This staunch fan of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels believes the actress has spoilt her life by marrying a man old enough to be her grandfather.
The fan was commenting on one of our posts which had a social media user lambasting the actress of marrying someone with children older than her
The fan who feel the actress has spoilt her life wrote;
“Regina see the way you spoilt your life see the shady comments your gettingâ€
Source:Â www.ghgossip.com
Delectable Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson has been hailed by a social media user.
According to this social media user, the sensational actress is a special woman and the social media user who seems to be a staunch fan of the actress made this comment under of our posts about the actress.
The comments reads;
“Mercy you are a special woman. May all woman learn from you. Your husband is so blessed to have you, keep it up, may God Almighty bless you and your house hold now and forever . Your fan from South africa we love you.
Source:Â www.ghgossi
Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht have submitted a loan bid to sign Ghana defender Gideon Mensah from Red Bull Salzburg, GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively confirm.
Mensah, 21, left the Austrian giants for Belgian outfit Zulte Waregem on a season-long loan in 2019.
The left-back went on to enjoy success at the club, playing 19 times and registering two assists before the Belgian Jupilar Pro League was cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.
Zulte Waregem are said to be hoping to make his deal permanent in the summer despite extending the contract of fellow left-back Nikos Kainourgios.
The Essevee hopes of landing the Ghana international could be dashed following Anderlecht desire to make him their first-choice left-back next season.
The Purple and Whites are reported to be pushing for a loan deal with the obligation to purchase next summer.
Mensah has a contract with Red Bull Salzburg until 2025.
Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.â€
Source:Â Ghana Soccernet
New Edubiase United bankroller Abdul Salam Yakubu has described Kwesi Nyantakyi as the best ever president Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The former GFA boss was given a life ban by FIFA after allegedly taking bribe in the Anas Aremeyaw Anas ‘Number 12’ exposè that has uncovered the rot in Ghana football.
The exposé captured Mr. Nyantakyi, among other officials of the football governing body in Ghana and match officials on camera receiving monies suspected to be bribes.
However, Abdul Salam in an interview with Ashaiman TV named Nyantakyi as his best FA president despite the recent happenings.
“Kwesi Nyantakyi is my best FA president. I had the chance to see Alhaji Jawula, Nana Sam Brew-Butler, Nyaho Tamakloe, and Kwesi Nyantakyi, but I’d say Nyantakyi was the best among them.â€
“It was under his guidance when the Black Stars was branded, players respond to national call ups with smiles on their faces, qualified the country to the world cup, won the World Cup with the U 20.â€
“It’s so unfortunate the end didn’t go well for him. At a point, we had wanted him to hand over to George who was his vice. He really prepared George for the post.”
“The game-changer has now taken over. I’m hoping he can emulate his predecessor and take our game to a different level” he told Ashaiman TV.
Nyantakyi served as Ghana FA president between 2005 and 2018, becoming the longest-serving FA president.
Source:Â Ghana Soccernet
Jide Macaulay, a gay Clergyman and founder of House of Rainbow, has said that the definition of the word gay is “God Adores You, God Accepts You, God Annoints You and God Assured You”.
Jide who was ordained an Anglican Priest in England last year disclosed this in an interview with Huffington Post.
“Over the years, Gay has become powerful for me and as a person of faith, I believe that Gay means God Accepts You, God Adores You, God Annoints You and God Assured You”, he said.
The 54-year-old revealed how he found a text in the Bible book of Leviticus which spoke against same sex unions and how he found that the passage had been misinterpreted.
“Being a black gay man is never easy. My journey and education started at home. I was raised in a conservative Nigerian Christian Home and it was also around the time I also discovered the bible text on Homosexuality, particularly in Leviticus.
“I struggled with it at the time but it took me years later for me to reverse the biblical or theological misunderstanding of who I am and what the bible says. The challenge for me is being able to communicate my feelings to my parents and also to my siblings. It did not happen until years later”, he said.
Jide also revealed how he got married to a woman and had children but had to divorce her so he could live his life with his gay partner.
“My mental state during the time of my separation and divorce obviously over the fact that I had just come out as gay at the time, it was very difficult. And also as a black man in England, it was very difficult because at the time I didn’t know many people who were black and gay and also Christians and quite proud about being a person of faith and their sexuality”, he said.
He concluded by revealing that queer people should know that they are loved by God no matter what.
Source: mynigeria.com
Ghana defender John Boye and his teammates and the staff at FC Metz tested negative for coronavirus ahead of their return to training on Monday.
The screening tests carried out on Thursday morning revealed no positive COVID-19 cases among FC Metz players and staff.
On Friday, Boye and his teammates also carried out a series of medical tests (blood tests, cardiac examinations and dental check-ups).
The players will be made aware of the new way of living at their working place on Saturday as they resume training in the next two days.
“In addition to the results of the test output, we are going to give a full reminder of the recommendations for use, of how to behave on a daily basis, in life, in the locker room, etc.,” Patrice L’Huillier, the doctor of FC Metz said.
Vincent Hognon’s men will have a rest on Sunday and really start their summer preparations on Monday at the Frescaty grounds.
The 33-year-old centre back was given a one-year contract extension at the club last week.
Source:Â Ghana Soccernet
Ghanaian forward Samuel Obeng featured for Real Oviedo in their 0-0 draw against Fuenlabrada in the Spanish Segunda B.
The 23-year-old was handed a starting berth and lasted 57 minutes as Oviedo failed to make the home advantage count.
The Ghana Under-23 forward, who scored on the resumption of football last week, put up a decent display.
Manager Cuco Zidana, who is a huge admirer of the talented Ghanaian, opted to replace him with Borja Sánchez.
The Ghanaian forward has scored four goals so far in 13 appearances for his side this term.
Source:Â Ghana Soccernet
Anderlecht FC are keen to extend Derrick Luckassen’s loan deal from PSV Eindhoven.
Luckassen, 24, is expected to end his current loan deal with the Belgian giants on June 30.
But the player is reluctant to return to his parent club, forcing his agent Mino Raiola to hold talks with PSV over his client’s long-term future.
Raiola is trying to negotiate a deal between PSV and Anderlecht with the latter keen to keep the defender on another loan expedition or permanently sign him.
The Netherlands-born Ghanaian made 18 appearances for the Purple and White before the Jupiler Pro league was cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
It is understood that Anderlecht wants to make an initial payment of 2 million Euros to keep the defender, but PSV wants 3 million Euros for the player.
PSV Eindhoven is yet to agree on the terms given by Anderlecht.
Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.â€
Source:Â Ghana Soccernet
Black Stars winger Samuel Owusu has returned to training with his Al Fayha teammates ahead of the resumption of the Saudi Pro League.
The pacy winger took part in the group training after going through the necessary Coronavirus protocols.
The Saudi Pro League returns next month after a three-month hiatus following the outbreak of coronavirus globally.
Owusu has been a standout performer for the Saudi side since joining them from the Serbian side FC Cuckaricki.
The 24-year old has netted 5 goals in 20 matches and hopes to play an even more vital role in the rest of the campaign.
“It feels good to be back on the turf once again. It has been easy without football in the last two to three months,” Owusu told Kickgh.com.
“I’m happy to see them [teammates]. We were training at our homes during the lockdown under the supervision of our coaches”
“Our aim to finish well after the season hasn’t changed. Everyone should stay safe because the Coronavirus is real” he concluded.
Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.â€
Source:Â Ghana Soccernet
Funeral for late actor , Bishop Bernard Nyarko is currently underway at his residence in Accra, barely two months after his unfortunate departure.
The body has been laid in state at the funeral grounds at his residence in Lakeside Estate Community 5 in Accra.
The body will then be sent to Obosomase in the Eastern region for a private burial.
Check out some photos from Bishop Bernard Nyarko Private Burial;
blob:https://web.facebook.com/adfd26b3-3e85-46e9-af69-c5adc3f004b7
Source: www.Ghgossip.com
Deloris Frimpong Manso otherwise known as Delay has been wowed by her colleague journalist, Vim Lady who spoke highly of her through an Instagram post.
Women empowerment is a beautiful thing and Vim Lady could be described as the ambassador of such great activity, taking into consideration the message she wrote to a colleague female journalist who is not related, neither is she friends with but found it necessary to celebrate her on her special day.
To Vim Lady, every lady is her sister and that makes the unreserved Delay. She applauded the successful journey of the actress and her entrepreneurial skills. She added that women with a mentality like that of her colleagues are needed at the table for effective works to be done.
See post below:
Digital and electronic banking hold the key to the future of banking globally and combating the spread of the novel Coronavirus, the Managing Director (MD) of Ecobank Ghana and Regional Executive for the Anglophone West Africa Region, Mr Dan Sackey, has said.
He explained that digital and electronic banking were fast and secure and provided great convenience for customers while minimising the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Speaking during a virtual forum yesterday to engage customers and the public on the effects of COVID-19 on health in Africa as well as on individuals and businesses, Mr Sackey advised the public to use electronic channels for payments, funds transfer and other routine banking transactions, instead of physically visiting the bank.
Held virtually via Facebook Live and YouTube, the forum attracted hundreds of participants, in real-time, with many shares and downloads of the event, was organised by Ecobank in partnership with the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The public and Ecobank customers asked how they could cope with the current situation and continue with banking transactions as well as engage the bank in this era of the Coronavirus pandemic and also enquired about precautionary measures that the bank had put in place to ensure customer safety and what the future or a post-COVID-19 era would look like.
Mr Sackey outlined some of the measures that Ecobank had put in place, as advised by recognised health agencies, to ensure the safety of staff, customers and stakeholders.
He also informed customers about Ecobank’s digital channels, including the mobile and various online banking services.
Mr Sackey stressed that the Ecobank Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) could facilitate cash withdrawal and deposit and the Ecobank Xpress Points, which provided basic banking needs and were available in over 1,500 community-based shops in Ghana.
The Africa Director of CDC, Dr John Nkengasong cautioned participants to refrain from self-medication, as this could worsen their health conditions, especially during this period of COVID-19 pandemic.
He warned participants not to take chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 without their doctor’s prescription because of the severe consequences, including deaths.
“As much as possible people should stay home, exercise regularly, eat well, drink lots of fluids, and take adequate amounts of relevant vitamins. This will boost their immune system and prepare the body to fight diseases,” Dr Nkengasong advised.
The African Director of CDC, who traced the history of pandemics, indicated that over the years, the world has witnessed one major pandemic every century, citing the Great Plague of Marseille in 1720, the Asian cholera outbreak in 1820, the Spanish flu in 1920 and now the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The Regional Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing at Ecobank, Mrs Rita Tsegah said the objective of the forum was to educate customers and the public strategies to “adapt to the changing times,” and the measures initiated by the bank to fight COVID-19.
“Ecobank remains resolute to discharging its obligation by collaborating with partners that are committed to mitigating the impact of COVID-19,” she said.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Music group Dope Nation has called it quit with lynx-Entertainment.
This comes a year after the group signed one of the biggest record labels in the country.
According to entertainmengh.com, the group decided not to extend their contract after it expired.
Dope Nation under the Lynx Entertainment brand won awards including the Sound City MVP Group of the Year.
While at Lynx Entertainment they released Zanku which became a big song on the airwaves in Ghana.
Lynx Entertainment is the same record label that has signed Kidi and Kuame Eugene.
Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.â€
Source:Â My News GH
The government of Ghana has issued a directive to factories/enterprises to stop their employees with mild cough from coming to work and seek medical attention immediately.
This is a move by the government to check the spread of COVID-19 at workplaces.
These industries and factories, according to the government guidelines announced by Trades Minister Alan Kyerematen on Thursday, 25 June 2020, must dedicate one room within the factory premises as a holding room to immediately house or quarantine anyone who is suspected to be showing symptoms and signs of COVID-19 and be isolated from others while making arrangements for evacuation.
The measures, Mr Kyerematen noted, feed into the general guidelines and protocols for easing of restrictions such as the use of face masks by all employees, provision of washing stations at vantage points within working areas and regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces.
Below are the guidelines
Social Distancing Protocols:
Company buses and public transport for workers to and from work; Workflow adjustments including staff rotation at the factory and shop floor; and Customer service protocols including floor markings to enforce social distancing protocols.
Sanitary Protocols:
Provision of handwashing stations, with running water and soap; provision of hand sanitisers; and Enhanced regular cleaning and disinfection of regular use surfaces.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing, and other protocols:
Use of face masks (No Face Mask, No Entry) and gloves for workers who previously did not require protective gear; replacement of safety gear with COVID-19 compliant PPE; and checking of temperature of all employees and customers.
Factories and other industrial processing establishments:
Stop employees with a mild cough or low-grade fever from coming to work and seek medical care.
Stagger work schedules by breaking the workforce into shifts. Limit in-house meetings as much as possible and use online conference platforms.
If unavoidable, sitting arrangements should follow social distance protocols. Employers should allow staff to work virtually, if feasible.
Factories/enterprises with more than twenty-nine (29) employees to provide a registered nurse on site.
Implement anti-stigma policy (No employee should be discriminated against, stigmatised, or sacked because they have tested positive for COVID-19).
Employers must engage the services of experts to provide psychological and emotional support for COVID-19 positive employees and their families.
Employers must ensure workplace confidentiality for employees.
Carry out periodic fumigation of premises, machines and equipment.
Industries and factories with more than 29 employees must dedicate one room within the factory premises as a holding room to immediately house or quarantine anyone who is suspected to be showing symptoms and signs of COVID-19 and be isolated from others while making arrangements for evacuation.
Follow established evacuation procedures (as outlined in Annex 1) to enable evacuation if a worker becomes sick and has to be evacuated.
Display approved health promotion materials on COVID-19 at vantage points to remind workers to keep to social distancing protocols, wear masks, regularly wash hands, and maintain coughing and sneezing etiquette.
Work canteens must adhere to the protocols and preventive measures outlined in Annex 2.
Enforce a No-handshake, No-hugging, and No-Spitting policy at all times.
Form a COVID-19 in-house inspection taskforce.
Members should be trained in health promotion and prevention measures, and evacuation protocols.
If a person is confirmed positive for COVID-19, the workplace COVID-19 taskforce must link up with the local health authorities to ensure all contacts are traced, tested, and treated.
Employers must have staff attendance monitoring mechanisms, either electronic or manual.
Source: laudbusiness.com
The much-anticipated Ghanaian series titled “Consternation†will premiere on Friday, June 25, on Youtube’s streaming platform.
