TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Coronavirus: Hotel occupancy rates down from 70% to under 30% – Ofori-Atta

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has revealed that hotel occupancy rates are down from 70% to under 30% due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Ghana.

    According to him, even before the impact of the partial two-week lockdown directive by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, restaurants in the country were already experiencing an average of drop in patronage of 60%.

    “Hotel occupancy rates are down from 70% to under 30% and staff are being sent home. Even before the impact of the current lockdown, restaurants were already experiencing an average drop in patronage of 60%,” Ofori Atta told Parliament House in a briefing on Monday, March 30.

    Due to low patronage of their services as a result of the outbreak, some businesses in the hospitality industry; hotels, restaurants and car rental services, have begun laying off some staff, particularly, contract staff.

    Ken Ofori-Atta also stressed transportation services, have been among the worst hit, due to social distancing, closure of schools and the ban on mass gatherings by government.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Hotels Association has described the Coronavirus pandemic as having a severe negative impact on their business and urged the government to provide some tax cuts to reduce the probable increase in operational expenses.

    Minister of Tourism, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, said an impact assessment of the coronavirus outbreak on the country by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has revealed the hospitality industry is likely to lose US$130 million in the formal sector.

    The informal sector of the hospitality industry, she added, is likely to also lose US$41 million. This makes a total loss of US$171 million for both sectors.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Andre Ayew pays tribute to ‘mentor’ & former Marseille President Pape Diouf

    Ghana captain Andre Ayew has paid tributes to former Marseille President Pape Diouf, who died on Tuesday night in Senegal.

    Pape Diouf died after suffering from the coronavirus. He was 68.

    Ayew took to Twitter to expressed his grief after hearing of the death of one of Africa’s leading football executive.

    “MON PAPA, GRAND PERE, MON MENTOR, RIP PAPE DIOUF,” he posted.

    The astute African football executive, who was President of Marseille between 2005 To 2009, helped Jordan and his senior brother Ayew settle in France when they were at the Marseille academy.

    Diouf was a close friend of their father Abedi Pele during his playing days at the French giants Marseille long before the former journalist became the club’s President.

    A former journalist at La Marseillaise in the 1980s, he was a successful football agent from the 1990s, representing top African players like Joseph-Antoine Bell, Marcel Desailly, Basile Boli, William Gallas, Samir Nasir, Didier Drogba and many others.

    Pape Diouf was appointed CEO of Marseille in 2004 and was voted the President in 2005.

    An esteemed leader, he was one of the major players in French football, renowned for his good banter with his Lyon counterpart Jean -Michel Aulas and his classy way of dressing.

    After leaving Marseille in 2009, he became a sought-after speaker in sports conferences.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Tony Baffoe eulogises ex-Marseille President Pape Diouf

    Deputy General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football Anthony Baffoe has sang high praises of former Marseille President Pape Diouf, who passed on on Tuesday night.

    Pape Diouf died in his native Senegal after suffering from the coronavirus.

    Baffoe was heartbroken to hear of the death of the man he described as a ‘pioneer’ in football on many fronts including management of players.

    “He was the pioneer in so many things concerning football affairs and player management coming from Africa-rest well Pape Diouf,” he posted on Twitter after learning of the death of Diouf.

    Pape Diouf died at 68, and is the first black man to be President of a top European club.

    He was president of the club between 2005 to 2009, a period that played a crucial part of Ghanaian footballer Andre and Jordan Ayew.

    A former journalist at La Marseillaise in the 1980s, he was a successful football agent from the 1990s, representing top African players like Joseph-Antoine Bell, Marcel Desailly, Basile Boli, William Gallas, Samir Nasir, Didier Drogba and many others.

    Pape Diouf was appointed CEO of Marseille in 2004 and was voted the President in 2005.

    An esteemed leader, he was one of the major players in French football, renowned for his good banter with his Lyon counterpart Jean -Michel Aulas and his classy way of dressing.

    After leaving Marseille in 2009, he became a sought-after speaker in sports conferences.

    Charged in the case of questionable transfers from Marseille in 2016, the judicial decision was thrown out on appeal in 2018.

    He returned to Dakar in 2018 to be with his family.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • The Ghana Stock Exchange has said that trading on the Ghana Stock Exchange will continue uninterrupted despite the partial lockdown

    The Ghana Stock Exchange has granted approval to six companies for an extension in the deadline for the submission of their 2019 audited financial statements.

    The firms are Enterprise Group Limited, Intravenous Infusions Limited, Fan Milk Limited, Total Ghana Limited, Aluworks Limited and GOIL Company Limited.

    The GSE has, therefore, granted the firms new deadline dates to submit their audited financials.

    The new dates for the submission of their 2019 audited financial statements are; April 30, 2020 for Enterprise Group Ghana; April 14, 2020 for Intravenous Infusions Limited and April 30, 2020 for Fan Milk Ghana Limited.

    Total Petroleum, Aluworks and GOIL are also to submit their 2019 audited financial statements by April 30, 2020; August 31, 2020 and April 30, 2020.

    It is, however, unclear why the firms requested an extension in publishing their 2019 audited financial statements.

    Per the Listing Regulation, every firm listed on the GSE is expected to published its audited financial statement every quarter of the financial year.

    source: classfmonline.com

  • 15 traders grabbed in Kumasi for breaking lockdown directive

    About 15 traders were Wednesday morning arrested at Dr Mensah Market within the Central Business District of Kumasi by the Joint Security taskforce for allegedly breaching lockdown directives.

    The suspects who were not traders of essential commodities were found to have opened their shops for brisk business when they were pounced on by the security details who whisked them into a waiting vehicle and drove them away.

    MyNewsGh.com has confirmed that the suspects are currently in detention at the Zongo Police Station pending next line of action but sources reveal that they could be put before court for violating the orders.

    A member of the Legal Team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Lawyer Abraham Amaliba has revealed that persons who flout the lockdown rules face up to four years imprisonment

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Trading continues uninterrupted – GSE

    The Ghana Stock Exchange has said that trading on the Ghana Stock Exchange will continue uninterrupted despite the partial lockdown of the Greater Accra region.

    This is because the Exchange operates its market on an Automated Trading System (ATS) which brokers trade on via the internet and a Wide Area Network (WAN).

    However, its offices will be physically closed during the period of the restriction on movement.

    In a statement, the GSE reiterated and assured all investors that it will be fully operational considering all directives that has currently been issued by the Government.

    “The Exchange also has a Disaster Recovery Site (DRS) which allows seamless business continuity when the need arises. Consequently, investors will be able to have their orders executed by their brokers via the Licensed Dealing Members (LDMs). The Staff of the Exchange will also be working from home to ensure that all activities of the Exchange falls in line as expected.”

