TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Charterhouse CEO speaks on Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy comeback in 2020 VGMAs

    Chief Executive Officer of Charterhouse has said that while the organization is looking to hold the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards later this year, it has not decided whether dancehall artistes Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale will be included or not.

    However, she believes that “everything is possible”.

    In a virtual discussion on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism and Hospitality industry organized by Global Media Alliance, Mrs. Theresa Ayoade in response to the question of whether the two dancehall artistes will be involved in the 2020 VGMAs event, said: “Everything is possible. We have actually been on a mental break from all these. That has been put on the back for now”.

    It can be recalled that dancehall artistes Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were stripped off their awards and subsequently banned indefinitely from the award scheme after their near-bloody scuffle during the 2019 edition of the VGMA.

    At the time, Theresa Ayoade, CEO of Charterhouse, explained that “indefinite ban means pending good behaviour” and it is possible for them to be accepted back to the scheme depending on their behaviour in future.

    It is reported that the 2020 VGMA Awards will take place in August this year.

    This decision, according to the CEO of Charter House comes after President Akufo Addo eased some of the restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus

    Source: happyghana.com

  • Northern region: Residents attribute Tuesday’s flood to poor drainage system

    Residents of Jiso Nayili and Naluro Estate have attributed the constant flooding of the area to poor drainage systems within that enclave, therefore, calling on city authorities to as a matter of urgency look into the construction of the Jiso Nayili, Naluro Estate drain.

    This request follows the four-hour downpour on Tuesday which left several houses inhabitable due to the flood.

    In an interview with some residents, they lamented that authorities have so far not done anything about the situation in these flood-prone areas.

    “Whenever it rains and the gutter gets full, it overflows and runs into our homes. But we don’t see our authorities doing anything about the gutter” Madam Barikisu, a resident said.

    “We wish this gutter is look in to for us, the gutter is the problem because when it rains and gets full, it overflows and runs into our homes, so will be glad if the gutter is constructed for us. The gutter is our only problem when it is constructed, the flooding situation will be resolved.” She added.

    70-year-old Hajia Sanatu, a resident of Jiso Nayil while sharing her ordeal to GhanaWeb said “The flooding situation of this community is of great concern to us unless you were here to see our plight, I together with my sons were in the rain scooping the water, doing all that we could to get the water out of the house, in fact, even food, we couldn’t cook because the whole house was filled with water, no dry place to even set fire.

    She added that “this is how it is every year, we are appealing to government to come and construct the gutter for us, because the gutter is the main cause of the perennial flooding, and if the gutter is constructed, the flooding problem would be resolved.”

    Others also blamed the negative attitude of some residents as a contributing factor to the flooding that occurs in the area.

    They furthered that indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and gutters prevents the flow of water hence, the rushing water gushes into homes during a heavy downpour of rains.

    They therefore asked the defaulters to desist from that act, also calling on government to come to their rescue by constructing other drainage systems in the community.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • The greatest of all time, best 20 female gospel artistes in Ghana

    Music is a sweet delicacy for the soul which inspires others to aspire to the upper echelon in life. Music had been in existence since time immemorial and the elements within music is a force to be reckoned with.

    Most of the gospel musics are indispensable and irresistible and are played at social gatherings and events such as wedding ceremony, engagement, funerals, festivals, out dooring. We can’t sit down unconcerned without heaping praise on the artiste who are the authors and composers of such musics.

    Among the numerous gospel music artiste in the country, there are Ronaldo’s, Pele’s, Zidanes etc among the musicians and per their outstanding performance, pedigree, legacy towards the upliftment of Ghana’s music, we are going to rank them.

    20. Celestine Donkor

    Celestine Donkor dispels myths about COVID-19 - Graphic Online

    Celestine Donkor is a gospel Musician as well as a song writer who hails from the Volta region of Ghana and had her tertiary education at the University of Ghana Legon. She has been awarded and nominated in Ghana music awards ever since she started her music career in 2007. She has been featured since by Great Ampong along with Cee, Isaac Showboy , Philipa Baafi in Go high song as well as Reverend Prince Nyarko in Hena ne madanfo pa song and many more. She recently came out with Agbebolo, one of her greatest songs. Her other songs include Manim nguase, ogwama, Boboobo, Adom ne ahunumobro, wo ye ma me

    19. Diana Hamilton

    Diana-Hamilton-Domfo-Nyame-Gracious-God | GhanaGosPelSongs.Com

    Diana Antwi Hamilton is a Ghana UK based gospel artiste as well as a professional nurse who hails from the Ashanti region. She started her music career way back in 2007 with Osoro Be Kasa. Her hit songs include Work in progress, as well as Mo ne Yo. She is the defending champion of the VGMA Gospel Song of the year as well as Gospel Artiste of the year

    18. Ohemaa Mercy

    Women who enhance their bodies lack self-belief Ohemaa Mercy ...

    Ohemaa Mercy also known as Mercy Twum Ampofo is a Fante but and

    stayed at Koforidua and Greater Accra. She is a teacher by profession as well as a gospel musician.

    She started her music career in 2004 with her first song Adamfo papa. She has various local and international awards. She hold the highest nomination record in Ghana’s music awards in 2008 with Edin Jesus. She took a National award from former president J.A Kuffour and boast of an international award at Canada. Her song titled Aseda is the most played song among all her songs. She has six albums in music.

    17. Florence Obinim

    Florence Obinim spotted in France wearing another 'boot' in latest ...

    Florence Obinim is a gospel musician and a husband to Bishop Daniel Obinim of the International God’s Way Church . She hails from Esreso in the Ashanti region. Florence Obinim used to sing at the Assemblies of God Church in Kumasi before she begun with her music career. She released her first song titled Osoro ne me fie and won the New gospel artiste of the year in 2006. She has released about 8 albums. She collaborated with Princess Ifeoma from Nigeria.

    16.Diana Asamoah

    I call on all gospel musicians to unite - Evangelist Diana Asamoah ...

    Diana Asamoah is an inspirational songstress whose vociferous performance has awarded her both local and international accolades . Her stunning performance on stage as well as her usual worship on radio stations such as the Angel FM, Hello FM and many others coupled with her Philanthropy works makes her the fans favourite. She is a producer as well as a presenter. She released her first song titled Wo na mani agyina wo and later added Pentecost Gya as well as Akoko abon which won her an award in 2006.

    She has been awarded at Italy, Belgium and held various music concert at Canada, UK.

    Diana Asamoah is an Ashanti and single. Tetelesta is now her hit song

    15.Grace Ashy

    Secular acts are not of the devil"- Grace Ashy - AmeyawDebrah.com

    Grace Ashy is one of the top gospel musician in Ghana. She hails from Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo region. She is highly known and recognize for her spicy Ghana Black Stars morale boosting jama songs she composes in the country. Her Oole Oole Oole Black Stars Onyame ny3 bi da popular song can’t be underestimated. She started her music career in 2001 with adea Yesu . She has some few quiet albums and some of her other songs are Gye se woba mu, Gethsemane and others

    14. Hanna Marfo

    Music Made Me Famous Not Rich- Hannah Marfo | The Publisher Online

    Hanna Marfo is one of the top female gospel artiste rubbing shoulders with the compatriot male artiste in the likes of Elder Mireku Yaw Sarpong and the Asomafo, Reverend Yabs etc. She is fond of employing a musical style and message to put across the how the coming of Christ would be. A hidden truth that Jehovah God could decide. She has quiet some few albums and her songs that made waves were Nyame de neama bi ahinta, Akristofo Adooso, Eye Name, Yesu Kokroko and others.

    13. Christiana Love / Obaapa Christy

    Don't be quick to believe what you hear Obaapa Christy to ...

    Obaapa Christy formerly known as Christiana Love is a giant in gospel music . She started her music career in the early 2000. She was lucky enough when she visited Osuani Afrifas church in Kumasi to sing and her stars shone from that moment. She is an Ashanti and the ordeal that that she passed through both in her early life’s as well as her marital affairs influenced most of her songs. She is known massively for her usual tactics and Michael Jackson-like dancing just like Akosua Agyapomaa. She was nominated and won the category of best female Vocal performance during Ghana music Awards. She has about 10 music albums as well as hit songs such as Moving Forward, Hyebre sesa fo, metease, abrabo papa, Mesu afre Awurade. wagye me and many more. She has collaborated with Kwaku Gyasi and Don Simon.

    12 .Reverend Esther Nyamekye

    Reverend Esther Nyamekyeh sings Wone Yen Adi No Yie" (He's Been ...

    Reverend Esther Nyamekye is an evergreen gospel artiste whose outstanding and long serving performance of her intriguing songs had been an inspiration to the upcoming gospel artiste. She also has numerous albums and over 50 songs. Among her the notable songs are, Mema wamo, One yedi ne yie, kosie ansa and others. She is a pioneer in music.

    11. Augustina Addison

    Augustina Addison | Music In Africa

    Augustina Addison is one of the powerhouse names in the history of Ghana’s gospel music. Her songs are very powerful. Listening to her powerful, melodious songs could make one cry and crippled in the spirit. She begun her song ministration in 1994 she released her first track in Kumasi titled Nhinta me. She has numerous albums and over 50 songs. Some of her powerful songs include, Abide, Wo mu , anka meye den, ade foforo, show us thy glory etc. She is a source of inspiration to young gospel musicians.

    10. Comfort Annor

    Veteran gospel musician Comfort Annor has died - MyJoyOnline.com

    Comfort Annor the late was more of a blessing to Ghana’s music She was born at Adukrom in the Eastern region of Ghana. Kasoa in Central region s her hometown. Her songs was lavishing. Her first song Asase da ho gyan. She had over 50 songs and albums. Her other songs include Abraham Sarah, Di wo hene as well as wawo me oba, He died for me etc.

    9. Suzzy and Mat

    Grace 'Obaa Yaa' Ashly - Home | Facebook

    Suzzy and Mat are two beautiful stars who broke the music scene long ago. Their songs are full of appellations. They have so many beautiful songs including Yehowa, Merenhinhim, menim Nyame, Oma ne nsa so etc. They are currently at Accra. Yehowa describes who Jehovah is .They are music genius.

    8. Bernice Offei

    The journey, the experiences and the fulfillment Bernice Offei ...

    Bernice Offei is a successful Ghanaian gospel artiste and a banker by profession. Despite the busy hours in banking, she defied every odds to give us a superb song. She hails from the Greater Accra, the capital of Ghana . She is a degree holder at the University of Ghana. She won both Female Vocal performance and Songwriter of the year by the VGMA in 2009. Her ability to sing in Twi, English as well as Ga makes her an excellent and versatile artiste. Her songs includes Hold on fast, Life is short, Nadom ara kwa, No one compares, mogya etc.

    7. Dorcas Appiah

    Worship time with Dorcas Appiah - YouTube

    Dorcas Appiah is sensational gospel artiste who has reached a greater height in gospel music. Her songs are inspirational. She has some albums and numerous songs including Ma wadom no nye kese, Mefri makoma mu, Ngosranti, Calvary, Meye, Awurade Sore etc. Her zeal for singing make her unique.

    6. Stella Dungan / Aba Seal

    i1.wp.com/allnaijaentertainment.com/wp-content/...

    Stella Dugan also known as Aba Seal is an excellent gospel artiste whose voice is sweet and melodious and unquenchable. She hails from Boso, Anum in the Eastern region. She hold HND from Accra Polytechnic. She started her music career in the early 1980. She has many albums and over 50 songs including Gye me taataa, Ebenezer,Ayeyi Nwom, Chosen generation, Oye Onyame, Okura Yemu etc. She is also good at playing guitar.

