TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • GRA beefs up Customs staff at ports to clear backlogs

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has directed its Customs Division at the port to resume normal operations, as their shift system which was put in place due to measures to check the spread of COVID-19 has been cancelled.

    The move is part of urgent steps being taken by the GRA to ensure that the backlog of uncleared goods at the port due to challenges faced with the newly introduced Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) managed by UNIPASS is handled quickly.

    The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), has over the past week lamented the inability of its members to carry out their operation at the port due to system challenges, leading to the lock up of goods. They fear that, as a result of no fault of theirs, they may have to pay demurrage and rent charges.

    The GIFF at a press conference last week, raised issues ranging from system inaccessibility, importer Tax Identification Number (TIN), delivery time benchmark, manual processing, security, system calculator, call center, information management, training and frontier challenges.

    But the Project Manager of ICUMS, Assistant Commissioner of Custom Emmanuel Ohene described their concerns as over rated as the system was functioning even though not at its full capacity.

    This necessitated a meeting last week at the Tema Port with the Commissioner General Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, UNIPASS Team Customs and others where a communique from the meeting cited by the B&FT stated that due to the observation of COVID -19 protocols, Custom officials were reporting to work in batches.

    The Commissioner General has therefore recalled all staffs to report to work with immediate effect and have been drafted into a morning and evening schedule; the morning shift will work till 5pm and the evening shift will then take over and close the following morning. This is expected to continue until all the backlogs have been cleared.

    Also, the valuation and the classification of goods from the frontiers or the boarders was considered at the meeting with a decision that, henceforth, the classifications will be performed by the officers at the frontiers.

    “The meeting resolved that, with immediate effect, a temporary approval has been given to customs to continue with their classifications, whiles pharmaceutical companies will continue processing their documentation and proceed with payments to enable them to obtain the various license and certificates instead of waiting for an assessment to be done on their documents. This is expected to will reduce the delay at the technical service bureau and payment of illegal fees,” the Commissioner General added.

    A stakeholders meeting has been scheduled to ensure the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, Customs and others put across a pragmatic way to circumvent the ICUMS challenges but still keep revenues intact. The GRA is confident that, with ICUMS by the end of the year, clearing cargo from date of its discharge to its release at the sea ports would take 48 hours, while a lesser time would be required for air and land frontier operations.

    ICUMS, is a fully integrated port community, single and e-clearance system which currently has registered all Shipping Line/Agents, Terminal Operators, Container Freight Stations, Licensed Customs House Agents, Freight Forwarders, Bonded Warehouses/Free Zones Operators and other port community players.

    Source: B&FT Online

  • Coronavirus: Concealing your health status makes mockery of president – Nana Ofori chides

    PPP Stalwart, Nana Ofori Owusu has chided the Health Minister, Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu for concealing his COVID-19 status after contracting the disease.

    The Minister reportedly receiving treatment at the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon, but before the truth was established by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; an aide to Hon. Kwaku Agyemang Manu is said to have denied reports that the Minister has been infected by the virus.

    The President, delivering his 11th update on COVID-19 on Sunday, June 14, 2020, confirmed the Minister’s health status revealing he has tested positive for the novel Coronavirus and wished him speedy recovery.

    “Let us also wish our hardworking Minister for Health, Hon Kwaku Agyemang Manu, MP for Dormaa Central Constituency, a speedy recovery from the virus which he contracted in the line of duty but in a stable condition”, he stated.

    Addressing the issue on Peace FM’s ”Kokrokoo”, Nana Ofori Owusu wondered why the Health Minister would shy from disclosing his COVID-19 status saying ”it makes mockery of all the things that the President has directed us to do and gives strength to the stigmatization. We need consistency and oneness of voice in this situation”.

    Considering the position of Hon. Agyeman Manu as the country’s Health Minister and the fact that he has been admonishing the citizens against stigmatization, Nana Ofori expected him to have set a good example.

    ”The mismessaging makes all of us panic the more. Because why would the Minister of Health who gives us statistics and calms us down cannot tell us he has contracted the disease and is undergoing treatment, and therefore will be okay?” he questioned.

    He, therefore, called on the nation’s leaders to stop hiding their status from the public so as to give them hope that it is not gloomy to contract the disease ”because our leader has been infected and he has told us and is going through the process for speedy recovery while we also pray for him. But if you won’t tell us and you say you left your house to go to the hospital, it gives room to all of us to panic the more”.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • I reopened schools ‘advisedly’; coronavirus can’t put our education on hold Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said Ghana cannot put education, health and issues of social justice on hold just because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Announcing the resumption of school for final-year students of the universities, the President said in his eleventh televised address to the nation on Sunday, 14 June 2020 that: “From tomorrow, Monday, 15 June 2020, the last batch of institutions in this phased approach, our educational institutions, will begin to re-open, with final-year students in our tertiary colleges and universities returning to school to prepare for and take their exit examinations”.

    “As has been stated, final-year senior high school (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, will resume on 22nd June; and final-year junior high school (JHS 3) students, the week after, on 29 June”, the President said.

    According to the President, “The decision to include our schools in phase one of the easing of restrictions was taken advisedly”.

    “Some argue that we are putting the lives of our students, teachers and non-teaching staff in danger by this re-opening, citing the examples of other countries, who have done so and recorded spikes in their infection case counts”.

    “I have stated, on several occasions, that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the resolution of this pandemic”.

    “We have our own unique situation in the country, and we have always taken that it into account in dealing with this disease, much as we are prepared to learn from the examples of others”, he said.

    President Akufo-Addo noted that “over the last three (3) months, every aspect of our national life has been affected by this virus”, noting: “We have had to take deliberate steps to ensure that our society, in the face of the pandemic, is able to function, and continues to strive to deliver the results of progress, prosperity and development, for which we all yearn”.

    “Saving lives, jobs and livelihoods, revitalising our economy, and safeguarding the future of our country have been at the heart of this endeavour”, adding: “We cannot say that because of the pandemic, we are no longer interested in issues of social justice such as education and health”.

    Education, the President said, “indeed, is the key to the future of our country”.

    “The quality of education that our educational institutions produce, ultimately”, he noted, “will determine the success or otherwise of our nation”.

    “We, therefore, have to find a way of guaranteeing the prospects of the generation of young people who are the objects of education today, and who represent our future”.

    “We have to do everything within our power to protect their potential, and, thereby, help preserve our future”.

    “We cannot afford to let the pandemic undermine our chances for survival and progress. We have to confront our present and future with confidence, knowing fully well that we must remain, at all times, vigilant and careful”.

    “So, from tomorrow, operating with half the class size, final-year students will begin a six-week period of learning to finish their respective programmes. Subsequently, for a period of four weeks, they will sit for their exit examinations. It must be put on record that some final-year university students will not be returning to school, as some of them, through virtual means, have already sat their exit examinations”, he announced.

    Prior to their return to school, the government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, has ensured that all tertiary institutions, public and private, have been disinfected.

    Universities, with their own hospitals and clinics, have been equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment, and have isolation centres to deal with any positive cases, the President noted.

    “All other institutions, without their own clinics and hospitals, have been mapped to health facilities”, he said.

    He, however, said: “There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities. Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social-distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus”.

    “To aid in this effort, a total of six hundred thousand (600,000) face masks has been distributed to the tertiary institutions. This is to enable every student, teaching and non-teaching staff to have three (3) reusable face masks. In addition to this, one thousand seven hundred (1,700) Veronica buckets, two hundred thousand (200,000) litres of hand sanitisers, three thousand, four hundred (3,400) litres of liquid soap, and nine hundred (900) thermometer guns have been distributed, with the transportation and delivery of these items being overseen by the special logistics team of the Government Committee, chaired by the sagacious, experienced politician, the Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, that is supervising the re-opening of the schools”.

    He also said: “I met with the Vice-Chancellors of the universities, both public and private, last Tuesday, who pledged that they would co-operate to ensure that this exercise is effectively undertaken, and I thank them very much for their co-operation. Our intention is to secure the lives of the nearly two hundred thousand (200,000) students, lecturers and non-teaching staff, who will be returning to campus from tomorrow, and I appeal to them also to do their bit to help us succeed. I urge them to adhere to enhanced personal hygiene and social distancing protocols, wash their hands with soap under running water, refrain from shaking hands, and wear their masks to, in and from the lecture halls, and on the campus, generally”.

     

    Source: Class FM

  • Close schools, final year students must be graded on continuous assessment – Akufo-Addo told

    Nana Ofori Owusu, Director of Operations for the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), has expressed worry over the reopening of schools for final year students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to Nana Ofori Owusu, asking the students to go back to their various schools in this crucial season of COVID-19 may endanger more lives and also create fear and panic in their homes.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, delivering his eleventh update on COVID-19, reiterated that final year tertiary students will resume school on Monday, June 15, 2020, while those at the Junior High Schools resume on June 29, and the Senior High Schools on 22nd June.

    “From tomorrow, Monday, 15th June, the last batch of institutions in this phased approach, our educational institutions, will begin to re-open, with final year students in our tertiary colleges and universities returning to school to prepare for and take their exit examinations. As has been stated, final year Senior High School (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, will resume on 22nd June; and final-year junior high school (JHS 3) students, the week after, on 29th June. The decision to include our schools in phase one of the easing of restrictions was taken advisedly,” the President said.

    But Nana Ofori Owusu has cautioned the President and the stakeholders in the education sector to reconsider their decision.

    He asked how the President expects the students and their lecturers to stay safe and free of the virus infections when they cannot determine their health status especially now that research has proven that some COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Nana Ofori Owusu appealed to the President to go for an alternative given by the Minister of Education, Matthew Opoku Prempeh which suggests that the final year students could be graded using their continuous assessment.

