TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • I went from a till girl in London to an A-list actress in Kumawood says Ellen Kyei White

    Kumawood actress Ellen Kyei White in an interview with Abeiku Santana shared her journey into acting and stardom.

    According to the actress, she was introducted to the movie industry by a producer who got her to play the girlfriend of the legend Bob Santo in the movie Okukuseku.

    The actress admits she had no interest in acting therefore moved abroad to seek greener pastures. After spending 5 years in Germany she moved to London to work in a grocery shop called Netto.

    She worked at the tills for the shop but decided to move to Ghana after 5 years of living in London. She blamed the cold she suffered in London for a decision to move back to Ghana. The actress said she had to wait for a bus for over 2 hours after it snowed in London. She talked about the bitter cold she felt that day which was made worse by the kind of shoe she had on that day.

    Ellen is the only person that moved back to Ghana after several years abroad with Okyeame Kwame, Ex-Doe and Nkomode of late memory a few examples.

    Ellen lamented the current state of the movie industry but unlike the other actors and actresses in Kumawood, she has not suffered from the decline in the movie industry. The actresses have several businesses including a cold store where she sell frozen fishes.

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

  • Coronavirus: 36 staff of Tamale Teaching hospital under quarantine

    Health workers numbering about thirty-six (36) have been quarantined at the Tamale Teaching hospital in the Northern region after they reportedly came into contact with two of the ten Guineans who tested positive for Coronavirus in Ghana.

    According to reports, the female medical ward where the two were on admission has been closed down for disinfection whereas all patients there have also been evacuated.
    Ghana Health Service reported that 11 new cases of the Coronavirus was recorded on March 29, 2020 in Ghana.

    Ten (10) of the new cases were among persons who were under mandatory quarantine in Tamale under the direction of the Regional Security Committee of the Northern Region. The 10 cases were Guinean residents who travelled through Burkina Faso and Togo to Ghana and were picked following intelligence report. The eleventh case was recorded in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

    In a related development, however, as of 30th March 2020, at 08:30 hrs, no new cases of COVID-19 have been reported since the last update at 11:00hrs on 29th March 2020.

    The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research tested 17 samples from the Upper East (3), North East (3) and Ashanti (11) regions all of which were Negative. No new test results have been received from Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research since the last update.

    Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ghana stands at 152 with five deaths as of 30th March 2020 at 08:30HRS.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Worldreader develops free apps – To support schoolchildren at home

    The Worldreader has developed two free reading solution applications (apps) for students, available on mobile phones and for young and primary-aged children.

    The applications are BookSmart app and the Worldreader reading app.

    The BookSmart app, which is for primary-aged children, gives parents, caregivers and primary pupils access to a library so they can continue learning while physical schools are out of session.

    The BookSmart starts with a free base collection of 75 and more great local and international books suitable for young readers and their parents available via the google play store or web browser.

    For older students and young adults, Worldreader offers the free Worldreader reading app, available via the google play store or web browser.

    It features hundreds of books for learning and pleasure in categories including health and career.

    A statement signed and issued by the Chief Executive Officer of Worldreader Global, Mr David Risher, to announce the package said the BookSmart app optimised for all connection speeds, kept data costs low and books could be saved for offline reading for those with limited data.

    The statement said the school closure could result in significant learning loss for students and “at Worldreader, we have seen the need to respond to this COVID-19 situation that has schools around the world on lockdown”.

    “As part of our strategy, we are making the application we designed for schools free for every home so that parents can engage their children with this specially curated content,” the statement said.

    The statement explained that in response to the global health crisis, UNESCO was supporting the implementation of large-scale distance learning programmes and recommending open educational applications and platforms that schools and teachers could use to reach learners remotely.

    As with BookSmart, books can be saved for later, limiting data use and saving cost. Over 100,000 people already read from it each month, with new readers joining each day.

    Digital solutions

    “Digital solutions are key to keeping children reading while schools are out of session. With BookSmart and the Worldreader app, parents, primary pupils and youth can maintain reading skills, learn new subjects and alleviate stress during this pandemic,” the statement explained.