    5. Mama Esther

    I'm Not Dead - Mama Esther Rebuts Death Reports - Ghafla! Ghana

    Mama Esther is a talented gospel musician in Kumasi Ghana. She is fond of advising and admonishing Christians not to be weary due to the living God we serve . Her words are encouraging. She has so many albums and her songs include Me Judge Akasa, Mene Yehowa, Goliath beko, Nea aba biara, merenwu etc . She is the fans favourite .

    4. Tagoe Sisters

    No support From 'Modern' Ghanaian Pastors To Gospel Musicians Now ...

    Tagoe sisters is a popular duo in Ghana gospel music . They started their music in the early 1980s and have 9 albums. They have won 11 awards since then . They are Twins whose parents are from Greater Accra and Central region. They have envious records in song production. Anka matete, Yedi Nkunim, watua maka, fabibiara ma no, abandenden etc are their songs.They have toured the world on several occasions.

    3. Esther Smith

    Esther Smith News: Esther Smith releases 8th album | Ghana Live TV

    Esther Smith is the ultimate name in gospel music in Ghana. Her tender voice makes her a unique artiste. She hails from Suame in Kumasi. She has won 6 awards. She won three awards in 2003 which was, the Gospel Album of the year, Gospel Artiste of the year and Best Female Vocal Performance of the year in 2003. In 2004, she swooped 3 awards again as the Best Gospel Album of the year, Best song of the year and Best album of the year awards . She has numerous albums and here are songs, Nipa, Adze Ko, Yesu Kristo , Agyidifo Ataban, Som no yie, MA wonsan, Gye no Di etc.

    2. Cindy Thompson

    Not every Gospel artiste is called by God—Cindy Thompson - Ghana's ...

    Cindy Thompson is a great gospel musician who hails from Krofu near Mankessim in the Central region. She has a diploma as well as Computer literacy. She organized a musical concert to raise ghc 10 million to support the Children’s ward at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. She has about 8 awards in music starting from the year 2000. She has 3 albums. Anwanwa Do, Awurade Aye, Awurade Kasa, Dromo Sonn, Kwankyerefo etc are her songs. She Is dynamic in Twi, Fante, Ga and English languages.

    1. Daughters of Glorious Jesus

    Daughters of Glorious Jesus get busy in 2020 - Graphic Online

    Daughters of glorious Jesus namely Edna Sarpong, Monica Owusu Ansah and Cynthia Appiadu is the greatest female gospel artiste trio. They hails from the Ashanti region. They were brought up in the orphanage home. They developed their talent at the Resurrection Power Church whiles they were singing praises .

    They are the most successful gospel artistes in Ghana with 13 albums and 15 awards. In 1991, they won 1 award from Entertainment and Critics Association of Ghana, ECRAG. In 1992, they won Best gospel groups. In 1994, they won the award with their song Mesom Awurade Daa. In 1996, Cynthia, the leading vocalist won Best Female Vocalist with Nea Yehu. In 2003, they won Our Music Award and 5 awards with Aseda an unbroken record.

    In 2004, they swooped 2 awards in Ghana music awards and Best music video in 2010 and 4Syte .

    They have been in existence since 1989. They produces both Twi and English songs. They have travelled to various countries with their irreplaceable quality songs.

    Their songs include, Okasapreko, Bebree, Ahintabea, Jesus is king, Yesu mo, Aseda etc.

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • San Antonio Spurs player says he was sexually abused as a child

    San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Lonnie Walker says he was sexually abused and raped as a child.

    The 21-year-old talked about the abuse – which took place when he was around 10 or 11 – when explaining his decision to cut his signature hair.

    Walker said it had acted as a “cloaking device” for him with his hair being “something I can control”.

    He said he has “found peace and internal happiness” after “truly looking at himself in the mirror”.

    Writing on Instagram, he said: “The real truth as to why I started doing this [growing his hair] early fifth grade, it was a cloaking device for me.

    “I was sexually harassed, raped, abused, I even got accustomed to it because being at that age you don’t know what is what.

    “I was a gullible, curious kid that didn’t know what the real world was. I had a mindset that my hair was something that I can control.

    “My hair was what I can make and create and be mine. And it gave me confidence.”

    Walker was averaging 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds off the bench for the Spurs this season before the NBA was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    He recently said he “wasn’t at his best”, struggling mentally with “demons” and previous history “popping up” in his head.

    “Because of this virus, I began to truly look at myself in the mirror and see who I truly was even behind closed doors,” he added.

    “Long story short, I have found peace and internal happiness through this journey.

    “I forgave everyone, even the people that don’t deserve it. Why? Because it’s dead weight. Time doesn’t wait on anyone so why should I waste my time on it?

    “Me cutting my hair was more than a cut. My hair was a mask of me hiding the insecurities that I felt the world wasn’t ready for.

    “But now [I’m] better then ever. Out with old. In with the new. I have shed my skin mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Outrage at UK story ‘justifying’ JK Rowling abuse

    Domestic abuse campaigners on Friday expressed outrage at a front-page story in Britain’s The Sun tabloid where the ex-husband of “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling defended hitting her.

    Rowling revealed this week that she suffered domestic abuse in her first marriage and a “serious sexual assault” in her twenties.

    The Sun carried an interview on Friday with the British author’s first husband, Jorge Arantes, under the front-page headline: “I slapped JK and I’m not sorry.”

    It said that when asked about her comments, he said: “I slapped Joanne – but there was not sustained abuse. I’m not sorry for slapping her.”

    Jane Keeper, director of operations at domestic abuse charity Refuge, said the headline “is as irresponsible as it is disappointing”.

    “What this has done is give national media coverage to a perpetrator of domestic abuse to attempt to justify his actions,” she said.

    She said the headline was particularly “shocking” given the timing, with calls to Refuge’s abuse helpline increasing by 66 per cent during the coronavirus lockdown.

    “What sort of message does this front page send to survivors? That their abuser will be given national media headlines to justify their actions? That their abuse is legitimate? That it doesn’t matter?” she asked.

    Scottish Women’s Aid, a charity in Scotland where Rowling now lives, said the front page was “repulsive”.

    “Hundreds of thousands of women and children in Scotland who are living with, or have survived, the terror and trauma of domestic abuse just got a virtual slap by The Sun. For-profit,” it said.

    For decades, victims of abuse have chosen not to speak out because the community around them “would minimise their pain and betrayal and use their words against them”, it said.

    “Their abuser would use the platform to shame and blame them. And nothing would change. Today The Sun is that abuser,” it said.

    In a statement, The Sun said it was “disgusted” by the comments made by Rowling’s ex-husband and noted it had branded him “sick” in its coverage.

    “It was certainly not our intention to ‘enable’ or ‘glorify’ domestic abuse, our intention was to expose a perpetrator’s total lack of remorse. Our sympathies are always with the victims,” it said.

    Rowling revealed her abuse in a lengthy blog post in which she sought to explain her comments about transgender women, which have sparked controversy.

    She has emphasised the importance of biological sex and expressed concern about women-only spaces, but has been accused of being transphobic and faced intense abuse on social media.

    Source: france24.com

  • Bismark Agblengor apologizes to two lecturers over voters register list

    One Bismark Agbelengor has rendered unqualified apologies to two lecturers of the Koforidua Technical University for “wrongly” including their names in a petition sent to the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa.

    The petition was sent by about 101 lecturers, calling on Mre Mensa to reconsider the decision to compile a new register for the December 7, 2020, presidential and parliamentary elections.

    The two lecturers are Professor Smile Dzisi and Dr Benjamin Kwofie.

    The apologies followed a letter sent to the Vice Chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University, by Dr. Kwofie who denied knowledge of the group, Concerned University Lecturers, Ghana.

    Dr Kwofie also denied knowledge of the content of the letter sent to Mrs Mensa.

    Dr Kwofie had in his letter asked the VC to probe the matter and write to the Chair of the Commission, “disassociating the institution and its innocent members from such an action”.

    And in an apology letter to Dr Kwofie, Mr Agbelengor, who admitted “wrongly” adding the names of the lecturers to the list.

    “I recognize that my failure to seek your prior approval was a grievous omission even though it was completely unintended,” he wrote.

     

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • World Day Against Child Labour: 71% of child labour occurs in the agriculture sector

    Child labour has robbed many young boys and girls of a memorable childhood. For years, this practice has gone on in almost every part of the world violating the rights of children. It has, therefore, become necessary more than ever to safeguard children from forced labour.

    A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations indicates that 71% of child labour is found in the agriculture sector worldwide. The situation is not just limited to developing countries as children in developed nations also suffer the same fate.

    Children of school-going age are rather being forced to work on farms, depriving them of formal education. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 152 million children are in child labour worldwide. It is the responsibility of all to ensure that child rights are being respected irrespective of the geographical area. Countries are expected to take action and also ensure that child protection becomes paramount.

    In a time where the world is been hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, much attention should be diverted to vulnerable children in rural and urban areas. Cases of child rape and abuse were recorded in some countries during the coronavirus lockdown. Activists have risen in areas where children who had faced some forms of abuse were denied justice.

    Reports indicate that internal child trafficking has been a major challenge in Ghana. Most of these children end up in fishing and farming communities where they are exploited and forced to work for long hours.

    Children provide cheap labour to those that they end up with. Government and NGO programmes have been able to rescue some of these children who have been trafficked and reunited them with their families.

    Laws against child labour must be strictly enforced to help safeguard children and ensure a brighter future for young boys and girls in Ghana, Africa, and the world at large.

    World Day Against Child Labour is observed worldwide on June 12 to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour. This year’s celebration is under the theme “Covid-19: Protect Children from Child Labour, now more than ever!”

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Watch all Andre Ayew goals at Swansea City

    Black Stars captain Andre Dede Ayew joined Swansea City for the first of his two spells on June 10, 2015, earning a cult hero status after netting 12 goals in 34 appearances.

    Ayew left the Swans after just a season to join West Ham United before returning in 2018 for a second spell.

    The Swansea City vice-captain has been a key figure for the club since returning from a season loan spell at Fenerbache for the 2019/2020 English Championship season.

    This season, Ayew has scored 12 goals in 35 appearances for the Championship side.

    Watch Andre Ayew’s goals below:

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Coronavirus: Ensure equity in distribution of COVID-19 funds – Prof. Gatsi

    The Dean of University of Cape Coast Business School, Professor John Gatsi, is calling for equality in the distribution of the COVID-19 funds to support businesses that have been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

    According to him, the coronavirus pandemic has increased the risk of access to finances by entrepreneurs and small businesses, thus urging small businesses to do cost restructuring.

    He explained that available and affordable access to different sources of finances to incentivise entrepreneurs and enterprises to create new businesses lines and expand existing ones have become crucial, demanding innovative and sustainable funding solutions.

    Speaking at the Third Session of the e-seminar series on the topic; Coronavirus Pandemic: Implications for Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Development organised by the USS, Professor Gatsi said some small and medium scale enterprises are not in the position to meet their repayment obligations to financial institutions, thereby contributing to rising non-performing loan profile of financial institutions.

    He said “before the coronavirus pandemic, SMEs and entrepreneurs were facing challenges in accessing financing including trade finance from various sources to finance their creativity, ideas and businesses”.