    This, to him, is a better option than opening the schools because if the students are to be graded based on their continuous assessment, there will be no need for final examinations.

    He echoed the President’s statement that ”we’re not in normal times”, hence ”I am pleading that, with the Hon. Minister’s own alternative solution to the problem that he enumerated and it made perfect sense, I plead that we look at that option and push that option onto the children”.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Will final year students be frequently tested for coronavirus? – Nana Ofori Owusu to Akufo-Addo

    Staunch member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Nana Ofori Owusu has asked President Nana Akufo-Addo to reconsider his decision for final year students to resume school in the wake of the novel Coronavirus.

    Giving his eleventh nation address on COVID-19, President Akufo-Addo rehashed his directive for the schools to open stating “from tomorrow, Monday, 15th June, the last batch of institutions in this phased approach, our educational institutions, will begin to re-open, with final year students in our tertiary colleges and universities returning to school to prepare for and take their exit examinations. As has been stated, final year senior high school (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, will resume on 22nd June; and final year junior high school (JHS 3) students, the week after, on 29th June. The decision to include our schools in phase one of the easing of restrictions was taken advisedly”.

    The President was optimistic about the measures adopted by his government and stakeholders in the education sector to safeguard the students and their teachers.

    “Some argue that we are putting the lives of our students, teachers and non-teaching staff in danger by this re-opening, citing the examples of other countries, who have done so and recorded spikes in their infection case counts. I have stated, on several occasions, that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the resolution of this pandemic. We have our own unique situation in the country, and we have always taken that it into account in dealing with this disease, much as we are prepared to learn from the examples of others,” he argued.

    He also added that, as part of measures to prevent infections on the campuses, ”a total of six hundred thousand (600,000) face masks has been distributed to the tertiary institutions. This is to enable every student, teaching and non-teaching staff to have three (3) reusable face masks. In addition to this, one thousand seven hundred (1,700) Veronica buckets, two hundred thousand (200,000) litres of hand sanitisers, three thousand, four hundred (3,400) litres of liquid soap, and nine hundred (900) thermometer guns have been distributed, with the transportation and delivery of these items being overseen by the special logistics team of the Government Committee, chaired by the sagacious, experienced politician, the Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, that is supervising the re-opening of the schools”.

    But Nana Ofori Owusu is not convinced by the President’s efforts as he seeks to know if there will be frequent testing for the students and their teachers.

    “Are we going to test them? How can we know those infected and are coming from their home? How can we know a supporting staff who cleans the place is infected from home? How can we the lecturer is infected? Where’s the baseline statistics to show that as we have opened schools today, within two weeks, when we do another testing, we can understand that there’s been a growth or reduction or we have contained it because the President says we can never know unless we test?” he questioned.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ghana to use blood plasma as coronavirus treatment option

    Ghana has taken the fight against COVID-19 a notch higher, with plans to introduce blood plasma as part of treatment options for those infected with the virus.

    Under the initiative, COVID-19 patients with moderate and severe conditions would be given the plasma transfusion from recovered patients, to aid their recovery.

    As a result, the National Blood Service (NBS) is beginning the collection of blood plasma from recovered patients for onward transfusion to yet-to-be recovered patients.

    “The NBS is working very closely with the Ministry of Health, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the COVID-19 treatment team to prepare convalescence plasma (CP) from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 for transfusion, as an empirical treatment to patients with severe or life-threatening COVID-19 infection,” said Dr. Justina Kordai Ansah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NBS.

    Speaking on the sidelines during the commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day on June 14, under the theme: “Safe Blood Saves Lives,” Dr. Ansah said the move is based on the fact that patients who recover from diseases like Ebola and COVID-19, appear to have robust immune response to the infection.

    “Antibodies in the plasma of recovered patients can be transfused to other COVID-19 patients to aid their recovery from the infection … once there is no vaccine this is the best line of treatment,” she explained.

    Dr. Ansah added that the method is being used in other countries like Mauritius and said “people are recovering.”

    She said the NBS is hoping to start the collection as soon as funds are released by the Ministry of Health for the purchase of consumables.

    “We have the plasma forensics machine; we have the protocols; and approval from FDA, we are waiting on the Health Ministry to provide funding for consumables,” she said.

    In this regard, Dr. Ansah encouraged recovered COVID-19 patients to step forward and donate blood to save the lives of other patients in critical condition.

    “At the moment we have the list of those who have recovered and we want people who have recovered to come forward when we call so that they can be part of this process.

    Once we start that, people who have moderate or severe COVID-19 can be treated with the plasma,” she said.

     

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Medikal to drop new song featuring Kennedy Agyapong

    Medikal made this known in a recent social media post on Instagram.

    Taking to his Instagram handle, the young musician shared a photo of himself with Kennedy Agyapong with the caption;

    “Track 4 features Hon Kennedy Agyapong on #IslandEp guess the title 😈.”

    Source: www.ghgossip.com

  • Parliament passes CIMG Bill 2019

    Parliament on Thursday, June 04, 2020, passed the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) Bill, 2019, after the third reading in the house of Parliament.

    The passage of the Bill is significant and an important landmark in the history of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG).

    According to a statement from CIMG copied to the Ghana News Agency, CIMG has been pursuing the Bill for the last two decades, starting from the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

    The Bill, it said, has, therefore, gone through all subsequent administrations without any success until now.

    As part of the procedure for the Bill to become law, Parliament is expected to transmit the approved Bill to the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his assent to become operational after Gazette notification, the statement said.

    Dr Daniel Kasser Tee, the National President of CIMG, said: “the eventual passage of the Bill brings a huge relief to marketers, as CIMG will now have the requisite legal backing to set standards for the practice of marketing and regulate the practice of the marketing profession in Ghana.

    “The Bill also empowers CIMG to provide education and training, and conduct professional examinations locally, thereby, saving the nation huge sums of foreign exchange through the payment of membership dues and examination fees to external marketing bodies.

    “It is now our turn to demonstrate how beneficial the passage of this Bill is to professional marketers, student marketers and mother Ghana. We, therefore, eagerly await the signing into Law of this approved Bill by H. E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,” the statement said.

    Mr Kwabena Akuamoah Agyekum, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CIMG, according to the statement, expressed excitement at the news saying the Governing Council, Management and Staff of CIMG were equally elated.

    He paid tribute to the President of the Republic, his cabinet members, members of the cabinet select committee, Parliament, the Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Chairman and members of the Select Committee on Education as well as the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, whose untiring efforts contributed to the passage of the Bill.

    Mr Agyekum called on all members of the CIMG, to contribute their quota, by putting all hands on deck to deepen the practice of marketing in ways that would positively impact businesses, households and the Ghanaian society at large.

    The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) is a Marketing professional body established in 1981 with the aim to lead in the development of world class marketing professionals and practitioners for the effective practice of the profession in Ghana.

    It is also, the aim of the Institute to promote the interest of both individual and corporate members through various interventions; the provision of marketing professional advice and services to corporate bodies and the promotion of marketing excellence through the institution of the CIMG Annual Marketing Performance Awards.

    Source: GNA

  • Sex scandals hit Thunder TV

    Thunder TV has been flagged as a station allegedly tainted with sexual scandals. It was rumoured that Nana Agradaa was sleeping with his staff Big Akwess. An allegation she denied.

    The latest also has to do with Same Big Akwess and one Cindy Cash of Oman Channel. This one, Agradaa indicated was true.

    ” I’ve been observing them from afar and their actions and all proved that Big Akwess is in a sexual relationship with Cindy Cash. He has been f*cking her. I’m aware” she accepted and declared.

    ” But let me add that if you see the two of them taking video shots or involved in any production, its not in anyway linked to Thunder TV or myself because Big Akwess is no more here with me. For Cindy Cash I haven’t employed her from Oman channel as people are speculating. She is not my staff member ” She added.

    Nana Agradaa is currently the chief executive officer of Thunder Broadcasting Group.

  • I will kill myself if Akufo-Addo wins 2020 elections – Ibrah 1

    Ibrah 1 has thrown shots at the current government of Ghana led by his Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo.

    Ibrahim Daoda popularly known as Ibrah 1 is a young Ghanaian millionaire. His entrepreneurial journey began when he was 11-years-old while he assisted his father run a foreign currency exchange business in Accra.

    He later got into the forex bureau business full time and later ventured into real estate and although he has been tagged with several fraud allegations which even resulted into his arrest some time ago.

    Ibrah 1 who is a sensation on social media who is known as one with extravagant lifestyle with several luxurious completed homes which are up for sale and lease across the country and abroad. Apart from living an extravagant and plush lifestyle, he is also a known philanthropist.

    Ibrah 1 took to his snapchat account to throw big shot at Akuffo Addo’s government that he will lose the 2020 election. He said he will take away his life if Akufo-Addo win this year’s election.

    He wrote on his snapchat: “I’ll kill myself if Nana Addo wins 2020 elections. Just as I said Nam 1 will never bounce back to business else I will kill myself and it came to pass, it will happen the same way to Nana Addo”.

    I wouldn’t believe that he posted this to get fame because he already has it. But what might have caused him to write this to Nana who everyone is applauding for his hard work? OK then maybe he did this to oppose shatta wale’s view about the president just recently. In an interview on UTV, the SM boss said he has endorsed Nana Akufo Addo and he would like Ghanaian to give him another 4 more. Am sure that’s why Ibrah 1 posted this who knows?

    What are your views about this?

  • Wa Prison inmates test negative for coronavirus

    All the 117 inmates of the Wa Central Prisons have tested negative for COVID-19, the Assistant Director of Prisons, Mr Francis Selorm Hagbe, Upper West Regional Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service has disclosed.

    He said their focus was now on prevention, to which they had strengthened their response mechanisms to ensure the safety of all inmates and officers of the prison.

