TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Peru to release 3,000 prisoners under virus amnesty

    Peru will release under amnesty about 3,000 prisoners including those who are particularly at risk from the coronavirus pandemic, the justice minister has said.

    The disease has killed at least seven inmates, and infected more than 40 in Peru’s overcrowded prisons along with 26 wardens.

    “We are going to amnesty approximately 3,000 detainees who fall into the groups vulnerable to the coronavirus,” Minister Fernando Castaneda said Wednesday on the ATV channel.

    He said the government would issue a decree on Thursday formalizing the measure.

    Among the prisoners who will benefit from the decision are pregnant women, inmates with children under the age of three, those serving sentences of less than four years, and those over the age of 70 who have not committed serious crimes.

    The amnesty also includes those with just six months left to serve and those who have conditions that increase their risk from the coronavirus.

    Last Friday, two prisoners died in a riot at a jail in northern Peru triggered by fear of the virus after the death of another inmate due to the disease.

    As of Wednesday, Peru had 19,250 coronavirus infections and 530 deaths.

    Source: France24

  • Gospel Beef: You need a new baptism -Cecilia Marfo spits venom at Diana Asamoah

    Musician cum Evangelist, Cecilia Marfo says Diana Asamoah needs to be baptized again. Some weeks ago, Diana Asamoah in an interview called on her colleague, Cecilia Marfo to desist from spitting into the mouths of her congregants in the name of deliverance.

    Her comment did not sit down well with some Christians who thought if she has something against her fellow Christian, she should have gone to her to make it known.

    Reacting to the claims by Diana Asamoah, she said the musician [Diana Asamoah] needs to be baptized again because a good Christian does not speak anyhow like she did.

    She noted that good Christians will not speak ill of their colleagues no matter the circumstances but will rather join forces to push the Kingdom business to a higher height.

    Cecilia Marfo advised Diana Asamoah to focus on spreading the gospel in order to save those who are lost souls rather than talk ill about people because Jesus will be coming very soon.

    Source: MyNewsGh.com

  • SHS WASSCE candidates likely to do 1-year national service Education Minister

    Education Minister, Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, has hinted that final year senior high school students might do a one-year national service programme if the COVID-19 persists and schools remain closed.

    Explaining the need for the programme, Opoku-Prempeh said back in the day, anytime there was a bit of disruption in the academic calendar, the government introduced national service to cater for the disruption and also to keep the students busy.

    Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana and monitored by theghanareport.com, the minister said the government is looking forward to that should schools remain closed.

    Speaking to Paul Adom-Otchere, he said his ministry was relying on the various Electronic Learning platforms (E-Learning) to keep schools running.

    He reiterated the suspension of the West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) across English speaking West Africa due to the threat of COVID-19.

    The West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations is an annual examination written by final year students in senior high schools.

  • Coronavirus pandemic will cause global famines of ‘biblical proportions’ – UN warns

    The world is facing multiple famines of “biblical proportions” in just a matter of months, the UN has said, warning that the coronavirus pandemic will push an additional 130 million people to the brink of starvation.

    Famines could take hold in “about three dozen countries” in a worst-case scenario, the executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a stark address on Tuesday. Ten of those countries already have more than 1 million people on the verge of starvation, he said.

    He cited conflict, an economic recession, a decline in aid and a collapse in oil prices as factors likely to lead to vast food shortages, and urged swift action to avert disaster.

    “While dealing with a COVID-19 pandemic, we are also on the brink of a hunger pandemic,” David Beasley told the UN’s security council. “There is also a real danger that more people could potentially die from the economic impact of COVID-19 than from the virus itself.”

    The WFP had already warned that 2020 would be a devastating year for numerous countries ravaged by poverty or war, with 135 million people facing crisis levels of hunger or worse. Their updated projections nearly double that number.

    When added to the 821 million people already chronically hungry, that scenario would push more than 1 billion people into dire situations.
    The agency identified 55 countries most at risk of being plunged into famine in its annual report on food crises, released this week, warning that their fragile healthcare systems will be unable to cope with the impact of the virus.

    “These countries may face an excruciating trade-off between saving lives or livelihoods or, in a worst-case scenario, saving people from the coronavirus to have them die from hunger,” the report said.

    Ten countries were singled out as particularly at-risk, after housing the worst food crises last year; Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti.

    Most of those countries have so far been spared the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, with the epicenter moving from China to Europe to North America, but the state of their healthcare institutions means even relatively small outbreaks could be devastating. To date, more than 2.5 million cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed globally.

    Source: cnn.com

  • Controversy over ‘India’s first virus fatality’

    Muhammad Husain Siddiqui’s family do not believe he died of COVID-19. His family say he was fine, that he looked good after having spent a month with his younger son in Saudi Arabia.

    But 10 days after returning, he was dead – India’s first official COVID-19 fatality.

    Anxious family members had ferried him between two cities and four hospitals – all had rejected him. He died on his way to the fifth, where he was declared “brought dead”.

    The day after Siddiqui died, authorities announced that he had tested positive for the virus.

    “We still do not believe he died of COVID-19. We haven’t even got the death certificate,” his son, Ahmed Faisal Siddiqui, told me.

    In many ways, the story of his father’s death underlines the chaos and confusion often marring the treatment of COVID-19 patients in India.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Four ways in which poorer economies will suffer

    Economists around the globe are warning the fallout from the pandemic might be the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

    Almost every country on the planet is being affected but developing economies might get hit hardest. They’ll be affected in four distinctive ways:

    * Commodity prices will fall and many developing nations are exporters of those

    * International investment will fall, investors might even pull money out of from developing nations

    * Declining local currencies will make it harder to repay foreign debt if it was taken for instance in US dollars

    * Overseas workers will be earning less, sending back fewer remittances to their families.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Australian billionaire exempt from quarantine

    Since late March, all Australians who return from overseas have been required to spend 14 days in quarantine in hotels – or almost all of them that is.

    Billionaire and media mogul Kerry Stokes and his wife were given an exemption from these quarantine rules on medical grounds by Western Australian police, meaning they could self-isolate in their home rather than be shut up in a hotel room, say local media reports.

    The couple had reportedly returned to Perth from the United States on their private jet two weeks ago.

    WA Premier Mark McGowan had earlier said the quarantine rules applied “for all Australians”.

    However, according to Australia’s Department of Health, it is possible for people to be granted a quarantine exemption on medical grounds on a case by case basis.

    Source: bbc.com

  • New Voters’ Register could start by May – John Boadu

    The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, says the new Voter’s Register is a necessity.

    He believes this is the only way to ensure Ghana has a credible 2020 general elections.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has shelved plans of compiling a new Voters’ Register due to the novel coronavirus.

    Mr Boadu, however, believes that if the pandemic slows down, the Electoral Commission (EC) should be able to devise a means of conducting this exercise by the end of May.

    “There is no way we won’t have a new Voters’ Register, by end of May if the burden comes down then the EC can devise ways of ensuring they do what they are mandated to do in a way that will not put the lives of people at risk”

    The EC initially scheduled April 18, 2020, for the compilation of the new voters’ register ahead of the December 2020 elections but following the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus in the country it was postponed and a new date has not been announced.

    They have on several occasions explained that Ghana needs a new Voters’ Register because it wants to ensure that the register that is used on the election day is more credible and efficient than the existing one hence the need for a new Biometric Voter Management System (BVMS).

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have also voiced their displeasure at the move to compile a new Voters’ register and believe the current register is fit for the purpose.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Oil plunges for a second day on gloomy outlook

    The UK benchmark for oil has fallen by more than 10% to around $16 (£13) a barrel.

    It comes the day after the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the benchmark for US oil, fell below zero for the first time ever.

    The falls are a striking illustration of just how much economic activity has slowed around the world.

    Prices have weakened sharply because of a combination of events triggered by a collapse in global demand.

    The knock-on effect has been a supply glut and a worldwide shortage of storage space for oil.

    On Tuesday energy ministers from the Opec and other major oil-producing countries held an unscheduled conference call to discuss the collapse but did not agree any new measures to cut supplies.
    Storage issues

    “This is an unprecedented demand drop. Nobody in their lifetime has seen anything like this,” said James McNally of Third Bridge Group.