According to Kojo Little who starred in season five of the popular YOLO Series as “Sharp Shooter”, shooting “Consternation†is a dream come true having invested money made from YOLO to undertake the project.
“I used all the money I made from YOLO to undertake this project. I went further to borrow money from friends and family to make sure this project becomes a success.
“I’m delighted about its premiere today and would love to hear the feedback on my first movie, so I would plead with fans to watch it,” he said in an interview.
Directed and written by Kojo Little, the series would thrill movie loving fans with some hilarious romantic comedy scenes.
The series parades some of the finest actors on the local scene including John Peasah alias “Drogba”, Martha Daniels, Patra Bright, among others.
The series depicts issues in modern Ghanaian society accompanied by thrills and chills and would uncover some strange happenings and secrecy in society including relationships.
Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.â€
Source:Â GNA
Ghanaian actress and movie producer Tracy Boakye has partially showed the face of her new born baby for the first time in a recent post on Instagram.
Kumawood actress Tracy Boakye has never showed the face of her new daughter ever since she delivered. Some other celebrities are also fond of hiding the faces of their babies to reasons best known to them.
Tracy Boakye posted a photo of her baby on her Instagram page and covered her face with an emoji leaving her lips, which almost made her face to be shown.
Source:Â www.ghgossip.com
A very sad and unusual video was spotted yesterday got almost everyone surprised. A video was spotted where you could see a man who is known to be a popular fetish priest in his area using a small girl for his ritual needs.
We could not tell the actual place this incident happened but per the reports and the background noise, you could see it clearly that it will be from Ghana.
According to the video, this fetish priest may have been caught while performing his rituals. You could see some other guys in the background who seemed to be surprised.
You could see in the video that the guys at the scene were forcing the priest to perform his ritual so they could see how he does it. This Preist didn’t want to do it but it seems they forced him to do it.
While performing the rituals, you could see the small girl lying on a small mat on the floor, and the priest started his rituals by stretching his hands on the small girl. He jumped over her three times.
After his third jump, he paused and you could hear the girl screaming on the floor. The girl then wakes up and walked to his family after her scream. I think she was made unconscious and the priest was forced to bring her back.
The people at the scene were seen exchanging words and the priest was then dragged into a car which I assume he is being sent to the police station.
Watch the YouTube video below:
Birthdays are special days in our lives. Caddy, the mother of popular Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari is celebrating her birthday today.
To celebrate her mother, Nadia Buari took to social media to share photos and video with her mother with the caption,
My forever… Happy birthday!
love u beyond measure. Happy birthday mama.
Source: www.Ghgossip.com
Malawi’s opposition is claiming victory in the re-run of last year’s presidential election – which was held again after allegations of widespread rigging.
Official results for Tuesday’s poll have not yet been declared by Malawi’s electoral commission.
But state broadcaster MBC says opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera is leading with 59% of the vote.
President Peter Mutharika, who wants a second term, has 38%, it says.
A third candidate who was not regarded as a serious contender, Peter Kuwani, is said to have received less than 2% of votes.
Last year Malawi became the second African nation to annul a presidential election over irregularities, after Kenya in 2017.
The BBC’s southern Africa Correspondent Andrew Harding says it was a rare – and for many an encouraging – judicial intervention on a continent where flawed, even stolen, elections are seldom overturned.
Mr Chakwera’s supporters are already celebrating what they believe is a historic victory – in what would be the first time in sub-Saharan Africa that a flawed election result has been overturned, and the opposition has gone on to win power democratically.
Praise has also come from fellow southern African opposition figures.
“New life to Malawi!,” said Zimbabwean opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa. “The Lord has given Malawi a Godly man,” he added referring to Mr Chakwera’s past in the clergy.
“My friend, brother and leader has just won the Malawian elections. I just got off the phone with him and celebrate his achievement,” tweeted the former leader of South Africa’s DA opposition party Mmusi Maimane.
Source: bbc.com
Although the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is yet to declare the final result from the re-run of the presidential election, early indications show that the incumbent Peter Mutharika is trailing behind his main rival Lazarus Chakwera.
Mr Mutharika says there’s no winner or loser, and has refused to concede defeat.
According to his running mate, Atupele Muluzi, who said he had been sent by Mutharika to address the media, the president is appealing to all his supporters to disregard reports that say he has lost the elections, saying they must wait for the MEC’s official announcement.
Atupele Muluzi is son of former President Bakili Muluzi and leader of a small opposition party, the United Democratic Front (UDF) which was in an electoral alliance with Mr Mutharika’s governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The young Muluzi claimed that up to 15 monitors deployed by the DPP /UDF to opposition strongholds are currently missing and feared dead after being attacked by opposition loyalists.
Results from all 28 districts, signed off by officials and party representatives at district level show that President Mutharika is lagging behind Lazarus Chakwera – who leads the main opposition Malawi Congress Party and represents the Tonse Alliance made up of nine opposition parties.
Source: bbc.com
Ugandan nationals living in China have changed their minds on returning home and will not be included in repatriation flights, according to the foreign affairs ministry.
The ministry expects about 2,000 returnees from South Africa, Afghanistan, the US, United Arab Emirates and India.
Minister Henry Okello Oryem told Daily Monitor newspaper that many Ugandans in China had resumed work after their government intervened following reports of mistreatment.
The ministry termed the protests by Africans in China as having been a result of “miscommunication among local authorities about how to handle foreign nationals as they control the spread of Coronavirus”.
Ugandan nationals living in Sudan and Turkey were this week repatriated home:
The first batches of Ugandans who were stuck outside due to #COVID19 have been flown back home by the government. The groups from Sudan and Turkey were received at Entebbe International Airport by State Minister for Foreign Affairs @okelloryem.
📸 Julius Luwemba#VisionUpdates pic.twitter.com/0fLxmOkEMf— The New Vision (@newvisionwire) June 23, 2020
Source: bbc.com
Nigeria’s government has condemned Thursday’s attack on its embassy in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, by its citizens living in the country.
The Nigerian nationals stormed the embassy and vandalised vehicles in the compound. They accused embassy officials of not offering help when they are allegedly harassed by Indonesian immigration officials.
They said a Nigerian national reportedly fell from a storey building while escaping from immigration officials.
Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said those who destroyed property in the embassy’s premises would be tracked down and punished.
“Absolutely deplorable and disgraceful criminal behaviour by Nigerian hooligans,” he said.
A video of Nigerians at the embassy was shared online:
Happening now Nigeria embassy in Jakarta Indonesia is under attack this morning 25/6/2020 saying that the name Nigeria has brought disgrace to them as a people and other nationality laugh at them and when ever something happens to them no government to defend them pic.twitter.com/k3FQviyHY1
— Victormunachi (@Victor35517418) June 25, 2020
Source: bbc.com
Calls for the closure of South African schools are growing as 204 people, mostly learners, tested positive at a boarding school in the Eastern Cape.
Makaula Senior Secondary School in KwaBhaca has since been closed, bringing to 132 the number of Eastern Cape schools that are currently shut.
Forty were reopened after being disinfected.
This comes just over two weeks after the reopening of schools in South Africa, with the number of infections in the country rising to 106,108 with a death toll of 2,102.
The Educators Union of South Africa (Eusa), a vocal labour union, says the reopening of schools was poorly timed.
