TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Football must benefit from COVID-19 Fund Hearts of Oak chief

    Hearts of Oak Chief Executive Officer Frederick Moore has argued that football should be top of Government’s list when distributing the COVID-19 Trust Fund.

    The set up by government fund will be used, among other things, to support the vulnerable and needy who have been affected by the pandemic.

    It will also be used to support persons including frontline medical personnel and volunteers engaged in the combat of COVID-19.

    However, Mr Moore, who is also an accounting expert, argues that football should be the top priority because it brings economic growth as well as bring happiness into the lives of Ghanaians.

    “I think football should be the first beneficiaries of the COVID-19 Fund because football is one of the few activities when it is going on well really projects both happiness and economic growth. Secondly, out of every company struggling now would need some support but we have got a double one so if anybody should need support we should be number one,” Frederick Moore said on Asempa FM.

    “One of the key roles of any government is to provide security, health and education for its citizenry. This is a medical emergency that is happening to the whole world, it is beholdeth on the government to provide that security for us. My argument is that football is one of the few things that cut across the whole nation.

    “Can you imagine if football in Ghana is strong and we win the African Cup again or we go to the World Cup and get the final what economic development, the buzz and the happiness that will come to Ghana? That is what we have to be looking for when we are investing.”

    Football just like other sectors have been greatly affected by deadly virus as the current 2019/20 season has been suspended until further notice.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Try these egg face masks for glowing skin

    Pamper yourself with these egg white face mask.

    Protein-packed eggs are among the superfoods for good health. It has also proven to be a necessity in most beauty treatments; a good dose of nourishment to the skin and hair and make them healthier.

    Rich in Lutein, eggs can provide hydration and elasticity to the skin while the high protein content can help in repairing tissues and firming skin.

    The proteins in eggs can be used in softening the hair, and also to give it strength and shine.

    Skin lightening egg face mask

    Ingredients

    1 teaspoon orange juice

    1 egg white

    1 teaspoon turmeric powder

    Method

    Place the egg white and orange juice in a small mixing bowl and whisk until it becomes frothy.

    Add in turmeric powder and mix thoroughly. Make sure the mixture is not too drippy.

    Using clean hands, apply the mixture to your face and massage in a circular motion, allowing it to sink deep into your skin. Keep it on for 15 minutes while you lie down to prevent gravity from pulling the mask downward.

    When the time is up, gently scrub off the dried mask from your face and apply moisturizer. A perfect natural moisturizer is 3-4 drops of olive oil.

    Hydrating egg white face mask

    Ingredients

    1 egg white

    ¼ ripe avocado

    1 teaspoon yogurt

    Method

    Scoop out avocado and blend until smooth.

    Add other ingredients and blend.

    Apply a thick coat of the mixture onto your face with clean fingers and sit for about 15 minutes.

    Wash off the mask with lukewarm water when the time is up, and pat your face dry with a towel. Enjoy the look of your moisturized skin!

    Source: Pulse.com.gh

  • I will choose Kotoko over Hearts on any day – Liberty’s Kyei Baffour

    Dangerman for Liberty Professional Elvis Kyei Baffour has said that he will choose Asante Kotoko over Accra Hearts of Oak on any day.

    Kyei Baffour has bagged 7 goals for Liberty Prof. in the ongoing Ghana Premier League, making him the leading top scorer for the Scientific Soccer Lads.

    There is the possibility of him moving away from Liberty Prof. next season because his performance would attract offers from the big clubs on the local scene and also abroad.

    He has said that he will choose Kotoko over their rivals Hearts of Oak.

    “I will choose Kotoko over Hearts on any day. Even if I am to choose a team in Accra I will pick Liberty Professionals over Hearts of Oak” He told Kumasi FM.

    The former U17 star who was born in Kumasi has been a fan of the Porcupines since infancy.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Black Queens star Dumehasi joins Ghana Police Service to fight pandemic

    Ghana goalkeeper Fafali Dumehasi has announced she will be teaming up with the Police Force to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the West African country.

    The Black Queens star starred for Mercy Tagoe’s team as they emerged as runners-up in Group B at the 2020 Turkish Women’s Cup in Alanya in March, with six points from three games.

    Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, sporting events, competitions and leagues shut down globally, including in Ghana, killing five from 204 infected people in the country so far.

    Two weeks ago, Dumehasi – who plays for Ghanaian top-flight side Police Ladies – had urged Ghanaians to obey safety rules in an effort to escape contracting the disease.

    With the halt of the Ghana Women’s Premier League, the 26-year-old took to social media to confirm her resumption of duty with the country’s security forces in curbing the spread of the virus.

    “I can’t stay home and can’t guarantee my personal safety doing what I needed to do to help Ghana, but in everything, there is God,” she wrote via Twitter.

    “Let’s just follow the directives for the president Nana Akufo Addo. Stay home citizens if you can, we are there for you.”

    I can’t stay home and can’t guarantee my personal safety doing what I needed to do to help Ghana, but in everything God dey man dey

    Dumehasi was part of Ghana’s campaign at the 2014 African Women’s Cup of Nations and will be hopeful of making the party to this year’s edition when the pandemic is over.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Coronavirus: Thomas Partey appreciates people working in tough times

    Atletico Madrid Thomas Partey has sent a message in appreciation of those working in difficult times during the coronavirus pandemic.

    The pandemic has spread to every corner of the globe which has impacted football and other economic activities.

    In some places, some essential services such as medical care, food production and telecommunications are still active.

    However, workers in these fields have put their lives at high risk.

    This is particularly so for the medical practitioners who come in direct contact with infected people while administering treatment.

    “Let’s keep thanking all the people who are working in such difficult times,” Partey posted on Instagram.

    The Ghanaian midfielder, along with his Atleti teammates, agreed to slash their salaries to 70% to enable the club to pay 430 non-playing staff.

    The inactivity of football for the last month in Spain will have a significant impact on the finances of most clubs.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Kaka selects Messi ahead of Ronaldo

    Kaka labelled Lionel Messi a “genius” as he picked the Barcelona superstar over Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo despite playing with the Portuguese attacker at Real Madrid.

    Messi winner of a record six Ballons d’Or and Ronaldo are regarded as two of the greatest ever players, with debate often centred on who stands alone atop the all-time list.

    Kaka played alongside Ronaldo at the Bernabeu between 2009-13, but the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner selected Messi as his preferred choice.

    “I played with Cristiano and he’s really amazing, but I’ll go with Messi,” Kaka said when asked who he would pick out of Messi or Ronaldo during an Instagram Live Q&A for FIFA’s channel.

    “He’s a genius, a pure talent. The way he plays is incredible.”

    But on five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, Kaka added: “Cristiano is a machine. It’s not just the way he’s strong, powerful and fast; he’s strong mentally.

    “He always wants to win and play. To be the best. For me, that’s the most incredible thing he has.

    “In the history of sport, they [Messi and Cristiano] are definitely in the top five. We are very lucky to have been able to see both of them.”

    Messi has been in the headlines recently after he and his Barcelona team-mates agreed to have 70 per cent of their wages slashed to help protect the jobs of the club’s staff with coronavirus halting football worldwide for an indefinite period.

    He also claimed figures within the club were putting pressures on the players to act, however there was always a plan within the first-team squad to make a gesture in solidarity with their fellow employees.

    “Much has been written and said about the Barcelona team in regards to the salaries of the players during this state of emergency,” a statement from Messi said.

    “We want to clarify that our will has always been to take a cut in the salary we receive, because we fully understand that this is an exceptional situation and we are always the first ones to help the club when asked.

    “Therefore, it does not surprise us that from within the club there were those who tried to put us under pressure to do something we always knew we would do.

    “The agreement has been delayed for a few days because we were looking for a formula to help the club and its workers during these difficult times.

    “Apart from the reduction of 70 per cent from our salary, we will also make contributions so that club employees can collect 100 per cent of their salary while this situation lasts.

    “We do not want to say goodbye without sending an affectionate greeting and a lot of strength to all those having a hard time in these very difficult times, as well as to all those who patiently await the end of this crisis in their homes.

    “Very soon we are going to get out of this and we will all do it together.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Arsenal set to miss out on Thomas Partey

    Arsenal are set to lose out on summer transfer target Thomas Teye Partey as the Athletico Madrid midfielder is set to put pen to paper on a new deal.

    The Ghanaian midfielder is Arsenal gaffer Mikael Arteta’s no1 summer transfer target as he hopes to build a new look Arsenal around the midfield dynamo.

    Partey’s form this season for the Rojiblancos has been glittering alerting some of the elite clubs in Europe as to his talent.

    The Gunners were hoping to take advantage of his relatively modest release clause of £45million to bring him to the Emirates with his current deal expiring in 2023.

    The Madrid based side have offered the midfielder a double your money deal with a reported £79k-a-week until 2025 to ward off Premier League suitors.

    Partey has been a delight to watch this season with his energy and industry in midfield with his performance against Liverpool in the Champions League another bright spot.

    Mikael Arteta and his Arsenal may have to look elsewhere for midfield enforcement elsewhere.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Leicester defender Daniel Amartey valued at £6.3m ahead of summer transfer window

    Ghanaian international Daniel Amartey has been valued at 6.3 million Pounds ahead of the summer transfer window where he is likely to secure a move away from England.

    The Leicester City defender has not featured in a single English Premier League match since the 2019/2020 season started.

    He has been sidelined for almost 18 months due to an injury he suffered while in action for the Foxes in a clash against West Ham United back in 2018.

    With a move away from England highly likely this summer, it is understood that clubs have started lining up and could make an official bid to his employers even before the window is opened.

    Valuing Leicester City players, Daniel Amartey has been priced at £6.3m. He will be eager to move to a different club to try and relaunch his career.

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • Koforidua court quashes Okyenhenes destoolment of Akyem Hemanghene

    The Commercial Division of Koforidua High Court has quashed the destoolment of Chief of Akyem Hemang Osabarima Prof. Mirikissi Apori Atta by the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, President of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council on July 1, 2019.

    The Court, presided over by Her Ladyship, Mrs Justice Cecilia N.S. Davis in a 32 page Judgment delivered on April 3, 2020, declared that the decision by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council as announced by Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin destooling the Chief of Akyem Hemang for failing to appear before the council is ” null and void and of no legal effect and the said decision is quashed”

    The Court also awarded a cost of Gh10,000 against Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and Okyenhene in favour of Chief of Akyem Hemang.

