisie season.

    FC Utrecht is one of the few clubs in the Netherlands that have started sharpening their rough edges ahead of the 2020/21 Dutch Eredivisie campaign.

    The Red and White outfit began the session at their Sports Complex Zoudenbalch with a large number of their squad present.

    Dutch-born of Ghanaian descent Patrick Joosten was among the players who showed up at the training complex on Monday.

    The Press and fans were not welcomed as the club are still working from a bubble to minimize the chance of coronavirus infections. The measures will however be relaxed a little in the coming weeks.

    Coach John van den Brom is expected to put his squad up to speed before engaging in friendly games ahead of the start of the season.

    Joosten, who returned from a successful loan stint at Sparta Rotterdam, will be keen to impress the technical bench within these short periods in order to seal a position at the club in the forthcoming campaign.

    Watch Patrick Joosten and his FC Utrecht teammates train below;

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

     

  • U/E: Police arrest six suspects for allegedly transporting ammunition to Kandiga

    The Navrongo Municipal Police Command in the Upper East Region has arrested six suspects for allegedly transporting ammunition into troubled Kandiga community in the Kassana-Nankana West District.

    The six include a mate and a driver of a VIP bus with registration number AC-2051-19 and four residents of Kandiga who were recipients of the ammunition.

    Speaking to Citi News, Navrongo Municipal Police Commander, DSP Francis Agyare said, the suspects who were arrested upon a tip-off are in police custody and will soon be arraigned before the Navrongo district court.

    “Following recent clashes between the people of Doba and Kandiga and subsequently the number of empty cartridges we retrieved from the conflict zone gave us cause to believe that, the conflict was being financed by people outside the communities so this suspicion compelled us to start searching all passenger buses plying the Bolga-Navrongo route”.

    “On Tuesday, at 5:00 am, police on duty at the conflict zone intercepted a bus and when it was searched, we had 1,256 cartridges and quantities of bow and arrows and the driver alleged that they were given him to be given to somebody at Kandiga. So we arrested him and he cooperated.”

    “So, we lured the receivers to come for their parcel and as they arrived there we arrested them. So we arrested the four receivers of the parcel together with the driver and his mate in police custody. We are processing them and when we finish investigations, we will arraign them before court.”

    Meanwhile, the Navrongo District court, presided over by His Worship Abdul-Malik Wahab on Tuesday, July 7, sentenced 12 out of 20 suspects arrested in connection with Saturday, July 4, 2020, renewed clash to between 5-8 months imprisonment, for possession of unlawful firearms and rioting.

    The 12 suspects are to serve their sentences at the Gambaga prison in the North East Region

    However, calm has returned to the conflict Kassena-Nankana area as heavy military-police personnel have been dispatched to the area to ensure law and order.

    Some residents and business owners in the troubled area have appealed to government to urgently intervene by identifying the root cause of the clashes and bring lasting peace to the area.

    They say the situation was taking a dire toll on their livelihoods.

    Owners of most business enterprises have locked up their shops for fear of being attacked.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Sege residents demand better policing after robbery incidents

    A group calling itself Youth for Development in Sege in the Ada West Municipality is calling for better protection from the police in the area following recent robbery incidents.

    According to the group, several shops and homes were raided last month where monies were stolen from the victims with others sustaining wounds from gunshots.

    Some residents also spoke to Citi News about happenings in the area said the lack of action from authorities had compelled them to mobilise.

    “It seems our cries have not been heard by the higher authorities so we are here to send a strong signal to the higher authority that our major concern is that our security is not in good hands.”

    One resident said he felt the current police had become too comfortable in the area.

    “We realised that some of them have overstayed so we need them to be transferred as early as possible.”

    Addressing the media in Sege, the leader of the group, Albert Tanihu, called for a reform of the police service in the area to address the situation.

    “This barbaric action [a robbery] occurred for almost two hours but homes and our people found themselves with no security protection.”

    “We are therefore calling on the police service to be professional in executing their duties to the people of Sege,” he stated.

    Mr. Tahinu further called on their community leaders “to desist from interfering with the duties of the police service.”

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • PLAYBACK: EC updates nation on progress of voters registration exercise

    The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is holding a press conference to update the nation on progress of the voters registration exercise.

  • COVID-19: Airborne transmission cannot be ruled out – WHO

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged there is emerging evidence that the coronavirus can be spread by tiny particles suspended in the air.

    The airborne transmission could not be ruled out in crowded, closed or poorly ventilated settings, an official said.

    If the evidence is confirmed, it may affect guidelines for indoor spaces.

    An open letter from more than 200 scientists had accused the WHO of underestimating the possibility of airborne transmission.

    The WHO has so far said that the virus is transmitted through droplets when people cough or sneeze.

    “We wanted them to acknowledge the evidence,” Jose Jimenez, a chemist at the University of Colorado who signed the paper, told the Reuters news agency.

    “This is definitely not an attack on the WHO. It’s a scientific debate, but we felt we needed to go public because they were refusing to hear the evidence after many conversations with them,” he said.

    Another signatory – Professor Benjamin Cowling of Hong Kong University – told the BBC the finding had “important implications”.

