TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Ghana’s borders will remain closed till ‘risk of importation’ is minimal – Information Minister

    Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has indicated he cannot guarantee an early opening of the country’s borders for the return of Ghanaian nationals stuck abroad.

    As part of pragmatic steps to combat the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Ghana has closed all borders to prevent the entry of persons into the country.

    The border closure was necessitated after Ghana recorded imported cases of COVID-19 and it’s one of the directives by President Nana Akufo-Addo to safeguard the citizens against transmission of the virus.

    But some nationals are unfortunately caught at the receiving end of the decision, including musicians D-Black, Pappy Kodjoe, Sarkodie and a host of others, with the latter recently pleading with President Akufo-Addo to lift the boder restricitions.

    But will their call be heeded by the President?

    Jeopardize Lives of Citizens

    The Information Minister, in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ program, Monday, asserted that until the threat of the pandemic is dealt with, and government is satisified of not jeopardizing the lives of citizens, the borders will remain closed.

    According to him, one of the major risks of the Coronavirus transmission is the ”risk of importation”.

    Kojo Oppong Nkrumah explained that ”there is a community spread that needs to be contained. If that is not contained before and the borders are opened, your risk will go higher. It will be like using basket to fetch water and if care is not taken, our case will like that of UK. This is why we took a decision to close our borders”.

    Minimal Risk of Importation

    He however noted with concern the inconveniences associated with the border closure but asked the compatriots to exercise patience.

    “Today, as we talk, our assessment is that the risk has not faded away. Until the risk is dealt with and we have put in place mitigaing measures to minimize the risk in any way now apart from the border closure, we haven’t taken decision to open the borders. That is why the President has extended the border closure by two weeks. It is true many people have been inconvenienced.”

    ”Not only traders but I can recall that musician Sarkodie is also stuck abroad . . . we understand our people who are outside. If we had the chance, we would have done something to lift the ban but because of our safety, the borders are closed,” he posited.

    Minister Locked Away

    He further disclosed a Minister of State is among the Ghanaian nationals who have been locked down abroad due to the pandemic.

    “Do you know a Minister of State has also been locked abroad? And the decision is that the borders are closed. He (Minister) was on a Ministerial assignment and couldn’t come to Ghana before the borders were closed. Some even pleaded to give him a diplomatic flight but the President says the borders are closed.”

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • GFA must not rush to start the league after Coronavirus- Alhaji Grusah

    The President and bank roller of King Faisal Babes, Alhaji Karim Grusah says the Ghana FA should not be in a rush to restart the league after the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The current season has been suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak in the country following a directive from government on the suspension of all social gathering including sporting activities.

    The Ghana Premier League was halted in March following those directives from government and is uncertain when football will return after the President extended the ban on social gatherings and sporting activities in his last address to the nation on Sunday 26 March, 2020.

    With the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League season set to end in July, Alhaji Grusah has urged the FA not to force players and clubs into completing the season when the green light is given for football to return.

    “We should not force our players to come from the break and resume the league. Even in Spain players are asking for more time to prepare before they continue with the league”, he told Odi Asempa Kwame Oware on Wamputu Sports on Happy 98.9FM.

    “I am not saying this because my team is lying on the bottom of the table. We (King Faisal) can bounce back and stay in the league. The Executive Council and president must be very careful. They should not be in a hurry to restart the league”, he added.

    Source: happyghana.com

  • KP Boateng, Alphonso Davies, 10 other footballers who switched nationality

    “Wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home,” said Marvin Gaye in 1962.

    Though the soul legend is extremely unlikely to have written the song with soccer players in mind, many have adopted the sentiment when it comes to choosing which international team to represent.

    Whether it’s because of a childhood move, ancestry, or simply a desire for more game time, all 12 of the following players have chosen to swap their nationalities in order to represent a different country.

    Gonzalo Higuain (France to Argentina)

    Higuain is one of only three foreign born players to have represented Argentina at a World Cup. Born in Brest, France, the Juventus striker moved to Argentina with his family aged just 10 months, but only became an Argentine national in 2007.

    He still holds his French citizenship today.

    Riyad Mahrez (France to Algeria)

    Born in France to Algerian parents, Mahrez spent his whole career in his country of birth prior to his move to England in 2014.

    While eligible to play for France, he instead chose to go back to his roots and play for Algeria in 2013.

    Kalidou Koulibaly (France to Senegal)

    Koulibaly was born and raised in France, and had even represented the country at U20 level, however chose to switch allegiances to Senegal in 2015.

    The Napoli defender said he did so, according to the BBC, because he wanted “to write the story of the future of Senegal football.”

    Ivan Rakitic (Switzerland to Croatia)

    Ivan Rakitic had already turned out for Switzerland’s U17, U19, and U21 national teams before he decided to accept the call-up to Croatia in 2007.

    The FC Barcelona midfielder was eligible to switch through his parents.

    Diego Costa (Brazil to Spain)

    Having already played for Brazil, Diego Costa was in line to star for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s at the 2014 World Cup on home turf.

    However in late 2013, Costa requested to switch his nationality to Spain, who he then represented at the tournament.

    Unsurprisingly, he was the most hated man in Brazil that summer,with Scolari accusing him of “turning his back on a dream of millions.”

    Alfredo Di Stefano (Argentina to Colombia, Colombia to Spain)

    Di Stefano represented his country of birth, Argentina, just six times before deciding to play for Colombia in 1951, despite not holding a Colombian passport.

    Just four appearances later, he swapped allegiances again, this time to Spain — he was banned from representing Argentina due to his games for Colombia. He went on to make 31 appearances and score 23 times for Spain.

    Alphonso Davies (Ghana to Canada)

    One of the biggest talents to have ever emerged from the MLS, 19-year-old Alphonso Davies was born in a refugee camp in Ghana after his parents had fled the civil war in Liberia.

    When he was five, he and his family moved to Canada, where he made a name for himself with the Edmonton Strikers and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

    In 2017, he passed his Canadian citizenship test and has since played 17 times for the Canucks.

    Neven Subotic (United States to Serbia)

    Neven Subotic would have been a United States player had it not been for former USMNT head coach Thomas Rongen, who chose not to call him up in 2006 due to his perceived lack of progress in Germany with FSV Mainz.

    Rongen was heavily criticized, including by Subotic, for the decision, and the defender instead went on represent Serbia at the 2010 World Cup, as well as win two Bundesliga titles.

    Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast to England, England to Ivory Coast)

    Though he was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Zaha was selected to represent England having lived in the UK since the age of four.

    He went on to play just twice for the Three Lions, however, before asking to FIFA to switch his allegiance back to the Ivory Coast in 2016 in the hope of getting more game time.

    To date, the Crystal Palace forward has earned 17 caps for the Elephants, scoring five times.

    Christian Benteke (DR Congo to Belgium)

    Benteke was born in Kinshasa, DR Congo’s (formerly Zaire’s) capital city, in 1990, however his family fled to Belgium when he was three to escape the Mobutu regime.

    He’s since played for Belgium at every level since U17 and remains a steady fixture in Roberto Martinez’s current set up.

    Kevin-Prince Boateng (Germany to Ghana)

    The Boateng brothers (Jerome and Kevin-Prince) were both born and raised in West Berlin, Germany.

    Both represented Germany’s youth teams, however while the former stayed the course all the way to the men’s team, the latter instead chose to represent Ghana.

    KPB was given a Ghanaian passport in 2009 courtesy of his father’s connection with the country, according to Kick Off.

    Eusebio (Mozambique to Portugal)

    Eusebio is famed for his exploits with Portugal, whom he helped finish third at the 1966 World Cup, winning the Golden Boot in the process, however the he was actually born and raised in Mozambique.

    The “Black Panther” played for a Benfica feeder team in Mozambique before eventually moving to Lisbon when he was 18-years-old.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GFA should consider paying referees from FIFA money- Alhaji Grunsah

    President and bank roller of King Faisal Football Club, Alhaji Karim Grunsah, has suggested to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to pay referees from the stimulus package yet to come from FIFA.