“Our appeal is for the Government to review its decision to reopen schools. We opine with great conviction that the decision to reopen primary and high schools was the wrong one,†Eusa said in a statement.
“We contend that the timing is bad as wintry weather brings with it seasonal illness such as influenza.
The Coronavirus thrives under cold conditions and will also augment and exacerbate the onset of the flu and tuberculosis.
“Our children and teachers are terrified of contracting the Coronavirus. The anxiety around Covid-19 is palpable. School is about community.
There is great concern about the contagious nature of the disease and how this will lead to more suffering of our people in broader society.
“The extra workload with regards to health screening, now foisted onto the teachers, is adding to the anxiety. We ask that schooling be suspended countrywide.â€
The National Association of School Governing Bodies said it intends to petition the Department of Education to close schools.
The National Teachers Organisation of South Africa, through their Eastern Cape leader Loyiso Mbinda, said it “warned them the virus thrives in winter.â€
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said they “will continue to work hard in schools to make sure that we protect our learners, teachers and employees within schools.
It is important to work together to ensure that we beat the virus.â€
Source: allafrica.com
The United Nations’ human rights chief says 580 civilians have been killed so far this year in central Mali.
Michelle Bachelet said the security situation was deteriorating, with multiple groups carrying out the killings.
The UN says ethnic militias originally formed to protect the Fulani and Dogon communities are killing people, stealing cattle, looting granaries and burning homes.
Some civilians are abducted and forced to join the militias.
Islamist movements linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group are moving into central Mali, forced down from their bases in the north.
The UN accuses the Malian military of carrying out 130 extrajudicial killings, mainly targeting members of the Fulani community.
Violence is intensifying across the Sahel. There are fears that jihadist groups are moving southwards towards West Africa’s coastal states.
Source: bbc.com
Ghanaian Actor, popularly identified in Kumawood movies, the late Bernard Nyarko will be buried tomorrow, Saturday, June 27th, 2020.
He will be laid in state at Lakeside Estate Community 5 in Accra from 7:00 am to 9:30 am.
The sensational Actor died on May 2, 2020, after he took ill for some time.
Meanwhile, the family of Barnard has assured that it will ensure that all safety protocols are adhered to stop or prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The government in Uganda has apologised to the family of a church leader who was shot dead by police in Kasese district, according to state-owned New Vision newspaper.
The local commissioner Joe Walusimbi attended the funeral of Rev Ordinand Benon Musiimenta and said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had told him to apologise.
“We are at fault. He [President Museveni] told me to have the soldier handled according to the law of the country and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) rules,” Mr Walusimbi is quoted by New Vision as saying.
The commissioner gave the widow 5m Ugandan shillings ($1,300; £1,047) which he said had been instructed by the president.
The church leader was shot dead on Wednesday as he was riding a motorbike with his wife to their farm. His wife was injured.
The officers involved were arrested and will appear at a military court according to the police spokesperson:
Source: bbc.com
Rwandan authorities have imposed a stay-at-home order in parts of the capital, Kigali, following a rise in new cases of coronavirus.
People living in Gikondo Hill in Kicukiro District, and some parts of Mount Kigali in Nyarugenge district, have been ordered to “immediately stay home for a period of at least 15 days,” according to statement from the interior ministry.
The order was announced on Thursday night and many residents woke up on Friday unaware of it. Clarisse Mutamuliza, who lives in Gikondo, was ordered back to her house by police as she headed to work.
“I hadn’t seen it in the news, it was announced late last night. I didn’t even know there were coronavirus cases in my neighbourhood,” Ms Mutamuliza told BBC Great Lakes.
The interior ministry said it reinstated the lockdown “based on analysis by health officials over coronavirus status in Kigali”.
Rwanda has in the past seven days recorded 204 new cases, 21 of them in Kigali.
Most of the recent cases were recorded in an eastern town bordering Tanzania, and in another western town bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The East African nation became the first in sub-Saharan Africa to order a total shutdown after confirming its first coronavirus case on 21 March. The restrictions were eased 45 days later, in May.
The country has so far confirmed 850 cases, 385 recoveries and two deaths.
Source: bbc.com
Ghanaian actor and politician, John Dumelo says he wants to have as many as three or four children with his wife, Gifty Mawunya Nkornu.
Mr Dumelo is looking forward to having two or three more kids added to the first one whom he welcomed in October last year.
Mr Dumelo made this revelation when he appeared on the KOD Meets show.
The host KOD asked him to rate himself as a dad on a scale of 1-8. Mr Dumelo responded with the answer 8, explaining that he has not been 100% best dad but always gives his best to make his son happy.
See video below:
Mr Dumelo is seeking to go to parliament on the ticket of NDC this year. He is contesting the parliamentary seat at Ayawaso West Wougon Constituency.
Source: www.Ghgossip.com
Ghanaian actor and politician, John Dumelo is proud he took the bold decision to marry because according to him marriage has made him more responsible and focused in life.
John Dumelo and his wife, Gifty Mawunya Nkornu, got married in May 2019 at the Royal Senchi Resort in Akosombo and welcomed their first child in October that year.
“I think it [marriage] has made me more responsible and focused in life because now you have a family and have to work extra hard to take care of the family. It is not just about you, it is about us†Dumelo said on KOD Meets show.
Mr Dumelo is seeking to go to parliament on the ticket of NDC this year. He is contesting the parliamentary seat at Ayawaso West Wougon Constituency.
Source: www.Ghgossip.com
Ace Investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has  hinted he will soon hit the airwaves with another exposé on people who are hiding behind the novel COVID-19 to exploit the country.
The multiple award winning investigate journalist, as usual, is prepareing to premiere this explosive piece aimed at exposing some Ghanaian leaders who are using the outbreak of the virus to enrich themselves.
The new exposé is a BBC Africa Eye production which would first focus on the quacks and a new date announced for the thieves.
The expose dubbed “corona quacks and thieves in Ghana†has been translated into over 30 African languages.
Are you ready? It’s coming, the corona quacks and thieves in Ghana. It would be served hot on #BBCAfricaEye and all major TV stations in Ghana.#JeSuisAnas #SayNoToCorruption
— Anas Aremeyaw Anas (@anasglobal) June 26, 2020
Source:Â www.Ghgossip.com
George Arhin, a Partner at PwC, has said mining, oil and gas entities may face challenges in complying with regulatory requirements in the local economic environment due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to him, although corporate income tax and employee income tax deadlines have been extended from April 30, 2020, to June 30, 2020, some companies in the value chain may fail to rake in returns amid slowdown in activity.
“Although business activity continues in the mining and oil and gas sectors, companies have to consider external factors, such as the closure of refineries, that may impact sales in order to provide realistic estimates for self-assessments and minimise penalties,†Arhin said in a communique sighted by GhanaWeb.
He added; “the residency status of expatriates working in some firms may be impacted for the purpose of determining their taxable income, tax rate and tax liability. In Ghana, expatriates originally engaged for 183 days or less may now be considered as permanent residents as they are likely to spend more than 183 days in Ghana due to the current border closure.â€
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Mines at its recent annual general meeting on Friday, May 29, 2020, revealed the mining sector’s total fiscal contribution which was at 7.7 percent of domestic revenue in 2019, was the second-highest after the financial and insurance sectors.