    The GSE said it continues to closely monitor the national situation of this pandemic and will respond accordingly.

    “We encourage the general public to adhere to the guidelines on precautionary measures provided by the Ghana Health Service.”

    The GSE has lost 4.36% of its value since the beginning of the year.

    Market capitalization of the 39 listed companies stands at GHS55.9 billion.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Al Qadsiya agrees contract exetension with Ghana’s Rashid Sumaila

    Kuwaiti giants Al Qadsiya have agreed to extend Ghana defender Rashid Sumaila’s contract for another year.

    The defender has been in scintillating form for the Yellow Castles since arriving from a loan spell in Serbia with Red Star Belgrade.

    The management of the club together with coach Pablo Franco has been impressed with the swashbuckling defender’s form this season, rewarding him with a contract extension.

    The former Asante Kotoko defender joined Al Qadsiya in 2015 from South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns and has since been one of the best foreign players in Kuwait.

    Al Qadsiya is second on the league table the same on points with leaders Kuwait SC.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • COVID-19: Aspiring NPP MP donates 3,000 pieces of sanitizers, veronica buckets to Constituency

    Aspiring Parliamentary Candidate for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Constituency, Alfred Obeng-Boateng has donated a total of Three Thousand (3,000) pieces of hand sanitizers and Veronica buckets to residents of the constituency to help the community combat the COVID-19 infection.

    The donation was made through the Municipal Health Directorate on Monday, March 30, 2020, and is expected to be distributed amongst market women in the constituency, police officers, prison inmates, health workers at both government and private hospitals and clinics, the three Traditional Councils, and Executives of the various Transport unions in the area.

    Speaking to the media after the donations, Mr Obeng-Boateng indicated that the donation is in a bid to provide the necessary equipment for the compliance of the preventive measures needed to fight against the pandemic.

    “At this moment, it is believed that we are all aware of the existence of COVID-19 and its concomitant effects on humanity hence I need not bother you on that. What is more important here is the preventive measures one needs to practice and the ingredients needed for that.

    “This is the moment society needs us most to extend a helping hand to others. Obviously it is not everybody who can afford to purchase a single piece of sanitizer easily to protect himself or herself. The government or state is playing her part and it is not out of order for individuals to contribute their quota in supporting the state to fight this deadly disease or pandemic that is wiping off humans on the surface of the earth and again has brought uncertainty to human life,” he indicated.

    Source: www.abcnewsgh.com

  • Coronavirus: Exempt us from partial lockdown Poultry farmers to government

    President of the Poultry Farmers Association, Victor Oppong-Adjei, has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akkufo-Addo to allow poultry farmers to go to work even though the country is fighting against the Coronavirus outbreak.

    He noted that poultry farmers are unable to attend to their farms in order to cater for their birds.

    Mr Oppong-Adjei told Accra-based UTV Tuesday March 31 that : “We want to appeal to the president exempt our members from restriction.

    “We want our members to be able to go to work without security harassment,” he said.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa last week announced a partial restriction of some areas in the country to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.

    But the President exempted some professions as well as the markets from the restriction.

    The president said markets were to ensure social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols.

    “In any event, only persons involved in the food value chain can operate in the markets during this period” the President said.

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Ghana Premier League referees to receive monies owed them next week

    The Ghana Football Association have announced plans to pay Referees of the Ghana Premier League part of the monies owed them.
    According to the General Secretary of GFA, Referees in the league will pocket four matchdays allowance next week.

    The referees have only received allowances from the only four match days, despite handling games till matchday 15.

    Each referee receives GHC 780 after-tax per game as allowance for handling men’s game with the women receiving GHC 468 per match And with the league on break, there is uncertainty as to whether the rest of their allowances will be paid in due time.

    However, the General Secretary of the GFA, has confirmed in an interview that the association will be paid part of the allowances in the coming days.

    “For payments from matchday 5 to matchday 8 in the Ghana Premier League for referees, the money will get to the referees next week.”

    Prosper also hinted that the association is looking at paying referees before matches when done with the settling of their arrears. He said the GFA intend on starting that this season.

    Meanwhile, The Ghana Premier League has been postponed until further notice to control the spread of the Covid-19.
    Ghana’s case count now stands at 137 with four deaths and two recoveries.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Volta Region: Transport business drops after Accra, Kumasi lockdown order

    Transport business in the Volta region has greatly been affected following the shutdown of Accra and Kumasi by Presiden Akufo-Addo.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday, March 27, announced a partial lockdown of the two cities including Obuasi and Tema, which took effect on Monday -in bid to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    As a result, Transport Unions in the Volta region; including the Private Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Co-operative Transport Society, have directed drivers who ply Accra and Kumasi roads to ground their vehicles until any further directive from the President.

    Such drivers have also been asked to operate only within the Volta region for the two weeks period.

    According to Mr. Lawrence Awilo Attitoe, the Spokesperson for the Union, the directive is to ensure total compliance with the lockdown and the protocols laid down to prevent the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

    “We are doing this in line with the lockdown in parts of Accra and Kumasi just to ensure a total compliance; so, therefore, we have asked drivers who ply Accra and Kumasi roads to ground their vehicles or even operate just within the region within this period until any further directive from the President,” he said.

    Drivers have also been asked to reduce the number of persons they pick in their vehicles to create adequate space in the vehicles.

    Saloon cars are now required to pick only three passengers instead of four, while the big buses have also been asked to reduce the number of persons to just sixteen.

    Mr. Attitoe said, “the move is to ensure that we create enough space in the vehicles so that even if somebody has to cough or sneeze, he or she would do it through the windows,” he noted.

    But affected drivers say, the reduction in the number of persons they are supposed to pick would affect their businesses, thus called for a review of the new arrangement.

    The aggrieved drivers in an interview with Starr News Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu, threatened to park their vehicles at home if they are forced to comply with the directive.

    Source: starrfm.coom.gh

  • Andre Ayew becomes the second highest scoring right winger in the Championship

    Swansea City Vice-captain Andre Dede Ayew is the second-highest scoring right-winger in the English Championship.

    The Ghana international has 12 goals in 35 appearances for the South Wales club.

    Only Brentford FC’s Bryan Mbeumo has scored more goals than the Black Stars captain.

    The former France youth international has netted 14 goals in 35 appearances.

    Ayew has five assists and 64 successful dribbles according to EFL Analytics who provide football statistics across the EFL, as well as more in-depth analysis on teams and players.