    On Monday 1st July 2019 Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin announced the destoolment of Akyem Hemang Chief at Ofori Panin Fie for failing to honour his summon over complaints of uncustomary conduct and harassment of the people of Dome and Gyampomani, and also his alleged unlawful claim of ownership of lands in the two Villages.

    The decision to destool Akyem Hemang Chief was taken in the presence of Daasebre Boamah Darko-Adontenehe and Kukurantumihene, Daasebre Asumadu Appiah, Oseawuohene and Akyem Wenkyihene, Members of Kyebi Executive Council and Purported Kingmakers and representatives of Hemanghene.

    Libation was subsequently poured and Sheep slaughtered as a symbol of customary validity to the destoolment of Akyem Hemanghene.

    But in an application for judicial review in the nature of certiorari filed by the Applicant -Osabarima Prof. Mirikissi Apori Atta to quash the destoolment decision, he explained that, on 21st May 2019, he was invited to meet the Kyebi Executive Council (an advisory body constituted by Okyenhene), on 3rd June 2019, ”on matters concerning the claim of ownership over Dome Land”.

    However, his inability to appear before the council was not deliberate as he had then travelled outside the country and so he directed his lawyer to write to the traditional council which was duly done but surprisingly read in the media his destoolment by Okyenhene.

    He said the genesis of the decision to destool him albeit uncustomarily, was as a result of his resilience in fighting illegal logging and mining within the Akyem Hemang stools despite all odds and powerful hands behind it.

    He, therefore, described his destoolment as against natural justice, bias, unfair, uncustomarily and sheer display of power. He pointed out that his destoolment by Okyenhene without pressing charges against him is unlawful and an error of law.

    In an affidavit of opposition, the lawyer for the respondents therein-AKyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and Okyenhene said the Applicant failed to show that it was the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and Okyenhene that conveyed the meeting that decision of his destoolment was reached.

    The respondent added that the application is not maintainable since the
    Okyenhene who was sued as an interested party in his capacity, is not amenable to the High Court”s supervisory jurisdiction, in as far as his decisions are concerned, that, he is not being a public officer, judicial officer or person acting judicially, therefore, his decisions are not subject to judicial review.

    The court however maintained in the judgement that after analyzing all evidence before it, it is evident that Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin announced the decision of the destoolment of the Akyem Hemanghene, in his capacity as Member and President of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council and the decision of the destoolment of Akyem Hemang Chief is the decision of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, from the circumstances of the case.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Ghanaian voodoo practitioner faces deportation for beating wife

    A 49-year-old Ghanaian voodoo practitioner in Scotland will be deported to Ghana after brutally beating his wife.

    Michael Yartey, who throttled a trainee doctor has been jailed for 82 days and will be deported back to West Africa on his release.

    Yartey came to Scotland from Ghana to start a new life with his medic wife but attacked her days after arriving in Perth.

    He who told police voodoo was his religion, had been sponsored to live in the UK by his wife Jessie Vanderpuije.

    But she has withdrawn her sponsorship after being subjected to a violent assault in her own home when Yartey seized her by the throat during a row.

    He then hurled her to the ground and refused to leave the house in Cedar Drive, Perth, on February 11 this year.

    As well as being jailed for 82 days, Yartey was made the subject of a non-harassment order banning him from approaching or contacting his estranged partner.

    He was unable to provide a post-release address and, as a result, will be deported back to Ghana after spending the majority of his time in Scotland behind bars.

    Perth Sheriff Court was told Yartey arrived from Ghana, where 13 per cent of the population follow the voodoo faith, on January 29 to start a new life.

    However, he was arrested and taken into custody after attacking Jessie less than a fortnight later and has been locked up ever since.

    Yartey wept in the dock when he initially appeared from custody and admitted seizing her by the throat and pushing her to the ground.

    He also admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner by refusing to leave the house.

    Fiscal depute Bill Kermode told the court: “The complainer is no longer willing to be his sponsor, so the grounds for him to remain in the UK will no longer exist and he is likely to be deported back to Ghana.”

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Coronavirus has exposed mouth mouth Akufo-Addos govt Omane Boamah

    A Former Communications Minister under the John Dramani Mahama Omane Boamah says the poor preparation and provision made for health workers including those at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is a clear indication that the current government is only good at fantastic speeches.

    Ghana is currently battling deadly Coronavirus. So far, the death toll still stands at 5 with the positive cases surging to 204 as of today [April 3, 2020]

    However, Doctors at the Korle Bu Accident Center have threatened to lay down their tools because of the poor preparation for the fight against the deadly virus.

    Reacting to this, Omane Boamah who is a Doctor himself mentioned that there is a clear indication that the current government is just good at talking and not taking action.

    He said “The poor preparation & provision made for health workers including those @ Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to protect them as they fight Coronavirus disease proves this government talks, talks & talks…little action. Time for action”.

    Meanwhile, the government has started contact tracing in various parts of Accra in order to get hold of people who have come into contact with people who have tested positive.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • I can’t order reopening of closed radio stations – Akufo-Addo tells Ofosu-Ampofo

    President Akufo-Addo says he is not in a position to order the reopening of some radio stations that have been shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA).

    This was after National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo pleaded with the President to grant amnesty to these radio stations just like how he did for some prisoners recently.

    Mr Ampofo is of the view that many people are politically inclined to these radio stations and in a time where people need massive education and information on COVID-19 it will be best if the licenses of these stations are given back to them to operate.

    The President responding to this said he can’t grant such a request and the radio stations should follow laid down procedures to get back to business.

    “I am surprised about the amnesty for the radio stations, the law is very clear on why they have been closed down, they were not closed down by me so it is difficult for me to be the one to unlock them. The procedures are there, I am surprised almost a year these procedures have not been used to get back on track, they need to engage the NMC and use all procedures available,” the President said at a meeting with various political leaders at the Jubilee House.

    Some broadcasting stations were shut down by the National Communications Authority (NCA), the Communications regulator and radio-frequency licensing body in Ghana in 2019.

    According to the Minister of Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu Ekuful, some of these stations were cited for various infractions in an audit exercise by the NCA.

    The NMC also said several radio stations were shut down because these stations were operating without valid authorisation.

    The stations, Radio XYZ and Radio Gold, are both owned by persons affiliated to the opposition NDC and this raised a few eyebrows as some felt it was a political witch hunt.

    Ghana is still battling with COVID-19 and has recorded 205 cases so far with 5 deaths.

  • Coronavirus: Kempinski to sack 85% of workers

    Management of the plush Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra is to lay off about 85% of staff as the novel Coronavirus pandemic has had a negative impact on their business.

    The hotel, in addition, will close down four floors of its multi-storey building with the aim of cutting down its operational cost.

    According to Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, for a huge hotel like Kempinski to take such a decision, it really tells us that we are in a very difficult moment.

    “For a hotel like Kempinski which has about 400 workers, they are letting 340 go home. They are closing about four floors of that hotel…it is a sobering moment… we do get panic attacks as we wake up thinking of how best to do it,” he said on the floor of Parliament late Friday night.

    Mr Ofori-Atta disclosed that some players within the hospitality industry are going through difficult times as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and occupancy rate for them has dropped by 5% to 20%.

    “Some companies are laying off up to 90% of their employees… And there are issues of job losses that we have to contend with… It is time to look at unemployment benefits,” he said.

    He further announced to parliamentarians that the Government of Ghana will soon roll out new strategies to support struggling businesses. The new initiative is dubbed COVID Care and Re-Vitalisation of Enterprises Programme.

    He noted that the new programme will among other things ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as micro-small scale institutions and big industries, get some relief.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Premier League 30 April restart date to be pushed back; Uefa warning for clubs

    The restart date for the Premier League will be pushed back on Friday.

    All 20 Premier League clubs will meet via video and it is accepted by all that there is no hope of professional games being played immediately after the current 30 April deadline.

    The Premier League could shift the date back into May or opt to follow Spain and France, who have shut down their leagues for an indefinite period.

    Italy have talked of Serie A returning in late May, but that seems optimistic.

    European governing body Uefa has written a joint letter with the European Clubs’ Association and the European Leagues urging domestic bodies not to abandon their competitions.

    Leagues across Europe have been told that ending competitions early could result in them forfeiting Champions League and Europa League places.

    Pushing the date back would allow Premier League clubs the chance to offer their stadiums and medical staff to the National Health Service, knowing they would not be required in the short term.

    That would at least correct some of the negative publicity that has accompanied news that four clubs, including Tottenham, are already using the government’s furlough scheme to compensate laid-off workers by up to £2,500-a-month, despite their players and manager Jose Mourinho, some of whom earn in excess of £100,000-a-week, remaining on full pay.

    Talks between the Premier League, Football League and both the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and League Managers’ Association (LMA) are continuing, with clubs expected to be updated on this at Friday’s meeting.

    Explanation for the delay in players accepting pay cuts or, more likely, wage deferrals – including the fact they are financial assets of their clubs in addition to employees and have watertight contracts which, in some cases, expire on 30 June – has cut little ice with many within the general public and also some politicians, who have made their displeasure clear.

    Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and Brighton counterpart Graham Potter have both taken the personal decision to accept significant cuts without waiting for any central directive from the LMA.

    Talks about a resumption are also anticipated, when the prospect of games being played behind closed doors, potentially in a limited number of locations, will be discussed.

    Training grounds have been mentioned as potentially hosting games, although it is difficult to work out how this would be a safer environment than stadiums, which, evidently, are built to host matches that, by definition, need to be broadcast in order to avoid the £750m repayment to TV companies that would be triggered by a failure to complete the current season.

    That such a scenario has even been discussed underlines the overwhelming desire among Premier League clubs, which remains to complete the season in its entirety.

    However, Premier League sources are equally adamant nothing will be agreed that places any unnecessary strain on medical resources at a time of national crisis.

    Even in a sterile environment it is acknowledged how bad it would look for the game if a player needed hospital treatment for a broken leg at a time when significant numbers of the general population were dying of coronavirus.

    So, alternative options are being discussed, in England and across Europe.

    Insiders at European football’s governing body Uefa have confirmed that places reserved in next season’s Europa League for domestic cup winners would revert to league positions if those tournaments were not completed.

    The Belgian League has become the first to declare its season over, although with 29 games out of 30 in the regular league programme already played, effectively it has abandoned the play-off system that should have followed and is seen as a special case.

    Of more consequence for the major leagues is the massive financial hit taken by Ligue 1 after their domestic rights holders Canal+ and beIN Sports confirmed an intention to withhold the latest payment, which was due on 5 April.