    “In healthcare settings, if aerosol transmission poses a risk then we understand healthcare workers should really be wearing the best possible preventive equipment… and actually the World Health Organization said that one of the reasons they were not keen to talk about aerosol transmission of Covid-19 is because there’s not a sufficient number of these kind of specialised masks for many parts of the world,” he said.

    “And in the community, if we’re thinking about aerosol transmission being a particular risk, then we need to think about how to prevent larger super spreading events, larger outbreaks and those occur in indoor environments with poor ventilation, with crowding and with prolonged close contact.”

    WHO officials have cautioned the evidence is preliminary and requires further assessment.

    Benedetta Allegranzi, the WHO’s technical lead for infection prevention and control, said that evidence emerging of airborne transmission of the coronavirus in “crowded, closed, poorly ventilated settings that have been described, cannot be ruled out”.

    A shifting position?
    Imogen Foulkes, BBC News in Geneva

    For months, the WHO has insisted that Covid-19 is transmitted via droplets emitted when people cough or sneeze. Droplets that do not linger in the air, but fall onto surfaces – that’s why handwashing has been identified as a key prevention measure.

    But 239 scientists from 32 countries don’t agree: they say there is strong evidence to suggest the virus can also spread in the air: through much tinier particles that float around for hours after people talk, or breathe out.

    Today the WHO admitted there was evidence to suggest this was possible in specific settings, such as enclosed and crowded spaces.

    That evidence will have to be thoroughly evaluated, but if it is confirmed, the advice on how to prevent the virus spreading may have to change, and could lead to more widespread use of masks, and more rigorous distancing, especially in bars, restaurants, and on public transport.

     

    Source: BBC 

  • Prince Tagoe breaks silence on ‘plot’ to end his career with heart scare in Germany

    Former Black Stars striker Prince Tagoe has finally revealed how his move to German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim nearly ended in tears after a “fake” heart-related issue.

    The lanky forward earned a dream move to the German side in 2009, but was released from his contract immediately after only 51 days due to heart issues which the club announced after a routine test.

    However, Tagoe’s lawyer contested the dismissal and contract abrogation by forcing a second professional opinion.

    Following several phone calls back home to Accra to his parents the player was confident that he would be given the all-clear.

    Tagoe, speaking on the Black Stars Classics on Max TV, gave a vivid and touching account of how he went through one of the darkest ordeals of his career to get back on the field.

    “I was told by Hoffenheim Doctors that I had a life-threatening heart problem which was hereditary. I was very surprised so I had to do my own private checks after calling my mum who said there was no such health issue in our family.”

    The former Hearts of Oak forward was directed to a heart specialist who was regarded as one of the best in that field.

    “After more tests, it came out that there was nothing wrong with me. I and my agent decided to sue the Hoffenheim because my contract was canceled. But then, the German FA came in with a private doctor for yet another test. After it came out negative again, my license was given to me to start playing and the coach of the club was sacked”.

    The sensational revelations by Tagoe 33, comes after ten years of silence on the part of the former Al Shabaab, Ittihad, Bursaspor and Partizan Belgrade striker who was capped 36 times with 7 goals for the national team.

    Source: MaxSports, contributor

  • Melissa Satta reveals sex claims against Kevin-Prince Boateng affected their relationship

    Melissa Satta, stunning wife of Fiorentina forward Kevin-Prince Boateng insists her public admission of the couples active sex life hurt their relationship.

    The Italian model shocked the world in 2012 when she revealed the on loan Besiktas forward romp her 10 times a week.

    She attributed the consistent injury of the Ghana international to the excessive sexual escapade.

    But she has consistently attempted to clarify the claim which sparked controversy eight-years ago.

    “The fact that we have sex so often does not make me a nymphomaniac,” she told Gazzetta dello Sport

    “You have to be very careful with what you say in the world of soccer, especially when it comes to sex. You can’t imagine what spiral I ended up in.

    Satta made the stunning statement just a year after meeting the former Barcelona forward.

    The pair finally got married in the Italian town of Porto Cervo but broke up two years later.

    But they resumed their relationship in 2019 and appears to be growing stronger in bond.

    Satta, 33, and Boateng,34, have a son Maddox together.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Three Danish clubs chase Ghanaian striker Dauda Mohammed

    Ghanaian forward Dauda Mohammed has emerged on the radar of three Danish clubs, GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The Anderlecht forward has been in scintillating form for on-loan club Esbjerg in the Superliga, courting interests from top sides in Denmark.

    GHANASoccernet.com can reveal three clubs have already showed interest in the forward ahead of next season.

    Mohammed enjoyed a good campaign in Denmark despite his side suffering relegation. The 22-year old has a year left on his contract with Belgium giants Anderlecht.

    “Two or three clubs have informed,” his agent Jan Rasmussen reveals. “Dauda feels that he can develop well in Denmark,” he added in an interview with Bold.dk.

    ‘The tactical level is good. He learned a lot, especially under coach Troels Bech,” he continued.

    “Dauda also likes the country and the Danish culture. He would like to stay here. Two or three clubs have inquired, but there is still nothing concrete.”