    He won 77 fouls and provided 30 key passes.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Midfielder Joseph Paintsil handed permission to travel to native Ghana amid coronavirus crisis

    Racing Genk midfielder Joseph Paintsil has been permitted to travel to Ghana but remains unclear if he will be allowed into the West African nation due to the shutdown of the country’s airspace over the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The 22-year-old has been told he can fly out to Africa next week after the Belgian side permitted their foreign players to return to their home countries.

    But it remains to be seen if the Ghana youth star will be allowed into the country following a shutdown of the country’s airspace.

    The Ghana government has shut down the airspace and closed borders as a measure to contain the deadly coronavirus which has affected over 100 citizens.

    Over 1,000 Ghanaians have been placed under mandatory quarantine since arriving in the country.

    It appears impossible that the midfielder will be allowed to travel to his native country due to the directive from President Nana Akufo-Addo.

    This means Paintsil may as well stay in Belgium as scientists battle to find a vaccine for the virus which has wreaked havoc globally.

    Several countries including Ghana are currently under lockdown amid a global crisis that threatens humanity.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Myron Boadu is dangerous in front of goal – Former coach

    Myron Boadu has been described by his former coach, Erwin van de Looi as a lethal striker who is so dangerous.

    The 19 year old striker has shot to prominence with his performances this season for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch league and also in the Europa league.

    Boadu has been in fine form this season in Netherlands and has scored an impressive 19 goals already.

    His former trainer has spoken highly of the teen sensation who is on the radar of most teams in Europe and are looking to snap him up at the season’s end.

    “He is so cool in front of goal and so dangerous from deep,” he told goal.com

    “He has that ability to just score, that is really a talent.”

    Those comments from Van de Looi would appear to suggest Boadu is indeed a fine young talent. Indeed, the teenager has been fast-tracked into the Netherlands senior squad and has already been given a cap.

    Source: Ghanaguardian.com

  • Veronica Bucket inventor seeks government support for patenting

    The biological scientist who invented the buckets fitted with taps for handwashing has said she will be happy if the government helps her to patent her invention.

    Mrs Veronica Bekoe invented the buckets about 30 years ago for hand hygiene and the prevention of infections at medical laboratories.

    “I am not trying to take advantage of an unfortunate situation with the outbreak of the coronavirus disease that has resulted in the mass production and use of the buckets every.

    “However, my call is to set out the fact that the invention is mine,” she told the Daily Graphic newspaper.

    Veronica Bekoe
    Veronica Bekoe

    She also told the state-owned newspaper that although she had begun the process to patent her innovation, the bureaucracy involved in getting it done was daunting and so she gave up.

    “At that time, I used to get to the office at 7 a.m. to ensure that all laboratory tests were ready. Being tossed about, with no clarity on how to proceed, was difficult and I could not find the opportunity to continue with it because of work,” he told the Daily Graphic newspaper.

    She said, however, that she was very happy that her invention was contributing to the healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond.

    She said it was unfortunate that the buckets were being mass-produced and exported without due recognition for her effort.

    Source: bestnewsghana

  • Opoku Afriyie was a unifier – Frimpong Manso

    The coach of Nkoranza warriors, Frimpong Manso remembers recently deceased Opoku Afriyie as someone who likes bringing people together and upfront.

    Opoku Afriyie had a glittering career in football, most notably winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana in 1978. He was a striker during his playing days.

    In an interview with Peace Sports, Frimpong Manso recollects the attitude of Afriyie.

    “He is someone who likes to bring people together. He is plain as well. If you do something he is not happy about, he will let you know immediately.”

    “Some people felt he was outspoken and because of that, authorities did not usually like him. The players understood him. Normally players like someone who fights for them and Afriyie does that”.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Six more Covid-19 patients treated & discharged

    Six more coronavirus patients hitherto on admission at the Ga East Municipal Hospital have been treated and discharged.

    This brings to 38 the total number of patients discharged.

    This was made known by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 1.

    More soon

    Source: 3news.com

     

  • I want to build a hospital for my village before i retire- Asante Kotoko midfielder Justice Blay

    Asante Kotoko midfielder Justice Blay says he wants to build a hospital in his village before he retires from football.

    The defensive midfielder was speaking in an interview on his life after football.

    According to him, giving back to the society is one of his main priority and hopes to accomplish that before he hangs his boots.

    “I want to build a hospital and church in my village before i retire from football”, he told Vision One FM.

    Blay has been commended for his performances this season for the Ghanaian giants.

    Despite showing his skills as a good footballer, Blay indicated he would have preferred kick boxing if he did not play football.

    “If i didn’t turn a professional football player, i would have been a kick boxer”.

    He added that he will venture into coaching when he retires from football.

    Blay is currently on loan at Asante Kotoko and GHANAsoccernet.com understands Kotoko opened talks to sign the combative midfielder from Medeama.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Govt to house Kayayei during lockdown – Gender Minister

    Mrs. Cynthia Morrison, Ghana’s Gender Minister has announced that the government during the two weeks lockdown period will provide shelter for some head potters, often referred to as ‘kayayei’ in Accra and Kumasi.

    Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, today April 1, 2020, the minister said about 1500 kayayei who sleep on the streets will be accommodated, provided food and water during the lockdown period.

    “Some of them have rented apartments and we have those who also live on the streets. We have visited some facilities where we think can accommodate our brothers and sisters on the streets and those without places of abode during the lockdown.

    We currently have 1500 kayayei to cater for. For those who have their apartment, we will find ways of sending logistics to them, to keep them away from coming to town. And for those that we are going to keep, there’s going to be enough food, water… We have corporate bodies cooking for like 6000…” she told the media, monitored by GhanaWeb.

    Meanwhile, over 30 women and children in two trucks en route the Northern Region were impounded at the checkpoint of a COVID- 19 joint security at Duampompo in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

    The driver had covered the trucks with tarpaulins to try and outsmart the security personnel stationed at the various checkpoints.

    Passengers on board the vehicles were mostly head porters who were travelling to the North East Region with their children.

    According to these women, when they heard of the lockdown, they decided to go to their hometowns because they have nowhere to sleep in the city.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanaian clubs seek bailout from government amid coronavirus pandemic

    Ghanaian football clubs are seeking a bailout from government as the industry staggers in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The clubs are calling for immediate relief in the form of direct aid and monetary support.

    Clubs are now facing bankruptcy amid the coronavirus outbreak which is sweeping the world.

    Local football has come to a halt as scientists race against time to find a vaccine for the deadly virus.

    Clubs have been forced to take action after breaking camp amid the financial downturn affecting owners in the West African nation.