    The collapse in physical demand for crude products like petrol and jet fuel has left storage hubs at capacity or, as one trader put it: “They’re close to the brim.”

    Storage at US oil hub Cushing has already grown to more than 15 million barrels in the past month – and is expected to soon be at capacity for the first time ever.

    “Coronavirus is rewriting the rules of the global economy in front of our very eyes,” said Adam Vettese, analyst at eToro.

    “With oil demand virtually non-existent, this quite amazing sell-off is almost entirely down to fears over storage.”

    Will the price of petrol fall?

    While the price of petrol is linked to the wholesale price of oil, it is driven by competition.

    That means that what motorists pay is not directly linked to crude. Instead, suppliers control the prices they sell petrol at.

    Crucially, a key factor affecting the price of fuel is that the biggest proportion of the money you hand over for a litre of petrol in the UK goes to the government in the form of tax.

    Fuel duty is charged at 57.95p per litre. On top of that, you have to pay VAT at 20% on the cost of petrol.

    Below £1 a litre?

    Could this week’s oil price turmoil see prices drift below £1 for the first time since the late 2000s?

    “In theory, petrol prices could fall below £1 per litre if the lower wholesale costs were reflected at the pumps – but at the same time, people are driving very few miles, so they’re selling vastly lower quantities of petrol and diesel at the moment,” pointed out RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams.

    This means many forecourts will be reluctant to trim their prices any further, he said.

    At the same time, he said, more price pressure on petrol could hit the viability of independent garages, which provided “a vital service in areas where the supermarkets don’t have a foothold”.

    “It would be bad news all round if these forecourts shut up shop for good.”

    Are pump prices fair?

    Since the end of March, the wholesale price of petrol has been around the 16p a litre mark, according to the AA.

    “Add fuel duty at 57.95p a litre, a generous 9p a litre supplier/retailer margin, plus VAT and the average pump price of petrol would normally be around £1 a litre,” said the AA’s fuel spokesperson Luke Bosdet.

    Instead, the average pump price is higher because the retailers say they need to charge 10p a litre more to offset the lower volumes of fuel they are selling, he pointed out.

    Journey levels are at about 40% of normal during the working week, falling to 20% by Sunday.

    This meant those who were still driving were being “overcharged on average by more than a fiver a tank”.

    “I suspect that when the lockdown comes to an end, coronavirus is beaten and driving starts to return to normal, questions will be asked about the fairness of pump prices during the great oil crash of 2020.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: UK inflation hits 1.5% as lockdown begins to bite

    The UK’s inflation rate fell to 1.5% in March, largely driven by falls in the price of clothing and fuel ahead of the coronavirus lockdown.

    The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell from 1.7% in February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

    Clothing stores had offered more discounts as shoppers began staying at home, it said. Falling oil prices also resulted in cheaper petrol prices.

    Economists warn inflation could slide to 0.5% in 2020 as the economy shrinks.

    The ONS’s latest data was collected on 17 March, just before lockdown started on 23 March. But its head of inflation, Mike Hardie, said there were already signs people were spending less in shops and more on necessities such as food.

    The agency said the average price of clothes and shoes fell 1.2% in the year to March 2020.

    It also said average petrol prices stood at 119.4 pence per litre during the month – the lowest seen since February 2019, while diesel stood at 123.8p

    The UK benchmark for oil has fallen to about $16 (£13) a barrel as economic activity has slowed. That is a fall of about 75% since the start of the year.

    Sarah Hewin, senior economist at Standard Chartered bank, told the BBC’s Today programme: “Normally low inflation would be welcomed as it means people have effectively more to spend in the shop but these are not normal circumstances.

    “The fall in inflation, in addition to low energy prices, is an indication of the steep recession we will see in the coming months.”

    Meanwhile, Andrew Wishart at Capital Economics said: “We suspect a larger fall in CPI inflation, from 1.5% to 0.9%, is in store for April as Ofgem [the regulator] lowers the cap on utility bills to reflect past falls in wholesale energy prices.”

    He added that falling employment, consumer caution and lower energy prices could pull inflation “down to just 0.5% in the second half of this year”.
    ‘More help needed’

    CPI remains below the Bank of England’s 2% target for inflation.

    Inflation is one of the main factors that the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) considers when setting the “base rate”. That influences what interest rate banks can charge people to borrow money, or what they pay on their savings.

    In an emergency move last month, Last month it cut rates from 0.25% to 0.1% to support the economy in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. They are now at the lowest level in the Bank’s 325-year history.

    It also said it would increase its holdings of UK government and corporate bonds by £200bn in an effort to lower the cost of borrowing.

    But Melissa Davies, chief economist at Redburn, said the Bank needs to go further: “It will be a volatile ride for inflation over the next year, with negative numbers a possibility followed by a sharp reversal.”

    She added: “More stimulus is needed, with only limited quantitative easing help from the Bank of England and the Treasury’s lending guarantee scheme falling short. Even the furlough scheme is only delaying an inevitable and large spike in unemployment.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • PLAYBACK: Covid-19 update on food security

    Government will Thursday morning update the nations on what it is doing with regards to food security amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    Watch the livestream below:

     

  • Digital video game spending hits record high under virus lockdown

    Spending on digital video games hit a record high $10 billion in March as people stuck at home under coronavirus lockdowns turned to gaming, market tracker SuperData reported on Thursday.

    Money spent on major console games leapt to $1.5 billion in March from $883 million in February, while spending on games played on high-performance personal computers climbed 56 percent to $567 million in the same comparison.

    Console and PC games tend to be popular in Europe and North America where restrictions on going out were ramped up in March due to the pandemic.

    “Individuals are turning to games as a reliable entertainment option during the COVID-19 crisis and are using online multiplayer to keep in touch with others,” SuperData said in a blog post.

    Overall revenue from digital video games for the month was up 11 percent year-on-year, according to the industry tracker.

    Nintendo sold five million copies of its family friendly “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” in March, setting a sales record for the most units of a digital console game sold in a single month, SuperData said.

    The closing of real-world stores due to the pandemic was cited as a factor in gamers purchasing more titles as digital downloads.

    Spending rose 15 percent on mobile games, a lot of them played on smartphones, reaching $5.7 billion in March, SuperData reported.

    Among other leading titles, “Pokemon Go” saw revenue for the mobile game grow 18 percent in March after maker Niantic modified features to make it easier to play without needing to be out and about, according to SuperData.

    New-generation Xbox and PlayStation consoles along with games tailored for the hardware are expected to launch by the end of this year.

    Microsoft has unveiled a name and look for its new gaming console, the Xbox Series X.

    Meanwhile, Sony is readying a powerful PlayStation 5 for market.

    Consoles face a potential threat from the advent of cloud gaming, however.

    Google early this month made its Stadia online video game service free to provide an escape for those hunkered down at home because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Launched late last year, Stadia is crafted to let people access console-quality games as easily as they do email on an array of internet-linked devices.

    “Keeping social distance is vital, but staying home for long periods can be difficult and feel isolating,” Stadia vide president Phil Harrison said in an online post.

    “Video games can be a valuable way to socialize with friends and family when you’re stuck at home.”

    Google is offering free access to Stadia for two months.

    Source: France24

  • UN chief warns that coronavirus poses a risk to human rights

    U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that the coronavirus pandemic is “a human crisis that is fast becoming a human rights crisis.”

    The U.N. chief said in a video message that there is discrimination in the delivery of public services to tackle COVID-19 and there are “structural inequalities that impede access to them.”

    Guterres said the pandemic has also seen “disproportionate effects on certain communities, the rise of hate speech, the targeting of vulnerable groups, and the risks of heavy-handed security responses undermining the health response.”

    He warned that with “rising ethno-nationalism, populism, authoritarianism and a push back against human rights in some countries, the crisis can provide a pretext to adopt repressive measures for purposes unrelated to the pandemic.”

    In February, Guterres issued a call to action to countries, businesses and people to help renew and revive human rights across the globe, laying out a seven-point plan amid concerns about climate change, conflict and repression.

