TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Daimler sees profits at Mercedes-Benz Cars rising in 2020

    Daimler (DAIGn.DE) said it expected the operating profit of its Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans division to be above the prior-year level, even as the corona pandemic forced the Stuttgart-based car and trucks maker to abandon its outlook earlier this month.

    First-quarter earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) was 617 million euros ($669.45 million), down from 2.8 billion euros in the year-earlier period, of which 510 million euros came from the Mercedes-Benz cars unit.

    Daimler expects group revenue and EBIT to be below 2019 levels but given substantial one-off charges in the year-earlier period, the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans division is now seen delivering EBIT above prior-year, the company said.

    Last week Daimler (DAIGn.DE) pre-released preliminary results, showing a plunge of nearly 70% in first-quarter operating profit and warned that the cash flow it uses to pay dividends would fall this year.

    Source: reuters.com

  • No, its not true my son and Sister Derby are dating- Mzbel

    Songstress Mzbel has reacted to an online publications which says her 19-year old son Aaron Amoah is having a romantic affair with 36-year old Sister Derby.

    While distancing herself and son from the publication, Mzbel added a funny twist to it by saying it will be a huge privilege to have a fresh woman like Sister Derby in her family but in the meantime, the publication is false.

    See what she wrote:

    Source: ghbase.com

  • Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi actor, Irrfan Khan dies

    Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, known internationally for roles in Slumdog Millionaire and Jurassic World, has died at the age of 53.

    Khan died in a hospital in the western city of Mumbai, his agency said.

    In 2018, the actor posted on Twitter to say that he was diagnosed with an endocrine tumour, a rare illness affecting cells that release hormones into the bloodstream.

    He later underwent treatment in a London hospital.

    Two months after he went public with his diagnosis, he wrote an open letter about his experience with the cancer treatment, reflecting on the “intensity” of his pain and the “uncertainty” of life.

    It drew a massive outpouring of support from his fans around the world.

    The statement released by his PR company confirming his death said, “surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for heaven abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own. We all pray and hope that he is at peace”.

    He had been admitted to hospital with a colon infection.

    Bollywood stars and politicians have rushed to pay tribute to him on social media.

    “An incredible talent… a gracious colleague… a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema… left us too soon… creating a huge vacuum,” superstar actor Amitabh Bachchan who worked with him in Piku tweeted.

    Actor Raveena Tandon tweeted that he was a “fantastic co-star, an actor par excellence, and a beautiful human being”.

    The top four trends on Twitter in India are all relating to his death, with many paying tribute to his talent.

    Khan was known for his nuanced and understated performances, with many calling him one of India’s most talented actors.

    In 2013, he won India’s National Film Award for his leading role in Paan Singh Tomar, a biopic about a top athlete who becomes a bandit.

    He also acted in several Bollywood hits, including Lunchbox, Piku, and Hindi Medium. His latest, Angrezi Medium, was released just last month.

    His international breakthrough came in the British-Indian film The Warrior by director Asif Kapadia which won a Bafta.

    It was also shortlisted for the UK’s official entry for the Academy Awards but had to be dropped on the technicality that Hindi was not a language indigenous to Britain.

    The critical success of the movie launched his film career and for the next two decades he would make as many as five or six movies a year.

    He kept in touch with Mira Nair – who had spotted his talent at drama school but cut him from Salaam Bombay. They would go on to make The Namesake in 2006 and New York, I Love You in 2010.

    Michael Winterbottom cast him as a Pakistani police captain in A Mighty Heart and Wes Anderson wrote a small role for him in The Darjeeling Limited – just so he could work with him.

    Source: bbc.com

  • US Congress abandons return to Washington after lawmakers revolt

    The US House of Representatives will not reconvene next week following a revolt from lawmakers who complained that it was too soon to return.

    On Monday, members were told to return to the Democratic-controlled chamber.

    However, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said on Tuesday the plan was scrapped after consulting the House doctor.

    The Republican-controlled Senate still plans to return on 4 May.

    “We made a judgement that we will not come back next week but that we hope to come back very soon,” Mr Hoyer said.

    Washington DC remains under a stay-at-home order until 15 May. Officials say the infection rate is still climbing.

    Confirmed coronavirus cases in Washington DC have passed 13,600 and 764 people have died.

    Democrat leaders were faced with a backlash from members of their own party over the plans to return next week.

    On a private call with House members, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a congresswoman from Florida, told party leaders the plan was “dangerous” and several complained that they had no way of managing childcare, according to the Politico US media outlet.

    However, there is pressure to reconvene the chamber in order to pass key legislation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    The questions over how to reopen Congress for business are likely to renew calls for proxy sessions and remote voting, said BBC North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher. Currently, rules prevent members of Congress from voting remotely, though there are efforts to change.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: France mandates masks for schools and transport

    France will make face masks compulsory on public transport and in secondary schools when it starts easing its coronavirus lockdown on 11 May, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said.

    Schools will resume classes gradually, starting with kindergartens and primary schools.

    Middle schools in districts with milder outbreaks may follow from 18 May, and high schools at the end of the month.

    Shops and markets will also reopen from 11 May, but not bars and restaurants.

    Stores will have the right to ask shoppers to wear masks, and should ensure they remain a metre (3ft) apart, the prime minister said.

    Face masks will also be compulsory in school for children aged over 11.

    In a relief to many, the French will be able to go outside again without a certificate confirming their intentions, and public gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed. Cr̬ches will also reopen Рbut with a maximum of 10 children in each group.

    France has suffered one of the highest Covid-19 death rates in Europe, along with the UK, Italy and Spain.

    On Tuesday the number of people who have died with the virus rose by 367 to 23,660, the country’s health ministry said. Some 129,859 people have been infected.

    Hospital admissions and the number of patients in intensive care have been falling, however, giving cause for cautious optimism.

    Addressing parliament, Mr Philippe said the lockdown had saved an estimated 62,000 lives in France in a month, but that it was time to ease measures to avoid an economic collapse.

    “We will have to learn to live with the virus,” he said, until a vaccine or effective treatment is available.

    He summed up France’s priorities as “protect, test, isolate”.

    Parliament was scheduled to vote on the government’s proposed measures after a debate. Only 75 of almost 600 French MPs were allowed into the chamber for reasons of social distancing, with others voting by proxy.

    Will the lockdown definitely be lifted? Mr Philippe stressed that France must take strict precautions to avoid a second wave of coronavirus infections.

    “The risk of a second wave, which would strike a weakened hospital fabric, which would impose a ‘re-confinement’, which would ruin the efforts and sacrifices made during these eight weeks, is a serious risk,” he said.

    The lockdown will not be eased on 11 May if new cases don’t stay below 3,000 a day, he added.

    France has seen about 2,162 new cases a day on average over the past two weeks.

    The government has set a target to carry out at least 700,000 coronavirus tests per week from 11 May, the prime minister said, and will cover the cost of testing.

    “Once a person has tested positive, we will begin to identify and test all those, symptomatic or not, who have had close contact with them. All these contact cases will be tested and will be asked to isolate themselves,” he said.

    Mr Philippe said that where possible, people should keep working from home beyond 11 May

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Top NYC doctor takes her own life

    A top New York City doctor who was on the front line of the US fight against coronavirus has taken her own life.

    Dr Lorna Breen, who was medical director of the emergency department at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital in Manhattan, died of self-inflicted injuries on Sunday, police said.