    The suspension of football in Ghana has brought untold hardship on owners, players, staff, sponsors and fans.

    There are widespread fears clubs could go bankrupt if it proves impossible to resume the calendar on time.

    The loss of revenue is both enormous, unplanned for and, in the case of force majeure, usually uninsured.

    They are now turning their attention to government for some financial relief amid fears of going into administration.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • I learn a lot from Ngolo Kante- Asante Kotoko midfielder Justice Blay

    Asante Kotoko midfielder Justice Blay says he learned a lot from Chelsea and France superstar Ngolo Kante which has helped to shape his style of play.

    Ngolo Kante has been regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and the Ghanaian hopes to emulate the French star.

    According to him, he has learnt a lot from the French midfielder which he tries to replicate in his game every time he is on the pitch.

    “Before every game I watch Ngolo Kante and I learnt a lot from him. I am motivated by the way he plays and I try to emulate him in my game”, he told Vision One.

    He added that he want to venture into coaching when he retires from football.

    Justice Blay has been a revelation this season for the Porcupine Warriors with his impressive performances in the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Ghana football season facing cancellation for second year running

    The Ghana football season is facing a second cancellation for the second year running amid the coronavirus pandemic wrecking havoc across the world.

    The 2019/20 season is facing an imminent termination as the world struggle to find a vaccine to cure the deadly virus.

    The Ghana Premier League has been suspended indefinitely amid the global pandemic and with no end in sight, it appears this season could be well over.

    The Ghana FA will race against time to finish the calendar on time if the situation is not resolved latest by April.

    The Premier League and lower tier leagues have been put on ice as the shutdown begins to bite.

    If the league is cancelled, it will be the second time running that the season failed to complete.

    The 2018/2019 league season was terminated over a a documentary by controversial journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which revealed alleged widespread corruption in the game.

    The Anas exposé brought football on its knees, leaving Congress- the highest decision-making body of the FA to officially confirm its cancellation.

    Ghana football has suffered in the past two seasons and appears another cancellation is on the horizon.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Wassa-East farmers happy with the supply of massive farm inputs

    Farmers in the Wassa-East District have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the District Chief Executive (DCE), Wilson Arthur for being instrumental in the massive supply of basic farm inputs to boost Agriculture in the area.

    According to them, the supply of Fertilizers and nursing seedlings from the government has become a major boost to the planting for food and jobs programme.

    In a random sampling exercise, a cross-section of the predominantly Cocoa and rubber farmers told the Ghana News Agency(GNA) in the District that the quantum of planting seedlings and Fertilizers made available to farmers from 2019 were unprecedented.

    The DCE, Mr Arthur who confirmed the story to the GNA, said the Daboase Cooperative Farmers Union (DCFU) received a total of 46,750 Cocoa Aduane Fertilizers within the last two weeks.

    The Ateiku Cocoa Farmers Cooperative Union 1&2 also received 24,000 bags of fertilizers with the CocoLife Cooperative Union receiving 20,000 bags of Fertilizers.

    Mr Arthur hinted that the Senchem Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Union would be the next to receive their consignment of Fertilizers.

    The DCE also disclosed that under the Planting for Food and Jobs module, the number of nursing seedlings supplied to farmers soared from 650,000 last year to 1.5 million this year.

    Mr Arthur said as a model District, Cocobod chose Wassa-East as the first Cocoa District in the country to receive Fertilizers.

    The DCE was hopeful that in the next two years, the impact of these farming inputs would be massive in terms of productivity and farmers income.

    Mr Arthur announced that the Dompim No .1 processing factory would start operation in July this year.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus cases in Ghana now 195

    The novel coronavirus cases in Ghana have risen to 195 according to the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu.

    Thirty-four new cases have been recorded since yesterday, Tuesday.

    The Greater Accra Region has 174 of these cases, the Northern Region has 10, the  Ashanti Region has nine, the Upper West Region has one and the Eastern Region also has one known case of the virus.

    There are currently 58 infected persons continuing treatment at home after 20 of them were recently discharged.

    In the Greater Accra Region, a 10-day compulsory house-to-house Coronavirus tracing and testing exercise has begun in the Ayawaso West Municipality.

    The Ayawaso West Municipality has been identified as a hotspot in the Greater Accra Region.

    A similar exercise is being carried out in the Ashanti Region in an area yet to be disclosed by authorities.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: Stock markets suffer worst quarter since 1987

    Stock markets around the world suffered historic losses in the first three months of the year amid a massive sell-off tied to the coronavirus.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average and London’s FTSE 100 saw their biggest quarterly drops since 1987, plunging 23% and 25% respectively.

    The S&P 500 lost 20% during the quarter, its worst since 2008.

    The drops come as authorities order a halt to most activity in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

    Economists have warned the hit to the global economy is likely to be worse than the financial crisis, with forecasters for IHS Markit, for example, predicting growth will shrink 2.8% this year, compared to a 1.7% drop in 2009.

    No country has been left untouched. The data firm expects China’s growth to sputter to 2%, while the UK could see growth drop 4.5%. The outlook for countries such as Italy and less developed economies is even worse.

    “We remain very concerned about the negative outlook for global growth in 2020 and in particular about the strain a downturn would have on emerging markets and low income countries,” the president of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, said on Tuesday.

    In the US, one central bank analysis suggested the unemployment rate could rise to more than 32% over the next three months, as more than 47 million people lose their jobs.

    Globally, many indexes remain more than 20% lower than they were at the start of the year. A steep slide in oil prices, due to a drop in demand and a price war between producers, has compounded the problems on financial markets.

    Governments have pledged massive rescue funds, which has helped to lift share prices in recent days.

    On Tuesday, the FTSE gained almost 2%, while Germany’s Dax and France’s CAC 40 saw more modest gains.

    But the main US indexes stumbled, with the Dow dropping 1.8%, the S&P 500 down 1.6%, and the Nasdaq off almost 1%.

    Energy and financial firms were among the worst performers in the quarter. Retailers, which have seen sales evaporate as stores closed, suffered some of the biggest losses on Tuesday, with Macy’s down almost 9% a day after it said it would put the majority of its staff on unpaid leave.

    “Despite monetary and financial stimulus, we expect volatility of equities to remain elevated as long as the duration and impact of Covid-19 remain unknown, oil prices stay depressed and earnings visibility is murky,” analysts for US Bank Wealth Management wrote

    Source: bbc.com

  • Fire guts Onion Market at Old Fadama

    More than fifty wooden structures had been gutted by fire at “Onion Market” at Old Fadama in Accra on Monday dawn in Accra.

