TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • 2 spiritualists arrested for allegedly hijacking rainfall in Ketu North Municipality

    Two young spiritualists in Penyi, a town in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region were rescued by the Police yesterday, Wednesday, May 20,2020 after angry residents launched an attack on them.

    The two spiritualists were accused of preventing rain from falling by performing short rituals in either their rooms or in their secret shrines whenever rain forms in the cloud hence inflicting heavy blows to farmers whose crops are dying off on the fields and need water to survive.

    It is a known fact that Penyi and its neighboring towns have not witnessed any rainfall in the past months despite numerous instances of the cloud being heavy with rain.

    The situation, however, forced traditional leaders in the town to do open consultation of the gods and as a result the name of the two spiritualists were revealed by the chief priest.

    Angry residents upon hearing the name of these spiritualists launched a manhunt for them and finally apprehended them in their respective hideouts.

    The spiritualists were then beaten and shouted at the full glare of the public. They [spiritualists] in the process confessed and admitted their evil acts which they said they have been doing for quite a long time now.

    Police in the Penyi Township however came to the rescue of these spiritualists and took them into their custody.

    It is however not known if the police will take up the case because of its spiritual nature as the Police do not investigate spiritual cases. As at the time of filing this report, the Police could not be reached for any comment.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • But for football, I would have been a carpenter – Osei Kuffour

    Former Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko forward Emmanuel Osei Kuffour aka The General says he would have forged a career in carpentry had his footballing career not been a success.

    The General as he was affectionately called in his prime played for Accra Hearts of Oak for most part of his professional career between 1998- 2005, where he helped the team win numerous league titles, the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederations Cup and the Super Cup.

    After winning the CAF Confederations Cup with Hearts in 2005 he left the phobians for Tractor Sazi in Iran before joining Ashantigold and moving to Kotoko among other clubs.

    “When I started playing football I was also learning a trade in carpentry alongside.

    “It was with the intention that If I’m not successful with football then I can get something to do and not be useless in society.” he told Ashh Fm.

    Despite playing the bulk of his football on the local scene Emmanuel Osei Kuffour made 31 appearances for the Black Stars scoring twice and was also part of the Ghana squad for both AFCON 2000 in Ghana/Nigeria and 2002 in Mali.

    Source: Ghana Guardian

  • Police commended for role in COVID-19 fight

    Personnel of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) have been commended for the various roles they are playing in ensuring the safety of Ghanaians and the enforcement of the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

    The Chief Director of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NORCC), Alhaji Alhassan Issahaku, who gave the commendation, said personnel of the service had played critical roles since Ghana recorded its first case of COVID-19 and their contribution towards the fight against the pandemic needed to be recognised.

    Exercise

    Alhaji Issahaku was speaking at the start of the fumigation and disinfection exercise of all police facilities across the Northern, Savannah and North East regions that began at the Northern Regional Police Headquarters in Tamale on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

    The exercise formed part of measures put in place by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    The exercise being undertaken by Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a waste management company, will see all police stations, offices and cells disinfected, while barracks will be fumigated to get rid of all insects, rodents and other micro-organisms likely to spread the virus.

    Alhaji Issahaku, who represented the Northern Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council (RCC), Mr Salifu Saeed, said the exercise was to step up efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and to recognise the important role the security agencies had played so far towards the fight against the pandemic.

    Commendation

    The Northern Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Timothy Y. Bonga, welcomed the exercise and expressed his appreciation to Zoomlion for undertaking such an exercise.

    “We are one of the agencies that are so much involved in trying to make sure that people are safe and secure against this COVID-19 pandemic, and so our people need to be very strong to be able to ensure that they carry out their legitimate duties of enforcing the restrictions to ensure that we are all safe,” he stated.

    COP Bonga thanked the Police Administration and the government for making their facilities safe so that they could work to deliver what was expected of them.

    He urged all residents of the region to continue to abide by the safety protocols and the restrictions, saying “when we come after you for violating the restrictions, it is not that we hate you but because we love you and want you to stay alive and contribute your quota to the development of this country”.

    The General Manager of Savanna Waste Limited, a subsidiary of Zoomlion, Mr Peter Dawuni, said their doors were open to all individuals and corporate organisations that wanted to disinfect their homes and premises against the spread of COVID-19.

    Accra disinfection

    Meanwhile, the General Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr Morgan Acquah, said the company would complete the disinfection of all 105 police facilities in the Greater Accra Region by next week Thursday.

    He said the exercise was key to ensuring the safety of people who visited the police stations.

    Mr Acquah said this when ZGL disinfected the Dansoman, Mamprobi and Korle Bu police stations in Accra yesterday.

    It saw the disinfection of counters, cells and offices, among other places.

    He said the chemical being used, chlorine, was safe and not harmful to humans.

    At the three police stations, the district commanders — Chief Superintendent Daniel Jeffery Darko, Cephas Arthur and DSP Cephas Edjeani, commended Zoomlion for undertaking the exercise, adding that it would go a long way to ensure the safety of personnel and visitors.

    In addition to adhering to all the protocols, they said they had put in place measures to ensure social distancing at the various cells by reducing the number of inmates.

    According to them, only persons who had engaged in serious offences were kept in the cells.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Court adjourns Bishop Borngreats case again

    The Ashaiman Circuit Court has again adjourned the case in which Bishop Eric Borngreat Aboagye and 21 others have been charged for flouting the ban on social gathering in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

    The court, presided over by Mrs Agnes Opoku-Barnieh, directed the prosecution to furnish the accused persons and their lawyers with witness statements two days before the next court sitting on May 26, 2020 to enable a Case Management Conference (CMC) to begin.

    The purpose of the CMC is to identify the essential issues in the litigation and to avoid unnecessary, burdensome or
    duplicative discovery and other pre-trial procedures in the course of preparing for the trial of those issues.

    Bishop Borngreat of the Heavens Life Global Church and 21 of his congregants, including two juveniles, have been charged for failing to comply with the restrictions imposed by Executive Instrument 64 as extended by Executive Instrument 90 of the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012).

    All the accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Facts

    The Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akwasi Ahenkorah Afrifa, said on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, Bishop Aboagye and his congregants, numbering over 50, held a church service at the Heavens Life Global Church at Lebanon School Junction at Ashaiman.

    He said a joint team of police and the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly task force picked information about the prayer service which was contrary to the Imposition of Restrictions Act, (Act 1012) which had been in force since March 15 as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

    He said Bishop Aboagye escaped and fled the church premises upon sighting the team which had moved in to enforce the law.

     

    Arrest

    The team, however, managed to arrest some of the congregants who were handed over to the police who arraigned them before the Ashaiman District Court on Thursday, April 30, 2020.

    The Ashaiman District Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Bishop Aboagye, but on Monday, May 4, 2020, he reported himself to the Ashaiman Divisional Police and was arrested by the police, charged and arraigned before the Circuit Court.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • I’m going to fight for more playing time – Mathew Kelvin Andoh vows

    Asante Kotoko SC winger Mathew Kelvin Andoh has vowed to impress coach Maxwell Konadu as he seeks for more playing minutes when football resumes.

    Andoh claims he misses being a regular player in the squad which is urging him to train very hard to get back into the team.

    Andoh scored the opener when the Porcupine Warriors beat Kano Pillars 2-0 in Kumasi to eliminate the Nigerian side in the preliminary round of the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League campaign.

    The 25-year-old has struggled to command more playing time since Konadu took over as head coach from Norwegian gaffer Kjetil Zachariassen.

    “Football is full of uncertainties,” Andoh told Kotoko Express app.

    “I played several games during our Africa campaign and even scored.”

    “Unfortunately, we could not progress in the Champions League and the Confederation Cup and the coach was sacked.”

