The Ghana Water Company Limited in the Eastern Region would begin a rationing programme, effective Monday, May 25, for residents in and around Koforidua.
Demand for water has increased due to usage amid the Covid-19 relief provided by government.
Water pumps are experiencing low pressure and, in some parts, no flow in recent times.
Residents have been advised to store water anytime the taps flow.
A rationing schedule has been put out by GWCL for residents.
Source: 3news.com
Black Satellites (U-20) center back Nathaniel Adjei has signed a new deal with UK firm, Base Soccer Agency to represent and manage his football career.
The Danbort FC defender, who plays in the Ghana Division one League, chose to sign on with the United Kingdom-based football agency to secure a move abroad.
His decision to sign with the global agency confirms the player’s intention to play in Europe.
Base’ clients include for Swansea City and Black Stars captain Andre Dede Ayew, Kyle Walker of Man City and England, and other top professional footballers across the world.
The former Ghana U-17 vice captain and current U-20 defender, whose career development will now be managed by Base, is also wanted by top European clubs including Napoli, PSG and Genk to reinforce their defence.
He was named the 5th best young player in the Scoutsourced Top 60 value players ranking in 2018/19 season.
Adjei, 17, was described as “a stoic Center Back, completely commanding on the ground and in the air”.
“Stays on his feet and seems determined to distribute with simplicity, but also able to look long with touch.Be very surprised if he does not get a move soon, as he could already do a job for a Ligue 2 side at 16,” according to Scoutsourced.
This signing is the first in the initiative involving Mr Ibrahim Sannie of Ghana based AM-I sporting agency and Mr Marcos Serioux of Base Soccer Agency. The collaboration is expected to open the market for the next generation of young Ghanaian footballers for opportunities abroad.
Source:Â Ghana Guardian
Former Wa All Stars player Bright Addae and his Bright Addae Foundation with support from the Afro-Arab Group of companies will visit schools in some deprived areas in the country to assist students in both public and private schools.
Addae expressed his profound appreciation to the Afro-Arab CEO in an interview from his Italian home for his unfailing patronage of him and the Foundation. Addae is hopeful that we will overcome the coronavirus pandemic worldwide, with God on our side.
“Alhaji Salamu has been a pillar to ensure the vision and the mission of the Bright Addae Foundation is accomplished and I will take this opportunity to wish a Happy Ramadan and Eid Mubarakâ€.
Addae has collaborated with dancehall artist Stonebwoy and The Denzel Group to offer $150,000 worth of scholarships to the National Chief Imam Sheik Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu’s office.
Schools all over the country will be supported by Chairman Salamu and former U-20 World Cup winner Bright Addae after the coronavirus pandemic, the defensive midfielder has urged Ghanaians to stick to and follow all the precautionary measures put in place by President Akufo-Addo to help counter the Coronavirus pandemic.
Source:Â footballghana.com
Ten ministers in South Sudan are now confirmed to have contracted coronavirus.
Information Minister Michael Makuei has told the BBC that all former members of the high-level task force on coronavirus – apart from the health minister – have tested positive for Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus.
But he has denied reports that President Salva Kiir – who was also a member of the team – had also tested positive.
It comes just days after first Vice-President Riek Machar announced he had tested positive alongside his wife, Defence Minister Angelina Teny.
They tested positive after coming into contact with a former member of the team, who has Covid-19.
All the ministers infected are now in self-isolation and the government says they are in good health.
Dozens of bodyguards and staff of the officials also tested positive and are quarantined.
South Sudan has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in recent days with 481 confirmed cases and six deaths.
There are fears the virus could cause havoc in South Sudan, whose healthcare system is barely functioning following decades of conflict, while hundreds of thousands are living in camps for displaced people.
Source:Â bbc.com
Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt are to resume talks over Ethiopia’s controversial $4bn (£3.2bn) dam on the Nile.
Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, tweeted that water ministers from the three countries will attempt to reach what he called a win-win solution.
No date has been set for the resumption of talks.
The dam is close to Ethiopia’s border with Sudan. Egypt, which relies on the Nile for 90% of its fresh water, views its as an existential threat.
In March, Ethiopia pulled out of US-mediated talks, accusing the US of overstepping the role of neutral observer by saying that the dam should not be completed without an agreement.
Construction of the dam began in 2011.
Source:Â bbc.com
The Nigerian authorities say trials are due to begin to see whether an anti-malarial drug is effective against the Coronavirus.
The Commissioner for Health in Lagos state said healthcare workers as well as people in close contact with someone with the virus would be either given chloroquine or a placebo.
A second trial is to be launched in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Officials say results should be known within two months.
US President Donald Trump caused controversy earlier this week when he told reporters he had been taking another anti-malarial drug – hydroxychloroquine – despite warnings it might be unsafe.
While the trials are taking place in a controlled clinical environment, the WHO has warned that some individuals are self-medicating and risk causing themselves serious harm.
Chloroquine has not yet been shown to be safe and effective in the prevention or treatment of coronavirus and can cause dangerous heart arrhythmias.
Lagos Health Commissioner Prof Akin Abayomi also said the government was trying to transition to home-based isolation, admitting that some patients who tested positive for the virus were absconding and reluctant to be admitted to isolation units.
Source:Â bbc.com
The head of Malawi’s electoral commission has resigned a month before a presidential election re-run.
The vote was ordered by the Constitutional Court which overturned last year’s poll giving a second term to President Peter Mutharika.
Protesters had demanded that Jane Ansah stand down over irregularities in the original election, including the use of correction fluid on ballot papers.
But in an interview on state television she denied she was giving in to pressure.
The re-run will take place on 23 June.
Source:Â bbc.com
The Greater Accra Region is leading in the number of recorded Covid-19 deaths.
The region has so far accounted for 20 out of the 31 Covid-19 deaths recorded in Ghana.
Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye disclosed this at the May 21, Covid-19 press briefing in Accra.
Giving further details on the death toll, Dr Aboagye said 17 of the Covid-19 patients who died were males while 14 were females.
“28 of the patients had commorbidities, †he said.
He said the Service has so far managed 114 of the cases in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) out of which six passed.
“We have 8 patients in ICU now, four at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, two in the Ga East Hospital and two at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), †he said.
None of the patients in the ICUs are on ventilators, Dr Aboagye said.
Ghana, as at May 21, has recorded 6,269 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 1,898 recoveries.
Source: Daily Guide Network
The Egyptian government has announced a raft of financial measures to help pay for the economic damage caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Under a new draft law every working Egyptian will face a pay cut of 1% while the elderly will face a half percent cut in their pensions.
The measures will be in force for a year from July. People with a monthly income of less than $125 (£102) will be exempt.
People who work in tourism – which has been particularly badly affected may also be excluded.
Source:Â bbc.com
Ten inmates in the Tema metropolis have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease.
Tema Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Edward Johnson Akrofi-Oyirifi, made the disclosure on the sidelines of a disinfection and fumigation exercise which took place in the regional command on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
According to him, of the ten COVID-19 inmates, nine were from Ashaiman cells while one was recorded in a cell in Kpone.
However, he said none of the police personnel in Tema has tested positive for the disease so far.
“Thankfully, all the other inmates who were in the cells with these COVID-19 inmates have tested negative, and have thus been transported to the Ankaful Prisons.â€
Source: Daily Guide Network
Two persons have been arrested by police in the Central Region after they were accused of stealing chamber valves belonging to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).
The suspects were arrested just before midnight on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at Ota City, a vicinity in Kasoa in the Awutu Senya East Municipality.
The two have been named as Emmanuel Kwaku Abeka, 22, and Ramzh Kwasi Opare , 27.
They were arrested after the Assemblyman for the area, Jones Darko Kwarteng, who became suspicious of their presence reported to the police.
District Police Commander DSP Samuel Shadrach Amfoh said the two will be processed for court after investigations.
“So the two have been detained. Investigations have begun and they will be arraigned before court tomorrow Friday,†the Police Chief told newsmen.
Many communities in the national capital, Accra have been grappling with water outages in recent times. The GWCL has attributed the situation to increased water and equipment theft in affected communities.