    The statement said for pre-primary learners, continuity in literacy acquisition was especially important, while “for the primary students, the availability of books is essential as reading is a foundational skill that supports acquisition of knowledge across all other subject areas”.

    Reading with children

    “For young children, reading stories together can provide a chance for bonding with parents or caregivers. And the right books can also provide context for what children are feeling, providing opportunities to process stressful circumstances. Older children will appreciate the opportunity to visit worlds beyond their own while their own worlds are limited by social distancing.

    “For youth, reading can also support literacy skills, 21st century skills, work preparedness, self-help and health education,” the statement said, adding that even in low-resource communities, basic phones could provide access to books.

    source: graphic.com.gh

     

  • Germany to fly out 7,000 tourists stuck in South Africa

    The German embassy in South Africa is making plans to repatriate some 7,000 of its nationals who are stuck in the country.

    Already, 47 German tourists are under quarantine in the country after one of them tested positive to Covid-19, according to local media reports.

    South Africa has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa – 1,280 by the latest count, and is under a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the virus.

    German ambassador to South Africa Martin Schäfer on Monday told SA FM Radio that they estimate there could be between “seven to nine thousand Germans stuck in the country”.

    He said: “We have political will in Germany, we have the means and the money to do it [repatriation] and I think it’s the most human thing to do to help get them home.

    We need a lot of help. We have a strong partner in South African Airways who is willing to help us with the repatriation flights and we rely now somewhat on the assistance… of the South African government to make sure that our people can make it to the airport and can be flown out.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Reduce fuel prices by 20% if you want trotros to obey social distancing directive – Alex Mould

    Former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr Alex Mould is predicting a 20% reduction on prices of petroleum products beginning April 1, 2020.

    According to him, per the daily price indicators used for the Petroleum Price Build-Up (PBU) and published by the NPA, we have seen world crude oil prices dropped from $540/ton (t) in March 1 to $212/ton (t) which translates to a drop of 60%.

    “Going by these PBU indicators and the methodology used to derive them, we expect petrol prices to go as low as GHS GHS4.00/litre.

    “This price can go down even further with Government interventions in the form of tax breaks” he noted in a press statement.

    The Finance and Energy Expert said the challenge faced by the current season provides a responsibility for government to quickly visit “win-win” opportunities to alleviate some of the financial burdens on all Ghanaians.

    Read Full Statement

    20% reduction in fuel prices will alleviate public transport social distancing losses – Alex Mould

    As the lockdown to combat the spread of the corona virus is now in effect, Ghanaian families and businesses will have to reset. A domino effect on our economy caused by the pandemic is expected to bring about challenges such as loss of income, business, increase in the costs for goods and services, and other factors impacted by increased transportation costs.

     

    The challenges of the current season provide a responsibility to quickly visit “win-win” opportunities to alleviate some of the financial burdens on all Ghanaians April 1st presents a “no-brainer” opening to reduce the cost of petrol at the pump.

    Petrol is at its lowest price since the 1990s $0.38/gallon wholesale from U.S refiners and Wholesalers. With this in mind, Ghana should expect a drastic drop of up to 20% in petrol prices on April 1st.

    Petrol is currently imported into Ghana for less than $0.24/litre or GHS 1.40/litre (based on FX rate of GHS5.85 GHS/USD).

    The daily price indicators used for the Petroleum Price Build-Up (PBU) as published by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) are as follows: – 1st March: $540/ton (t) – 16th March: $434/ton (t) – 1st April: $212/ton (t)

    This translates to a drop of 50% from 16th March and a 60% drop from 1st March.

    Going by these Price Build-Up (PBU) indicators and the methodology used to derive them, we expect petrol prices to go as low as GHS GHS4.00/litre. This price can go down even further with Government interventions in the form of tax breaks.

    From the PBU, the taxes and distribution costs of petrol are GHS1.50/litre and GHS1.10/litre respectively (or GHS 2.60 combined); which represents about 65% of the pump price of petrol.

    This makes Ghana one of the highest taxed countries with respect to petrol.

    I am reliably informed that Government is being advised to seriously contemplate removing the nuisance “Special Tax” (GHS0.46/litre) and the outdated “Price Stabilization” levy (GhS0.16/litre). If done, we could see prices fall even lower than the expected GHS 4.00/litre to below GHS 3.50/litre.