    “I would not say that affected me. But every coach has his style of play and what he requires from players. I have played a few games under coach Maxwell Konadu but I still want more. I have to push myself harder to get there.”

    More so, the former Wa All Stars star admits intense competition for starting places in the team which requires hard work and perseverance.

    “The competition for places has become intense and the best thing to do now is to fight harder.”

    “Everything depends on me. I am working hard in this break and hopefully, things will change when football resumes.”

    Andoh made just three appearances in the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League season for Asante Kotoko after 14 rounds.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Stephanie Benson shares wicked photos on social media

    Award-winning Ghanaian international musician, Stephanie Benson, has released some stunning photos on her social media page and fans cannot get enough of her.

    For whatever reasons, the musician is refusing to grow old.

    The young looking pictures of the musician show that truly age is just a number and cannot rust the body.

    The singer never looked 50 in these new photos:

    Actress Efia Odo even commented on the stunning photos:

    Source: Adomonline.com

  • VIDEO: How I caused Obinim’s arrest – Kennedy Agyapong

    The Member of Parliament of Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Agyapong says he caused the arrest of the Head Pastor of the International God’s Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim.

    According to the legislator, he filed a report with the Police and also provided the law enforcement officials with witnesses.

    The popular televangelist was arrested on May 19 and charged in court for the publication of false news and forgery of document, contrary to sections 208 and 159 of the Criminal and other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

    A police statement said Obinim is also under investigation for other offences levelled against him.

    In his now regular appearance on The Seat television show on Net 2 on Wednesday night (May 20, 2020), Mr Agyapong said complaints against the preacher include death threats on the lives of several persons, sketchy money transfers and his use of the logo of the Ghana Police Service to declare persons wanted.

    He said also under investigation is a viral video where the controversial preacher is hitting and ‘cursing’ a girl with Asthma during a televised broadcast.

    “Me, I am not afraid to tell you, you threw me a challenge and I have gone head-to-head with you. I reported, I took the witnesses there. Read my lips, because I am not afraid of you,” Mr Agyapong said.

    Watch the video below from the 41st-minute mark;

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Government not opening schools soon, we’re just in consultations -Kojo Oppong- Nkrumah

    Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has explained government is in consultation with stakeholders on the possible opening up of schools should all the restrictions be lifted.

    According him, the notion government was going to soon open up schools is wrong and misrepresented. He pleaded with the citizenry to exert patience and await the final decision from government as it continues to hold consultations.

    “We have observed from media monitoring center that government says that schools are to reopen soon. With the greatest of respect, it is not correct. Government did not say that schools are to reopen soon. What we are saying is that consultations on what it takes to reopen schools is what we are currently engaged in.”

    According to him, the consultations forms part of the easing of the general restrictions by government which includes adherence to precautionary measures.

    Reports that government would soon reopen schools have left many stakeholders including parents apprehensive especially about the safety of students and teachers.

    The Minister, acknowledging the skepticism said, “It is okay to be apprehensive, it is okay to wonder this would be done” however, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah suggested that, “we must channel those apprehensions and those worries towards answering the question, what does it take, what should be the indication of a good time, what will be the best way to protect teachers, non-teachers and students if we are to open up at some point.”

    While announcing that government has started engaging some Ghanaian groups as well as receiving proposals, he encouraged citizens to bring forth ideas that can help curb COVID-19

    “…The deeper the public engagements, the better options we will have. Government believes that we as a nation can do many things that we put our minds too.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Police invites Abronye DC over alleged assassination claims against Mahama

    The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has invited the Bono Regional Chairman of the  New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe ‘Abronye DC’ for questioning over allegations he allegedly made against former President John Dramani Mahama.

    In a petition to the Criminal Investigations Department signed by his lawyer, Tony Lithur, John Mahama said Abronye DC had accused him of plotting to assassinate some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    He (Abronye DC) reportedly said some NPP personalities will be assassinated by NDC hirelings doing the bidding of the former President.

     

    Former President Mahama reported Kwame Baffoe Abronye to the police for alleging that he had plans to kill some leading members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    The former President lodged the complaint on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at the police headquarters through his lawyers, LithurBrew Company.

    Mr Mahama in the petition described the claims as false and urged the CID to probe the NPP Bono Regional Chairman.

    “His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, has firmly instructed me to say that the allegations are, of course, false; and for the avoidance of doubt would like to state that neither the NDC nor he has planned to hire, hired or cause to be hired, or instructed any person or persons to murder or assassinate anybody,” portions of the petition read.

    Meanwhile, the CID in an invitation letter signed by its Deputy Director-General, Barima Sasraku II, asked Abroney DC to report to the SIU at 10 am to assist with investigations.

    “The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the CID Headquarters has commenced investigations into an alleged case of Publication of false news reported by His Excellency Former President John Dramani Mahama against you. You are required to report to Director/SIU on Thursday 21st May 2020 at 10:00 am to assist investigations, please,” the CID invitation letter stated.

    Below is copy of the CID letter to Kwame Bafoe ‘Abronye DC’

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Capital Bank collapse: Ato Essien willing to refund GH¢27.5million to the state

    Lawyers of Willaim Ato Essien, the founder of the defunct Capital Bank, who is standing trial for allegedly collapsing the bank, has told the Accra High Court that their client is willing to refund GH¢27.5 million back to the state.

    The amount is what the state has accused Essien of using as business promotion and which he allegedly carried in jute bags to be distributed to some people.

    Counsel for Essien, Mr Baffour Gyewu Bonsu told the court Thursday that his client had already paid GH¢1.4 million of the GH¢27.5 million to the state, reports Graphic Online’s court reporter, Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.

    He said discussions were still ongoing with the prosecution and therefore the court should adjourn the case to enable the discussions to continue.

    Proposal

    The prosecutor, Mrs Mariana Appiah Oppong, a Chief State Attorney, confirmed to the court that lawyers for Essien had indeed informed her about their intention to pay the amount.

    She, however, said the lawyers must bring a detailed proposal to the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP) and after a review the DPP would make a determination to accept it or not.

    The court, presided over by Justice Eric Kyei-Baffour, therefore, gave the lawyers for Essien one month to send the proposal to the DPP.

    Hearing will continue on June 18, 2020 during which the prosecution is expected to report to the court whether or not it had accepted the proposal.

     

    more to follow…

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

     

  • Postpone elections to 2021 – Kwasi Addae ‘Odike’

    The founder and leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Mr Kwasi Addae aka Odike, has advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to postpone the 2020 elections to 2021.

    According to him, the continuous rise in the infections of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country would not create an enabling environment for the organisation of a credible parliamentary and presidential election for 2020.

    In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Kumasi, Mr Addae said the current state of affairs would also make it virtually impossible for the EC to strictly follow its schedule timetable for an effective election.

    “No one can tell me that looking at the rate of the infection spreading in the country, the pandemic will end very soon,” he said.

    More time

    Mr Addae further said even if the pandemic should end before December, this year, the EC would still need more time to follow due process in order to organise a credible election.

    “The EC needs enough time to embark on public education before its intended registration exercise, attend to challenges from unqualified registrants, undertake exhibition of the voters register and then prepare for the main election on December 7.

    When asked what should be done to avert a constitutional crisis in the event the EC postpones the elections, Mr Addae said the constitution could be amended to deal with the situation, adding “protecting human lives must be the topmost priority.”

    Change strategy

    Mr Addae called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his team of experts to change strategy in the fight against COVID-19 to halt the spread of the pandemic in the country.

    He said he believed the President lifted the restriction on movement too early.

    “The government must revise its tactics to deal with this pandemic,” he said.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • We will take legal action against all falsehood peddlers – Kotoko warns

    The Management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko has indicated that they will not hesitate to take legal action against persons and organizations that spread lies about the club in a bid to tarnish the image of the team in any way.