    The GFA is set to receive $500,000 as stimulus package from the world governing body due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The amount represents the operational funding for member associations for the years 2019 and 2020.

    In all, FIFA will distribute $150 million among its 211 member associations.

    According to Alhaji Grunsah, the referees have been owed for far too long and the FA must consider settling some of their debts when the money hit their account.

    “The referees money has been long overdue and they need to be paid. At least the FA should pay about 70% of monies owed them. It is very important. They must be paid so they can officiate the games very well”, he told Odi Asempa Kwame Oware on Wamputu Sports on Happy 98.9 FM.

    He added that the FA should also support the clubs in order to relieve them from some debts.

    “The FA should consider sharing a percentage of the monies to clubs”.

    Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for the Ghana Football Association, Henry Asante Twum, has disclosed to the media that the financial aid from FIFA is for operational costs of the FA and not meant for clubs.

    Source: happyghana.com

  • I like it here in Azerbaijan – Michael Essien

    Former Chelsea ace and Ghana international Michael Essien is enjoying life in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku due to the less traffic in the European city.

    Essien compared his stay in Baku to his time in Indonesia, where he reveals the traffic was ‘twenty times worse.’

    The 37-year old left Indonesian club Persib Bandung in 2018 to join Azerbaijani side Sabail FK as player coach.

    “When I told my friends about Baku, they did not even know where the city was. But nothing prevented me from going to Azerbaijan,” Essien told Russian media, Sportbox.

    “There is no traffic jam in Baku at all and I have something to compare. A few years ago I played in Indonesia, the traffic situation was 20 times worse. The cuisine in Azerbaijan is very tasty, but high in calories,” he added.

    The Chelsea legend is not showing any signs of retirement soon after a spectacular career, that has seen him win multiple titles including the UEFA Champions League.

    The ‘Bison’ as he is affectionately known played for several clubs including European giants Real Madrid and AC Milan.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Appoint a practicable Technical Director- Mohammed Polo tells GFA

    Former Black Stars midfielder and 1978 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, Mohammed Polo has called on the leadership of the Ghana Football Association to appoint a technical director who is practicable.

    The technical directorate position has become vacant following the exit of Oti Akenteng last month.

    According to Polo, it will be prudent for the football association to appoint someone who is tried and tested and understand the job to lead the technical department of the Ghana FA.

    “I think those who have applied for the job can do it but I pray they appoint someone who understand football. We have competent people to do the job, I will suggest to the leadership of the FA to appoint someone who is tried and tested and practical to head the technical department”

    “They should give the job to somebody who understands the practical and theory aspect of the game” he told Bryt FM.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Bernard Mensah to leave Kayserispor in search of Champions League football

    Kayserispor midfielder Bernard Mensah has hinted he could leave the club in the summer in search of Champions League football as the Turkish side faces relegation.

    The 25-year-old is believed to be angling for a move away from Turkish Süper Lig in search of a club with Champions League ambition.

    The Ghanaian has been linked with giants Galatasaray as well as Be?ikta? though no offer has been tabled.

    Mensah appears open to a move away from the Kadir Has Stadium if the right opportunity presents itself at the end of the season.

    “I love Kayseri. It is nice to stay in Kayserispor, I love the team and the city. But I have goals. I will be very pleased if I play football in the Champions League.” he said from the club’s live broadcast on its social media account amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    The former Atletico Madrid midfielder has now put a host of interested clubs on notice by targeting top-level European football as one of his chief career aims.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • I’m not happy with how it went: Kevin-Prince Boateng on playing for Fiorentina

    Ghana forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has opened up on the difficulties he encountered playing for Fiorentina under coach Montella.

    The 33-year-old Ghanaian joined from Sassuolo in the summer and featured 14 times in the Serie A, scoring only one goal.

    He made only 14 appearances for Fiorentina before being shipped out to Turkish side Beskitas in January. At Beskitas he has featured in six games with two goals to his credit.

    Boateng feels unhappy about how things went with Fiorentina, which he also apportion some of the blame to ex-coach Montella.

    “To make the most of it, many details must match, I arrived in Florence with great desire. It was the right place with a hot fan. With the shirt number ten I had the pressure to make an extra goal or an assist”, he said in an interview.

    “I’m not happy with how it went. I’m angry, they haven’t seen the real Boateng. Montella? We did not understand each other. He changed the idea he had at the beginning, he no longer wanted the attacker to go towards the ball. “, he added.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Caleb Ekuban focused on winning trophies with Trabzonspor amid Celtic, Rangers interest

    Caleb Ekuban says he is fully focused on winning trophies with Trabzonspor amid interest from several clubs across Europe and elsewhere.

    The 26-year-old has been targeted by Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers while Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal are ready to splash €10 million plus-a-player for the in-form Ghana striker.

    But the former Leeds United striker wants to focus on the Turkish side.

    Ekuban told Fotomac: “Trabzonspor has added a lot to my career. I found myself here and very close to my dream of winning a Championship. My priority is winning trophies with this team.”

    “People love me and trust me. Although I had an injury , I returned well. I am in an environment where I am happy doing my job in the best way.”

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA Ethics Committee receives videos from Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye PI

    The Ghana Football Association Ethics Committee has taken delivery of the raw footage of “Number 12 exposé” from Tiger Eye PI.

    The Accra-based investigative organization on June 6, 2018 premiered an anti-graft investigations involving Ghanaian football officials.

    The investigations was meant to uncover some unscrupulous behaviour in the Ghanaian football fraternity.

    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.

    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: pulse.com.gh

  • Amos Frimpong dreams of returning to Asante Kotoko as coach

    Former Asante Kotoko captain Amos Frimpong says he dreams of making a return to the Ghanaian giants not as a player but a coach after declaring his unending love for the club.

    Frimpong spent eight seasons with Asante Kotoko after he joined from BA United in July 2011.

    The 28-year-old left the club for a stint with Guinean giants AS Kaloum Star in 2008 following the expiration of his contract.

    “My love for Kotoko is beyond measure, and I dream to return to the team, but this time not as a player rather as a Management member, or any other official role after retirement, he said.

    “I will quit football as a footballer. However, with its kith and kin, whatever it is that I have to do to upgrade myself to work for Kotoko, I will do” he added.

    Frimpong had an outstanding spell at Asante Kotoko as he won two Ghana Premier League titles and two FA Cup trophies.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Hearts of Oak players receive full salaries as pay-cut debate swirls

    Hearts of Oak players have received their outstanding salaries for March amid calls for pay cuts in the wake of the suspension of the Ghana Premier League due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    There have been suggestions in the media earlier in the week that the Phobians might consider a slash on salaries to cushion the side against a possible financial crisis.

    However, sportsnetgh.com reports that Hearts playing body and the technical team received full salaries on Monday without any form of deductions.

    In addition, they are expected to receive April salaries on Wednesday, April 29 as the Board has subsequently released cheque for the April salaries.

    The Ghana Premier League has been on a break since Match 15.

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com

  • Hearts of Oak seal partnership deal with GTV Sports Plus

    Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak have announced signing a partnership deal with GTV Sports Plus to broadcast the club’s exclusive contents to fans.

    The free to air channel will show across the continent players interviews, lifestyle features forming part of the Phobians’ content.

    The partnership forms part of the club’s rebranding efforts to reposition the 2000 CAF Champions League and 2004 CAF Confederation Cup winners.

    GTV Sports Plus is owned by the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Company (GBC).

    In the past, AshantiGold had a club TV broadcast on South African Pay-TV channel SuperSport.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Players will stay in the GPL if they are paid GHC 3000 a month – Gladson Awako

    Great Olympics playmaker Gladson Awako says players will stay in the Ghana Premier League if they are paid a minimum of GHC 3000 a month as salary.

    According to the former FIFA U-20 World Cup winner, Ghanaian players leave for countries like Ivory Coast and Togo because they pay better than clubs in Ghana.