    Enacting these very doable reductions would be a relief to so many remembering that nearly 80% of our population constitutes key workers who, in serving the public will have to embark on alternate (and more expensive) transportation means to keep themselves safe, as per social distancing guidelines.

    Notes

    · Note: a US Gallon is 3.875 litres whereas a UK Imperial Gallon – what is used in Ghana – is 4.5 litres.

    · PBU is agreed to by all the players in the value chain – (Chamber of Bulk Distributors (CBOD), Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC), Tanker Owners, and Tanker Drivers; collectively the sector players).

    END

    Signed

    Alex Mould

    (30/03/2020)

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Werder Bremen express interest in Ghanaian youngster Christopher Antwi Adjei

    German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen have reportedly expressed interest in signing Ghanaian winger Christopher Antwi Adjei in the summer.

    The 26-year-old has been one of the standout players for SC Paderborn this season and has being attracting interest from several clubs following his impressive performances.

    According to the 90min.de, Antwi Adjei could be the ideal replacement for Milot Rasshica.

    His contract with Paderborn is set to expire in 2021.

    He has made 25 league appearances for SC Paderborn this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists in the process.

    The league is currently on suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic as part of precautionary measures to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • Polls close in Mali amid coronavirus threat, security fears

    Polls have closed in Mali’s long-delayed parliamentary elections which were held despite concerns about security and the coronavirus pandemic.

    Sunday’s vote came hours after the violence-hit West African country announced its first coronavirus death and days after main opposition leader Soumaila Cisse was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.

    The vote was expected to see new MPs elected to the 147-seat National Assembly for the first time since 2013, when President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita’s Rally for Mali party won a substantial majority.

    Parliamentary elections were meant to take place again in late 2018 following Keita’s re-election, but the poll was postponed several times, largely due to security concerns.

    After Sunday’s first-round vote, a second round is scheduled for April 19.

    Late on Saturday, just hours before polls were scheduled to open at 08:00 GMT on Sunday, the country’s first coronavirus death was announced, with the number of infections rising to 18.

    Some 200,000 people displaced by the near-daily violence in Mali’s centre and north will not be able to vote, because “no mechanism has been established” for them to do so, a government official said.

    There were security fears about the vote even before the African country recorded its first coronavirus infection on Wednesday amid concerns that the impoverished state of some 19 million people – where large swaths of territory lie outside state control – is particularly exposed to a COVID-19 outbreak.

    “There’s a state of emergency both because of the threat of armed groups and the threat of coronavirus,” Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, who has reported extensively on Mali, said.

    “Still, Keita on Wednesday said these elections need to go ahead, that they were essential for Mali to head towards peace and national dialogue.”

    The government’s election spokesman, Amini Belko Maiga, has admitted that voting conditions were not ideal.

    “It’s true that we cannot say that everything is perfect, but we’re doing the maximum,” he said, referring to the threat of coronavirus. He added that hand-washing kits had been distributed in the countryside, while in the capital, Bamako, authorities would make masks and hand sanitisers available.

    ‘Difficult times’

    Casting a shadow over the vote is the fate of Cisse, who was kidnapped on Wednesday while campaigning in the centre of the country.

    The 70-year-old, who has been runner-up in three presidential elections, and several members of his team were abducted in an attack in which his bodyguard was killed.

    “They were kidnapped by an armed group, whose identity we do not know,” Cisse’s Union for the Republic and Democracy (URD) party spokesman, Demba Traore, said.

    He was “likely” being held by a group loyal to Fulani preacher Amadou Koufa, who leads a branch of the al-Qaeda-aligned Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), which is active in the Sahel, according to a security source and a local official.

    Cisse and his entourage were probably now “far from where they were abducted,” the security source told AFP news agency.

    The URD on Saturday urged its supporters to turn out in even greater numbers.

    “In these difficult times our country is going through, more than ever, the party’s activists are resolutely urged to redouble their efforts for a massive participation in the March 29, 2020 elections,” the country’s main opposition party said.

    However several other opposition parties called for the vote to be postponed due to coronavirus fears.