    The fire which was said to have started at about 2:15 a.m also destroyed empty onion sacks, quantities of bags of rice, bags of salt and other properties running into hundreds of Ghana cedis.

    No casualty was recorded and the cause of fire unknown.

    Four fire tenders from South Industrial Area and other fire stations were deployed to help douse raging fire.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge confirmed these to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday.

     

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Asante Kotoko could have done better with Opoku Afriyie – Malik Jabir

    Former Asante Kotoko attacker and coach Abdul Malik Jabir has criticized the club for marginalizing its former players in reaction to the death of Opoku Afriyie.

    Former Kotoko star Afriyie passed away on Sunday in Kumasi, aged 75.

    At club level, he is mostly remembered for his time with the Porcupine Warriors and Hearts of Oak as he emerged top scorer in the Ghana domestic football league in 1979 and 1981.

    ”Clubs elsewhere cherish their former players, brings them near their current players ahead of matches but what do we see with our Kotoko,” Jabir, who has also held a technical role with Nigerian side Kano Pillar, told Oyerepa FM.

    ”Kotoko could have done better with Opoku Afriyie especially when he played and also become a team manager and a management member.

    ”He could have been given a role in the team. They should not think old players of the club want positions when we speak but we want the best for the club.

    ”I have held all positions in the club, played, was a team manager, coach, CEO and also a board member. Is it a ball boy I want to be?

    ”Kotoko should know how to honour their heroes.”

    Afriyie won the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana.

    In 2003, he was appointed team manager of Kotoko.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Willie Klutse eulogizes legends Opoku Afriyie, Kwesi Wusu

    Technical Director for Inter Allies FC, Willie Klutse has eulogized Ghana football legends Opoku Afriyie and Kwesi Wusu while describing them as unique players whose kind will be hard to come by.

    The two former Black Stars players passed away in the last couple of days on the back of impressive careers where they played in the Premier League as well as for the nation at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

    In an interview with Class 91.3FM, Willie Klutse who played with Opoku Afriyie during his playing days has idolized him and has paid his respect to Kwesi Wusu.

    According to the Inter Allies football administrator, the deaths of the two legends are a big blow and Ghanaians must always remember their contribution to football in the country.

    “It is a big blow in the sense that Kwesi Wusu was a great player from the Brong Ahafo, captained the Black Stars. He won matches, great and difficult matches, won CAF and Opoku Afriyie was also a great player. He played a very important role for us to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1978. In fact, he scored the final 2 goals in the final match and he helped Kotoko with some serious matches which lifted the name of Kotoko. He left Kotoko and went to Hearts of Oak, played a very important role also in Hearts of Oak”, Mr. Klutse said.

    He added, “So they were big players that Ghanaians who have been around for a very long time will tell you how great they were because these are players that turned our football around. They did not only turn our football around but they contributed something and in fact Ghanaians should not forget them”.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Coronavirus: President Akufo-Addo and close aides test negative

    Credible information available to the Daily Statesman indicates that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his close appointees, as well as all members of his household, have tested negative for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The tests were conducted after the President had announced the directive for all persons who arrived in the country after March 3 to undergo mandatory testing.

    According to a source at the Presidency, “all staff on both the Third and Fourth floors at Jubilee House were tested and the results turned out to be negative.”

    Included in those who were tested are Akosua Frema Opare-Osei, Chief of Staff; Nana Bediatuo Asante, Executive Secretary to the President; Francis Asenso Boakye, Samuel Abu Jinapor, both Deputy Chiefs of Staff; Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at Jubilee House; the President’s Aide de Camp (ADC) and Saratu Atta, Personal Assistant to the President.

     

    Source: dailymailgh.com

  • Kotoko open contract talks with Medeama over Justice Blay deal

    Justice Blay, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The Porcupine Warriors officially wrote to the Tarkwa-based side on Monday March 30, 2020 seeking to make the loan deal permanent.

    Blay joined the record Ghana Premier League holders on a season-long loan at the start of the 2019/2020 season.

    With the midfielder’s current deal set to expire in June, Kotoko have moved to tie him on a permanent contract.

    Medeama, who hold the economic right of the player, will decide the next course of action.

    With multiple offers on the table for the highly-rated midfielder, it remains to be seen if the Mauve and Yellows will sell their prize asset to Kotoko.

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

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Its too early to think about nullifying the league Yahaya Mohammed

    duana Stars goal poacher Yahaya Mohammed has taken a swipe at those calling for the cancellation of the 2019/2020 Ghana Premier League.

    It is believed some football administrators are advocating for the cancellation of the league following the suspension of football in the country by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) amid coronavirus crisis.

    But Yahaya Mohammed in an interview says he does not agree to the call for the cancellation of the topflight league as he believes it will benefit some clubs lying bottom of the league.

    “I will suggest to the Ghana FA not to think about nullifying the 2019/2020 season because when they rush to take any decision they will regret along the line. We should all keep quiet and fight the coronavirus because after the virus we will get know if there is ample time to continue or not” he said.

    “To avoid any inconvenience we should maintain how we are playing. We can use two months finish it and catch up with because when they cancel it the club at the bottom will be happy and this will raise a whole lot of issues”

    “If they take a decision to scrap the league the side effect will be higher than coronavirus. We all love football and so they should do the basic thing to satisfy everyone. How many months have we used in playing the 15 league matches? He quizzed.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • COVID-19: Salaga MP hands over quarantine center to hospital

    The Savannah Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Salaga South Constituency, Adam Salifu Braimah, has handed over a newly constructed accommodation block to the East Gonja Health Directorate for use as a holding center in case of any suspected Coronavirus case.

    The Minister also presented reusable, disposable and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) worth thousands of Cedis to the Salaga Government Hospital.

    Speaking at a short ceremony to hand over the facility to the East Gonja Municipal Health Director, Mr. Salifu said the conversion of the facility into a holding center became necessary to position the Municipality better in the fight against the deadly pandemic.

    “It is better to have all these facilities available now so that we are not taken by surprise.”

    He stressed that the general public has a greater percentage of avoiding any spread by simply adhering to basic precautionary measures.

    Mr. Salifu also presented some Veronica buckets, sanitizers, basins, soaps among others to some institutions and communities.

    The East Gonja Municipal Health Director, Gertrude Yentumi, on her part said the handing over of the holding center was timely.

    She also applauded the Minister for the donation of the PPEs which she said will save the shortage in the hospital.

    “We are relieved by these items because our staff were at risk.”

    Meanwhile, seven persons who recorded high temperatures and were quarantined at the Salaga government hospital have been discharged.