    According to the management of the Reds, they have cited allegations made by Silver FM Sports Presenter Edmund Osafo Addo. The club explains that Osafo Addo has speculated that they have presented falsified documents to the Prof. Nkansah committee which has been tasked by Manhyia to investigate the dealings of the club.

    While describing the claims as bogus, the Kotoko management says they have no intention of misleading the investigative committee.

    “Asante Kotoko remains a corporate institution and will not indulge in the falsification of documents let alone attempt to mislead the eminent committee”, the club statement in its statement.

    It continued, “Management has absolute faith in the Prof. Nkansah Committee and believes that the outcome of their findings will serve the interest of the club.

    “Management further states that it will not hesitate to take legal action against any individual or organization that peddles falsehood to taint the reputation of the club”.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Hearts of Oak still owe ’64 Battalions’ $25000 – Charles Allotey

    Ex-Hearts of Oak midfielder Charles Allotey says the club still owes ’64 Battalions’ squad an amount of $25,000 after winning the 2000 CAF Champions League and the CAF Super Cup in 2001.

    Allotey was part of the team that took Africa and Ghana by storm, winning the CAF Champions League, CAF super cup, FA Cup, and the Ghana premier league.

    According to the 40-year-old, the club has failed to honour its $25,000 promise the management then led by Harry Zakkuor promised.

    “Hearts players, who won the Champions League and Super Cup are bitter about the club because they owe each player $25000 which till date they are yet to pay, they are yet to honour that agreement,” Allotey told Oyerepa FM.

    He was a member of the Ghana U-17 squad that won the 1995 FIFA U17 World Cup staged in Ecuador.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • It’s an ‘insult’ to choose Joe Mettle over all gospel musicians – Patience Nyarko

    Gospel singer, Patience Nyarko says it’s an insult to the kingdom of God for any person to place Joe Mettle as topnotch musician in the gospel music industry in Ghana.

    According to Patience Nyarko, she has no problem with her colleague musician Joe Mettle but her anger against him was borne out of some statements that a Presenter on Accra-based radio station Vision 1, O.B Nartey made regarding Joe Mettle.

    She disclosed that the Presenter was giving a countdown of his top gospel musicians and singled out Joe Mettle to be the only musician he would choose to represent Ghana on the international level.

    Patience Nyarko has come under intense attacks on social media for screaming with pain that Joe Mettle doesn’t deserve the hype he is getting from music enthusiasts.

    She believes the musician is being overpampered and therefore warned it might not augur well for him.

    She appeared on Onua FM’s Anigye Mmre show on Saturday, May 16 and was addressing why Ghana’s gospel music is not penetrating the international market.

    During the interview, the singer became emotional and vented her spleen on the ”Bo Noo Ni” hit maker saying ”I don’t want people to think that Joe Mettle is the only Gospel artiste in Ghana. The way they are hyping him, I want people to know that he is not there yet. Sincerely, they are giving the guy a problem, I’m telling you”.

    Her point is very simple that Joe Mettle doesn’t compose his own songs but rather sings Methodist and Pentecostal songs.

    “When we talk about English songs, how many songs does Joe Mettle have? Is it not Pentecost songs that Joe Mettle sings? If the church of Pentecost and Methodist church should ban people from using their songs, what will be Joe Mettle’s fate?”

    “What about those of us who write our own songs. Look at Nacee, Diana Hamilton, and Joyce Blessing who write their own songs. We have all been ignored because we don’t speak English. Is English food we eat?” she asked.

    Although Patience Nyarko has incurred the wrath of some people, she however solidly stands by her words.

    To her, it is an affront to the Kingdom of God and the gospel fraternity for any person to choose Joe Mettle as a favourite among all the gospel musicians in Ghana.

    “What makes him number 1? Is it because he sings English songs? What qualities are you using to place him number 1? We don’t build an industry with one person. You have to respect everybody’s efforts. Joe may be good but that doesn’t mean he is the only person to represent the whole big industry like Ghana’s industry. If you to even talk about English songs, Sonnie Badu is the originator. He opened the door and you’ve disrespected him too. We have a lot of people who are doing very well.

    “We have Diana Hamilton, Patience Nyarko, Ceccy Twum, Joyce Blessing and so forth. You will give us morale when you put it this way. But if you single out one person, what makes him number 1?”

    She questioned in an interview with host Halifax Ansah Addo on Okay FM’s ‘Best Entertainment’.

    Watch her full submissions below:

    Source: Peacefmonline.com

  • Carlos Ghosn: US ex-Green Beret and son arrested over escape from Japan

    US authorities have arrested a former special forces soldier and his son for allegedly helping ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn flee Japan last December.

    Former Green Beret Michael Taylor, 59, and his son Peter, 26, were detained in Massachusetts on Wednesday.

    Japanese prosecutors issued warrants for their arrest in January.

    Mr Ghosn, who was detained in Japan on charges of financial misconduct in 2018, made a dramatic escape from house arrest last year.

    He denies the charges against him.

    Despite being monitored 24 hours a day, on 29 December he managed to fly to Beirut, Lebanon, via Turkey.

    Details of the Taylors’ alleged involvement in the escape are unclear. But Japanese prosecutors have said the two were in Japan at the time and helped Mr Ghosn evade security checks as he left.

    Earlier this month prosecutors in Turkey charged seven people over the escape. The suspects – four pilots, two flight attendants, and an airline executive – are also accused of helping Mr Ghosn flee.

    Full details of the escape have never been fully explained. Mr Ghosn, who holds Brazilian, French and Lebanese nationalities, ran Renault and Nissan as part of a three-way car alliance.

    He is accused of misreporting his compensation package, but has insisted he can never get a fair hearing in Japan.

    Since his arrival in Lebanon, he has told reporters he was a “hostage” in Japan, where he was left with a choice between dying there or running.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Baatsona police tour companies to inspect safety measures

    The Baatsona Divisional Police on Wednesday toured industries in their jurisdiction to ensure Covid-19 safety protocols are being observed.

    Led by the Divisional Commander, ACP Julius Kpebesson, the team visited Far East Mercantile Company Limited & IFFCO Limited distributors of food beverages and Parlays Ghana Limited producers of Parlays Biscuits.

    They also visited Polytank Ghana Limited, manufacturers of plastic tanks and other plastic products as well as Weave Ghana Limited producers of Darling artificial human hair

    The circular from the police commended all these companies for ensuring their staff were adhering to the proper hygiene, social distancing and other necessary protocol recommended for preventing the spread of the new coronavirus.

    “In place were adequate essentials for frequent hand washing with soap under running water, use of hand sanitizers, social distancing and mandatory masks wearing,” the statement said.

    Polytank was, however, singled out for praise; the police describing the measures put in place by company as “very impressive.”

    “At the said facility, there was a health and safety committee set up purposely for enforcement of the protocols, with duty roster and checklist provided under direct supervision of the General Manager who routinely crosscheck and signs the check list,” the police said.

    ACP Kpebesson commended management of Polytank and urged other companies to “take cue from such splendid initiative.”

    The inspection exercise continues unabated, the police said.

     

    Source: myjoyonline

  • You have no international deals yet beefing one another Iona shades Eno Barony, Sista Afia and others

    Ghanaian songstress Iona has questioned the mindset of female musicians who are busily beefing one another rather than focusing on their crafts.

    In a recent interview with Zionfelix, she stated that most female musicians in the country cannot boast of international appeal and that should be their problem.

    She advised that instead of beefing one another, they should direct the same energy in pushing their careers and making them better.