    “As I said then, human rights cannot be an afterthought in times of crisis — and we now face the biggest international crisis in generations,” he said.

    The secretary-general said he was releasing a report Thursday on how human rights must guide the response to the virus and recovery from the pandemic. Neither he nor the report name any countries or parties responsible for human rights violations.

    Guterres said governments must be “transparent, responsive and accountable,” and stressed that press freedom, civil society organizations, the private sector and “civic space” are essential.

    The report said governments also need to take action to mitigate the worst impacts of COVID-19 on jobs, livelihoods, access to basic services and family life.

    Guterres said any emergency measures — including states of emergency — must be “legal, proportionate, necessary and non-discriminatory, have a specific focus and duration, and take the least intrusive approach possible to protect public health.”

    “Emergency powers may be needed but broad executive powers, swiftly granted with minimal oversight, carry risks,” the report warned. “Heavy-handed security responses undermine the health response and can exacerbate existing threats to peace and security or create new ones.”

    The report said the best response is proportionate to the immediate threat and protects human rights.

    “The message is clear: People, and their rights, must be front and center,” Guterres said.

    Source: France24

  • Peru to release 3,000 prisoners under virus amnesty

    Peru will release under amnesty about 3,000 prisoners including those who are particularly at risk from the Coronavirus pandemic, the justice minister has said.

    The disease has killed at least seven inmates, and infected more than 40 in Peru’s overcrowded prisons along with 26 wardens.

    “We are going to amnesty approximately 3,000 detainees who fall into the groups vulnerable to the coronavirus,” Minister Fernando Castaneda said Wednesday on the ATV channel.

    He said the government would issue a decree on Thursday formalizing the measure.

    Among the prisoners who will benefit from the decision are pregnant women, inmates with children under the age of three, those serving sentences of less than four years, and those over the age of 70 who have not committed serious crimes.

    The amnesty also includes those with just six months left to serve and those who have conditions that increase their risk from the coronavirus.

    Last Friday, two prisoners died in a riot at a jail in northern Peru triggered by fear of the virus after the death of another inmate due to the disease.

    As of Wednesday, Peru had 19,250 coronavirus infections and 530 deaths.

    Source: AFP

  • Salma Mumin lits the gram with Sassy bikini photo flaunting her curves & 6-packs

    Whatever actress/entrepreneur Salma Mumin has been doing to her body during the last three weeks when the Greater Accra was on partial lockdown, I am pretty sure her boo will urge her to continue religiously.

    Salma is currently causing a serious stir on her Instagram page because her friends and fans can not believe that she looks this fine despite all the troubles around now.

    In the photo, Salma Mumin decided to flaunt her raw body, curves, cleavage, and shockingly cute-looking 6-packs.

    Check out the stunning photo she captioned: “#staysafe” below

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    #staysafe

    A post shared by Salma Mumin (@salmamumin) on

    Source: zionfelix.net

  • Senior Correctional Centre appeals for amnesty for juvenile offenders

    The Senior Correctional Centre of the Ghana Prisons Service has appealed to the President to grant amnesty to a number of juvenile offenders to enable them observe the social distancing protocol in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Assistant Chief Officer Mr Francis Agbomadzi, the Greater Accra Public Relations Officer, said the facility has a total of 266 juvenile offenders in custody and the number has made it difficult for them to observe the preventive measures.

    Mr Agbomadzi said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

    He said the country is not in ordinary times and since some of these juvenile offenders have learnt their lessons from their past experience it would be appropriate if the President could pardon them to create enough space.

    Some of them have learnt lessons from their past experience due to the number of mechanisms being put in place and this has informed them on the need to avoid crime but to realize their potentials and focus on the future, he added.

    He said with the benevolent donation of some groups and individuals, the Centre now has sanitizers, tissue towels, liquid soaps, Veronica buckets among others to ensure they practice the other precautionary measures but need social distancing also to give them a wholesome approach in the fight against the disease.

    Mr Agbomadzi again appealed to government to increase the GHC 1.80 pesewas feeding per head to enable them feed the inmates properly.

    He advised parents of juvenile offenders not to neglect them when they come into conflict with the law but rather show them love and support.

    He said that is important as the Juvenile Act 658 states that the parent or sibling had to accompany the offender from the court to the centers to help have effective communication with relatives to curtail criminal activities.

    He appealed to philanthropist, corporate institutions and other well-meaning Ghanaians to come into their aid and provide the inmate with food items to boost their immune system to be able to fight the COVID -19 and also control the spread.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana obtains US$500m debt repayment freeze from World Bank

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced that Ghana has obtained a $500-million dollar freeze in debt and interest repayment for the rest of this year from the World Bank.

    The move is part of a broader pan-African effort for debt relief due to the negative impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the President said.

    In his seventh update to the nation on COVID-19, the President said last Friday, African Finance Ministers, led by Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, and his South African counterpart, achieved a nine-month debt standstill from the World Bank for all qualifying members of the International Development Association (IDA), starting from May 1, 2020.

    The total amount for the beneficiaries on the continent is $44 billion.

    “In the case of Ghana, this amounts to a freeze in principal and interest payments for the year, amounting to $500 million,” he explained.

    “This will create greater fiscal space to help make the Ghanaian economy much more resilient.”

    President Akufo-Addo lauded Ken Ofori-Atta, who is leading the continent’s debt relief efforts for his hard work and outstanding leadership.

    He urged him to leave no stone unturned to achieve an even greater and comprehensive debt relief programme for Africa.

    The Government welcomed the three billion Ghana cedis credit and stimulus package from the commercial banks, under the auspices of the Ghana Association of Bankers, with support from the Bank of Ghana, to revitalise Ghanaian industries.

    The stimulus package is to offer financial relief to especially the pharmaceutical companies.

    Additionally, the President said, the one billion United States-dollar- Rapid Credit Facility, secured from the International Monetary Fund, without any pre-condition, and approved by Parliament, would be used to help close the financial gap created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    So far, the Government has allocated a GHc1.2 billion, under the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme, to support households and businesses.
    Out of that amount, GHc280 million would be used to provide food for the vulnerable and free water for all Ghanaians in April, May and June.

    A total of GHc323 million is being used to motivate frontline health workers leading the fight against COVID-19, while a GHc600 million assistance package is for micro, small and medium-scale businesses.

    Additionally, the Government is absorbing the full electricity bills of one million active lifeline customers and granting 50 per cent subsidy to the other categories of power consumers at a total cost of one billion Ghana cedis.

    The President lifted the ban on the three-week partial lockdown of COVID-19 hotspots areas, including Accra, Tema, Kasoa, Greater Kumasi and its contagious districts.

    He, however, maintained the other restrictions, including the ban on public gatherings, public funerals, indefinite closure of schools, closure of the border and urged the strict observance of social distancing.

    Ghana’s case count for COVID-19 now stands at 1,042, with nine deaths and 99 persons fully recovered, after 68,591 sample test results were declared.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: World risks ‘biblical’ famines due to pandemic – UN

    The world is at risk of widespread famines “of biblical proportions” caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the UN has warned.

    David Beasley, head of the World Food Programme (WFP), said urgent action was needed to avoid a catastrophe.

    A report estimates that the number suffering from hunger could go from 135 million to more than 250 million.

    Those most at risk are in 10 countries affected by conflict, economic crisis and climate change, the WFP says.

    The fourth annual Global Report on Food Crises highlights Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti.

    In South Sudan, 61% of the population was affected by food crisis last year, the report says.

    Even before the pandemic hit, parts of East Africa and South Asia were already facing severe food shortages caused by drought and the worst locust infestations for decades.

    Addressing the UN Security Council during a video conference, Mr Beasley said the world had to “act wisely and act fast”.

    “We could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months,” he said. “The truth is we do not have time on our side.”

    In a call to action, he added: “I do believe that with our expertise and our partnerships, we can bring together the teams and the programmes necessary to make certain the Covid-19 pandemic does not become a human and food crisis catastrophe.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Dont increase transport fares Road Transport Operators caution drivers

    The leadership of Road Transport Operators has cautioned transport operators not to increase fares in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

    According to the group, the existing transport fares are to be maintained, urging all operators to adhere to the laid down procedures for the determination of transport fares.