    “I think the minimum a player in the Ghana Premier League should be paid is 3,000 cedis ($550). It is not enough though but that should be. If players get paid GHC 3000 to GHC 4000 a month, they’ll not be rushing to say Togo or Cote d’ Ivoire,” Awako told Angel FM.

    The 29-year old returned to Ghana after spells abroad to join Great Olympics for the 2019/20 campaign.

    The former TP Mezembe star has been the live wire of the Accra based club this season despite a topsy-turvy first half of the campaign.

    Awako previously played for Berekum Chelsea before leaving for DR Congo to join TP Mezembe. He later moved to American USL side Phoenix Rising.

    The Ghana Premier League is currently on break due to the outbreak of the cornavirus in the West African country.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Caleb Amankwah claims 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League campaign has been tough

    Aduana Stars defender Caleb Amankwah says the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League season has been very competitive considering the match results.

    The highly rated centre back says it is difficult to predict the outcome of matches this season as he strongly believes all the 18 clubs are up to the task this time around.

    The Ghana Premier League is currently on suspension due to the global novel coronavirus pandemic.

    “I think the league has been tough this season. To me, the league has been attractive. So, I pray we overcome the deadly disease so we can continue with our matches”.

    Also, Amankwah thinks cancelling the entire season because of the pandemic will be a big worry.

    “It will be a big worry if we stop or cancel the season. My wish is for us to play the league when the disease is over,” he added.

    Amankwah has been instrumental for the Ogya Boys in the season having emerged man of the match on two occasions.

    Before the suspension of Ghana top-flight, Aduana Stars were leading the pack with 28 points.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • GFA officials influence player selections into the national teams – Wilfred Osei Kwaku alleges

    Former GFA Presidential aspirant, Wilfried Osei Kwaku claims that player selection into the national teams is influenced by officials of the federation.

    According to the Bankroller of Division One side Tema Youth, it is an ‘open secret’ insisting some players are not even fit to be in the national teams.

    The outspoken football administrator reveals the technical aspect of the game has been ignored for the individual interests of officials.

    “This is an open secret that GFA officials influence the selection of players into the national team. There are some players who come to the national team but are not fit to be in the team,” Palmer told the Daily Graphic.

    “Instead of we looking at things from a technical perspective, we tend to look for players very close to us to be part of the team, irrespective of their level or quality of skills they have.

    “If you have your doubts, you can talk to the ex-coaches and they will tell you a lot,” he added.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Bernard Tekpetey focused on ending three-year Ghana absence

    Fortuna Dusseldorf attacker Bernard Tekpetey has set his sights on convincing Ghana coach CK Akonnor for a place in the Black Stars team.

    The 22-year-old has been in the international senior wilderness since representing Ghana at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Gabon.

    Last year, he helped the West Africans qualify for the U23 Afcon in Egypt.

    ”I think the new coach is trying to scout players as well [as those] who are dedicated and trying to play more so I think it is a great opportunity for me to try and work hard,” Tekpetey told Joy Sports.

    “With my club side, I have to do what I do best to be able to earn his [Akonnor] call-up.

    ”At the end of the day, I have to work hard because he is a new coach and everything is open, so everyone can get the chance to play.

    ”I need to improve and showcase what I have for the coach to know that I am a good player, so he can call me.”

    Tekpetey has his work cut out as he is currently enduring a frustrating season with Dusseldorf in the German Bundesliga.

    The Accra-born player has made nine league appearances so far, starting five of the games and is still on the search for his first goal.

    Source: goal.com

  • Al Hilal eye player-plus-€10 million bid for Caleb Ekuban

    Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal are considering a €10 million plus-a-player offer for in-form Trabzonspor striker Caleb Ekuban, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The Turkish giants snapped up Ekuban initially on a loan deal from English side Leeds United, before signing him on a permanent deal last summer.

    The Ghana international has shone in Turkey and is now being linked with a potential move away from the club, with Celtic, Rangers and Lazio all claimed to hold an interest in securing his services.

    But Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal could steal a march on the aforementioned clubs as they considering a bumper deal for the 25-year-old sharpshooter.

    Reports reaching GHANAsoccernet.com indicate that the xx want to table a 10 million plus Syrian striker Ömer-Al-Soma in a bid to convince Trabzonspor to part ways with their prized asset.

    Al Hilal coach Vladan Milojevic is said to be keen on signing the former Chievo Verona hitman when the transfer window opens.

    Ekuban, who has a contract with the club until June 2022, has netted 8 times in 25 games this season.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Hearts of Oak to sign a deal with GTV Sports Plus this week

    Hearts of Oak SC are expected to stitched up a deal with GTV Sports Plus this week for the club’s TV show, GHANASoccernet.com understands.

    The show, which will be available on the free-to-air channel, across the continent will have player interviews and lifestyle features forming part of its content.

    The partnership forms part of the club’s rebranding efforts to reposition the 2000 CAF Champions League and 2004 CAF Confederation Cup winners.

    GTV Sports Plus is owned by the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Company (GBC).

    In the past, AshantiGold had a club TV broadcast on the South African Pay-TV channel SuperSport.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Augustine Sefa clears the air over his Asante Kotoko future

    Asante Kotoko defender Augustine Sefah says he is confident that his current contract will be extended when it runs out at the end of the season.

    The defender who was on the verge of leaving the club last year was made to stay for another season following the intervention of the new head coach Maxwell Konadu.

    Despite featuring in only one league game for the Porcupines, the defender is hopeful that his contract will be renewed at the end of the season.

    “I believe my contract would be extended at the end of the season or even before then,” Sefah told Kotoko Express App.

    “But I also know, that would largely depend on my impact on the team.”

    “Sometimes, it is not so much about playing too many games but also about the impact you make in the few opportunities that you get; the quality and commitment you show. That is what would make people see your worth.”

    “No single player can play all the 34 league games; the nature of the pitches here would even allow it. So I always get myself prepared and then play to the best of my ability to help the team whenever I get the chance.”

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com

  • Ashesi University places 1st in Ghana, 9th in Africa in latest university rankings

    Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings has placed Ashesi University as the first in Ghana, 9th in Africa and one of the top 400 worldwide for 2020.

    In an article sighted by YEN.com.gh on Ashesi.edu.gh, it is indicated that the criteria for the ranking included the measure of actions taken by universities to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Furthermore, the measures taken are expected to show proof of promoting social and economic wellbeing around the entire world.

    It is reported that only the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) and the University of Ghana, Legon, where the other Ghanaian universities accepted in the ranking.

    In 2019, the Ashesi University ranked 14th on the same list together with UPSA and UG and it is rather remarkable that the Ghanaian private university was able to break into the top 10 just after one year.

    Ashesi’s strongest contributions that led to their high ranking were to the SDG 1 Goal of No Poverty, with the University being ranked 24th globally in their work to end poverty.

    Some other areas of strength for Ashesi were in contributions to Gender Equality (SDG 5), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

    Meanwhile, Amanda, a 24-year-old lady has been destroyed by drugs after getting addicted for four months as a heartbreaking video of her has caused a massive stir on the internet.

    The video sighted by YEN.com.gh on Youtube shows how the young woman was recorded by a photographer called Soft White Underbelly, showing her various stages of deterioration with the 4-month span.

    Whilst doing crack cocaine, Amanda also revealed she became a prostitute and interestingly, she looked almost unrecognizable after a short period of engaging in the activities.

    source: yen.com.gh

  • Jordan Ayew gets the nod from football writers as Crystal Palace Player of the Year

    Majority of football writers at sportsmole.co.uk have chosen Ghana striker Jordan Ayew as Crystal Palace’s Player of Year.

    Ayew was in top form before the suspension of the English Premier League due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

    The Ghana international banged in goals to ensure the Eagles won three games in a row after winning just one of their previous 12.

    But the performance of goalkeeper Vicente Guaita has been impressive too with Roy Hodgson’s side needing only one more point to reach the 40-point safety mark.