    Full interview below:

    Source: ghbase.com

  • Coronavirus: Virus outbreaks push Germany to clean up abattoirs

    Germany has agreed a proposal to ban the use of temporary workers at slaughterhouses following a spate of coronavirus infections.

    Hundreds of people working at abattoirs across Germany and France have tested positive for Covid-19 in recent weeks.

    Many workers have arrived from Romania on flights chartered by farmers.

    Health experts are looking at possible reasons for the outbreaks, including overcrowded accommodation and cold conditions at processing facilities.

    On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet agreed a draft proposal preventing subcontractors – largely migrant workers – from processing meat at plants from January 2021.

    Any violation of the new rules by abattoir owners could result in a fine of up to €30,000 (£26,800; $32,900), the proposal states.

    Countries across Europe started closing their borders to non-essential travel and reinstating checkpoints in March, to try to limit the spread of coronavirus.

    However, European farm workers – largely from Romania – are among the few permitted to travel. As many as 30,000 Romanians have been flown to Germany to work in the food industry.

    ‘Ashamed’ by mass infection of Romanians

    The issue of poor working conditions in German meat-packing factories was raised after a cluster of coronavirus infections were recorded at a slaughterhouse in the western German city of Münster over the weekend.

    At another slaughterhouse in Coesfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, more than 260 workers – many living in shared accommodation – tested positive for the virus.

    Cases are also increasing in western France, where more than 100 infections were recently reported at two separate slaughterhouses.

    “The circumstances we are going through reveal a number of systemic problems that we haven’t addressed properly,” Romania’s labour minister, Violeta Alexandru, told Reuters news agency following a meeting with her German counterpart Hubertus Heil.

    She travelled 18 hours by car from Bucharest to see the conditions for herself, telling Deutsche Welle that any Romanian who encountered health or hygiene issues should turn to the police if necessary.

    Romania’s ambassador, Emil Hurezeanu, said the minister had heard from seasonal workers who had gone to the consulate in Bonn to protest about working and living conditions.

    Mr Heil said that the “mass infection of Romanian workers in the meat industry” was not acceptable, adding: “I have to say it makes me ashamed.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: All 50 US states move toward reopening

    As the country’s death toll surpasses 92,000, all 50 US states have partially reopened after a two-month shutdown.

    On Wednesday, Connecticut became the final state to lift restrictions when it gave the green light to shops and restaurants under certain conditions.

    But wide discrepancies remain between states in terms of infection rates and the pace of their economic restart.

    Many have not met the federal guidance on how to reopen, including a 14-day “downward trajectory” of cases.

    The District of Columbia is expected to announce its reopening next week.

    Countrywide, the US is seeing an overall downward trend in new cases and deaths over time.

    Some of the hardest-hit areas, including New York, New Jersey and Washington state are now showing the sharpest declines, while majority of states have reached plateaus. Still, states like Arizona and North Carolina continue to report increases.

    What are different states doing? Many like Connecticut have started with a state-wide approach, with varying degrees of restrictions.

    In Maryland, for example, residents must stick to outdoor recreation, including golf courses, beaches and campgrounds, while states like Oklahoma now allow residents to attend religious services, get a tattoo, and even spend an evening at a nightclub.

    Slower moving states – mostly concentrated in the country’s North East and West Coast – have begun regional openings.

    In California, for example, some restaurants and retail locations will be allowed to open, but only in counties that meet standards for testing and declining infection rates.

    Last week, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser extended the city’s social distancing restrictions until at least 8 June.

    The guidelines may be loosened, however, if DC meets a series of reopening metrics set out by Ms Bowser, including a two-week decline in community spread of the virus.

    What does the new guidance say? In 60 pages of guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control this past weekend, the centre provides detailed guidance to particular sectors.

    In schools, for example, desks must be placed six feet apart and face the same direction, with temperature checks for all staff and students.

    In restaurants, the CDC advises establishments open first with limited seating to allow for social distancing, and place higher-risk workers in roles that limit their interaction with customers.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Thursday: Advertised jobs in newspapers today

    Prospective job seekers can find below the advertised jobs in the May 21, 2020 edition of Daily Graphic as published in the paper today.

     

    Source: theghanareport 

  • Klopp insists no Liverpool player will be forced to train

    Jurgen Klopp insists player safety will come first and nobody in his Liverpool squad will be forced to train or play if they do not want to.

    The Reds returned to training on Wednesday, with manager Klopp donning a face mask to put his players through their paces in small groups.

    While Klopp enjoyed getting back to work at Melwood, he underlined the player-first approach the club will be taking as the threat of coronavirus continues to linger.

    “It is the players’ choice and that is clear,” Klopp, whose squad sit on the brink of a maiden Premier League title, told Sky Sports.

    “I said before the session, ‘You are here on free will. Usually you sign a contract and you have to be in when I tell you, but in this case if you don’t feel safe, you don’t have to be here’.

    “There are no restrictions, no punishment, nothing. It’s their own decision and we respect that 100 per cent.

    “The boys are fine. We would never put anybody in danger to do what we want to do. Yes, we love football, yes, it’s our job, but it’s not more important than our lives or the lives of other people.”

    Asked how he found the experience of returning to work following a shutdown that started back in March, Klopp was characteristically enthusiastic.

    “Brilliant, I really enjoyed it. The weather is fantastic, and the boys are in good spirits,” he said.

    “This morning we had to come already changed so I felt a bit like a policeman in my uniform – finally, for the right reasons again. That felt pretty special.

    “Then coming to Melwood and seeing all the boys was nice. Before the session we had to give an introduction to make sure everything went in line. It was a short meeting and then a little bit more about the targets and then we started training. That was the best part for a while, really good.

    “The first 10 players were here, we have groups of five that train at the same time on different pitches obviously, far away from each other. It looked like football and that is what we want to do.

    “For the boys, they had the longest break ever, around nine weeks. The international players usually have around two weeks in the summer, so we need to get used to a lot of things again. But the first impression was really positive.”

    A total of 748 players and staff across the Premier League underwent tests for Covid-19 on Sunday and Monday, with six yielding positive results.

    No date has yet been set for a return to action, though it is hoped the first top-flight fixtures behind closed doors could take place in June.

    Subscribe to Goal’s Liverpool Correspondent Neil Jones’ weekly email bringing you the best Liverpool FC writing from around the web

    Source: goal.com

  • Make the 18-club Division One League autonomous – Wilson Arthur to GFA

    Chairman of the MTN FA Cup committee, Wilson Arthur is advocating for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to allow the 18-club Division One League competition to go autonomous.

    This follows an announcement from the country’s football governing body indicating that they have started the process to shrink the 48 Division One League competition to an 18-club competition.

    While many continue to oppose the move, the owner of Skyy FC Wilson Arthur says he believes it will be very helpful if the new format of the competition is handed over to an independent body to run.

    “If I was GFA president, I would sell the franchise for autonomous elite Division One League”, the experienced football administrator told Skyy FM.

    He continued, “Anyone who buys the franchise can make recoup his investment after 5 years”.

    Meanwhile, Proud United owner Jojo Duncan is opposing the reduction in the number of participating clubs in Division One after accusing the Ghana FA of trying to copy from South Africa.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Stonebwoy launches ‘Nominate Challenge’ with a $1000 cash prize; Here is how to win

    Multiple award-winning musician, Stonebwoy has announced a juicy cash prize as he launches a challenge for his Nominate song featuring Keri Hilson.

    Here is how to win this $1000 cash prize with the Nominate Challenge;

    All you have to do is to make a video on the Triller App to show love to your crush or the special person in your life.

    The participant with the most creative video will be awarded with a $1000 cash prize.

    The top three entries will be shortlisted next week.