    The directive follows reports that some commercial drivers have arbitrarily increased their fares, a situation which contravenes the Administrative Instrument on the determination of Transport Fares in the country.

    In a statement jointly signed by the National Chairman, Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Mr. Kwame Kuma and the General Secretary of the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC), Mr. Emmanuel Ohene Yeboah, the Road Transport Operators condemned the action of those flouting the regulations guiding the transport business in the country.

    “Such actions are unfortunate and we strongly condemn it”, the statement read in part, stressing that “…there are procedures for the determination of Transport Fares in the country. One of the major items that is considered during a fare review is the price of petroleum products which have seen some reduction since the last Transport Fare increase in September 2019”.

    In furtherance to the caution, the group is urging all transport operators, commuters and the general public to adhere to the precautionary directives on social distancing in all public transport vehicles and terminals since those protocols are still in force.

    Among such protocols are: (1) All passenger-carrying vehicles seating 1-3 passengers on a row shall seat not more than 2 passengers on a row; (2) All passenger-carrying vehicles seating 1-4 passengers on a row shall seat not more than 3 passengers on a row; and (3) All passenger-carrying vehicles seating 1-5 passengers on a row shall seat not more than 3 passengers on a row.

    In addition to that, the Road Transport Operators are urging all those in the commercial transport business to ensure that there is adequate running water and hand sanitizers at all transport terminals to enable passengers, drivers, and conductors to wash and sanitize their hands before boarding.

    “The general public, drivers and conductors are also encouraged to wear a nose mask when boarding”, the statement in part noted.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Netflix gets 16 million new sign-ups thanks to lockdown

    Netflix has seen subscriber numbers surge this year, as lockdowns around the world keep people at home where they want to be entertained.

    Almost 16 million people created accounts in the first three months of the year, the firm said.

    That is almost double the new sign-ups it saw in the final months of 2019.

    However, the streaming service, which is behind some multi-million dollar productions, said shutdowns have halted “almost all” filming around the world.

    And sharp declines in the value of many currencies has meant new subscribers outside of the US, where Netflix is based, are not worth as much to the company as they would have been before the crisis. And that has hurt its international revenue growth.

    Nevertheless, the home-entertainment giant’s share price has climbed more than 30% this year as investors bet on on its ability to benefit from people spending more time indoors.

    Tiger King

    “Netflix is and will continue to be the media company least impacted by COVID-19,” said eMarketer analyst Eric Haggstrom. “Their business is a near-perfect fit to a population that is suddenly housebound.”

    Demand for streaming has been so high that Netflix last month said it would reduce the quality of its videos in Europe to ease the strain on internet service providers. The firm also hired an additional 2,000 customer support staff to handle the increased interest.

    Netflix said some 85 million people had watched its original movie, Spenser Confidential, for at least two minutes – the cut-off it uses for viewing figures. Meanwhile, the documentary series Tiger King reached 64 million households.

    The firm expected to add another 7.5 million members in the three months to the end of June – above analyst expectations. But it warned investors that viewers and growth would decline as governments lift lockdowns around the world.

    “Given the uncertainty on home confinement timing this is mostly guesswork,” it said.

    Netflix said it expects to stick to its release schedule through June and has been acquiring other movies to keep its offering fresh. But it said future membership growth could be hurt by delays to upcoming seasons and shows.

    Paolo Pescatore, analyst at PP Foresight, said production delays would hurt subscriber growth at all streaming companies in coming months.

    “Arguably, Netflix should fare much better with its broad catalogue,” he said.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus should be a means to get closer to Allah – Imam Abubakar

    The Imam of Asuma Banda Airport Mosque Complex has admonished Muslims across the globe to see the COVID -19 pandemic period as a means of getting closer to Allah.

    Imam Abubakar Alhassan said aside from getting closer to God, individuals with means must support the vulnerable during this hard time.

    He said “we should also use this opportunity to invigorate our spirituality and closeness to Allah. We found ourselves in an interesting time. People are suffering all over the world. Globally people are suffering. Locally, people are suffering. Look around and find something for your family members, friends and extend your helping hands to them. Because when you do good, Allah will also do you good and forgive you your sins.”

    Imam Abubakar outlined prerequisites of fasting in Ramadan as “seeking medical check-up, purify one’s heart, reconcile and forgiveness, and seeking knowledge about the fasting. ”

    Fasting in the state of novel coronavirus pandemic under lockdown situation, Imam Abubakar Alhassan urged Muslims to see particular season to be a unique moment for fasting

    “it’s possible this particular Ramadan will be unique in the sense that this congregational prayer we are going to miss them. But we advise each and every one of us to take advantage of this particular lockdown and tell yourself yes, another opportunity has come to perform or observe Ramadan in a unique manner; in your room. You will not go out to have the opportunity of seeing evil things. ”

    The Imam used Quranic verses and Hadith to justify his pronouncements further advised that family members should observe tarawih and tahajud prayers at home, and further continue to abide by all protocols outlined by the government as they are endorsed by Islam.

     

    Source: Mohammed Rabiu Adam, contributor

  • Well be fair in distributing coronavirus funds Sophia Akuffo

    Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has assured the nation that the COVID-19 public trust fund will be transparent and accountable in the disbursement and use of the donations it has received from private individuals and corporate organisations.

    So far, the trust says it has accrued a total of about GHS34 million and is expecting much more in the coming days.

    The 13-member board inaugurated by President Akufo-Addo to solicit support and funding from both the private and public sectors, on Wednesday, 22 April 2020, donated Personal Protective Equipment and an ambulance, among others, to the Ga East Municipal Hospital, the largest COVID-19 isolation centre in the country.

    Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event, the ex-CJ, who is the Chairperson of the board of trustees of the COVID-19 Public Trust Fund, outlined a broad plan on which the trust fund intends to utilise the funds it has received to the benefit of all Ghanaians.

    She said: “I want to assure the public of our commitment to the job that we have been sent to do and we’ll make sure that all the distributions will be made in accordance with the statutes.”

    She noted that once institutions are satisfied, markets across the country will be provided with more Veronica buckets, sanitisers and so on.

    “We want to make sure the resources reach the regions as widely as possible,” she added.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Losing the 2015 AFCON final is more painful than not reaching the WC semifinals – Jonathan Mensah

    Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah says ‘losing the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final’ is the most painful defeat in his football career.

    The Columbus Crew SC captain picked the agonizing defeat to Ivory Coast in 2015 over not reaching the FIFA World Cup semifinal after suffering a penalty shootout loss Uruguay.

    The two defeats haunts every Ghanaian football fan, after having an initiative in both games only to throw it away in bizarre circumstance.

    Mensah was a member of both teams and played an integral role in both games.

    “I will go for the African Cup because, its painful,” he told Owuraku Ampofo of Joy Sports in an Instagram Live interview. “For the World Cup we have been there for three times only with all the greats talents we have had in the past,” he added.

    “We weren’t even born when we had the likes of the other greats that won the African Cup. So I would say we have only been to the world cup three times and we had missed out on the African Cup over 37 years I think, so it would be good to win the African Cup soon.

    “I would say missing out on the African Cup final, because we were leading 2-0 in the penalty shootout then you lose it, that is very painful,” he concluded.

    Ghana has not won the Africa Cup of Nations since 1982.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

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  • Bashir Hayford won’t rule out Asante Kotoko return

    Bashir Hayford has insisted he will not rule out a return to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko.

    The former Medeama coach clinched the Premier League title for the Porcupine Warriors in the 2007/2008 season.

    Hayford is currently unattached after parting ways with the Somalia national team.

    The former Black Queens coach has revealed he will not reject a move back to Kumasi.

    “Yes, I’m a grown-up now but cannot rule out the possibility of coaching Asante Kotoko again. Currently, I’m too matured and ready to take up the mantle when necessary,” he said.