    This became necessary after the seven recorded normal temperatures.

    Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Prosper Luri, said authorities have asked them to report in case of any unusual feelings.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • 110 markets, lorry stations shut for disinfection in Upper West Region

    A total of 110 market places and lorry stations are currently benefiting from the national spraying exercise introduced by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited as a measure to eradicate bacteria and virus.

    The Municipal Chief Executive of Wa, Tahiru Isahaku Moomin while addressing the media prior to the commencement of the exercise in the Upper West Regional capital, Wa said a total of 110 markets and lorry stations will benefit from the exercise.

    He said all arrangements have been put in place for a successful programme including a clean up exercise on Thursday before, the markets are re-opened for the public.

    Already, similar exercises have been undertaken in the Great Accra Region, Ashanti Region and the Bono Regions all geared towards enhancing hygienic conditions in the markets in order to contain and prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • GHALCA boss Fianoo against premature calls’ for league cancellation

    Ghana League Clubs Association Chairman Kudjoe Fianoo says calls for the Ghana football leagues to be cancelled immediately due to the coronavirus outbreak, are misplaced.

    The GHALCA chief believes such calls are a bit premature insisting our situation is way different from other countries.

    Major leagues abroad have been suspended with serious consideration been given to nullifying the current season for a fresh start when situations improve.

    The Ghana Football Association has currently suspended all football competitions as the infection rate in Ghana increases.

    With such termination talks gaining currency, football connoisseurs in the country have initiated similar discussions about the Ghana premier league and other local competitions.

    However, Fianoo in an interview with Kumasi FM, a local radio station disagrees with such a move.

    He said “It is too early to call for the termination of the league,our situation is different from other countries calling for the cancellation of their league season due to Covid-19”.

    “Ours is very critical considering how the momentum built in bringing the love back after the Anas exposè”.

    “This is not the time to talk about terminating it,we must consult all stakeholders which is ongoing” he concluded.

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com

     

  • Coronavirus: Govt to announce plans for homeless today Gender Minister

    The Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Cynthia Morrison has hinted that government will today announce plans it has for homeless people during this period of partial lockdown.

    She indicated that this has delayed because they could not have worked with the current data available at the Ministry because most of the head porters and other homeless people in the capital cities locked down have left for their hometowns.

    She made this known when she spoke to Peace FM in an interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com.

    According to her, the Ministry has since last week picked up data and has finalized on the numbers and will in collaboration with the Information Ministry announce plans government has for such individuals.

    Agencies and bodies supporting this move by the government she added, will also announced when the Press is addressed today.

    Meanwhile, over a dozen of women and children in two trucks en route the Northern Region were impounded at the checkpoint of a COVID- 19 joint security at Duampompo in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

    The drivers had covered the trucks with tarpaulins to try and outsmart the security personnel stationed at the various checkpoints.

    Passengers on board the vehicles were mostly head porters who were travelling to the North East Region with their children.

    According to these women, when they heard of the lockdown, they decided to go to their hometowns because they have nowhere to sleep.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • DKB apologizes to Pastor Brain Amoateng, urges christians to continue paying their tithe

    Comedian DKB recently tagged most of the pastors in Ghana, especially Pastor Brain Amoateng as greedy men of God.

    This comment from him came in as a follow up to the myriad of backlash Pastor Brian Amoateng was receiving at the time on social media for saying that the church does not owe worshippers any hand sanitizers when the number of coronavirus cases in Ghana started increasing.

    After reading his bible a couple of times and listening to the counsel of another preacher, DKB has finally come back to apologize to the leader of the Brian Jones Ministries.

    In a video zionfelix.net sighted on his Instagram page, he admits that going after the man of God was not the best since he has no power to judge anybody and as such, apologized.

    He also urged christians to continue paying their tithe because it is a covenant they have with their God and not the men of God who supposedly spend all the money on their earthly pleasures.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Update on DKB & Pastor Brian Amoateng chapter in relation to tithe and offertory payment. Watch till the end pls 🙏

    A post shared by DKB GHANA (@dkbghana) on

    Source: Zionfelix.net

  • 10 KATH staff test negative for coronavirus

    The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital has disclosed that 10 of its staff who were exposed to a coronavirus patient have all tested negative.

    Samples from the 10 made up of one doctor, seven nurses and two mortuary attendants were taken yesterday and tested at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KRCC).

    The results came out negative, the management of KATH also entreated its staff to use available protective gear to ensure they do not contract the virus.

    Ghana has recorded some 9 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 pandemic as at Tuesday, March 31, 2020, bringing the numbers to a total of 161.

    This figure, according to the Ghana Health Service, includes some 31 new recoveries and 5 deaths.

    Per the details, all 9 cases were reported from Accra, “three (3) of them travelled to Ghana within the past 14 days from Germany, France and Hungary respectively but for six (6) of them there is no history of travel outside.”

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • 40-year-old man found dead in Eastern Region

    A 40-year-old man has been found dead at Subi a farming community in the Kwaebibirem Municipality of the Eastern Region.

    The body of the deceased Francis Ahiadzro has been retrieved by Police and kept at Kade Government Hospital Mortuary.

    According to the bereaved family, the deceased left home to farm on Monday, March 30, 2020 but did not return creating anxiety among family members only for his lifeless body to be found along a dusty road at the outskirt of the community the following morning.

    The cause of death has not been established, however, it is highly suspected the deceased might have been killed by a hit and run driver.

    Meanwhile, the Local Police have commenced investigations into the incident.

     

    Source: Kasapafmonline.com

  • Suspected criminal breaks jail in Sunyani

    A suspected criminal has broken jail in Sunyani after pushing down the policeman on duty and till date his whereabouts unknown.

    According to confirmed information gathered by MyNewsGh.com, 24-year-old Abdulai Karim who was in detention for his involvement series of cases, on Monday [March 30, 2020] asked for water.

    The policeman identified as Sergeant Padmore Ocloo who was on duty, claimed to have opened the cells main gate to serve the remand prisoner sachet water but in the process he pushed him and escaped.

    The Regional Commander, Deputy Regional Commander and Divisional Commander were accordingly informed.

    The Regional commander on arrival at the Sunyani district headquarters called on all patrol teams and deployed them as a search party to look and re-arrest the prisoner escapee.

    Meanwhile, the embattled Sergeant Padmore Ocloo has been given some days to produce the suspect or disciplinary action will be instituted against him.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Lockdown Eastern Region now because were unsafe – NDCs Abdul Wahab begs Akufo-Addo

    The Deputy communication director of the biggest opposition party National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Abuakwa north of the Eastern Region, Alhaji Abdul Wahab has called on President Akufo-Addo to lockdown Eastern Region immediately.