    The ex-Asante Kotoko forward netted twice and added an assist in Esbjerb’s relegation struggles.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Teamwork can help the club win trophies – Emmanuel Nettey

    Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder, Emmanuel Nettey has tasked his teammates to let the spirit of togetherness lead them if they want to end the club’s ten-year trophy drought.

    Emmanuel Nettey, who joined the Accra-based club before the 2019/20 season which has been canceled, was a prominent figure in the center of the Hearts midfield as he helped the club secure some valuable wins.

    However, with the season now canceled, the player is already focusing on the start of the new campaign and believes with hard work and commitment, successes could be attained next season.

    Speaking to Hearts Media he said“I have a long way in my life and career to know what is best for me and, it is my wish that I become a success at Hearts of Oak before taking my career elsewhere”, he said, adding that together with his colleagues, they will be pressing home that in unity for the club,”

    “We were playing well before the last season was suspended prior to its cancellation and, I am certain that we will carry on from where we left off when football returns after the coronavirus pandemic,” he added.

    The Ghana Football Association will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss when to start the new season and also set a date for Congress.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Finance Ministry shuts down over coronavirus scare

    The Ministry of Finance has said it has closed down its premises from July 7, 2020, due to an ongoing Coronavirus testing exercise on its staff.

    In a memo issued by the Chief Director of the ministry, Patrick Nomo, and copied to GhanaWeb, he said all staff of the ministry are to work from home while the testing team compiles the comprehensive results.

    “In view of the preparations towards the Mid-Year Review of the Budget, a core team of staff will work from home from approved locations to complete the Mid-Year Review. All other staff will work from home using the Ministry’s approved digital channels,” the memo read.

    The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is expected to present the mid-year budget review later this month which will entail supplementary estimates for spending in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana.

    Read the full memo below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Close down schools before COVID-19 situation gets out of hand Carbonu

    The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) says COVID-19 infections in schools vindicates their caution to government prior to the reopening schools in the country.

    NAGRAT and other bodies are on record to have advised against the reopening of schools, saying that it will lead to a spread of the virus.

    Speaking on Eyewitness News, President of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu said the current development at the Accra Girls Senior High School raises fears of what might be going on in other schools as well.

    “It sounds like what we foresaw is, unfortunately, coming to bear. The fact of the matter is that Accra Girls is not the only Senior High School in this country, they do not operate in isolation and the students do not come from isolated geographical entities so only God knows what the situation may be in other Senior High Schools.”

    He also called on government to close down schools again before the situation gets out of control.

    “From where I sit now, before we get to a point where we cannot control, I think we should bite the bullet and close down the schools. That is my personal opinion. The way things are going, I can assure you the story is not looking too pleasant,” he added.

    Final year SHS and Form Two Gold Track students returned to school following the directive of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that schools should reopen to final year students to enable them write their exit exams.

    Eight COVID-19 cases have been recorded at the Accra Girls Senior High School (AGISS).

    On Monday, July 06, 2020, parents stormed the Accra Girls Senior High School to pick up their wards following the development.

    But government has called for calm.

    The Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service have deployed a joint team to assess COVID-19 situation in the various Senior High Schools.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Mahama is a man of vision, a leader you can trust Jane Opoku-Agyemang

    Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has showered praises on the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2020 elections, John Dramani Mahama, describing him as a man of vision.

    The flagbearer the NDC, John Dramani Mahama named the former Minister of Education as his running mate on Monday, July 6, 2020, in Accra.

    In a Facebook post, Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang described her new boss as a public servant of integrity.

    “John Dramani Mahama is a man of vision, a leader you can trust, a public servant of integrity and a courageous leader who makes the right decisions in the national interest at all times.”

    In an acceptance statement following her appointment, the former education Minister promised to channel her energies into supporting her party to win the 2020 general elections.

    “I pledge to diligently apply myself and dedicate all the energy and intellect I can muster to ensure a resounding victory for the NDC and for our country, Ghana. So help me God.”

    Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said she was delighted with the nomination and the overwhelming endorsement by the rank and file of the party.

    “It is with deep honour and a high sense of gratitude that I convey my acceptance of the nomination by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer and Leader of the great National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be his Running Mate for the December 7, 2020 election. I am humbled by the overwhelming endorsement my nomination has received from the Founder of the NDC, H.E. Jerry John Rawlings, the Council of Elders, the National Executive Committee and the rank and file of our party, as well as the general public,” she added in the statement.

    She further noted that she considers her nomination as a big win for all women in the country.

    “This historic nomination is not a personal achievement, but victory for inclusive and participatory democracy, which enhances the credentials of our country and recognizes the towering role women have played over the ages to achieve the progress we have made.”

     

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • 17-year-old boy killed over girlfriend

    A 17-year-old boy has been stabbed to death over a girl.

    The deceased Benjamin Awusah was stabbed in the chest near the right breast by a gang of seven okada riders.

    The incident occurred at Akuapem Adawso in the Akuapem North District of the Eastern Region.

    Brother to the deceased Yaw Awusah told the Adawso Police that he stepped out from the house with his Junior brother in the evening to buy food in Adawso township.