In April 2019 for instance, three male-adults were jailed after they were caught stealing water meters in the Ashanti Region.
Razak Mohammed, 24, Ali Zakari, 27, and Suleman Mumuni, 20, were arrested at different locations within the Kumasi metropolis, and after police investigations, charged with the offences of stealing and causing damage to government property.
They were convicted on their own pleas and given sentences ranging from nine months to a year in hard labour by separate courts.
Source: Daily Mail
Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says the Government has not made a decision on re-opening of schools.
The clarification comes amidst calls by some teacher unions, civil society organisations and parents/ teacher associations, urging Government to consider re-opening schools.
At his first national broadcast on measures to contain the COVID-19, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced that effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all public and private schools as well as universities across the country should be closed indefinitely.
The Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the Education Ministry was tasked to roll out virtual or distance learning programmes for pupils and students while staying at home.
Reacting to those concerns at the Minister’s briefing on Thursday, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said Government had not made a decision on the matter, but rather it had started stakeholder consultations on “what it takes to open schools as part of potential plans to ease the general restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19“.
The Minister noted that though it was normal for parents and teacher groups to be apprehensive about the continuous closure of schools, but those apprehensions should be channeled towards answering the question of “what it takes to re-open schools while living under the COVID-19 ecosystem and ensuring adequate protection of teachers, non-teaching staff and students”.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah said the Government would welcome suggestions and ideas from the public on the best method to handle the issue.
“Government believes that as a nation, we can do many things if we put our minds to it.
“This is a complex global problem and we must put our shoulders to the wheel and use our creative duties and positive spirits towards easing the restrictions,” the Minister emphasised.
Source: GNA
A Takoradi Magistrate Court on Thursday sentenced two men to three months imprisonment each in hard labour for stealing the motorbike of a military officer.
The two, Stephen Abaido 34 and John Abakah 28, both pleaded guilty and were convicted on their own plea.
Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Bernard Paa Arhinsah told the court presided over by Mr Michael Ampadu, that the convicts and the complainant Mr Dunstan Wedam are residents of Kojokorom Zongo a suburb of Takoradi.
The prosecution said on 15 May, 2020 at about 1830 hours the convicts broke into the complainant’s house and stole his Sony motorbike with registration number WR 909.
Chief Inspector Arhinsah said the complainant who later detected the theft reported it to the police.
He said during Police investigations, it was unraveled that the convicts broke into the complainant’s house and were subsequently arrested. He said during interrogation the two admitted the offense and were then processed for court.
Source: GNA
Recorded cases of COVID-19 in the Upper East Region has prompted the Upper East Community (UPEC) living in North America to present medical and non-medical consumables to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Region to combat the pandemic.
The items included; 100 packets of examination gloves, 50 packets of respirators, 30 pieces of face shields, one infrared thermometer and 10 gallons of alcohol based hand sanitizers.
Mr Donald Adabere, a former Upper East Regional Minister who presented the items, and delivered a speech on behalf of the UPEC, said the Association was formed in 2012 as “a non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian grouping of people descending from the Upper East Region and resident in North America.â€
He said the group saw the need to form a common forum to deliberate on matters of concern to the welfare of members and mobilize resources for charitable work to support the development needs of the Region.
Mr Adabere said the group had membership of 130 people originally from the Sandema, Navrongo, Bolgatanga, Bongo, Tongo, Nangodi, Zebilla, and Bawku areas of the Region.
“The Association is a member of the National Council of Ghanaian Associations in New York and has been the mouthpiece for our people, representing our culture and traditions. With the dawn of UPEC, we are now able to organize befitting ceremonies to bury our dead and celebrate life events affecting our members in our traditional way,†he said.
According to members of the UPEC, the fighting of COVID-19 was not only for government, and therefore “UPEC members decided to contribute their quota to help in the fight. Voluntary contributions from members for COVID-19 project yielded $6,000, all of which were directed towards fighting the virus in the Region.â€
Receiving the items for onward delivery to the GHS in the Region, Madam Tangoba Abayage, Upper East Regional Minister thanked them for the support. She said the impact of COVID-19 was hard on economies across the world, and was fast depleting the economies of developing countries like Ghana. The Minister said businesses were not booming as they used to, “The total Ghanaian economy is under serious stray and stressâ€.
According to a situational report dated May 6, 2020, from the GHS, the Region has recorded 26Â COVID-19Â cases and two deaths.
The Bolgatanga Municipality is leading with 18 cases, while the other eight cases are distributed among some of the 14 Municipalities and Districts in the region.
Results of 56 samples are still pending.
Source: GNA
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it has arrested four persons posing as officers of the service.
The four namely; AB1 Arhen Ebenezer, Mustapha Maurris, Oscar Eshun and Stephen Zubbuy Matsi were arrested between Tuesday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 12, 2020.
A statement issued and signed on behalf of the Director of Public Relations by R Omane-Agyei, Squadron Leader and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the first suspect, AB1 Arhen Ebenezer was arrested on Tuesday, May 5, by personnel from the Southern Command Headquarters of the GAF during a patrol at Katamanso in the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality.
It said the suspect who was dressed in camouflage shorts and an olive-green vest, claimed to be at the Naval Base, Tema but further checks with the Eastern Naval Command for identification proved false.
“He was subsequently handed over to the Tema Regional Police Command for further investigations.”
It said further interrogation of AB1 Arhen Ebenezer led to the arrest of one Mustapha Maurris, another imposter who also posed as a soldier at Kpone.
Oscar Eshun, the third imposter, was arrested by the Naval Intelligence (NI) Operatives of the Western Naval Command (WNC) at Inchaban, a suburb of Sekondi-Takoradi, on Friday, May 8, for posing as military personnel.
The statement said a search of his residence at Essikado revealed a toy pistol, two Navy vests, two combat boots, a belt, Navy trousers and tracksuit, adding that the suspect was handed over to the Inchaban Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The fourth suspect, Stephen Zubbuy Matsi, 32-year old, was also arrested by Operatives from Defence Intelligence (GHQ DI) on Tuesday, May 12, at Pokuase ACP for posing as a soldier from the First Infantry Battalion (1 Bn), Tema for possessing a Ghana Armed Forces laminated Military Identity Card bearing the identity of a relative who is a serving Airman.
“Upon his arrest, the suspect confirmed that, he was not a soldier but had a picture of himself in military camouflage and an air blue uniform (of the Ghana Air Force) saved on his mobile phone. He also had a picture of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and some military personnel on his phone.”
The statement said further checks revealed that the suspect introduced himself to his girlfriend as a soldier in 2016 and subsequently visited her on two occasions in military uniform at Akatsi in the Volta Region.
“A search of his residence at Canada, a suburb of Ablekuma by the Operatives retrieved military camouflage trousers, a military pouch, a camouflage cap, two camouflage inner vests and a camouflage hip pouch.
“The suspect has been handed over to the Ghana Military Police for further action,” it added.
The statement urged the public who may had fallen victim to the activities of the suspects to contact the above-mentioned police stations to assist in investigations.
It further entreated the public to report any person(s) found in such suspicious characters to the nearest Police and Military Installation for investigations.
“GAF once again wishes to remind the public of the restriction on use of military uniforms and equipment under the National Liberation Council (NLC) Decree 177(1967),” it added.
Source: GNA
Health Directorates in five assemblies have taken delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be distributed to health facilities in their jurisdictions to enhance their work during this era of COVID-19.
The items, which included; hand sanitizers, examination gloves, gallons of liquid soap, veronica buckets, and surgical nose masks were valued at GHc12,550 for each item for the beneficiary Health Directorates in the Saboba, Karaga, Kumbungu, Mion and Savelugu Assemblies in the Northern Region.
The partners of the Empowerment for Life Programme (E4L), which included; the Ghana Developing Communities Association and Youth Empowerment for Life Ghana, and their Danish partner, Ghana Friends presented the items to the Health Directorates to reaffirm their commitment to stand by local communities, especially in the period of COVID-19.
Officers of the E4L Programme presented the items to the beneficiary Health Directorates through the authorities of their various Assemblies within their jurisdictions.