    The 49-year-old’s father, Dr Philip Breen, told the New York Times: “She tried to do her job and it killed her.”

    New York accounts for 17,500 out of America’s coronavirus 56,000 deaths.

    The elder Dr Breen said his daughter had had no history of mental illness. She died in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she had been staying with her family.

    Lorna Breen herself had fallen ill with the coronavirus during the course of her work and returned to the job after about a week-and-a-half of recuperating, said her father.

    The hospital had sent her home again, before her family “intervened” to bring her to Charlottesville, said her father.

    He said that when they last spoke, his daughter had seemed “detached” and told him how Covid-19 patients were dying before they could even be removed from ambulances. Dozens of patients have succumbed to coronavirus at the 200-bed hospital in Manhattan.

    “She was truly in the trenches on the front line,” her father told the Times.

    “Make sure she’s praised as a hero. She’s a casualty just as much as anyone else who has died.”

    According to the newspaper, Dr Lorna Breen was a devout Christian who was very close to her family. She was an avid skiier who also enjoyed salsa dancing. She volunteered once a week at a home for old people.

    New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital said in a statement: “Dr Breen is a hero who brought the highest ideals of medicine to the challenging front lines of the emergency department.”

    In a press release confirming her death, the Charlottesville Police Department also described Dr Breen as a “hero”.

    The police department said that after a call for help on 26 April, Dr Breen was taken to a local hospital for treatment “where she later succumbed to self-inflicted injuries”.

    Police chief RaShall Brackney said in a statement: “Frontline healthcare professionals and first responders are not immune to the mental or physical effects of the current pandemic.

    “On a daily basis,” she added, “these professionals operate under the most stressful of circumstances, and the coronavirus has introduced additional stressors.”

    New York state has recorded almost a third of the country’s nearly one million confirmed Covid-19 cases.

    On Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said random antibody tests indicated that a quarter of New York City (24.7%) – America’s most populous city with 8.3 million people – had been infected with coronavirus.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Putin admits PPE shortage as lockdown extended

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has admitted that there is a shortage of protective kit for medics as the country battles the coronavirus.

    This was despite a big increase in production and imports, he said.

    Mr Putin warned that the peak of the coronavirus infection rate had not yet been reached in the country, and the population must remain vigilant.

    Russia’s lockdown aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19 was extended until 11 May.

    It has more than 93,000 coronavirus cases, with 867 recorded deaths.

    What did Putin say? The president said there was still not enough protective equipment for health workers on the frontline of the crisis.

    “Compared to before, [we’re producing] a lot. But compared what we need, it’s still not enough,” he said during a televised briefing.

    “Despite increased production, imports – there’s a deficit of all sorts of things,” he added.

    Medics have complained about working without proper protective clothing, especially in Russia’s regions.

    Russia is now producing 100,000 protective suits for medics per day, up from 3,000 a day in March, he said. Production of masks has also increased more than 10 times, to 8.5 million per day in April.

    Mr Putin said that while the government had managed to “slow the spread” of the epidemic, Russians would have to self-isolate for longer.

    He said the lockdown would continue for two more weeks, though he instructed the government to draw up recommendations by 5 May for a gradual easing of restrictions.

    “The deadly danger of the virus remains,” he said.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Maradona hopes ‘Hand of God’ can end pandemic

    Argentine football legend Maradona says he hopes the “Hand of God” can beat the coronavirus pandemic after fate helped the club he coaches avoid relegation.

    Maradona’s La Plata-based Gimnasia side were saved from dropping out of the Argentine top-flight after the league was restructured because of the pandemic.

    The 59-year-old famously used his hand to score against England in the 1986 World Cup, labelling the act as the Hand of God.

    “This happened to us [Gimnasia] and many people are calling it a new Hand of God,” he said.

    “I am asking for that hand to do away with the pandemic so people can get back to living their lives, with health and happiness.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Trump orders meatpacking plants to stay open

    US President Donald Trump has ordered meat processing plants to stay open to protect the nation’s food supply amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    He invoked a Korean War-era law to mandate that the plants continue to function, amid industry warnings of strain on the supply chain.

    An estimated 3,300 US meatpacking workers have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 20 have died.

    The UN last month warned the emergency threatened global food supply chains.

    Twenty-two US meatpacking plants across the American Midwest have closed during the outbreak.

    They include slaughterhouses owned by the nation’s biggest poultry, pork and beef producers, such as Smithfield Foods, Tyson Foods, Cargill and JBS USA.

    What does the White House say?

    “Such closures threaten the continued functioning of the national meat and poultry supply chain, undermining critical infrastructure during the national emergency,” says Tuesday evening’s executive order, invoking the 1950 Defense Production Act.

    “Given the high volume of meat and poultry processed by many facilities, any unnecessary closures can quickly have a large effect on the food supply chain.”

    The order designates the meatpacking plants as part of critical infrastructure in the US.

    A White House official told US media it will work with the Department of Labor to issue guidance for vulnerable workers, such as over-65s and those with chronic health conditions, to stay at home.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Why Ivory Coast ex-footballers snubbed Didier Drogba and voted massively for Sory Diabaté

    Shockwaves spread like wildfire when news emerged on Sunday that Ivory Coast former footballers snubbed their own colleague Didier Drogba by voting massively for long-standing FA loyalist Sory Diabate in the FA presidential elections.

    The Chelsea great and former African Footballer of the Year had ZERO votes in the first phase of the election for the person to take over from Sidy Diallo as the FA President.

    All the votes went to Diabate, who had served for years as the assistant to Diallo, as the little known but influential figure went on to humiliate the legend with a thumping him in the highly symbolic votes.

    It was expected that Drogba’s team-mates would overwhelmingly vote for their famous colleague but soon it became clear that the ex-players preferred the experienced football administrator.

    Why Didier Zokora didn’t vote for Didier Drogba and why Drogba had zero votes from the Association of former players. Some little facts to let you understand the story better.

    It is not envy. The old players don’t hate the Chelsea legend. What happened was natural and backed by common sense. You would do same if you were in the same scenario.

    In September 2019 Didier Zokora – who played with Drogba in the national team for 12 good years – was appointed to the Technical Directorate of the Ivory Coast Football Association.

    The man behind this appointment was the vice president of the Ivory Coast FA (pictured) named Sory Diabaté who is also the Ivory Coast League boss.

    In fact, nine other former footballers including the great Abdoulaye Traore, Youssouf Fofana, Ibrahim Bakayoko, Kone Ibrahim and others were appointed into similar positions by the FA.

    By so doing most of them became engaged and found jobs in football as ex-national stars. At least they are salaried staff of the Ivory Coast FA and they won’t be “begging around”.

    Again this man РSorry Diabat̩ Рwas key in helping at least 10 former footballers acquire their coaching license free of charge. None of them paid a penny.

    So in 2020, this same man Diabaté declares intention to be Ivory Coast FA president and the Association of Former footballers go to the election room to decide which candidate to support and you want that to be Drogba? Because he belongs to them? Hell no. That would have been a cruel way to pay Diabaté back. What the former players did was the sensible thing to do. I will do same.

    Other factors worked against Drogba. He is not liked in the Ivorian media as a criticism of his knowledge of domestic football grew. He is accused of not having an interest in domestic football. He has not watched even one match locally. He launched his Presidential campaign via an interview with a French television station. It did not go down well with many Ivorians.