    This he said requires the creation of the right business environment to stimulate business growth.

    He encouraged all stakeholders in the entrepreneurial space to reduce their risk averse position and increase investment in innovation and opportunities.

    The Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development at the School of Business, Dr Mavis Serwah Benneh- Mensah advised micro and small business owners and entrepreneurs to be practical and join hands with other entrepreneurs as a strategy to overcome the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic

    She explained that the mandate of CESED is to provide entrepreneurial training and strengthen SMEs to play a critical role in the economy.

    Bfore COVID-19, she said SMEs were vulnerable and needed protection in terms of financing, markets, and business development strategies.

    She further advised small businesses to engage in cost restructuring and embrace continuous entrepreneurial education to survive and remain relevant.

    On his part , an entrepreneur, Saka Addo-Mensah, highlighted the challenges he and his colleagues in the property business were facing.

    According to him, rental properties are now empty because foreigners have lost money and cannot travel to the country as a result of closure of borders and airports, coupled with social distancing protocols.

    He said before the coronavirus pandemic face-to face tour of the rental properties was the norm but because of the experience of the COVID-19 they have to invest in virtual tour of their properties to attract investors.

    Mr. Saka Addo- Mensah emphasised that the nature of his business requires that he develops a new payment schedule and delivery date and re-negotiate with various stake holders to stay safe in business.

    Professor Ogo Nzewi, the Head of Department of Public Administration from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa provided policy perspective to entrepreneurship and small enterprises.

    She explained that globally tax reliefs, social reliefs and small business funds have been provided as intervention.

    However, in many cases these interventions have been slow in coming and discriminate against the very people and businesses that are in dire need of the support.

    Source: Class FM

  • Driver in court for physically assaulting hairdresser

    Kojo Aduboah a driver, popularly called Kojo Afro, has been granted bail; the sum of GHC2,000.00 with two sureties for allegedly subjecting one Mrs. Hannah Annan to beatings at Efutu, near Cape Coast.

    Aduboah pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault and the Court presided over by Mrs. Abena Buansi adjourned the case to Monday, June 29.

    Prosecuting, Sergeant Iddrisu Yakubu, told the Court that at about 0630 hours on Friday, January 24, the complainant who was on her way to fetch water, met the accused and he started beating her mercilessly without any provocation.

    A passer-by intervened, rescued the woman and took her to the police station to report her ordeal.

    The accused person in his caution statement denied ever beating the woman but rather-held her hand, Sergeant Yakubu said.

    After thorough investigations, Aduboah was charged with the offence.

     

    Source: GNA

  • No masks and no ball boys: Premier League return plans revealed

    Players and coaching staff will not be required to wear masks at stadiums when the Premier League restarts.

    Players will be encouraged not to spit or clear their noses and not to break social distancing during goal celebrations.

    There will be no ball boys or girls – a system of sterilised replacement balls will be used.

    Aston Villa v Sheffield United will be the first game when the league returns on 17 June.

    In Germany’s Bundesliga players and staff have been required to wear masks at all times, except for during play.

    In the Premier League they will not have to wear masks at all, even in the changing room or on the bench, although the fourth official as well as doctors and physios will have to.

    On Thursday the Premier League announced there will be a minute’s silence to remember those who have died with coronavirus before the first matches.

    Heart-shaped badges in tribute to frontline NHS staff will also be worn on kits.

    Clubs agreed to a range of medical and operational protocols for the restart of the season at a meeting on Thursday.

    There will be strict limits on those allowed into stadiums on matchdays and grounds will be split into zones, including the tunnel and pitchside.

    In total only 300 people will be in each stadium, with no more than 110 in the ‘red zone’ including players, club staff and officials.

    There will be deep cleaning of corner flags, goalposts, substitution boards and match balls before and after each fixture.

    Some extra disinfection, such as of the substitution board after it is used, is likely to take place during matches and at half-time, while other work will be carried out during drinks breaks if they are permitted by the league.

    The medical protocols stipulate how squads and coaching staff must travel to and from games, observing social distancing.

    Clubs will be encouraged to fly on longer away trips to limit use of hotels, and every player and coach will be temperature checked before they arrive at the stadium.

    Players will have to hand sanitise when they enter and leave the field of play.

    Meanwhile, players are working with the Premier League on a Black Lives Matter tribute but details are yet to be finalised.

    Options discussed by players this week included taking a knee, a Black Lives Matter logo on shirts and players’ names being replaced by the phrase Black Lives Matter.

    The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March because of the pandemic.

    The fixture schedule for the first three rounds was confirmed on Friday, with 33 of the remaining 92 matches to be shown on free-to-air platforms.

    The league will resume on Wednesday when Aston Villa host Sheffield United at 18:00 BST, with Manchester City v Arsenal at 20:15.

    Teams returned to contact training at the end of May. In the latest round of testing at Premier League clubs, one person tested positive for Covid-19.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Sevilla wins derby as La Liga returns

    Sevilla beat Real Betis in the Seville derby as La Liga returned after a three-month gap – with some teething problems off the pitch.

    Groups of fans ignored guidance as they gathered outside the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium before the game, and some of the TV presentations left plenty to be desired.

    But in Lucas Ocampos the hosts had the key man to win the first match played in Spain since the coronavirus pandemic halted proceedings on 10 March.

    La Liga is the second of Europe’s big five leagues to resume, with the Premier League the following suit next week.

    After a minute’s silence in memory of those who have died during the pandemic, La Liga returned with some new additions.

    As previously heard in Germany, there was artificial crowd noise. But unlike in Germany, the mix was way too low and almost inaudible for much of the game.

    The vast, empty stands were painted in ‘virtual support’ in what was sold beforehand as images of fans wearing club colours.

    The actual effect was extremely low key though, looking more like a collage of coloured dots which were only visible on the one wide camera shot, with the ‘crowd’ disappearing whenever the director changed angle, and sometimes hovering in mid-air when a replay appeared.

    At times, such as during some pre-arranged drinks breaks, the vacant stands displayed the message of ‘Safe sport, safe tourism – Spain welcomes you’.

    When tourists return to Seville remains to be seen, but Champions League football may well soon – the home side are now within six points of Real Madrid.

    Ocampos was the game’s key player throughout, rattling the crossbar from a narrow angle in the first half before breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot.

    He then conjured an ingenious backheeled flick from a corner to find Fernando for the game-sealing second goal, Sevilla celebrating the three points just after midnight local time.

    Leaders Barcelona are in action for the first time on Saturday, while Real Madrid play on Sunday.

    Source: bbc.com

  • UK PM defends history in statue row

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday said a wave of anti-racism protests across Britain had been “hijacked by extremists”, as fears mounted about clashes between activists and far-right groups.

    In London, authorities boarded up several statues, including of World War II leader Winston Churchill, after previous damage and with further demonstrations planned.

    Mayor Sadiq Khan said the monuments, as well as the Cenotaph war memorial, were being protected against the risk of “disorder, vandalism and violence”.

    Statues and monuments to figures involved in Britain’s colonial past and the international slave trade have become increasing targets for activists over the last week.

    Their targeting has prompted calls for a re-examination of the country’s historical legacy.

    On Sunday, crowds in southwest England toppled a statue to a local slave trader and philanthropist, Edward Colston, and threw it into the harbour, prompting calls for others to be removed.

    But while recognising the “legitimate desire to protest against discrimination”, Johnson said in a statement issued on Twitter: “We cannot now try to edit or censor our past.

    “We cannot pretend to have a different history. The statues in our cities and towns were put up by previous generations.

    “They had different perspectives, different understandings of right and wrong. But those statues teach us about our past, with all its faults.

    “To tear them down would be to lie about our history, and impoverish the education of generations to come.”

    The protests were sparked by the death during a US police arrest of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American, which have triggered outrage around the world.

    Johnson acknowledged the anger of black and minority ethnic communities and said there had been “huge” strides in tackling discrimination in Britain.

    But after clashes marred largely peaceful demonstrations in London, he added: “It is clear that the protests have been sadly hijacked by extremists intent on violence.

    “The attacks on the police and indiscriminate acts of violence which we have witnessed over the last week are intolerable and they are abhorrent.”

    “The only responsible course of action is to stay away from these protests,” he said.

    Tensions high

    With tensions running high, the Black Lives Matter group called off a demonstration planned for Saturday in London’s Hyde Park after far-right groups said they would also protest.

    “We want the protests to be a safe space for people to attend however we don’t think it’ll be possible with people like them present,” BLM London said on Instagram.

    However, it said a protest for Friday lunchtime would go ahead when the group will unveil a billboard to the victims of what it called “state and racist violence”.

    Mayor Khan backed protesters, saying Floyd’s death “must be a catalyst for systemic, lasting change to tackle the racism and inequalities that black people still face today”.

    But he urged people to stay home this weekend, both because of the risk of spreading the coronavirus and of violence.

    “Extreme far-right groups who advocate hatred and division are planning counter-protests, which means that the risk of disorder is high,” the London mayor said.

    Churchill’s statue was vandalised last weekend by campaigners who say his policies led to the deaths of millions of people during a famine in the Indian state of Bengal in 1943.

    Johnson, who has written a biography of the wartime leader, said it was “absurd and shameful” his memorial would be targeted, as he fought against fascism and tyranny.

    “Yes, he sometimes expressed opinions that were and are unacceptable to us today, but he was a hero, and he fully deserves his memorial,” the premier wrote.

    Activists linked to the Stop Trump Coalition have compiled a crowd-sourced list of statues and monuments across Britain that they say “celebrate slavery and racism”.

    The list includes figures such as the 16th-century explorer Francis Drake, and Robert Clive, once described as an “unstable sociopath” who managed the East India Company in British-ruled India.

    London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals announced it would remove two statues – including to its benefactor Thomas Guy — because of their links to slavery.

    Source: france24.com

  • Chinese conservationists battle to save pangolins from poachers

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    The freeing of the scaly creature in the eastern province of Zhejiang came after Beijing’s Forestry and Grassland Administration granted the world’s most trafficked mammal similar protections to that of giant pandas.

    It was among at least six pangolins – poached for their meat and prized scales – returned to the wild in the last month, according to conservationists.

    “This is a great miracle, we have really changed the status quo so that now pangolins are released back into the wild,” said Sophia Zhang, director at the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation.

    The charity’s staff, working with Jinhua Animal Rescue Centre, released the young female pangolin into a forest on Thursday.

    It was found in a fishpond by a farmer, who reported it to police, and the animal was brought to the government-run rescue centre in Jinhua.

    Zhang, who helps wildlife rescue centres across China release pangolins back into the wild, said May to July was primetime for spotting the creatures.

    “They will often roam around and get lost outside their natural habitat, or end up in farmers’ homes in search of food.”

    But she said it is hard to accurately gauge the number of Chinese pangolins remaining in the wild – only that “very few” are left.

    Zhang added that four creatures, who cannot survive in captivity, were set free last month and another was released in eastern Anhui province last week.

    The mammals, native to parts of Africa and Asia, are thought by some scientists to be the possible host of the novel coronavirus that emerged at a market in China’s Wuhan city last year.

    Beijing recently banned the sale of wild animals for food, citing the risk of diseases spreading to humans, but the trade remains legal for other purposes – including research and traditional medicine.

    However, pangolins were left out of the official Chinese Pharmacopoeia this year, the state-owned Health Times reported this week.

    The landmark development in the creature’s conservation efforts was hailed by campaigners who had lobbied for the change for a long time.