Mr Mohammed Abdul-Jabaru, Programme Manager of E4L Programme, who briefed the GNA about the intervention, said “In the coming days, the partners will support district offices of the National Commission for Civic Education and the Information Services Department in the Saboba, Karaga, Kumbungu, Mion and Savelugu Assemblies with resources to carry out community sensitization on the disease.â€
Mr Abdul-Jabaru said a similar gesture would be extended to the Ghana Health Service to intensify its community outreach programmes and the periodic meetings of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Committees in the districts.
The E4L Programme is funded by Civil Society In Development through Ghana Friends, both in Denmark.
Source: GNA
The Kwabre-East Municipal Assembly has put in place measures to ensure the compliance of all preventive protocols to reduce the spread of covid-19 in the municipality.
Nana Osei Assibey Bonsu, Municipal Chief Executive told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Mamponteng that, the covid-19 infection rate in the municipality, which was the second, in the Ashanti region, had reduced drastically, as a result of the stringent measures put in place to stop the spread.
He said the Municipal Emergency Response Team together with the security agencies worked to ensure that residents adhered strictly to all the preventive protocols outlined by the government and the Ghana health Service.
To further strengthen enforcement of the preventive protocols, checks points were set up in all entry routes to ensure that people wore nose masks and kept the social distancing protocols.
Nana Assibey Bonsu said recalcitrant people who went contrary to the protocols would be arrested and made to face the law.
He appealed to market women to observe the social distancing protocols to ensure their safety and their customers.
The MCE also advised the youth who have been playing football to desist from the act and obey simple directives to stay safe of the disease.
He said security patrols were going to be strengthened in all the communities to ensure total compliance of all the protocols to further reduce the rate of infections in the municipality.
Source: GNA
A 65-year old woman died on Tuesday [May 20, 2020] after a commercial vehicle driver believed to be escaping arrest for not wearing a face mask ran his vehicle, loaded with passengers, into a stationary truck.
The incident which happened at Kenyasi in the Kwabre East Municipality of the Ashanti Region has thrown family of the deceased, Janet Adumako into a state of mourning.
According to relatives, the deceased was aboard the vehicle with her daughter, son-in-law and other passengers when the incident happened.
The driver and the other passengers who survived the crash have been hospitalized and receiving treatment.
The mangled vehicle with registration number AS 3792-19 has been towed to the Kenyasi Police station as police begin investigations into the matter.
Source: citinewsroomÂ
Forty-three health workers in the Western Region have tested positive for COVID-19.
Twenty of the cases are from the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi-Takoradi while 23 others are from the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
Citi News sources indicate that the confirmed cases at the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital are contacts traced from a staff of the hospital who earlier tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the Effia-Nkwanta hospital, a number of measures have been put in place to protect other health workers from contracting the virus.
Meanwhile, three units of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital were closed down after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on May 15, 2020.
The Antenatal Care Unit, Child Welfare Clinic, and the Ear Nose and Throat Unit in the hospital were disinfected among other measures to contain the infection.
The Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Joseph Kojo Tambil, who confirmed the news said the infected staff were isolated and all other contacts asked to self-quarantine as their samples are being tested.
Dr Tambil revealed that the infected staff member had spent some time at different units of the hospital and as such, staff members in that department have been asked to self-quarantine as well.
“One of our staff who had mild symptoms got tested and her results came out positive. So we quickly started taking samples of people that she works with and since she was working at the Antenatal Clinic, we had to take samples of all the staff. She also spent some time at the ENT Department so we also closed down that department and took samples of the staff.â€
The Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in the Western Region is the main referral hospital in the Western Region of Ghana.
So far, the Western Region has recorded a total of 170 positive cases of COVID-19.
Source: citinewsroomÂ
The Volta Region has witnessed an increase in positive coronavirus case counts from 34 to 41.
A female health worker stationed at the theatre department of the Ho Teaching Hospital is reported to be among the seven new cases recorded.
She tested positive for the virus after her sample was sent to the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho.
She reported at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Hospital with symptoms of flu and slight sore throat.
This informed a decision by the HTH administration to temporally shut down the theatre for disinfection. While three other colleagues who work with the infected staff were directed to self-quarantine.
Reports indicated the infected staff had no contact with a patient who died few days after testing positive for coronavirus, leading to the disinfection of the Accident and Emergency Department and quarantine of some 39 staff who participated in treating the deceased.
The Public Relations officer of HTH, Amos Jah who confirmed the news indicated the infected staff is “responding to treatmentâ€, adding the theatre would be opened for operations on Tuesday.
However, there is fear and panic among staffs at the theatre, hence, their plea on management to suspend elective surgeries to help prevent a possible spread of the virus at the facility.
Meanwhile, the Hohoe municipality has recorded three more cases, while Akatsi South District, Ketu South and Kpando Municipalities recorded a case each.
A case earlier recorded in the Kpando Municipality resulted in a fatality being the second COVID-19 death in the Volta Region.
However, 28 infected persons have fully recovered and discharged from the isolation centre, pegging active cases at 11.
Source: myjoyonlineÂ
When by the grace of God this Covid-19 pandemic passes in the words of the President of the Republic, many institutions and individuals would have earned the respect of Ghanaians.
Obviously, these institutions include the health profession who like soldiers in a battlefield are willing to sacrifice themselves for the collective good of the people. They deserve our support. Other institutions such as the media, Security Services, the Ghana Armed Forces, State institutions, the Opposition Party and the Private Sector will all have their names written in gold for standing up to the fight when it mattered most.
The Church and the Mosque will also be remembered for their sacrifices, prayers and logistical and financial support to the destitute and the underprivileged individuals in our society. They also deserve a pat on the back.
But whilst we appreciate the religious bodies too for their role in the fight against Covid-19, I think it is important to recognize the yeoman and the frontal role played by the Church of Pentecost in this whole fight against Covid-19. Conscious of the relationship between the church and the state, the Church of Pentecost was among the first batch of donors to the State as far as the fight against Covid-19 is concerned.
First, they donated, a fleet of cars to the government to be used as operational vehicles in the fight against the Coronavirus. As though that was not enough, they released to the State their prayer facility at Gomoa Fetteh near Kasoa in the Central Region as an isolation centre for Covid-19 patients. I am told they also made a cash donation to the Covid-19 Fund.
Although unrelated to the fight against Covid-19, the Church was earlier involved in a national clean- up exercise during when all their branches in Ghana were asked to clean markets, lorry parks and some strategic places.
The Church also partnered with the Ghana Prison Service to construct a number of prisons in the country as a way of decongesting our congested prisons. As a further proof her Corporate Social Responsibility, the Church also put up some Police Stations which it had since handed over to the Ghana Police Service.
Although the execution of these commendable feats is not unique to the Church of Pentecost as other Churches such as the Catholic Church, ICGC to mention but a few and the Moslem Community are also involved in doing some of these things, the consistency with which the Church of Pentecost carries out these social responsibilities is worthy of commendation and recognition.
I am not a member of the Church, but I have observed how practical they have made the Christian faith. I have observed how willing they are to collaborate with the State for the good of the country. At a time when eyes are on the Church in particular for allegations of extortion, lack of care for the poor and cult worship, the good examples of the Church of Pentecost are worth highlighting. It shows how relevant the Church/Mosque is in national development. It reinforces the Orthodox Churches of old which were involved in the provision of schools, health facilities, agriculture and skills training.
If I have my way, I will ungrudgingly declare the Church of Pentecost as the Most Corporate Social Responsibility conscious religious body in Ghana. Like our health care workers who are deserving of the Order of the Volta recognition, the Church of Pentecost also deserves such recognition after all is done. I sincerely encourage the Church to continue with the good deeds in line with their calling. After all, the Church does not only exist to take care of the spiritual needs of members. Jesus Christ proved that by feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fishes.
Ayekoo to all Churches and the Moslem Community who are supportive of the fight against Covid-19.
The writer, Gborse Nicholas Mawunyah, is a writer and conference speaker on topical issues in education, political-history, school leadership and innovations. You can contact him via gborsenicholasm@gmail.com
Disclaimer : “Opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not in any way reflect those of backend.theindependentghana.com. Our outfit will hereby not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article.â€
A surge in visitors to beaches in northern Europe after coronavirus lockdowns was eased and temperatures rose has alarmed officials and experts.