    Mr Hagbe disclosed this while receiving a donation of food and non-food items from the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), presented by the Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, to support the upkeep of inmates of the prison.

    The Wa Central Prisons Commander said the donation would help them strengthen their response to COVID-19, while also improving on the welfare of the prisoners.

    Emphasizing on the prevention, Mr Hagbe said physical contact with prisoners was not allowed when visitors came to visit.

    He said church service and other social gatherings were all regulated to ensure there was no breach of the social gathering directive.

    Veronica buckets had also been placed at vantage points inside the prison to ensure regular hand washing among inmates.

    “We have also provided some vitamin C for inmates to take on daily basis to boost their immune systems,” he said.

    He added that it was a must for all officers to wear nose mask, wash their hands and have their temperatures taken before being allowed to go inside the prison.

    Dr Bin Salih noted that COVID-19 had brought extra burden in terms of care for the prisoners, hence the decision by the RCC to donate the items to help ease the burden.

    The Regional Minister appealed to the general public to support management of the prison to provide comfort to their unfortunate brothers.

    The donation includes mattresses; bags of rice and maize; gallons of cooking oil; packets of sugar and soap; Veronica buckets; and non-contact infrared thermometer.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Okaikwei South Constituency ready for NPP primaries

    Mr Moses Frempong Manso, the Constituency Chairman of Okaikwei South in the Greater Accra Region, has assured delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the necessary arrangements have been made to ensure smooth electoral process come Saturday.

    He said the needed logistics, finance among other things, was intact to allow for a smooth electoral process during the primaries.
    Mr Frempong Manso revealed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday in Accra.

    The Constituency, which has eight zones namely: Avenor, Awodome, Bubui, Bubuiashie, Kaneshie, Kaatsean, Goten, and Mukose has a total of 826 delegates expected to cast their vote.

    According to the Chairman, voting would take place in all the eight zones to allow for social distancing, while observing the other measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

    Voting is expected to begin at 7:00am on Saturday and end at 5:00pm.
    “At the end of the voting process the ballots will be collated for counting and finally the winner would be announce,” he stated.

    The Constituency Chairman urged delegates to continue to ensure peace before, during and after the voting process, to prevent any unfortunate event that could affect the Party in the general election.

    The primaries, which was initially slated for April 25, 2020 was cancelled and rescheduled to June 20 due to the ban on social gatherings to contain the spread of virus.

    It formed part of preparations towards the December 7, general election.
    The Constituency has three aspirants, the incumbent Mr Ahmed Arthur, Mrs Dakoa Newman and Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ofori-Atta contesting for the parliamentary primary.

    The winner of Saturday’s primaries would contest the National Democratic Congress aspirant for the parliamentary seat during the general election.

    Okaikwei South shares boundaries with Okaikoi North to the North, Osu Klottey to the South, Ablekuma Central to the West and Ayawaso West to the East.

     

    Source: GNA

  • NALAG requests stimulus package extension for MMDAs

    The National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) has called on government to extend its stimulus package to the Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Assemblies (MMDAs) since the internally generated revenues of the assemblies have dwindled amidst the increase in expenditure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    It said government should also consider extra funding for MMDAs to enable them render other social services to the local assemblies.

    Mr Bismark Baisie Inkum, President of NALAG, made the call at a press briefing in Accra held to highlight the NALAG leadership nationwide engagement with presiding members and selected assembly members from the 260 MMDAs on COVID-19.

    The meeting afforded the leadership of the Association the opportunity to interact with its key stakeholders and ascertain their views and experience on COVID-19 pandemic responses at the local level.

    Besides, the interaction also gave the leadership adequate understanding of what has transpired across the regions and the MMDAs and how best that has helped in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Association after touring the nation identified some key issues which they asserted were hampering the fight against COVID-19 at the local level.

    Some of the emerging issues included: District Health Depreciates entering communities without involving assembly members; creating difficulty for cooperation from community members in adhering to established protocols; some communities treating suspected COVID-19 cases as confirmed cases; the manner in which recovery cases are released into the community creates needless suspicion and stigma for individuals involved; as well as lack of consensus among stakeholders at different levels especially the local community among others.

    To address the challenges identified as a result of the local level engagement, Mr Inkum suggested that Public Health Emergency Teams should liaise with assembly members in various communities in order to have easy engagement with the communities, adding that this would enhance inclusivity and promote comprehensive front for the fight against the pandemic.

    He said the Ghana Health Service staff should work hand in hand with the assembly members when they want to enter a community to educate or contact trace a suspected case, saying this would ensure that the unfortunate incident of a suspected person refusing to cooperate is reduced.

    He said the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Information Services Department (ISD) should intensify the education and sensitization in the local communities.

    Mr Inkum also emphasized the need for Assembly members and Unit Committee members to liaise with chiefs, security and health personnel to deal with non-compliance to the protocols.

    He said the religious organizations should equally use their various platforms to educate their members on the pandemic and urged them to adhere to enhanced personal hygiene and social distancing protocols while washing their hands under running water and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

    Mr Inkum said the threats from the coronavirus disease also present an inherent opportunity for MMDAs to consider new ways of doing things.

    He cited for example that MMDAs should now think of the possibility of having virtual meetings where the usual physical locational meetings may not be possible for reasons of COVID-19.

    “It is our hope that in the future, our laws will consider such virtual meetings as legal. We should also think about digitizing our services to enable clients access same from a remote location to reduce the usual human interface. A digitized and a mobile enabler platform can be used for revenue collection, building permit processing and a host of others”, he added.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Atomic Junction Station drivers unhappy with urgent vacation notice

    Commercial drivers and traders occupying the Atomic Junction Station have called on the Ga East District Assembly and government to intervene in their deliberations with their landlords who have given them a one week vacation notice.

    They said this intervention is needed to restrain their landlords, Masco Oil Company, from abrogating their existing contract.

    Mr Emmanuel Obakonko, Welfare Chairman, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said there was a signed document between the station and Masco Oil Company, the Lessee of the land for a period of one year.

    He said indeed, the agreement has expired but the Lessee was refusing to renew it saying the money would be taken on a daily basis and this became the new agreement between the station and the company.

    They then, Mr Obakonko said, asked us to halt all operations on Monday, June 15.

    As things stand, he said, the station has been served with one week notice to vacate the land without any reasons attached to it and this station plays a vital role for people residing beyond Haatso, Ashongman and Dome, hence the urgent appeal for normalcy to return.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Stonebwoy stopped his wife from seeing prophet Nigel Gaise – Pastor Kakra reveals

    Honourable Kennedy Agyapong, the member of parliament of Assin Central and a business man, has taken it upon himself to expose to fake pastors who are deceiving their congregants on The Seat show on NET 2 TV.

    Some few weeks ago he was on the neck of Angel Daniel Obinim, the general overseer of International God’s way church but he had to shift his attention to Prophet Nigel Gaise a supposed Pastor of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    Prophet Nigel Gaise came out some few days ago to confirm what Kennedy Agyapong and his Junior pastor said about the Seat show. He told Ghanaians it is true that his weakness is women.

    Today on an interview with Pastor Kakra, the former junior pastor of Prophet Gaise said the wife of stonebwoy once visited the church of Prophet Nigel Gaise. During service time, Prophet Nigel Gaise prophecied that Stonebwoy will be attacked by one artist who hates him and it might lead to the death of the award winning dancehall artist. It has been three years now and the prophecy has not yet come to pass.

     

    Pastor Kakra told listeners that, Stonebwoy stopped his wife from visiting the church of Prophet Nigel Gaise after that fake prophecy concerning the renowned dance hall artist.

     

  • Apam community jubilate after 33 people test negative for coronavirus

    There was spontaneous massive jubilation amidst singing, dancing and thanksgiving to God by the people of Apam when 33 of the 37 people who came into contact with an infected COVID-19 person, tested negative for the disease.

    The contact tracing and subsequent quarantining of the people by the Gomoa West District Health COVID-19 Team, followed their coming into contact with a young man who escaped from a quarantine center in the Eastern Region to his family at Apam.

    Nana Bonsu Appiah, Apam Community Chief Fisherman, in an interview with the GNA said the District Health Directorate had information about the young man, traced and picked him up and later traced all his contact persons and had their samples taken for testing.

    Twenty-five of the 33 who tested negative are fishermen who have been released and are currently with their families, actively going about their routine work without any stigmatisation.

    Nana Appiah advised: “We are not in normal times and as life is essential we should not take the COVID-19 for granted since it is no respecter to any person, but we must continue to respect the directives given to protect ourselves and others from contracting the pandemic”.

    According to him, he and his elders had intensified education on the pandemic through their local information center at the beach to ensure that everyone including fishermen, fishmongers and buyers observed the social distancing and the wearing the nosemasks and regular hand washing to help prevent the spread of the virus in the community.

    He thanked the Assembly, the Chiefs, the District Health Committee and all who in diverse ways supported all the people who were traced and quarantined and urged people in the area to change their lifestyle and strictly observe the protocols.

    Nana Appiah prayed that those who have tested positive will soon be healthy to join the community to contribute their quota towards the development of the area.

    Later in an interview with some of those quarantined, they stated that they were gripped with fear when they were picked up, but when the results came and they tested negative all their fears were gone.

    They encouraged the entire community to protect themselves against the disease, adding that they should not entertain fears in case they were quarantined but remain calm to know their status.

     

    Source: GNA

  • University of Ghana appeals to students to keep visitors out

    Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs, University of Ghana, has appealed to students of the institution to keep visitors out of campus, as part of measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    She said the institution has put in various arrangements to ensure the safety of students while they were on campus.

    Prof Amfo made the appeal on Monday, when she toured the University as part of activities marking the reopening of the institution for its final year students.