According to the chamber, the share price of the mining and quarrying sector in total direct domestic receipts mobilized by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) improved by some 70 percent from GH¢2.36 billion in 2018 to GH¢4.02 billion in 2019.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
Some sub-chiefs and opinion leaders in the Nanton Traditional Area in the Northern Region have given the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) a three-day ultimatum to find a lasting solution to a land dispute between the Tampion community and the people of Nanton.
They alleged that upon orders from the Tampion Chief, some farmers from Nanton were chased out of their farmlands in Tampion at gun point and asked never to return to their farms.
The sub-chiefs, at a press conference in Nanton, warned that they will take measures against the people of Tampion if REGSEC does not find a lasting solution to the matter.
“We are hereby telling the people of Tampion that we can equally sanction them as they have done by evacuating them on the following villages and lands they occupy which are under the jurisdiction of the Nanton Naa. The villages are Gushee naa yili, Batang yili, Digu, Salo Baani, Ninsobu and Vahindi Dabarni.â€
The secretary to the Nanton Naa, Iddrisu Ibrahim Anyass, who addressed the press, accused the Tampion Lana of hiding behind a certain political colour to pave way for such political interest.
He further indicated that the Tampion Lana had said if Nanton farmers want to continue their farming activities in their respective lands in Tampion, then they should allow Nanton-Naa Alhaji Tia Sulemana Haruna, who is the current chief, to move out from Nanton and allow Tampion Lana bring in Mr. Bawa Zoo (Former VoNaa) to become the Nanton Chief.
“We want to make it clear to the people of Tampion that we will forever resist anyone to be our chief in Nanton apart from our Nanton Naa Alhaji Tia Sulemana Haruna as our chief at all times. We would resist anyone imposed on us with all the might God has bestowed on us,†Mr. Anyass added.
Iddrisu Ibrahim Anyass also claimed that over 50 farmers within the area will lose their farmlands and their livelihoods if the REGSEC does not intervene immediately.
He added that the farmers will also be deprived of the benefits of the Planting for Food and Jobs policy, which he said has since led to bumper harvests in the last three years of its implementation.
Source:Â 3 News
Drug abusers who are deeply hooked are mostly blamed for their misfortunes. The same society which is expected to provide support for all persons look on whilst victims waste their lives.
According to victims of substance abuse, breaking away from the habit can be a tough battle.
In this GhanaWeb Special, we explore the hope available for drug addicts in rehabilitation centres in a time where substance abuse is on a high rise. Hard and soft drugs like marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, heroin, tramadol can easily be obtained on the streets and in ghettos- the hub of all these substances.
Every individual must have come across a drug addict in their lifetime, it might be a relative, school mate, a colleague at work or an old-time friend.
The country has somehow failed to improve facilities that provide support to addicts, the state of some rehabilitation and corrections centres are no story to write home about.
As simple as it might look, substance abuse is a complex disease that affects the mind and body, however, with treatment, therapies and counselling one can recover from it.
Watch an indebt report on the help available for drug addicts below;
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
To revive the ailing tourism industry from the doldrums of coronavirus, amidst the new normal business climate, it is imperative for industry players to brace themselves for stern enforcement of precautionary health measures and safety protocols, Mr. Joseph Appiagyei, Acting Manager of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in charge of Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions, has stated.
He said once an end to COVID-19 impact on the tourism industry is not in sight now, any tourism recovery strategy must incorporate strict supervision and adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols to protect tourists and guests, indicating that this would be the surest way to revive the troubled industry by boosting public confidence that hospitality facilities and attraction sites are not infectious grounds for the deadly virus.
Globally, the tourism industry has weathered tumultuous times since the outbreak of the pandemic. Resultant precautionary measures such as border closures, restrictions on public gatherings and conferencing among others have crippled the industry.
According to the Tourism Worldwide Statistics and Facts, projected travel and tourism revenue from 2019 to 2010 declined by a whopping US$264.53 billion. As at 2018, global hotel industry was valued at US$600.49 billion.
The situation at some hospitality facilities in the Bono Region epitomizes the devastating impact of COVID-19 in the country. Eusbett Hotel, a 3-Star facility in Sunyani with 150 rooms and ten (10) conference centres has had its occupancy reduced from 88 percent to two percent.
Management of the Hotel responded to the situation by cutting down staff strength from 150 to 60. Tyco City Hotel, a 2-Star facility on the other hand has suffered a sharp occupancy drop to between 5-2 percent, accounting for 50 percent workers laidoff.
To support hospitality facilities and tourist attraction sites in the country to adjust to the new normal business environment, Mr. Appiagayei in an interview with the B&FT said the GTA had distributed sanitary items such as veronica buckets and liquid soap, adding “the Authority is also making provision to assist those who did not benefit from the initial supply.â€
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tyco City Hotel, Nana Kwame Aning, stated that hoteliers are prepared to adjust to the new normal to help the revival of the tourism industry. “Sanitary items like veronica buckets, and sanitizers will be stationed at vantage points, nose masks will be provided at guest rooms, temperatures of guests will be checked at entry points and receptions. Emergency contacts will be displayed at various places of our facilities for swift response. We are also prepared to enforce wearing of face mask around our facilities,†he said.
The Regional GTA Boss therefore urged managers of hospitality facilities to institute crisis management plan based on COVID-19 model outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ghana Health Service to ensure that they can put their head above water in the current difficult times.
To make also make attraction sites safe for patrons again, he shared the view that effective implementation of the new Tourism Legislative Instrument (L.I) would be the magic wand to turnaround the dwindled fortunes of various sites across the country. The Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817) seeks to among others encourage standardization by promoting good sanitation, safety and security for both visitors and workers at the sites.
“With the new L.I, the GTA will only issue license to operators of attraction sites based of their compliance to requirements such as adherence to safety protocols. This and other factors will inform classification of attraction sites. We have started with public awareness campaign and sensitization to educate operators on the modalities of implementation as well as requirements including safety protocols,†he said.
Source: B&FT Online
The Maritime and Dockworkers Union says the management of Meridian Port Services (MPS) refusal to commit itself to an agreement to give legal backing to the decision which the shareholders of MPS took in Dubai on 12th November 2019 to grant GPHA the 20% container business amounts to disrespect for the President and members of his cabinet.
It will be recalled that GPHA workers led by the MDU, local unions and Shop Stewards of GPHA embarked on industrial actions from 16th to 18th June 2020 to prevent vessels from berthing at the Tema Port.
In a letter to the Minister of Transport dated 17th June 2020, the MDU demanded the reversal of the decision for MPS to take over the handling of Reefer Container business from GPHA on the instructions of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) based on unproven allegations of missing containers when the Reefer Container business is not part of the MPS agreement.
Additionally, the MDU demanded that an agreement between MPS and GPHA should be signed to give legal support for the decision to grant 20% container business to GPHA .
In a response to the demands of MDU dated 17th June 2020, the Minister of Transport quoted Cabinet decision as follows: That the Cabinet Secretary write to inform the Ghana Revenue Authority to hand over all Refrigerated Containers to GPHA before the end of the month.
That the government position for GPHA to handle 20% of the containerised cargo during the exclusivity period of ten ( 10) years has not changed . That the GPHA should go ahead with the leasing of Marine Cranes to enable them to effectively handle containers.