    However, on reaching a section of the road, a motor rider identified as Eddy accompanied by about seven motorbike riders rushed and crossed them with their motorbikes and accosted his brother over a girl.

    He said during the scuffle, the suspect Eddy pulled a knife and stabbed his brother on the chest and sped off with his accomplices on their motorbikes.

    He said his brother who was bleeding profusely was rushed to Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua but was pronounced dead on arrival.

    The body has been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

    The Acting Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command Francis Gomado told Kasapa News, Police has launched a manhunt for the main suspect and his accomplices now at large.

    This is the third time within two months such an incident has happened in the Eastern Region.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Ashgold offer contract extensions to two players

    AshGold has opened talks with Abdul Latif Anabila and James Akaminko about renewing their contract at the club.

    The Obuasi-based club has offered new deals and a pay rise to keep the duo at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.

    AshGold is apparently eager to ward off Black Stars ‘B’ duo suitors, including giants from the Ghana Premier League Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.

    Speaking to Oyerepa FM the CEO Emmanuel Frimpong said that his outfit is currently holding talks with the two players over new deals.

    “We are already in talks with them (Latif Anabila and James Akaminko) for fresh contract,” he said.

    ”We can’t afford to lose them to any local club, so we are holding talks with them with good offer,”

    “The squad will be strengthened with new players for our CAF Confederation Cup campaign” he concluded.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang is a hardworking woman – Yaw Buaben Asamoa

    Member of Parliament for Adenta, Yaw Buaben Asamoa has commended Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang for being selected as Running Mate of former President and NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.

    Contributing to ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, Mr. Buaben Asamoa expressed that Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is a hardworking woman with great credentials.

    ”Our mother Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has really worked hard. She didn’t reach where she is because she is a woman but she has worked so hard and gone very far with her hard work,” he told host Kwami Sefa-Kayi.

    Yaw Buaben Asamoa however believed Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang is no match for Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and was optimistic her position will have no positive influence on the outcome of the 2020 elections to ensure victory for former President John Mahama.

    He also cited some achievements of the former Education Minister saying as Minister, she superintended the removal of teacher trainees’ allowances, failed to implement lots of projects and improve the education sector; therefore asking what new additions is she bringing to the political table.

    Source: Peace FM

  • We put Ghana first – Kurt Okraku on decision to cancel football season

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku believes the outfit’s Executive Council prioritized the interest of the nation first in prematurely terminating the domestic football season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    After two months of a standstill owing to Covid-19, the football’s governing body permanently canceled the 2019-20 term.

    The men’s Premier League (GPL) and FA Cup competitions headline the competitions affected by the big call.

    We have 18 clubs in the Premier League with minimum players of 30 each, coaches, administrators, 48 clubs in the Division One, medical staff, Women’s Premier League. We also have Division Two, Three and juvenile football [clubs] at the regional level,” Okraku said as reported by Football Ghana.

    “We are talking about a large chunk of people who wholly rely on football as a source of living.

    “We also serve as entertainment to people at the social aspect and people also use our platforms as a source of living.

    “So it is a huge decision that we had to take but we thought about Ghana first obviously, whiles we continue to engage our key stakeholder to ensure that we bring back football.”

    Owing to Covid-19, football and all other contact sports remain suspended in Ghana until at least July 31 as part of measures to curb the spread of the disease.

    Following the recent return of some national leagues in England, Spain, Germany and Italy, there had been calls for Ghana to follow suit.

    The rising number of coronavirus infection cases in the west African country, however, left concerns about the quest for football resumption.

    At the time of temporary suspension, a total of six cases had been recorded.

    As at June 30 when the term was annulled, the West African nation had registered 17,1741 cases involving 113 deaths, 13,268 recoveries and 4,361 active cases.

    Earlier last month, the GFA revealed it was engaging the Government of Ghana over the possible resumption of football under strictly safe protocols such as playing matches behind closed doors, having had a first request rejected.

    The football’s governing body was hoping to follow the template of the likes of England, Spain, Germany and Italy, who resumed domestic football after the similar temporary suspension of their national leagues due to the pandemic.

    Source: goal.com

  • Coronavirus: Majority testing positive have no symptoms

    Only 22% of people testing positive for coronavirus reported having symptoms on the day of their test, according to the Office for National Statistics.

    This hammers home the role of people who aren’t aware they’re carrying the virus in spreading it onwards.

    Health and social care staff appeared to be more likely to test positive.

    This comes as deaths from all causes in the UK fell to below the average for the second week in a row.

    Between the end of March and June, there were 59,000 more deaths than the five-year average.

    Meanwhile, the UK government’s daily figures released on Tuesday showed another 155 people have died after testing positive for the virus. This takes the total number of deaths to 44,391.

    It comes after 16 new deaths were reported on Monday, but there are often reporting lags over the weekend.

    ONS survey

    While the ONS survey includes relatively small numbers of positive swab tests (120 infections in all) making it hard to make any strong conclusions about who is most likely to be infected, there are some patterns coming through in the data:

    Those in people-facing health or social care roles, and working outside their homes in general, were more likely to have a positive test.

    People from ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to have a positive antibody test, suggesting a past infection. White people were the least likely proportionally to test positive for antibodies.