Three towns in north-western France shut their beaches on Wednesday because of the “unacceptable” failure of people to observe social-distancing rules.
Municipalities in the Netherlands urged German tourists not to visit.
And in England, the town council in Southend said it might take action after sunseekers flocked there.
The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 around the world has now passed five million, but the number of new infections has been falling across most of Europe.
European countries had reported 1.74 million cases and 164,349 deaths as of Wednesday, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Those with the most fatalities are the UK, Italy, France, Spain and Belgium.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that there is “still a long way to go in this pandemic”, and called on people in countries where restrictions are being eased to continue to adapt their behaviour to minimise transmission of Covid-19.
The authorities in France reopened hundreds of beaches last weekend for running, swimming and fishing, but not for sunbathing or picnicking.
On Wednesday evening, the prefecture of Morbihan, in Brittany, said beaches in five municipalities had been closed because of “unacceptable behaviour” by visitors in recent days, including incivility and ignoring social distancing.
Several municipalities in the Netherlands meanwhile called on German tourists not to cross the border for a trip during the Ascension Day public holiday on Thursday.
The Zeeland Safety Region temporarily closed roads in seaside town of Vlissingen to vehicles, while the Limburg-Noord Safety Region warned that it would seek to prevent crowding in its town centres and shopping malls by fining people who violated social distancing and other rules.
People also headed to beaches across England on Wednesday on the hottest day of the year so far, a week after lockdown rules were eased. But people in England should not travel to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the public is still being told to avoid any travel which is not essential.
A care worker’s tweets expressing concern at the pictures from Southend-on-Sea, in Essex, were shared 20,000 times.
Southend town council appealed to beachgoers to keep their distance, and warned that it might have to close the seafront to traffic as a last resort if it considered the crowding to be dangerous.
On Wednesday, European Union tourism ministers agreed to do “whatever it takes for the quick and full recovery of European tourism”.
They broadly backed plans spelt out by the European Commission that the bloc’s internal borders should come down in phases, based on the prevalence of Covid-19 in countries of origin and destination.
Source:Â bbc.com
US actress Lori Loughlin, of the sitcom Full House, and her husband, designer Mossimo Giuannulli, will plead guilty to college admissions scam charges.
They are among 50 people charged in an alleged criminal enterprise to get their children into top US schools.
The couple had initially pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges.
Officials say they have agreed to a plea deal of prison time, a fine, and community service under supervised release.
According to the District Attorneys office in Massachusetts, Ms Loughlin will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud “on a date to be specified by the Court”.
Mr Giannulli will plead guilty to the same, plus one count of honest services wire and mail fraud.
Prosecutors had said Ms Loughlin and Mr Giannulli paid $500,000 (£408,000) in bribes to have their two daughters admitted into the University of Southern California (USC) as fake rowing-team recruits.
Under the terms of the deal, Ms Loughlin will serve two months in prison, pay $150,000 in fines, have two years of supervised release and complete 100 hours of community service.
Her husband’s sentence is similar: he will serve five months in prison, pay $250,000 and must complete 250 hours of community service.
The pair will bring the total number of parents pleading guilty in the scam to 24.
Source:Â bbc.com
Ariana Grande has sent a heartfelt message to fans ahead of the third anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing.
The pop star had just finished playing at the venue on 22 May, 2017, when a terrorist detonated a homemade explosive device, killing 22 people.
Writing on Instagram, Grande shared a message of solidarity with the victims.
“Not a day goes by that this doesn’t affect you and all of us still,” the 26-year-old wrote.
“I will be thinking of you all week and weekend.”
Acknowledging “the sadness and tremendous heaviness of the anniversary”, she added: “My heart, thoughts, prayers are with you always.”
The star signed off with a black heart and a bee emoji. The bee, representing Manchester’s industrial past, became a symbol of hope in the wake of the attack.
Grande, who said she suffered PTSD as a result of the atrocity, returned to Manchester last year to headline the city’s Pride festival.
Memorial plans The bombing was carried out by Manchester-born Salman Abedi. The youngest of those who died was eight years old. Almost 1,000 people were injured.
The terrorist’s brother, Hashem Abedi, was convicted of murder earlier this year for his role in planning the attacks. His sentencing has been postponed due to travel restrictions in place due to the coronavirus.
The pandemic has also affected plans for this year’s memorial to the victims, with social-distancing measures putting a halt on church services.
It means Manchester Cathedral will have to broadcast two services on its Facebook page, urging people to log on at home rather than attend in person like previous years.
“Before the restrictions, it was really important we had connectedness and reached out, family and friends, but also the wider community, to come together,” said Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett died in the attack.
“We can’t do that this year. It’s going to be very strange.
“I’m normally a really robust and resilient person, but I’ve had so much time on my hands. I’m struggling a bit.
“I can’t have people to visit, it is very raw. I have noticed I am very reflective, I dream a lot.”
Instead, Mr Hett’s family and friends will join a group chat on the video conferencing app Zoom, raising a toast to the 29-year-old PR manager from their homes.
Mrs Murray said: “Zoom will do this year. Since the pandemic, we have all had to adapt and I think that shows how strong the human spirit is.”
Source:Â bbc.com
Resident Health workers at the Sumbrungu Health Centre in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Upper East Region, have deserted a dilapidated quarters, they described as a death trap.
They presently commute from their various houses to the Health Centre whenever they are on duty, creating stress and adversely affecting service delivery in the area.
When the Ghana News Agency visited the facility, it was observed that the quarters was not only too small to house all the health workers posted to the facility, but was in a deplorable state and therefore endangered the lives of the occupants.
It had several cracks, with parts of the roof ripping up, while some parts of the ceiling was rotten with water collected in the rooms.
Mr Raymond Azalbila Adoganga, the Principal Physician Assistant of the Health Centre told GNA in an interview that the Sumbrungu East Sub Municipality had seven health facilities in addition to the Health Centre and with the exception of the Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) Compound at the Bolgatanga Technical University, staff accommodation of the remaining facilities were in a bad state, posing risks to them.
“We had a resident midwife, a resident General Nurse and two resident community health nurses, who were staying in the quarters, but just last week they had to park home due to the bad nature of the accommodation,†he stated.
Mr Adoganga said the staff accommodation in various facilities harboured reptiles and bees, and compelled the workers especially those who work at the Health Centre to park to their houses in Bolgatanga.
“The midwife at Azorebiisi facility, on two occasions, killed snakes on her bed and the resident community health nurse also killed one in her room and at Aguusi CHPS compound, on two occasions, I was chased away by bees. So almost all the health facilities have serious staff accommodation challenges,†he lamented.
He said although the health workers practised shift system, they usually offered back up services to those on duty especially on days and periods when the facility recorded higher attendants and emergency situations.
He said the Health Centre alone averagely recorded 60 attendants daily but during the third quarter, July, August and September, it recorded about 80 to 100 attendants each day due to the usual increase of malaria cases during the rainy season.
It served over 13,000 people each year and was also challenged with office space. The facility is a single structure with five rooms and has about four units working in one room, while the waiting area is exposed to direct sun light.
Mr Adoganga said “the only consulting room is about 10 by 10 metres, the counts unit is sharing space with the records, dressing and claims departments. When you go to the next room, we have the dispensary, the laboratory and a detention area in that single room. In the third room we have our reproductive and child health services, family planning, prevention of mother and child transmission and cold chain management while the fourth room also has four units.â€
He said several appeals including; written letters were sent to the appropriate authorities including; the Municipal Health Directorate and the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly but nothing was done.
When the GNA contacted Mr Joseph Amiyuure, the Municipal Chief Executive for the area, he admitted that the Assembly was aware of the situation of the Health Centre, but failed to comment on whether or not something would be done especially on the staff accommodation at the Health Centre.
Source:Â GNA
Former Asante Kotoko striker, Saddick Adams has disclosed that the club is still owing him some unpaid wages.