    The re-opening is in line with the Presidential Directive that all tertiary institutions in the country should resume from June 15, as part of the gradual easing of the COVID-19 restrictions.

    The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, who was accompanied by the Registrar, Mrs Mercy Haizel-Ashia, visited the Akuafo Hall, the Balme Library and the University of Ghana Business School.

    The delegation was received at the Akuafo Hall jointly by Dr Gladys Nyarko Ansah, Hall Tutor and Dr Clement Appah, Hall Master, Akuafo Hall.

    Prof Perpetua Dadzie, University of Ghana Librarian, conducted the delegation around the Balme Library.

    Prof Amfo also appealed to the students to follow the University’s directives as part of measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

    She said some of the directives for containing the disease might seem to be a bit harsh but they were for the good of the students; citing, in particular, the one banning students from receiving visitors.

    “They (students) are here for a short while to complete their exams and so, they should comply with the directives. Keep the visitors out, so that they are all safe.”

    She said once the University took delivery of the personal protective equipment (PPE) promised by the government, they would be distributed to the students.

    Prof Dadzie said the Library was practicising social distancing, hand washing with liquid soap and the use of sanitisers as part of measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

    Dr Appah, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said to contain the COVID-19, the University Management has ensured that veronica buckets filled with water for washing of hands with soap and hand sanitisers were placed at all entry points of halls of residence, departments, faculties and colleges.

    He said all their lectures and examinations were been conducted online.

    In another development, the Ghana News Agency paid a similar visit to the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

    Mr Rami Baitie, Director, Corporate Affairs and Institutional Advancement, GIMPA, said in line with the Presidential Directive, the Institute has formally reopened for the final year students.

    He, however, noted that their examinations, which was being conducted online, started about two weeks ago and that it would be brought to a close by the end of the month.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Academic life returns to tertiary institutions in Ho

    Academic life has returned to tertiary institutions in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region following the partial opening of schools for final year students in tertiary institutions to prepare for their examinations.

    Scores of students were spotted at the Ho Technical University (HTU), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and the Evangelical Presbyterian University College campuses when the Ghana News Agency visited Monday morning.

    The GNA also saw ‘Veronica buckets’ filled with water, tissue papers, liquid soaps and hand sanitizers placed at vantage points of the campuses to enable students observe the hand washing protocol to limit the spread of COVID-19.

    Some students and lecturers were seen in face masks with “NO MASKS, NO ENTRY” written on lecture halls.

    A few students who spoke to the GNA said though they were not comfortable returning to school as the Covid-19 case in the country continued to increase, their academic work was also important.

    They called on the authorities of the institutions to ensure that adequate preventive measures were put in place against spread of the virus.

    Madam Maria Gwira, Director of Public Affairs, UHAS, told GNA that the University was fully prepared for academic work to continue, saying all classrooms, laboratories and offices of the institution had been fumigated in preparation for academic work.

    She said the University had taken delivery of some assorted items from the government including infrared thermometer guns, 2,625 hand sanitizers, 7,875 face masks, 30 rolls of tissue paper, 15 Veronica buckets, 30 liquid soap (4.5 litre bottles) to limit the spread of the virus.

    Madam Gwira said the items would be distributed to both students and lecturers and other workers in the University to stem the spread of the Coronavirus.

    She said lectures had resumed immediately and students were expected to wear their masks to the lecture halls, adding that any students who failed to wear his or her mask would not be allowed to enter the hall.

    Mr Isaac S. Meyir, Senior Assistant Registrar, In-charge of Public Affairs, HTU, also said the University had put all the necessary protocols in place in lecture halls and the residential halls to ensure the safety of the University family.

    He said all lecture halls and residential halls of both students and lecturers had been fumigated as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

    Mr Meyir said both students and lecturers would have to check their temperatures before entering the lecture halls, adding, “any students who refused for his or her temperature to be checked will not be allowed to enter”.

    He said any student who failed to comply with the protocols put in place by the authority at their various residential halls would be removed from the hall.

    Mr Meyir said the University would be organizing a virtual COVID-19 orientation for the students to prepare them on the COVID-19 situation in the Ho Municipality to enable them appreciate the situation and conduct themselves in a manner that would help prevent spread of the disease.

    Mr Meyir said the orientation was also to encourage students comply with safety protocols.

     

    Source: GNA

  • UEW Winneba Campuses receive final year students

    Arrival of Students of the University of Education Winneba (UEW), Winneba Campus was not encouraging when Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the three campus (Central, South and North) in Winneba.

    About 50 students had reported, as per survey conducted at the campuses as at 1100hrs on Monday.

    However, information gathered from the Academic Affairs of the University indicated that final year students of the four campuses of UEW in the country were expected to report at their various campuses to continue with academic work and writing of their final examination.

    A total of 9,675 final years students are expected to report at the four Campuses (Winneba 5,403, Ajumako 622, Mampong 934 and Kumasi 2,716).

    At the main entrance of the various campuses in Winneba, security personnel checked the temperature of all people entering the premises of the University, amidst ensuring that the other safety protocols were adhered to, before being allowed entry.

    Speaking to some of the students who had arrived on the Winneba campus, they expressed delight that they will be finishing their examination soon and assured that they will strictly adhere to the protocols to enable them to return to home safely.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Israel has closed schools, is Ghana better than them? – Nana Ofori Owusu quizzes

    PPP bigwig, Nana Ofori Owusu has admonished President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to close schools for final year students.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo, in his 11th update on COVID-19, reiterated the reopening of schools for final year students.

    He was also cocksure the preventive measures by his government will help consolidate the health of the students and their school authorities as well as non-teaching staff.

    “Some argue that we are putting the lives of our students, teachers and non-teaching staff in danger by this re-opening, citing the examples of other countries, who have done so and recorded spikes in their infection case counts. I have stated, on several occasions, that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the resolution of this pandemic. We have our own unique situation in the country, and we have always taken that it into account in dealing with this disease, much as we are prepared to learn from the examples of others,” the President argued.

    He added that to aid in the fight against the pandemic “a total of six hundred thousand (600,000) face masks have been distributed to the tertiary institutions. This is to enable every student, teaching and non-teaching staff to have three (3) reusable face masks. In addition to this, one thousand seven hundred (1,700) Veronica buckets, two hundred thousand (200,000) litres of hand sanitizer, three thousand, four hundred (3,400) litres of liquid soap, and nine hundred (900) thermometer guns have been distributed, with the transportation and delivery of these items being overseen by the special logistics team of the Government Committee, chaired by the sagacious, experienced politician, the Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, that is supervising the re-opening of the schools”.

    But Nana Ofori Owusu strongly believes it is a bad move to open the schools and has cautioned the President not to think his measures are infallible.

    The Director of Operations of the PPP, who is also aspiring to be its National Chairman, alluded to world statistics on the COVID-19 pandemic and feared there may be a spike in the number of infections in the country when final year students return to their various campuses.

    Citing countries which permitted their schools to resume only to close them again because they recorded higher numbers of infections among the students, he appealed to the President to reconsider his decision.

    He asked President Akufo-Addo if Ghana is better than Israel, comparing the two country’s technical know-how.

    “The statistics of the world show us that when we open schools, the numbers of COVID-19 infections increase. It is there; it’s staring us in the face . . . Israel is a highly knowledgeable society. I am quoting Israel because of the propensity for the average citizen in Israel to be conscious but Israel opened schools and Israel closed the schools. Are you saying that we’re more conscious as a society than Israel? It can’t be the case. The argument will not hold. Any attempt to make that argument is on a slippery slope because we learn from best practices of the world,” he said on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • COVID-19: KATH Intensive Care Unit to operate at half capacity

    The Intensive Care Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is to operate at half capacity for the next 14 days.

    This is because most of its intensive care unit doctors and nurses have been exposed to a trauma patient who has tested positive for Covid-19.

    A memo dated June 12, 2020, intercepted by Luv News said “most of our Intensive Care Unit, ICU, doctors and nurses got exposed to Polytrauma patient on admission in the ICU, who tested positive for Covid-19.

    “The risk asses put most of them at high risk exposure and have to self-quarantine for 14 days. In view of that an urgent management meeting was held and the duty roster of the remaining staff has been modified,” the memo added.

    The memo says the following arrangements have been made:

    I. The remaining doctors will do cover for emergencies and obstetric cases only at NAKSA Theatre.

    II. The ICU will not run at full capacity for the next 14 days.

    The Memo was signed by the Head of Directorate of the Anaesthesia and Intensive Care-Kath.

     

    Source: Myjoyonline.com  

  • Stacy Amoateng was at Edumfa Prayer camp for one year – Quophi Okyeame (Video)

    Quophi Okyeame, husband of popular TV presenter Stacy Amoateng, has finally opened up about his wife’s sickness that took her offscreen for over 2 years.

    Speaking for the first time, eight years after his wife’s resignation as host of TV3 Music Music, a flagship show she co-hosted with Bola Ray, Quophi Okyeame has revealed that, his family had to stay at the Edumfa Prayer Camp for one year.

    According to him, their stay at the Prayer Camp was part of the healing process for his wife.

    Explaining how the whole spiritual sickness begun, he told Kofi Adoma in an interview monitored by GhanaWeb that it unfolded after his wife gave two of her dresses and panty to her friend.

    The said ‘female friend’ who went to the house of the Amoateng’s late in the evening, had claimed she was locked outside her home but needed to freshen up for a supposed meeting.

    “We got a visitor in the house and the complaint was, she was locked behind her house. We are people’s people. We open our doors to everybody…So she opened the doors and allowed her in. The lady claimed, she wanted to shower and she had a meeting to attend.

    She took a shower in our house, eventually took her dresses. She wore one and took another as well. She is Stacy’s friend. And even took an extra panty, a new one. We really didn’t think anything.