    Check this Video out,

    Source: www.ghgossip

  • Richard Ofori explains why he refused to sign for Mamelodi Sundowns three years ago

    Goalkeeper Richard Ofori has revealed that he turned down an offer to play for Mamelodi Sundowns in 2017 because he was not guaranteed a playing time.

    Ofori had a successful trial at the Chloorkop-based from Ghana Premier League side Wa All Stars but opted to sign for Maritzburg United.

    “I first came here for trials at Sundowns and after they gave me that opportunity they decided they would sign me, but because of (no guaranteed) game-time I then came to Maritzburg. I have obviously grown-the Richard that came to South Africa three years ago is not the Richard that you see now,” Ofori revealed in a virtual press conference.”

    “I have the experience and I know how things are done now, so automatically I won’t be the same player,” he added.

    “But the most important thing is that now I am enjoying my time here at my current club-I can’t talk much about what the future holds, I am concentrating more on Maritzburg United.”he concluded.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Mohammed’s agent reveals conditions that will prompt in-demand Ghana star to leave FC Nordsjaelland

    Representative of Kudus Mohammed, Jennifer Mendelewitsch has disclosed that a host of European clubs are on the heels of his client but will only leave FC Nordsjaelland for a club that will guarantee him regular playing time.

    Mohammed has become a key cog for Danish outfit FC Nordsjaelland since joining from feeder club Right to Dream Academy in 2018.

    The 19-year-old has attracted lots of interest from elite European sides such Olympique Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, Fenerbahce and Everton.

    But his agent, Mendelewitsch has made it clear that his client will only leave the Wild Tigers to sign for a club that will guarantee him regular playing minutes.

    “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.”

    He has netted 9 goals in 19 Denmark top flight league matches this season.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Asante Kotoko have quality than Hearts of Oak – Charles Allotey

    Ex-Hearts of Oak midfielder Charles Allotey believes the club’s current crop of players are inferior to that of rivals Asante Kotoko.

    The 2000 CAF Champions League winner, who now coach of Cape Coast based third-division side Shalom FC, is not enthused with the know-how of players in the camp of the Phobians.

    Before the suspension of the league, Hearts of Oak suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Kotoko

    ”Asante Kotoko has quality players than Hearts of Oak. The current crop of players at Kotoko are better than those at Hearts of Oak,” Allotey told Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.

    Allotey has been on quiet since hanging his boots.

    He is remembered for his exploits in the Ghana U17 team which won the 1995 FIFA U17 World Cup in Ecuador.

    He also starred in the Hearts of Oak team which won the CAF Super Cup in 2001.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Two-day-old baby dies from coronavirus in South Africa

    A two-day-old baby born became the youngest victim of coronavirus in South Africa after being born prematurely to a coronavirus positive mother.

    It is the country’s first neonatal death.

    Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the premature baby had lung problems and required ventilation immediately after birth.

    “The mother had tested positive for Covid-19 and the child subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 as well. It is important to appreciate the complexities of the underlying condition of prematurity,” he said on Wednesday.

    South Africa, which has the highest coronavirus infections in Africa, reported 27 new deaths bringing the total fatalities to 339.

    Some 803 new coronavirus cases were announced on Wednesday evening taking the total to 18,003 while 8,950 people have recovered.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Cease fire ladies, lets collaborate and make money Eno Barony to her colleagues

    Female rapper Eno Barony has urged her fellow female colleagues beefing to cease every raging fire and start making money out of their careers.

    Eno Baronys comments comes after Sista Afia and Freda Rhymz got involved in a physical clash at the premises of TV3 few days ago over their lyrical beef which arouse anger.

    In an interview on the “Sunrise morning” show hosted by Alfred Ocansey, Eno Barony mentioned that she relayed an advise to her female colleagues in the industry to push their careers with all the energies they use in beefing in making money in the right way through her song “Rap Goddess”.

    “We are in this coronavirus period where everybody is thinking about themselves and then I saw some back and forth going on……..So I decided to come and talk to my fellow female artistes that the guys are featuring themselves and moving forward. So, we also need to do things that will give us money and not just fighting ourselves.”

    She revealed that, the advise she gave in her song attracted insults from her other colleagues.

    Source: www.ghgossip

  • Aid workers among 300 killed in South Sudan clashes

    The authorities in South Sudan say at least 300 people have been killed and many more injured in the latest wave of intercommunal fighting in Jonglei state, east of the country.

    Three aid workers, including one from Médecins Sans Frontières, are among those killed.

    Fighting broke out on Saturday between the Murle and Lou Nuer communities. A local elder told the BBC that Murle youths burned down many villages in Uror county before being repulsed.

    Health workers say many of the victims have gunshot wounds. Some of the injured have been airlifted to the capital, Juba, for treatment.

    The UN Mission in South Sudan has deployed peacekeepers to the area which remains tense. Some people tried to go back to their homes but immediately returned as they feared for their safety.

    Authorities say as many as 800 people have been killed since the wave of revenge attacks begun in February.

    A treaty aimed at ending the country’s six-year civil war was signed in February, but intercommunal violence has erupted a number of times since.

    Source: bbc.com

  • CHRAJ throws out ‘declaration of assets’ petition against Chief Justice Anin Yeboah

    The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has dismissed the petition a private citizen, Mensah Thompson filed against the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah on the declaration of assets and liabilities.

    Mr Mensah Thompson, who is the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) had argued that Justice Anin Yeboah did not declare his assets and liabilities as required by law when he became a Court of Appeal judge and subsequently a judge on the Supreme Court bench.

    His complaint to CHRAJ was that Parliamentary approval of Justice Anin Yeboah as the Chief Justice prior to his vetting and approval by Parliament would have gone contrary to Article 286 of the 1992 constitution because he did not disclose his assets and liabilities as required by the 1992 constitution.

    He argued that Justice Anin Yeboah had been a Justice of the Court of Appeal since 2008 and was required under the constitution of Ghana, to have declared his assets and liabilities but contended he did not do so.

    But CHRAJ after investigating the matter in its report said the following:

    Findings

    At the end of the preliminary investigations the commission finds as a fact that the respondent has complied with Article 286 of the constitution by declaring his assets and liabilities to the Auditor-General.

    Decision

    Having found out that the respondent had declared his assets and liabilities at the time the allegations were made and having satisfied the conditions for holding that office then, all be it a late submission, what should be the appropriate action that the commissioner should take in respect of the results of the investigation?

    The commission is of the considered view that having found that the respondent has complied with Article 286, the appropriate action in the circumstances would be to dismiss the complaint as overtaking, unsubstantiated, and not made out. The complaint is accordingly dismissed.

    We must add however that the commission recognises that the schedule of a Justice of a Supreme Court and other high-ranking public officials can be very demanding and could sometimes accession lapses in some areas of their work. However, that is not to excuse a person indefinitely from his or her duty under the law.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Zimbabwe minister sacked after remarks on MP’s abduction

    Zimbabwe’s deputy information minister has been fired, hours after dismissing the abduction of a female member of parliament and two of her colleagues as a row over payment for sex.

    The government gave no reason for the dismissal of Energy Mutodi.

    A tweet by Mr Mutodi about the opposition MP, Joana Mamombe, has been deleted.

    The deputy minister has also been engaged in a public feud with other Zimbabwean ministers.

    Foreign embassies in Harare, including those of the European Union and the United States, have demanded a swift and credible investigation into what they describe as the abduction and torture of the women.

    They were treated in hospital after being found at the roadside near the town of Bindura.

    Two days earlier they were arrested for taking part in an anti- government protest.

    Source: bbc.com

  • AMA pulls down structures at Jamestown beach For Fishing harbour project

    The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has demolished hundreds of structures at the Jamestown beach enclave to pave the way for work to begin on the Jamestown Fishing Harbour project.