    He was in Egypt for the recent AFCON but didn’t visit the Ivorian team in camp. His cardinal sin with his team-mates is that he didn’t even inform the former players that he was contesting for the position.

    They don’t hate Drogba. It was a hard decision and they decided this way. The ex-footballers voted to support somebody who was at their services about one year ago. This is only natural and common sense support this decision.

    Zokora played with Drogba. Yes, that is true but he didn’t vote for him and he could not have voted for him. Diabaté won over his heart long ago.

    Source: dailymailgh.com

  • Technical of GBF commends SSNIT

    Coach Kwesi Ofori Asare, Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) has commended the Social Security And National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for constructing the Trust Sports Emporium (TSE), which has in the past two years served as a one-stop venue for boxing.

    Coach Asare told the GNA Sport in an interview that, the facility which houses the Bukom Boxing Arena, with a Gym and Physio Center, Swimming Pool, Multi-Purpose Sports Hall, Conference Hall(s), Restaurant, offices of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) and Ghana Swimming Association (GSA) is serving the good interest of sports in the country.

    He said the facility which has also hosted many conferences, boxing matches, international table tennis, badminton, basketball and swimming competitions had contributed immensely to the development of sports in the country.

    The three-star AIBA licensed trainer who also doubles as the Trainer of the National Amateur Boxing team, the Black Bombers called on the management of the TSE to ensure effective management of the facility to continue serving the interest of all stakeholders.

    The Black Bombers have two boxers who have qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games to be held next year in Japan.

    Source: GNA

  • Housing Ministry calls for voluntary nationwide desilting of drains amid rainy season

    The Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, has urged citizens to voluntarily desilt drains in their communities to prevent flooding during the rainy season.

    Speaking at a press briefing held on Tuesday by the Information Ministry Mr. Atta Akyea urged Ghanaians “to voluntarily embark on the desilting of choked drains in their own neighbourhoods to permit the free flow of sewage.”

    “Let us wear our face masks, do social distancing, and voluntarily desilt our choked drains. It is in our best interests to do so,” he added.

    Mr. Atta Akyea said his ministry is collaborating with the Water and Sanitation and Local Government and Rural Development ministries as well as Municipal, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives and other authorities in the various localities to supervise this exercise.

    Already, the country has begun experiencing downpours which have resulted in flooding some parts of the country.

    Quoting an April 22 letter he wrote to the Water and Sanitation and Local Government and Rural Development ministries, he said: “My genuine concern is that the nation should not suffer double agony with severe flooding affecting lives, livelihood and property during the rainy season against the backdrop of the forecast of rainfall patterns across the nation well beyond normal by the Ghana Meteorological Agency.”

    “It is imperative that we bring this to the attention of all stakeholders like Municipal, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives, traditional authorities, civil society organizations and the security services to ensure that we embark upon a voluntary nationwide removal of foreign materials in drains in order to avert a disaster in the not too distant future,” he added from the letter.

    Major rainy season to last till June 

    The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has already predicted that the 2020 major rainy season will start from March and will last till June 2020.

    It said the prediction is based on observations of conditions on land and ocean as well as outputs from major world forecast centres like the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), Climate Prediction Centre (NCEP-CPC), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF), UK Met Office and Meteo France.

    In its seasonal rainfall forecast, the agency said “above normal” rainfall should be expected for the period of March, April and May within the forest zones while normal rainfall can be expected for the rest of the country.

    On the back of this, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has cautioned persons who live in flood-prone areas to take precautions as the rains set in.

    The disaster management organisation is among other things asking such persons to relocate to higher grounds while observing safety procedures to avert any incidents.

    Source: citinewsroom

     

  • CAF sets May 5 as the deadline for member nations to decide on league

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has asked the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to inform them of their final decision concerning the suspended 2019-20 Ghana Premier League (GPL) season.

    The continental football governing body in a letter to member Association wants to know from all member associations whether they are willing to continue the season or scrap it and has, therefore, set May 5, 2020, as a deadline for all countries.

    This follows the Coronavirus pandemic, which has led to the suspension of all football activities in the world including Ghana.

    The GFA suspended the GPL indefinitely following the pandemic and the subsequent ban on all social activities including football by the government.

    Source: GNA

  • Gladson Awako rates Ghana league ahead of Congolese league

    Veteran Ghanaian midfielder Gladson Awako has shared that he will rate the Ghana League over the league in Congo if he compares the kind of pitches used in the two countries.

    The captain of Accra Great Olympics has spent 5 years in Congo between 2012 and 2017 where he played for African giants TP Mazembe.

    Having tasted football in the two countries, he says he can say the Ghana League is better than that of Congo.

    “One thing I will say is their league is not better than ours. The league over there is not better than ours here. If you see some of the pitches we played on it is so bad.

    “Over here we are lucky sometimes we get better fields to play on and all that. Over there you travel and you play on a very rough field. There is not even grass field to play on. So with that our league here is so much better than the one in Congo”, Gladson Awako explained in an interview with Accra-based Angel FM on Monday.

    He added, “The only thing is they always get the chance to be in the Champions League, to get to the money zone and it is only TP Mazembe and Vita Club”.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • CAF writes to GFA to seek plans for the football season amidst coronavirus

    The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has written to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to seek for its plans for the 2019/2020 football season in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Ghana just like every African country has been affected by the Covid-19, leading to the suspension of the football season for the past couple of months.

    While it is unknown when the fight against the disease will be won, nobody knows when it will be same for the sport to resume in the region.

    In a letter from CAF to its member associations including Ghana, it has asked to be furnished with how the various associations are planning to finalize the football season.

    “In view of the current circumstance, we would like to enquire about the current situation of your national leagues/national cups (ranking, number of pending matches, etc.) as well as the strategies your intend to apply to finalize those competitions be it through competition or annulment”, a CAF letter dated April 26, 2020, said.

    CAF says it will stand on the feedback from the Ghana FA and the other football associations to design a plan for the organization of inter-club competitions for the next season.

    The GFA has until May 5, 2020, to submit its plans to CAF.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • How Arsenal could line up with Thomas Partey

    Arsenal are in talks with Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Teye Partey and the Gunners are said to be weighing up whether to trigger the £44m release clause in his contract.

    The defensive midfielder has made 35 appearances for Atletico across all competitions this season and was widely praised for his performances in the elimination of UEFA Champions League holders Liverpool.

    Last week, Partey’s father confirmed that his son was holding transfer talks with Arsenal.

    Sports Mole looks at how Mikel Arteta’s side could look if they are able to sign Thomas ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • REGSEC to deal with people facilitating movement of foreigners into region

    The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has threatened to deal ruthlessly with those facilitating the movement of foreigners into the Region without recourse to security protocols and checks.

    A statement signed by Mr Simon Osei Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, said “anybody who is caught transporting foreigners into the Region in such large groups would be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country”.

    It said considering the health and security implications this phenomenon posed to the Region, the REGSEC would go all out to ensure that all the preventive protocols and restrictive measures outlined by the government was implemented.
    According to the statement, a total of 221 foreigners who illegally migrated to the Region had been arrested and were currently in the custody of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

    The statement warned landlords who harboured such people to be careful since the country had its own laws on immigration.

    It stressed the need for all to join hands in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and asked that all health and social distancing protocols ought to be observed strictly.