    “What is at stake in this parliamentary election are ordinary matters such as education, healthcare, access to water and electricity,” Haque said. “But given the circumstances, it’s very difficult to tell whether people will come out and vote.”

    Hopes for peace

    The country has been plagued by conflict since 2012, when rebels captured much of the country’s arid north.

    Armed groups overtook the rebels in the north and swept into the country’s centre, accelerating a conflict which has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians.

    Despite the numerous difficulties, experts nonetheless hope that Sunday’s election will lead to reforms that may drag Mali out of its cycle of violence.

    In particular, the hope is that the new parliament will implement reforms from a peace agreement brokered between the Bamako government and several armed groups in Algiers in 2015.

    Implementation has been painfully slow, although this year saw the Malian army deploy units made up of both former rebels and regulars, one the provisions of the Algiers agreement.

    The pact also provides for the decentralization of governance in Mali, a demand of some of the rebel groups.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Veteran sports journalist Kwabena Yeboah loses mother

    The President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has been hit with the sudden demise of his mother who passed away today.

    The veteran sports journalist Mr Kwabena Yeboah lost his mother, Madam Beatrice Yeboah after battling illness.

    Madam Yeboah passed on earlier today.

    “Brothers, sorry, I lost my mother a few hours ago. Tough times,” the veteran commentator posted on a WhatsApp platform.

    Funeral arrangements of the late Madam Beatrice Yeboah will be announced later.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Syria reports first coronavirus death as fears grow that virus could spread

    Syria’s health ministry said on Sunday that a woman who died after being rushed to hospital for emergency treatment was found to have been infected by Coronavirus in the country’s first officially reported death from the disease.

    Syria also said its confirmed cases rose to nine from an earlier five cases, but medics and witnesses say there are many more. Officials deny a cover-up but have imposed a lockdown and draconian measures including a nationwide night curfew to stem the pandemic.

    The moves to shut businesses, schools, universities, mosques and most government offices, as well as stop public transport, have spread fear among war-weary residents.

    Several cities saw panic buying, with residents saying they saw food shortages and a surge in demand that pushed up prices ahead of the start of the curfew.

    The United Nations says the country is at high risk of a major outbreak because of a fragile health system devastated by a nine-year war and lack of sufficient equipment to detect the virus, alongside large numbers of vulnerable people.

    The World Health Organisation has warned that the country has a limited capacity to deal with a rapid spread of the virus.

    On Sunday, the army announced an end to a call-up of army reserves. It has already ended conscription in what military defectors said was an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus among the rank and file.

    The government also banned movement of people between governates. Security forces manned checkpoints around provincial cities and only allowed army vehicles and essential services to pass, witnesses said.

    Opposition figures and independent politicians point to Damascus’ strong ties with Iran, the worst affected country in the region, as a source of possible contagion.

    They say the virus is also being transmitted by members of Iranian-backed militias who are fighting alongside the Syrian army, as well as Shi’ite pilgrims who visit shrines in Syria.

    Western intelligence sources say Iran’s proxy Shi’ite militias continue to cross the Qaim border crossing between Iraq and Syria, where they have a strong presence across the country.

    Senior Syrian army officers have in recent days taken leave of absence and been ordered not to mingle with the Iranian-backed militias, military defectors say.

    Syrian officials said Damascus airport has halted commercial flights, and the government has also ordered the closure of its main border crossings with neighbouring states.

    Thousands of Shi’ite pilgrims have been arriving in Syria to visit the Sayeda Zainab shrine in Damascus, a neighbourhood that also houses the main headquarters of the Iranian-backed militias.

    Iraqi health officials confirmed on Sunday that returning Shi’ite pilgrims from Syria have tested positive for the coronavirus, raising concern that such travel could be a source for a wider spread of the disease.

    Source: reuters.com

  • LIVESTREAMING: Finance Ministers statement on Coronavirus economic impact on Ghana

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta is in Parliament to brief the House on measures the government has adopted to sustain the economy, following the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

    Parliament received a request from the government on Saturday to approve an agreement with the World Bank for an amount of $35 million to support its operations in dealing with the pandemic.