The MDU stated in the letter signed by Daniel Owusu-Koranteng , General Secretary of the Maritime and Dockworkers Union that “ failure to receive firm action on the above by 25th June 2020 , the union would advise itself and we should not be blamed .â€
A letter dated 25th of June 2020 to the Minister of Transport and signed by Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng , the General Secretary of the Maritime and Dockworkers Union expressed profound gratitude to the President of the Republic of Ghana and the Minister of Transport for ensuring the reversal of the decision by GRA which allowed MPS to take over the Reefer Container business from GPHA and indicated that the movement of Reefer Containers from the port to the Reefer Container Terminal of GPHA started on 23rd June 2020 . The letter stated that, “We serve notice that it is only when MPS signs the aforementioned agreement on the 20% container business to be handled by GPHA that we would regard the impasse as being resolved.â€
Source: Nancy Asante, Contribuitor
Police in Greater Accra have disclosed that they are not aware of the mounting of new public CCTV cameras in several parts of the capital.
Over the past weeks, newly installed CCTV cameras have been seen across town, notably, Mamprobi, Laterbiokoshie and its environs.
The CCTV cameras which is common in most countries is used to increase surveillance in communities and to curb the upsurge of crimes in society.
Ahead of the December polls, this could be a strategy by the police to monitor any activity which may compromise the elections.
Residents and commuters have expressed worry about the new technological developments, citing insecurity.
According to them they have been left on the fence since there has not been any official explanation to the reason for mounting the CCTV cameras.
When GhanaWeb reached the Greater Accra Police PRO, Afia Tenge for clarification, she denied knowledge of such developments in the capital.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
The District Grand lodge of Ghana has presented medical equipment comprising two specialized ultra-kow freezers and 1,000 PCR test kits to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
The equipment valued at about ₵280,000 was presented by representatives of the District Grand Lodge of Ghana led by the District Grand Master, Isaac Owulaku Hood.
In a short address, Right Worshipful Isaac Owulaku Hood explained the District Grand lodge is part of a worldwide body of Freemasons who operate under the United Grand Lodge of England, the Premier Grand lodge.
The Ghana district was inaugurated 89 years ago and is made up of members from a cross section of the Ghanaian Society. The District he then explained boasts of the oldest lodge in the Country, Gold Coast Lodge, formed in 1863.
The District Grand Master then said “seeing the threat that Covid-19 posed to our dear nation Ghana, Freemasons of the Ghana District set up an a charity fund, since one of the principal tenets of Freemasonry is Charity, specifically aimed at supporting the Institute which is at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19.â€
Director of the Institute, Prof Abraham Kwabena Annan expressed their gratitude to the District Grand lodge of Ghana explaining the PCR test kits will go a long way to boost testing for Covid-19 and critically needed Ultra-Low Freezers will be used to store biological samples.
He further stated that the equipment would also help in storage of specimen which could be used for current and future research and aid in the development of vaccines.
He also stated that given the generosity of the Freemasons, the NMIMR would be happy to share the donation with their sister research organizations, the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR) as arrangements are on hand to deliver one ultra-low freezer to KCCR.
In his closing remarks, the District Grand Master, Mr.Hood wished the institute well and expressed the hope that there would be another opportunity for the District Grand Lodge to be of assistance.
Source: myjoyonlineÂ
Ay Poyoo, “Am The Goat†crooner boasts to be the best and greatest of all time.
He stated that I want you all to tell Jay Cole, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Snopp Dog and many that I the greatest of all time and the face of everyone.
Watch Video Here:
View this post on Instagram
Tell Jay Cole, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent And Others That Am The Greatest Of All Time AY Poyoo
Source:Â www.Ghgossip.com
To check the spread of COVID-19 at workplaces, the government of Ghana has issued a directive to factories/enterprises with more than 29 employees to provide a registered nurse on site.
These industries and factories, according to the government guidelines announced by Trades Minister Alan Kyerematen on Thursday, 25 June 2020, must dedicate one room within the factory premises as a holding room to immediately house or quarantine anyone who is suspected to be showing symptoms and signs of COVID-19 and be isolated from others while making arrangements for evacuation.
The measures, Mr Kyerematen noted, feed into the general guidelines and protocols for easing of restrictions such as the use of face masks by all employees, provision of washing stations at vantage points within working areas and regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces.
Below are the guidelines
Social Distancing Protocols:
Company buses and public transport for workers to and from work; Workflow adjustments including staff rotation at the factory and shop floor; and Customer service protocols including floor markings to enforce social distancing protocols.
Sanitary Protocols:
Provision of handwashing stations, with running water and soap; provision of hand sanitisers; and Enhanced regular cleaning and disinfection of regular use surfaces.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing, and other protocols:
Use of face masks (No Face Mask, No Entry) and gloves for workers who previously did not require protective gear; replacement of safety gear with COVID-19 compliant PPE; and checking of temperature of all employees and customers.
Factories and other industrial processing establishments:
Stop employees with mild cough or low-grade fever from coming to work and seek medical care.
Stagger work schedules by breaking the workforce into shifts. Limit in-house meetings as much as possible and use online conference platforms.
If unavoidable, sitting arrangements should follow social distance protocols. Employers should allow staff to work virtually, if feasible.
Factories/enterprises with more than twenty-nine (29) employees to provide a registered nurse on site.
Implement-stigma policy (No employee should be discriminated against, stigmatised, or sacked because they have tested positive for COVID-19).
Employers must engage the services of experts to provide psychological and emotional support for COVID-19 positive employees and their families.
Employers must ensure workplace confidentiality for employees.
Carry out periodic fumigation of premises, machines and equipment.
Industries and factories with more than 29 employees must dedicate one room within the factory premises as a holding room to immediately house or quarantine anyone who is suspected to be showing symptoms and signs of COVID-19 and be isolated from others while making arrangements for evacuation.
Follow established evacuation procedures (as outlined in Annex 1) to enable evacuation if a worker becomes sick and has to be evacuated.
Display approved health promotion materials on COVID-19 at vantage points to remind workers to keep to social distancing protocols, wear masks, regularly wash hands, and maintain coughing and sneezing etiquette.
Work canteens must adhere to the protocols and preventive measures outlined in Annex 2.
Enforce a No-handshake, No-hugging, and No-Spitting policy at all times.
Form a COVID-19 in-house inspection taskforce.
Members should be trained in health promotion and prevention measures, and evacuation protocols.
If a person is confirmed positive for COVID-19, the workplace COVID-19 taskforce must link up with the local health authorities to ensure all contacts are traced, tested, and treated.
Employers must have staff attendance monitoring mechanisms, either electronic or manual.
Source: Class FM
Oil prices inched up on Friday as the bullish impetus from signs of fuel demand recovery was kept in check by a rising number of new coronavirus cases in the United States and China and tentative expecations of U.S. output ticking up.
Brent crude LCOc1 futures were 38 cents higher at $41.43 at 0829 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures were up 29 cents at $39.01.
Both contracts are on track for a weekly fall of around 1.7% after record U.S. crude inventory data dragged prices down on Wednesday. [EIA/S]
Analysts said satellite data showing a strong pick-up in traffic in China, Europe and across the United States pointed to an improvement in fuel demand.
Congestion in Shanghai in the past few weeks was higher than in the same period last year, while in Moscow traffic was back to last year’s levels, data provided to Reuters by location technology company TomTom showed.