    “All groupings put together for the purpose of playing cards, draught and football activities are indefinitely suspended and declared illegal under the present circumstances,” it noted.

    The statement reminded the citizenry to wear face masks regularly in areas such as markets, hospitals, shops, restaurants, banks, workplaces and on board commercial vehicles.

    The same goes for food vendors and street hawkers.

    Source: GNA

  • 8 out of 17 cases of COVID-19 being managed in Oti – Regional Minister

    The Oti Regional Minister, Nana Owusu Yeboah has clarified that the number of COVID-19 cases currently in his region has reduced from 17 to eight.

    He said although the region officially recorded 17 positive novel coronavirus infections, nine out of the number are no more under the care of the region.

    He explained that six out of the number were going to their homes in the northern region while three were also going to their homes in neighbouring Togo when they were intercepted.

    The nine persons were subsequently screened and samples taken for testing.

    Upon the requests of the patients, they were transported to the Northern region and the republic of Togo respectively for their treatment. Officials of the Northern region and Togo have since been notified and they are monitoring the situation.

    The Oti joined the league of regions who have COVID-19 with 13 cases last Thursday, April 23, 2020. According to the Regional Minister, all 13 were among 67 travelers from Accra hidden in cargo trucks destined for the Northern region. They hid in the trucks to avoid detection from security officials due to the fact that Accra was at the time on partial lockdown.

    Due to alertness of security personnel in Oti, the trucks were intercepted on April 17 as they entered the region through Kadjebi via Nkwanta South into Nkwanta North Districts.

    Out of the number, four patients from Oti are being cared for by the Nkwanta South health team, whilst Northern region have duly taken up the management of the 6 cases. Same way Togo officials have taken up the three other cases.

    He further explained that Nkwanta South municipality also confirmed one COVID-19 case from passengers of another cargo truck from Accra on April 17, 2020 after results received on April 26.

    Test results also confirmed three cases from Kadjebi district involving three males; two Ghanaians and one Chinese. They are workers of Synohydro Chinese Road Construction Company working on the Eastern Corridor Road. All other staff of the company have been mandated to be on self-quarantine for 14 days as they are monitored to curb a possible spread.

    Since the first cases were recorded contact tracing have covered 334 persons. This includes 156 in Nkwanta North, 14 in Nkwanta South and 164 in Kadjebi.

    Samples from 156 of the contacts have already sent to Noguchi in Accra, the national capital while the remaining 178 have been sent to the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) laboratory at Ho in the Volta Region.

    The regional Minister, Owusu Yeboah who denied media reports of some six Nigeriens escaping from quarantine after testing positive assured that the region has enhanced its surveillance to ensure cases are picked up early and managed. He added that all the necessary health measures are being intensified to ensure unanimous adherence by all residence.

    Source: DAily Guide Network

  • Media commended for professionalism in COVID-19 reportage

    Ghanaian media have been commended for the professionalism shown so far in the reportage of the Coronavirus outbreak in the country.

    Police Sergeant Daniel Ofori-Appiah, Founder of Watch Your Tongue (WYT) Ghana Initiative, who made the commendation, said the dissemination of information during these trying times has been phenomenal.

    Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, he said: “I highly commend and appreciate the Ghanaian media for the wonderful job since Ghana had the first case of Coronavirus also known as COVID-19”.

    Sergeant Ofori-Appiah said in helping to curb the spread of the pandemic, the media has contributed immensely by the sensitising, cautioning and educating the Ghanaian populace.

    “Their nationalistic effort cannot be questioned so far as the current relief we are experiencing is concerned,” adding that “many media houses have committed their precious prime time towards creating awareness”.

    He expressed contentment about the fact that sensationalism, discrimination, favouritism and half-truths did not take the good side of their reports.

    “Professionalism has been paramount during this era,” he said, adding that there are so many institutions that needed to be applauded but “I wish to say ‘ayekoo’ to the media”.

    “I believe this good gesture will continue for the betterment of our dear mother Ghana, he said.

    He urged media personnel to adopt the Watch Your Tongue concepts of “Think right,” “Speak right,” “Act Right” and “Write Right,” for sustainable peace and development in the 2020 general elections.

    Source: GNA

  • Sunon-Asogli donates PPE to Ho Municipal Hospital

    Sunon-Asogli Power Company, an independent power producer in the country has presented Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Ho Municipal Hospital in the Volta Region towards the fight against COVID-19.

    The donation followed an appeal by the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV to help stop the spread of the disease and contain the pandemic.

    The items included 3,000 face masks, 400 pieces of hand gloves, packs of gowns and overalls.

    Togbe Afede encourages the Health staff to offer quality healthcare services to clients.

    Togbe Anikpi III, Dufia of Ho-Heve who presented the items on behalf of Togbe Afede, said collective efforts was needed to fight the novel coronavirus.

    He said the disease could be contained if the citizenry observed the World Health Organization’s health safety protocols and adhered to the President’s directives.

    Togbe Anikpi, therefore, urged the citizenry to adhere to the President’s directive of no social gathering, physical distancing and World Health Organization’s health safety protocols of washing hands regularly with soap under running water and the use of hand sanitizers to stem the spread of the disease.

    Dr Lawrence Kumi, the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, was grateful to the Company for the support, saying the items would go a long way to help in the discharge of their duties.

    He said the items came at the right time as those that they had were not enough, and appealed for more support.

    Last month, Sunon-Asogli Power Ghana Ltd donated $100,000 to the national COVID-19 fund.

    Togbe Afede XIV, Founder and Director of the Company, also recently donated GHC50,000.00 to the Upper West Regional Hospital to support the fight against Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM).

    Source: GNA

  • Anas submits raw footage of Number 12 to GFA

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Ethics Committee has received the raw footage of the “Number 12 exposé” – a documentary that exposed alleged bribery and corruption in African football which was produced by the investigative firm of investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

    Tiger Eye PI, the Accra-based investigative organization on June 6, 2018, premiered anti-graft investigations involving Ghanaian football officials.

    The documentary resulted in the resignation of former Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    Mr Nyantakyi was subsequently banned from football for life by world football governing body FIFA for breaking bribery, conflict of interest and corruption rules. Nyantakyi was also vice-president of the Confederation of African Football and a member of the Fifa Council.

    The Executive Council in February 2020, requested for the raw footage of the “Number 12 exposé” in order to deal with the matter which remains one of the key Compliance and Integrity demands from FIFA.

    “The videos are key components for the Ethics Committee in its work on this governance issue,” the GFA said in a statement.

    “Officials of Tiger Eye PI have also assured the GFA of their preparedness to assist the Ethics Committee in its work.

    “Receiving the footage, General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo thanked officials of Cromwell Gray LLP (lawyers of Tiger Eye PI) on behalf of the Ghana Football Association assuring all that work will commence immediately on the matter to bring closure to all stakeholders including FIFA”.

    Source: Class FM

  • Testing of COVID-19 samples from Tamale begins today

    The Public Health Reference Laboratory in Tamale will from today (Wednesday, April 29) begin the testing of COVID-19 samples collected from the northern part of the country to ensure quick turnaround time for results.

    The Laboratory’s equipment is capable of running a total of 288 COVID-19 tests in a day.

    Dr Abass Abdul Karim, Head of Public Health Reference Laboratory in Tamale, who announced this in Tamale on Tuesday, said the facility’s readiness to begin testing COVID-19 samples would reduce workload on the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) as well as save costs.