The former Black Stars and Obuasi Ashanti Gold forward played for the Porcupine Warriors between 2017 and 2019.
During his stay at the club, he was the highest-paid player as he earned GHS2,000 monthly salary.
Speaking to Kumasi-based Angel FM on Wednesday evening, Saddick Addams revealed that Asante Kotoko still owes him some money.
“Kotoko still Owes me but I have decided to let go that money not because I am rich but it will be time-wastingâ€, the striker shared.
He will be remembered for his famous hat-trick against Hearts of Oak in the finals of the 2017 MTN FA Cup where the reds lifted the title at the end of the day on the back of a 3-1 win.
Source:Â footballghana.com
Residents in the Manhyia North constituency, have praised their Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Collins Owusu Amankwaa, for the massive road construction works currently going on in the area.
According to them, the redevelopment of major roads in almost all the communities in the constituency was unprecedented and deserved an applause.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency during a visit to the constituency, they said their constructive criticism to the MP had yielded positive results, especially in the area of roads.
Mr Ransford Obeng, a resident pointed out that the deplorable road network in the constituency over the years, was the major challenge of the people in the area.
This, according to him, was the bone of contention between them and the MP, who promised them over the years to fix them.
“We have now seen massive road construction works in almost every community here.
Through the hard work of our MP, areas such as A,B,C D,E, F lines, Buokrom estates, Airport Roundabout, Buokrom, Moshie Zongo and other parts of the constituency have all gotten their roads and drains put to good shapeâ€, he told the Ghana News Agency.
Ms. Rahmatu Ibrahim, a resident of Moshie zongo, said Manhyia north, which was a centre of Kumasi, had suffered in terms of road network for many years.
“The place now looks beautiful and people now get back home quickly from workâ€, she pointed out.
Ms. Ibrahim however, called for the reshaping of the Buokrom zongo link road to help give the area a face lift.
Source:Â GNA
The National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), has outlined the categories of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which qualify to benefit from the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) Business Support Scheme.
Mrs Kosi A. Yankey-Ayeh, Executive Director, NBSSI, said MSMEs, which qualified for the CAP Business Support Scheme were micro-enterprises with one to five employees, small enterprises with six 29 employees and medium enterprises with 30 to 99 employees.
“Anyone who falls outside of the 99 employees is not qualified for this loan, the President has another initiative for larger businesses,†Mrs Yankey-Ayeh, said on Thursday when she took her turn at the meet the press engagement to give an update on the CAP Business Support Scheme.
The CAP Business Support Scheme was launched on Tuesday, May 19 at the Jubilee House by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as part of measures to effectively manage the social and economic recovery of the country.
Mrs Yankey-Ayeh said the two products designed under the Scheme was the Adom loans and Anidasuo loans; explaining that “because we believe this Scheme is to bring hope to MSMEs in times like this when the Coronavirus Pandemic has caused an economic downturnâ€.
She said the GH¢600 million was what the President had initially committed to support MSMEs to grow and sustain their businesses but through stakeholder engagements and support from Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), the commitment had increased to GH¢ one billion; stating that GH¢400 million was added by PFIs as a commitment to support the fight and to strengthen MSMEs.
She said after the launch on Tuesday, the application portal was opened on Wednesday to allow MSMEs to apply.
“The target beneficiaries remain MSMEs who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic, also businesses that are producing goods and providing services that will support the fight against COVID-19,†she said.
Mrs Yankey-Ayeh said the interest rate which was five per cent was reduced to three per cent after deliberation by the President, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) to reduce the plight of the MSMEs in this difficult time.
She noted that the moratorium still remains up to one year and during the application process, MSMEs have the option to select a moratorium that would work best for them; saying that “repayment of loans remain two to three years; this was taken into consideration based on MSMEs needs assessmentâ€.
The Executive Director said some challenges that had come out since the launch had been USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) timeout during registration.
She said it was important to note that the USSD Code was a short process and applicants need to be efficient in completing registration; “This is also caused by network challenges.
This challenge notwithstanding we have worked to ensure we have an efficient USSD registration process.â€
She said they have also set-up a Grievance Center to work on the challenges Ghanaians meet on the portal.
“As of yesterday, we had received over 1000 calls with people asking how they can access the platform and how to apply and to address some challenges they meet,†she said.
“The good news is that about 5000 plus applicants registered as at yesterday and are waiting to go on to the next step of the application processâ€.
She said if any MSMEs had any challenge in applying they should not hesitate to reach out to NBSSI, to ensure they provide the best service and efficient system that would withstand the test of time and could also be used in the near future.
Source:Â GNA
Former Asante Kotoko forward, Saddick Adams has opened up on his dream to play for Accra Hearts of Oak SC as he notes that he wants to make history with the Phobians.
The experienced striker denied the Phobians an MTN FA Cup title in 2017 when he scored a hat-trick against the side during his time with the Porcupine Warriors.
Three years on, the attacker who is now a free agent has openly confessed that it is his dream to join the Rainbow family and make history with them before he retires.
“I will love to play for Hearts of oak and make history with them”, the former Obuasi Ashanti Gold striker said in an interview with Angel FM.
He continued, “They (Hearts of oak) did not approach me as a club but I had calls from people within hearts of oak which I thought it could have materialized but unfortunately it did not happen.
“Is my dream to play for Hearts of oak one day.
At age 30, Saddick Adams believes he still has what it takes to play at the highest level and wants to be given his shot with Hearts of Oak.
Source:Â footballghana.com
Maame Yaa Konadu, mother of the late Kumawood actor, Bishop Bernard Nyarko, has disclosed that her son always visits her in dreams and tells her he is in a better place.
According to her, since Bishop Nyarko died on May 2, 2020, he always appears in her dreams to encourage her to be strong.
In a recent interview with Adom TV, Maame Yaa Konadu said even though she is distraught about her son’s death, she finds solace in the belief that her son is in a better place.
“The demise of my son has really left me completely shattered. I barely eat and anytime I sleep, he reveals himself to me in dreams, tells me not to be sad. Since his death, I have been seeing his ghost every day,” she stated.
A very popular face in Kumawood, Bishop Nyarko rose to fame in movies such as Ultimate Betrayal, Masakyere, Awurade Wo Nkae, The Family’s Pride and Sidechic Gang.
Until his death, the actor was known to be a father of three but his mother disclosed during the interview he had five children.
“I only knew him to have three children until I returned from London and he told me he has a child who lives in Kumasi and he had named him after me. We went looking for the boy, who is four years old.
“His other child, who came around during the one-week observance of his death, is 18 years old,” she stated.
Bishop Bernard Nyarko died on Saturday, May 2 at the Ridge Hospital in Accra after battling colon cancer.
He will be buried on June 27, 2020, at Obosomase in the Eastern Region.
Source: Graphic Showbiz
President for Division One club, Phar Rangers FC, Nana Yaw Amponsah, has proposed to the Ghana Football Association to consider restarting the league in September to sync with the European calender.
According to Nana Yaw Amponsah, with most countries across Europe targeting a restart of their leagues in September, Ghana should also try to emulate that to synchronize the Ghana Football season with that of the European calender.
“If we want to synchronize our league with that of Europe, then we must wait and start in September. At the moment the Accra Sports Stadium pitch will not be ready for football for the next one month†he said.
“Lets give ourselves up to September to start a new league so clubs can start to prepare and meet the club licensing requirementsâ€, he added.
He also mentioned that starting the league in September will also help Ghanaian clubs in the transfer market.
The Ghana Football Association is set to announce to the clubs on June 30 on the future of the season whether to truncate the season or continue.
Source:Â happyghana.com
There is no indication that Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan will let former President John Mahama be as far as the Airbus Bribery Scandal is concerned.
Kwamena Duncan has been hot on the heels of the former President after the scandal broke.
His criticisms also stem from the fact that the flagbearer of the NDC has kept mute on the issue despite several allegations, from especially the camp of the ruling New Patriotic Party, that he (Mahama) is indeed the one described as “government official 1” in documents pertaining to the infamous saga.
Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, the Central Regional Minister says he cannot erase from his memory, the fact that Mahama was linked to the scandal and that when he “sees him, he sees the airbus”.