    Here are the views of Sports Mole team on who they think has been Palace’s player of the season so far.

    Barney Corkhill, Editor:

    Considering Crystal Palace’s poor attacking record this season it seems somewhat counter-intuitive to select a striker as their best player of the campaign, but in a squad where few individuals have stood out, Jordan Ayew has been Palace’s most important member for me.

    The 28-year-old has scored eight of Palace’s 26 goals, and crucially five of those have been winning goals – only the Liverpool trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have been responsible for more winners.

    Ayew’s goals have been the difference between Hodgson’s side battling for a place in the top half or fighting against relegation, and a special mention must also go to his goal-of-the-season contender against West Ham United.

    Matt Law, Football Editor:

    The likes of Vicente Guaita and Gary Cahill deserve praise for their performances this season, but Jordan Ayew, in my opinion, deserves to be named Palace’s player of the season.

    The 29-year-old has managed eight Premier League goals this term and his form has been particularly important considering that the team’s star man Wilfried Zaha has registered just three league goals.

    Only Zaha (29) has made more league appearances than Ayew (28) for Roy Hodgson’s side this term, while the attacker has scored the winner in Palace’s last two league games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Watford. One thing is for sure, the Eagles would not be 11th in the table at this stage without Ayew’s goals.

    Darren Plant, Senior Reporter:

    On six occasions, Palace have prevailed by one-goal margins when Ayew has made an impact in the final third, which includes a goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

    However, five of his other seven strikes have come against teams below Palace in the table, meaning that the versatile attacker has been the major difference between a relegation battle.

    Dan Lewis, Senior Reporter:

    Despite netting just one top-flight goal during last season’s loan spell, Ayew clearly did enough to persuade Palace to pay Swansea City £2.5m to sign him permanently last July.

    That has to go down as one of the best signings of the summer transfer window as the Ghanaian has eight goals to his name.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Over 600 residents at Ayensuano displaced by rainstorm

    About six-hundred (600) residents in Ayensuano District of the Eastern region have been displaced by a devastating rainstorm that has struck some communities.

    The affected communities are Docrochiwa, Kwaboanta Junction, Onakwase, Akokrom, Kwaboanta, Kwaboanta Ada, Ayensuano, Kofi Pare and Agyeikrom.

    Other affected communities include Ayibontey, Otoase, Owusukrom and Krabokese, Teacher Mantey, Amponsahene, Abodzi and Govinakrom.

    Islamic Basic School and Kofi Pare D/A Basic School at Kwaboanta and Kofi Pare communities respectively were also ripped off.

    A 13-year-old girl hit by a flying object at Kofi Pare fell unconscious but regained consciousness after she was attended to by health workers at a CHPs compound in the community.

    According to the Ayensuano District Director of the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, Joseph Okai Gyan, the incidents occurred on April 21st and 26, 2020.

    He said extensive assessments have been done and a full report sent to the Regional Directorate of the Organization.

    “We have completed assessments in the various affected communities and we have sent our report to the Regional Director, Kwame Appiah Kodua, who is working on it to get relief items for the victims”

    Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Ayensuano, Samuel Ayeh Paye has donated 500 bags of cement and 40 packets of roofing sheets and nails to the victims of the first incident.

    The MP has promised to Mobilize enough resources to aid the others but appealed to NADMO to also facilitate relief support for the victims.

    According to the MP, most houses in the communities are old buildings which require renovation to minimize vulnerability to rainstorm and windstorm disasters.

    He also encouraged the residents to plant trees in the community to serve as windbreakers.

     

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Samuel Bioh is my toughest opponent- Christopher Nettey

    Asante Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey has labelled Aduana Stars player Samuel Bioh as his toughest opponent since securing a move to the Kumasi-based club.

    The two faced each other on matchday 11 of the Ghana Premier League and Bioh was the hero, scoring a last minute goal to give Aduana a 1-0 win over the Porcupine Warriors.

    Nettey stated that he had a lot of problems when he met him.

    “I will say Samuel Bioh of Aduana Stars, he is the only player whom I had a lot of problems tackling. He is very quick and a good dribbler.I remember our game against Aduana Stars, he operated from my position and he really gave me a tough time in that game,” he told Sports Afric.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Sudanese model Nyakim, enters Guinness Book of Records for having the darkest skin tone on earth (Photos)

    Sudanese Model, Nyakim Gatwech is the latest on the Guinness Book of Records.

    Gatwech is known for her naturally dark skin color and has been nicknamed the Queen of the Dark.

    Gatwech has faced self-esteem issues and comments from people who promote bleaching to lighten skin color, but learned to embrace her beauty and pigmentation with love and support from her fans.

    Meet Nyakim Gatwech, the lady who has got the 'darkest' skin in ...

    Nyakim Gatwech on Instagram: ““The empowered woman is powerful ...

    Nyakim Gatwech inspires all women of colour through her Instagram ...

    Nyakim Gatwech | Beautiful dark skinned women, Women, Black is ...

    Read Full Story …. nnxblog.com >>> 

  • Ashesi beats University of Ghana, KNUST to be the top school in the country

    Ashesi University has been ranked first in Ghana, ninth in Africa, and among the world’s top 400, in the 2020 Global Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.

    The Impact Rankings measure the actions taken by higher education institutions to realise the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around the world, and contributions to the world’s economic and social well-being.

    Other Ghanaian universities accepted to the 2020 rankings list, were the University of Ghana and the University of Professional Studies, Accra. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, however, did not make it in the rankings.

    Ashesi moved up in the positions, despite an additional 299 universities joining the list, breaking into Africa’s top 10 (from 2019’s joint ranking of 14th place with the University of Ghana and the University of Professional Studies, Accra), and ranked within the top 400 universities on the list of 766 universities from 85 countries.

    Ashesi’s strongest contributions were to the SDG 1 Goal of No Poverty, with the University being ranked 24th globally in their work to end poverty. Other areas of strength for Ashesi, were in contributions to Gender Equality (SDG 5), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

    “We believe that universities are our greatest hope of solving some of the world’s biggest challenges. These rankings prove that traditional barriers to success like (institutional) wealth or research prestige don’t matter when it comes to doing great things for sustainability. It’s clear that universities give us a lot to be hopeful for,” Phil Baty, Chief Knowledge Officer at Times Higher Education noted.

    Ashesi’s overall ranking was driven by contributions to:

    *SDG 1 No Poverty

    *SDG 5 Gender Equality

    *SDG 6 Clean Water & Sanitation

    *SDG 7 Affordable & Clean Energy

    *SDG 17 Partnerships for the goals.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project progressing

    Ghana’s quest to be self-reliant in food production will receive a major boost with the completion of the 2000-hectare Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project (PLBIP) by the end of the year.

    The PLBIP, being implemented under the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, (MoFA) would enable more than 1000 large and smallholder farmers to also crop rice maize and vegetables.

    With the coming on stream of the irrigation facility, the 35-million dollar World Bank-funded, it would be the third-largest irrigation scheme in the country, after the Tono Water Irrigation Scheme in the Upper East Region and the Kpong Right Bank Irrigation Scheme.

    Mr Osei Owusu-Agyemang, the Project Coordinator of GCAP, told the Ghana News Agency that the project was about 65 per cent complete.

    Some of the major works done include the construction of canals, installation of substructures and automation equipment.

    The project, awarded in 2018, involves redesigning and construction of the scheme in a modernised way to make it possible to control how much water is released to the farmers who are expected to pay for the service to ensure sustainability.

    With the digitisation, the project scheme managers would be able to monitor the level of water in the supply canals and the quantity of water that farmers use for irrigation so that they could be charged the appropriate amount of fees instead of basing it on the size of their farms.

    Some farmers had already set up nursery beds to raise seedlings for transplanting, Mr Owusu-Agyemang said.

    “This is a major season for irrigation schemes and so farmers have started cropping,” he said. “This is a piece of good news because this project is promising and farmers will work hard to justify the investment,” he said.