    Since the recording of the first two positive cases of COVID-19 in the country on March 12, the suspected cases samples collected from the northern part of the country were sent to the KCCR in Kumasi for testing, a situation, which increased the workload on the facility (KCCR) leading to delayed release of test results.

    The Ghana Health Service and for that matter the government also incurred huge costs transporting the COVID-19 samples from the northern part of the country to the KCCR for testing.

    Dr Abdul Karim described the readiness of the Public Health Reference Laboratory in Tamale to begin testing of COVID-19 samples collected from the northern part of the country as “A giant step in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic”.

    Source: GNA

  • Jubilee House security operative, ex-soldier arrested in gold robbery operation

    Two national security operatives have been arrested by the police in the Western Region for their involvement in an alleged robbery incident at a mining site.

    They were part of a nine-member gang intercepted by the police at a checkpoint on the Asankragwa-Wasa-Dunkwa road while onboard an unregistered black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado on Friday, April 24, 2020.

    The duo have been named as 35-year-old Anas Adams, who is stationed at the Jubilee House the seat of government and George Osei, an operative at the popular Asomdwee Park in Accra.

    The rest of the suspects are; George Ohene Adjei 56 years, driver and owner of the vehicle; Jonathan Aryer 28 years, Unemployed; Agyeman Jackson, 29 years, Unemployed; Isaac Okuampah 29 years painter; Patrick Fordjour, 29 years, taxi Driver, Kumasi; and Samuel Obeng 35, who was allegedly dismissed from the Ghana Army and Kofi Asante, the alleged leader of the gang, who managed to escape.

    A search revealed a vehicle number plate with registration number AS 6646-20, gold concentrate in five gallons, 15 mobile phones, various foreign currencies, and bags containing military uniforms.

    Investigators said that the gang, raided the yet-to-be identified mining site near a place called Attala, about two hours drive from Asankragwa at about 4am on that fateful day.

    Disguised as security personnel, suspect Samuel Obeng allegedly wore one of the uniforms bearing the rank of Sergeant while Agyeman Jackson wore one other with the rank of a Private in order to commit the crime, the police revealed.

    They subjected some of the workers to beatings handcuffed and tied them with ropes and abandoned them to their fate and robbed them of their gold concentrate.

    “The supposed soldiers folded the military uniforms into their respective bags and fled in their vehicle. The workers managed to free themselves and ran away.

    “The police visited the scene and managed to retrieve the damaged handcuffs and the workers informed the police that the suspects came there to rob them of the gold concentrate. The suspects are in custody whilst the vehicle and all other items [have been] retained”, parts of a police report sighted by Dailymailgh.com read.

    Meanwhile, the police have since communicated the development to the National Security Secretariat at the Jubilee House about the arrest and detention of Anas Adams and George Osei.

    The complainants have also been “asked to report to the police to assist investigations”.

    Source: dailymailgh.com

  • Coronavirus: Kennedy Agyapong donates 150,000 facemasks to government

    The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyepong, has presented 150,000 facemasks to the Presidency.

    The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, received the items on behalf of the government.

    Mr Agyapong handed over the masks to the Chief of Staff on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

    Meanwhile, 16 people have now died from the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has said.

    The caseload has gone up to 1,671 from the previous 1,550.

    According to Dr Kuma-Aboagye, 563 of them were from general surveillance.

    He said 1,461 are well or showing “no symptoms and responding to treatment”.

    Out of the total cases, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said six patients are “critically ill” with two of them at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), three at Ga East Municipal Hospital and one at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

    The GHS D-G said so far the number of recoveries has increased to 188 while more patients are awaiting their second test to be added to the recoveries category.

    Regional breakdown

    Greater Accra Region 1,433, Ashanti Region 84, Eastern Region 57, Upper East Region 18, Oti Region 17, Central Region 17, Northern Region 13, Volta Region 11, Western Region 9, Upper West Region 8, North-East Region 2, Western North Region 1.

    Four regions, Savannah, Bono, Ahafo and Bono East are COVID-19-free.

    Source: Class FM

  • Achimota Hospital staff being mandatorily tested after food vendors tested positive for coronavirus

    Every health worker and staff at the Achimota Hospital is undergoing mandatory testing for COVID-19 after 10 food vendors and three taxicab drivers tested positive for the virus.

    This has compelled the management of the hospital to direct all doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other health staff to as well as the hospital community to be tested mandatorily.

    Sources within the hospital say the majority of the hospital staff buy food from the vendors while over 80 per cent of patients who visit the hospital use the taxi rank services.

    It is not clear whether the hospital would be shut down to the public in the interim as the health authorities try to get a clearer picture of the extent of the infection among the people who frequent the compound as staff, food vendors or taxicab operators.

    So far, Ghana has recorded 1,671 cases with eleven deaths and 188 recoveries, according to data from the Ghana Health Service.

    Source: Class FM

  • Government to spend 63 million Euros to reconstruct La General Hospital

    Health Minister, Dr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, has noted that government will spend an amount of 63 million Euros in reconstructing La General Hospital which was closed down last month.

    He said government seeks to build a healthcare facility that will be fit for purpose, adding that, the project is expected to be completed in 24 months.

    The project, when completed would have an ultra-modern Out-Patients Department (OPD) and emergency units as well as a public health department.

    Also, there would be a construction of medical and surgical ward units including children’s ward and a physiotherapy department.

    Making this known at a press briefing Tuesday, the health minister said “we expect to complete the project in 24 months and the cost is about 63 million euros. It includes the cost of demolishing and bringing it up with the equipment to make it fit for purpose.”

    On March 2, 2020 the La General Hospital was shut down due to its deteriorating state which posed as a death trap for both patients and health workers who made use of the facility.

    The La General Hospital serves people in La, Teshie and Nungua and its environs.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Well resist attempts to use schools as isolation centres – Chief

    The Omanhene of Abura Dunkwa Nana Asorkwa Kwegyiri Aggrey II and his elders have resisted an attempt by authorities to use a school in the area as an isolation centre.

    The traditional leader speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, said they were not consulted hence, their resistance.

    He was of the view that authorities should have engaged traditional leaders before taking the decision.

    He disclosed that residents have also resisted the plan and as traditional leaders, we cannot allow them to use the area as an isolation centre.

    He was of the view that it would be a waste of state resources to use senior high schools as isolation centres suggesting that the government should rather purchase containers and use them as isolation centres.

    The traditional leader maintained it would be prudent to engage the chiefs and elders, and reason with them on the way forward.

    He said the COVID-19 virus has created fear and panic among people hence it would not be proper to just take ”autocratic decisions” to use secondary schools as isolation centres without consultation.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Maxwell Konadu roots for Muntari and Gyan to return to GPL

    Asante Kotoko head coach Maxwell Konadu has weighed in on the potential impact Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan can have on the Ghana Premier League.

    The duo has been linked with a sensational return to the local league in the ongoing transfer window.

    Muntari is rumored to be a subject of interest for Accra Hearts of Oak. The former Inter and AC Milan midfielder is currently unattached after leaving Spanish outfit Albacete in 2019.

    While Gyan, who is a boyhood Asante Kotoko fan is believed to be considering a move to the Porcupine Warriors.

    The 34 year old striker is currently unattached after he was released by Indian Super League side NorthEast United in January.