However, there are fears a spike in COVID-19 infections in southern U.S. states could stall the demand recovery, especially as some of those states, such as Florida and Texas, are among the biggest gasoline consumers.
The global economic outlook has also worsened or at best stayed about the same in the past month, a majority of economists polled by Reuters said, and the recession underway is expected to be deeper than earlier predicted.
“It does appear the market is ignoring supply and demand fundamentals and moving on sentiment,†said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets.
The prospect of increased U.S. crude production also kept a lid on gains on Friday.
A survey of executives in the top U.S. oil and gas producing region by the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank found more than half of executives who cut production expect to resume some output by the end of July.
Source: reuters.com
The benchmark index was upbeat today, gaining 1.21 points (+0.06%) on the back of CAL Bank (+2.90%) to close the session at 1,904.24 with a year-to-date return of -15.64% while the market capitalization inched up by 0.02% to close at 52.99 billion.
Accordingly, the GSE Financial Index was up 2.23 points (+0.13%) to close at 1,734.79 with a -14.10% year-to-date return while the SAS Manufacturing Index remained unchanged at 2,658.25 with a year-to-date return of -24.06%.
Trading activity weakened as 63,499 shares valued at GH¢46,848 changed hands from 149,895 shares valued at GH¢1,616,654 in the previous session.
CAL Bank dominated trades by volume and value, accounting for 94.49% of the total volume traded and 91.30% of the total value traded.
We expect activity levels to increase in the next session.
Source: SAS Ghana
AY Poyoo, “Am The Goat†Ghanaian artiste has disclosed his relationship with American rapper, 50 cent.
He shared on his official Instagram handle to reveal the alarming fact that no one has a gist about for a very long time.
See His Post Here;
Source:Â www.Ghgossip.com
Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, has called on the youth to form stronger patnerships to ensure talents boost in the field of entrepreneurship.
He stated that the most important thing that could help the country was for the young people to take a positive lead, which comes through learning and sharing of ideas in a more innovative manner that can solve societal problems.
Darko-Mensah was addressing a consultative stakeholders meeting in Takoradi on the “Role of Web Technology for Digital Transformation of the Local Economy for Job Creation and Economic Development”.
The programme was initiated by International Conference on Open and Distance Education (ICODE), Tech Firm in the Metropolis with support from Ghana TechLab, Young Africa Works, the World Bank and the Ministry of Communications to empower young people to create jobs and help develop their talents.
Digitization, he said, affected every aspect of human life and urged the youth who were into this kind of entrepreneurship to endeavour to solve societal problems.
“The introduction of digital technologies has triggered the creation of new business models and revenue streams.
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud archives, and the Internet of Things (IoT), accelerate transformation, while fundamental technologies such as data management and analysis are needed to analyze the huge amounts of data that result from digital transformation.
“Although technology and computing have been present in our daily lives for decades, the concept of digital transformation is relatively new though it has popularized the use of the Internet”.
The Project Lead at LogigTech, Nana Baisie, during a panel discussion, said the global COVID-19 pandemic, has exposed deficiencies in Web Technology and digital transformation and equally taught how certain breakthrough would not have been achieved without certain Web Technologies, describing it as a boom season in the Web Development Sector.
“Without the appropriate Web Technologies most of the things we are able to do and we are able to achieve today would not have be possible,” he added.
The Programmes Manager at ICODE, Ms Phoebe Addison, said “one of the most difficult issues in digital transformation visualization was the execution of the process aside obstacles such as budgets, finding talents and cultural changesâ€.
Source: GNA
The advent of COVID-19 has adversely impacted the housing sector in the fight to reduce the national housing deficit, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, Minister of Works and Housing, has said.
He said foreign-investor engagements with the Ministry in the critical area of affordable housing roll-outs which has a real likelihood of boosting national efforts at reducing their deficit of two million housing units has stalled in the wake of the international travel ban; due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said added to this, redevelopment undertakings in the Roman Ridge and Labone enclave comprising 444 housing units which were scheduled to commence in the first quarter of this year are yet to commence.
Mr Atta Akyea said this on Wednesday in Accra when he took his turn at the Meet the Press Series, which was organised by the Ministry of Information.
The Minister said the programme would be implemented in two lots with Lot one entailing the construction of 176 four-bedroom executive townhouses and 150 three-bedroom apartments; while Lot two entails the construction of 22 four-bedroom executive townhouses, 84 three-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments.
“The Ministry is, however, hopeful that as the restrictions that have come with the global pandemic are gradually eased, these critical housing undertakings will resume in bringing the necessary relief to the housing subsector of the country,” Mr Atta Akyea said.
He said housing is very important in any economy as it provides core security to families, societies and communities.
Without doubt, housing is vital and the nation cannot ignore its provision in our development, Mr Atta Akyea said.
He said its overall importance to sustainable health and livelihood has been further heightened during this period of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
He said the unfortunate inability of the housing delivery system via the private sector underpinned by the requisite support from government to meet effective demand over the years has created a huge housing deficit in Ghana, currently estimated to be in excess of two million units.
He said with the extrapolation that in Ghana’s cultural set-up, a household is made up of five individuals, over 10 million Ghanaians do not have access to safe, secured and decent dwelling homes.
He said with a population close to 30 million, a staggering 1/3 of Ghanaians have accommodation challenges; adding that furthermore, statistics reveal that 60 per cent of Ghana’s urban population would need some form of Government intervention to support them get access to safe, secured and affordable shelter.
He said 35 per cent would not be able to access housing even with Government support in terms of subsidy, with only the remaining five per cent of the population being able to support themselves in accessing housing.
Mr Atta Akyea said this calls for a massive drive to provide for housing targeted at the 60 per cent urban population in the short to medium term and the remaining 35 per cent in the long term.
He said it was against this background that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government in 2006 initiated the Government of Ghana Affordable Housing Programme with the objective of providing accommodation for the low-to-middle income workers of the country, creating jobs and improving incomes.
He said the project commenced in six locations namely: Borteyman – Accra, Kpone – Tema, Asokore Mampong Kumasi, Koforidua, Tamale and Wa; these projects however stalled in 2008.
The Minister said arrangements put in place by the previous government for the completion of the stalled affordable housing units had seen Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) completing the 1,464 housing units at Borteyman and most recently, the 1,027 housing units at Asokore Mampong.
Adding that similarly, the TDC Development Company Limited had continued the construction of 312 housing units out of the 1,584 units at Kpone-Tema.
“Currently, the 312 housing units are 90 percent complete and plans are far advanced towards completing the remaining 1,272 housing units by TDC Development Company Limited. That notwithstanding, no arrangements were put in place for the completion of the 686 housing units at Koforidua, Tamale and Wa by the previous government.”
Source: GNA
The New Juaben North Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, Mr Ebenezer Acheampong has urged market women to take the wearing of face masks and frequent hand washing protocols in the fight against the coronavirus seriously.
He explained that the two protocols were the easy and less costly, but effective ways to protect themselves, their families and customers against the contraction of the Coronavirus.
Mr Acheampong was speaking at a public education campaign against the spread of the coronavirus at the Jumapo market, near Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
He explained that as people handling food items in the market, any contamination of their hands by the virus could infect a lot of people.
Mr Acheampong reminded the women that refusal to wear the face masks was against the law and they could be fined huge sums of money or serve a jail sentence.