    There was also some evidence that people living in larger households were more likely to test positive than those in smaller households.

    Although men are more likely to die from coronavirus than women, this study did not find a difference in how likely they were to contract the infection

    Asymptomatic spread

    On Monday, the prime minister talked about how asymptomatic spread may have contributed to coronavirus cases in care homes.

    His comments provoked anger in the care home sector when he suggested, “too many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures”.

    Later his Business Secretary Alok Sharma said he’d meant that “nobody at the time knew what the correct procedures were”, because of a lack of understanding of levels of asymptomatic transmission at the start of the outbreak.

    Asymptomatic transmission was warned of by the World Health Organization and the government’s scientific advisors, but they weren’t able to quantify how great a risk it was.

    Source: bbc.com

  • US says international students must leave if classes are online

    The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) branch of the Department of Homeland Security issued new rules for exchange students Monday that could present challenges for universities and schools amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

    The “Department of State will not issue visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester nor will U.S. Customs and Border Protection permit these students to enter the United States”, ICE’s highly anticipated new rules said.

    Students already in the US whose programmes have switched to online-only instruction must “depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status”, the rules continued.

    “If not, they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings.”

    “[S]tudents attending schools adopting a hybrid model – that is, a mixture of online and in-person classes -will be allowed to take more than one class or three credit hours online”, the rules said.

    A 2020 ICE report showed there were 1.55 million active non-immigrant student visas under the Student and Exchange visitor program (SEVP) in 2018.

    About 1.3 million of those students were enrolled in higher education courses at universities. About 85,000 were in grade school, with 92 percent of those in grades 9-12.

    School questions

    President Donald Trump said on Monday that US “schools must open in the fall” – a decision over which he has limited power.

    Schools are largely under the jurisdiction of state and local governments. Educators have struggled with decisions about opening schools considering the risk of infection to both students and staff.

    It was not immediately clear what schools Trump was referring to – primary and high schools or colleges and universities – or what actions he was considering.

    As the coronavirus pandemic sees a renewed surge in the US, many schools and universities are still deciding how they will hold courses next year.

    Harvard University’s first year students will be invited to live on campus this year, while most other undergraduates will be required to learn remotely from home, the Ivy League institution announced on Monday.

    University officials decided to allow only 40 percent of undergraduates on campus in an effort to reduce density and prevent the spread of COVID-19. All freshmen will be invited, along with some other students who face challenges learning from afar.

    All classes will be taught online, however, regardless of where students live. Students living on campus would live in dormitory rooms, but continue taking their classes remotely, the university said.

    Trump also made a series of Twitter posts defending his administration’s response to the pandemic. The US has the highest number of cases and deaths worldwide from the novel coronavirus.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Texas sheriffs ‘won’t enforce’ governor’s mask mandate

    Law enforcement officials in Texas say they will not enforce the newly enacted ruling requiring mask to be worn in public.

    After the Texas governor ordered masks to be worn in public in any county with at least 20 Covid-19 cases on 2 July, multiple county sheriffs vowed not to enforce the rule.

    The sheriff of Denton County, which encompasses part of the city of Dallas-Fort Worth, called the mandate an “executive order not a law” and said it is too difficult to enforce.

    The office of the sheriff of Montgomery County, just north of Houston, said it will not enforce the order for fear it could be sued by the people who are stopped.

    The governor’s order calls for warnings for people who do not wear masks, and a $250 (£200) fine for multiple offenders. But officers say they will not know who is a multiple offender, because they will not be documenting any individual incident.

    The order also specifically says no citizen can be arrested or jailed for refusing to wear a mask. Critics in law enforcement say this makes the mandate legally impossible to enforce.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Italian beach nudists fined as police crack down

    Six people who dared to go bare on the shores of an Italian lake have been given big fines for outraging public decency.

    The naturists were spotted by police patrolling the beaches of Abbadia Lariana in an attempt to enforce social distancing measures.

    The six, all men aged 43 to 68, were each given fines of €3,333 (£3,000; $3,750).

    Local police combed beaches in Lake Como by foot and with patrol boats.

    Italian media said the men were spotted from a carabinieri police boat on Sunday.

    Authorities in the northern region of Lombardy have been struggling to stop people converging on local beaches in the summer weather.

    Some 70 people were spotted on the beaches, mainly visitors from South American and Eastern Europe as well as neighbouring provinces.

    Lombardy has been hit harder by Covid-19 than any other Italian region. Although the lockdown is gradually being lifted it is compulsory to wear a mask, even outdoors.

    The Corriere website noted that it was not just masks that the six nudists had failed to wear.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Musician Ras Amankwatia to release EP titled Unchained Lion

    This EP album has six solid hit songs and it is a mixture of Reggae, Dancehall, Afrobeat and Highlife music which featured two fast uprising Ghanaian artists, Wan Row and Crouked Route on it.

    This EP was produced, mixed and mastered by Ogeebeatz and No Joke Studios in Ghana Accra. The EP song titles are Life, Great Man feat. Crouked Route, Better Days, Sons Of Lucifer feat. Wan Row, Abuburo Kosoa and Odo Nti.

    These songs are inspirational, educative and entertaining.