    The veteran coach has applied for the vacant technical director role at the Ghana Football Association.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Coronavirus: ECOWAS leaders hold extraordinary session today

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will today, Thursday, 23 April 2020 hold an extraordinary session to deliberate on the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 on its member states and the current state of the virus in the West African region.

    The meeting is scheduled to be held via video conference. The meeting follows an extraordinary summit on the deadly virus by Ministers in charge of Finance and governors of the various Central Banks of member states held on Tuesday, 21 April 2020.

    Fifteen member states have so far recorded 5,774 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 1,616 recoveries, 147 deaths with 4,011 active cases.

    Nigeria recorded the first case in the sub-region on Thursday, 27 February 2020 while Sierra Leone was the last country in West Africa to report a case.

    Financially, ECOWAS with assistance from international partners has supported member states with funds to acquire equipment and medical supplies to aid in the fight against COVID-19.

    It also distributed Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) to member states while the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has said, as part of efforts to supplement what the various West African countries are doing by themselves to fight COVID-19, it is sourcing ventilators to support critically ill patients for distribution across the sub-region.

    WAHO, in a statement released on Wednesday, 1 April 2020, said it has “distributed over 30,000” diagnostic COVID-19 test kits to the 15 ECOWAS member states and “these were the first testing kits received by most of our countries, and we are also currently distributing 50,000 specimen transportation kits, 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE), and some medications to member states.”

    Meanwhile, “many states have received their allocation of diagnostic kits, but all the other support is expected to be delivered to the countries by DHL between 30 March and 7 April. We have placed orders for more diagnostic test kits and PPEs which we expect to arrive within the next 2 weeks.”

    WAHO also indicated that in addition to the above, it is “sourcing for ventilators which are equipped for supporting the breathing of severely ill patients in hospitals to distribute to countries”, as part of efforts to supplement what individual countries are doing by themselves.”

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Dunkwa-On-Offin small scale miners support fight

    The Dunkwa-On-Offin District Small Scale Miners Association has donated quantities of protective items to the government hospital in the town to support the fight against COVID-19.

    The items which included; face masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, Veronica buckets, soaps and others, are to support the health workers and other frontline staff in the fight against the virus in Dunkwa and its surrounding communities.

    Mr Benjamin Anna, Vice Chairman of the Association, who made the presentation, said it was the contribution of members towards the prevention of the spread of the virus in the area.

    He said the government was doing its best and there was the need for all to support the government to halt the spread of the virus in the country.
    Mr Anna appealed to Ghanaians to obey all the preventive protocols and restrictive measures outlined by the government to help stop further spread of the virus in the country.

    Dr. Abraham Matey, Medical Superintendent of the Dunkwa Government Hospital who received the items thanked members of the association and said they had come at an opportune time to support health workers in the discharge of their duties.

    He said staying indoors was important to avoid contracting the virus and called on the people to abide by the preventive measures to stay safe.
    Madam Cecilia Asiamah, Women’s Organiser of the Association appealed to market women to adhere to the social distancing protocol to prevent themselves from catching and spreading the virus.

    She also urged the hospital workers to use the PPE effectively for their own safety and that of their families.

    Source: GNA

  • How the life of a widow with 4 kids changed overnight

    The life of a widow with four children, identified only as Angela, has totally turned around after receiving a hefty donation from Crime Check TV.

    Angela, prior to the support, had been residing in an uncompleted building. Her plight came to light during a door to door donation campaign by newsmen.

    Upon interrogation, she revealed she was the sole caretaker of her four children she bore with her deceased husband, making life a living hell for her.

    With only GH¢100.00 capital, which is not enough to take care of her kids till the month ends, Angela and her children slept on an empty stomach almost every night.

    However, after her story made its way to the news, an appeal for fund was championed by Crime Check TV to improve the plight of the needy widow, and funds kept trooping in from persons home and abroad.

    Weeks after she was first met, Crime Check returned with an envelope full of money amounting to GH¢ 21,138.00 from 44 donors. She could not believe her eyes.

    The expression on her face when she received the fund was that of joy and excitement till tears dropped from her eyes.

    Watch video below:

     

    Source: crimecheckfoundation.org

  • Asante Kotoko GM Coker unsure about Dr Kyei’s future, awaits Manhyia verdict

    Asante Kotoko General Manager, Yves Nana Gyambibi Coker, sounds uncertain over the status of Executive Chairman Dr Kwame Kyei as he awaits a final decision from Manhyia.

    Dr Kyei’s future was speculated on Wednesday after the businessman was asked to submit his report for his three-year tenure.

    The Asantehene, who is the owner of the Ghanaian giants, would normally ask the leader of the administration to submit the report before a new leader is asked to run the club.

    Coker insists his boss will be given the all-clear to continue his stewardship because of his good works.

    ”I see nothing wrong with Manhyia’s statement, to me, it is refreshing following things going on in the airwaves. We should all wait and see what Manhyia is about to do. Manhyia follows everything going on at Kotoko,” he told Kumasi based OTEC FM.

    ”Looking at the statement, Manhyia will take decisions based on the report sent by Dr. Kwame Kyei.

    ”We will all see the need for why Manhyia took those steps after the investigations.

    ”I believe Manhyia is on course because no one can question the great King.”

    A press statement signed by Chief of Staff of Asantehene, Kofi Badu, confirmed a committee has been set up to look into the current problems bedevilling the club.

    The Ad Hoc has been tasked to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the club’s transactions [Emmanuel Clottey] with the Tunisian club Esperance which resulted in the FIFA ruling and subsequent transfer of another Asante Kotoko SC player [Kwame Bonsu] to the club.

    And also Investigate the failure of Kotoko to meet its regulatory obligation for the Premier League license.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Sylvester Asare Owusu to head Manhyia’s ad hoc committee on Kotoko

    Former Asante Kotoko chairman, Sylvester Asare Owusu, is to head the committee tasked to investigate the administrative malaises at the club, GHANASoccernet.com understands.

    This was after Manhyia Palace announced on Wednesday that Executive Chairman Dr.Kyei has submitted his report after the end of his three-year tenure.

    Owusu, who was installed chief of Bantama in 2016 under the stool name Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, will head the committee who have four weeks to submit a report and advise Manhyia on the way forward.

    A statement signed by the Chief of Staff of Asantehene, Kofi Badu, said the committee has been tasked to :

    Investigate all the circumstances surrounding Asante Kotoko Sporting Club’s transactions with the Tunisian club Esperance which resulted in the FIFA ruling and subsequent transfer of another Asante Kotoko SC player to the club.

    Investigate the failure of Asante Kotoko SC to meet its regulatory obligation for the Premier League license.

    Nana Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI is regarded as one of the most successful after winning the Ghana Premier League in 2003 after a ten-year trophy less run.

    He returned to the Porcupine Warriors again in 2007 as chairman of the club and steer them to win another league triumph in the 2007-08 season.

    In 2009, he was handed a five-year ban from all football activities after a committee being found guilty for his role in a the Kumasi Stadium Disaster which claimed the lives of four fans.

    It was a Super Clash match between Kotoko and perennial rivals Hearts of Oak.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

     

  • Ghana striker Patrick Twumasi discloses Italy & Germany interest

    Ghana forward Patrick Twumasi has claimed there are several clubs from Germany and Italy keen to sign him in the upcoming summer transfer window.

    The 25-year-old Ghana international endured a difficult spell at Deportivo Alaves before really coming into his own following a loan move to Turkish side Gaziantep FK last summer.

    Twumasi still has two years to go on his current deal with the Spanish club but has not closed the door on moving again after revealing interest from Italian and German clubs.

    “For now am on loan here (Gazi?ehir Gaziantep), I still have a contract with Deportivo Alaves but I have received some offers,” he spoke with TV3.

    “It is up to my agent to discuss with the Club who are interested in me and see the best offer for me.”

    “There are lots of Clubs from Germany, Italy and in Turkey here who have all expressed their interest, but for now am here so I have to ensure I do all my best for the club then after we so what happens.”

    He is the second top scorer for the side after plundering five goals xx games before the Turkish Super Lig was halted due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Nine arrested in Akatsi North for attempting to cross Ghana-Togo border

    Nine persons including two Ghanaians and seven Nigeriens have been arrested by the Akanu Command of the Ghana Immigration Service in the Volta Region for attempting to cross into neighbouring Togo using unapproved routes.