    Their scales are prized in traditional Chinese medicine – despite a lack of scientific proof – and used for the treatment of various diseases such as arthritis, ulcers and tumours.

    A practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine told AFP, using his online name Xinglin Darren because of the sensitivities involved, said the new restrictions would impact some treatments.

    He explained: “It can’t be replaced.”

    Source: france24.com

  • How Cecilia Marfo’s prophesy exposed a lady who nearly killed a famous Tv3 presenter with red pants

    Recent outburst of Kennedy Agyapong member of Parliament for Assin Central Constituency has rendered many who believe in the Prophesy of Cecilia Marfo having some doubt whether she is real or fake.

    But speaking to Kofi Adoma Nwanwanii, Okyeame Kofi a musician narrated how Cecilia Marfo saved her wife Stacy Amoateng from death.

    ” I was on air when Cecilia Marfo called me on phone and told me God has spoken to her that my wife is sick. Within some few hours she may die, so I should stop whatever I’m doing, go and pick her to Edumfa Prayer Camp in the Central Region.”

    Kofi Okyeame indicated that, because of how popular his wife is on Tv3 and on radio, they kept her sickness a secret, it took her wife’s mother, those in their house and two of her reliable friends to be aware. So he was very amazed at the call and prophecy Cecilia Marfo called to give.

    Lo and behold, he drove home from Rainbow radio to see his wife dying. They picked her in a car to the Prayer camp where it was revealed how a friend took her red panties just to kill her for appearing on TV.

    Okyeame indicated that they had exhausted all medical mechanism but to no avail. Cecelia Marfo and her prophecy kept them at the Prayer camp for a year until his wife got better through prayers and Directions.

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Friday Debate: Should the Black Stars captaincy be rotated?

    The controversies and issues that surround the Black Stars captaincy have been a major concern to many football lovers in the country and beyond.

    The popular captaincy feud that was reported to have existed between former Olympique Marseille forward Abedi Ayew Pele and Anthony Yeboah who formerly captained German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt is believed by many as the reason for Ghana loss to Côte d’Ivoire in Senegal 1992 Afcon final.

    One of the many who believes this assertion is former Minister for Youth and Sports Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye who covered the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations as a sports journalist.

    There hasn’t been any Black Stars captain who didn’t face internal opposition except Stephen Appiah whose, close contender, Samuel Osei Kuffour made it clear that he was not interested in wearing the armband since 1992.

    James Kwasi Appiah who is often mentioned in the captaincy saga after losing his armband to Abedi Pele before the Afcon 1992, has proposed that rotating the captain’s armband as the Brazilians did in the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be the only remedy to Ghana’s captaincy issues.

    It must be recalled that the current captaincy feud was sparked by James Kwasi Appiah himself after he stripped Asamoah Gyan of his captaincy and handed it over to Andre Dede Ayew before the Afcon 2019 tournament in Egypt.

    Today on GhanaWeb Friday Debate, we ask if you agree with Kwasi Appiah’s proposition that Ghana should stop appointing a substantive captain and rotate the role per game.

    Watch the video below of what Ghanaians had to say about the issue and join in with your comments.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Im going back to the basics – Isaac Dogboe plans to return to winning ways

    Former WBO super bantamweight champion Isaac Dogboe says he is returning to the fundamental aspects of boxing as he seeks to recapture the world title.

    Dogboe, 25, has been in the United States city of California training at the famous Jack Rabbit gym as he continues his road back to the top of his career.

    The British-Ghanaian orthodox fighter suffered back to back losses to Mexico power-puncher Emmanuel Navarrete in December 2018 and May 2019.

    Dogboe has been training tirelessly to recapture the title he lost to Navarrete in unanimous decision and technical knockout respectively.

    In a video interview with Red Glove News from the Jack Rabbit boxing gym in California Dogboe highlighted the need to go back to the basics of boxing and says he wants to recapture his boxing title.

    Dogboe has an enviable record of 20 victories with 14 by way of knockout and 6 decisions with only 2 losses both coming against Navarrete.

    The 5 ft 4 in boxer was scheduled to fight Mexican Enrique Bernacheon, on April 11 in Albuquerque, USA but the bout was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic which halted all sporting activities.

    Dogbe has a reach of 163 cm and fights with the orthodox style.

    Source: Ghana Sports Online

  • Minority Caucus condemn manner of arrest of ‘NDC man of God’

    The Minority Caucus in Parliament has condemned and denounced the manner of arrest by National Security operatives of Apostle Kwabena Owusu Agyei a self-acclaimed pastor on Tuesday.

    According to the Minority Caucus, the manner of arrest of Apostle Kwabena Owusu Agyei violated his fundamental human rights.

    Speaking to Journalists at Parliament House on Wednesday, the Minority Ranking Member on the Committee on Interior, James Agalga said article 19 of the 1992 Constitution enjoins arresting officers to respect the innocence of suspects until they are proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    James Agalga pointed out that the arrest warrant was not read to the suspect before he was whisked by security personnel and the display of the suspect before the cameras could prejudice the outcome of any future trial of the suspect.

    He said the government has allegedly decided to intimidate people who criticize the wrongdoing of government and state agencies which according to the Minority is unfortunate.

    Apostle Kwabena Owusu Agyei, Founder and Leader of the Hezekiah Apostolic Prayer Ministry, who allegedly threatened to ‘kill’ Mrs. Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court.

    The self-styled man of God is also said to have insulted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    He has been charged with the threat of death, offensive conduct to the breach of peace, and possession of a narcotic drug.

    He is said to have threatened the life of Mrs. Jean Mensa after insulting her and the President.

    He has denied all the charges and would make his next appearance on June 23.

    Police Sergeant Frederick Sarpong, told the Court presided over by Mr. Emmanuel Essandoh that the accused, on Thursday, June 4, made a live video of himself on Facebook and YouTube threatening to kill the EC Chairperson if she went ahead with the compilation of the new voters’ register.

    In the same video, he rained insults on Mrs. Jean Mensa and the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Lilwin troubled during an interview,”If I had known I wouldn’t have come” – Video

    Kwadwo Nkansah professionally known as LilWin, is a Ghanaian artiste, musician, actor and comedian.

    He was on a television show on GhoneTV hosted by Regina Van Helvert. He was asked whether one can practice social distancing with families in this era of covid-19.

    Kwadwo Nkansah answered no, because there is some form of intimacy in our rooms with our families. When we move out the necessary protocols should be observed in other to protect ourselves. On set, social distancing can be introduced in addition to washing of hands with running water, wearing of facemasks and using of sanitizers.

    With a kissing role on set, it is presumed that everyone is tested. Kwadwo Nkansah explained that most of his roles in Kumawood movies doesn’t come with kissing roles but jokingly stated characters like Majid Michel, John Dumelo, Prince David and Van Vicker play such roles.

    All these conversations took part in English until LilWin asked Regina,”enti yenka twi kakra”. He said if he had known, he wouldn’t have come. This shows the English language used by her was so much for him to digest.

    Kwadwo Nkansah, despite his level of education has worked very had to be one of the best actors in Ghana currently. He won “Favorite Actor” at the sixth edition of the annual Ghana Movie Awards (GMAs) in 2015. He was honored by the United Nations for his campaigns against the illegal immigration in West Africa.

    Watch video below:

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Lufthansa to offer coronavirus testing at German airports

    German airline group Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) plans to offer coronavirus tests at airports in Frankfurt and Munich, a spokesman said on Friday.

    The tests would be conducted through partnering test centers and be available by early July, the spokesman said, confirming an earlier report in German weekly Der Spiegel.

    Lufthansa last week pledged a wide-ranging restructuring, from thousands of job cuts to asset sales, as it seeks to repay a 9 billion euro state bailout and navigate deepening losses in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Source: Reuters

  • Hot Leak: Hidden post that suggest indeed something hot happened between Mzbel and Nigel Gaisie

    Songstress Nana Akua Amoah popularly known as Mzbel has been trolled on various media outlets for allegedly sleeping with popular Prophet Nigel Gaisie .

    This rumour was quashed by her yesterday evening through a video she made, suggesting that she had issues With the prophet but has never negotiated anything with him.

    Kennedy Agyapong member of Parliament for Assin Central Constituency reportedly teared the man of God into pieces for sleeping with Mzbel before deliverance sessions. This Mzbel said is false. And that Kennedy Agyapong never mentioned her name in his delivery about Nigel Gaisie.

    Barely 24hrs after Mzbel’s denouncement, a screenshot of her post on one of her social media handles particularly facebook has surfaced online suggesting that indeed something happened between her and the Prophet which she was seriously looking for compensation from him.

    The post sounded so mean that indeed what the man of God did to her behind closed doors was undesirable and a disgrace. Check out the post that has exposed both Nigel Gaisie and Mzbel.

    Source: Pen_Sound

  • MTN Ghana and GCB Bank dominates trading by volume and value respectively

    GCB Bank (-2.27%), the sole decliner at the session inched the benchmark index down by 2.55 points (-0.13%) to close the session at 1,958.06 with a year-to-date return of -13.25% while the market capitalization eased by 0.05% to settle at 53.72 billion.

    Accordingly, the GSE Financial Index moderated by 4.71 points (-0.26%) to close at 1,821.13 with a -9.83% year-to-date return.

    The SAS Manufacturing Index remained unchanged at 2,720.46 with a year-to-date return of -21.86%.

    A total of 438,555 shares valued at GH¢1,004,968 changed hands from 1,202,849 shares valued at GH¢744,367 in the previous session.

    MTN Ghana dominated trades by volume, accounting for 52.77% of the total volume traded while GCB Bank dominated trades by value, accounting 85.57% of the total value traded.

    We expect activity levels to increase in the next session.

    Source: SAS Ghana

  • Kennedy Osei shares unseen visuals of late Peace FMs Kwadwo Wiafe (Watch)

    General Manager of Despite Media, Kennedy Osei, has shared unseen photos and videos of his late worker and friend, Kwadwo Wiafe.

    The photos and videos were shared as the family marks the one-week celebration of his demise today, June 12, 2020.

    Taking to Instagram, Mr Osei shared fun moments with Mr Wiafe whose demise was reported on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

    One of the videos captured the deceased showing his powerful dance moves.

    Another captured him lamenting over his unpaid bills.

    He was also spotted in a hearty laughter in the company of his friends.

    Watch the videos and photos below:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    💔

    A post shared by KENNEDY A. OSEI (@_kennedyosei) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by KENNEDY A. OSEI (@_kennedyosei) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    💔

    A post shared by KENNEDY A. OSEI (@_kennedyosei) on

    Source: Adomonline.com

  • Ghana records 498 new coronavirus cases, tally now 10,856

    Ghana has once again recorded another major surge in coronavirus cases in barely 24 hours after the previous update, shooting the figures up from 10,358 to 10,856

    Per the new updates by the Ghana Health Service, the number of recovered patients has also seen a boost as 97 more patients have been declared free moving the numbers to 3921 from 3824.

    No new deaths have been recorded yet.

    This means the number of active cases hovers around 6887, which indicates a sharp rise from the previously recorded 6486.

    The GHS data also shows that 16 of the active patients are in severe conditions while six are critically ill.

    The regional breakdown didn’t record any significant changes as Greater Accra continues to maintain the lead as the region with the most recorded cases.

    So far all 16 regions in the country have recorded at least one case.