He advised the market women to organize themselves and ensure that people who visited them washed their hands with soap under running water to ensure their safety and those who come to the market.
He advised the women to support people who contracted the virus and were cured to integrate into their communities and avoid any discriminations against them and their families.
Source:Â GNA
The Bank of Ghana has hinted that it will not be in the position to financially support the government in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 if the outbreak prolongs.
The Central Bank has already provided some GH¢10 billion to support the budget in compliance with provisions in the Bank of Ghana law. But Central Bank Governor Dr Ernest Addison said it is unsustainable for the regulator to offer more support.
Dr Addison who was speaking in a live interview with Graphic Business.
He said “now if you look at the case of the Bank of Ghana, we have had to finance the budget to the tune of GH¢5 billion. Under the bank of Ghana law, we have an emergency clause section 30 of the Bank of Ghana law allows the central bank in the case of an emergency to provide resources to the budget.â€
The law says that the minster of finance, the governor of the central bank and the controller and accountants general must sit to decide on how much resources the government would need.
Dr Addison said “we estimated possible support of GH¢10 billion cedis, and we have already dispersed the first tranche of that resource. Obviously, this is an intervention that we cannot repeat because we have tried to minimize central bank financing of the budget in order to minimize its impact in terms of inflation and depreciation of the currency and all of that.â€
However, if the situation does not improve and it becomes protracted, the central bank will not be able to provide the additional resources that will be needed.,†he noted.
Dr Addison indicated that the cedi has been depreciating because of capital flights.
He explained “if you look at what has happened worldwide, we have seen capital needs jurisdictions such as ours into the advanced economies. Now when that happens it has an impact on the availability of dollars in Ghana and then that can trigger a depreciation of the currency.â€
“Now if you look at this year 2020, we started the year on a very strong note with very strong reserves and then also we went very early onto the capital market to issue a 3 billion dollar bond.â€
He furher explained that by January and February the cedi was appreciating.
“If you look at the data very carefully, the Ghana cedis appreciated for nearly 2 months of 2020. Until the global shock came in, in terms of this COVID-19 pandemic and then we saw capital flowing out of countries like ours and therefore the cedi also started losing value. And then of you look at the year to date statistics, you would see that the cedi this year has depreciated by less than 2% because there had been quite a significant appreciation of the currency in the first two months of the year,†Dr Addison explained.
Source: Starr FM
Alan Kyerematen, the Minister of Trade and Industry, on Thursday urged all factories and other industrial processing establishments to implement an anti-stigma policy for COVID-19, stating “that no employee should be discriminated againstâ€.
“Employees should not be stigmatized or be sacked if they test positive to COVID-19. Employers must engage the services of experts to provide psychological and emotional support for COVID-19 positive employees and their families,” Mr Kyerematen stated in Accra
The Trade Minister said this at the meet the press series, which was organised by the Ministry of Information to give an update on COVID-19.
The Minister said: “Employers must ensure workplace confidentiality for employeesâ€.
Mr Kyeremanten said factories and other industrial processing establishments must stop employees with mild cough or low-grade fever from coming to work and seek medical care.
He also encouraged employers to stagger work schedules by breaking the workforce into shifts.
The Trade Minister said factories and other industrial processing establishments must limit in-house meetings as much as possible and use online conference platforms; adding that; “If unavoidable, sitting arrangements should follow social distance protocols”.
He said if possible employers should allow staff to work virtually if feasible.
He said factories and enterprises with more than 29 employees must provide a Registered Nurse on site.
Mr Kyeremanten said as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, factories and industrial processing establishments must carry out periodic fumigation of premises, machines and equipment.
He said also that industries and factories with more than 29 employees must dedicate One Room within the factory premises as a holding room to immediately house or quarantine anyone who was suspected to be showing symptoms and signs of COVID-19 and be isolated from others while making arrangements for evacuation.
He urged them to follow established evacuation procedures if a worker becomes sick and has to be evacuated.
He said factories and industrial processing establishments must form COVID-19 in-house Inspection taskforce and that members should be trained in Health Promotion and Prevention Measures, and Evacuation Protocols.
“If a person is confirmed positive for COVID-19, the workplace COVID-19 taskforce must link up with the local health authorities to ensure all contacts are traced, tested, and treated,” he said.
The Trade Minister said employers must have Staff Attendance monitoring mechanisms, either electronic or manual.
Source: GNA
Evictee of TV 3 talented kids Hallyberry Adwoa Animwaa Boateng popularly known as Shatta Berry has disclosed the motive behind her eviction on the kids show on TV 3.
Speaking with popular blogger Sammy Flex, Shatta Berry disclosed that she was evicted from the show 7 days to the finals after she granted an interview with Adom TV, a sub media platform of Multimedia Group.
Shatta Berry went to Adom TV for a meeting after her gift. She stated that, after her interview, her father received an alert on his phone by some individuals behind the kids show disclosing their discontent about the interview she granted at Adom TV. She stated that this is what made her come to a conclusion that, she was expelled because of her interview at Adom TV.
Source:Â www.ghgossip.com
0246252714
The popular Nigerian singer, Yemi Alade who is one of the most followed African singers on Instagram with over 11 million followers, has named Stonebwoy as her favourite Ghanaian musician but got stuck when choosing between Efya and Becca.
The “Johnny†singer speaking via a video call interview on GhOne TV was first asked to name her favourite top 5 Ghanaian musicians and she said “You guys want to set me up but I am going to make it simple, I am just going to pick one guy and one femaleâ€.
Speaking about her favourite male artiste she mentioned Stonebwoy and for her favourite female she said “sometimes I am stuck between Efya and Becca†and asked “can I just say Efya Becca?â€
Watch the video below and help Yemi Alade, should she pick Becca or Efya?
Source:Â pulse.com.gh
PNC Stalwart, Atik Mohammed has expressed utter joy over the Supreme Court ruling on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) suit against the Electoral Commission (EC) to compile a new voters’ register for the 2020 elections.
A 7-member panel presided over by Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, by a unanimous decision, dismissed the NDC case and held that the EC is an independent body and will only be directed by the court if it acts contrary to law.
The seven-member panel that heard the case included Justices Jones Dotse, Paul Baffoe Bonnie, Sule Gbagegbe, Samuel K. Marful-Sau, Nene Amegatcher, and Professor Ashie Kotey.
Thursday Ruling
The Supreme Court on Thursday, June 25, 2020 delivered its verdict on whether or not the EC decision to exclude the existing voter ID card as one of the identification documents for registration during the upcoming voters’ registration exercise is constitutional.
The Supreme Court granted only two reliefs sought by the NDC which had nothing to do with the inclusion of an existing voter ID card as source documents and dismissed all the other reliefs.
The Apex Court further ordered that the compilation of the new register should be in compliance with C.I 126 which backs the EC to accept only the Ghana card and passport for the exercise.
Atik Mohammed Thanks Supreme Court
Speaking on ‘Kokrokoo’ on Peace FM, Atik Mohammed was exceptionally happy that the Apex Court has given the EC the green light to conduct the registration exercise.
He therefore urged all Ghanaians of eligible voting age to participate in the exercise.
“All Ghanaians should prepare themselves, on the 30th of June, we’re going to register our names,” he stressed.
Source:Â Peace FM