    So later on, she returned one of the dresses and the rest is history. This happened in 2012. After a couple of months, then the whole thing (sickness) started,” Quophi Okyeame narrated in the interview.

    Though she underwent surgery, that didn’t help her situation. Mr. Amoateng disclosed that they travelled to Edumfa after gospel musician Cecilia Marfo directed them to do that.

    Mr. Amoateng said after several proofs, he now believes that there is the existence of juju and spiritual attacks.

    Watch the full video below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Edwin Gyasi to hold talks with Besiktas on Thursday over a possible move

    Ghana international Edwin Gyasi is set for official talks with Turkish giants Be?ikta? JK on Thursday over a possible move, GHANAsoccernet.com has gathered.

    Gyasi whose contract with Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia ends at the end of the season is expected to arrive in Istanbul on Thursday to hold talks with the Besiktas management.

    Sources say Be?ikta? are willing to seal the deal before the end of the current season.

    The 28-year-old winger will sign a two-year contract with the former Turkish champions if the talks are successful.

    Gyasi has played for the likes of Aalesund, Telstar, De Graafschap, FC Twente and Heracles Almelo.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Haaland’s move to Dortmund has motivated everyone at Salzburg – Majeed Ashimeru

    Ghanaian midfielder Majeed Ashimeru has disclosed that Erling Haaland’s move to Borussia Dortmund has motivated everyone at the club.

    Ashimeru is enjoying his best season in Austrian Bundesliga with RB Salzburg and won his first trophy with the club a fortnight ago but the club’s recent transfer inspires his dream of playing for a bigger club.

    The league leaders are revered for producing some of the best players in the world, after unearthing the likes of Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, Takumi Minamino, and now Haaland.

    “His move has motivated everyone at the club,” Ashimeru told Joy Sports.

    “For the past few years when you look at the players they produced to the big clubs, it’s amazing, and this is something that motivates me,” he added.

    “I know if I work hard I will get this opportunity, so it is something that motivates me and also the people here. When I work hard the chances will come because it is a great club.

    “It is really a developmental club and when you are here you will be very well developed.”

    The Ghanaian midfielder has made 16 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg and scored two goals this season.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Thomas Partey ready to leave Atletico for Arsenal – Report

    Arsenal have received a huge boost in their pursuit of Ghana midfielder, Thomas Partey this summer, Footballghana.com can confirm.

    The 27-year-old is among the Gunners’ top targets ahead of the summer transfer window as manager Mikel Arteta is looking for reinforcements in midfield.

    According to Spanish radio show Cadena COPE, Atletico are keen to cash in on the midfielder, who is valued at £45million, and are even willing to cut down on his price.

    Last month, Footballghana.com revealed that the midfielder is likely to join the Gunners this summer despite the strong competition from Manchester United, Bayern Munich and PSG.

    Editor of Footballghana.com revealed that Partey does indeed want to complete a transfer to Arsenal this summer.

    He said: “As per a close source to Thomas Partey, the player wants to play for Arsenal. Expect Partey to play in Arsenal next season, expect him to be in England, I can assure you of that.

    “Partey wants to play for Arsenal, he wants to be in England. Last week, I’ve been told that [Michael] Essien has got in touch with him and I wouldn’t be surprised because close sources tell me that Partey wants to play in England and especially Arsenal.”

    Now, Arsenal appear to be Thomas’ likeliest destination if he ultimately leaves the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium but Arteta will have to sell some players first to raise the funds.

    The Ghanaian has put together some stunning performances for Atletico where he has recorded 15 goals and 12 assists in 175 appearances.

    Partey has a release clause of £45million (€50m).

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Ashgold star Latif Anabila wants to join Kotoko

    Ashanti Gold SC midfielder Latif Anabila has expressed his desire to join regional rivals Asante Kotoko ahead of next season.

    Anabila has been linked with a move to several clubs in the Premier League including the Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, and Aduana Stars.

    His contract with the Miners will expire at the end of the season but with Kotoko keen on his signature, Ashgold will be hoping to sell him before he leaves for free.

    “Asante Kotoko is a dream club for every player in the country so every player will be excited to play for them,” Anabila told Wontumi Radio.

    “For now I am still a player of AshGold but If the two clubs come into agreement for me to move to Asante Kotoko I will be very happy,” he concluded.

    Anabila remains a key asset for Ashanti Gold and the club has priced him at $30,000.

    Meanwhile, the Porcupine Warriors will not have new players for the season if domestic football returns following the directive to the new Board was issued by the owner of Kotoko, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Akufo-Addo in trouble as former friend and staunch supporter blasts him again

    President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has been in office for about three and half years and he is doing everything in his power to transform the country.

    A section of Ghanaians have however expressed concerns about the government’s performance, citing areas such as infrastructure, corruption, etc as part of the failures of the Akufo-Addo led NPP government. Other people have also praised the government for being impressed by the government’s performance. They cite areas such as free SHS, NABCO, restoration of students allowances, etc. as some of the victories of the Akuffo Addo led administration.

    Among the people who are not very happy with Nana Addo’s government is his own former best supporter and friend, Kwame Asare Obeng, also known in showbiz circles as A Plus. A-Plus was a very loud critic of the erstwhile Mahama led NDC Government and supporter of Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo. He spoke on several occasions against the ills of the Mahama administration.

    After Nana Akufo-Addo won the elections in December 2016, things have suddenly changed for A-Plus. The musician has criticised the Akuffo Addo led government on several occasions.

    In his latest attack on the government, A Plus has disclosed his love for the president, but he said he will not vote for him again in 2020.

    “I Ilike him and I will not vote for him because I do not like his leadership style and he has not been able to be the strong man we expected him to be.

    “Everything is about them; even in Dubai where the climatic conditions are not the best, climate, they import black soil to plant flowers. Here, politicians can have good healthcare and schools but the people cant have it.” he said.

    He has blasted the government for not decorating the nation in spite of all the good soil that God has blessed us with.

    The main motivation of A Plus’ sudden change is still not clear to Ghanaians. Some people however allege that the musician wanted to be given some contracts but which was denied him. He has however benefited from some government contracts after Akufo-Addo became president.

  • I won’t invest in football, you failed to elect George Afriyie as President- Kennedy Agyapong

    Business mogul and member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has stated that he will no longer invest in football as he promised some years ago because delegates and club officials failed to elect George Afriyie as the President of the Ghana Football Association.

    Dreams FC owner, Kurt Okraku defeated George Afriyie who served at the Vice President of the association under the embattled Kwesi Nyantakyi to win the presidential spot during the October 25, 2019 elections held in Accra.

    Kennedy Agyapong had earlier gone on record and pledged to invest in football at George Afriyie’s birthday party two years ago but has said he will no longer invest in football because his candidate lost the elections.

    “He (George Afriyie) is my friend and I would have come on board to support him but he didn’t win the elections so I won’t support it(association).”

    “You didn’t vote for the person whom I can reason with about some of the challenges confronting Ghana football so why should I waste my money to come and support you?

    “Read my lips I won’t do that. “Kennedy Agyapong told Accra based Oman FM.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coach Adusei insists captaincy row hurt Ghana in final

    Former assistant coach of the Black Stars, Anthony Adusei has insisted that captaincy row affected Ghana during the 1992 African Cup of Nations in Senegal.

    Ghana’s hope of winning their fifth African Cup were dashed after losing 11-10 on penalties against Ivory Coast.

    Abedi Pele and Anthony Yeboah have been widely reported to have fallen out over a captaincy row prior to the defeat against the Elephants.

    Yeboah, who was deputy to the Olympique Marseille icon, was sidestepped after the armband was handed to the relative new player Anthony Baffoe in the final to the Ivorians.

    There have been widespread claims that the decision to hand the leadership role to Baffoe cost the team the title as it sparked division in the team.

    Coach Adusei in an interview with Kwaku Sarpong Sarkodie of Bryt FM, he said, they lost the final due to captaincy rift.

    “I will be emphatic here, that captaincy issue led to our defeat in the final because there was no unity among the players. A teams success depends how united they are but in our case there was no unity”

    “Unity is very paramount in football and so if you are unable to maintain peace and unity, then you will not be successful” he said.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Nana Tuffuor biography: 10 facts about Highlife musician who has passed away

    Legendary Ghanaian Highlife musician Nana Tuffour, popularly known by his nickname 9924, is no more.

    The Abeiku hitmaker passed away on Monday, June 15, 2020, after a short illness.

    As earlier reported by YEN.com.gh, the news of his passing was confirmed by a relative to Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM.

    Following the news, YEN.com.gh has put together some interesting facts about the legend.

    1. Real name:

    The stage name Nana Tuffour and the ‘9924’ nickname coined out of it have been so popular that people have forgotten his real. But hew as born and chrisy=tened James Kwaku Tuffour

    2. Age:

    Nana Tuffour was born in 1954. Interestingly, he was born on Valentine’s Day February 14 and thus celebrated his 66th birthday about four months ago.

    3. Parents:

    Agnes Adowa Sakyiraa and Opanin Tuffour of blessed memory

    4. Hometown:

    Nana Tuffour comes from Kenyasi-Adwumam near Kumasi.

    5. Childhood:

    He was born and raised within the environs of the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

    6. Education:

    Nana Tuffour had his basic education at St Peter’s Basic School at Roman Hill in Kumasi from where he proceeded to Asanteman Secondary School and completed his O’Level.

    At Asanteman, he was an entertainment prefect.

    7. Career start:

    Nana Tuffour’s career as a musician started right after he completed secondary school form five but it was not as a singer but a keyboardist with Alex Konadu’s band.

    In one of his most recent radio interviews, Nana Tuffour revealed that his O’Level result was not so good and while he was home contemplating what to do with his life, he was approached by Alex Konadu to join him on a tour to the north.