    The Unchained Lion EP is set to be released on the 11th July 2020 on all music digital platforms like YouTube, iTunes, Boomplay, Spotify, Audiomack and many more worldwide.

    Also, an official video of the 4th track on this EP titled Sons Of Lucifer will be released on the same date 11th July 2020.

    The official video will be released on YouTube and all Television channels in the country.

    Source: Stephanie Birikorang, Contributor

  • 15% hike in transport fares to kick-off Saturday but GPRTU unhappy, wanted 50% increment

    The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) is expected to release new transport fares this Saturday, after the Ministry of Transport approved a 15 percent hike in fares across the board. The decision was arrived at after a meeting between the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), GPRTU, the ministry and other stakeholders.

    The GPRTU was pushing for a 50 percent increase, as the implementation of the social distancing protocols and fuel hikes have increased the cost of doing business and shrunk profits. The fares, according to the Ministry of Transport, is to cater for the losses being made as result of implementing the social distancing protocols. It covers intra-city (trotro), intercity (long distance), truck operators and all other transports delivery services including taxis.

    “The unions brought a petition to the ministry and it was carefully scrutinized, after which the ministry and all stakeholders present at the meeting agreed a 15 percent increase in transport fares across the board.

    “It is obvious that transport operators have sacrificed to ensure that the nation fights COVID-19, and therefore the state also has to put in some measures to ensure they are not worse-off while they continue to ensure social distancing in their vehicles and invest in getting PPE, sanitisers and handwashing materials at the stations to help fight COVID-19.

    “The decision will take effect this coming Saturday, July 11. We are going to ensure that all the COVID-19 protocols are still practiced at all transport station across the country. Just as is done anytime there is an increase like this, authorities at the station have been asked to print the new rate and paste it at the various stations and also in cars to prevent any argument,” the Deputy Transport Minister, Daniel Titus Glover, told journalists in parliament.

    But the GPRTU is not happy with the increment, with its leadership noting that fuel prices since beginning of the year have gone up by over 15 percent a move that has reduced their margins, but this was not factored into the increase.

    “This is to cover COVID-19 protocols. The ministry did not factor the hike in fuel prices and increased cost of spare-parts and other material we use in our business. We are waiting for this to simmer and we will go to them again to ensure that we get the right percentage increase,” the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU in the Greater Accra Region, Abass Moro Ibrahim, told the B&FT in an interview.

    He added: “We were asking for a 50 percent increase in fares, with all the economic and social developments factored into it; but we did not get what we asked for. What we have been given is also small, but we will hold onto it and make a case as soon as possible”.

    Source: B&FT Online

  • Local mining contractors cry over high permit fees

    The Association of Local Mining Contractors has called for government intervention in the high permit fees being charged by the Minerals Commission on their members.

    According to the Association, the over 500 percent increase in the charges was abnormal and needed the intervention of the government to prevent businesses in the sector from total collapse.

    Members of the Association a year and a half ago were paying GHC5,000.00 as fees for their permits, but this had been astronomically increased to 10,000 United States dollars.

    Mr Samuel Aboagye, Interim Secretary of the Association told a press briefing in Kumasi that, the Minerals Commission had not been able to explain to members of the Association the reason for such an increase.

    What was worrying was the quotation of the fees in dollars, while members of the Association charge their clients in the local cedi currency.

    Mr Kwarteng said the unexplained astronomical increase was having a negative impact on the businesses of the members and called for urgent steps to stop the Commission from implementing it.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Anger over US decision on foreign students’ visas

    Politicians and academics have criticised a decision to withdraw US visas from foreign students whose courses move fully online.

    US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said people could face deportation unless they changed to an institution with in-person tuition.

    A number of US universities are considering online teaching in the new academic year due to coronavirus.

    It is not clear how many people will be affected.

    The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which is operated by ICE, had introduced a temporary exemption to allow students whose courses had moved online for the spring and summer semesters to remain in the US.

    However, the exemption will not be extended into the new academic year. The decision affects students who are in the US on F-1 and M-1 visas, according to the ICE statement.

    US online tuition move hits foreign visas The news came on the same day that Harvard announced all course instruction would be delivered online in the new academic year, including for the limited number of students allowed to live on campus.

    According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9% of US universities are planning to teach all their classes online in the autumn, although this could change in the coming months.

    The president of Harvard University, Larry Bacow, said in a statement quoted by US media: “We are deeply concerned that the guidance issued today by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement imposes a blunt, one-size-fits-all approach to a complex problem, giving international students, particularly those in online programs, few options beyond leaving the country or transferring schools.”

    He added that the decision “undermines the thoughtful approach taken on behalf of students by so many institutions, including Harvard, to plan for continuing academic programs while balancing the health and safety challenges of the global pandemic”.

    “Kicking international students out of the US during a global pandemic because their colleges are moving classes online for physical distancing hurts students,” said Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. “It’s senseless, cruel, and xenophobic.”

    Her comments were echoed by the former US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, who said the decision made “no sense and [is] unworkable for most college students”.

    Journalist Elizabeth Spiers, who teaches at New York University, said many of her students were reliant on visas and would be unable to follow an online programme due to the time difference between the US and their home countries and other considerations.