    The demolition exercise, which began at about 5a.m, saw city officials and armed policemen storm the coastal community to pull down a string of wooden structures and other buildings.

    When the Daily Graphic got to the area around 11am, some bulldozers were seen pulling down buildings while the fisherfolk and some squatters watched on without any resistance.

    Many of them were trying to salvage their belongings while others, including women and children, sat in despair and dejection.

    Residents impressed

    Some of the residents the Daily Graphic spoke to, said the AMA had engaged them prior to the demolition and that gave them the opportunity to take out their belongings.

    The Chief Fisherman of Jamestown, Nii Armah Wulu, said the community members were in support of the exercise because the AMA had duly engaged them about the importance of the project.

    “The AMA gave us letters about the demolition and held meetings with us. The exercise was supposed to have happened earlier but because of the partial lockdown of Accra, it was delayed,” he said.

    Assurance

    The Head of Public Relations at AMA, Mr Gilbert Nii Ankrah, said all was set for the project to take off.

    “The project will start as soon as possible. It is under the supervision of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) but because the area falls under the jurisdiction of AMA, we are ensuring that the demolition exercise is done to pave the way for it to be implemented,” he said.

    He added that measures had been put in place to compensate legal residents of the area who had suffered some losses.

    The project

    The Jamestown Fishing Harbour project is in three major parts.

    It involves the dredging of about 118,000 cubic metres harbour basin and shipping channels; construction of hydraulic structures composed of berths, seawall and a break water; and construction of administration, production and supporting facilities, including an office building, kindergarten, trading market, processing area, commercial area and other production and supporting facilities.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Emmanuel Osei Kuffour picks Kotoko cheer song over famous ‘Arise, Arose, Arisen’ anthem

    Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Osei Kuffour has made a surprise declaration that Asante Kotoko cheer song motivated him more during his playing days than the famous Hearts of Oak’s.

    Hearts of Oak’s long-standing cheer song ‘Arise, Arose, Arisen is widely regarded as the best club anthem in the local league.

    Despite representing the Phobians for seven years, Kuffour says it is the Porcupine Warriors cheer song which was composed by music legend Pat Thomas was more motivating to him during his playing days.

    “I feel good listening to the Kumasi Asante Kotoko song. I love it because I love the team too.

    “When we are going to play a match and I listen to that tune it arises my spirit”, the striker told Ashh FM.

    He added, “When I listen to that song and I’m on the pitch it helps me give my all to the team since I have been inspired by the song”.

    The midfield maestro helped Hearts of Oak to win numerous league titles, the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, and the Super Cup.

    Kuffour left the club to join Iranian side Tractor Sazi in 2005 before returning to Ghana to sign for AshantiGold SC and later spent one season with Asante Kotoko.

    He gained 31 caps for Ghana and was picked for the squad at both the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, also featuring in the 1996 Summer Olympics football tournament.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • We will take legal action against all falsehood peddlers – Kotoko warns

    The Management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko has indicated that they will not hesitate to take legal action against persons and organizations that spread lies about the club in a bid to tarnish the image of the team in any way.

    According to the management of the Reds, they have cited allegations made by Silver FM Sports Presenter Edmund Osafo Addo. The club explains that Osafo Addo has speculated that they have presented falsified documents to the Prof. Nkansah committee which has been tasked by Manhyia to investigate the dealings of the club.

    While describing the claims as bogus, the Kotoko management says they have no intention of misleading the investigative committee.

    “Asante Kotoko remains a corporate institution and will not indulge in the falsification of documents let alone attempt to mislead the eminent committee”, the club statement in its statement.

    It continued, “Management has absolute faith in the Prof. Nkansah Committee and believes that the outcome of their findings will serve the interest of the club.

    “Management further states that it will not hesitate to take legal action against any individual or organization that peddles falsehood to taint the reputation of the club”.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Emmanuel Clottey insists he did no wrong in Asante Kotoko FIFA fine

    Striker Emmanuel Clottey says he cannot be blamed for transfer impasse between Asante Kotoko and Esperance which resulted in an accumulated US$ 240,000 fine to the Ghana Premier League giants.

    Clottey signed for Kotoko in 2015 but had his status challenged at FIFA by the Tunis-based side.

    Esperance claimed they had a running contract with the player at the time he signed for the Porcupine Warriors and won the case.

    Kotoko were found guilty for using Clottey in a game for 30 minutes.

    The former Ghana Premier League goalking later went to court but had his case against Kotoko thrown out and handed a punitive cost of Ghc 5,000.

    ”I told Kotoko I was not a free agent, so I directed them to have a discussion with my agent,” Clottey told Kumasi-based Fox FM.

    ”I never heard from Kotoko again, till I was told by my agent to go and sign for Kotoko which I did.

    ”I asked my agent about Esperance and he told me it will be settled later.

    ”When my agent asked me to sign I did, but I was surprised how Kotoko got my ITC.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Make the 18-club Division One League autonomous – Wilson Arthur to GFA

    Chairman of the MTN FA Cup committee, Wilson Arthur is advocating for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to allow the 18-club Division One League competition to go autonomous.

    This follows an announcement from the country’s football governing body indicating that they have started the process to shrink the 48 Division One League competition to an 18-club competition.

    While many continue to oppose the move, the owner of Skyy FC Wilson Arthur says he believes it will be very helpful if the new format of the competition is handed over to an independent body to run.

    “If I was GFA president, I would sell the franchise for autonomous elite Division One League”, the experienced football administrator told Skyy FM.

    He continued, “Anyone who buys the franchise can make recoup his investment after 5 years”.

    Meanwhile, Proud United owner Jojo Duncan is opposing the reduction in the number of participating clubs in Division One after accusing the Ghana FA of trying to copy from South Africa.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • UN chief praises Africa’s ‘swift’ coronavirus response

    UN Secretary General António Guterres has praised Africa’s “swift” response to the coronavirus pandemic, with reported cases much lower than initially feared.

    He said in a statement, “Most [African countries] have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers, and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures. Most [African countries] have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers, and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures”.

    “They are also drawing on the experience of HIV/Aid and Ebola to debunk rumours and overcome mistrust of government, security forces and health workers.”

    They are also drawing on the experience of HIV/AIDS and Ebola to debunk rumours and overcome mistrust of government, security forces and health workers.”

    The AFP news agency reports him telling RFL radio in France that the developed world could learn from Africa’s response.

    “Most African governments and organisations took in time very brave prevention measures which provide a lesson for some developed nations that did not,” he is quoted as saying.

    However, he warned in his statement that it still might be early days for the pandemic in Africa and recommended international help to strengthen the continent’s health systems and food supplies to avoid a financial crisis.

    The continent has so far confirmed 88,855 coronavirus cases, including 2,848 deaths.

    The number of fatalities has been relatively low compared to about 323,000 deaths worldwide.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: South Africa coronavirus deaths ‘to soar’ in coming months

    At least 40,000 people could die with coronavirus in South Africa by the end of the year, scientists have warned.

    The projections were made by a group of academics and health experts advising the government.

    They assume tough lockdown restrictions will be eased from June, as President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced.

    The curbs – which were introduced in March and include a ban on tobacco and alcohol sales – have been credited with slowing the spread of the virus.

    The country of 57 million people has recorded just 17,200 cases of Covid-19 and 312 deaths linked to the disease so far. Spain, by comparison, has reported about 278,000 cases and almost 28,000 deaths for a population of only 47 million.

    But the projections by the South African Covid-19 Modelling Consortium – set up to help government planning over the outbreak – says the country could experience a sharp rise in cases and deaths over the coming months.

    The report was released during a meeting with Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize following criticism of the government’s perceived lack of transparency.