    After seeing how much he had got, he decided to choose that career path. He played with the band and recorded some of Konadu’s best songs including Asaase Asa as a keyboardist.

    8. Solo career and sojourn to Nigeria:

    Nana Tuffour left Konadu’s band to join Waza Afriko Band as a keyboardist but he later became the group’s lead singer.

    From there he sojourned to Nigeria where he worked with King Sunny Ade as a keyboardist before he eventually released his first album called Highlife Romance in 1979.

    9. Albums:

    41 years after releasing his first, Nana Tuffour is widely credited to have recorded over 15 albums. But in an interview on Adom FM in 2018, he put the number of his albums to be over 20. The last of his albums was Sausage which was released two years ago.

    10. Most popular songs:

    Nana Tuffour’s most popular song is inarguably Abeiku which comes of the Abeiku album released in 2003. Other hits include Aketekyiwa (1991), Owuo Sei Fie (1991), Yewo Asaa (1984),

    11. Wife and children:

    Nana Tuffour left behind a wife, Augustina Derky Tuffour, and four children, three guys and one lady.

  • US ‘outraged’ as Russia convicts American of spying

    The United States expressed outrage Monday over a Russian court’s conviction of American Paul Whelan on espionage charges, saying he was deprived of a fair trial.

    Whelan, a former Marine arrested in December 2018, was sentenced Monday to 16 years of hard labour after being found guilty of receiving classified information.

    “The United States is outraged by the decision of a Russian court today to convict US citizen Paul Whelan after a secret trial, with secret evidence, and without appropriate allowances for defence witnesses,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

    “We demand Paul Whelan’s immediate release,” he said.

    Just days earlier, Pompeo had publicly called on Russia to release Whelan, who contends that he was on holiday in Russia when he was given a USB drive thinking it contained family photographs.

    “The treatment of Paul Whelan at the hands of Russian authorities has been appalling,” Pompeo said.

    Pompeo said Russian authorities “put his life at risk by ignoring his long-standing medical condition.”

    Whelan’s conviction is another impediment in relations between the two powers, which are at odds over Ukraine, Syria, Libya, arms control and a host of other issues.

    President Donald Trump nonetheless recently said he hoped to invite his counterpart Vladimir Putin to the United States, welcoming him back into the elite club of the Group of Seven major industrial democracies, thereby ending Russia’s suspension over its annexation of Crimea after seizing it from Ukraine.

    Source: france24.com

  • Swiss search for owner of gold haul left on train

    While many of us have left something on a train – a phone, a wallet, headphones – it’s highly unlikely you’ve wandered onto the platform leaving a bagful of gold behind.

    Well, one person in Switzerland has. And the authorities would quite like to find them.

    Efforts are being made to track down the owner of more than 3kg of gold that was left in a carriage last October.

    The hoard, worth around £152,000 ($191,000), was found on a train between St Gallen and Lucerne.

    The owner has five years to stake their claim at the prosecutor’s office in Lucerne, an official statement said.

    The discovery is only being made public now after efforts to track down the owner were unsuccessful.

    It’s unclear how authorities will verify the claims of anyone who comes forward to say the gold is theirs.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Egyptian side Pyramids ready to sell John Antwi

    Egyptian club Pyramids will be ready to let of John Antwi if they complete the signing of a top profile striker, footballghana.com can exclusively report.

    Footballghana.com understands that the club are hot on the trail of Karim Oreibi, a striker who plays for Tunisian side Tunisian coastal star. He is the top scorer in the CAF Champions League this season. The club have already started negotiations with the player but a deal is yet to be struck.

    Footballghana.com also understands that John will be allowed to leave if a suitable offer is brought for him. The possibility of going out on loan is also on the table.

    The 27-year-old Ghanaian has made 17 Egyptian Premier League appearances this season and has scored two goals.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Mexican club Santos Laguna interested in Ghana’s Clifford Aboagye

    Mexican powerhouse Santos Laguna are interested in signing Ghanaian midfielder Clifford Aboagye, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The 25-year-old has emerged strongly on the radar of the Liga MX champions after an explosive loa spell at Querétaro FC.

    Laguna have been alerted after the Ghanaian decided against extending his loan spell with the side.

    The Green and Whites are keen to add the hugely talented midfielder in the ranks and will table an offer for him this summer.

    Aboagye, a former Ghana Under-20 star has taken Mexican football by storm since he joined Atlas on loan from Spanish side Granada in 2017.

    In Atlas, the talented Ghanaian, he scored three goals and provided six assists in 71 games before being sent on loan to Querétaro FC, where he has contributed a goal in 33 matches.

    After being awarded with the Bronze Ball at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2013, Aboagye moved from Inter Allies FC to Italian side Udinese Calcio.

    He later joined Spanish side Granada FC in the 2013/2014 season after spending only a season in Italy.

    Aboagye was then loaned to Atlas FC after two seasons with Granada FC.

    Having had an impressive spell in his first season, his move to Mexico was made permanent in 2017/2018 campaign.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Black Stars lost 2019 Afcon due to Kwasi Appiah’s captaincy decision – Jerry Akaminko

    Ghana defender Jerry Akaminko has opined that the decision to name a new captain ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) led to Ghana’s early exit from the tournament.

    The then-head coach of the side, Kwesi Appiah with less than a month for the start of the tournament in Egypt named Andre Ayew as the new skipper for the Black Stars.

    The decision forced Asamoah Gyan to quit the national team but made a return after an intervention by the President Akufo Addo.

    However, Akaminko believes the damage had already been done because the unity within the group was fractured at that point.

    “We have been having these issues since the days of Tony Yeboah,” he told Citi TV in an interview.

    “It is the responsibility of the coach to correct this situation.

    “He is the leader of the delegation and must think about the decision carefully to see if it will help.

    “There are so many ways he could have gone about taking the captaincy from Gyan.

    “Gyan is not just any player, he is a big figure within the team and is also at liberty to make whatever decision makes him happy.

    “Appiah should have understood that any decision made against Gyan was going to affect the Group because he is a figure that is looked up to.

    “He should have called Dede and Gyan and spoken to them properly about the situation.

    “There should be no conflict within the team.”We lost the tournament before we left.

    “You expect people to be happy within a team but it does not work like that,” he calmly explained.

    The Black Stars eventually crashed out of the Afcon at the Round of 16 stage after falling to Tunisia on penalties.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Zylofon music new artist Tiisha and Kuami Eugene giving us overdose beauty in new photos

    Over the weekend the all down Zylofon music made a huge come as they relaunch and sign new artist on unto their record label to announce their come back .

    Signing one talented afropop artist Tiisha was a great joy for the industry as the once giant is back to the game .

    The all beauty Tiisha decided to warm hearts of her fans with an adorable cute photos and it has since receive huge praises as her fans sing in praises .

    Accordind to Tiisha she is back in the music game this time better, bigger and strong than ever and lot of Ghanaians already love her energy .

    Check Tiisha and Kuami Eugene in the photo below and tells us what you think because some have already tagging this two as couples .

    Check out as Zylofon music new artist Tiisha giving us overdose beauty in new photos below and tells us what you think in the comment box .

    Source: Ghanacelebs.com

  • Ranked: Richest TV stations in Ghana

    We’re pleased to release a report on the top TV channel in Ghana for 2020. The top media outlets were determined using the daily data collected which has been measuring by media audience ratings through mobile phone surveys in Ghana since 2020.

    NB: The list is in no particular order

    Okay, what are we waiting for? Let dig in…

    1. Tv3 Ghana

    TV3 is a Ghanaian free-to-air television network in Ghana. Launched in 1997 by Thai company BEC-TERO, TV3 airs and produces a variety of television programmes including acclaimed news bulletins, dramas and successful reality television and entertainment shows. In year 1999, it was sold to Media Prima, a Malaysian company, and then taken over by a Ghanaian company called Media General Ghana Limited in 2011.

    However, TV3 has experienced major competition in the likes of Metro TV (Ghana) which has succeeded not only in broadcasting its network to all the regions in the country but it also struck a deal with South Africa’s Multi-choice allowing it to be broadcast throughout Africa. Despite this, TV3 remains popular for its showing of Mexican telenovelas, Korean series and music and a variety of local and foreign movies. TV3 entertains and educates its viewers through all the programs aired. ‘First in News, Best in Entertainment’ is their slogan.

    2. GTV

    GTV is the national public broadcaster of Ghana, run by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. It commenced operations on July 31, 1965 and was originally known as GBC TV.

    GTV broadcasts mainly local programming, with over 80% of the schedule consisting of original productions. Although its main production studio is located in Accra, capital city of Ghana, it has affiliations nationwide and covers 98% of the airwaves in Ghana, making it the most powerful mode of advertisement in Ghana. Although GTV is largely funded by the Ghanaian government, it also collects annual fees from viewers.

    GTV currently broadcasts shows from international networks from regions such as Europe, US, UK, and Asia. Some of these shows include: In The House, The Cosby Show, Taina, Becker, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Family Matters, Moesha, Soul Food, King of Queens, CNN, PBS, Cartoon Network, NBA, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Passions, Touched by an Angel, BBC Radio, as well as a host of others. Though most of these shows are no longer broadcast on GTV, they once did or still are.

    GTV also shows many foreign movies particularly American movies as well as African-American music videos. Although entertaining, most of the shows on GTV are either educational (for example portraits of Ghanaian artists like Eric Adjetey Anang), or attempt to address Ghanaian social issues. The station also broadcasts live international events like the Olympic games, FIFA World Cup, Miss World and Miss Universe. Local competitors of GTV TV-Network include TV3 and Metro TV, and all TV broadcast in Ghana located Accra.