    Muhammad Ehab Rasul, a graduate student at the University of South Florida who is originally from Pakistan, said the move “added to a growing list of things that induce uncertainty and anxiety among international students”.

    “As international students, and as minorities, we are expected to prove why we belong here and that in itself is something that drives anxiety and uncertainty. And not knowing whether you can stay at your university only further flames that issue,” he told CBS News.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Johnny Depp: Claims in The Sun he beat ex-wife ‘complete lies’, court told

    Claims that Johnny Depp was violent towards ex-wife Amber Heard are “complete lies”, his lawyers have told the High Court.

    The actor is suing the publisher of The Sun – News Group Newspapers (NGN) – and executive editor Dan Wootton, over an April 2018 article that referred to him as a “wife beater”.

    Mr Depp has strenuously denied that he was violent towards Ms Heard.

    But NGN lawyers said the “wife beater” description was “entirely accurate”.

    Both Mr Depp and Ms Heard were in court in London on Tuesday morning.

    In a written outline of the Hollywood star’s case, his barrister, David Sherborne, said the article made “defamatory allegations of the utmost seriousness” against Mr Depp, accusing him of committing serious assaults on Ms Heard and “inflicting such serious injuries that she feared for her life”.

    Mr Sherborne said: “The articles amount to a full-scale attack on the claimant as a ‘wife beater’, guilty of the most horrendous physical abuse.”

    He added: “The claimant’s position is clear – Ms Heard’s allegations are complete lies.

    “The claimant was not violent towards Ms Heard, it was she who was violent to him.”

    Mr Sherborne also asked Mr Depp – called as the first witness in the case – about a recording of a conversation between the actor and Ms Heard on September 26 2015.

    Mr Depp explained that both he and Ms Heard recorded conversations during their relationship.

    In her witness statement, Ms Heard had said that she recorded their conversations “to remind Johnny of what he would do when using drugs and alcohol because he wouldn’t remember, or deny what he had said”.

    But Mr Depp said that was not correct, telling the court that Ms Heard’s later recollection of their conversations would sometimes be “radically different”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Microsoft and Zoom join Hong Kong data ‘pause’

    Microsoft and Zoom have said they will not process data requests made by the Hong Kong authorities while they take stock of a new security law.

    They follow Facebook, Google, Twitter and the chat app Telegram, which had already announced similar “pauses” in compliance over the past two days.

    China passed the law on 30 June, criminalising acts that support independence, making it easier to punish protesters.

    Apple says it is “assessing” the rules.

    If the tech firms make their non-compliance policies permanent, they could face restrictions or a ban on their services in the semi-autonomous region.

    And while Facebook, Google, Twitter and Telegram’s services are blocked in mainland China, the same is not true of Microsoft, Zoom and Apple.

    In a related development, TikTok – which is owned by the Chinese firm Bytedance – has said it plans to exit Hong Kong within days.

    The business had previously said it would not comply with Chinese government requests to access TikTok users’ data. It operates a similar service called Douyin in its home market, which could theoretically become a substitute. However, Bytedance has indicated it does not have plans to do so at this time.

    ‘Seeking guidance’

    Microsoft directly offers its Office 365 work app and LinkedIn social networks to both Hong Kong residents and citizens in mainland China.

    But while Office 365 is provided directly by the firm to Hong Kong residents, the service is run by a local firm 21Vianet on the other side of the border, allowing Microsoft to remain one step removed.

    In the case of LinkedIn, law enforcement data requests have to go via the US government, although the division says it does sometimes “make an exception in an emergency”.

    According to Microsoft’s latest transparency report, it received requests for data linked to 81 accounts from Hong Kong’s government between July and December 2019, and provided “non-content data” in most cases.

    “As we would with any new legislation, we are reviewing the new law to understand its implications,” said a spokesman for the American firm.

    “In the past, we’ve typically received only a relatively small number of requests from Hong Kong authorities, but we are pausing our responses to these requests as we conduct our review.”

    The video chat provider Zoom is based in the US, but has ties to China.

    Its founder and chief executive Eric Yuan was born in Tai’an before emigrating to Silicon Valley 23 years ago.

    Most of its product development workers are based in mainland China.

    And it recently made headlines for:

    suspending the account of a group of US-based activists, who had held a meeting on the platform to commemorate the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Zoom acknowledged it did this at the behest of Beijing routing some non-China-based users’ video calls via computer servers based in the country, which it said had happened by mistake “Zoom supports the free and open exchange of thoughts and ideas,” a spokeswoman said in response to the latest development.

    “We are proud to facilitate meaningful conversations and professional collaboration around the world.

    “We’re actively monitoring the developments in Hong Kong SAR [Special Administrative Region], including any potential guidance from the US government. We have paused processing any data requests from, and related to, Hong Kong SAR.”

    US treaty

    Apple uses end-to-end encryption to protect Messages and Facetime conversations carried out by Hong Kong residents, meaning only the device owners can unscramble the messages transmitted.

    However, the firm does hold encryption keys to data stored in users’ iCloud accounts, which can include back-ups of their text-based chats.