    The proposed agreement is between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA), a subsidiary of the World Bank.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday directed the Finance minister to prepare a coronavirus alleviation programme to address the disruption in economic activities following the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic for approval by parliament.

    The Finance Minister is required to make a minimum of 1 billion cedis available to households and businesses, particularly small and medium scale enterprises.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Nashville ace Mukhtar idolises Ghanaian midfielder KP Boateng

    Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar has talked about the player he admired the most during his formative years of his career.

    Mukhtar has modeled his game on his favourite player, Kevin Prince Boateng who currently plies his trade with Turkish side Be?ikta?.

    The 25-year-old joined Nashville SC from Brondby ahead of the 2020 Major League Soccer season.

    Boateng, like Mukhtar, was born and raised in Berlin and started out with Hertha in 2005.

    He has since featured for Benfica, Salzburg on loan and Brondby.

    “As a boy from Berlin at Hertha, I looked up to Kevin-Prince Boateng,” Mukhtar told Goal and SPOX.

    “His career is fascinating. Then a lot of people called me Prince in my youth. It became a kind of nickname. I used it on my profile on Facebook at the time and continued to use it on Instagram.”

    He continued, “As a little boy, I was always fascinated by the stars who could do something special with the ball. Like Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane. I loved watching them.”

    He has featured in two games for Nashville so far this season before the league was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak that has affected more than 100,000 people in the United States.

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • PLAYBACK: Agric Minister speaks on food pricing after coronavirus outbreak

    Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Afriyie Owusu Akoto will be taking his turn as he addresses the issue of profiteering by several traders in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    There has been an outcry by several Ghanaians, as the increase in demand for basic food items and services have resulted in the insane spike of their prices on the markets.

    Some parts of the country are currently on lockdown for 14 days as a containment measure directed by the President to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.

    As at March 29, Ghana has recorded 152 confirmed cases, 5 deaths and 2 recoveries.

    CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority Mr Akwasi Agyeman explained that food sellers at the local level, market women who deal in food items were not prohibited but people would not be allowed to sit and eat at food joints.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Jupitar recounts how Shatta Wale received heavy slaps from a Policeman

    The capital city Accra is currently under a partial lockdown and one of the best ways for people to join themselves is to go on social media and share some funny moments or stories with friends online.

    Dancehall artiste Jupitar moment ago has shared a funny story of when he witnessed Policeman slap the hell of his colleague Shatta Wale who was trying to act tough.

    Narrating the incident on social media he revealed that the two of them were returning from Tawala a popular joint for people mostly Rastafarian when they were met by some police people.

    They tried running away but were given a hot chase by the police and when they were finally caught, Shatta Wale was trying to act like a tough guy but that was a bad move because it angered the police officer who gave him some dirty slaps.

    He shared: “@Shattawalegh you dey kai the time police chase we on our way to Tawala?? Dem catch we weh Wale say ” ohh you no know me? Ibi me do dancehall king ina do woole Ghana….dere nooor taaaa !! taaa !!”

    See screenshot below:

    SOURCE: GHPAGE.COM

  • Police site crashes as Kiwis turn into shutdown snitches

    New Zealanders have become so keen to report their neighbours for breaking coronavirus lockdown rules that police on Monday said a website dedicated to addressing the issue crashed soon after going live.

    The South Pacific nation is in the midst of a four-week Coronavirus lockdown, with residents under orders to stay at home or remain at least two metres (6.5 feet) apart if they must go outside.

    Police commissioner Mike Bush said that a police website www.police.govt.nz/105support opened on Sunday afternoon and received such heavy traffic that it temporarily crashed.

    “We’ve had 4,200 reports of people believing others weren’t complying,” he told reporters.

    “It shows how determined Kiwis are that everyone complies with us.”

    Bush said breaches included a party of about 60 people at a backpacker hostel in Queenstown and tourists continuing to travel the country in campervans.

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern backed the informants and also urged the public to report any price gouging at supermarkets via a dedicated email address.

    “Now is not the time to bend the rules. This is a time to stay at home and save lives,” she told reporters.

    New Zealand, with a population of about five million, has 552 confirmed COVID-19 cases, one of them fatal.