    Should France, Italy or Spain close their leagues down for the season, that is likely to have far reaching consequences for the game given, together with England, 16 out of the 28 teams remaining in the Champions or Europa Leagues come from one of those four countries.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: A fifth of smaller UK firms ‘will run out of cash’

    Nearly a fifth of all small and medium-sized businesses in the UK are unlikely to get the cash they need to survive the next four weeks, in spite of unprecedented government support.

    That’s according to research from a network of accountants which suggests between 800,000 and a million firms nationwide may soon have to close.

    Many firms have told the BBC that banks have refused them emergency loans.

    The banks say they are following the rules set out by the government.

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak said two weeks ago that businesses would be able to walk into bank branches and discuss Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans (CBILs) of up to £5m to help them survive the shutdown.

    The promise from the chancellor was that “any good business in financial difficulty who needs access to cash to pay their rent, the salaries of their employees, pay suppliers, or purchase stock, will be able to access a government-backed loan, on attractive terms”.

    However, thousands of struggling firms can’t get through to their banks by phone or, when they do, are being told by the banks they’re not eligible.

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told BBC Radio 5 live that “banks have got to step up” to help small and medium-sized businesses survive during the coronavirus pandemic.

    ‘Disappointment after disappointment’

    Steve Lord runs Belgrave & Powell, a Nottingham-based engineering group employing 120 people and supplying services to customers such as BAE’s Samlesbury site, where the F-35 and Typhoon fighter jets are made.

    Since Salmesbury halted production, his business – like millions of others – is facing the prospect of cash drying up, threatening its ability to pay wages and stay afloat.

    “I was heartened and astonished to see the unprecedented help that was announced by the government two weeks ago,” he said. “But we put one of our most senior people on it and as each day passed it was disappointment after disappointment.”

    He said some of the approved lenders were demanding interest rates of up to 30%, which Mr Lord believes is “taking advantage of the situation”. Meanwhile, he said, High Street banks were charging around 7%, however he was told it could be as long as a month before his firm got the money.

    Mr Lord thinks too much control has been handed to the banks and approved lenders: “The government needs to make it so everyone’s offering the same terms.”

    “It seems to be that if you are lucky you are banking with the right party, if you’re not lucky you’ll end up having to close your business.”

    ‘The loans won’t help’

    Another business owner, Peter Jackson – who runs jewellery shops employing 40 people across the north-west of England – said his bank decided he was ineligible because the firm made a small loss in 2019. But Mr Jackson said his business was viable before the shutdown and expected to make a profit this year. It also owns valuable stock.

    “I thought the whole point of the loans was to help business like mine stay afloat,” he said. “But they’re not going to help.”

    The figures identifying how many businesses would not be able to access cash come from a network of accountants serving more than 12,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the country called the Corporate Finance Network.

    After analysing the government help on offer, those accountants say that 18% of their clients were unlikely to get access to the cash they will need to survive a four-week lockdown.

    The findings echo similar reports from other business groups, estimating that up to a fifth of businesses could close if the lockdown lasts a month or more.

    Bank say they’re following rules set by the government, which mean firms can only get the emergency loans if they can’t borrow in a normal commercial way, like borrowing against the value of a property.

    Businesses wanting to borrow more than £250,000 are being told by banks that directors must sign personal guarantees. That means if the loan goes bad owing to a prolonged shutdown, their personal property is on the line.

    Under CBILs, a business owner’s primary residence is protected but other personal assets could be recovered if the company cannot keep up repayments. Under normal commercial lending, personal guarantees may also put the owner’s home at risk if the loan goes bad.

    Joshua Wade runs a fast-growing ethical cosmetics business, Skin and Tonic. He said lenders were insisting on early repayment penalties as well as personal guarantees.

    Source: bbc.com

  • These celebs died from coronavirus

    COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, has brought the world to a standstill. With confirmed cases increasing at a rapid rate, many countries are taking drastic measures in order to stem the time of the global pandemic. While cities and even entire countries are sheltering in place and practicing social distancing to stop the spread, essential workers and medical personnel and staff are on the front lines proving once again that they are the real heroes.

    However, despite their valiant efforts, the novel coronavirus has taken its toll, particularly on more vulnerable members of the population. Since the first reported cases in late 2019, the coronavirus has claimed the lives of thousands worldwide, including some famous faces.

    During this time, some celebrities have attempted to help and spread positivity, while other high-profile stars believe the coronavirus is a hoax. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has tragically taken the lives of several celebrities, including legendary musical artists — and even a member of a royal family. It is with sad hearts that we report the celebrities who have died from the coronavirus.

    Spain's Princess Maria Teresa

    Spain’s Princess Maria Teresa becomes the first royal to pass away from the novel coronavirus. She was 86. Her death was announced on Facebook by her brother, Prince Sixto Enrique de Borbon, the Duke of Aranjuez.

    “SAR Don Sixto Enrique de Borbón communicates that this Thursday, March 26, 2020, has passed away in Paris, at eighty-six years old, his sister Maria Teresa de Bourbon-Parma and Bourbon Busset, victim of coronavirus COVID-19,” the statement read. “Don Sixto Enrique is very sorry and begs for prayers for his sister’s eternal rest.”

    Known as the “Red Princess” for her lifelong socialist activism and advocate for women’s rights, Maria Teresa was the cousin of Spain’s King Felipe IV (via People). According to the publication, the outspoken royal was a “distinguished professor at Paris’ Sorbonne and an outspoken professor of Sociology at Madrid’s Complutense University.” Two other royals, U.K.’s Prince Charles and Monaco’s Prince Albert, are among the many other celebs who have also have tested positive for COVID-19.

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/spains-princess-maria-teresa/?utm_campaign=clip

    Manu Dibango

    Manu Dibango, a Cameroonian jazz artist whose celebrated career spanned decades, passed away from complications due to the novel coronavirus (via ABC News). He was 86. The legendary multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who influenced everything from disco to hip-hop died in a Paris hospital according to a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

    “It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Manu Dibango, our Papy Groove, who passed away on March 24, 2020, at 86 years old, further to covid 19,” the statement, written in French, reads. “His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organized when possible.”

    Dibango’s 1973 hit “Soul Makossa” inspired everyone from Michael Jackson, who used the song’s refrain on “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” to Rihanna, who sampled the dance floor smash on her 2007 single “Don’t Stop the Music.” (via The New York Times).

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/jazz-legend-manu-dibango/?utm_campaign=clip

    Floyd Cardoz

    Celebrity chef and international restaurateur Floyd Cardoz passed away on March 25, 2020, at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, N.J. from the novel coronavirus. He was 59. “It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing away of Chef Floyd Cardoz,” Hunger Inc. Hospitality, where Cardoz served as culinary director, said in a statement (via CNN).

    The winner of Bravo’s third season of Top Chef Masters, Cardoz admitted himself to the hospital on March 17, 2020 when he felt ill after returning from India where he was filming the Netflix series Ugly Delicious. His last Instagram post was a selfie taken in the hospital the same day in which he wrote, “I was feeling feverish and hence as a precautionary measure, admitted myself into hospital in New York.”

    The India-born chef’s Manhattan restaurant, Tabla, elevated Indian-American modern cuisine like no other chef before him. “I adored him. A great chef, groundbreaking in so many ways, a generous human, resilient of spirit and loved his family, his garden and our restaurant world so much. I’m stunned. I know what I’m eating tonight for dinner,” Andrew Zimmern, the host Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods tweeted, accompanied with a link to a Cardoz recipe.

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/celebrity-chef-floyd-cardoz/?utm_campaign=clip

    Terrence McNally

    Five-time Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally passed away due to complications from coronavirus on March 24, 2020 (via The Hollywood Reporter). He was 81. The creative mind behind Kiss of the Spider-Woman, Ragtime, and Love! Valour! Compassion!, McNally routinely brought gay characters to mainstream audiences, and wrote about homophobia and AIDS when those topics were still considered socially taboo.

    His publicist Matt Polk told the publication that McNally died in a hospital in Sarasota, Fla. McNally survived lung cancer in the late 90s, but “the disease cost him portions of both lungs.” He also suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He is survived by his husband, producer Tom Kirdahy (via Broadway).

    News of McNally’s death led many Broadway stars to pay their respects. “Heartbroken over the loss of Terrence McNally, a giant in our world, who straddled plays and musicals deftly,” Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted, adding, “Grateful for his staggering body of work and his unfailing kindness.” Actor Patrick Wilson tweeted: “My first acting award at a one-act festival in high school. My first Tony nomination was for Full Monty. Both shows written by Terrence McNally. He had a monumental impact on my career and will be missed. Rest In Peace, my friend.”

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/terrence-mcnally/?utm_campaign=clip

    Mark Blum

    Actor Mark Blum died at the age of 69 on March 25, 2020, due to complications of the coronavirus after testing positive a week prior (via Los Angeles Times). His wife of 15 years, Janet Zarish, said that Blum suffered from asthma, but had not, as the publication put it, “traveled recently or knowingly been in contact with anyone with the virus.”

    Perhaps best known for film and television roles in Crocodile Dundee, Desperately Seeking Susan, Mozart in the Jungle, and the Netflix series You, Blum also starred in several Broadway productions over the course of 40-plus years, such as Lost In Yonkers, The Best Man, and Gus and Al, according to Playbill. “With love and heavy hearts, Playwrights Horizons pays tribute to Mark Blum, a dear longtime friend, and a consummate artist who passed this week,” Playwrights Horizons, a theater company in New York City, tweeted following the news of his passing. “Thank you, Mark, for all you brought to our theater, and to theaters and audiences across the world. We will miss you.”

    Dozens of members of the entertainment industry have since mourned Blum’s passing on social media, including the likes of Bernadette Peters, Judith Light, and Madonna. Meanwhile, actress Rosanna Arquette, who starred in Desperately Seeking Susan alongside Blum and Madonna in the mid-’80s, offered her condolences on Twitter, writing in part, “I’m so deeply sad for his family and for his fans. [He] was a wonderful actor and a very good and kind man.”

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/mark-blum/?utm_campaign=clip

    Joe Diffie

    Country music singer Joe Diffie was diagnosed with COVID-19, his publicist, Scott Adkins, told The Associated Press on March 27, 2020. In a statement released to Rolling Stone, the 61-year-old musician revealed: “I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment. My family and I are asking for privacy at this time. We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious, and careful during this pandemic.”

    However, two days after the announcement, Diffie sadly passed away. “Grammy-winning country music legend Joe Diffie passed away today, Sunday, March 29 from complications of coronavirus (COVID-19),” a statement posted to his official Instagram read. “His family requests privacy at this time.”