    The two Ghanaians were said to be leading the Nigeriennes who were travelling from Ashiaman but were all rounded up at Yegbekorpe, a village in the Akatsi North District.

    Information available to Starrfm.com.gh indicates that all eight motorbikes being used for the journey have been handed over to the Ave-Dakpa police station, while the two Ghanaians have been detained for further action.

    The Niger nationals, however, have been allowed to travel back to Ashiaman.

    About a week ago, some other 22 persons were also arrested in the district for attempting to cross into Togo.

    The 22 according to sources, have been sent back to Akatsi, where they were travelling from but had their motorbikes ceased by the police at Ave-Dakpa.

    The usage of illegal routes along the Ghana-Togo border has seen an insurgence since the closure of the main entry points; a situation many consider as a threat to curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Residents of Abokobi Boi leaving in fear after mysterious killing of two Okada riders

    Residents of Abokobi Boi a suburb of Accra say they are leaving in fear following the killing of two Okada riders in the space of four months.

    They suspect these killings were carried out by land guards and have called for regular police presence and also fixing of enough street lights.

    They have raised huge concerns over growing insecurity in the area after the second Okada rider was killed on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

    The rider who is in his early 30s was murdered at dawn to add to the numerous crimes in the area.

    Some residents who spoke to Joy News say they are leaving in fear and want the authorities to beef up security in the area as their lives are in danger.

    An Okada rider said: “They killed a motor rider here just last Tuesday so we have agreed not to work after 6:pm, he was killed with blocks and his ear was cut off when it is 6:pm now, I park the bike and no matter the what you offer me I want go”.

    Some of the residents also said they have noted some similarities in the two attacks as the killers usually steal the motorbikes.

    Even though Ghana is battling with COVID-19 currently, there is a growing security concern as well.

    Some people have taken advantage of the fact that many people are currently home to rob those they come into contact with at night mostly at gunpoint.

    Last month there was a murder incident that sparked huge outrage in the Volta Region.

    An Assemblymember, Marcus Mawutor Azahli, a mobile money merchant in Sogakope, was shot and stabbed to death at his residence, while some unknown amount of money contained in a safe was stolen.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Ursula Owusu donates items to Ablekuma West constituency

    As part of efforts to support the vulnerable in the Ablekuma West Constituency during COVID -19 pandemic, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has for the third time since the imposition of the partial lockdown donated assorted food items to her constituents.

    The food relief items donated to various traditional authorities and the fishing community in the Ablekuma West Constituency include bags of Rice, Cooking Oil and other essentials.

    The Gbegbe, Gbegbeyise, Mpoase, Mamponse, Opetekwei and Glefe palaces are among beneficiaries. The legislator had earlier visited the Tunga and Nasrawa Chiefs where similar donations were made.

     

    The Chiefs expressed gratitude to Mrs Owusu-Ekuful for the special care she has shown the people in this very difficult period. They assured her that the items will be distributed to the underprivileged in their Communities and entreated her to stay in constant touch with the people in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Sucessful testing regime and controls inform lifting of lockdown – Akufo-Addo

    Ghana’s aggressive and successful tracing and testing capacity and other control mechanisms have informed the lifting of the partial lockdown on Accra, Kumasi and Tema.

    So far, 1,042 persons, representing 1.5 per cent in excess of 60,000 tested for COVID-19, have been confirmed positive, with 67,549 (89.5 per cent), testing negative, with 99 persons recovered and discharged.

    In a national televised address, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo indicated that 930 persons who had been isolated were responding to treatment either in their homes or in treatment facilities and that they would later undergo the mandatory two tests to determine their status.

    He attributed the reason for the increase in the number of confirmed cases over the last three weeks, to the decision taken by the government and the health authorities to aggressively trace and test all contacts of infected persons.

    This, he said, had enabled the authorities to identify and isolate infected persons, protect the population from further infections, and better contain the spread of the virus.

    Ghana has since its first two record cases of COVID-19 infections on its shores, traced a total of 86,000 contacts, and tested samples of 68,591, leaving a backlog of about 18,000 persons whose test results are yet to be received.

    The West African country’s success rate also made her the only other country in Africa to have conducted more than 60,000 tests, and “we are ranked number one in Africa in administering of tests per million people.

    The President stated that the decision by the government to impose restrictions on movement was backed by the data at hand, and that it’s next course of action, again, was backed by the statistics available as well as science.

    “Indeed all that the government is doing is intended to achieve five key objectives-limit and stop the importation of the virus; contain it’s spread; provide adequate care for the sick; limit the impact of the virus on social and economic life, and inspire the expansion of our domestic capability and deepen our self-reliance,” he said.

    He, however, urged the public not to be complacent about the country’s efforts and achievements so far in containing the community spread of the virus to a large extent.

    He said the numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 would still go up due to the effective contact tracing which was still actively on-going in all the other areas across the country.

    The President encouraged the public to continue to adhere to all the safety and hygiene protocols, especially maintaining social distancing of at least two meters, regular handwashing with soap under running water, or use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser, having good nutrition, exercising and avoiding stress.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus testing: 100 TB Gene Experts labs being recalibrated

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, efforts are underway to recalibrate 100 Regional and District Tuberculosis Gene Expert Laboratories to ensure that each region has a minimum of one testing centre for COVID-19.

    He explained the enhancement of the capacity to test had been made possible by the dedication of the expanded teams at Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, and the National Public Health Reference Laboratory.

    The President made the announcement in a national broadcast to give his seventh update on measures taken against the spread of COVID-19.

    Additionally, he announced that investments were being made to expand the use of PCR Technology in some facilities for enhanced testing.

    “We are making significant investments in the laboratories at the Veterinary Laboratory, Accra, the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory, Accra, the Police Hospital, the 37 Military Hospitals,” he stated.

    “The rest are the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, the Veterinary Services Department in Sekondi-Takoradi, the Public Health Laboratory in Tamale, the War Memorial Hospital in Navrongo and the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, so they can also use PCR Technology.”

    On treatment, the President said the Government had expanded and added to the network of COVID-19 treatment centres, with the Ga East and the Bank of Ghana Hospitals being 100 per cent dedicated to the fight.

    “Last Friday, I was honoured to do the virtual sod-cutting ceremony for the construction of a 100-bed Infectious Disease and Isolation Facility at the Ga East Municipal Hospital, which is being funded through a public-private partnership, under the leadership of the Ghana COVID-19 Private Sector Fund,” said.

    “The construction, with the assistance of the 48-Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, will be completed in six weeks.

    “Members of the Private Sector Fund have, indeed, acted like citizens, and not spectators, in these testing times for our country, and their patriotism is to be loudly praised.”

    Other centres are at the University of Ghana Medical School Hospital, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi South Hospital, and in other designated Regional and District Hospitals.

    The Government had also scaled up the domestic production of Personal Protective Equipment with health care facilities, so far, taking delivery of 14,550 scrubs, 11,900 gowns, 19,980 headcovers, 263,281 nose masks and 13,002 N-95 nose masks.

    They have also received 41,117 varying sizes of locally produced sanitizers.

    With other measures also put in place, he, therefore, announced the lifting of the three-week restriction on movements in the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan areas and contiguous districts, effective, Monday, April 20.

    He, however, urged Ghanaians to continuously adhere to the safety and social distancing protocols to contain the spread of the disease.

    Source: GNA

  • COVID-19: 8,000 frontline police officers ordered to self-quarantine

    Some 8,000 frontline police officers in the fight against COVID-19 have been directed to self-quarantine.

    As part of efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in Ghana, the government placed a ban on public gatherings and partially locked down the Greater Accra and Kumasi Metropolitan areas.

    These measures were enforced by the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces.

    The Director of Public Affairs, Ghana Police Service, Supt. Sheila Kessie Abayie-Buckman in a Citi News interview disclosed that about 8,000 personnel of the service have been asked to self-quarantine.