    The predictions are subject to change as more data becomes available, and assume the current restrictions will be relaxed from 1 June.

    Under an “optimistic scenario”, by late August the number of active cases could reach almost 100,000, before declining. The cumulative number of deaths by November would be 40,000.

    Under a “pessimistic scenario” the number of active cases could peak around at 120,000 in August, and a total of 45,000 would die by November.

    The report also suggests there could be 1.2 million Covid-19 cases in total, and intensive care units could be overwhelmed within weeks.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Eid-al-Fitr: Government declares Monday, May 25 public holiday

    Monday, May 25 is to be observed as a statutory public holiday, the Interior Ministry has said.

    The day marks the Eid-al-Fitr celebration by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

    The Interior Ministry in its statement said: “The general public is hereby notified that Sunday, 24th May, 2020, marks Eid-al-Fitr which is a Statutory Public Holiday.

    “However, 24th May, 2020, falls on a Sunday and by Executive Instrument {E.I}, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, in accordance with section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (601) has declared Monday, 25th May, 2020 as a Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country,” the statement read further.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo descends on Sista Afia after she blasted Ghanaians for not hyping her new single

    Entertainment critic, Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo has berated songstress Sista Afia after she took to Twitter to blast Ghanaians.

    The singer, who felt her new single featuring budding Afro Dancehall musician, Akyiana deserves the same attention her diss songs (“WMT, U Got Nerve”) received in a tweet described Ghanaians as hypocrites.

    The tweet caused entertainment critic Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo to also take to his Facebook wall and enumerate a few points as to why Ghanaians are not hyping her new single “Street”, which are actually far from her thinking.

    In the post sighted, Arnold mentioned the four things below

    “We no dey make noise cos you should have channeled that frustration into making another diss song instead of wanting to make it physical

    !We no dey make noise cos clearly, you show say you no dey understand the music business.Your mind querrr!

    We no dey make noise, cos you lost some neutrals and some core fans too!

    We no make noise cos you lost some street credibility!

    Sista Afia’s tweet:


    Arnold’s reply:

    Source: Zionfelix

  • Govt impose curfew on Saboba township and its environs

    The government of Ghana has imposed a curfew on Saboba township and its environs in the Northern region.

    The curfew which took effect on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, the Interior Ministry indicated that it is from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am.

    “Government continues to urge Chiefs, Elders, Opinion Leaders, Youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area,” the statement from the ministry read.

    Meanwhile, there is a total ban on all persons in the afore-mentioned communities and its environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga appears before French court

    Félicien Kabuga, indicted on charges of genocide related to the 1994 Rwandan massacre of some 800,000 people, appeared before a French court on Wednesday, four days after his arrest following a quarter of a century on the run.

    Kabuga is accused of bankrolling and arming the ethnic Hutu militias that waged the 100-day killing spree against Rwanda’s Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Rwanda’s most wanted fugitive, was arrested on Saturday in a Paris suburb.

    In his first appearance in public in more than two decades, Kabuga was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair, dressed in jeans and a blue jumper and wearing a face mask.

    The octogenarian’s voice was weak, but audible, as he confirmed through an interpreter his identity and parents’ names. He gave his date of birth as March 1, 1933.

    His lawyers said in a statement ahead of the hearing that Kabuga had the right to be presumed innocent and opposed being transferred from France to a UN tribunal that handles crimes against humanity based in Tanzania.

    Defence lawyer Laurent Bayon told the court Kabuga wished to be tried in France.

    Prosecutor seeks transfer to UN custody

    The court will decide whether to hand Kabuga to the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The international court is based in the Hague, Netherlands and Arusha, Tanzania.

    The IRMCT’s chief prosecutor told Reuters, the court had already requested Kabuga be transferred to United Nations custody.

    Kabuga could be held initially in The Hague rather than Africa due to coronavirus travel restrictions, said prosecutor Serge Brammertz.

    The French court granted a request by the defence to defer the hearing and set the next date for May 27.

    Exiting the courtroom, Kabuga raised his fist as several relatives including one son voiced encouragement.

    Genocide ‘financier’

    Kabuga’s arrest marked the end of a more than two-decade-long hunt that spanned Africa and Europe.

    A one-time tea and coffee tycoon, he is accused of being a main financier of the genocide, paying for the militias that carried out the massacres, as well as importing huge numbers of machetes, according to the UN tribunal’s indictment.

    He also co-owned Radio Television Milles Collines, the infamous radio station that fanned the ethnic hatred by broadcasting anti-Tutsi messages.

    The United States had placed a $5 million bounty on his head.

    Source: france24.com

  • WHO lists African countries with less coronavirus cases

    The World Health Organisation on Tuesday reported that COVID-19 cases in Africa increased to about 86,000 on Tuesday.

    WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, gave the update on its official Twitter account, @WHOAFRO.

    WHO also said Lesotho, Comoros, and Seychelles were countries currently with the lowest confirmed cases in the region.

    It said that Lesotho had only one confirmed case with zero death; Comoros had 11 reported cases and one death, while Seychelles recorded 11 confirmed cases with no death.

    “There over 86,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent with more than 33,000 recoveries and 2,700 deaths,” it said.

    The figures showed that South Africa, Algeria, and Nigeria had the highest reported cases in Africa.

    According to the report, South Africa had 16,433 cases and 286 deaths followed by Algeria with 7,201 cases and 555 deaths, while Nigeria had 6,175 confirmed cases and 191 deaths.

    It added that Ghana had 5,735 reported cases and 29 deaths, while Cameroon recorded 3,529 confirmed cases, and 140 deaths.

    Source: punchng.com

  • I ordered Bishop Obinim’s arrest – Kennedy Agyapong

    Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong says he is the architect behind the arrest of controversial tele-preacher Bishop Obinim.

    Bishop Daniel Obinim, the founder of the International God’s Way church, was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service over the publication of false news and falsification of documents.

    According to the police, “He has been charged with the offences of Publication of false news and Forgery of document contrary to sections 208 and 159 of the Criminal and other offences Act, 1960 (ACT 29) respectively”.

    Speaking in an interview on Kumasi-based Hello FM, Kennedy Agyapong said he has also “forwarded the issue to EOCO”.

    He has however urged Ghanaians to “focus on their work and stop following pastors like Bishop Obinim for spiritual guidance.”

    Bishop Obinim was arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court, in Accra, and granted a GHC100,000.00 bail with three sureties – one to be justified.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ugandan police ‘close shops without wash-points’

    Police in Uganda’s capital Kampala have closed shops that had not installed wash-points, the New Vision newspaper reports.

    The authorities were following the president’s new directives to slow down the spread of coronavirus, the state-owned newspaper continued.

    People without face masks were also ordered to get one and the traders put up notices to customers that face masks were compulsory.

    The newspaper tweeted photos of police enforcing the directives:

    President Yoweri Museveni on Monday said the government will distribute free masks to all citizens aged over six before lifting coronavirus containment measures.

    Thereafter, shops will be allowed to open, public transport vehicles will be allowed to carry only half their capacity and food market vendors who have been working and living at their stalls will be allowed to go home at the end of each day.

    However, public transport is still banned in border districts for 21 days.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Ghana records 125 more recoveries

    At least 125 more persons have recovered from the novel Coronavirus in Ghana, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reported.

    This marks the total number of recoveries stand at 1,898 as of Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

    The death toll, however, is still 31.

    According to the Ghana Health Service, 173 new cases of the virus have been confirmed, which makes the total number of confirmed cases stand at 6,269.

    The total active Coronavirus cases is now at 4,340.

    Eight persons are still in critical condition with the number of tests administered in the region of 187,000.

    The top four regions [Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central] have seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases.

    The Greater Accra region still leads with 4,582 confirmed cases, followed by the Ashanti region with 921 cases.