    Maxwell Konadu in a tweet on Tuesday shared his thoughts about this exciting new development.

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com

     

  • Suspension of football is hurting Kotoko financially – Kennedy Boakye Ansah

    Communications Director of Asante Kotoko Kennedy Boakye Ansah says the suspension of football activities due to the Coronavirus pandemic is hurting the finance of the Porcupine Warriors.

    The Coronavirus pandemic which has brought the world to its knees halted the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League season due to the ban on all social gatherings by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

    This action taken by the President has wrecked the main source of revenue(the gate proceeds) for clubs in the country.

    In an interview with Citi FM, Kenndy Ansah said though the club has some sponsorship packages, it is still not enough to take care of the financial needs of Asante Kotoko.

    “Kotoko, like any other Ghanaian club, has been feeling the strain for some time especially when our major source of revenue is from the gates.”

    “We are a bit lucky to have some sponsorship but even that can only take care of about 30 to 40 percent of our monthly expenditure. So we have to find other means of mobilising funds to run the club.

    He added that though they are being supported financially by the Executive Chairman of the club, he hopes that the fight against coronavirus will end soon for football to bounce back.

    “We have had some great support from the Executive Chairman, Dr. Kwame Kyei. In these times, it is not easy for all the clubs but we will survive.

    “The situation is under control but the only thing we want is to overcome the current pandemic so our football comes back.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Medikal applauds President Akufo-Addo

    President Akufo-Addo has been receiving a lot of plaudits from many people because of how he has handled things in the fight against the deadly coronavirus disease.

    The commendations have come in from both locals and other respected foreign personalities.

    Quite recently, English writer and television personality Piers Morgan on his “Good Morning Britain: show which airs on ITV took time off to give the first gentleman one of the most notable commendations from a foreign personality.

    Well, it seems AMG Business rapper, Medikal has also noticed that the president is doing that is worthy of praise.

    In a post sighted on his Twitter page, he wrote: “President Nana Akufu- Addo is doing a great job for the country!”

    Source: zionfelix.net

  • Its time to move Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu backs Partey to move from Atletico

    Former Black Stars assistant manager Maxwell Konadu has urged Thomas Teye Partey to move away from Atletico Madrid as rumours of his departure intensifies.

    According to popular sports journalist, Saddick Adams, deep-throat sources close to the Atletico reports that the Ghanaian does not want to extend his stay at the Wanda Metropolitano and is favoring a move to England.

    Football pundit and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has advocated to his former employers to go all out for the 26-year-old midfielder.

    The latest to add his voice to the transfer speculations is head coach for Asante Kotoko, Maxwell Konadu who opines that it is time for Thomas to move away from Spain.

    Source: sportscorna.com

     

  • GFA Medical Committee to introduce health certificates for players

    Ghana Football Association Medical Team chairman Dr Baba Adams says the committee will issue health certificates to players in the country.

    Adams will be meeting with other members on the committee; Dr. Kofi Ablorh and Dr. Percy Annan on Tuesday, 28 April, 2020 after which the issue will be finalized.

    They will discuss various issues including the Coronavirus pandemic and its related matters.

    “The players license and the Health certificate will be implemented today which will help the players for a healthy life,” Dr Adams told Kumasi-based Ashh FM.

    “GFA has printed the forms long time but wasn’t implemented so will implement it today after the meeting.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Ex-Ghana coach Maxwell Konadu advises Partey to depart Atletico Madrid

    Head coach of Asante Kotoko Maxwell Konadu has urged Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey to leave Atletico Madrid when the transfer window opens.

    Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Partey, who is currently locked in contract negotiations with Atletico Madrid.

    The Rojiblancos are keen to increase his release clause, currently set at £42 million, a fee that Arsenal are said to be prepared to match to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad.

    Meanwhile, former England and Manchester United ace Rio Ferdinand called on his former side to beat the Gunners in the pursuit of the Ghana international.

    On Tuesday, Saddick Adams, who is a sports journalist in Ghana, indicated that a close to the Partey’s camp has informed him that the player does not want to extend his contract with Diego Simeone’s side and is favouring a move to the English Premiership.

    He stated that the midfielder has his heart set on a switch to Old Trafford rather than the Emirates.

    And former deputy coach of the Ghana Black Stars, Maxwell Konadu has charged the midfielder to make the move this summer.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

     

  • Kwadwo Asamoah on the verge of Inter Milan exit

    Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah is reportedly on the verge of leaving Italian giants Inter Milan this summer after struggling for consistency this campaign.

    Asamoah has been rarely used by manager Antonio Conte due to recurrent injuries and is said to have made up his mind of leaving.

    The wing-back has suffered different injuries during the season, limiting him to just 11 appearances in all competitions.

    Ghanasoccernet understands, the 31-year-old has started speaking with some clubs, notably Turkish side Fernabache.

    Kwadwo Asamoah joined Inter in 2018 after six trophy-laden years at Juventus.

    He has played 40 matches and scored one for the Nerazzurri.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Medeama tells Kotoko to put Justice Blay negotiations on hold

    Ghana Premier League side Medeama have told Asante Kotoko to wait after the coronavirus pandemic to talk about any potential deal over midfield sensation Justice Blay.

    The Porcupine Warriors wrote to the two-time FA Cup winners last monthrequesting for talks to open negotiation regarding a permanent deal.

    Blay’s loan deal with the Ghanaian giants will expire in June amid an anxiety to tie him down permanently.

    But the communication chief of the Mauve and Yellows Patrick Akoto has told GHANAsoccernet.com the club will decide the next line of action after the coronavirus crisis is over.

    “We received a letter from Kotoko to that effect on March 30 and we have duly and respectfully acknowledged receipt,” Akoto told GHANAsoccernet.com

    “However, we have not decided anything due to the coronavirus outbreak. We are not even sure when the crisis will be over.

    “We are in a survival era and so the last thing on anybody’s mind is contract talks with any club.

    “If the world doesn’t come to an end, we’ll surely talk about the future of our prize asset.

    “We respect Kotoko and other interested clubs a lot but we have to scale this hurdle. Lets continue to observe the protocols and stay safe.”

    With multiple offers on the table for the highly-rated midfielder, it remains to be seen if the Medeama will sell their prize asset to the record Ghana Premier league holders.

    Kotoko will need to break bank to sign the midfielder after his value skyrocketed following an impressive run of form since joining.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Watford and Fenerbahce show interest in Inter Milan ace Kwadwo Asamoah

    Inter full-back Kwadwo Asamoah has proposals from Watford and Fenerbahce, having barely featured at San Siro this term.

    The Ghana international is now 31 years old and his contract with the Nerazzurri runs until June 2021.

    Antonio Conte has not looked to Asamoah this season, giving him only 11 competitive appearances between Serie A and the Champions League.

    According to FCInterNews.it, he is destined to leave Italy this summer, with two intriguing offers.

    The first is from Watford, which would be a reunion of sorts, seeing as the Premier League club is owned by the Pozzo family.

    Asamoah spent much of his Serie A career with their other side, Udinese.

    The other proposal comes from Fenerbahce in Turkey and they are prepared to match his current Inter salary over a two-year contract.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • My boyfriend is a Muslim Tonto Dikeh

    Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has taken to social media via her Instagram page to share a message with her Muslim fans during the month of Ramadan.