    When asked about marketing, he said there was a comprehensive value chain strategy that would link farmers to markets.

    The farmers would also be trained to employ best agronomic practices and be connected to more markets to increase productivity and generate more profit.

    Mr Owusu-Agyemang stated that GCAP was also undertaking some rehabilitation works at the irrigation facility at the right bank.

    Mr Richard Collins Arku, the District Chief Executive of North Tongu District of the Volta Region, stated that the project would improve the farming activities of thousands of residents in the 21 communities whose major activities were farming.

    The rain-fed agriculture, he said, would soon give way to year-round farming.

    Additionally, farmers would cease to trek long distances to the farm due to the close proximity of the project.

    “Once there is more work that will put money in the pocket and food on the table, the youth will also be discouraged from migrating to the cities,” he added.

    “Already 84 hectares have been handed over to us. We have registered all of them and started the allocation of the land. For a start, each farmer has been given an acre to farm”.

    Working with other commercial farmers, he said, some smallholder farmers would be supported by local farmers with farming inputs to be able to produce crops that would be the off-take by the commercial farmer.

    The government has said the country’s annual rice import bill is a whopping one billion dollars and is determined to achieve sufficiency and produce surplus exports to neighbouring countries in three years.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Trump angers China by warning US may seek damages over virus

    US President Donald Trump suggested he may seek damages from China over the coronavirus pandemic which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread around the world, prompting a furious response from Beijing on Tuesday.

    Beijing and Washington have clashed repeatedly over the outbreak as tensions have soared between the world’s two biggest economic powers.

    “We are not happy with China,” Trump said at a White House briefing Monday. “We are not happy with that whole situation because we believe it could have been stopped at the source.

    “It could have been stopped quickly and it wouldn’t have spread all over the world,” he said, saying there were many options to “hold them accountable”.

    Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay Germany $165 billion in reparations because of economic damage due to the virus.

    Asked if the US would consider doing the same, Trump said “we can do something much easier than that.”

    “Germany is looking at things, we are looking at things,” he said. “We haven’t determined the final amount yet,” Trump said.

    In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman on Tuesday accused US politicians of “telling barefaced lies”, without naming Trump specifically, and of ignoring their “own serious problems”.

    “American politicians have repeatedly ignored the truth and have been telling barefaced lies,” Geng Shuang told reporters at a regular press briefing.

    “They have only one objective: shirk their responsibility for their own poor epidemic prevention and control measures, and divert public attention.”

    Geng said US politicians should “reflect on their own problems and find ways to contain the outbreak as quickly as possible.”

    Tensions and doubt

    There have been nearly a million infections with more than 56,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the United States and the pandemic has shut down huge swathes of the economy.

    In China, the outbreak seems to be under control with no new deaths reported for 13 straight days and the toll standing at 4,633, although several countries have cast doubt over whether the numbers are accurate.

    Trump and his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo angered Beijing last month by repeatedly referring to “the Chinese virus” when discussing the COVID-19 outbreak, although they later appeared to drop the term.

    But a foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing later suggested that it was the US military which brought the virus to Wuhan, prompting angry claims from Trump that China was spreading misinformation.

    Since then the US president has repeatedly attacked China’s lack of transparency and the slowness of its initial response to the outbreak.

    Claims from the US that the virus actually originated in a virology institute in Wuhan with a high-security bio-safety laboratory have also been angrily refuted in China.

    Source: france24.com

  • UK raises alarm over virus-related syndrome in children

    Britain’s health minister said Tuesday he was “very worried” at signs of a coronavirus-related syndrome emerging in children but stressed it needed more research and remained very rare.

    The state-run National Health Service (NHS) issued an alert at the weekend about a small number of children presenting an unusual set of symptoms, including abdominal pain and inflammation around the heart.

    They have required admission to intensive care, according to a report in the Health Service Journal.

    “I’m very worried about the early signs that in rare cases, there is an impact of an auto-immune response in children that causes a significant disease,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told LBC radio.

    He added: “It’s a new disease that we think may be caused by coronavirus and the COVID-19 virus.”

    But Hancock said that while some of the children who have this new disease tested positive for the virus, others had not.

    “We’re doing a lot of research now. What I would also stress is that it is rare. Although it is very significant for those children who do get it, the number of cases is small,” he said.

    The Guardian newspaper reported that there had been at least 12 cases.

    According to the Paediatric Intensive Care Society, the NHS alert warned of common overlapping features of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and atypical Kawasaki disease and blood parameters consistent with severe COVID-19.

    TSS is a serious illness associated with infections while Kawasaki causes blood vessels to become inflamed and is mostly found in children under the age of five.

    The national medical director for NHS England, Stephen Powis, said on Monday it was “too early to say” whether the new disease was linked to coronavirus but the issue was being looked into urgently.

    England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said it was “entirely plausible” that it was linked to COVID-19.

    Children have died from coronavirus but serious complications are rare.

    “Evidence from throughout the world shows us that children appear to be the part of the population least affected by this infection,” said Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

    But he added: “New diseases may present in ways that surprise us, and clinicians need to be made aware of any emerging evidence of particular symptoms or of underlying conditions which could make a patient more vulnerable to the virus.”

    Source: france24.com

  • Ghanaian Embassy in US collaborates with Sonnie Badu for virtual concert

    The Embassy of Ghana in the US has collaborated with UK-based Gospel singer, Sonnie Badu, to organise a virtual concert for Ghanaians.

    The concert dubbed “Ghana Unites Against Covid-19” will be held on Friday, May 1.

    “The virtual concert is a collaboration with the Ghana High Commission in the US. They reached out to me and of course as a son of the nation, it is my duty to respond,” he told JoyNews.

    Sonnie Badu also promised to use the virtual concert to raise funds to help amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • 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 skier 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: Schools start reopening in China’s biggest cities

    Older students in China’s biggest cities are starting to return to school following the coronavirus outbreak.

    Shanghai welcomed back pupils in their final years of middle and high school, while Beijing allowed students preparing for China’s university entrance exam in July to return.

    Schools in other parts of China re-opened several weeks ago.

    Wuhan, the city where the outbreak began late last year, is set to reopen high schools on 6 May.

    The country says it has largely curbed the spread of the disease. China has reported an increase of just 26 confirmed cases since Friday, bringing the total number to 82,830. All coronavirus patients in Wuhan have now been discharged, Beijing says.

    However, there are still fears of a possible second wave of infection, and social distancing measures are being strictly enforced, with students wearing masks and sitting at a distance from each other.

    In Beijing on Monday, some students were met by people wearing full hazmat suits. The Ministry of Education said the capital’s returning pupils would have their temperatures taken on arrival at school gates and must show that they have a “green” code on an app which calculates their risk before being allowed back to class.

    Beijing has still got some of the country’s strictest restrictions in place, including making new arrivals to the city spend two weeks in quarantine.

    In Hangzhou, one headmaster was taking no risks with his young charges. Pictures emerged of the pupils at Yangzheng Primary School wearing specially adapted hats to make sure they didn’t forget to keep their distance:

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Germans don compulsory masks as lockdown eases

    Germans have started wearing facemasks outside the home as new rules come into force to curb the spread of coronavirus.

    The use of cloth masks is now mandatory on public transport and, in most regions, within shops.

    The rules vary among the 16 German states – Bavaria being the strictest, while in Berlin shoppers do not have to wear masks.

    But the authorities are moving very cautiously in easing the lockdown.

    Across the world countries are coming up with their own guidance on mask-wearing. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) advice suggests people should wear protective masks only if they are sick and showing symptoms, or if they are caring for people suspected to have Covid-19.

    It says masks are not recommended for the general public because they can be contaminated by coughs and sneezes, and might offer a false sense of security.

    German media report that mask-wearing is now required in school corridors and when children go on breaks, but not in the classroom. Students sit in class spaced apart and there is more frequent cleaning with disinfectant.