    According to Abdul Wahab in the interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Eastern Region has now become a hotspot for the deadly Coronavirus since the president ordered the lockdown in some parts of the country.

    “Since the president announce the lockdown in some part of the country a lot of people have moved to Eastern Region making the region hotspot for coronavirus. The option now is for the president to lockdown Eastern Region”, he told the host Awal Adams on Nopras FM.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday, March 27, declared a partial lockdown of Accra and Kumasi, the epicenters of the coronavirus diseases in Ghana.

    The decision, according to the President is to help curb the spread of COVID-19 which has led to five deaths and infected some 161 people.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Pictures of Guinean escapee not out because we fear she will be lynched – Minister

    The Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed says they have not released the pictures of the Guinean coronavirus patient who escaped quarantine because they fear she will be lynched by community folks.

    The escapee, a 21-year old girl was part of 10 Guinea nationals who were quarantined after testing positive.

    She, however, escaped from the quarantine centre at the Tamale Teaching Hospital last night and the Police have launched a manhunt to arrest her.

    Many have called on the authorities to release her picture to help indigenes of the North fish her out easily but Mr Saeed has explained why that move has delayed.

    “We did not want to release her pictures because we fear she will be lynched, many of the indigenes may want to beat her up because they fear she would infect them with the virus, we left it to the security to try all means to get her but with the situation at hand now, we may be forced to release the pictures. She is a young girl and whoever is keeping her must release her because she may infect many with this deadly virus”.

    Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on March 29 had announced that the Guinean patients would be repatriated but there seems to be a change of plan.

    They are believed to have travelled to Ghana through Burkina Faso and Togo and were picked following Intelligence report, according to health officials.

    Ghana has recorded some 9 new confirmed cases of the COVID-19 pandemic as at Tuesday, March 31, 2020, bringing the numbers to a total of 161.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: 40 persons being monitored at Juaso after the death of Obours father

    About 40 persons are currently being monitored at Juaso in the Asante Akim South District of the Ashanti Region after a sub-chief in the area died of Coronavirus.

    Nana Osei Boansi Kuffuor, the biological father of former MUSIGA President Osei Kuffour popularly known as Obour died at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.

    According to Obour his father travelled to the UK initially and tested positive for malaria upon his return.

    Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang said the 40 people are being monitored after the death.

    “So far we have identified 40 contacts at Juaso following the confirmation that a sub-chief lost his life through Covid-19. All the 40 persons are being monitored by the Asante Akyem North District Health Directorate. Please he should have alerted someone that most probably this person may have been a suspected case, it was not the case until the situation was getting worse the children sent him to Ridge Hospital and even at the hospital they travel history did not come out so he was managed at emergency instead of isolation…”

    He further advised Ghanaians to make their travel histories known not to endanger the health workers.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Asamoah Gyan flaunts his fleets of cars in his mighty mansion (Video)

    Gyan has released a powerful video on his Twitter handle to motivate the youth to appreciate what they have.

    In the video sighted by YEN.com.gh, the former goal poacher decided to put his expensive properties on display.

    The video, which was shot from his mansion which he reportedly bought for $3 million in 2015 showed his fleet of cars.

    Some of his fleet of cars namely Mercedes Benz which has a bed and other home stuff is sold in the region of $600,000, Rolls Royce Panthom, another Mercedes Benz which is the smaller version of the Luxury, Hammer, Porsche, Escalade, Range Rover, Charger (Sports Car) and several other vehicles.

    Gyan became the highest-paid player on the African continent when he joined Shanghai SIPG in 2017.

    The one-time Black Stars skipper despite being an extravagant person due to his riches has been involved in many charity works in the community to give back to society.

    He built a multi-purposed astroturf to his alma mater Accra Academy, he also built boreholes to a college in the Volta Region to solve perennial water shortage in the area, etc.

    Meanwhile, Gyan has expressed his readiness to play for the Black Starsagain when he is called by coach CK Akonnor.

    The former Sunderland goal poacher has not played for the national team since featuring at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

    Source: yen.com.gh

  • Govt appointees were not forced to donate to coronavirus fund – Eugene Arhin

    Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin has quashed claims by some people that all government appointees who agreed to donate 50% of their three months’ salary to the Coronavirus Trust Fund were forced to do so.

    The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, ministers of state, senior government officials, presidential staffers and aides at the Presidency all pledged 50 percent of their salaries for the next three months to the COVID-19 Fund.

    This gesture came about when President Akufo-Addo after setting up the fund donated his three months salary, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also followed suit.

    Mr Arhin says the appointees thought it wise to do same and support the fight against COVID-19 and were not forced to do it.

    “Nobody was forced to donate to this COVID-19 fund, we all did this for the best so we believe we just have to manage for the next 3 months”.

    The Fund is to be managed by an eight-member independent Board of Trustees led by former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo.

    So far, the government has received significant offers of assistance from individuals and institutions, with many others expressing the eagerness to contribute to the Fund.

    The Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Limited and the Africa World Airlines Limited (AWA) Sunday, March 29, presented 200,000 dollars to support government’s efforts.

    The Kwadaso branch of the Ghana Baptist Convention also, on Sunday, presented a cheque for 100,000 Ghana cedis to government.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: 350 deployed for contact-tracing in Ashanti

    Three hundred and fifty health workers have been deployed by the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate for contact-tracing duties, Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Service, has announced.

    He said the team made up of newly trained nurses would visit high risk areas, interact with residents and possibly test those who would be identified as suspects.

    Dr. Tinkorang who was briefing the media on the COVID-19 situation in the region, further indicated that 243 health workers had been trained as Rapid Response Teams at the district level by 18 facilitators.

    Fifteen government hospitals, 33 private facilities including Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) facilities have been trained. We also had support from the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) and the National Ambulance Service”, he told the media

    The Regional Director also disclosed that a team from the Ghana Immigration Service was supporting the directorate to screen 50 immigrants who entered the region during the week under review.

    Touching on the lockdown of the Greater Kumasi Area, Dr. Tinkorang said it was the way to go in order to effectively contain the spread of the disease, adding that, “the challenge we have is that, usually the disease escalates when there is a lot of movements”.

    “That is why we are saying that the best way to prevent the spread of the disease is to make sure that people do not move”, he emphasized.

    He, therefore, underlined the need for security personnel manning the borders of the lockdown areas not to allow people to move in and out.