    3. ADOM TV

    Adom Tv is a privately owned radio station in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The station is owned and run by the media group company Multimedia Group Limited. The word Adom in the Twi dialect means grace.

    Enjoy the streaming of your favorite Ghanian tv channel Adom tv live programs.You can watch your favorite tv program like,

    • Doli Armano Ki 
    • Gangaa
    • Kumkum Bhagya
    • Adom news
    • Badwam newspaper 
    • fire 4 fire 

    4. JOY PRIME

    Multi TV is a privately owned satellite television station based in Ghana. The station offers a variety of news, sports and entertainment channel in digital format. It was set up in 2009 by the Multimedia Group Limited.

    Joy Prime of course is one of the best TV stations we have in Ghana now.

    5. UNITED TELEVISION (UTV)

    United Television Ghana Limited (UTV Ghana) is a private, free-to-air television broadcaster in Ghana. It was launched in 2013 by The Despite Group of Companies, headed by Dr. Osei Kwame Despite. UTV Ghana airs and produces a variety of television programmes including news bulletins, dramas and successful telenovelas, films and other entertainment shows like ‘The real news’ hosted by Akrobeto and showbiz entertainment host by Nana Amazing Mcbrown. Slogan: it’s all about you…

    Did we miss any? Let us know in the comment section.

    Please like and share.

    Stay Safe

    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.”

    Source: News Hub Creator

  • SHS 3 student propose love to his attractive English teacher

    Jose’s glorious temple shares a post of an SHS 3 student who decided to propose love to his attractive English teacher. During a class assignment, he slipped a love letter at a page of his assignment exercise book. He had already informed his friends of the acts and everyone was waiting for the reaction of the teacher. At home while working on the students assignment, she saw the letter of which she also read.

    The next day at school she shared the exercise to the student. The boy got 17/20. but she didn’t give him his copy she’s simply ordered him to follow her to the teachers room. All his friends concluded that it was over for him because the disciplinary council would be waiting for him.

    The most surprising thing was that when they arrive at the teachers room the teacher ….

    Here is screenshots of Jose’s story …

    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.”

    Source: eddynewsgh

  • Nana Ama McBrown and Wendy Shay who looks scarier without make up?

    Let’s do this quick and get it done once and for all. It seems some of the popular Ghanaian female celebrities can not do away or can not appear in public without make-ups as they almost look unrecognizable without make-ups.

    Among those celebrities are popular actress cum television presenter, Nana Ama McBrown and singer Wendy Shay.

    These two female celebs have really suffered in the hands of Ghanaians as far as no make-photos are concerned.

    Somewhere last year Wendy Shay was subjected to public ridicule after a no make-up photo of herself popped up o the internet. In fact it was an eyesaw as she was trolled for so many months.

    Wendy Shay without make ups

    Although, some argued that Wendy looks very prettier without the make-ups, majority of social media users couldn’t desist from trolling her.

    Some even went at great length to quiz whether the photo is indeed her….just to spite her.

    Wendy Shay with make ups

    Fast forward this year, actress Nana Ama Mcbrown also dropped some no make-up photos of herself on her social media handle and the comments and reactions she received were legendary.

    Nana Ama Mcbrown without make-ups

    People even said, her face is deteriorating as her real face had some blemishes and aging marks.

    Her no make-up photo really trended and people made a lot of both negative and positive comments about her photo.

    Nana Ama McBrown with make-ups

    Although beauty is not all about looks, as a celebrity your looks really matter, reason we are on their case like that. They are using make up to deceive us lol.

    No hard feelings though this is all part of the show business so bare with me.

    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.”

    Source: B.O.A.

  • Too much commitment to winning elections but nothing to show – Togbe Afede laments

    Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli and President of the National House of Chiefs, has expressed worry over the, “too much commitment to winning elections” by political parties with less efforts at bringing development to the people.

    He described it as “selfishness”, adding that it was the cause of the acrimony in politics in the country.

    Togbe Afede said this when leadership of the Ghana Association of Assembly Members (GAAM) paid a courtesy call on him in Ho to seek his support in their request for an enhanced welfare package for Assembly members.

    “If we are selfless and united, we can always find a way to bridge the gap in our thinking and that is peace and development,” he said.

    Togbe Afede said the country’s major problem was corruption and challenged Assembly members to uphold values of integrity and question substandard projects in their communities.

    He said chiefs were committed to playing their roles towards the development of communities and needed the support of Assembly members.

    Togbe Afede lamented the situation where Assemblies allegedly hid their books from chiefs and said, “Partnership is in our mutual interest”.

    He charged chiefs to comment freely on “important national issues” to reduce partisanship and political tension in the country.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Agradaa Shows “Duncan Williams son’s naked video” on live TV; Rebukes the Archbishop

    Despite warnings from the National Communication Authority to quit showing porn on Television,Nana Agradaa beat all odds to show the naked sex videos of Archbishop Duncan William son Daniel Duncan Williams.

    She indicated that to her, Archbishop Duncan William son Daniel Duncan William is in a stable mind condition unlike how his father wants us to believe that he is a bipolar patient.

    She explained that Archbishop Duncan William just wanted to skip shame and mockery of his inability to heal his son hence his press release.

    She further stated that Archbishop should have allowed his son follow his passion for music with. And that the way the son has been talking nicely doesn’t reflect a bipolar patient.

    She advised Archbishop Duncan William that it’s his son who has chosen to Lead such a life and it’s not his fault so he should focus on praying.Maybe God will hear his cry.

    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.”

    Source: Rash_De_Writer

  • Chiefs must comment more on national issues – Togbe Afede

    Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli and President of the National House of Chiefs, has asked chiefs to comment more on national issues to reduce partisanship and political tension in the country.

    He said their views as a neutral expression of opinion would take away the political tension.

    Togbe Afede who was addressing leaders of the Ghana Association of Assembly Members (GAAM) in Ho, said chiefs had fundamental human rights to freely comment on important national issues provided they did not support any political party and must “actively do that to reduce partisanship.”

    “It is true that the Constitution bars us from partisan politics, but that doesn’t mean we can’t deal with national issues affecting us all,” said.

    Togbe Afede said the fact that a political party pronounced on an issue did not mean a chief could not take the same position, “sometimes it is just coincidence, it doesn’t mean the chief supports Party A or B.”

    He said chiefs were committed to playing their roles in national development and needed partnership from all, especially Assembly members.

    Togbe Afede lamented the situation where local Assemblies allegedly hid their budgets from chiefs and said, partnership was in their mutual interest to develop the communities.

    “Work with the chiefs and don’t hide your books from them. That’s corruption and once there’s corruption, the front can’t hold and there will be disunity…it is not enough to distaste corruption, we have to fight it,” he said.

    Togbe Afede asked Assembly members to be selfless and exhibit values of honesty and integrity to support chiefs build a better country to discourage people from seeking greener pastures abroad with issues of abuses.

    Mr Charles Adu, President of GAAM, appealed to Togbe Afede to champion the request for an enhanced welfare package for Assembly members.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Attitude towards coronavirus ‘so bad’ in Ho – Letsa

    Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, has expressed concern over the public response to Coronavirus preventive directives in the Ho Municipality.

    He said the attitude of market folk especially, caused the virus to spread much faster and was contributing to the rising number of positive cases in the Region.

    The Regional Minister said this when he met with the media ahead of a disinfection campaign of military and educational facilities in the Volta and Oti Regions by Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

    “The attitude over coronavirus in Ho is so bad and it is not surprising that our case count is rising so fast. We are just refusing to admit that we have a problem and that each one of us has a role to play in putting this virus under control.

    “Please intervene wherever you are and you will find out that protocols are not being observed,” he stated.

    Dr Letsa said the evasive nature of the virus made risk education key in fighting its spread, and appealed to teachers and parents to help the young identify everyday activities that would expose them to the virus.

    A total of 2,654 basic schools, 100 senior high, and 20 tertiary facilities would be fumigated against viral pathogens and other disease-bearing organisms in the Volta and Oti Region, as part of a nationwide exercise powered by the Military High Command, and the Ghana Education Service.

    All 55 military facilities comprising command, training and operation bases would also be disinfected during the 20-day exercise.

    Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Baba Pantoa, Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, said all must take up the responsibility of ensuring compliance, and said the Military would continue to offer the needed support.

    Checks by the Ghana News Agency indicate that as of Saturday, June 13, Volta region had 263 COVID19 confirmed cases, 211 on treatment, 48 recoveries and four deaths.

     

    Source: GNA

  • No evidence found linking Hushpuppi to fraud by Interpol Brother

    The brother of Dubai-based Nigerian billionaire Hushpuppi has come out to reveal that the Interpol and FBI have not found anything implicating his brother in the $35m fraud case.

    According to him, that is the main reason why the police together with Interpol and FBI are yet to make his arrest public.

    He continued that evidences have been retrived from the other big boys linking them to the scam but not his brother.

    In a conversation he revealed that Hushpuppi is behind bars because the FBI and Interpol are digging very hard into finding his source of wealth.

    This was shared first by a Nigerian site on Instagram.

    Listen to the audio below:

    This comes some few hours after Mompha who was also arrested month ago for fraud was set free because they had no evidence to back their claims.

    Hushpuppi was arrested with some other big boys last week by the FBI after it was discovered that they hacked into the American system to file for unemployment to defraud the government over $35million.

    Source: ghpage.com

  • Asokore Mampong: Three persons sustain injuries as trailer runs into building

    Three persons at Aboabo Extension Number 1 in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region on Sunday, June 14, 2020, sustained varying degrees of injuries after a trailer vehicle run into their building.

    The trailer is said to have failed its break, veered off the road and destroyed a nearby building.

    The injured persons were subsequently rushed to the hospital.

    Over 15 persons were also rendered homeless after their homes were destroyed.