    Students preparing for their school leaving exams are also back in class. Most German schoolchildren are still at home under lockdown.

    The German authorities require mask-wearing at stations and on buses and trains, but not yet on long-distance trains.

    Home-made cloth masks are acceptable; people are not expected to wear hospital-style intensive care masks. These are now on sale in station vending machines and at markets.

    Monday also saw some further easing of the lockdowns in the Czech Republic and Switzerland, while Italy has set out a detailed plan for easing its lockdown which remains one of the strictest in Europe.

    Source: bbc.com

  • COA Herbal Centre must collaborate with FDA to deal with contamination – Pharmacists Forum

    The Pharmacists Forum has called on Prof Samuel Ato Duncan, the Chief Executive Officer of COA Herbal Centre to work with the Food and Drugs Authority to fix the problem of products contamination rather than fight the issue in the media.

    In a statement, the Pharmacists Forum said drug recalls all over the world are in the interest of public health and safety and urged those questioning the authority of the FDA to recall the batches of contaminated products to desist from the practice.

    It said in global standard practice, if even one capsule shows microbial contamination, the company might have to pull the batch off the shelves and if more than one batch is implicated, it would have to pull the entire product from the market.

    “The FDA may even ask for everything to be pulled off the shelves even if one batch was implicated and there is evidence to show failure in the quality assurance system. This is normal practice for all regulatory organizations around the World,” the statement said.

    The Forum said it was wrong for Prof Duncan to go testing samples in labs, which might not necessarily have the needed accreditation for such projects and using the resultant negative result to chastise the FDA.

    It said the ability of a lab to perform tests that produce the accurate, consistent and reliable report is important in such analysis and it is public knowledge that the FDA’s Microbiology lab which performed the test being contested by Prof Duncan is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025-2017 standard by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board/ANAB of the United States of America.

    This means that results from the FDA’s lab can be relied on worldwide, it said.

    Microbial contamination can degrade products or, more concerning, can infect and injure patients.

    According to the US Pharmacopoeia (USP), dietary supplement ingredients should be entirely devoid of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, or Clostridium species.

    Pharmaceutical product recalls occur on a regular basis all around the World and there are stringent conditions for manufacturers to satisfy before such products are allowed on the market again.

    “Also, those who argue that the product should not have been approved initially for sale need to be aware of the protocols/procedures of FDA. Now, when one submits an application to register a product as a food supplement, there is no need for clinical trials,” it said.

    This is a standard registration procedure. Once the active ingredients are known/listed, you get a market authorization after toxicity tests have been done to ascertain safety profiles, adding that the fact that a product has passed such tests did not mean the FDA was done.

    “They have a responsibility to monitor every product on the market. Post-marketing surveillance is the practice of monitoring the safety of a pharmaceutical drug or medical device after it has been released on the market and is an important part of the science of pharmacovigilance,” the statement added.

    It was during one of such monitoring episodes that the FDA detected microorganisms in more than one batch of COA FS and also at the manufacturing plant and immediately notified the company with directions/guidance.

    The FDA has a Safety Monitoring Department that derived their mandate to ensure the safety of regulated products from the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851, Part 7, Section 125.

    The Department is mandated to continually monitor the safety of the products regulated under the Public Health Act 851 by analysis of the adverse effect or event reports and by any other means and take appropriate regulatory action when necessary.

    “Science may not have all the answers to our questions or problems, but we need to allow our institutions to work. The FDA is out to protect the public, and we should allow and support them to do their job,” the statement added.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Two national security personnel, dismissed soldier, 6 others arrested for robbery

    Police in Asankragwa led by the Divisional Crime Officer Superintendent Henry Agbeve have arrested nine persons, including two National Security personnel for robbing miners near Atalla of their gold concentrate.

    The suspects are: Anas Adams, 35 years, a National Security personnel of Jubilee House operations; George Ohene Adjei 56, driver, Jonathan Aryer 28, unemployed; Agyeman Jackson, 29, unemployed and Isaac Okuampah 29, painter.

    The rest are George Osei 35, National Security, Asomdwe park Accra; Patrick Fordjour 29, taxi driver, Kumasi; and Samuel Obeng 35, an allegedly dismissed soldier from the army.

    The Police in a report said the suspects were arrested on Saturday 25 April 2020 on the Asankragwa – Wasa Dunkwa road onboard an unregistered black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado but one Kofi Asante who allegedly led the gang managed to escape.

    A search onboard the vehicle revealed a vehicle number plate with registration number AS 6646-20, gold concentrate in five gallons, 15 mobile phones, various foreign currencies, and four bags in which there were two military uniforms.

    It is alleged that Samuel Obeng wore one of the uniforms bearing the rank of a Sergeant whiles Agyeman Jackson wore one with the rank of a Private.

    Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang arrived at a mining site near ATALLA, about two hours drive from Asankragwa, with some dressed in the military uniforms, subjected some of the workers to beating, handcuffed and tied them with ropes and abandoned them to their fate and robbed them of their gold concentrate.

    After the act, 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 police that the suspects came there to rob them of their gold concentrate.

    The suspects are in custody whilst the vehicle and all other items retained. Meanwhile, the Divisional Commander, Chief Supt Nana Kumi has informed one Col. Opoku (RTD) of National Security, Jubilee House about the arrest and detention of suspects Anas Adams and George Osei both of National Security, Jubilee House Operations.

    Investigations are ongoing.

     

    Source: Class FM

  • Abeiku Santana loses father, James Benjamin Aggrey

    Seasoned Ghanian broadcaster, Gilbert Aggrey, affectionately called Abeiku Santana has lost his father.

    The late James Benjamin Aggrey, 81, was the former Greater Accra Region Head of Disease Control Unit, Ghana Health Service.

    Speaking to The Spectator, Abeiku Santana noted that his father died on April 20, at the Koforidua Government Hospital in Eastern Region after a short illness.

    Mr. JB Aggrey left behind eight children, and a widow, Mrs Comfort Aggrey.

    The “Ekwanso Dwodwo” drive time host on Okay FM, further added that the family would announce measures put in place for a befitting burial in due course.

    Describing his father, Abeiku Santana said, ” he was my philosophy , tutor, who taught me humility, self discipline, and the fear of God among others.

    The host of “Atuu” on UTV, also thanked friends who have reached out to express their support and sympathy in these difficult times.

    Source: Spectator

  • 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League has been tough Caleb Amankwa

    Aduana Stars defender Caleb Amankwa believes that the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League season has been very tough with regards to the outcome of results.

    According to him, it is now difficult to predict the results of matches in the ongoing season as he strongly believes all the 18 clubs are up to the task this time around.

    “I think the league has been tough this season. To me the league has been attractive. So I pray we overcome the deadly disease so we can continue with our matches”

    “It will be a big worry if we stop or cancel the season. My wish is for us to play the league when the disease is over” he added.

    Before the suspension of the league, Aduana Stars were occupying 1st position with 28 points.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • I regret not winning a trophy with the Black Stars Agyemang Badu

    Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has expressed his regret for failing to win the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy with the Black Stars.

    Badu in an interview revealed that his inability to win the continental showpiece with the national team and also not representing Kotoko to the highest level remains his huge regrets.

    The midfield enforcer came close to winning the AFCON trophy in 2010 and 2015 but was just unlucky to lose the trophy to Egypt and Ivory Coast in finals.

    Speaking to Asempa FM, he said, “The two most regrettable aspect of my football career is not representing Asante Kotoko to the highest level, and my failure to win the AFCON trophy with the Black Stars,” he said.

    Badu is currently in loan at Italian side Hellas Verona from Udinese.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • 2019/20 Ghana Premier League has been very competitive – Albert Commey

    Chief Executive Officer for Eleven Wonders Albert Commey Ayittey believes the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League has been very competitive because of the unpredictability of the matches.

    According to Commey, the number of away wins registered in the league added to the performance of the referees makes the league more competitive than previous years.