    According to his Grand Ole Opry profile, in which he was inducted in 1993, Diffie had “four gold and platinum albums, 17 Top 10 hits and more than 6 million in record sales.” Diffie, who previously cancelled shows amid the coronavirus outbreak, was best known for a string of ’90s hits, including “Pickup Man,” “Honky Tonk Attitude,” “Third Rock From The Sun,” “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox,” and “John Deere Green.”

    A number of Diffie’s peers have since taken to social media to express their condolences. Trace Adkins called Diffie “one of the all-time GREAT vocalists,” while Granger Smith wrote, “Here’s to you Pickup Man. You inspired an entire generation of country singers and accepted us all with kindness, gratitude and buckets of talent.”

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/joe-diffie/?utm_campaign=clip

    Andrew Jack

    Actor Andrew Jack passed away from complications related to COVID-19 in a Chertsey, England hospital on March 31, 2020, Deadline reports. He was 76.

    His dialect coach wife, Gabrielle Rogers — who was in self-quarantine in Australia at the time (via TMZ) — announced the news on Twitter, writing in part, “Andrew Jack was diagnosed with coronavirus 2 days ago. He was in no pain, and he slipped away peacefully knowing that his family were all ‘with’ him.” In a lengthy statement to Deadline, Jack’s agent, Jill McCullough, said in part, “Andrew lived on one of the oldest working houseboats on the Thames, he was fiercely independent but madly in love with his wife.”

    Having most recently played Major Ematt in the latest Star Wars trilogy, Jack was also a dialect coach and worked with A-list actors on major films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Star Wars, and Avengers: Endgame. He had been coaching Robert Pattinson for The Batman at the time of his death. Several stars have since reacted to Jack’s passing on social media, including TLOTR actors Elijah Wood and Sean Astin and Star Wars director JJ Abrams. “He was a joy to be with on the new trilogy,” Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3PO in Star Wars, tweeted. “As dialect coach, he helped the cast get it right through his talent and humour. As an actor, his distinguished features made him stand out in any scene.”

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/andrew-jack/?utm_campaign=clip

    Adam Schlesinger

    Fountains of Wayne co-founder and Emmy and Grammy-winning songwriter Adam Schlesinger passed away on April 1, 2020, his lawyer confirmed to AP News. He was 52. Schlesinger had been sedated on a ventilator in a New York hospital for several days after contracting coronavirus, according to Variety.

    In addition to his work with Fountains of Wayne, Schlesinger received Emmy, Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe, and Tony nominations for his soundtrack work — most notably for writing the title track to Tom Hanks’ 1997 film That Thing You Do. He also nabbed two Emmys for the 150-plus songs he wrote for the CW series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

    Stars who worked with Schlesinger on those projects paid their respects to the prolific songwriter on social media. “I remember the day all the Oneders, @LivTyler and @tomhanks sat in a room and played about 6 submitted tracks from different bands for That Thing You Do,” actor Ethan Embry tweeted. “When we heard Adam Schlesinger’s cassette it was instantly clear which track we would need to learn.” Crazy Ex-Girlfriend star Rachel Bloom called him a “genius,” and shared some of his work from the show. She also tweeted: “I have so much to say about Adam Schlesinger that I am at a complete loss for words. He is irreplaceable.”

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/adam-schlesinger/?utm_campaign=clip

    Ellis Marsalis Jr.

    New Orleans jazz legend, pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr., passed away on April 1, 2020, due to complications of COVID-19, his son Branford Marsalis (another jazz legend) told the The New York Times. He was 85.

    “It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Ellis Marsalis Jr.,” Branford said in a statement (via USA Today). “My dad was a giant of a musician and teacher, but an even greater father. He poured everything he had into making us the best of what we could be.” He added that his father had been in the hospital for less than a week and “died peacefully.”

    During his tenure as a teacher at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Marsalis taught such notable future musicians as film composer Terence Blanchard and pianist Harry Connick, Jr. He was also named a “Jazz Master” by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2011, which the Times notes “is considered the highest honor for an American jazz musician.” Marsalis is also the patriarch of one of the greatest musical families that includes four sons with illustrious careers, one of whom is nine-time Grammy-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

    Read More: https://www.nickiswift.com/197759/these-celebs-died-from-coronavirus/sl/ellis-marsalis-jr/?utm_campaign=clip

    Source: www.nickiswift.com

     

  • Stonebwoy donates hand sanitizers, water & other items to the Ashaiman Police Department

    Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, has distributed hand sanitizers and other items to the Ashaiman Police Department to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    The award-winning musician who has been in self-quarantine all this while after he returned from his recent Europe tour for the mandatory 14 days period decided to do this donation as the first thing when he finally stepped out.

    Some photos and videos of the donation to the Ashaiman Police Department were sighted on his Instagram story by zionfelix.net.

    Stonebwoy, before he handed the items to the police department, urged Ghanaians to be supportive of each other during the COVID-19 outbreak.

    He also added that Ghanaians should not neglect the directives given by health officials and the president.

    See the photos and videos from the presentation below:

    Source: zionfelix.net

  • Coronavirus: Spain’s death toll rises by 932 in a day

    More than 900 people died in Spain over the past 24 hours for the second day running, government figures showed on Friday, although the rate of new infections and deaths continued to slow.

    Spain has the world’s second-highest death toll after Italy with the virus so far claiming 10,935 lives 932 in the past day from 117,710 confirmed coronavirus cases.

    But health ministry figures confirm a consistent downward trend in the rate of new cases and fatalities.

    The latest number show the rate of infections up by 6.8 percent, compared with 7.9 percent on Thursday and 20 percent in the middle of last week.

    And the daily rise in deaths also slowed to 9.3 percent on Friday, down from 10.5 percent on Thursday, and a big drop from the 27-percent increase on March 25.

    Spain and France appear to be recording a flattening of their infection curves over the past few days and are nearing or even past their peaks in daily deaths.

    The crisis has hit Spain’s elderly population especially hard with authorities admitting that they are not getting access to limited breathing machines, which are being used first on healthier, younger patients. More than half of Spain’s 10,935 deaths have come in the last seven days alone.

    Source: France24

     

  • Over 250 security personnel, Zoomlion staff embark on massive cleanup exercise

    Over 250 security personnel drawn from the Ghana Army, Navy, Police and Fire Service have teamed up with workers of Zoomlion to embark on a cleanup exercise in Accra.

    The exercise will be carried out in all other regions across the country.

    The Sanitation Ministry which is spearheading the initiative in collaboration with the various assemblies is taking advantage of the lockdown to clean, cleanse and desilt major gutters to promote good hygiene in support of the coronavirus fight.

    Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah admonished the group to clean and cleanse the various streets to the point where people can see their faces “when they look at the streets in their neighbourhoods.”

    She urged all homeowners to own bins, “we do not want to see people gathering their garbage on the ground for others to pick with their hands.”

    The Minister admonished those at home during the lockdown period to use the free time to weed around their homes and keep the environment clean.

    For those allowed to step out, the Minister urged them not to litter the streets but use the bins provided.

    “If you are caught, the full rigors of the law will be applied. Please do not litter,” she cautioned.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • All mine – Chacha Eke cannot help falling over and over again for Justin Faani

    This lockdown has its all downsides, especially for the poor and needy who cannot afford to stay home without working as most of them live from hand to mouth.

    Nonetheless, we cannot exempt the positive sides of the narrative.

    The Eke Faani family is having the best time of their life in this lockdown period.

    Actress Chacha who is married to filmmaker Faani cannot help gushing over the beautiful family God has blessed her with.

    The actress has been sharing pictures of the hubby and the kids since the lockdown, telling the world that all that goodness is all hers.

    In her latest, Chacha shared a picture of her daughter and the hubby bonding, with their faces in all smiles.

    She simply captioned it; “Father & Daughter! Both are Mine😍😍…”

    Chacha and Austin got married in 2013 and have since enjoyed marital bliss, devoid of scandals.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Father & Daughter! Both are Mine😍😍 ©️June 2017 @austinfaani @kamarafaani

    A post shared by ChaCha Eke Faani (@chachaekefaani) on

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

  • Pandemic forces polio eradication group to suspend campaigns

    The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt an unprecedented blow to the world’s battle against polio, the head of the global organisation to combat the disease told AFP Thursday after it suspended vaccination campaigns for the first time in three decades.

    With the Coronavirus marching swiftly across the world and nations imposing strict travel restrictions to slow its spread, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has announced that its health workers cannot continue their immunisation drives — and warned this risks a resurgence of the poliovirus.

    “We’re devastated by the fact that we have to stop the activities for a disease that we were working so hard to eradicate,” said the World Health Organisation’s Michel Zaffran, who heads GPEI.

    There are only two nations remaining where the wild version of the poliovirus continues to spread — Pakistan and Afghanistan — but a strain that has mutated from the vaccine itself has also caused outbreaks in several nations in Africa.

    Immunisation campaigns protect against both wild and vaccine-derived outbreaks of the virus, which spreads in areas of poor sanitation and contaminated water and can cause irreversible paralysis. Children under five are particularly vulnerable.

    – Polio could advance again –

    Zaffran told AFP that beyond travel restrictions put in place by governments, the new coronavirus itself was considered too great a risk for health workers and the community to continue vaccination drives.

    “Many of these activities have been suspended because they bring people together, they increase the mass gathering effect and also the delivery of the vaccine uses a dropper which could actually get contaminated, either by the recipients, or by the health worker,” he said.

    An announcement last week by GPEI said it would halt immunisations until at least June, but Zaffran said it was impossible to predict when they will resume, with decisions likely made on a country-by-country basis.

    In the meantime, a devastating disease that the world had come achingly close to snuffing out will be free to spread.

    Zaffran said the group was “extremely concerned” that the poliovirus could now start to advance again within Afghanistan and Pakistan and warned that in Africa it could cross borders into countries currently unaffected.

    ‘Terrible pandemic’

    When the GPEI was set up in 1988, polio paralysed more than 1000 children worldwide every day in dozens of endemic countries.

    In the last decade, GPEI says more than 10 billion doses of oral polio vaccine have been given worldwide, estimating that this prevented some 6.5 million children from being paralysed by the virus.

    While the vaccine-derived outbreaks have presented a grave setback, causing hundreds of cases, GPEI had put its hopes in a new vaccine that is awaiting WHO pre-licence approval for emergency use later this year.

    Despite halting some services, GPEI will continue to try to monitor outbreaks and thousands of people in its network will be redeployed to help with the COVID-19 response in the countries where they work.