    Regional breakdown Below:

    Greater Accra Region – 6,791

    Ashanti Region – 1,905

    Western Region – 874

    Central Region – 539

    Volta Region – 212

    Eastern Region – 204

    Upper East Region – 128

    Western North Region – 79

    Oti Region – 47

    Northern Region – 37

    Upper West Region – 22

    Bono East Region – 13

    North East Region – 2

    Savannah Region – 1

    Bono Region – 1

    Ahafo Region – 1

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • US pledges to reduce Iraq troops as tensions ease

    The United States said Thursday it would reduce troops in Iraq in the coming months as friction between the two countries eased under a new US-friendly premier in Baghdad.

    The United States also promised support to prop up the struggling Iraqi economy as the two nations held their first strategic dialogue in more than a decade.

    Tensions skyrocketed following a US strike on Baghdad in January that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, with lawmakers in Baghdad demanding the expulsion of the roughly 5,200 US troops in the country.

    President Donald Trump responded by threatening crippling sanctions and, according to US military sources, Washington began planning a vast bombing spree against groups blamed for the rockets.

    In a joint statement, the United States said that the reason for its military’s return to Iraq in 2014 – defeating extremists from the Islamic State group – had made major headway.

    “The two countries recognized that in light of significant progress towards eliminating the ISIS threat, over the coming months the US would continue reducing forces from Iraq,” a joint statement said.

    “The United States reiterated that it does not seek nor request permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq.”

    The coalition has already consolidated to just three bases in recent months, down from a dozen.

    The joint statement, hashed out ahead of time, did not give figures and Thursday’s dialogue was brief, with David Schenker, the top US diplomat for the Middle East, telling reporters the delegations did not discuss a timeline for reducing troops.

    Due to coronavirus travel restrictions, top-level talks expected to take place in Baghdad were demoted to a brief online kick-off session.

    New PM changes tone

    Tensions have calmed substantially since Mustafa Kadhemi – an ex-spy chief with close ties to the US and its allies in the region – took the reins as Iraq’s premiere in May.

    Two Iraqi officials said Kadhemi has been invited to the White House this year, a diplomatic olive branch his predecessor Adel Abdel Mahdi had never received.

    “There was a lack of confidence in the relationship with the previous government,” one of the officials said.

    Iraq in the joint statement promised to protect US bases that have seen a barrage of rocket fire blamed on paramilitary groups tied to Iran, a top adversary for the Trump administration.

    The United States said it would look to encourage investment and promote economic reform in Iraq, which was rocked last year by major protests against unemployment and corruption.

    “We will support the new government through the international financial institutions to help it meet the challenge of COVID-19 and declining oil revenues,” Schenker said.

    Iraq’s economy relies almost exclusively on oil exports, with faltering prices and low demand drastically shrinking the government’s ability to pay wages, pensions and welfare to eight million Iraqis.

    After Kadhemi took charge, the United States extended a waiver from American sanctions to let Iraq keep importing needed gas from Iran, although the exemption runs out in September.

    “The entire US-Iraq bilateral relationship will not be fixed in a single day,” said Robert Ford, an analyst at the Middle East Institute and a US diplomat in Baghdad during the last round of strategic talks in 2008, which ironed out the US drawdown from the occupation that began after the 2003 invasion to topple Saddam Hussein.

    “But for once, we seem to have the right people in the right place at the right time,” he said.

    Eyes on troop future

    A dramatic or sudden drop could hamper the coalition’s efforts to back an Iraqi fightback against IS sleeper cells, which have escalated attacks in recent weeks.

    “Whatever comes out of the dialogue is going to set the future of our strategic relationship,” a top American official from the coalition told AFP.

    “Am I still going to fly surveillance drones or not? Do you still want our intelligence?” he added.

    Other coalition countries are watching closely.

    “The ability of non-US members of the coalition to be in Iraq depends on whether the US can stay. We’re tied down by this dialogue, too,” a Western diplomat told AFP.

    The spokesman for the pro-Iran Fatah bloc, Ahmad al-Assadi, has insisted on a six-month deadline for foreign troops’ departure.

    On Monday and Wednesday, two rockets hit near Baghdad airport and the American embassy, after weeks of calm.

    But the rhetoric was more tempered than usual, with even the hardline Kataeb Hezbollah saying it would take a formal stance on the talks only after the first session.

    “These groups are retrenching, which gives Kadhemi some space with the Americans,” Ford said.

    Source: france24.com

  • Twitter shuts thousands of accounts linked to China, Russia and Turkey

    Twitter on Friday said it had removed tens of thousands of “state-linked” accounts used by China, Russia and Turkey to push their own propaganda, sow misinformation or attack critics.

    By far the biggest network uncovered was linked to China, the US social media giant said, comprised of a “highly engaged core” of 23,750 accounts that was boosted by a further 150,000 “amplifier” accounts.

    The Turkish network was made up of 7,340 accounts while the Russian group was 1,152 strong.

    All accounts and their content have been removed from Twitter but have been placed on an archive database for researchers.

    Twitter said the Chinese network was detected with the help of systems it used to previously delete state-linked accounts last August at the height of huge and often violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

    The current network had “failed to achieve considerable traction” but was “involved in a range of manipulative and coordinated activities”.

    “They were tweeting predominantly in Chinese languages and spreading geopolitical narratives favourable to the Communist Party of China while continuing to push deceptive narratives about the political dynamics in Hong Kong,” Twitter wrote in its analysis.

    Analysis: Network aimed at Chinese diaspora

    The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) — a Canberra based think-tank — analysed the dataset ahead of the announcement and said the network was primarily looking to sway views within the global Chinese diaspora.

    As well as pushing Beijing’s narrative on the Hong Kong protests, the network did the same for the coronavirus pandemic and criticising Taiwan.

    Some of the group also later “pivoted” to the US government’s response to seething racial injustice protests “to create the perception of moral equivalence with the suppression of protest in Hong Kong,” ASPI wrote.

    “While the Chinese Communist Party won’t allow the Chinese people to use Twitter, our analysis shows it is happy to use it to sow propaganda and disinformation internationally,” Fergus Hanson, director of ASPI’s cyber centre, wrote.

    Twitter — along with YouTube, Google and Facebook — is banned in China, which uses a “Great Firewall” to scrub its internet and censor negative information.

    In recent years Beijing has pushed to be much more visible on such companies with state media and ambassadors embracing platforms that regular Chinese citizens cannot access.

    In its analysis, Twitter said the Turkish network was detected in early 2020 and was primarily aimed at boosting domestic support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party.

    The Russian accounts were involved in “cross-posting and amplifying content in an inauthentic, coordinated manner for political ends” including promoting ruling United Russia and attacking political dissidents.

    Source: france24.com

  • President Trump’s pictures appear when you type ‘pictures of idiot’ on google

    This morning, I happen to see an unusual story on google. It is a habit I’ve cultivated over the years to do small research once I touch my phone. However, today happens to be a different story altogether. I wanted to get a meme to laugh about in order to kick off my day with a good mood.

    I went to google search bar and typed ‘pictures of idiot’. Surprisingly, I thought I didn’t put in the right phrase. I deleted it and typed the same phrase, ‘pictures of idiot’. Again the same pictures came. The pictures of President Trump of USA.

    This is the screenshot as a proof of it. From the conclusion I gathered, the word ‘idiot’ happens to be used by the US president some years ago. Because of that, the word idiot has been attached in some of his speech on social media and other platforms. Being a world know figure, his pictures are the ones that appears whem you search for the word idiot.

    The president is known for his strict rules and principles. He says whatever he deems right without thinking about the effect on his victim. Basically, president Trump has been giving remarks about the Chinese government which is likely to spark off a war. World leaders have tried to calm the tension between these two countries.

    You can also try and see for yourself.

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Indonesian police battle wave of ‘body snatching’ by grieving relatives

    Indonesian hospitals are beefing up security at their morgues after a spate of body-snatchings by relatives seeking traditional burials for family members who died of Coronavirus, police said Friday.

    Under new rules in the sprawling archipelago, COVID-19 victims must be wrapped in plastic and buried quickly to prevent the virus spreading, meaning grieving relatives are unable to follow Muslim funeral practices, which include washing the dead from head to toe.

    Families in the Muslim-majority nation have also been urged not to linger at cemeteries, robbing them of the chance to perform prayers for loved ones.

    Large groups of distraught relatives descended on several hospitals in Makassar on Sulawesi island this week, with some managing to forcefully take away bodies set to be buried under the virus protocols, according to authorities.

    At least 33 people were arrested, said local police spokesman Ibrahim Tompo, who added they faced up to seven years in prison for violating health quarantine regulations.

    In response, Makassar authorities have deployed more personnel to guard local hospitals, Tompo said.

    Rumours that some victims of the slated for a quick burial had died of unrelated illnesses had exacerbated the situation, Tompo added.

    “This angered the families and locals so they decided to forcefully take the bodies home.”

    In Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-biggest city, authorities said Friday that they had arrested four people after relatives grabbed the body of a suspected virus victim from a local hospital.

    Also this week, dozens of people snatched the corpse of a man who died at a hospital in Bekasi, a city that borders the capital Jakarta, police said.

    Citing the interrogation of one suspect, police said the man took to snatching his relative because he had died before test results were available. They later confirmed he had the virus.

    Officially, Indonesia has more than 35,000 cases of COVID-19 and 2,000 deaths. But with low testing rates, the real toll is widely believed to be much higher.

    Source: france24.com

  • Coronavirus: Italy prosecutors to quiz PM Conte on crisis

    Prosecutors from northern Italy are to question Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday after relatives of Covid-19 victims demanded an inquiry into alleged government negligence.

    The prosecutors have travelled to Rome from Bergamo, the city near Milan worst hit by coronavirus before the whole country was locked down in March.

    Mr Conte said he was “not at all worried” about the questioning.

    Relatives argue that virus hotspots should have been isolated earlier.

    Fifty legal complaints were filed on Thursday at the Bergamo prosecutor’s office by a citizens’ group called Noi Denunceremo (We Will Report).

    The group consists of bereaved relatives of Covid-19 victims, who say two Lombardy towns – Alzano and Nembro – should have been declared “red zones” as soon as the outbreaks were detected there.

    It is the first legal group action in Italy triggered by the pandemic. But the Lombardy region is governed by the right-wing opposition League party, and many have blamed them, rather than the central government, for alleged failures in the coronavirus response.

    In addition, the prosecutors will question Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese and Health Minister Roberto Speranza on Friday.

    The prosecutors aim to determine if there are grounds for any charges of criminal negligence.

    Lombardy was where the virus first started spreading in Europe and more than half the victims in Italy died in the region.

    On Thursday, Italy’s official coronavirus death toll stood at 34,114 – the second-highest figure in Europe after the UK, and fourth-highest in the world.

    But Italy’s infection rate has been brought down, enabling the authorities to gradually ease draconian restrictions.

    Rome’s responsibility or Lombardy’s? Mr Conte said: “I will conscientiously set out all the facts of which I have knowledge. I am not at all worried.

    “All investigations are welcome. The citizens have the right to know and we have the right to reply.”

    In a BBC interview in early April, Mr Conte denied claims that he had underestimated the crisis. He said that if he had ordered a lockdown at the beginning, when the first virus clusters were detected, “people would have taken me for a madman”.

    He dismissed the suggestion that Italy could have rapidly imposed a big lockdown like the one in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

    Lombardy officials say locking down virus hotspots was a central government responsibility. The region’s Health Minister Giulio Gallera has said it was clear from 23 February that Alzano and Nembro had many cases.