    Commey was answering questions regarding the competitiveness of the current campaign.

    ” The league I think was very competitive. If you look at the how the team were winning away games you could see the competitiveness of the league. It made it difficult to predict the outcome of games.

    ” Officiating for me was much better than previous years , the referees were on top of their game because they fear being caught and face punishment. So it made the matches more difficult to predict.

    Commey also hailed the media for their effort in promoting the league.

    “The media too have contributed a lot in promoting the league. They have given the premier League much more attention than preview years. So the media coverage has really helped the league.”

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Premier league has been suspended indefinitely due to the outbreak of the deadly virus which has so far infected 1,550 people in Ghana, killing 11.

    Source: happyghana.com

  • Asomah-Cheremeh files GHC10m defamation lawsuit against ASEPAs Mensah Thompson

    Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh has sued the Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson, at an Accra High Court for defamation.

    The Minister is seeking GHC10 million as damages.

    Mr Thompson is alleged to have accused the Minister of extorting monies from illegal miners.

    The writ of summons said on April 13, 2020, by a press statement, Mr Thompson said Mr Asomah-Cheremeh is busily engaging in the extortion of small-scale miners in the Western region amidst the coronavirus lockdown.

    Mr Thompson also alleged that the Minister together with his aide visited several ‘galamsey’ sites in Tarkwa, Wassa Akropong and Asankragwa demanding bribes ranging from GHS10,000 to GHS20,000 from the ‘galamsey’ operators before allowing them to continue their legal activities.

    Mr Asomah-Cheremeh in response said the accusations are “untrue, baseless and have injured his hard-won reputation injuring him and lowering him in the eyes of right-thinking members of the country.”

    He has prayed the court to order the defendant to render an unqualified apology to him through the same medium of publication and retract the defamatory matters.

     

     

    Source: Class FM

  • Fortuna Dusseldorf striker Bernard Tekpetey eyes Black Stars recall

    Fortuna Düsseldorf striker Bernard Tekpetey is working towards a Ghana recall as he attempts to revive his career at club level.

    Tekpetey, last featured for the Black Stars at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and has since failed to hit the ground running.

    The 22-year-old has struggled to replicate his impressive form at Paderborn where he scored 10 goals to help them gain promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2018/19 season.

    He has made only nine appearances for Düsseldorf so far this season.

    According to the former Schalke O4 striker, his chances of breaking into the Black Stars team are bright with a great deal of hard work on his part.

    ”I think the new coach is trying to scout players as well who are dedicated and trying to play more so I think it is a great opportunity for me to try and work hard. With my club side, I have to what I do best to be able to earn his [CK Akonnor] call-up,” Tekpetey told Joy Sports.

    ”At the end of the day, I have to work hard because he is a new coach and everything is open so everyone can get the chance to play.

    ”I need to improve and showcase what I have for the coach to know that I am a good player so he can call me.”

    Source: footballghana.com

  • SubZero is a charity song so any artiste can hop on to relaunch himself Sarkodie

    Rapper, Sarkodie says his subzero song is a Charity song.

    According to him, he did the song so that his colleagues who feel peeved by it will jump on it to relaunch themselves into the music industry.

    He made this known when he spoke to Accra-based OKAY FM.

    He said he did the song for the fans and did not expect it to be played on radio but because of his influence, the song made it way to radio.

    The King of Rap in Ghana said artistes should not wait for their names to be mentioned before they will hop onto it to relaunch themselves into the hearts of the people.

    Sarkodie mentioned that if an artiste wants his name to be mentioned then he/she should see his Manager in Ghana so he can pay for the song to be recorded.

    Source: MyNewsGh.com

  • 2020 3Music Awards scheduled for Saturday, May 2

    The 2020 3Music Awards is taking place on Saturday May 2.

    The virtual event will come live from a location in Ghana’s capital, Accra, to audiences on Joy Prime, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram as well as partner web platforms.

    The event will feature only three physical performance blocks while others will come through virtually.

    Originally scheduled for last month, organizers chose the option of holding it virtually due to Ghana’s ban on gatherings of more than 25 people, as well as social distancing measures.

    To this end, Saturday’s event will feature a handful of working staff and performers.

    Prior to the earlier postponement, the scheme held a successful nominees announcement night attended by leading industry heads.

    The event was followed by the highly successful 3Music Women’s Brunch, which brought together leading figures in the arts, creative and entertainment industry for a day’s thought leadership and honouring session.

    3Music Awards 2020 is presented by 3Media Networks, Pulse.com.gh, Joyfm, Hitzfm, JoyPrime TV, Fantasy Entertainment and EnE Ghana and sponsored by Nasco Electronics.

    Source: Pulse.com.gh

  • My biggest regret is not winning AFCON with Ghana – Agyemang Badu

    Ghana International Emmanuel Agyemang has expressed his regret for failing to win the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title with the Black Stars.

    Badu revealing his two career regrets noted that, the inability to win the continental showpiece with the national team and also not representing Kotoko to the highest level remains his huge regret.

    The midfield enforcer came close to winning the AFCON trophy in 2010 and 2015 but was just unlucky to lose the trophy to Egypt and Ivory Coast in finals.

    Speaking to Asempa FM, he said, “The two most regrettable aspect of my football career is not representing Asante Kotoko to the highest level, and my failure to win the AFCON trophy with the Black Stars,” he said.

    The FIFA U20 World Cup winner says his love for the Reds transcends beyond borders, and it is his desire to play for the club before he retires.

    “I have unfinished business with Asante Kotoko and I know I will one day come back to the club either in a coaching capacity or managerial role, I really love the club.”

    Badu is currently in loan at Italian side Hellas Verona.

    He joined the club on a loan deal from Udinese last summer.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Comply with face mask directive Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has encouraged Ghanaians to comply with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive measures particularly the directive to wear a face mask when social distancing cannot be achieved.

    The President in his 8th address to the nation said the mandatory wearing of face masks by the local government authorities in Accra and Kumasi among others will help to prevent the further spread of Covid-19 in the country.

    “So, let us, on our part, continue to protect further our health workers by practicing social distancing, washing our hands with soap under running water, refraining from shaking hands, and, yes, wearing our masks whenever we leave our homes.

    We should all familiarize ourselves with them, and apply them, as the Regional Coordinating Councils of the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Central Regions are demanding of their residents,” he said.

    He said together, the preventive protocols will prove effective in helping Ghana bend its COVID-19 curve.

    “The doctors and scientists tell us that the virus is transmitted from human contact talking, singing, coughing, sneezing, and, thereby, sending droplets of the virus from one person to another.

    That is why each one of us must adhere strictly to these directives,” he added.

    The president was also contentment that so the public transport like trotros, taxis, and buses are operating with a minimal number of passengers, and that businesses and supermarkets are enforcing the need for social distancing, the use of hand sanitizers, and the wearing of masks for all patrons and staff.

    “I am fully aware of the sacrifices in reduced revenues that all businesses and enterprises are suffering. But I believe we have no option but to sacrifice to defeat this virus,” he said.

    Ghana as at April 26 has recorded 1550 cases of COVID-19 with 11 deaths.

     

    Source: DailyGuideNetwork

  • Coronavirus: ‘Some of our citizens are nation wreckers’ – Oppong Nkrumah

    Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has advised Ghanaians to show patriotism and a nationalistic spirit in the fight against the spread of Coronavirus in the country.

    Speaking in an interview with host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ program Monday, Oppong Nkrumah bemoaned the unpatriotic character of some Ghanaians, who despite the closure of borders, have decided to assist foreigners to use illegitimate means to enter the country.

    He noted that the Police intercepted and arrested some people who passed through the forest with the help of some Ghanaians to gain entry into the country.

    Oppong Nkrumah, revealing that those foreigners apprehended by the Police tested positive for the virus, issued a stern warning to unscrupulous Ghanaians to stop putting the nation at risk.