    “Because we’ve got this infrastructure of very competent epidemiologists and surveillance officers and laboratories and logistics networks and so on on the ground, we believe that we have a role to play in supporting the response to this terrible pandemic,” he said.

    ‘Substantial amount of time’

    Zaffran said the weeks and months of suspension will be used to ensure that manufacturers keep sufficient stocks of the existing vaccine to deploy quickly once it is possible to resume immunisations.

    But he cautioned that the suspension in some countries could last a “substantial amount of time”, leaving remote communities potentially in need of an array of vaccines and medical help.

    “Keeping in mind that we do want to eradicate polio, but we cannot go to remote communities and only offer polio drops if those communities are also affected by the lack of health services over the next several months,” he said.

    Source: AFP

  • Police Commanders to be sanctioned for flouting COVID-19 lockdown directive

    The Ghana Police Service says it will sanction commanders whose jurisdictions were found flouting the partial lockdown directive enforcement.

    A police wireless message signed by the Commissioner in charge of police administration, George Akuffo Dampare, said it had come to the attention of the police administration that some personnel were preventing vehicles carrying food and other permitted items from reaching their destinations.

    He has therefore directed Commanders to take immediate steps to halt the practice.

    He further urged police personnel to discharge their duties with professionalism.

    The message added that “Commanders whose jurisdiction are found flouting this directive will be held responsible and sanctioned accordingly.”

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Increase testing, therere more coronavirus cases John Dumelo tells government

    Actor cum politician, John Dumelo has called on the government to get more Ghanaians tested for the deadly coronavirus.

    He believes that getting more people tested will reveal that there are more cases in Ghana than the number the country has currently recorded.

    Ghana has so far recorded 204 cases of the deadly virus with five deaths.

    To curb the spread of COVID-19, the government has put some parts of the country Greater Accra, Tema, and Greater Kumasi under lockdown.

    The government has also started mass testing in some areas of Accra.

    But John Dumelo, who is eyeing the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency seat in the upcoming December elections on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is calling for more testing to be done.

    “The government should as a matter of urgency get more test kits and increase the capacity of facilities doing the actual testing,” he said in a tweet.

    The actor added that “Cases are increasing in bits because our testing capacity is small. Increase d testing capacity & u will realize we actually have more cases than being reported.”

    John Dumelo also revealed that he has so far distributed 7,000 hand sanitizers, bags of rice, oil, eggs(from his farm), 2570 loaves of bread, gari and bags of water to the less privileged in Ayawaso West.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • Agortime-Ziofe constitutes task force to secure Ghana-Togo routes

    The Agotime/Ziope district in the Volta Region has constituted a task force comprising personnel of the Police Service, Immigration and some locals to help secure unapproved routes between Ghana and the Republic of Togo in the area.

    This was on the heels of the recent coronavirus pandemic, which has caused the nation to close its borders, forcing cross country travellers to resort to unapproved routes.

    Mr John Amenya, the District Chief Executive (DCE) told the Ghana News Agency that motorcycle riders were conveying people through unapproved routes in the area into the country and that the task force would cover their stretch of the frontier with surveillance.

    He said the Assembly had moved to ban commercial motorcycle business in the district with immediate effect until further notice.

    Mr Amenya said before the ban, 10 okada riders were arrested by the task force, but were cautioned and released.

    The DCE said the task force would increase its surveillance not only in the border communities but also in the entire District.

    He appealed to the people to cooperate with the force in the discharge of its duties and volunteer information on strangers in the communities for prompt action.

    Mr Amenya said the Assembly in consultation with the traditional authorities had temporarily closed down all markets in the District to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

    He said the Assembly had procured a number of veronica buckets, sanitizers and other protective items for distribution to all health facilities in the District, adding that plans were far advanced to install handwashing stations at vantage points in all communities for public use.

    Mr Amenya said the directives of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo were for the safety of the citizenry and appealed to all to go by them.

    “Always remember to wash your hands with soap under running water and also keep social distance so as not to be infected by the coronavirus disease”, he emphasized.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Ethiopia postpones August elections due to coronavirus

    August polls were seen as a key test of the reformist agenda of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

    Ethiopia has postponed parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for August due to the coronavirus outbreak, the electoral commission has announced.

    The August polls had been seen as a key test of the reformist agenda of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in what was once one of the continent’s most repressive nations.

    “Because of issues related to the coronavirus, the board has decided it can’t conduct the election as planned… so it has decided to void that calendar and suspend all activities,” the poll body said in a statement on Tuesday.

    It said a new date would be given “when the pandemic is over”.

    Jawar Mohammed, a leading opposition politician, told AFP news agency that a new calendar “cannot be done by the ruling party alone”.

    Ethiopia has recorded 25 cases of COVID-19 and federal and regional officials have introduced a range of measures intended to curb its spread, including banning large gatherings and restricting travel.

    These measures would have prevented the timely completion of activities like voter registration and the recruitment and training of observers, the election commission said.

    Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous nation. When Abiy took power in 2018, he promised to liberalise the state-run economy and introduced reforms that saw thousands of political prisoners released.

    He had promised to hold free and fair elections in August when his party would have faced a stiff challenge from many ethnically-based parties newly emboldened by his reforms.

    SOURCE: News agencies

  • Prosecute civilians flouting coronavirus lockdown directive John Boadu

    The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr John Boadu, has urged security personnel deployed to enforce the partial lockdown directive to arrest and prosecute persons found to be flouting the law.

    He said doing so would serve as a deterrent to others who have taken the directive for granted.

    Speaking on an Accra-based radio station, Asempa FM, on Thursday, Mr Boadu said it was evident that people were flouting the directive but cautioned the security not to take the law into their hands and discipline such people.

    “The processes are there. If you arrest someone who you believe is not part of the exemptions…when we prosecute one or two I think things will be ok,” he said.

    He also advised the security personnel to exercise caution since they are also at risk of getting the disease.

    Following the passage of the Imposition of Restriction Bill 2020 in March, President Akufo-Addo announced a partial lockdown of Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi as part of measures to fight the Coronavirus disease. The President however gave exemptions to the lockdown directive, giving permission for essential workers to go about their daily activities.

    The law stipulates that anyone found flouting the restrictions commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than 1000 penalty units and not more than 5000 penalty units. Each unit is GH¢12 putting the range of fine at between GH¢12,000 and GH¢60,000. The convict could also be liable to a prison term of not less than three months and not more than six months or both a fine and imprisonment.

    But the military and police personnel deployed to enforce the directive have had to deal with some civilians who seem to be flouting the directive.

    In its wake, social media has been awash with videos suggesting that the security personnel are abusing civilians; a claim that has been disputed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Abraham Yeboah Nsiah.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Italian PM tells EU to ‘show more ambition, unity, courage’

    Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday extended his feud about coronavirus money with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in the pages of a Roman newspaper.

    Conte wrote a letter to Italy’s La Repubblica in response to an apology that von der Leyen had published in the same paper on Thursday.

    “I am sorry,” von der Leyen had told Italians. “The EU is with you now.”

    Conte sounded unimpressed in his letter.

    “Dear Ursula,” he wrote. “I hear ideas (from you) not worthy of Europe.”

    He told her it was time for the EU “to show more ambition, more unity and more courage”.

    At issue is billions of euros that Italy wants from the European Union to help fight the novel coronavirus pandemic that has killed nearly 14,000 people in Italy and shattered the country’s economy.

    Conte wants the EU to start issuing lots of joint debt dubbed “coronabonds” — that could let countries such as Italy address the crisis more cheaply.

    Von der Leyen has sided with Germany and some other northern European countries’ suspicion of pooled risk because it could raise their own borrowing costs at the expense of more indebted countries.

    Von der Leyen is backing an EU-wide guarantee that could raise 100 billion euros ($108 billion) to aid strained national unemployment schemes.

    She told Italians said these EU-backed loans were “demonstrating European solidarity”.

    Conte said he “welcomed” the EU’s unemployment initiative.

    But the Italian leader also made it clear that he still wanted the coronabonds.

    “When fighting a war, you must do everything possible to win and equip yourself with all the tools needed for the (subsequent) reconstruction,” he wrote.

    Conte said this required “innovative tools such as the European Recovery Bonds.”

    He said these bonds are “useful to finance the extraordinary efforts that Europe will have to put in place” and “are in no way aimed at sharing the debt that each of our countries has inherited from the past”.

    EU leaders failed to find a common response last week and gave finance ministers until next Thursday to draft a new strategy.

    Italy’s world-leading toll from the new disease reached 13,915 on Thursday.

    Its three-week lockdown to stop the spread has been extended through at least mid-April and its economy is expected to suffer its biggest peacetime shock since World War II.

    Source: France24

  • Christian Atsu retires from Black Stars over ‘neglect’

    Ghana’s committed and reliable playmaker Christian Atsu has served notice of his decision to quit the Black Stars citing neglect over the injury that ultimately cost him his starting place at Newcastle United, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The patriotic player, who has consistently served Ghana with diligence over for more than seven years, has told Black Stars coach Charles Akonnor he is no longer available for selection.

    A reliable source close to the player told Ghana’s leading football news outfit, Ghanasoccernet.com that the England-based player delivered the message to coach Akonnor when he visited England recently on a tour of Europe to meet Black Stars players.

    It explains why the talented winger was excluded from the Ghana’s squad announced by Akonnor to face Sudan in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations double-header qualifier originally scheduled for last month, GHANAsoccernet.com can report.

    Atsu’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt ended prematurely after he picked up a hamstring injury during his country’s 0-0 stalemate against Cameroon on July 1, 2019.

    He was immediately flown to Tyneside for treatment which lasted for over two months.

    GHANAsoccernet.com understands the talented winger is unhappy after officials of the Ghana Football Association failed to even contact him in the period of his predicament.

    He was left to his faith despite proving his loyalty, dedication and commitment to the national team for several years.

    The injury he suffered while on national duty cost him many things including his starting berth in the Newcastle United squad as well as wages because he could not get bonuses for playing and had to rely only on salaries.

    He lost his place to the club’s emergency signing Allan Saint-Maximin due to the setback he suffered while on international duty.

    The former FC Porto wideman is now reluctant to return to the Ghanaian national team after pouring out his genuine concerns to coach Charles Akonnor.

    The former Everton and Bournemouth winger has demonstrated he is a top professional, whose loyalty to Ghana cannot be questioned.

    He turned down a chance to play for Scottish giants Celtic during the winter transfer window as he preferred to fight for his place at St James’ Park.

    Atsu has excelled heavily in Ghana colours, seizing games because of his huge heart, stamina and will to win for the Black Stars to earn him huge admirers in the West African nation.