“So can Mahama ever accuse someone of corruption after airbus scandal, because when I see him I see airbus. I cannot see how in our national politics; he could command the moral grounds let alone in our international politics,” he intimated.
Source:Â Peace FM
Two times AFCON winner and former Assistant coach of the Black Stars, Herve Renard has named six Ghanaian players in his all-time best eleven players on the African continent.
The Frenchman was a second assistant coach under fellow countryman Claude Le Roy during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations hosted here in Ghana.
After spending more than a decade on the continent with Ghana, Zambia, Ivory Coast, and Morocco, the current Saudi Arabia coach was asked to name his best eleven African players in an interview with TV3’s Juliet Bawuah.
He chose former Blackpool goalkeeper Richard Kingson, John Mensah, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew, and Africa’s top scorer at the World Cup, Asamoah Gyan as the Ghanaians in his best eleven squads.
Crystal Palace ace Jordan Ayew also made it to the bench of Herve Renard’s dream Africa team.
Check the squad below:
GK: Richard Kingson (Ghana) Medhi Banatia (Morocco) John Mensah (Ghana) Kolo Habib Toure (Ivory Coast) Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) Michael Essien (Ghana) Siaka Tiene (Ivory Coast) Sulley Muntari (Ghana) Andre Ayew (Ghana) Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
Acting General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh, also called Kabila, says the current voters’ register is creditable to be used for the 2020 elections.
According to Kabila, any attempts to discredit the register is unacceptable because the register cannot be said to be tainted.
Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ programme, Kabila explained that it was the same register that has since 1992 produced Presidents for the country and that, to him, “what is really wrong with the country’s electoral system is the biometric data equipment which needs an upgrading.”
He noted that the credibility of the register shouldn’t be undermined by proponents for a new voters’ register and that they should be measured in their claims against the current register.
“To discredit the register we presently have is not sustainable. The register we have used since 1992, none can compare in terms of credibility to what we had under the biometric system. I therefore plead with those who are for the new system to be measured in supporting their claims by veering into an attempt to appear that the register we have is discredited. It is not!” the CPP acting General Secretary strongly held.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission says it will go ahead with the compilation of a new voters’ register and assured all Ghanaians and stakeholders in the electoral process of the Commission’s “determination to deliver free, fair and credible Presidential and Parliamentary Elections on December 7, 2020 as mandated by law”.
Source:Â Peace FM
Time is running out to finalize a test, track and trace strategy to avoid a possible second surge in coronavirus cases, NHS bosses have said.
The NHS Confederation warned of “severe” consequences to staff and patients if the right system was not established quickly.
It said lockdown measures should not be eased until a clear plan was in place.
It follows the PM’s pledge to introduce a “world-beating” contact tracing system in England from June.
Contact tracing identifies those who may have come into contact with an infected person – either through an app or by phone and email – so they can avoid potentially passing the disease on.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the confederation, which represents health and care leaders, welcomed Boris Johnson’s pledge made at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
But in a letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock, Mr Dickson said without a clear strategy the UK was at greater risk of a second peak of the virus and emphasised the importance of involving local health organisations in the plan.
He said a test, track and trace strategy should have been in place sooner and if the right system was not instigated rapidly the ramifications for the NHS “could be severe”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Dickson said: “We are absolutely clear that contact tracing is the right thing to do, it is absolutely critical, it has got to be in place to prevent any notion of a second surge if the lockdown is being further released.”
He added the government was acting “quite late in the day [and] we haven’t yet seen the detail”.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers – a membership group for England’s NHS trusts – told BBC Breakfast his members have “not had clear information and instructions about what their role will be” in the system.
Security minister James Brokenshire said Mr Hopson’s comments “will not be lost on anyone” at the Department of Health – and will be followed up on “at pace”.
Downing Street has confirmed that 24,000 manual contact tracers have been hired, with plans to employ an additional 1,000 people before the test, track and trace scheme starts on 1 June.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said “test and trace” would start shortly.
On Wednesday, Mr Johnson said 25,000 contact tracers, able to track 10,000 new cases a day, would be in place by 1 June.
It coincides with the earliest possible date for the gradual reopening of schools and non-essential shops in England.
Northern Ireland already has a telephone contact tracing system in place, while the Scottish government is currently trialling one. The Welsh government wants its programme operational by the end of May.
One of the government’s most senior scientific advisers previously said an effective tracing system needed to be in place before lockdown restrictions could be changed.
Source:Â bbc.com
World Health Organisation (WHO) member states have signed a resolution that calls for COVID-19 vaccines to be classified as a global public good for health in order to bring the pandemic to an end.
This follows China’s commitment made by President Xi Jinping during the two-day World Health Assembly to make the vaccine a global public good, once one is available.
“The landmark resolution underlines WHO’s key role in promoting access to safe, effective health technologies to fight the pandemic,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus.
In addition to a vaccine, the resolution highlights three other critical points. It calls for countries to ensure the fair distribution of all quality essential health technologies required to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second, that relevant international treaties should be harnessed where needed, including the provisions of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement.
The third point encourages collaboration to promote both private sector and government-funded research and development. This includes open innovation across all relevant domains and the sharing of all relevant information with WHO.
The historic consensus resolution on COVID-19 and the way ahead comes as 106 000 cases were reported.
“In the last 24 hours, there have been 106 000 cases reported to WHO – the most in a single day since the outbreak began. Almost two thirds of these cases were reported in just four countries,” said Ghebreyesus on Wednesday.
But, in good news, it has been particularly impressive to see how countries like the Republic of Korea have built on their experience of the Middle East Respiratory (MERS) outbreak to quickly implement a comprehensive strategy to find, isolate, test and care for every case, and trace every contact.
This was critical to the Republic of Korea curtailing the first wave and now quickly identifying and containing new outbreaks.
At the assembly, WHO expressed concern about the rising numbers of cases in low- and middle-income countries.
Governments in the assembly outlined their primary goal of supressing transmission, saving lives and restoring livelihoods.
As the world continues to battle COVID-19, Ghebreyesus called on governments to ensure that health systems continue to function to avoid the risk brought on by the suspension of essential services, like child immunisation.
Source:Â allafrica.com
A 60-year old man is in the grips of the Sawla police for allegedly killing his wife, Bora Bonbiatey, 57, at Gando a suburb of Tuna in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district of the newly created Savannah Region.
PAD FM sources say Yikatey Somatey, the suspect who had accused his wife of cheating with another man in the same community lured the deceased to a bush to perform some family rituals and ended up pouring pepper into her eyes.
He then inflicted multiple wounds on her until she met her untimely death.
The source told PAD FM the suspect later dumped the lifeless body of the woman at a nearby bush and absconded.
Luck however, eluded Somatey whiles he was trying to escape.
The Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Police Commander, ASP Degraft Armah Adjei, who confirmed the incident to journalists said the uncle of the deceased reported to the police that the suspect had killed his niece.
According to him, the police found the deceased in a pool of blood with multiple cuts on her head and right eye at the scene.
DSP Adjei said the suspect will be arraigned before court after investigations are concluded.
Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has since been handed to the family for burial.
Source:Â Ananpansah B Abraham, Contributor
A fight between two friends over a disputed land at Elobonkata in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region turned bloody last Sunday.
Solomon Arku and Kwaku Prosper, both in their late 30s, are currently in critical condition and on admission at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi and the Agona Nkwanta Health Centre respectively after engaging in a brutal machete fight. They both sustained deep wounds on their bodies.
District Police Commander DSP Valentine Akporsu said Solomon Arku was working on his farm in the early hours of Sunday when Kwaku Prosper suddenly appeared on the farm with a sharp machete.
Prosper questioned Solomon about the land which did not belong to him and this led to heated exchanges between them, and in the process Prosper slashed the right shoulder of Solomon with the sharp machete.
Solomon managed to collect the machete from Prosper and also inflicted wounds on his hands and back.
According to the Police Commander, the case was purely a land litigation issue and had nothing to do with chieftaincy issue as had been perceived.
“This case has been on our table for a long time. They have been having litigation about that particular land. The case has even reached the Regional Police Commander,†he said.