    But Mr Conte, who heads a center-left coalition government, hit back by saying “if Lombardy had wanted to, it could have made Alzano and Nembro red zones”, AFP news agency reported.

    The prosecutors have already questioned senior Lombardy officials.

    How did the crisis unfold in Lombardy?

    The little town of Codogno was first to be locked down, on 21 February. Then Lombardy and 14 provinces in the neighbouring regions of Veneto, Piedmont and Emilia Romagna were locked down on 8 March. Two days later the lockdown was extended to the whole of Italy.

    In early March it was clear that hospitals in the Lombardy crisis zone were overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients and struggling with shortages of protective kit, beds and medical staff.

    BBC footage from a hospital in Brescia, near Bergamo, showed how doctors struggled with “staggering” numbers of Covid-19 patients, without medication to fight the virus.

    The widow of one victim, Monica Plazzoli, said: “If it hadn’t been so disorganised, if [the province of] Bergamo had been made into a red zone earlier, perhaps the hospitals would not have been driven to collapse”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Two remanded over NIA stolen laptops

    Two persons have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing 15 HP Pro book laptops belonging to the National Identification Authority (NIA).

    Frank Nketia a trader, and Victor Maduka a businessman, who are being held over charges of stealing, possession of stolen property and dishonestly receiving, have pleaded not guilty.

    They are expected to reappear on June 26 before the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Essandoh.

    Meanwhile, defence counsels in their application for bail contended that the charge of stealing raises concerns.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rita Yeboah, the Prosecutor, said the complainant is Emmanuel Selby, the Head of Information Management System under the NIA.

    ASP Yeboah said Nketia and Maduka reside at Tetegu and Lapaz respectively.

    The Prosecutor said in October last year, Government of Ghana procured 5,000 HP Pro book computers from Denmark for NIA to be used in issuing ECOWAS Cards for Ghanaians.

    According to ASP Yeboah, in February this year, the NIA detected that 64 pieces of the laptops had been stolen as such, the Authority commenced investigations.

    Prosecution said during investigations, it was detected that one of the employees working under the complainant, stole the laptops and disposed 15 of the laptops at Circle in Accra.

    The Prosecutor said the employee, however, could not lead the Police to the receivers of the stolen laptops.

    Prosecution said on May 14, this year seven of the laptops were retrieved from a shop at Burma Camp in Accra, and when the serial numbers of the laptops were scanned, they were among the NIA laptops procured.

    Prosecution said further investigations revealed that in March this year, Nketia after bargaining bought and received 12 laptops from two other persons who are now at large and kept them.

    Nketia called Maduka who came to purchase the laptops at a cost of GHC1,500 each.

    ASP Yeboah said during the lockdown some Nigerian businessmen at Circle had their shops closed and Maduka’s shop too was close down but he managed to give the laptops to a friend to sell for him and the Supervisor at Burma Camp bought them and he was issued with a receipt.

    Prosecution said Nketia and Maduka admitted the offences in their caution statements.

     

    Source: GNA

  • George Floyd: Microsoft bars facial recognition sales to police

    Microsoft has become the latest US company to limit the use of its facial recognition technology by police.

    The firm said it would not start sales to US police departments until the country approves national regulation of the technology, which critics say is racially biased and easy to abuse.

    Amazon and IBM have already made similar moves.

    These followed widespread protests over police brutality and racial discrimination.

    Amazon on Wednesday banned police from using its tech for one year, while IBM earlier said it would stop offering the technology for “mass surveillance or racial profiling”.

    The American Civil Liberties Union has campaigned against such software for years, warning there is a danger it will be used for widespread “suspicionless” surveillance.

    “Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM have finally started to take action. But we still have a long way to go to forever end the over-policing and surveillance of black and brown communities,” the organisation said in a statement.

    It called on US lawmakers to order an immediate “pause” on law enforcement use of the technology.

    Federal vs local

    Firms have been under pressure in recent weeks to respond to the protests triggered by George Floyd’s death in police custody.

    George Floyd: Why are companies speaking up this time? Microsoft president Brad Smith said at an event that the firm had not sold to police departments and would not start “until we have a national law in place, grounded in human rights, that will govern this technology”.

    Microsoft first called for national regulation more than two years ago, warning that inaction could lead such services to “spread in ways that exacerbate societal issues”.

    Companies tend to favour national rules, rather than be forced to deal with a patchwork of local laws.

    However, there are some concerns that a national law could be a way to override stricter local regulation.

    San Francisco, for example, has already banned facial recognition technology by its police and public agencies.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Youre a joker if you promise development as an MP – Frimpong Addo jabs

    The incumbent Member of Parliament for Manso Adubia constituency, Mr. Yaw Fimpong Addo has suggested the decision of his only contender in the upcoming parliamentary primaries, Kofi Osei-Afoakwa could be of selfish motive.

    The MP speaking on his chances and whether he was scared of any threats ahead said the former constituency chair who resigned to contest him, may not have any positive mindset for contesting him.

    The legislator said his contender lacks understanding of parliamentary work hence goes round promising development when it is not the duty of an MP.

    He has, therefore, advised him to focus his attention at the District Assembly and fight for the position as DCE if he wants to lead the development agenda.

    Mr. Frimpong Addo in an interview on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm stressed ”if you are promising development then your place is not parliament. Parliament is a place for lawmakers. If you are lucky and lobby for a project, you send it to the assembly and so, candidates who promise development when contesting as MPs are jokers.”

    “It is a figment of your own imagination if you promise constituents to build them clinics, roads and other projects when contesting as an MP. That is not your job. The district executive projects even if you are the one who lobbied for them,” he added.

    Party delegates he said are now wiser than before and will not accept just promises.

    The MP disclosed he would have happier if he had gone unopposed since it would have cut down his cost.

    “If he had expressed interest in contesting me, I would have relaxed and invested the resources in other activities. But now there is a competition and I have to live with it.”

    The NPP will go to the polls on June 20, 2020, to elect parliamentary candidates.

    The primaries are expected to be held at the electoral areas and not the previous format whereby all the delegates met to vote at one place.

    The statement also confirmed that President Akufo-Addo has been accepted as the flagbearer of the party for the 2020 presidential election.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • German airline Lufthansa plans to cut 22,000 jobs

    German airline Lufthansa has said it will cut 22,000 jobs as it struggles to deal with the slump in air travel caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

    The carrier predicted a slow recovery in demand and expected to have about 100 fewer aircraft after the crisis.

    Lufthansa said half the job cuts would be in Germany. It hopes to agree on the measures with unions by 22 June.

    It added that it hoped to minimise redundancies through short-time working and crisis agreements.

    “The aim is to pave the way for the preservation of as many jobs as possible in the Lufthansa Group,” the company said.

    The airline employs more than 135,000 people worldwide. About half of them are in Germany.

    Lufthansa labour director Michael Niggemann said: “Without a significant reduction in personnel costs during the crisis, we will miss the opportunity of a better restart from the crisis and risk that the Lufthansa Group will emerge from the crisis significantly weakened.”

    Struggling sector

    Last month, Lufthansa agreed to a rescue deal worth €9bn (£8bn) with the German government to save it from collapse.

    The German government will take a 20% stake in the firm, which it intends to sell by the end of 2023.

    However, the deal still has to be approved by the firm’s shareholders and the European Commission.

    The company closed its budget airline Germanwings in April.

    Other airlines are implementing similar measures in anticipation of a long, slow return to former levels of demand. Job cuts announced so far include:

    British Airways is proposing to make 12,000 of its 45,000 staff redundant, with more than 1,000 pilot roles at risk

    Ryanair is set to shed 3,000 jobs – 15% of its workforce – with boss Michael O’Leary saying the planned cuts are “the minimum that we need just to survive the next 12 months”

    EasyJet has said it will cut up to 30% of its workforce – about 4,500 jobs And Virgin Atlantic, which employs 10,000 people, has said it will cut 3,000 jobs.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Nana Yaa Brefo, Captain Smart and some workers at Angel FM stuns social media with old school outfit

    Social media goes wild today and surprised as workers of Angel FM dress in old school to work. They term it as old school Friday.

    There is a saying that in work there should be dynamism and Angel FM has demonstrated that in their outfits.

    Although journalist and presenters are always seen in official dresses due to the professionalism of their job,  there have been some changes today by Angel FM 102.9 Accra.

    Journalism has been taken to another level, that is the view people are sharing today when they saw these pictures. And this has drawn  lot fans to the workers and Angel Broadcasting Network as a whole.

    Most people missed their school times when they saw these pictures on the media. Some people are amazed with their good works since this demonstrates the passion for their works.

    See below:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Angel102.9fm

    A post shared by Nana Yaa Brefo Danso (@nanayaabrefo) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    AppiahKubi on #Angeloldskuul with @nanacaptainsmart @ghananewspage @abn_ghana @angeltvgh @angel961fm

    A post shared by Angel 102.9fm (@angel1029fm) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    @nanayaabrefo live on #Angeloldskuul with @nanacaptainsmart @bteflon @ohemaawoyeje

    A post shared by Angel 102.9fm (@angel1029fm) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Kyenkyenhene on #Angeloldskuul @ohemaawoyeje @nanacaptainsmart

    A post shared by Angel 102.9fm (@angel1029fm) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Join us now on Angel102.9fm and do not forget I sell pizza

    A post shared by Nana Yaa Brefo Danso (@nanayaabrefo) on

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Sad photos: How 5 COVID-19 deaths in Ghana are being buried

    Ostensibly, Ghana has buried 21 COVID-19 deaths remaining 27 corpses in various morgues.

    Today, the Public Health Directorate of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly supervised the burial of 5 coronavirus death in Ghana.

    It was reported that, the 5 bodies were from the 37 Military Hospital and the Accra Ridge Hospital.

    See Photos Here:

    Source: mynewsghana.net

  • Marcus Rashford’s real name is Jonathan Maama Marquaye and he is Ghanaian – Ex Ghanaian Player claims

    It no longer news that Michael Boye Marquaye alleged that English and Manchester United striker is his  biological son but he went on to claim that Marcus Rashford’s real name is Jonathan Maama Marquaye and he can go to any length to prove it.

    . 

    The 65 year old former footballer who is based in Kumasi.

    Ghana has sparked  on social media as many claims he only wants to associate himself with the super stars because of the fame.

    Marcus Rashford is known to be of Jamaican descent but Mr Michael says otherwise. 

    Mr Michael Boye Marquaye has been on social media platforms of Marcus Rashford to show love and support especially whenever Rashford is playing for his side but why is he coming out now to claim Marcus to be his son?

    We have cases of players particularly Dele Alli and Ross Barkley both Nigerian descent but yet no one is dragging them on social media despite claiming to be Briton’s.

    What is it for Mr Michael, the money, the fame or he just wants the love of Rashford?

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • This is what will happen if Akufo-Addo wins the 2020 elections

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been in power for about 3 year’s now and is said to have performed better than any political party ever to exit in the country but most people don’t accept that. Things to happen when the NPP comes to power are listed below:

    1. Better economy.

    The economy of Ghana has been at it’s worse during the regime of the NDC and the NPP coming to power made it better and this has made the president receive awards from international organizations for the great job he has done for the country.

    2. Increase in the standard of living.

    The standard of living among Ghanaian’s is low for now this is because of the corrupt practices and acts which has lost the country alot of money and the current government is fighting hard to get them back and this would make 2020 a good year for Ghana. Better economy leads to high standard of living so the country having a better economy would lead to high standard of living.