    “Some of our citizens are nation wreckers. Despite the battle we are fighting, we have some unscrupulous people who because of financial gains or their cruelty or greed for money help foreigners to secretly enter the country through the forest. This fight is our fight and we should all unite to win this battle. Let us stop dishonest behaviour for it won’t help us,” he warned.

    President’s Warning

    “This is the time for sacrifice, so that we do not have to bear a greater cost in the future. Unhappily, there continues to be the worrying news of a few Ghanaians aiding some West African nationals to enter our country illegally, despite the closure of our borders. Even more disturbing is the fact that several of the West Africans, who have been arrested, have later tested positive for the virus.

    “These are unpatriotic acts, and must stop. We cannot continue to allow a few persons, who are motivated by their own selfish, money-making interests, to endanger the lives of the rest of the population. Not only will persons who enter our country illegally be strictly dealt with, but so will Ghanaians who facilitate their entry. As I have said before, being a Ghanaian must mean that we look out for each other,” the President said during his 8th address to the nation on Sunday, April 26.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Ban on tricycle operations lifted in Dormaa-Ahenkro

    The Tricycle (Pragyia) riders at Dormaa-Ahenkro in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region on Monday resumed operations following the temporary lifting of a ban on their operations by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).

    The Bono RCC about couple of weeks ago placed a ban on the use of tricycle for fare paying passengers as a step for the adherence to the measures and observation of protocols by government and health authorities to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the region and country in general.

    The country has so far recorded 1,550 confirmed cases of the COVID-19, with 11 deaths and 155 recoveries with the Bono Region yet to record a confirmed case.

    Though the ban has been lifted, mandatorily a tricycle can pick two passengers at a time while both rider and the passenger must strictly observe all the necessary protocols and measures against the spread of the disease.

    Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Dormaa-Ahenkro, Mr Samuel Yeboah, a Public Relations Officer of Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Ghana, in charge of Dormaa Municipal, Dormaa East and West Districts, said the Association had set up a task force to monitor and ensure strict enforcement of the directives by the riders.

    “Members of the task force who are also riders will be policing to stop any rider caught flouting any of the protocols,” Mr Yeboah said.

    “The task force will confiscate the keys of the rider, alert the executives of the Association, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department and the owner of the tricycle before the necessary sanction is applied to prevent any future breach of the protocols”, he said.

    Mr Yeboah said they were determined to enforce all measures, protocols, rules and regulations to the letter among its members to assist government to fight the COVID-19.

     

    Source: GNA

  • We have what it takes to prevent malaria related deaths – Dr. Peprah

    Epidemiologist at the National Malaria Control Programme, Dr. Nana Yaw Peprah has underscored the need for Ghanaians to take preventive measures against malaria seriously.

    The doctor says malaria is preventable, hence the need for Ghanaians to take the preventive measures seriously and seek early treatment.

    Commenting on the death of some 54 persons in the first quarter of 2020 due to malaria, he said the deaths recorded are unfortunate.

    He challenged the media to dedicate enough time to the fight against malaria because the fight against the disease would not be possible without the support of the Ghanaian media.

    He also called on the private sector and individuals to invest in the campaign against malaria.

    Dr. Peprah appealed to politicians to factor the issue of malaria in their policies.

    He emphasised the point for behavioral change among Ghanaians.

    Ghana has recorded a total of 54 malaria deaths between January and March 2020.

    According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Sixteen of the deaths were among children under five years.

    Additionally, more than one million people tested positive for the disease during the period.

    Commenting on the figure, Dr. Peprah said it is not the best for anyone to die from malaria because we have all the tools to prevent it.

    “We need to ensure that nobody dies of malaria because all the tools are available to prevent it,” he said.

    He said it was important for Ghanaians to observe the protocols by sleeping under an insecticide treated net and to test and confirm the incidence of malaria in their bloodstreams before they took any artemether-lumefantrine (ACT).

    He added that pregnant women were to take all recommended doses of Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) to keep themselves and their unborn babies safe from malaria and also comply with malaria treatment as prescribed.

    Ghana, in the first quarter of the year, has recorded a total of 1,001,070 malarial cases , being nearly half of the 2,346,677 suspected cases, which were tested, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) stated.

    Out of the confirmed cases, 21,201 were children under five years, while 28,764 were pregnant women.

    Furthermore, 42 per cent of the 58,775 admissions due to malaria were among children.

    Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of infected female anopheles mosquitoes, called “malaria vectors.”

    There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species P. falciparum and P. vivax pose the greatest threat.

    In 2018, P. falciparum accounted for 99.7% of estimated malaria cases in the WHO African Region 50% of cases in the WHO South-East Asia Region, 71% of cases in the Eastern Mediterranean and 65% in the Western Pacific.

    P. vivax is the predominant parasite in the WHO Region of the Americas, representing 75% of malaria cases.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Use traditional medicines to treat coronavirus – Presidential aspirant

    A Ghanaian citizen and an independent presidential aspirant, Onipayede Ossom Teye, has appealed to the government to try the use of herbal and traditional medicines in treating the COVID-19 virus.

    Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, Mr. Teye said it was time we explore the role of alternative medicine and traditional remedies in the fight against the Coronavirus.

    To him, Ghana has traditional medicines that can help in treating persons who have tested positive for the virus.

    He believes such a step would help in transforming the herbal and traditional medicine practice in the country.

    The over-dependence on foreign medicines he added has deprived our traditional medicine sector despite their role in contributing to the wellbeing of Ghanaians.

    There is currently no known cure or vaccine for COVID-19.

    Health officials, however, recommend the washing of hands and frequent usage of sanitizers as well as keeping hands off the face.

    Individuals are also advised to consume Vitamin C to boost their immune system.

    Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has submitted 33 herbal medicines for testing.

    The herbal medicines are products from the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM).

    The Deputy Director for the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Dr Alfred Ampomah Appiah, said in addition to the 33 received from the health ministry, it continued to receive more herbal medicines for testing.

    Former President John Dramani Mahama a few weeks ago called for the use of traditional medicine in the fight against the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana.

    “It is time to explore the role of alternative medicine and traditional remedies in the fight against the Coronavirus. Some traditional medicines are known to boost the immune system and can help both in the prevention of people succumbing to the disease and also play a role, a palliative function in the management of persons suffering from COVID-19,” he said.

    John Mahama made the call on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, when he announced the donation of food items to some 20,000 households in areas affected by the partial lockdown.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Woman tests positive for coronavirus after receiving lockdown escapees

    There is fear and panic at Pabi, a farming community near Asamankese in the West Akyem Municipality of the Eastern Region after a 34-year-old woman tested positive for Coronavirus.

    The woman has no travel history but Starr News has gathered that some three family members who fled from lockdown areas returned to the house where she lives some few weeks ago.

    The mother of two on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, visited a CHPs compound in the community after she suddenly fell sick. she was referred to Asamankese Government Hospital where her sample was taken to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research but was discharged home.

    The result of the test which confirmed positive was released on Sunday, April 26, 2020. Health Officials at the West Akyem Municipal Health Directorate through the Assembly Member for Pabi Electoral Area, Gyampo Daniel, located the patient in the community with the result and communicated to her.

    However, the patient has been asked to self-quarantine in the house as Health officials prepare an Isolation centre to admit her.

    Samples of about 10 persons living in the house have been collected for testing.

    Speaking to Starr News, the Assembly Member for the Area, Gyampo Daniel, told Starr News that the Municipal Health Emergency Response Committee has visited the community to sensitize residents on the preventive protocols and to remain calm.

    The Eastern Region has the third-highest confirmed cases of 57, after Greater Accra and Ashanti who have recorded 1,347 and 69, respectively, as of Sunday, April 26, 2020.

    Fanteakwa North, Denkyembour, Akuapem North, Lower Manya Krobo, Nsawam, are known districts in the Eastern Region that have recorded confirmed cases in the Eastern Region.

    The national tally stands 1,550 with 155 recoveries and 11 deaths.

     

    Source: Starr FM