    “The prime object of the Police is for the Police officers to be well before we can carry out our duties. So for Accra, Kumasi, Tema, and Kumasi, we are looking at not less than 8,000 officers to self-quarantine.”

    She further disclosed that the Police Hospital has begun taking their samples for testing by the institutions capable of running the test.

    “The Police Hospital has begun taking their samples but the samples are not tested by them but they have a strategy to take their samples. The Police Hospital has its headquarters in Accra but it still has a lot of regional clinics all across the country,” she added.

    Total arrests during lockdown

    She further disclosed that a total of 810 people were arrested by the Ghana Police Service during the partial lockdown of some parts of the country.

    “The number of cases in the court stood at 127 and the number of persons involved in these cases was 810 so out of these, 458 were granted bail by the various courts and the people who were convicted stood at 54. I am sure you heard about the conviction of people who were throwing a party yesterday. So these are part of those arrested,” she said.

    Lifting of partial lockdown

    President Nana Akufo-Addo lifted the lockdown at 1 am on Monday, April 21, 2020.

    Ghana currently has 1,154 confirmed cases with 120 recoveries and nine deaths

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • The CSM epidemic equally demands urgent attention Togbe Afede

    Togbe Afede XIV, the President of the National House of Chiefs, has donated a cash amount of GHC 50,000 to the Upper West Regional Hospital to support the fight against Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM).

    The donation is to serve as seed money for the establishment of a fund to support local research towards the development of a vaccine for the treatment of CMS and the procurement of emergency medical supplies to support the delivery of quality and timely services to patients receiving treatment for suspected CSM-related cases.

    “GHC 30,000 serves as seed money to establish a fund to support local research towards the development of a vaccine for the treatment of CMS, while, GHC 20,000 goes into the procurement of emergency medical supplies to support the treatment for suspected CSM-related cases”.

    In a speech read on his behalf by Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton IV, President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, who presented the cheque from Togbe Afede, said recent television footages and news coverage of the lethal effects of CSM, which has been wreaking havoc on our Upper West Region compatriots, have sent shivers down my spine and that the donation was his widow’s mite to support their bid to mitigate the effects of the CSM menace.

    He said it has been reported that, as of April 15, 2020, a total of 409 cases CSM has been recorded from the 5 northern regions, with Upper West alone accounting for 258, adding that, “so far, CSM, which has a high fatality rate, has claimed 40 lives, this is truly devastating.”

    Togbe Afede, who is also the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State said: “While we, as a nation, are busily battling COVID-19 pandemic which has taken 9 lives so far, with all the energy and resources we can muster, the CSM epidemic should also be given the needed urgent attention, and treated with all the seriousness it deserves.”

    He implored the Ghana Health Service to, as soon as possible, declare the outbreak of CSM a national health emergency, adding that, there should be a concerted national action plan to support the people of the northern regions to bringing this deadly disease under control.

    “We must mobilize national support against CSM now. Government and our development partners, as well as the corporate community should support research towards the development of a vaccine for the treatment of CMS.”
    The NHC President urged victims and people with suspected cases of CMS to report early at the hospital for timely treatment.

    He prayed that more help arrives sooner than later to support the hospital in these difficult times.

    Dr Afreh Osei Kuffuor, the Regional Director of Health Services, who received the cash donation on behalf of the Regional Minister, thanked the NHC President for his support in the fight against CSM.

    He said several calls have been sent out for benefactors and philanthropists to come to the aid of the region to combat the challenge, “I am happy Togbe Afede has come to the rescue of the Regional Hospital and I am assuring him that the money would be used for its intended purpose.”

    Source: GNA

  • New paramount chief enskinned for Tuluwe traditional area of Gonja

    A New Paramount Chief of the Tuluwe Traditional Area of Gonja, Tuluwewura Soale Mbema Borenyi has been enskinned at a colourful ceremony at Tuluwe in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah Region on 21st April, 2020.

    The beauty of Gonja Custom and Tradition was exhibited by the people of Gonja and Tuluwe in particular during the enskinment of the new Tuluwewura.

    The Tuluwe skin of Gonja Kingdom became vacant after the demise of Tuluwewura Mahama Suleimana Bonyanso on 5th March, 2020.

    Before his enskinment the Tuluwewura (then Bundawura) was presented to the King and Overlord of Gonja Yagbonwura Tuntumba Boresah (I) on Monday 6th April, 2020 by at the Jakpa Palace in Damongo.

    The newly enskinned Tuluwewura was first enskinned as Jakpaseriwura from where he moved to the Timanklanwura skin to Kachinakowura and finally got to the Bunda skin in 2011 and subsequently enskinned as the Paramount Chief of the Tuluwe Traditional area. The Bunda Skin of the Tuluwe Traditional area is the entry gate of Tuluwe. When one gate takes over the Tuluwe skin, the other takes over Bunda and whoever becomes Bundawura is the heir apparent to the Tuluwe skin.

    The Tuluwe Traditional area of Gonja has two gates, that is, Latepe and Jewupe.

    The newly enskinned Tuluwewura is from the Jewupe gate. Members of the Jewupe gate usually live in Chama and those from the Latepe gate live in Tuluwe but Tuluwe town remains the headquarters of the Tuluwe division of Gonja.

    The Tuluwe Skin of Gonja is one of the five divisional skins that ascends the Yagbon Skin of Gonja. The rest Wasipe, Kpembe, Bole, and Kusawgu.

    Source: nkilgifmonline.com

  • West Gonja: Poacher shoots Mole National Park ranger

    An alleged notorious Poacher from the Larabanga Community in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region, Saaka Karim has allegedly shot a Ranger of the Mole National Park inside the park.

    The Mole National Park Ranger was rushed to the hospital and is in a critical condition.

    Saaka Karim who is said to be about 28 years was pursued by other Rangers of the Park and arrested inside the park after the act. He was arraigned at the Tamale District Court on 21st April, 2020 court and is on Police remand awaiting trial.

    Unconfirmed reports picked by Bole based Nkilgi FM says Saaka Karim in 2018 killed two elephants that strayed closer to the Larabanga Community which is close to the head office of the Mole National Park at Samole.

    Source: nkilgifmonline.com

  • ‘Planet’ disappears from sight prompting surprise and suspicions that it never actually existed

    What was thought to be a planet beyond our solar system appears to have disappeared, astronomers say.

    And the unexpected behaviour has led them to conclude that what they thought was a distant world never actually existed at all.

    Instead, astronomers think that the phantom planet was actually a cloud of dust left in the aftermath of a cosmic collision that has since billowed out so much that it is now invisible.

    When the exoplanet known as Fomalhaut b was first discovered, in the mid 2000s, it made history as one of the first worlds outside of our solar system to be seen directly. Researchers had previously mostly inferred the existence of planets through their effects on stars or their shadows as they moved in front of stars, but this suspected planet was seen through numerous years of observations from Nasa’s Hubble Space Telescope.

    But astronomers now think that those observations were actually the result of two icy bodies smashing into each other. When they did, they left behind a cloud of fine dust particles that was visible through space and it was that which was mistaken for another planet by astronomers on Earth, 25 light years away.

    Though the discovery means that the original discovery appears to have been mistaken, it also opens up an entirely new and perhaps more surprising kind of discovery, in seeing such a crash. The Hubble images might not show a planet but do show the aftermath of the suspect collision, allowing researchers a new phenomenon to research.

    “These collisions are exceedingly rare and so this is a big deal that we actually get to see evidence of one,” said Andras Gaspar, an assistant astronomer at the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory and lead author of the new paper. “We believe that we were at the right place at the right time to have witnessed such an unlikely event with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.”

    The discovery might help shine a light not on where planets exist but how they stop existing, when they destroy each other.

    “The Fomalhaut star system is the ultimate test lab for all of our ideas about how exoplanets and star systems evolve,” said George Rieke, a Regents Professor of Astronomy at Steward Observatory. “We do have evidence of such collisions in other systems, but none of this magnitude has been observed in our solar system. This is a blueprint of how planets destroy each other.”