    3. Better education.

    The introduction of free SHS has made the country a better place as most people uneducated youth have all started to go to school, and this has made the number of uneducated youth decrease in the country, most youths who had no access to Education has now and it shall continue.

    4. Better health service.

    The outbreak of covid-19 has opened the eyes of Ghanaian politicians to invest into the health sector so this has made president to decide to build hospitals in all districts around the country and this would make the health sector stronger than ever.

    5. High level of employment.

    The government of Ghana is training over 60,000 youths to be entrepreneurs and this has lead to the creation of much jobs in the country so as employment.

    Source: Jaradmoxley20

  • My delegates are loyal, I don’t fear them – Obour

    Former President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bice Osei Kuffour, popularly known as Obour, who is aspiring to be elected as the member of parliament for Asante Akyem South constituency on the ticket of NPP has said he is confident that his delegates will not disappoint him in the upcoming primaries.

    The NPP has slated its presidential and parliamentary primaries for Saturday, June 20 this year and already the party’s Parliamentary candidates have been pitching their campaign messages to the delegates.

    Obour is poised to contest the sitting Member of Parliament for the constituency, Kwaku Asante Boateng but since votes by delegates cannot be predicted, the question then arises does Obour fear his delegates?

    “Fear delegates” is a coinage by Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John, a former NPP General Secretary, and a term to describe the unsteady behaviour of political party delegates.

    The popular term was associated with Sir John after he suffered an overwhelming defeat in the NPP primaries in 2014 although he had unflinching support of his delegates.

    Speaking in an interview on Peace FM’s morning programme ‘Kokrokoo’, Bice Osei Kuffour told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that he is absolutely certain of his victory in the primaries.

    He explained that before he disclosed his interest in contesting the Asante Akyem South Parliamentary seat, he had already been behind the scenes working with the party delegates to improve the livelihood of the residents in the community.

    He noted that he has built a strong relationship, cemented on goodwill, with the delegates and expressed confidence in his delegates describing them as trustworthy.

    He strongly believes they will vote massively for him during the party’s primaries.

    “They have promised to vote for me and since they’re dependable, I know they will honour their word to bring me victory.”

    Obour further emphasized that he has “no fears because of my relationship with them. And looking at this year’s primaries which will be held at the electoral areas according to the leadership of the NPP, I know of some electoral areas in my constituency that, for instance, have six delegates and I know a number of the delegates who call me often to tell me how they adore me.”

    “So, it is when we go for the primaries and I get only one out of these six delegates to vote for me that will tell me to fear the delegates just as Sir John said but should I get a good result, then I will know they’re trustworthy. But my delegates at Asante Akyem South are very loyal”.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • NPP accuses the NDC for planning to sponsor coup makers to oust the NPP government in a press conference

    The Leadership of the NPP in the five Northern Regions has accused the NDC of planning to sponsor Coup makers to oust the NPP government ahead of the 2020 elections.

    This serious allegations were made in a press conference in Tamale. The NPP communication director of the Savannah region made these allegations when he spoke on behalf of the NPP. According to his statement, the NDC are warmongers and the leadership of the NPP in the five Northern Regions has made an official report to the Ghana police and other security agencies.

    He alleged that the NDC is “poised to send the Northern Region back to the dark days after several resources were committed into restoring peace in Dagbon.

    Mr Issah Mohamed said the leadership of the NDC led by the General Secretary Aseidu Nketia made a recent visit to the region to engage the youth group and promised to release guns and ammunition’s to them for the execution of the said plot. He added that a similar visit was made to a rival chief of the Nanton Chieftaincy dispute with promise of getting him into Nanton either by hook or crook.

    According to the communication director of the NPP who spoke “May we humbly apprise the minds of the media to an equally dangerous and strenuous attempt by the NDC to sponsor a coup plot”

    He cited Mahama’s comment he made recently to reject the election results if the exercise was not fairly conducted as a confirmation.

    He added that the NDC in their visit to the regions was inciting the people against the new voter registration exercise.

    Source: 3new.com

  • Who will you vote for? ‘Akufo-Addo’ or ‘Mahama’. 2020 election.

    As the 2020 election is fast approaching, it is up to Ghanaians to decide who to rule the country. Thankfully, we have quite a number of contestants to choose from.

    The main candidates who are most liked in terms of Ghanaian politics are now Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo and the former president John Dramani Mahama.

    Former president John Dramani Mahama served the nation as president from the year 2013 to 2016. He had the chance to shiw Ghanaians what he can offer.

    During his era, he did what he could for the country.

    Some of his innovations include infrastructural development such as roads, hospitals, schools, extension of electricity to rural areas, provision of water and many others.

    Some of his most memorable infrastructures are the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, AKA Ghana Dubai. The Kejetia lorry park.

    Those are some of his achievements for the nation.

    Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo, the current President of the great republic of Ghana. He took the mandate from the hands of John Dramani Mahama from the year 2017 up to date. He has been granted a four year trial by the Ghanaian voters to show what he has for the country.

    Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo has done a lot for the country since his term of power.

    Here are some of the things that he has done so far.

    His key point, during the campaign, the free Senior High School has been fulfilled. He did that immediately he took over power.

    Some other achievements are; provision of ambulances for health purpose, construction of roads which are ongoing, and many other things that might come to mind.

    In view of this, the two leaders, namely; Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo and John Dramani Mahama have been given enough time to justify that the deserve another four years in power.

    They have both done what they can; each of them thinks that he has done well in his era.

    Now it is up to us, to judge the two with our thumbs.

    Who deserves another four years?

    Type your answer at the comments section below.

    Source: News Hub Creator

  • Know the origin of the Denkyira in Ghana

    Denkyira people are ancient warlords and matriarchal Kwa-speaking people which forms the sub-set of the larger Akan ethnic group residing in the Central Region of Ghana. The Denkyira people who were once a famous kingdom until Asante people brought it to its knees, speak Akan Twi language and can be found in Twifo Ati-Mokwa (Hemang lower Denkyira) and Upper Denkyira districts.

    The Asante Kingdom was a vassal of Denkyira. In 1699, Denkyirahene Ntim Gyakari requested hire taxes from Asantehene Osei Tutu. This action caused war to break out. Initially, the war went the way of Denkyirahene Gyakari, but the tides turned. In 1701, Denkyirahene Ntim Gyakari was defeated by the Asante Kingdom at Feyiase. The Asante Kingdom proceeded to aquire remaining Denkyira territories.

    Denkyira was broken into to two regions, metropolitan and provincial. Abankeseso represented the metropolitan area, where the king or denkyirahene resided. Under the king were different officers; Batahene (Minister of Trade), the Sanaahene(Finance), the Gyaasehene(Home Afrairs), the Akyeamehene (Foreign Affairs and Head Linguist) and the Sumankwaahene(Religious Affairs).

    The provincial regions represented conquered territories. Kings of conquered territories still remained in authority and served in a council that advised the denkyirahene. They were to pay tax and provide soldiers for the army during wartime.

    Denkyira’s two broad regions fell into three political/military division: Akumatire(Advance Guard), Kyeremfem (Leftwing) and Agona Adontendom(Right Guard)

    The kingdom traded with the Europeans at the coast. Gold and slaves were major items in exchanged for guns and manufactured goods at Elmina. Gold and slaves were heavily taxed by the kingdom. Guns were the most sought after product. It was used to build up the military and support the empire’s expansionist thrust. Denkyira held the Note to Elmina Castle of the Dutch, before it was taken by the Asante Empire in 1701. The Note represented overlordship and control of all trading activities.

    Source: AkwasiKaakyire

  • Fatawu Sulemana: I will choose Kotoko ahead of Accra Hearts of Oak

    Medeama Sporting Club Defender Fatawu Sulemana has disclosed that he will chose Kotoko ahead of Accra Hearts Of oak on any given day.

    The youngster made his premier league debut against Dreams Fc in the suspended Ghana premier league.

    According to him, his family members are all supporters of the porcupine warriors and he will love to wear the red jersey.

    ” I will choose Kotoko ahead of Hearts because my family members are die hard supporters of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club.

    “am not afraid of any striker in the premier league, because i play with the best striker in the premier league (PRINCE OPOKU AGYEMAN)” He told Agyenkwa Fm.

    He added ” in terms of salaries President Moses Armah Paker has paid all . We don’t even call him for it, he has done very well in this COVID 19 crisis”.

    Medeama SC are currently top of the suspended Ghana premier league and the team are looking forward for the resumption of the league.

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Construction of Buipe, Yapei bridges begin

    The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako Atta, has revealed that the construction of two new bridges for Yapei and Buipe has commenced.

    The two new bridges are estimated to cost Ghana $68 million.

    According to the minister, the contractors have moved to the site and works have started.

    He however indicated that the new bridges will be constructed at different locations in the two areas, adding that the old bridges will not be demolished.

    “There will be no interruption of vehicular movement of people and goods because the existing bridges will be maintained, ” he said.

    The roads minister was optimistic that the new bridges, when completed, will promote economic development for the country.

    He made this known when he addressed journalists in Tamale after touring the region to inspect ongoing road projects.

    In 2017, there was some repair works on the Buipe-Yapei bridges after it was closed down.

    The bridge was closed to vehicles due to its poor state, making it unsafe for travelers to use them.

    About GH¢4 million was used to repair the bridge which is over 54 years.

     

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • NPP honors party financier in the Bono East region

    The New Patriotic Party, through its General Secretary, John Boadu, on Wednesday, June 10, honoured a financier of the party in the Bono East Region, by name, Alhaji Mohammed Adam, for his invaluable support and contribution in financing the activities of the party in the Region.

    John Boadu presented an award in the form of a citation to the said financier on behalf of the Bono East Regional Executive Committee led by the Regional Chairman, Thomas Adu Appiah, who described the financier as a great pillar to the Regional Party and the various Constituencies in the Region.

    Presenting the citation to the financier, the NPP chief scribe used the occasion to urge members of the party to draw inspiration from commendable feat chalked by Alhaji Mohammed Adam, and not hesitate to sacrifice the little they have for the good of the larger party. The NPP, he noted, was founded on the immense sacrifices and selflessness of individual members of the party, and continues to survive on their sacrifices and selflessness.

    On his part, Alhaji Mohammed Adam, said, he was inspired by the exploits of the NPP General Secretary, whom he described as a true patriot and a great source of inspiration for the current generation particularly members and sympathizers of the NPP political tradition. He promised to do even much more to support the activities of the regional party especially as the party gears up for election 2020.

    The NPP General Secretary was in the Bono Region leading some national officers of the party including the National 3rd Vice Chairman, F.F. Anto as well as the National Nasara Coordinator, Abdul Aziz Futah, to train party executives at the regional and constituency levels in preparations for the upcoming new voter registration by the EC, scheduled to begin on June 30, 2020.

    The John Boadu-led team had already held similar training workshops in the Central Region, Ashanti Region, Ahafo Region, and the Bono Regions. Other national officers of the party are leading a team of resource persons to the other regions of the country to organize similar exercise. The party is urging all Ghanaians and its members to come out in their numbers to participate in the registration exercise when the window is opened on June 30.

     

    Source: Alhaji Iddi Muhayu-Deen, contributor

  • Why are powerful Pastors not at the treatment centres healing COVID-19 patients Wizkid asks

    Nigerian Music icon, Wizkid has asked why Nigerian Pastors who claim to be powerful have all coiled and not at treatment centres healing people like they used to do prior to COVID-19.