    In theory, this means it could pass this information to the authorities if demanded.

    However, since both the keys and the data are stored in the States, it says the US government has the power to intervene.

    “Apple has always required that all content requests from local law enforcement authorities be submitted through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in place between the United States and Hong Kong,” it said.

    “As a result, Apple doesn’t receive content requests directly from the Hong Kong government. Under the MLAT process, the US Department of Justice reviews Hong Kong authorities’ requests for legal conformance.

    “We’re assessing the new law, which went into effect less than a week ago, and we have not received any content requests since the law went into effect.”

    Apple has, however, complied with requests in the past.

    Its latest transparency report indicates it received requests for data concerning 358 devices from Hong Kong’s government between January and June, and that it provided data in 91% of the cases.

    In mainland China, users’ iCloud files are stored in a data centre controlled by a local firm, so the government does not need to involve the US authorities when seeking access.

    Source: bbc.com

  • I have fasted and prayed for God to take coronavirus away Kalybos reveals

    Ghanaian actor, Richard Asante, well known as Kalybos, has bemoaned the effect of the Coronavirus on his career.

    The popular actor said he has shot a few movies this year but the outbreak of the deadly disease has buried his hopes of having a productive year.

    Sadly, Kalybos stated that his other promotional deals have also been affected.

    “Nothing is going on for me. I am just there hoping for things to come back to normal. The beginning of the year was very okay for me until COVID-19 set in. I shot three movies in January alone and I knew this year was going to go well for me until COVID-19 hit the world.

    “It was not only movies, I had a lot of deals where I go out to promote products of companies but all that is on hold because of COVID-19,” he said in a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz sighted by Zionfelix.net.

    His experience has compelled him to fast and pray to God for Him to miraculously take the virus away.

    “I have fasted and prayed three times, telling God to take this virus away because I am hugely affected. This is what I depend on for survival,” Kalybos revealed.

    Many Ghanaian celebrities have lamented the effects of the Coronavirus following its outbreak.

    Source: Zionfelix

  • Coronavirus: Kenyan schools to remain closed until 2021

    All schools in Kenya will remain closed until next January because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Final year exams, usually taken in October and November, have also been cancelled.

    Education Minister George Magoha said students would repeat a year as schools had closed in mid-March, three months after the school calendar had begun.

    But colleges and universities are to reopen in September if they abide by strict guidelines.

    The East African country has confirmed more than 8,000 cases of coronavirus with at least 164 deaths – and there has been a recent surge in new infections.

    On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a phased reopening of the country, including the lifting of travel restrictions in the main cities of Nairobi and Mombasa.

    However, he did extend a nationwide overnight curfew – from 21:00 to 04:00 local time – for a further 30 days.

    Kenya’s academic year runs from January to November.

    “The 2020 school calendar year will be considered lost due to Covid-19 restrictions,” Mr Magoha said.

    This would apply to public and private schools, he said.

    The government-run Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development has been providing school programmes via the radio, television and online since students stopped going to classes in March.

    But while some have been able to cover the syllabus using these resources, there are many others who do not have access to the technology.

    Mr Magoha said his ministry would explore how to make online learning accessible to all pupils.

    Source: bbc.com

  • GRIDCo employee tests positive for Covid-19

    An employee of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has tested positive for COVID-19, the company has said.

    A statement from the Company said they received the news on Monday.

    “The employee has since been isolated for treatment by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Covid-19 Management Team, in line with the established protocols,” GRIDCo said.

    According to them, a comprehensive contact tracing process has also begun in order to ensure appropriate measures are taken to protect the lives of those likely to have come into contact with the infected person.

    Additionally, as a precautionary measure; a decision has been taken by GRIDCo Management to undertake mass testing of all staff who have been working at its Tema office since June 15, 2020.

    GRIDCo explained that this “is in order to immediately identify, isolate and treat employees who may have contracted the virus.”

    The Company said it has engaged the Covid-19 Team in Tema to manage the process.

    It assured its customers and stakeholders that it remains committed to their safety whilst ensuring uninterrupted power transmission services.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Clash of the titans – Shatta Wale and Wendy Shay kiss and Bullet burns with jealousy on the side- Video

    There have been rumors that Wendy Shay and Shatta Wale are or have been romantically involved before but we have since not found anything substantial on it.

    Except for their social media activities and the many things celebs do to fuel such rumors all in the name of trending.

    We have chanced on a new video that has since been going around.

    In the video, the RuffTown Records Signee is seen sitting pretty and acting all coy as Wale plans a kiss on her cheeks.

    People could not help but notice how happy Bullet looked on the side.

    Although he looked happy, some social media fans think he is hiding his jealousy behind that happy face.

    What do you think—do you sense even a tad bit of jealousy?

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

  • GPRTU warns commercial drivers against arbitrary fare increases

    National Chairman of the GPRTU, Kwame Kumah has called on passengers to pay the normal fares when they board public transport.

    This follows reports that some commercial transport operators have increased their fares without approval.

    Mr. Kumah told Nathaniel Nartey that the GPRTU will meet with the Ministry of Transport today to determine new fares.

    He admitted that the fares will definitely increase.

     

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com