    The scientists whose research is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences came to the conclusion after spotting a variety of unusual characteristics of the supposed exoplanet. The fact it could be seen in visible light was strange, given that any exoplanet should be too small to reflect enough light to be seen; on the other hand, its heat could not be seen in infrared, but researchers expected any planet would be warm enough to shine that way.

    Initially, those supportive of the existence of the planet argued that it could have a shell or ring of dust surrounding it from a crash. But new images helped argue that the planet did not exist at all.

    Hubble images from 2014 showed the planet had disappeared entirely. Before that, it had faded away.

    “Clearly, Fomalhaut b was doing things a bona fide planet should not be doing,” said Gaspar.

    Instead, the new paper proposes that the planet was actually the slowly expanding dust from a long ago collision that sent dust billowing into space. It gradually disappeared as the debris cloud expanded to be so large that it could no longer be seen, and scientists now suspect that it would be a size larger than the orbit of Earth around the Sun.

    Source: .independent.co.uk

  • Wakaso trains with ‘big bro’ Sulley Muntari

    With the footballing world being plunged down into darkness and sport in general across the globe being postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak, players and fans alike have been forced into isolation.

    But even though footballers are not allowed to play football, they are still trying to keep in shape as best as they can and the same goes for Mubarak Wakaso and former Ghana international Sulley Muntari.

    Wakaso has been in the country for quite sometime as the start of the Chinese Super League has been delayed amid the coronavirus crisis.

    The Jiangsu Suning midfielder has however been keeping himself fit during the turbulent period as he shared a photo of himself and Sulley Muntari relaxing after a morning workout.

    The 30-year-old defensive midfielder signed a three year contract with Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning after his two-and-a-half-year spell in the Spanish La Liga with Alaves.

    Meanwhile, Muntari is currently without a club after leaving Spanish outfit Albacete in 2019.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • I will be happy if Thomas joins Arsenal- Jacob Partey

    Thomas Partey’s father, Jacob Partey, has confirmed that Arsenal has been in contact with his son’s agent and added that he hopes the Ghanaian midfielder joins the Gunners when all is said and done.

    The 26 year old has been a subject of many transfer speculations with Arsenal said to be the main club interested in signing him.

    Mikel Arteta believes Partey will be a major boost to his midfield setup.

    In an interview with Tru FM, Jacob expressed how much he would want his son to join the Premier League club.

    “I called my son after hearing the rumours and he told me that the rumours are true. He told me they are holding talks between him and Arsenal. It all depends on the offer Atletico are demanding.”

    “If he goes to Arsenal fine, they have a lot of supporters in Ghana. I will be happy if he decides to move to Arsenal. What they are discussing now is how Atletico will release him.”

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • Kwame Kyei sacked as Kotoko Executive Chairman

    Dr Kwame Kyei’s tenure as Executive Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko has come to an end, Manhyia Palace has reported.

    The Chief of Staff of Asantehene, Kofi Badu, confirmed in a press statement that the business mogul has submitted the report of his stewardship for the past three years to palace.

    Excerpts of the statement read: ”The Executive Chairman of the club, Dr. Kwame Kyei, has submitted the report of his administration for the three years of his mandate.

    ”The report is being evaluated for the consideration of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, and an announcement will be made in due course on the future.”

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Otumfuo sets up committee to investigate Kotoko judgement debt scandal

    Asante Kotoko owner and life patron Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has set up a committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the award of a gargantuan judgement debt against the club.

    The Porcupine Warriors have been saddled with a $240,000 FIFA fine for breaches in their contract with former Esperance striker Emmanuel Clottey.

    The judgment debt has sparked outrage and led to a massive confusion at the club.

    Accusations and counter-accusations have dominated inches in the Ghanaian media between past and present management members of the club.

    However, the club’s owner Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has set up a committee to investigate the matter and other troubling issues confronting the club.

    They have four weeks to submit its report to the King of the Ashanti kingdom.

    “Investigate all the circumstances surrounding Asante Kotoko Sporting Club transactions with Tunisian Club Esperance which resulted in the FIFA ruling and the subsequent transfer of another Asante Kotoko player to the club.”

    “To investigate the failure of Asante Kotoko SC to meet its regulatory obligations to the Premier League licence.”

    The tenure of the club’s Executive chairman Kwame Kyei has come to an end, Manhyia Palace has reported.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Anderlecht ready to sell Jeremy Doku – Reports

    Anderlecht have decided to sell their prized winger Jeremy Doku but will only sanction the sale if the right offer comes along, footballghana.com can exclusively report.

    The 17-year-old has been tracked by a number of top clubs in Europe, including Liverpool, who see him as an exciting future addition to their squad.

    Footballghana.com understands that Anderlecht will not think twice on accepting an offer for Doku if one comes in as they seek to reap financial rewards from their biggest youth prospects.

    Yari Verschaeren, an 18 year old and Albert Sambi Lokonga, a 20 year old are also believed to have the same caveat on them.

    Doku is currently self isolating due to the coronavirus which has halted the Belgian Pro League.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Government must come to the aid of clubs – Bechem United striker

    Bechem United striker, Hafiz Konkoni has endorsed calls for government to support clubs financially as there is no league due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Most of the Ghana Premier League clubs are calling for government’s support because there is no matches which can benefit them to pay the players.

    Hafiz Konkoni revealed on Tru 92.FM sports that it is in the right direction to call for government’s support.

    “I heard that there is a proposal to the president. It is in the good direction to seek for government’s support because there is no ongoing matches to benefit from the gate fees.

    “It is the big problem for the clubs but is in the good direction because some of the presidents in other contraries have given their FAs money to help the clubs. The government should suppot the clubs.

    Source: Richmond K Entsie/Contributor

  • Jealousy kills faster than coronavirus, envy no one- Prince David Osei advises

    Ghanaian actor Prince David Osei has advised his followers to guard their hearts against jealousy and envy.

    In post sighted by GhBase.com, Prince David Osei explained that everyone was uniquely created by God. He explained that, all fingers are not equal because God created some people short, tall, fat, slim, rich and others poor.

    He further bemoaned that, Jealousy kills before Coronavirus so it will be prudent for people to free their hearts of such ill thoughts.

    See his post below for more;

    Source: ghbase.com

  • Yahaya Mohammed is a great example for young players – Bechem United striker

    Hafiz Konkoni of Bechem United has revealed his role model in the Ghana Premier League.

    He names Yahaya Mohammed of Aduana Stars as his role model and also compared him to Belgian international, Lukaku.

    According to Hafiz Konkoni, Yahaya Mohammed has been great so far in the Ghana Premier League 2019/20 season.

    Yahaya Mohammed has so far scored 11 goals in the Ghana Premier League and being at the higher position on the goal scoring chat before the spread of coronavirus pandemic in Ghana.

    Hafiz Konkoni, who plays as a striker for Bechem United insist that Yahaya Mohammed is someone that Ghanaian footballers should choose as their role model and mentor because he keeps demonstrating high quality football always.

    “Yahaya ‘Lukaku’ (Yahaya Mohammed) is my role model. I will not choose any foreign based player as my role because I’ve been studying Yahaya Mohammed. The effort he always put in every single game shows the quality football. He is having all the strength and the skills.

    “The player that I want to be like in the whole world is Ibrahovic but when it comes to our Ghana I will give it to Yahaya Mohammed.

    “He deserves to be my role model as a footballer”, He said on Tru FM.

    Source: Richmond K Entsie/Contributor

  • I will break into the first team of Hearts of Oak – Nuru Sulley

    New Hearts of Oak signing, Nuru Sulley, has confidently said that he can break into the defense of the team.

    Hearts of Oak currently have a solid defense this season but Sulley thinks that he can become a regular piece in Edward Nii Odoom’s side.

    In an interview with Fox 97.9 FM, Sulley made an example of how he became a regular in bigger clubs.

    “I know I can break into the defence of the team. Even when I was an unknown personality, I managed to break into the squad despite the quality defenders at the disposal of the team then, the same applies to my days at the Black Stars B team.”

    “Even my stint at Alanyaspor in Turkey, we had quality defenders like Kenneth Omeruo, Abdulai Ba formally of FC Porto and some top defenders yet I became a regular in the set up.”

    Source: footballghana.com