    Some members of society in Ghana and across the globe have noted with concern the utter silence of leading Pastor, Prophets and other religious personalities in the wake of COVID-19.

    To them, Pastors who were all over the place healing people from all kinds of ailments including HIV/AIDS should have been playing key roles in healing COVID-19 patients so it relief government some stress that it has had to go through but that has not been the case.

    The latest to add his voice to the concerns is WizKid.

    In a tweet, he asked where Pastors are in all these.

    He said “I never see any naija pastor go isolation heal anybody from covid lol”.

    In recent times people have questioned whether truly some Men of God who claimed to be powerful are really powerful as they claim or they just employ some antics in siphoning cash from their congregants. In Ghana, a Member of Parliament has taken it upon himself to name and shame Pastors he deems as fake and has over the weeks been naming and shaming them with their evil deeds.

    Source: MyNewsGh.com/

  • Baba Jamal outlines several reasons why John Mahama is winning 2020 elections

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is trying to leave no stone unturned in their bid to recapture power from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). The NDC left power three and a half years ago after they lost the December 2016 elections by a wide margin, but the party seems to be bouncing back with energy.

    A former member of parliament for Akwatia Constituency and former deputy minister in the Mahama administration, Hon. Baba Jamal has expressed his deep optimism about the NDC recapturing power from the NPP in the December 2020 polls.

    According to Baba Jamal, the performance of the Nana Akuffo Addo led government is very appaling and there is no way Ghanaians are going to give them another term in office.

    Speaking on Okay FM’s Ade3 Akye Abia morning show hosted by Kwame Nkrumah Tikese, the member of the NDC’s legal team listed a number of areas where he believes the government has failed and which will definitely cause Nana Akufo-Addo’s defeat to their flagbearer former president John Dramani Mahama.

    He said in the area of mining, the Akuffo Addo government has demonstrated a very terrible performance. The poorly managed attempt of the NPP government to deal with the problem of illegal mining has caused about 3 million people losing their jobs, he said. These disappointed people is part of the hopes of the NDC to receive massive votes, against the NPP government.

    He also spoke of businesses that have been negatively impacted by the insensitivity of the Akuffo Addo government. A number of businesses have collapsed over the period of Akuffo Addo’s governance. All the owners of these businesses and their employees, he said are going to vote out Akuffo Addo and his NPP government.

    He also referred to the various banks and other financial institutions that have collapsed under the watch of Nana Akuffo Addo is a clear indication that the government has already lost touch with the suffering masses.

    When asked about the possibility of the beneficiaries of the free SHS policy voting for the NPP government, Baba Jamal said there is no way these people are going to vote for Nana Akuffo Addo. This he said is because the free SHS program has been very poorly managed by the government and they have done more harm than good.

    The host asked him again about the impact of the restoration of teachers and nurses trainee allowances for Nana Akuffo Addo, but the former MP said they will not vote for the NPP again because of the hardship they have been made to go through.

    Source: D.K.Joseph.

  • You are the laziest minister in Akufo Addo government – MP tells Health Minister

    Member of Parliament for the Jauboso Constituency Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, a ranking member of the parliamentary health committee has descended heavily on the health minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu for doing little concerning the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The NDC member of Parliament said the current health minister is the most under performed and “laziest”minister in the Akuffo Addo government. He said the health minister now don’t even attend committee to update the health Committee about the covid-19 pandemic. He made this comment at a press conference organize by the NDC to brief the press on the party stand concerning the Covid-19.

    The Hon. Member said, the health minister is doing very little about the covid-19, he also made mentioned of a time that the ministry of health together Ghana health services have to take Covid-19 patients from Accra to Central region because there is no space in all the health facilities in Accra here.

    The health minister should sit up and take care of issues seriously before it get out of hands.

    Source: MohammedKarfo

  • ICUMS records 1,452 transactions at land borders

    The new Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS) has registered 1,452 transactions at the land frontiers since it was deployed.

    Out of this, 408 were direct imports into home use, 900 Temporary Vehicle Imports, 34 Warehouse, 20 Transit, and nine Free Zones.

    Bill of Tax for payment instead of Bill of Entry

    Responding to concerns by some stakeholders, Mr Emmanuel Ohene, Assistant Commissioner of Customs, who is the sector commander of Accra, said payment is no longer made on the Bill of Entry (BoE) but rather a Bill of Tax is generated for the payment.

    “Whereas previously a post-entry is required to update change in exchange rate, ICUMS does that automatically and generates a new Bill of Tax.

    “This is a more effective way of managing changes in exchange rate rather than the post-entry as was the case in the old system,” he stated.

    According to him, the one per cent Inspection Fee in the case of General Goods & New Vehicles, as well as one per cent Examination Fee in the case of Used Motor Vehicles, is administrative fees and not related to a service provider.

    “So long as a BoE goes through classification and valuation process, the payment of this fee is required,” he stressed.

    Mr Ohene explained that the tax base for the calculation of ad-valorem taxes in Ghana has not changed and is duly enforced in the ICUMS.

    He noted that the upfront relief on the payment of the one per cent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Deposit is not permanent and subject to periodic review.

    “All taxpayers who require an upfront relief of this tax from GRA after approval are updated into ICUMS as and when the approval is done; otherwise, you are required to pay,” he added.

    He said every transaction done in ICUMS, including Import Assessment Tax (TVI), is issued with their required certificate.

    For the avoidance of doubt, a TVI Certificate is generated and given to the driver, which is verifiable, he stated.

    Mr Ohene explained that ICUMS has clear isolation of data and data privacy, which is strictly enforced, saying “transactions of one entity cannot be accessed by another agency.”

    In addition, he said there is clear control of work, such that even users in the same company are not able to see one other’s work unless assigned supervisor role.

    According to him, the administrators of a company can create, assign roles, suspend, revoke and delete a user.

    He said the establishment of an ultra-modern call centre and customer support desks at strategic locations was normal in such a transition process.

    “Since November last year, training sessions have been organised for all stakeholders before the system went live.

    “More so, as training is a continuous process, it is still ongoing and being run in collaboration with Freight Forwarder Associations to date,” Mr Ohene said.

    Source: thefinderonline.com

  • Ghanaian celebrities in politics

    Politics in Ghana is a very complicated job and it’s effects on careers especially those in the movie and music industry (celebrities) is demeaning.

    Celebrities in Ghana’s Politics have had their contracts taken away from them, loosed their jobs, loosed fans and support etc. Below are celebrity politicians in Ghana:

    .John Dumelo

    Actor cum entrepreneur John Dumelo began his political career prior to the 2016 elections and he was seen everywhere campaigning for the Former President John Mahama and the NDC. Fast forward to 2019,he picked forms to contest on the ticket of the NDC in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency. He is seeking to wrestle the seat from Hon. Lydia Alhassan Seyram who won a bye- election in January 2019 after the sad demise of her husband in 2018. One constituency with intense parliamentary pressure is that of John Dumelo’s.

    .Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour)

    Former Musiga boss and musician Obour is set to contest on the ticket of the NPP in the Asante Akyem South Constituency if voted by delegates on the 20th June 2020 at the internal NPP Primaries.

    .Bibi Bright

    Actress Bibi Bright in 2016 declared her support and affiliation to the NPP and actively campaigned for the party to come to power. She is currently the Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Council and Ambassador for the Youth Employment Agency.

    .Clement Bonney ( Mr. Beautiful )

    The kumawood actor happily mounted campaign platforms for the NDC for several years. Even though he has complained bitterly about how politics has affected his career,he is still an avid and unrepentant supporter and sympathizer of the NDC.

    . Kwame Asare Obeng( A plus)

    Rapper and songwriter who has churned out controversial political songs in the past for the NPP. He has been of the outspoken celebrities on issues of national interest since 2016. A Plus lambasted the two deputy chief of staffs accusing them of corruption . His TPP has been making headways into the headlines as an objective and strong group whose interest is to fight corruption and related offences.

    .Seth Kwame Dzokoto

    Actor and host of Edziban contested on the ticket of the NDC in 2016 as parliamentary candidate. Even though he lost he is still an active member of the NDC but didn’t contest for the seat this year.

    .Mzbel

    The hitmaker openly endorsed John Mahama and the NDC. In 2016 she said Nana Addo isn’t a Presidential material and Ghanaians shouldn’t vote for him. She is a staunch supporter of the NDC.

    .Afia Schwarzenegger

    Controversial Actor Afia Schwarzenegger is also an avid supporter of the NDC.

    .Kofi Adu( Agya Koo)

    Kofi Adu in 2016 campaigned for the NPP in the 2016 and even created a network of Kumawood Actors to support the NPP

    .Tracey Boakye

    A staunch NDC supporter.

    .Abraham Kofi Davies(Salinko)

    A 2016 parliamentary candidate for the PPP.

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Better roads should lead to economic growth, not accidents Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has indicated that better roads should be the catalyst for national development and not an instrument of death and pain, cautioning motorists to be extra careful and disciplined on the highways and resist the temptation of over-speeding.

    He said it is time accidents in the country are brought under control, reminding Ghanaians of their responsibility to be disciplined on the road to making accident a thing of the past.

    “As we talk about upgrading the condition of our highways, we as Ghanaians need to be responsible in the use of our roads. Although the necessary safeguards have been put in place, the frequency of accidents on our highways due to over-speeding and indiscipline are a great reproach to us all,” he said.

    Speaking at the opening of first phase the Tema Motorway interchange project to improve traffic congestion and trade facilitation for Ghana and its neighboring countries, the president said safety on the roads are critical to national development and enhancing the growth of key sectors of the economy, stating that the completion of phase one of the Tema interchange project is such a welcome development.

    “The provision of quality road infrastructure is an important tool of the socio-economic development of our country and government will ensure the even spread of such project across the country,” he said.

    He called on agencies and departments of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, especially the Ghana Highway Authority, in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority and the patrol unit of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to intensify their educational and sensitization activities on speed control and road preservation. He appealed to Ghanaian, particularly drivers, to use the road responsibly and productively.

    Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako Attah disclosed that the motorway round about is a five legged round about serving the people of Tema and its surrounding areas, including neighboring countries in the sub region.

    The project, which cost US$57 million, was a grant from the Japan International Cooperation and Agency (JICA), took 28 months to be completed on schedule by the contractor, Shimuzu- Dai Nippon and CTI Engineering, a supervising consultant, and generated over 1000 direct and indirect jobs

    Components of the project include construction of underpass (Box culvert of 190m) on the east-west (Accra-Aflao road), total road length of 4km, four pedestrian bridges, five serving roads for right turning traffic, traffic signals and street lights and drainage, ramps and landscape.

    According to him, agreements concerning the second phase of the project would be signed in the next two weeks for construction works to commence in the fourth quarter of this year, expanding the interchange from two to three tiers. He thanked drivers for their patience during the first phase and encourage them to exhibit same patience for the realization of the second phase.

    Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Tsutomu Himeno and Chief Representative of JICA Ghana, Yasumichi Araki expressed excitement about the long standing relationship between Ghana and Japan since 1963, and their enormous support for Ghana in the areas of road, health, agriculture, industry and other significant sectors.

    They expressed gratitude to all whose continues effort made the construction of the project a reality. They advised authorities in charge to maintain the quality of the facility and keep safely for road user.

    Source: B&FT Online