    An instinctive footballer often fuelled by emotion and adrenalin, Atsu has demonstrated his unrivaled commitment for the national since he bust onto the international scene in 2012.

    It remains to be seen if the Ghana FA can make overtures for the wideman to rescind his decision.

     

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Turning guns on starved Ghanaians during lockdown will make NPP unpopular Irbard warns

    Executive Director of Irbard Security Consult, Alhaji Irbard Ibrahim has warned against hard-handedness on Ghanaians who may be starving during the fortnight lockdown by security agencies, indicating it has the potency of making the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government unpopular.

    He argues that not all citizens within the lockdown areas will be able to afford square meals underscoring the need for the state to provide a door-to-door rationing to such persons in order not for the lockdown to backfire.

    “If guns are turned on Ghanaians who defy a prolonged lockdown as a result of starvation, that will be the easiest way to make this Government unpopular by calling it a government killing its own people and a government that evokes horrendous memories of the days of military juntas in Ghana”, he disclosed

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • You cant spot the difference between OV and her look-alike in this photo -SEE

    While some are entertaining their fans with funny videos, dancehall artiste Okailey Verse popularly known as OV is playing a hard one on her fans as she posts a picture of herself and her supposed twin.

    OV got her fans and followers confused after she shared a photo of herself and her look alike OZ expecting them to spot the difference between them.

    Spotting the difference between the two is actually going to be difficult as the resemblance is impeccable with both having the same dreadlocks.

    Most of her fans and followers were so confused while trying to spot the difference between them to know who is OV and who is OZ, others were also wondering if that is her twin.

    See photo below:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    OV And OZ 💕#Originals #OvLocks #LockDown

    A post shared by ORIGINAL VERSION – OV 🦁 (@ov_music_) on

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

  • Ghana deports 27 Togolese

    Personnel of the various security agencies and volunteer groups in the Ho West District, last Friday arrested and deported 27 Togolese who entered the district through unapproved routes after the closure of the frontiers.

    This was after their bus was intercepted at the border town of Honuta, and their arrest followed a tip-off from informants at the Togo side of the border.

    The District Chief Executive, Mr Victor Ernest Apau said the travelers got access into Ghana through the border along the communities of Kpedze, Luvudo, Holuta and Aflakpe.

    Mr Apau said that following the closure of the border, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the assembly formed volunteer groups to monitor the border communities to ensure compliance with the directive.

    He said that there was better collaboration between the Ghanaian security agencies and their Togolese counterparts, especially at the Klor border post in Togo.

    “That collaboration is helping to enforce the closure of the border effectively,” the DCE affirmed.

    Mr Apau said that several scores of people who attempted to enter the country through the approved routes after the closure of the border were refused entry.

    He warned that any unpatriotic citizen who attempted to assist travelers to enter the country in violation of the closure of the border for monetary gains would be prosecuted.

    Meanwhile, the DCE and the members of the District Border Security Committee have held a diplomatic meeting with their Togolese counterparts to discuss matters of security concerns on both sides of the borders.

     

    Four prominent chiefs from Kloto and Dayi in Togo were present at the meeting which also sought to build stronger ties of collaboration between the two sides.

    Following that meeting a fortnight ago at the Honuta border, the Togolese authorities have begun constructing the link road to Honuta, the DCE told the Ghanaian Times.

     

    Source: Ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Ghanaian jailed in Scotland for assaulting wife

    A 49-year-old Ghanaian voodoo practitioner in Scotland will be deported to Ghana after brutally beating his wife.

    Michael Yartey, who throttled a trainee doctor has been jailed for 82 days and will be deported back to West Africa on his release.

    Yartey came to Scotland from Ghana to start a new life with his medic wife but attacked her days after arriving in Perth.

    He who told police voodoo was his religion, had been sponsored to live in the UK by his wife Jessie Vanderpuije.

    But she has withdrawn her sponsorship after being subjected to a violent assault in her own home when Yartey seized her by the throat during a row.

    He then hurled her to the ground and refused to leave the house in Cedar Drive, Perth, on February 11 this year.

    As well as being jailed for 82 days, Yartey was made the subject of a non-harassment order banning him from approaching or contacting his estranged partner.

    He was unable to provide a post-release address and, as a result, will be deported back to Ghana after spending the majority of his time in Scotland behind bars.

    Perth Sheriff Court was told Yartey arrived from Ghana, where 13 per cent of the population follow the voodoo faith, on January 29 to start a new life.

    However, he was arrested and taken into custody after attacking Jessie less than a fortnight later and has been locked up ever since.

    Yartey wept in the dock when he initially appeared from custody and admitted seizing her by the throat and pushing her to the ground.

    He also admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner by refusing to leave the house.

    Fiscal depute Bill Kermode told the court: “The complainer is no longer willing to be his sponsor, so the grounds for him to remain in the UK will no longer exist and he is likely to be deported back to Ghana.”

     

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Coronavirus: How Ghanaians abroad are enjoying free rent, free utilities & managing cases

    A Ghanaian based in Austria has told Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that, the cases in the country has shot up to 10, 900 with 150 deaths recorded.

    The Ghanaian who only gave his name as Mr. Samuel told host Kwabena Agyapong that they have been on lockdown for the past two weeks with only essential workers allowed to move in and out of their homes.

    He said when one is caught violating the order of lockdown, you are cautioned for the first time but fined 3,600 euros.

    He stated that the government has said the situation can only improve when people stay home.

    The government he indicated has put in a support system for businesses in the country.

    He said the government has introduced several benefits for them including rent-free this period and also workers would be paid their monthly stipends although they have been asked to go home.

    From China, Kingsley Mensah said, the Chinese government has hinted businesses would fully start operation on April 8, 2020.

    The infection rate in China he said has decreased drastically.

    Manufacturing companies he revealed have started producing hand sanitizers and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to meet the demand of the outbreak.

    Giving an update form the U.S. Mr. Samuel Apenteng disclosed the situation keeps rising.

    The majority of states in the U.S. he said have been put under lockdown.
    Church activities, social gatherings, and other activities have been all banned.

    Social-distancing he indicated is taken seriously in the U.S.

    He said people who have filed their taxes as residents are entitled to $1,200 each, with mobile services paid for.

    U.S. states were reporting more than 241,000 cases, almost a quarter of confirmed cases in the world.

    For the first time since the outbreak began, more than 1,000 U.S. deaths were reported in a day, bringing the total to over 5,800.

    Some 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment last week.

    Globally, 1,016,534 cases have been confirmed with 53, 069 deaths and 211,615 recoveries.

     

    As at 2nd April 2020, Ghana has recorded 204 cases COVID-19 with five (5) deaths. The number of regions reporting cases remains five (5) (Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, Upper West and Eastern).

    The Greater Accra Region has most of the cases (183) followed by the Northern Region (10), Ashanti Region (9), Upper West Region (1) and Eastern Region (1).

    Most of the cases are reported from routine / enhanced surveillance activities. Cases from travellers under mandatory quarantine remain 89.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Nigeria discharges 11 patients

    Nigeria has discharged 11 people who were being treated for the coronavirus in hospital.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed 10 new cases of the virus, bringing the total number of recorded cases to 184.

    The authorities say they have increased their testing capacity and can now test 1,500 people a day.

    Health Minister Osagie Ehanire confirmed that the country was seeing “early signs of community transmission”, and he expected an increase in the numbers of people contracting the virus.

    This is because the authorities had stepped up efforts to find those who had been in contact with Covid-19 patients.

    SOURCE: BBC NEWS

  • Do not give audience to people who don’t believe coronavirus exists – Media urged

    The Ghana Psychological Association as part of ensuring stability and peace of the mind of Ghanaians have tasked the media not to entertain the views of people who don’t believe Coronavirus exists.

    According to Dr. Collins Badu Agyeman, Vice President of the Ghana Psychological Association, the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus is causing fear, panic, and anxiety among the Ghanaian populace.

    Hence, the media shouldn’t avail it’s platform to people who don’t believe coronavirus exists to compound Ghanaians by spreading misinformation.

    “Look at the positive sides of coronavirus. Let us avoid sensationalism. People who do not uplift, people who do not believe coronavirus exists should not be entertained this once on our media houses. We want to be mindful of the diction we use, especially if it is in the Twi language,” he said.

    The Ghana Psychological Association briefed Ghanaians on the measures being put in place to ensure peace and stability of the mind, this morning at the Ministry of Information.

     

    Source: www,ghanaweb.com

  • Bow to beauty: Chika Ike leaves fans drooling over latest photo

    Female celebs like Chika Ike are not making this lockdown boring at all.

    We are assured of a beautiful photo of themselves or something equally entertaining when we wake up each morning.

    The actress woke up this morning feeling sporty and she dressed for it.

    In a picture shared, she is seen dazzling in a grey blackish two-piece legging complimented by a snapback cap.

    It is not hard to tell that our lady dressed just for the gram.

    We are all on lockdown have been advised to stay indoors and only go to town if it is a necessity.

    Whatever the case is, all we know is this is the best picture we have seen of her this year!

    Bow to beauty…

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    💋❤️

    A post shared by Chika Ike (@chikaike) on

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

  • Reduce cost of utility, fuel and data – Mahama to government

    Former President John Dramani Mahama, has called on government to reduce utility tariffs as a measure to cushion the Ghanaian public in the period of the outbreak of the coronavirus, MyNewsGh.com reports.

    The former President believes this move would significantly ease the burden on Ghanaians who are now challenged in their line of earnings with many working from home.

    Former President Mahama in a post on his Facebook wall on Friday April 3, 2020 said, “The well-intentioned lockdown has obviously led to some unintended consequences and I believe it is time to utilize the Stabilization Fund to build some additional buffers for the economy. The use of the fund should be directed at cushioning the general population through this period of economic slowdown. These measures may include short term temporary tariff relief in respect of utilities.”

    While acknowledging the recent drop in the prices of fuel, he further admonished government to add relief in the form of a temporary waiver of some petroleum taxes to further reduce fuel prices saying it “will be helpful to the motoring public, especially commercial drivers.”

    In making a case for Ghanaians in relation to the cost of data, the NDC flagbearer called on government through the National Communications Authority to grant a “temporary relief from the Communication Service Tax (CST) in order to grant some relief to data users. Possible discussions between the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the telecommunications companies could yield positive results in providing some relief to their customers during this difficult period.”

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Coronavirus renders 6.65 million Americans jobless

    The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefit has surged to 6.65m, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to upend the country’s economy.