    “Ramadan Mubarak to all Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters, May Allah accept our Prayers, Bless Us and Heal the World…We are with you in spirit and in Truth…Allah Bless you # inshaAllah,” she posted.

    The tone of her message left some fans wondering about her religion and one even asked if she is a Muslim.

    The actress responded to the comment by saying that she is a Christian but that she has a Muslim boyfriend.

    See a screenshot of their exchange below:

    Ramadan: My boyfriend is a Muslim - Tonto Dikeh reveals

     

    Source: Adomonline.com

  • Dr. Prince Pambo dropped from GFA medical committee

    Celebrated medical practitioner and sports physician, Dr. Prince Pambo has been dropped from the Ghana Football Association’s medical committee.

    The doctor was excluded from the committee that will meet the FA on Tuesday, April 28, to discuss various issues including the Covid-19 pandemic and its related matters.

    Despite his omission from the committee, the experienced physician keeps his place on the medical committee of Africa’s football governing body CAF.

    Dr Pambo is the first Ghanaian doctor on the CAF Medical Committee. He was in charge of medical duties at the Nations Cup in Egypt last year, supervising Group E in Suez which featured Tunisia, Mali, Angola and Mauritania.

    The highly-respected medic has served as a medical manager for the various Ghana national teams, spanning over a decade.

    Meanwhile the FA’s three-man medical committee is chaired by former Black Stars Team Doctor Dr. Baba M. Adam with Dr. Kofi Ablorh and Dr. Percy Annan the other members.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Fella Makafui looks gorgeous in latest photo – check it out

    Ghanaian actress, Fella Makafui who is famous for being a great fashionista in the Ghanaian showbiz industry has once again proved her mettle with latest hot photo.

    The actress has taken to her official Twitter handle to post a photo in which she looks very stunning in a red dress.

    Fella Makafui released the photo with the caption “Abundant Grace” with a smiling emoji face and three hearts.

    Source: Adomonline.com

  • Jonathan Mensah reminisces ‘sweet’ MLS debut goal for Columbus Crew

    Columbus Crew captain Jonathan Mensah remembers his first Major League Soccer goal for Columbus Crew in 2017 against FC Dallas.

    The Ghana defender popped up to head in from a beautiful cross from teammate Higuain as the Black and Golds defeated Dallas 2-1.

    Mensah says he can’t forget that beautiful header describing it as a sweet one.

    “You always remember your first and it was sweet indeed,” he retweeted with a video of the goal.

    The ex-Ashantigold academy product has gone on to become an influential player for the Columbus Crew since joining from Anzhi Makachakala in 2016.

    Mensah has scored three times for the MLS side in 77 appearances for the club.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

     

  • I rejected offers to stay at Aduana because of good treatment – Stephen Adams

    Former Aduana Stars and Ghana goalkeeper Stephen Adams has disclosed that he rejected offers abroad to stay with the Premier League outfit because of the way he was treated.

    The 30-year old reveals he was comfortable with the ‘Ogya Boys’ and was never in a haste to leave the shores of Ghana to continue his career abroad.

    “I had a lot of offers during days but couldn’t leave because of the treatment,” he told Sikka Sports.

    Adams was one of the finest goalkeepers in Ghana during his time with Aduana and was a member of the Black Stars team that represented Ghana at the World Cup in 2014.

    Currently unattached the experienced shot-stopper is believed to be on his way to Great Olympics ahead of the second round of the Ghana Premier League.

    Adams played a key role when Aduana won their first Ghana Premier League title in their maiden season in 2009.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Futures jump with focus on earnings, easing lockdowns

    U.S. stock index futures climbed higher on Tuesday ahead of the next round of quarterly earnings reports, with investors also keenly looking at the safety of reopening economies hit hard by the coronavirus-induced shutdowns.

    Wall Street kicked off the week on a strong note Monday as several U.S. states allowed businesses to reopen after a near-total halt in activity to contain the outbreak.

    Powered by a raft of U.S. monetary and fiscal stimulus, all three major stock indexes are now within 20% of their record closing highs, but analysts warn of further losses as economic data foreshadows a deep global recession.

    Consumer confidence figures for April due later in the day are expected to slide further from near three-year lows hit in March, as widespread production halts put millions of Americans out of work.

    Investors are also waiting for a two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting that kicks off on Tuesday, although expectations are low for more central bank easing at this time.

    Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) jump-started first-quarter reports for the day with its first quarterly loss in nine years, but shares rose 3.4% as it said its average daily cash burn will slow in the second quarter.

    Drugmakers Merck & Co (MRK.N) and Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and industrial conglomerate 3M Co (MMM.N) are also scheduled to report results before the bell, while Google parent Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) are among the high profile companies reporting after markets close.

    At 05:41 a.m. EDT, Dow e-minis 1YMcv1 were up 283 points, or 1.18%, S&P 500 e-minis EScv1 were up 30 points, or 1.05% and Nasdaq 100 e-minis NQcv1 were up 98.25 points, or 1.11%.

    SPDR S&P 500 ETFs (SPY.P) rose 1.07%.

    The S&P 500 index .SPX closed up 1.47% at 2,878.48? on Monday.

    Source: reuters.com

  • Premier League hopeful of June 8 restart as training centres reopen

    Premier League clubs will meet on Friday to discuss plans to resume the 2019-20 campaign in June.

    The English top flight, which has been suspended since mid-March because of the spread of the coronavirus, could be back in action as early as June 8 to have the season concluded by the end of July.

    UK Secretary for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, says that he is working with clubs to bring the league back next month.

    He said during parliamentary questions: “I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community.

    “But, of course, any such moves would have to be consistent with public health guidance.”

    The timeline being proposed would mean clubs would have to be back in full training by May 18 and some top-flight teams are already easing their way back.

    On Monday, Arsenal, Everton and West Ham allowed players to return to their training grounds , but warned that they must continue to abide by social distancing guidelines.

    Meanwhile, Tottenham are set to reopen parts of their training ground for the senior squad as of Tuesday.

    Matches will likely have to be played behind closed doors initially, a likelihood being explored by most countries looking to conclude the 2019-20 season.

    The English Football League (EFL) has pledged to have rigorous coronavirus testing in place before games can be played again and insisted the return must not affect key workers.

    The Bundesliga is aiming to kick off again on May 9 pending government approval, according to CEO Christian Seifert , but the German police union has warned that even matches behind closed doors would attract “irresponsible” crowds outside stadiums .

    The Polish government has approved a five-step plan to bring the Ekstraklasa back by May 29 , while in Italy, players will be allowed to start training individually from May 4 .

    Spanish health minister Salvador Illa has resisted laying out a timeframe but suggested La Liga will not return before the summer .

    Elsewhere, FIFA is willing to allow teams to make five substitutes in each match in an effort to minimise the risk of injury as the season will have to be concluded in a tight schedule.

    Source: goal.com

  • Ligue 1 and 2: France’s top two divisions will not resume this season

    The Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons will not resume after France banned all sporting events, including behind closed doors, until September.

    Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the 2019-20 sporting season is over as he announced plans to ease France’s coronavirus lockdown on 11 May.

    French football’s governing body had hoped to resume the season on 17 June and finish the campaign on 25 July.

    Football was suspended indefinitely in France on 13 March.

    Source: bbc.com

  • We need logistics and more hands at KCCR – Virologist

    A virologist at Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Dr. Michael Owusu has called for more hands as well as logistics to enhance the capacity of rapid testing at the center.