    The cases in the Western and Central regions have now increased to 170 and 285 respectively.

    So far, the Savannah, Ahafo and Bono East regions have not recorded any case of the virus.

    Find below the regional breakdown

    Greater Accra Region 4,582

    Ashanti Region 921

    Central Region 285

    Western Region 170

    Eastern Region 106

    Western North Region 57

    Volta Region 41

    Northern Region 31

    Oti Region 26

    Upper East Region 26

    Upper West Region 21

    North East Region 2

    Bono Region 1

    Savannah Region 0

    Ahafo Region 0

    Bono East Region 0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Botswana probes death of 56 elephants

    Botswana is investigating the mysterious death of 56 elephants in the last two months. Authorities have ruled out poaching, as all carcasses were found intact.

    The country’s Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism says 12 elephants were found dead last week in villages in the Okavango Delta panhandle. In March, 44 animals died.

    Wildlife officer Dimakatso Ntsebe, downplayed the possibility of farmers poisoning the elephants, who tend to eat and stomp on crops.

    A local farmer says it is difficult to know the cause of death, but says elephants are a constant menace.

    “Farmers had a good harvest this year, but they constantly face problems with the encroaching animals,” the farmer said. “But it is a rare occurrence (to poison the elephants). It might be something else. We will have to wait for investigations.”

    Local conservationist Ive Maps, says the animals could have died of natural causes.

    “It is also possible that it is a natural phenomenon from the disease anthrax, which occurs in Botswana occasionally, especially after a good rainy season or a severe drought. Poisoning is not something common up there,” Maps said. “I think we should wait for pathology to find out if this is indeed poisoning or a natural anthrax phenomenon.”

    Fellow conservationist Neil Fitt says if the cause of death was poisoning, other species could be dying, as well.

    “I wonder why we have not heard reports of other species also dying,” he said. “If elephants are eating the poison, then it surely means other things will be eating it.”

    The public has been urged against consuming meat from dead carcasses.

    Botswana has the largest elephant population in Africa, numbering over 130,000 animals.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Meet Ghanaian lady with degrees in Mathematics and Actuarial Science who’s a food vendor

    A Ghanaian lady by name Doris Obenewaa Darko has resorted to selling food after studying Mathematics & Actuarial Science. The brilliant young woman who completed her MSc in June 2019 started fending for herself after high school.  By the time she finished SHS, her mother had passed and her father had suffered a stroke.

    Doris Obenewaa Darko, a Ghanaian food vendor, holds two degrees in Mathematics & Actuarial Science after painfully fending for herself since she finished high school. Narrating her story in an interview, Doris indicates that she holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics after which she went ahead to study for an MSc in Actuarial Science, both at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

    Doris grew up in Koforidua-Kukurantumi and had her primary education in Rose’s School Complex after which she attended Akim Commercial College JHS, all of which are in New Tafo Akim.

    During her first year in Akwamuman SHS in Akosombo where she studied General Science, the brilliant young lady lost her mother and in the first year after SHS, her father suffered a terrible stroke.

    Doris’ dream to become a medical doctor immediately vanished as the tuition fee for studying Medicine was simply too much for her and the ailing father to cater for.

    She resorted to studying Mathematics and barely had any support from anyone as she had to virtually do everything for herself and rely on the kindness of some strangers throughout her four-year school period.

    After national service, Doris was offered a 3-month contract and then moved to a contracting company (ESCO company limited) within Goldfields with a role as a Data Analyst.

    In less than a year, she was able to gather enough money and enrolled for her Masters in Actuarial Science in KNUST as a distance learning student. But after a month of starting school, my contract was terminated for the reason that my schooling was taking most of my attention,” Doris recalls.

    All of Doris’ savings were exhausted and she never got any other job, for which reason she had to resort to the sales of hair products and then moved on to start cooking, which was always her hobby.

    In her own words, “I loved to cook, garnish & post on my social media page. So I had people admiring my work and encouraging me to start my own food business. In January 2020, she heeded to the advice & invested the little savings I made from my hair product business to start OB’s Kitchen.

    Speaking of her future aspiration, Doris intends to grow OB’s kitchen into a big restaurant with branches all over Ghana.

    However, she still seeks a corporate job as she desires to put her studies into use and also pursue a PhD.

    Source: yen.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Eight patients in critical condition

    Eight COVID-19 patients are in critical condition but none of them is on a ventilator, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said.

    Out of the eight, three are on admission at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, two are at the Ga-East Hospital, one is at Ho, with the Korle-Bu and Tetteh Quarshie Hospitals having one each.

    As of Wednesday, May 20, 2020, Ghana confirmed adding 173 new COVID-19 cases making the total confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus stand at 6,269.

    The increase, per the GHS update, is attributed to new cases found in Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western and Central regions.

    The update also indicated 125 more recoveries, raising the number of recoveries to 1,898.

    The number of deaths remains at 31.

    The total active Coronavirus cases is now at 4,340.

    The Greater Accra region still leads with 4,582 confirmed cases, followed by the Ashanti region with 921 cases.

    The cases in the Western and Central regions have now increased to 170 and 285 respectively.

    So far, the Savannah, Ahafo and Bono East regions have not recorded any case of the virus.

    Find below the regional breakdown

    Greater Accra Region 4,582

    Ashanti Region 921

    Central Region 285

    Western Region 170

    Eastern Region 106

    Western North Region 57

    Volta Region 41

    Northern Region 31

    Oti Region 26

    Upper East Region 26

    Upper West Region 21

    North East Region 2

    Bono Region 1

    Savannah Region 0

    Ahafo Region 0

    Bono East Region 0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Is Bawumia a product of an ‘incurably fraud register’? – Kabilla asks NPP

    Director of Elections for the Convention People’s Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr., has waded into the controversy over whether there is a need for a new electoral register, and sought to find out if the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, could admit that he is a product of an ”incurably fraud voters’ register”.

    James Kwabena Bomfeh, also called Kabilla, said this when making his submissions on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) comments about the Electoral Commission (EC) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) regarding a new voters’ register.

    The NDC is of a belief that the EC and NIA are in cahoots with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig this year’s elections, hence the plan by the Commission to use Ghana card and passport as the only legal documents for the compilation of a new voters’ register.

    The NPP 2020 Campaign Manager, Peter Mac-Manu fired back at the opposition party saying the NPP doesn’t need the Electoral Commission to win the elections but rather the party has a solid track record for Ghanaians to re-elect them during the December polls.

    Although the EC has debunked the claims and defended their position on why they are going for those two requirements for the registration exercise, the NDC leadership and members are the least convinced about the intention of the Commission.

    Contributing to the Wednesday edition of ”Kokrokoo” on Peace FM, Kabilla picked on the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana referring him to statements he made in 2016 regarding the latter’s call for a new voters’ register under the Charlotte Osei-led Electoral Commission.

    Kabilla recounted to host Kwami Sefa Kayi that the Vice President described the register as an ”incurably fraud register” and therefore didn’t believe in it.

    According to him, though Dr. Bawumia didn’t believe in the old register, it was the same register that the former Chairperson of the Commission, Charlotte Osei used to declare the Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) winner in the elections which saw him (Bawumia) become the Vice President of Ghana.

    Kabilla, therefore, wants to find out if Dr. Bawumia would describe himself as a product of a fraudulent register.

    Dr. Bawumia ”should be ready to tell how he would describe himself; as the product of an incurably fraud register? My point is that if you call a system incurably fraud and that system is used to produce you…how would you describe yourself, the product of an incurably fraud register”, Kabilla said this in an attempt to advise opponents of the compilation of a new voters’ register to mind their language and choose their words carefully.

    Source: Peace FM