    “It is important for the security to have firm control of the borders. Unless you have a very good reason for leaving Kumasi, the principle is that you should stay in Kumasi”, he stated.

    He said once the borders were secured and people within the lockdown areas observed the social distance protocols to prevent community spread, it would be contained.

    He appealed to the people of Kumasi and its surrounding municipalities to cooperate with health authorities and security agencies during the two-week lockdown to achieve the desired results.

    Source: GNA

  • COVID19: Search for female Guinean national who tested positive intensified

    Security operatives in the Northern regional capital have intensified their search for a Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient who escaped from quarantine in Tamale.

    The escapee, a Guinean national was among the 10 ECOWAS nationals from Guinea and Burkina Faso who tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID19) in Tamale last week and were quarantined at the hotel they were lodging in on their arrival in Tamale on March 24, 2020.

    According to sources within the Regional Security set up, the Guinean COVID-19 patient escaped on the blind side of the security officers made up of two policemen and two soldiers who were detailed there to ensure that the 10 COVID-19 patients quarantined at the facility do not escape.

    The sources revealed that the lady might have escaped around night or the early hours of Monday, March 30, 2020, by scaling the fence wall of the hotel. She left behind all her personal belongings.

    The source intimated that the security personnel who were on guard duties at the hotel at the time of escape of the female Guinean national were not provided with any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) but were armed.

    Confirmation

    The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed who confirmed the escape said security operatives have intensified their search for the female Guinean national.

    He said they were collaborating with community leaders to help trace the escapee.

    Mr Saeed added that security and safety measures have been stepped up in the metropolis and its environs in the wake of the escape.

    He added that the security personnel who were on guard duties during the escape of the COVID-19 patients at the hotel are also being dealt with by their services commanders.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Minority kick against COVID-19 Trust Fund

    The Minority in Parliament is kicking against the Coronavirus Trust Fund set up to finance the fight against the deadly disease in Ghana.

    There have been donations to the Trust Fund already with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia taking the lead.

    Ministers and presidential appointees have also donated 50% of their 3 months salary to the fund.

    Ranking member of Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, James Algalga says Parliament passed the NADMO Act which established a disaster fund but has not been operationalised since 2016.

    He says the government should rather use this fund to fight COVID-19 and not forming an entirely new fund.

    He says the Minority will kick against it when it comes to Parliament.

    “When I pondered over the issue critically, I felt that this exercise of setting up a COVID-19 fund was unnecessary in the first place, you are all aware I had the chance to file a question and directed the Minister for the Interior to appear before the House and appraise us of the status of the disaster fund set up under the NADMO Act in 2016, the Minister came and fumbled because the fund has not been operationalised, the fund is set up for issues like this, so instead of setting up a new fund which is a duplicate and unnecessary why not use the old one. Why worry Parliament with another fund when one has not been operationalized.”

    The fund which is to assist in the welfare of the needy and the vulnerable as the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic was announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation on March 27, 2020.

    The Board of Trustees of the Fund is chaired by former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo.

    The other members of the Board are Archbishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Mr Jude Kofi Bucknor, Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, Mrs Elsie Addo-Awadzie, Dr Ernest Ofori-Sarpong and Dr Tanko. Mr Collins Asare is the Secretary to the Board.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • University, NGO intensify coronavirus education in two regions

    MIHOSO International, a health-centred non-governmental organisation (NGO) is collaborating with the College for Community and Organisational Development (CCOD) to intensify public education on COVID-19 to stem its spread in Bono East and Upper West regions.

    CCOD is a Sunyani-based private technical university affiliated to the University of Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.

    Already, the two institutions have supported the Jirapa Municipal, Lawra Municipal and the Nandom Municipal Health Directorates in Upper West Regions with COVID-19 preventable items.

    They have also supplied similar items such as Veronica Buckets, soaps, sanitizers to the Kinatmpo North and Atebubu/Amantin Municipal Assemblies and the Kintampo South, Pru and Sene West District Assemblies to aid and strengthen the nationwide handwashing with soap campaign.

    Dr. Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, the President of CCOD in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani on Tuesday said the two organisations had also provided sanitary tippy taps and quantities of sanitizers to radio Upper West in Wa and Radio BAR in Sunyani.

    He explained CCOD and MIHOSO had intensified COVID-19 education in the entire Upper West Region by reaching out to people in rural areas who seemed to be neglected in the COVID -19 campaign.

    “We also welcome the call of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for Ghanaians to practice social distancing in our communities in order to prevent the COVID-19 spread. We again support the temporary ban on social gatherings”, Dr. Benarkuu added.

  • Ghana Health Services begins mass Covid-19 test in Ashanti region

    The Ghana Health Services will soon hit high-risk communities in Ashanti region  with  house-to-house test of people suspected to be carrying the Coronavirus.

    Dr. Nana Yaw Ofori Yeboah

    Health authorities  say the move has become necessary in the  region which is one of the epic centers of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana following the death of two persons out of nine confirmed cases.

    Two hundred and 84  people said to have come into contacts with COVID-19  patients have also been identified and being managed.

    The high-risk areas have been identified as communities that have already recorded COVID-19 cases in the Ashanti region.

    Deputy  Regional Director in Charge of Public Health, Dr. Yaw Ofori Yeboah  revealed al is set for health officials to pick samples for testing at the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR)  at the KNUST.

    It forms part of active surveillance measures being implemented  by the directorate to control the spread of COVID-19.

    “The Ghana Health Service  in Ashanti region has strategically  identified  certain locations and those locations, we are going to move from house -to-house  and identify individuals  and offer them the COVID-19 test ,” Dr. Ofori Yeboah said.

    “Samples would be taken from these individuals  and sent to the KCCR at KNUST where we analyse the samples,” he added.

    Dr. Ofori Yeboah revealed all the necessary  arrangements have been made whilst  equipments  needed for the exercise has been procured.

    ” All the necessary things that we need for this exercise  are in place.  We have received significant quantities of Personal Protective Equipment ; we have laboratory teams in place  and we are also collaborating with members of the security agencies to support us in this process.”

     

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei donates 100-bed facility to Tema West Health Directorate

    The Presiding Bishop of The Pleasant Place Church, Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei, has offered the Tema West Municipal Health Directorate a 100-bed facility to be used as a Covid-19 isolation centre.

    The Bishop, who is also President and CEO of Almond Institute, made the donation on Tuesday, March 31 as his quota in the fight against the fast-spreading coronavirus.

    The number of confirmed coronavirus cases recorded in Ghana has risen to 161.

    This indicates an increase of nine from the initial 152.

     

    Source: myjoyonlineÂ