    Attah Kofi Eli, one of the persons whose rooms were destroyed by the trailer said although some persons were injured, they are more concerned about where they will be sleeping in the coming days.

    He is thus calling on the National Disaster Management Organization and other agencies to come to their aid.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Grand reopening? France 24 and Deutsche Welle at France-Germany border

    A new phase begins: on the day when many EU nations are lifting coronavirus travel restrictions, The FRANCE 24 Debate host François Picard is in Schoeneck and Deutsche Welle’s Melinda Crane in Sarrebrücken at the common border between France and Germany. There, locals on the French side are still bitter about Berlin’s unilateral decision to erect barriers they hadn’t seen in decades. As Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel now join forces to propose EU-wide stimulus plans, what do citizens want?

    To answer this and many more questions, the hosts will interview Rainer Hoffman, President of the Confederation of German Trade Unions; and Ludovic Subran, Chief Economist, Allianz Insurance and Asset Management.

    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.”

    Source: france24.com

  • China locks down Beijing neighbourhoods to contain Covid-19 cluster

    China is locking now ten more neighbourhoods in Beijing to try and contain the spread of a new coronavirus outbreak linked to a food market, authorities announced Monday.

    City official Li Junjie said at a press conference that fresh cases had been found in a second wholesale market in northwestern Haidian district, and as a result, the market and nearby schools would be closed, and people living in ten communities around it placed under lockdown.

    Beijing reported its second consecutive day of record new numbers of Covid-19 cases on Monday, adding urgency to efforts to rein in a sudden resurgence of the coronavirus in the Chinese capital.

    The recent outbreak has been traced to a major wholesale food market, Xinfadi, which accounts for 80 percent of Beijing’s farm produce supply sourced both domestically and from overseas.

    The market has been shut, tens of thousands of nearby residents are being tested for the virus and a city-wide campaign was launched to identify people who have recently visited the market or have been in contact with people who have.

    Beijing officials on Monday confirmed 36 new Covid-19 cases for June 14, the same as a day earlier, which was the city’s highest daily infection count since late March. Officials have now reported 79 cases over just four days, the biggest concentration of infections since February.

    A number of neighbourhoods in the west and southwest of Beijing have been upgraded to medium-risk, including Financial Street where banks and financial firms converge. This entails measures such as strict control of people and vehicle movements, disinfections and temperature checks. One neighbourhood in the same district as the food market was raised to high-risk, denoting the most severe level of infection.

    As three other provinces reported new cases linked to the Beijing cluster, several provinces warned their residents against non-essential travel to the capital and implemented isolation protocols for travellers from riskier parts of Beijing.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday it was informed of the outbreak by Chinese officials who were investigating its source and extent. WHO called for thorough investigations to better understand the source of the cluster.

    The Xinfadi market spans an area the size of near 160 soccer pitches. Thousands of tonnes of vegetables, fruits and meats are traded at Asia’s largest wholesale food centre.

    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.”

    Source: france24.com

  • Britain’s Johnson, EU chiefs seek Brexit talks reboot

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet EU chiefs by video link Monday to try to breathe new life into stalled post-Brexit trade talks, with both sides entrenched in long-held positions.

    The conference with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel will review progress in the talks on future EU-UK relations.

    It is the first time Johnson has personally taken part in the talks which began in March, just weeks after Britain left the European Union on January 31 after 47 years in the European project.

    While expectations are low for the long-planned meeting, the unpredictable Johnson, who has recently recovered from a bout with the coronavirus, has EU negotiators on the lookout for any potential surprises.

    Britain and the EU have held four rounds of talks on how to organise their ties after December 31, when the UK leaves the single market and stops adhering to Brussels’ rules after an 11-month transition.

    So far they have achieved little, giving Monday’s meeting added significance. London and Brussels have already agreed to intensify negotiations, with mainly in-person talks through July and August.

    Talks between EU negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Frost have mostly taken place virtually due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    “So far we haven’t had actual negotiations, just an exchange of views,” an EU diplomat told AFP. “It’s a battle of strategies at this point.”

    On Friday, Britain formally declared that it would not seek to extend the post-Brexit transition by one or two years, something it could have done according to the terms of the divorce deal Johnson signed last year.

    ‘Cherry-pick’

    The same intractable issues have hampered the talks since the start.

    Britain has firmly rejected calls by the EU that it commit to European standards overseen by EU law to keep open access to the single market – something Brussels says would maintain a “level playing field”.

    “We cannot accept the UK’s attempts to cherry-pick parts of our single market benefits,” Barnier said in a speech on Thursday.

    “It is looking to pick and choose the most attractive elements of the single market – without the obligations,” he added.

    The EU is also asking for continued guaranteed access to British waters for European fishing fleets, an idea Britain has so far refused. Instead, they have proposed annual talks on quotas for catches.

    Britain is eager to keep its deep business ties to the EU single market, the world’s biggest – but it won’t recognise any mention of EU law or court decisions in the deal, which it sees that as a violation of its sovereignty.

    Johnson’s government also refuses to discuss many topics beyond trade that the Europeans would like to have bound to the same deal.

    Security, diplomacy, research and data flows are for now sidestepped by the British side, to the great frustration of Barnier and his teams.

    Tight timetable

    Opinions diverge on how soon a deal needs to be struck in order to give companies the visibility they need on the terms of cross-Channel trade from January 1, 2021.

    Barnier has said the deal needs to be done by October 31 to leave enough time to be ratified by member states and the European Parliament.

    British officials believe a deal is needed sooner, and Barnier and Frost have both committed to participating actively in all aspects of the talks throughout the summer, to get a deal.

    Failure to agree one will effectively remove Britain from Europe’s supply chain due to tariffs, customs and regulatory checks and other obstacles to business, such as professional licensing.

    On Friday, the UK said that whatever the outcome of the talks, British customs officers would not be ready to deal with new rules at their ports or borders on January 1.

    UK border checks will, therefore, be applied with a “light-touch” for the first months after the new year as Britain readies itself for post-Brexit trade ties.

    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.”

    Source: france24.com

  • Messi not just about scoring goals – Barcelona coach

    Barcelona boss Quique Setien says Lionel Messi must be assessed for more than just his contribution in front of goal as he nears another career milestone.

    The Argentina great needs just two more goals to reach a combined 700 for club and country after registering in Barca’s 4-0 over Mallorca on Saturday, their first match since La Liga returned following the suspension of top-flight football in Spain as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Messi has a chance to reach the next benchmark in his sensational career in Tuesday’s home clash with Leganes behind closed doors at Camp Nou.

    Setien recognised the sensational achievement Messi, who played against Mallorca despite having sustained a knock in training, is about to reach but said the Barca skipper should be praised for far more than just his goals.

    “Leo is fine. You don’t only have to assess the goals he scored, but also the rest of his contributions, like assisting. That gives us a lot of points,” he said.

    “It’s an astronomical number. I think he’s reached 700 goals and that’s why he’s the best player in the world.”

    Setien is pondering several selection dilemmas ahead of the contest as he looks to protect his squad from injuries given they have only just returned to action.

    Antoine Griezmann started in attack against Mallorca, while Luis Suarez returned from injury off the bench.

    With another fixture against Sevilla on Friday, Setien is yet to decide if either forward will start against Leganes.

    “I have not decided if Luis Suarez will start tomorrow, I have to talk to him. We have to be very cautious, after long injuries muscle problems can start to appear. We must take care,” he added.

    “Luis Suarez could be one of the players to rest tomorrow or at a later time. Luckily, we have more players. We have a team to adapt to the circumstances.

    “Griezmann is indisputable, he is a great footballer, we continue to count on him, he will continue to play a leading role because he is important for the team and the club, but there are also other players that we have to use.”

    The game will be Barca’s first played at home without spectators in attendance and Setien hopes the absence of fans will not hinder the leaders.

    “We would rather play with the support of our fans tomorrow but we know it’s not possible and we have to adapt. Football loses its essence playing in front of empty stands,” he said.

    “I hope we don’t lose any intimidation factor because we don’t have our fans. The public factor would help us a lot, I hope it doesn’t hurt us too much now we won’t have them with us.”

    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.”

    Source: goal.com

  • Coronavirus: Final year students return to schools amidst tight restrictions

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has confirmed the reopening of schools for final year students of public universities and senior high schools (SHS) while preparations continue for the return of final junior high school (JHS) students to complete preparations for their exams.

    Beginning today Monday May 15, 2020 operating with half class size, the President said final year students will begin a six-week period of learning to finish their respective programmes, and sit for their final exams, for four weeks.

    However, he noted that some final year university students will not be returning to school since they have already completed their examination through virtual means.

    “Final year SHS will report to school a week after the return of university students, June 22, along with SHS 2 Gold Track students, and final year JHS3 students on June 29. The Ghana Education Service (GES) has ensured the disinfection of all public and private tertiary institutions,” the president said.

    Additionally, he said universities with their own hospitals and clinics have been equipped with the necessary PPE’s and isolation centers to deal with any positive cases.

    However, as the schools open the President has directed for the adherence of some strict protocols including the cancellation of mass gatherings and sporting activities but religious activities under the new protocols will be permitted.

    Akufo-Addo stated the wearing of masks must become the new norm for students and in view of this said some 600,000 nose masks have been supplied to tertiary institutions.

    He said pandemic should not erode the interest in social justice such as education and health.

    “We cannot afford to let the pandemic undermine our chances for survival and progress. We have to confront our present and future with confidence, knowing fully well that we must remain, at all times vigilant and careful”

    He added notwithstanding how the outbreak of the coronavirus has altered national life, deliberate steps effort has been made to ensure that society is able to function while continuing to strive to deliver the results of progress, prosperity and development.

     

    Source: B&FT Online