    The actual figure is believed to be even higher as many people have reported jammed phone lines and difficulties with filing their claims online.

    It’s also worth noting that some kinds of workers, such as people working part-time, do not qualify for unemployment benefits.

    The latest figure eclipses the previous week’s record of nearly 3.3m people, according to Department of Labor data.

    The rush, which is unprecedented in modern US history, has overwhelmed many state offices handling the claims.

    Car firms have halted production and air travel has fallen dramatically. According to economists, a fifth of the US workforce is now on some form of lockdown.

    Source: bbc.com

  • 27 Nigerian ‘okada’ riders arrested for using illegal routes to enter Ghana

    Some 27 Nigerians have been arrested at Ketu South for using illegal routes to enter the country.

    They are said to be ‘Okada’ riders in Nigeria but decided to move to Ghana to ply their trade due to the lockdown directive in Lagos and Abuja.

    The Nigerian men when arrested said they planned on travelling to Aflao in the Volta region to indulge in trade activities.

    Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu South Elliot Agbenorwu says the 27 men are currently being questioned and after all necessary interrogations are done, they will be sent back to Nigeria.

    The Ghana Immigration Service recently disclosed that some Ghanaians are helping foreigners to enter the country through illegal routes.

    This was after President Akufo-Addo directed for the closure of all borders of the country to help combat COVID-19.

    “We have noted especially at the Afloa border stretch various attempts by individuals both foreigners and Ghanaians to enter illegally. They have been intercepted by the border patrol…” Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCGI) in-charge of Command Post and Operations, Mr Laud Kwesi Affrifah said.

    But he explained that community members along the Afloa border are helping foreigners to enter the country without going through the mandatory self-quarantine and testing for Covid-19

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Nigerian lady collapses out of too much excitement after her boyfriend proposed -Video

    A proposal is definitely an exciting event.

    As to whether it should be so exciting you collapse as well is up for debate.

    A Nigerian lady completely fell unconscious after her boyfriend proposed to her.

    A video of the moment hit the web showing the exact moment this frankly hilarious thing happened.

    According to reports, here overexcitement was because the proposal occurred exactly on her birthday.

    Watch the video of the proposal below…

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

  • Coronavirus: US jobless claims hit 6.6 million as virus spreads

    The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits has hit a record high for the second week in a row as the economic toll tied to the coronavirus intensifies.

    More than 6.6 million people filed jobless claims in the week ended 28 March, the Department of Labor said.

    That is nearly double the week earlier, which was also a new record.

    The deepening economic crisis comes as the number of cases in the US soars to more than 216,000.

    With the death toll rising to more than 5,000, the White House recently said it would retain restrictions on activity to try to curb the outbreak.

    Analysts at Bank of America warned that the US could see “the deepest recession on record” amid forecasts that the unemployment rate could hit more than 15%.

    The outlook is a stark reversal for the world’s biggest economy where the unemployment rate had been hovering around 3.5%.

    However, more than 80% of Americans are now under some form of lockdown, which has forced the closure of most businesses.

    By Michelle Fleury, New York business correspondent

    This is the highest number of new unemployment claims in US history.

    But what is so terrifying is not just the magnitude but also the speed with which American firms have shed workers.

    Roughly 10 million Americans lost their jobs in just the last two weeks. To put that in context, 9 million jobs were lost in the 2008 financial crisis.

    There were several reasons for this week’s historic increase.

    More states ordered non-essential businesses to close to contain the virus. According to economists, a fifth of the US workforce is now in some form of lockdown.

    And a government relief package signed last week expanded unemployment benefits to help more people, such as the self-employed and independent contractors.

    Some fear the true number could be even higher since many people couldn’t even get through to file a claim.

    Given these are weekly figures, this data is the closest we have to real-time information showing just how catastrophic the pandemic is for the American economy. And it points to a bruising couple of months ahead.

    More than 3.3 million people filed claims two weeks ago, eclipsing the previous record of 695,000, set in 1982 and bringing the two-week total to about 10 million.

    The most recent figure was worse than many economists had feared.

    “I don’t usually look at data releases and just start shaking,” said Heidi Shierholz, former chief economist at the US Department of Labor and now policy director at the Economic Policy Institute. “This is a portrait of disaster … It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before. It represents just incredible amounts of grief and suffering.”

    Workers in accommodation and food services were hit hard again this week, the Department of Labor said.

    But it added that states are reporting “a wider impact across industries”.

    “With this report, there should be little doubt that … US is already in deep recession and the global economy will be too”, tweeted Mohamed A El-Erian, chief economic adviser to financial services firm Allianz.

    The US recently passed a more than $2tn rescue bill, which funds direct payment for households, assistance for businesses and increased unemployment benefits.

    It also made more people eligible to receive benefits, including workers whose jobs are suspended rather than cut. There is speculation the government may provide further relief.

    Unlike other countries such as the UK, the US has not implemented a program that pays firms to keep workers on the payroll – one reason the numbers are so stark, Ms Shierholz says.

    “There’s an attempt at it,” Ms Shierholz said, pointing to the expanded eligibility. “But this concept of keeping workers on the payroll through a downturn is not well socialized in the US. It’s just not how we’ve done things in the past.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Akufo-Addo instructs Ofori-Atta, Asiamah to solve Aayalolo bottlenecks

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has instructed the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Transport to work together and find a solution to the “bottlenecks” at the Greater Accra Passenger Transport Executive (GAPTE), the Minister of Information has disclosed.

    GAPTE, operators of bus rapid transit system Aayalolo, halted operations with the pretext that patronage has reduced due to the lockdown in Accra.

    The Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, had indicated last Wednesday that transport companies including Aayalolo will continue to operate during the 14-day lockdown period to aid in the transport of essential workers.

    But on Thursday, GAPTE officially announced a temporary shutdown over the potential losses to be incurred during the lockdown period.

    At a media briefing on Friday, Mr Oppong Nkrumah disclosed that a cabinet meeting held on Thursday saw the president instruct Ken Ofori-Atta and Kwaku Ofori Asiamah to “quickly get together and resolve whatever bottlenecks there may be there for which reason Aayalolo suspended services [on Thursday]”.

    “Because especially at this critical time when you are asking people to [be] socially distant on transport, you must ensure that the state transport like Aayalolo is functioning.”

    He indicated that ‘trotros’ are essential in this period of lockdown and must be allowed to operate provided the social distancing rules are observed.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • Coronavirus: Expert panel to assess face mask use by public

    This question is to be assessed by a panel of advisers to the World Health Organization (WHO).

    The group will weigh up research on whether the virus can be projected further than previously thought; a study in the US suggests coughs can reach 6m and sneezes up to 8m.

    The panel’s chair, Prof David Heymann, told BBC News that the new research may lead to a shift in advice about masks.

    The former director at the WHO explained: “The WHO is opening up its discussion again looking at the new evidence to see whether or not there should be a change in the way it’s recommending masks should be used.”

    What is the current advice?

    The WHO recommends keeping a distance of at least 1m from anyone coughing or sneezing to avoid the risk of infection.

    It says people who are sick and show symptoms should wear masks.

    But it advises that healthy people only need to wear them if they are caring for others suspected of being infected or if they themselves are coughing or sneezing.

    It emphasises that masks are only effective if combined with frequent hand-washing and used and disposed of properly.

    The UK, along with other countries including the US, advises that social distancing should mean staying at least 2m apart.

    This advice is based on evidence showing that viruses can only be transmitted while carried within drops of liquid.

    The understanding is that most of those drops will either evaporate or fall to the ground near to the person who released them.

    So what does the new research say?

    Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, US, used high-speed cameras and other sensors to assess precisely what happens after a cough or sneeze.

    They found that an exhalation generates a small fast-moving cloud of gas that can contain droplets of liquid of varying sizes – and that the smallest of these can be carried in the cloud over long distances.

    The study – conducted in laboratory conditions – found that coughs can project liquid up to 6m away and that sneezes, which involve much higher speeds, can reach up to 8m away.

    What are the implications?

    The scientist who led the study, Prof Lydia Bourouiba of MIT, told me that she is concerned about the current concept of “safe distances”.

    “What we exhale, cough or sneeze is a gas cloud that has high momentum that can go far, traps the drops of all sizes in it and carries them through the room,” she said.

    “So having this false idea of safety at one to two meters, that somehow drops will just fall to the ground at that distance is not based on what we have quantified, measured and visualized directly.”

    Does this change the advice about masks?

    Prof Bourouiba’s view is that in certain situations, especially indoors in poorly ventilated rooms, wearing masks would reduce the risks.

    For example, when facing someone who’s infected, masks could help divert the flow of their breath and its load of virus away from your mouth.

    “Flimsy masks are not going to protect from inhaling the smallest particulates in the air because they do not provide filtration,” Prof Bourouiba said.

    “But they would potentially divert the cloud that is being emitted with high momentum to the side instead of forward.”

    What do the WHO advisers think?

    According to Prof Heymann, the new research from MIT and other institutions will be evaluated because it suggests that droplets from coughs and sneezes could be projected further than originally thought.

    He said that if the evidence is supported, then “it might be that wearing a mask is equally as effective or more effective than distancing.”

    But he adds a warning that masks need to be worn properly, with a seal over the nose. If they become moist, Prof Heymann explained, then particles can pass through. People must remove them carefully to avoid their hands becoming contaminated.

    He adds that masks need to be worn consistently.

    “It’s not on to wear a mask and then decide to take it off to smoke a cigarette or eat a meal – it must be worn full time,” he said.

    The panel, known as the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards, is due to hold its next virtual meeting in the next few days.

    A spokesperson for Public Health England said there was little evidence of widespread benefit from wearing masks outside clinical settings.

    “Facemasks must be worn correctly, changed frequently, removed properly, disposed of safely and used in combination with good universal hygiene behaviour in order for them to be effective.

    “Research also shows that compliance with these recommended behaviours reduces over time when wearing facemasks for prolonged periods.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • France records 471 more virus deaths in hospitals as total toll tops 5,000

    France recorded 471 new coronavirus hospital deaths and 884 deaths in retirement homes, the country’s chief medical adviser told a press conference on Thursday.

    France’s Director General of Health, Jérôme Salomon, announced the figures during a daily press conference making for the first time a distinction between deaths recorded in hospitals and those in retirement homes.

    He said that a provisional tally showed that around 884 people in total had died in nursing homes.

    He added that the number of coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals rose 12 percent on Thursday to 4,503 from Wednesday.

    This makes for a total of 5,387 lives lost to coronavirus in France, so far.