    He has revealed the Centre currently has over 10,000 backlog of COVID 19 samples yet to be tested, indicating that their work is being hampered by inadequate staff and logistics.

    According to him, the situation is putting pressure on the staff to work extra hours in ensuring more testing are done to offload or reduce the backlog.

    Dr. Owusu disclosed this to Nana Yaw Opare (a.k.a Wofa) on “Yensempa” show on Onua FM, Tuesday, adding that the center on daily basis test 1,500 to 2,000 cases with only 30 staff.

    He admitted government has done massive work since the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic but believes more has to be done to strengthen the approach in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

    Dr. Owusu noted that government is already in talks with the center on resourcing it but there is the need to push harder to fast track the processes in equipping the center during this period.

    Touching briefly on precautionary measures put across by Ghana Health Service, the virologist entreated the general public to strongly adhere to all protocols due to the transmission mode of the virus.

    He explained the virus is transferable to everyone irrespective of age but it is quite severe with the aged and those with underlining ailments.

    He thus admonished against the improper use of the face mask and advised that it should be changed twice a day.

    Dr. Owusu explained the virus could survive in face mask for more than seven days hence the need to wash the local made with disinfectants, dried in the hot sun and ironed before reuse.

     

    Source: 3News

  • France lockdown ‘has saved 62,000 lives in a month’

    Prime Minister Édouard Philippe says the country’s lockdown measures in place have saved 62,000 lives over the space of a month.

    Mr Philippe is currently outlining the government’s plan to gradually ease the restrictions from 11 May. The plan will later be voted on by lawmakers.

    Nearly 23,300 coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded in France, along with 165,842 confirmed cases.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Juliet Ibrahim shocks social media users as she dips her bread inside beverage before eating

    Popular actress, Juliet Ibrahim has dropped a video which has gotten people laughing out loud.

    In the video, Juliet Ibrahim was seen dipping her bread into her beverage before eating the bread, an action considered to be very archaic by netizens.

    This has since garnered some hilarious comments on social media, however, she seems unconcerned.

    Watch the video here;

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Juliet Ibrahim😂😂😂😂

    A post shared by GH Gossip (@ghgossipdotcom) on

    Source: www.ghgossip.com

  • Norwegian billionaire held over wife’s disappearance

    Norwegian police said Tuesday they had arrested a wealthy businessman over the disappearance of his wife 18 months ago, the latest twist in a case that has kept the Nordic countries on tenterhooks.

    Tom Hagen, 70, was arrested as he was leaving his home for work on Tuesday, on suspicion of “murder or accessory to murder,” commissioner Ida Melbo Oystese told a press conference.

    Hagen’s wife Anne-Elisabeth Hagen disappeared without a trace from their home in Lorenskog, east of Oslo, on October 31, 2018.

    A poorly written ransom note, containing threats and a demand for nine million euros in crypto currency, was found at the scene.

    Sporadic contact with the alleged kidnappers on digital platforms initially supported the theory that she had been the victim of a rogue abduction.

    However, by June 2019, police were re-evaluating their leads and started examining whether it was a murder that had been disguised as a kidnapping.

    Tom Hagen is the 164th richest man in Norway with an estimated net worth of 1.9 billion Norwegian kroner ($183 million, 168 million euros) in 2019, according to business magazine Kapital.

    His lawyer said he denied the allegations.

    “He forcefully maintains that he has nothing to do with it,” Svein Holden told public broadcaster NRK.

    Police did not present any concrete evidence to support their suspicions or speculate on a potential motive, but said the case “had traces of a clear, premeditated misdirection.”

    Question marks remain as to what police believe Tom Hagen’s exact role in the disappearance to be, whether he had accomplices and the whereabouts of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen, now presumed dead.

    Police said they had yet to interrogate the suspect.

    Source: france24.com

  • Coronavirus: ‘One billion’ could become infected worldwide – Report

    One billion people could become infected with the coronavirus worldwide unless vulnerable countries are given urgent help, an aid group has warned.

    The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said financial and humanitarian aid was needed to help slow the global spread of the virus.

    It said “fragile countries” such as Afghanistan and Syria needed “urgent funding” to avoid a major outbreak.

    “There remains a small window of time to mount a robust response,” it warned.

    There have been more than three million confirmed cases of Covid-19 worldwide with more than 200,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University in the US.

    The IRC’s report, which is based on models and data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Imperial College London, estimated there could be between 500 million and one billion infections globally.

    It also said there could be more than three million deaths across dozens of conflict-affected and unstable countries.

    “These numbers should serve as a wake-up call,” said the head of the IRC, David Miliband.

    “The full, devastating and disproportionate weight of this pandemic has yet to be felt in the world’s most fragile and war-torn countries,” he added. “The key now is for donors to urgently put flexible funding behind frontline efforts.

    “Governments must work together to remove any impediment to humanitarian assistance.”

    The US-based group, which responds to humanitarian crises around the world, said factors such as household size, population density, healthcare capacity and pre-existing conflicts could all increase the risk of major outbreaks developing.

    Many countries in the developing world have low official infection rates or death tolls – but the actual numbers are believed to be much higher.

    Caroline Seguin, who manages programmes in Yemen for the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), said the organisation believed people there were already dying from Covid 19 – just not in hospitals.

    “We are convinced that there is local transmission ongoing but the capacity of testing is very, very low,” she told the BBC.

    Ms Seguin said Yemen, which was referenced in the IRC report as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus, said the country had been weakened by recent outbreaks of cholera and measles.

    “The health system is collapsing… and for sure the ministry of health is not able to cope with this disease,” she said.

    A major issue facing developing or unstable countries is a lack of suitable medical equipment for treating patients with Covid-19.

    In Afghanistan and Pakistan, there are fewer than ten ventilators for every one million people. In Nigeria, that figure is even more stark at 0.8 ventilators per million.

    For context, Italy, which has one of the highest death tolls from the virus in the world, had 80 ventilators per one million people at the start of the crisis.

    Source: bbc.com

  • What marriage and divorce taught Elikem Kumordzie

    Tailor and actor, Elikem Kumordzie, has taken to Instagram to share lessons he learnt after being in a marriage and subsequently getting divorced.

    According to him, he has learnt to be more patient, listen more and work as much as possible, to make his relationships work.

    “It took being out of marriage divorce to realize that. If you stay focused in your business, you milk it. Once you stop fighting for what you want, what you do not want comes in,” Elikem told KOD during an Instagram live.

    Elikem in June 2015 married Pokello Nare from Zimbabwe whom he had met on season eight of the Big brother Africa reality show.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    You’ll always hold that special spot in my heart. HAPPY BIRTHDAY @queenofswaggerofficial

    A post shared by elikem kumordzie (@elikemkumordzie) on

    The two had a son but got divorced later in 2018.

    While sharing his story, the celebrated tailor said people in relationships facing challenges tend to focus more negatives than the positive things they have and continue to achieve.

    Elikem explained that highlighting good milestones and good things in the relationship helps the couple grow while they handle the ugly side.

    “When you draw on the bad you only bring more bad,” he said.

    Elikem Kumordzie added, he only realises now that he probably was not ready for marriage at the age he tied the knot with Pokello although he was in love and fully committed.

     

    Source: myjoyonlineÂ