He said the police were investigating the matter and would not spare any of the culprits.
Source:Â Daily Guide Network
Police have arrested a man suspected of killing two young women in Pakistan, after a video in which a man is seen kissing them went viral on social media.
Muhammad Aslam is suspected of shooting the pair, aged 18 and 16, who were his cousins.
The man in the video, the owner of the phone it was filmed on, and relatives of the women are also in custody.
Rights group say violence against women remains a serious problem in Pakistan.
They were murdered last week in the village of Shamplan, in Garyom region on the border of North and South Waziristan tribal districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The area is a socially conservative remote region, where tribal law is often upheld over federal law.
Activists believe about 1,000 such so-called “honour killing” murders – for perceived transgressions of social codes – are carried out across the country every year.
The 52-second long video was reportedly shot nearly a year ago, but went viral a few weeks ago.
In the video, seen by the BBC, Umer Ayaz, 28, is seen in a secluded area outdoors with three veiled women, two of whom he then kisses. He has been arrested and charged with making the “vulgar” video clip.
He is believed to be married with two children.
The third girl, who is not kissed in the video, is the wife of the suspected killer according to police. She is believed to be in hiding.
Fida Wazir, whose phone was used to make the video, has also been arrested – suspected of spreading the video on social media.
The father of one victim and the brother of the other are also in police custody for failing to report the killings and concealing evidence.
Source:Â bbc.com
After she allegedly went under the knife to inflate her ass like the Moeshas, lawyer/TV presenter Sandra Ankobiah has not passed an opportunity to flaunt them the slightest chance she gets.
After causing a lot of stir with her various Tik Tok videos that mostly focus on her ass even though she tries to suggest they are about the acting, the popular socialite is back with another eye-popping video.
In the latest video sighted by zionfelix.net, Sandra Ankobiah was seen flaunting her new and improved sexy butt as she tried to tease her fans the sight is actually a good one to behold.
Enjoy the video below
View this post on Instagram
Source: zionfelix.net
The Cypriot government ended a strict coronavirus lockdown Thursday, reopening outdoor restaurants, barber shops and beaches, but keeping the Mediterranean resort island’s vital airports and hotels closed for now.
After two months of living in self-isolation, Cypriots are allowed to move around freely again.
Some 32,000 more people went back to work as part of the government’s second stage out of lockdown.
Thousands of children returned to the classroom as state-run schools resumed most classes.
Since mid-March people could only go outside for exercise and essential trips which needed to be approved by text message while a curfew was enforced every night.
Cyprus activated the second stage of its draft timetable for ending the lockdown after the the daily number of new infections remained in single figures throughout the first three weeks of May.
Virologist Dr Leontios Kostrikis, who is a member of the health ministry’s epidemiological monitoring unit, said he was “very satisfied” with the figures so far.
Announcing four new infections in the previous 24 hours on Wednesday evening, Kostrikis said Cyprus was entering a watershed moment in its fight against the coronavirus.
“The second stage is a make or break point for a full return to normalcy and for this reason we kindly ask you to keep up the good work with the same determination so that we are not forced to take backward steps,” Kostrikis told reporters.
Due to the better than expected figures, the government has also decided to allow Cypriots access to organised beaches from 23 May, rather than June 1 as planned.
At present only swimming is allowed not sunbathing or any other leisure activity.
Parks and public spaces have also reopened but not children’s playgrounds.
Church services and other forms of religious worship will also be allowed to resume from May 23 instead of June.
Still no flights
But the island’s two international airports in Larnaca and Paphos remain firmly shut for now, as do the crossing points to the breakaway Turkish-Cypriot north of the island.
The tourism sector makes up a key part of the Cyprus economy and the government has been under heavy pressure to reopen airports and hotels before the peak summer season.
The government has said it hopes to reopen airports gradually from mid-June with hotels to reopen two weeks after that.
But it has yet to issue any health protocols on how they will operate.
Gyms and indoor bars and restaurants will also remain shut until the third phase out of lockdown scheduled to start from June 9.
The government has said crossing points through the UN-patrolled buffer zone that divides the government-controlled south from the breakaway north will not reopen before next month.
Their closure has prevented thousands of Turkish Cypriots from reaching work in the south and sparked Turkish Cypriot demonstrations.
Since the first case on March 9, the Cyprus government has confirmed 922 coronavirus infections and 17 deaths, including in the island’s British sovereign base areas.
Turkish Cypriot authorities have confirmed 108 cases and four deaths.
Source:Â france24.com
Police have noted an increase in the number of urban commuters who are being robbed, saying night patrols were now being intensified to protect the masses.
Criminals are now targeting people who would have disembarked from buses and vehicles during this Covid-19 lockdown period.
Although police could not provide the statistics of the people that have fallen victims to the criminals, reports revealed that robbers were waylaying people during the night, taking advantage that most people would be in their homes.
Some of the victims have been injured, while others died during the attacks.
The police and other security agents have since increased patrols, especially in Harare and Bulawayo, where such cases are rampant.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged the public to avoid walking in secluded places during the night.
“Police have noted the occurrence of robbery cases in cities such as Harare, Bulawayo and others as some potential commuters are being targeted by criminals after disembarking from Zupco buses and private vehicles,” he said.
“Members of the public are urged not to travel at night, avoid boarding private vehicles which are pirating and obviously not observing lockdown measures. They should avoid secluded places and be security-conscious.
“Police and other security services have since intensified patrols in the said areas.”
The sentiments come after a Harare man was on Saturday fatally struck with an iron bar on the head and lost consciousness along Leopold Takawira Street at around 7pm.
Police said an unknown suspect searched him and stole his belongings.
“He later gained consciousness and was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where he was treated and discharged, but did not report the matter to the police,” said Nyathi.
“His condition deteriorated during the night and he later died.
“Police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the culprits.”
Meanwhile, police in Epworth have arrested two suspects on allegations of fatally assaulting a man and injuring his colleague after accusing them of stealing six bags of maize in Ruwa on Sunday.
The incident occurred at Mandley Park.
“The suspects carried out severe instant justice on the victim (name withheld) who had stolen their six bags of maize together with Talkmore Kwaini who is still admitted at Chitungwiza Central Hospital,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“The victim sustained bruises all over the body, a deep cut on the leg and he died upon being taken to the Epworth police station by a well-wisher.”
Asst Comm Nyathi urged the public to desist from taking the law into their own hands.
Source: allafrica.com
Burniton Music boss, Stonebwoy is currently going all out to promote the challenge for his banging single “Nominate†which features American pop star, Keri Hilson.
After he nearly gave many of his followers a heart attack with the hilarious video of himself for the challenge, his wife, Dr. Louisa has stepped up to send him packing from the competition.
Sharing her own version on IG, Dr. Louisa brought her children in to help her defeat her hubby and their father.
Check out the beautiful video she shared below:
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@stonebwoyb and his wife @drlouisa_s clash in the #nominatechallenge ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Source: zionfelix.net
Former Asante Kotoko striker Saddick Adams has stated emphatically that football clubs in the country do not understand football business and he is hoping that things change in the future.
Adams, who have had stints with top clubs in the local terrain including, Ashantigold and Brekum Chelsea lamented that it is about time clubs change their mentality towards their players.
The former Black Starlets player in an interview with Angel FM in Kumasi implored the clubs to stick to the well being of their players.
“I think Ghanaian clubs do not understand football business but I hope they understand it as time goes on. When you take good care of your player, the benefits is enormous when he is being transferred.†he said.
Source:Â footballghana.com
The Bui Power Authority has defended the demolishing of properties at Lapla, a fishing community at Bongase in the Banda District of the Bono region.
The exercise left many residents who claimed their homes were burnt after they were pulled down by officials of the Authority and armed security personnel, stranded.
But the Authority denies burning the properties but said it had the right to conduct the demolition exercise.
In a statement copied to JoyNews, CEO of the Authority, Fred Oware said the exercise was in accordance with the BPA policy of evicting unauthorized persons within the buffer zone around the Bui Reservoir to save the operations of the Bui Generating Station (BGS).