    Salomon cautioned that coronavirus deaths in retirement homes could turn out to be higher than the reported number, as authorities were still gathering data from across the country.

    Salomon said that the number of known infections rose nationwide to 59,105 from 56,989. The number of patients requiring life support rose to 6,399 from 6,017 on Wednesday.

    In a televised interview on TF1 Thursday night, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe urged the French to continue to comply with mandatory lockdown measures imposed since March 17, to ensure a levelling off of new cases of the virus. He conceded these measures “would probably be extended” beyond the current deadline of April 15.

    According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, the global death toll from the virus on Thursday topped 50,000 with total infections surpassing one million.

    Source: France24

  • Coronavirus: Confirmed global cases pass one million

    More than a million cases of coronavirus have been registered globally, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University – another grim milestone as the world grapples with the spreading pandemic.

    Nearly 53,000 people have died and more than 210,000 have recovered, according to the US university’s figures.

    The US has the most cases, and about 1,000 died there in the past day.

    The disease, Covid-19, first emerged in central China three months ago.

    Though the tally kept by Johns Hopkins records one million confirmed cases, the actual number is thought to be much higher.

    It took a month and a half for the first 100,000 cases to be registered. A million was reached after a doubling in cases over the past week.

    Nearly a quarter of cases have been registered in the United States, while Europe accounts for around half.

    What’s the latest?

    On Thursday, Spain said 950 people had died in the previous 24 hours – thought to be the highest number of deaths of any country in one day.

    The number of confirmed Spanish cases rose from 102,136 on Wednesday to 110,238 – an 8% rise that is similar to the rate recorded in previous days. Authorities believe the virus is now peaking and say they expect to see a drop in figures in the days ahead.

    “We continue with an increase of around 8%. This points, as we have already seen, to a stabilisation in the data that we’re registering,” María José Sierra, from the Spanish health ministry’s emergency co-ordination unit, said at a news conference.

    Spain, the second-worst hit nation in terms of deaths, has also lost nearly 900,000 jobs.

    The US on Thursday said it saw a record 6.6 million new unemployment benefit claims.

    How did we get here?
    In China at the end of December, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist named Dr Li Wenliang tried to send a message to other medics warning them about a new virus in the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province.

    He was later visited by the police and accused of scaremongering. Dr Li died on 6 February after contracting the virus while treating patients in Wuhan.

    China first informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about cases of pneumonia with unknown causes on 31 December.

    On 3 January, the BBC wrote its first news report about a “mystery virus” in Wuhan. At the time, 44 cases had been confirmed, 11 of which were considered severe.

    Many feared there would be a repeat of the 2003 Sars outbreak that killed 774 people. By 18 January the confirmed number of cases had risen to around 60 – but experts estimated the real figure was closer to 1,700.

    Just two days later, as millions of people prepared to travel for the lunar new year, the number of cases more than tripled to more than 200 and the virus was detected in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Difficulty in acquiring PPEs not just a Ghana problem – Dr. Aboagye

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye says the difficulty in acquiring Personal Protective Equipment(PPEs) to fight COVID-19 is not only a challenge for Ghana but it has become a global issue.

    Health workers in Ghana have over the past few weeks complained about the lack of PPEs to enable them to fight the deadly disease.

    Some have even said they may be forced to stop working if the PPEs are not provided because they can’t put their lives at risk.

    Dr Aboagye urged all to remain calm as the country is trying all means to acquire more PPEs but there is a global shortage.

    “PPEs remain a challenge for all of us not only in Ghana but a global problem. There are plans to boost local production of PPEs”. There is a clear global shortage because of how COVID-19 cases keep rising in other jurisdictions, we are trying all means to acquire more,” he said at a press briefing.

    Some PPE items include gloves, medical mask, respirator mask, goggles, face shield and gowns.

    Last week the Ministry of Health received some Personal Protective Equipment(PPEs) from the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat the spread the novel coronavirus in the country.

    These PPEs were shared to health workers but that may not be enough as more people have called on the authorities to acquire more.

    Ghana’s COVID-19 cases stand at 204 with 5 deaths so far.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Google to publish user location data to help govts tackle virus

    Google will publish location data from its users around the world from Friday to allow governments to gauge the effectiveness of social distancing measures put in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the tech giant said.

    The reports on users’ movements in 131 countries will be made available on a special website and will “chart movement trends over time by geography,” according to a post on one of the company’s blogs.

    Trends will display “a percentage point increase or decrease in visits” to locations like parks, shops, homes and places of work, not “the absolute number of visits,” said the post, signed by Jen Fitzpatrick, who leads Google Maps, and the company’s chief health officer Karen DeSalvo.

    “We hope these reports will help support decisions about how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic,” they said.

    “This information could help officials understand changes in essential trips that can shape recommendations on business hours or inform delivery service offerings.”

    Like the detection of traffic jams or the measurement of traffic on Google Maps, the new reports will use “aggregated, anonymised” data from users who have activated their location history.

    No “personally identifiable information,” such as a person’s location, contacts or movements, will be made available, the post said.

    The reports will also employ a statistical technique that adds “artificial noise” to raw data, making it harder for users to be identified.

    From China to Singapore to Israel, governments have ordered electronic monitoring of their citizens’ movements in an effort to limit the spread of the virus, which has infected more than a million people and killed over 50,000 worldwide.

    In Europe and the United States, technology firms have begun sharing “anonymised” smartphone data to better track the outbreak.

    Even privacy-loving Germany is considering using a smartphone app to help manage the spread of the disease.

    But activists say authoritarian regimes are using the coronavirus as a pretext to suppress independent speech and increase surveillance.

    And in liberal democracies, others fear widespread data harvesting and intrusion could bring lasting harm to privacy and digital rights.

    Source: France24

  • GES okays use of school facilities for coronavirus fight

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) says it has no objection to the use of school facilities for Covid-19 related activities.

    However, it has directed that all requests in that direction should be routed through its Director General who is then liaise with the National Covid-19 Coordinating Team.

    In a statement signed by the Director General Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, GES says the aim is to ensure effective coordination and monitoring of the use of the facilities by GES and the National Covid-19 Coordinating Team.

    It noted in the statement that it has received several requests from district and regional directors of Education and heads of SHS/TVETs for direction following demands made on them by both regional and district health and security teams to release schools facilities to be used for various activities connected with efforts at fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Customers desert South Korea’s animal cafes over virus fears

    A beige feline paces between two Gaudi-style columns at the empty 2 Cats cafe in Seoul, with upturned stools standing on the tables where humans sat to play with them in pre-virus days.

    Along with coffee, South Korea’s animal cafes offer the chance to cuddle companion creatures like dogs or cats for customers who cannot keep one themselves.

    Business has been devastated by the coronavirus outbreak, with South Koreans staying at home under social distancing guidelines, and tourism disappearing.

    But unlike other firms, these cafes cannot lay off staff as they have to look after the animals.

    Many also provide encounters with more exotic species. Meerkats and raccoons are particularly popular as both have behaviour patterns endearing to human eyes, although the trade in these creatures faces heavy opposition from animal rights groups.

    A family of wallabies; their names Alkong and Dalkong translate as “Lovey” and “Dovey” looked sheepish when caught stealing bananas at the Eden Meerkat Friends Cafe in the tourist district of Myeongdong.

    Staff member Kim Min-ji said customers were down to one or two a day.

    “Ninety percent of our customers had been foreigners, mostly Chinese, but they stopped coming since the coronavirus outbreak,” she said. “Korean customers also don’t come much.”

    And Ji Hyo-yeon, owner of the Raccoon Cafe Table A — which also stocks turtles and lizards as well as meerkats — said some people avoided his premises after hearing the virus was first contracted from a wild animal.

    South Korea was among the earliest countries to be hit outside China, where the coronavirus first emerged, and for a time had the world’s second-largest outbreak before it was largely brought under control through a widespread testing drive.

    Customers said the animals helped to put them at ease in the tense times of the pandemic.

    Hong Chan-wook and his girlfriend were the only visitors at the Eden Meerkat Friends Cafe on a weekday afternoon, and he told AFP: “After spending all my time at home and being bored, I feel healed by meeting these adorable new animals.”

    Source: France24

  • US records 1,169 new coronavirus deaths

    The United States recorded 1,169 Coronavirus fatalities in a single day, the Johns Hopkins University tracker showed Thursday, the highest one-day death toll recorded in any country since the global pandemic began.

    The toll reflected figures reported by the university between 8:30pm Wednesday (0030 GMT) and the same time Thursday.

    The grim record was previously held by Italy, where 969 people died on March 27.

    The US has now recorded around 6000 coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began.

    Trump changes his position on masks

    US President Donald Trump’s administration appeared to join local officials on Thursday in advising Americans to wear masks when venturing out during the still-exploding coronavirus pandemic.

    Speaking at a White House briefing, Deborah Birx, a member of Trump’s coronavirus task force, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would issue guidelines in the coming days on the use of face coverings.

    Birx however cautioned that Americans, who have been admonished to stay at home except for essential outings, should not develop a “false sense of security” that they are fully protected from the respiratory illness by wearing a mask.

    Trump, answering questions from reporters at the same briefing, said only that “if people want to wear them, they can.”

    Global cases surpassed 1 million on Thursday with more than 52,000 deaths, according to a Reuters tally based on country by country data.

    White House medical experts have forecast that between 100,000 to 240,000 people could be killed even if Americans follow the sweeping lock-down orders.

    The Trump administration, CDC and public health officials have all wavered on the issue of face masks since the pandemic broke out, initially telling healthy people such measures were unnecessary or even counter-productive.

    Lack of resources

    In New York City, the center of the US outbreak, Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to wear face coverings, citing studies showing that the virus can be transmitted by infected people who are showing no symptoms.

    “What that means is when you put on that face covering you’re protecting everyone else,” de Blasio said. The Democratic mayor suggested New Yorkers use scarves or other home-made masks because medical-grade protective gear was in short supply.

    An emergency stockpile of medical equipment maintained by the US government has nearly run out of protective garb for doctors and nurses.

    In New York City, where at least 1,400 people have been killed by the virus, hospitals and morgues struggled to treat the desperately ill and bury the dead.

    New York City funeral homes and cemetery directors described a surge in demand not seen in decades as cases surpassed 50,000 in the city.

    Crematories extended their hours and burned bodies into the night, with corpses piling up so quickly that city officials were looking elsewhere in the state for temporary interment sites.

    “We’ve been preparing for a worst-case scenario, which is in a lot of ways starting to materialise,” said Mike Lanotte, director of the New York State Funeral Directors Association.

    Source: France24