Mr Oware indicated that the encroachers were informed about the demolition months before the exercise was undertaken.
“The first of such meetings was held on October 10, 2019 at the location in question where a two-month notice to vacate the area was issued.
“On November 18, 2019, another meeting was held with the traditional leaders of Bongase to explain the need for the migrant fisher folks to leave that area.
“Subsequently, on December 4, 2019, at the request of the migrant fisher folks the deadline was extended to January 31, 2020.â€
He added that when a final warning was issued on April 1, 2020, most of the fisher folk left during the notice period but some failed to adhere to the notice, prompting the Authority to issue a three-day unltimatum on May 15, 2020 which culminated in the demolition exercise, paving way for the Landing Site Development Project to continue.
The Landing Site Development Project, began in 2019, to facilitate the work of the Ghana Naval Team of the National Security Detachment deployed at BGS.
Mr Oware stressed that “there was no and will never be prejudices against any particular tribe or political affiliations. BPA only carried out its legal mandate in the administration of its acquired lands.â€
While sympathising with the affected persons, the Authority says “it must be emphasized that we also have a responsibility to protect the reservoir and this ensure the efficient running of the generation station.â€
Source: myjoyonlineÂ
Agent of Mohammed Kudus, Jennifer Mendelewitsch has stated that his client will only sign for a club where he will be guaranteed regular playing time.
The Nordsjaelland player has been linked with a move away from the Danish league as he is on the transfer radar of top European clubs.
The Ghanaian has established himself as an integral member of the FC Nordsjaelland first team since joining them from Right to Dream Academy two years ago.
Kudus has been linked with moves to Olympique Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, Fenerbahce, and Everton but his agent says they will consider a lot of factors before they accept any offer.
“Many European clubs are in discussions at the moment, but we are not in contact with OM. There are very large teams and intermediate clubs, and Mohammed’s choice will be to join a team where he will have playing time, but he will be spoiled for choice,” she told Le Phocéen.
She added: “What is certain is that he will leave Denmark this summer. Obviously, clubs like Salzburg and Leipzig can be on the spot, but also English, Spanish, and Italians. We also have Ligue 1 clubs, but not those that have been mentioned recently.”
Kudus has scored nine goals in 19 league games in the halted Danish league.
Source:Â Ghana Guardian
A young man in his 30s from the Baasa community in the Builsa South District of the Upper East Region has lost his life after his throat was slit Wednesday night.
He was allegedly killed in a fight that broke out between youth of the Wiesi and Baasa communities at the Fumbisi market, a deep throat source told GhanaWeb.
The incident happened near the district offices of the National Health Insurance Scheme where the deceased bled to death.
Cause of the misunderstanding that led to his killing is yet to be established but there are speculations in the town that a lady is at the centre of the confusion.
According to the speculation, the deceased and his alleged killer were both in an amorous relationship with the lady in the town, a situation which they have fought about several times.
The killer on Wednesday however decided to end it all when they clashed again that night by cutting the throat of his contender with a sharp object.
The murder of the young man has thrown the town into a state of shock, with the possibility of reprisal attacks from the Baasa community who are devastated by the loss of life.
Police in the area were not available to confirm the incident. No arrests have been effected so far, but Police are on the heels of the murderer.
A crunch meeting between the District Security Committee (DISEC) and leadership of the two communities to douse tensions, GhanaWeb is told, has been called and currently underway.
The District Chief Executive, Daniel Kwame Gariba, is said to have called for calm in the area as the law takes its course.
The mortal remains of the deceased, which was transported to the Sandema Hospital for medical examination has been released to the family for burial.
Source:Â www.ghanaweb.com
Recent laboratory tests have shown that 48 percent of hand sanitisers and face masks produced locally have failed to meet the mandatory health standards and Government is now working with the manufacturers to improve the quality of the products, a Cabinet minister has said.
Since the gazetting of Statutory Instrument (SI) 92 of 2020, the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) and Bureau de Veritas were mandated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to conduct conformity assessment procedures to attest compliance through laboratory testing and certification of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The SI in question, sets the standards required for the manufacture, sale and disposal of apparel, materials and equipment intended to be worn or used as protection against any formidable infectious disease by different categories of persons in their interaction with the public.
Statistics gathered by The Herald revealed that 24 out of 52 companies whose sanitizer samples were tested failed to meet the set standard.
Eleven companies passed the test while eight others conditionally passed but need to improve on labelling.
Of the 35 companies manufacturing general face masks, 17 were below the mandatory standards.
Eighteen companies’ products were up to standard but 15 of them required improvement on labelling.
Only one company had its gowns and caps tested and the products were up to standard.
Two companies whose face shields were tested for compliance passed the test while another company that produces face screens also succeeded.
Industry and Commerce Minister Sekai Nzenza said a number of companies failed the test and Government was now working with them to improve on quality.
“A number of companies have not met the standards and quality. We are working with the companies that have failed tests and already we have recorded positive improvements from them.
“SAZ is currently working with the companies whose products were non-compliant, which are at various stages of conducting corrective action to ensure that their products meet the prescribed standards after their PPE failed the initial laboratory tests,” she said.
Minister Nzenza said her ministry was also engaging manufacturers and suppliers of PPEs to ensure the prices are affordable.
“As Ministry of Industry and Commerce, we have the mandate to implement standards and quality in order to ensure the health and safety of the people.
“At the same time, we work with the Consumer Protection Council to monitor the cost of PPEs and sanitizers,” she said.
Minister Nzenza has set up a taskforce to monitor and ensure compliance with the set standards.
The team comprises representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Attorney General’s office, Police Anti-counterfeit & Anti-smuggling unit and SAZ.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, working with key stakeholders like Consumer Council of Zimbabwe and SAZ has embarked on awareness campaigns on the mandatory standards for PPE and sanitizers.
This is to ensure that the implications are well known to the manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, shipping agents, law enforcement agencies and consumers alike.
Source: allafrica.com
Nigeria’s coronavirus related deaths have reached the 200 marks as at Wednesday, May 20.
This is according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control made this known in a tweet late on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
The Centre in a tweet says Nigeria has recorded 284 new cases of coronavirus, taking its total confirmed cases to 6,677.
Some 1,840 persons have been discharged, the Centre says.
Breakdown of new cases
199-Lagos
26-Rivers
19-Oyo
8-FCT
8-Borno
7-Plateau
6-Jigawa
5-Kano
2-Abia
1-Ekiti
1-Delta
1-Kwara
1-Taraba
Source: en.as.com
A two-day-old baby has died with coronavirus in South Africa – one of the world’s youngest victims of the virus.
The mother had tested positive for Covid-19 and the child subsequently tested positive, the health minister said.
The baby was born prematurely and needed help with breathing, he added.
The country’s death toll now stands at 339, and the number of confirmed cases has climbed to 18,003.
The latest modelling predicts that up to 40,000 people might die in South Africa over the next few months.
“Sadly we have recorded the first neonatal mortality related to Covid-19. The baby was two days old and was born prematurely,” South Africa’s Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said.
“The baby had lung difficulties which required ventilation support immediately after birth.
“We extend a special word of comfort to the mother of this child and salute the neonatologists, nurses and all allied and technical personnel who had the difficult task of caring for the neonate to the end,” he added.
Asked by the BBC whether this was the youngest victim of coronavirus in Africa, the director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Dr John Nkengasong said: “To the best of our knowledge that is the first case that the Africa CDC is aware of.”
Other young victims of coronavirus, include a three-day-old who died on 5 May in the UK. In that case the mother and baby tested positive for coronavirus after she gave birth.
The baby was born with a low heart rate and the coroner listed the primary cause of death as severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, meaning the brain was starved of blood and oxygen, while maternal Covid-19 was listed as a secondary cause.
Mr Mkhize also said that the two-year-old baby was one of 27 new deaths recorded in South Africa in the last 24 hours.
The country has the highest number of cases of Covid-19 in Africa. However, Egypt and Algeria have had more fatalities, with 680 and 568 respectively.
South Africa has had some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world, including a ban on cigarettes and alcohol, but is now easing some restrictions.
Source: bbc.com