    Source: AFP

  • Suspected coronavirus patient in Busunu tests negative

    Test for Coronavirus involving a native of Busunu,in the West Gonja Municipal of the Savannah Region,who recently returned from Kumasi has turned out to be negative,PAD FM sources can confirm.

    The 18-year old woman recently returned from Kayayei business in Kumasi to Busunu,in the Savannah Region and had been put on isolation as a precaution after she exhibited “cough-like symptoms.

    Her throat and nose swabs sample was taken to the Akomfo Anokye Teaching hospital in Kumasi for the necessary examination and the results turned out to be negative.

    Speculations were rife that Busunu had recorded a case of the deadly COVID-19, with the suspect being a head porter who recently returned from Kumasi.

    The necessary contacts were made by health personnel at the West Gonja Catholic Hospital and the suspect voluntarily offered to be quarantined at the facility for the necessary action.

    The hospital has mounted a screening post at the entrance of the facility to test passengers on board public transport entering Damongo.

    Hot on the heels of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo announced a partial lockdown(shelter-in-place order) of Accra and Kumasi, the epicenters of the Coronavirus in Ghana effective today Monday, March 30,2020.

    The declaration brought about a sudden spike in the number head porters (Kayayei) travelling from Accra and Kumasi to Northern Ghana following the lockdown declaration shouldn’t be lost on you.

    Ghana’s case count as at March 30, 2020, stands at 152 with five deaths and two reported recovery cases.

    Globally, we’ve a total of 723,540 case counts with 33,998 deaths and 151,824 recovery cases.

    Aside Accra and Kumasi the cynosure of the virus, the Upper West Region recently confirmed its first case of COVID-19, involving a 42-year old Ghanaian who visited UK and Spain and returned to Ghana through Egypt.

    On 29th March,2020, Tamale in the Northern Region, recorded 10 cases involving Guinean residents who travelled through Burkina Faso and Togo to Ghana and were picked up and mandatorily quarantined in Tamale under the direction of the Regional Security Council.

    It is recommended that we wash our hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, especially after visiting the John, coughing, s It’s sneezing or blowing one’s nose. The virus is killed by soap outside the human body as soap burst its protective bubble.

    Also, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol by volume where soap and running water are not available in a ready manner.

    Worthy of acceptance is the suggestion by the WHO that we should avoid touching our eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands. Science would say it’s impossible to stay a minute without touching your face, but we ought to give it a hard try.

    As much as possible, stay at home and be safe.

     

    Source: Abraham Ananpansah, Contributor

  • Coronavirus: Trump extends US guidelines beyond Easter

    President Donald Trump has said federal coronavirus guidelines such as social distancing will be extended across the US until at least 30 April.

    He had previously suggested that they could be relaxed as early as Easter, which falls in mid-April.

    “The highest point of the death rate is likely to hit in two weeks,” Mr Trump said.

    He appeared to be referring to peak infection rates that it is feared could overwhelm hospitals.

    White House medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci had earlier warned that the virus could kill up to 200,000 Americans.

    Dr Fauci said that it was “entirely conceivable” that millions of Americans could eventually be infected.

    The US now has more than 140,000 confirmed cases.

    As of Sunday evening, 2,493 deaths had been recorded in the country in relation to Covid-19, according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University.

    The United States overtook both China and Italy last week in the number of reported cases.

    What did Trump say?

    Speaking during the latest Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House on Sunday, the president said that measures such as social distancing were “the way you win”, adding that the US “will be well on our way to recovery” by June.

    The measures mean residents must continue to avoid non-essential travel, going to work, and eating at restaurants or bars. Gatherings are limited to groups of under 10 people.

    Suggesting that the “peak” of death rates in the US was likely to hit in two weeks, Mr Trump said that “nothing would be worse than declaring victory before victory is won – that would be the greatest loss of all”.

    Analysts suggest that when Mr Trump referred to a peak in the “death rate”, he probably meant the total number of recorded infections.

    He said the decision to extend social distancing was made after he heard that “2.2 million people could have died if we didn’t go through with all of this”, adding that if the death toll could be restricted to less than 100,000 “we all together have done a very good job”.

    The 2.2 million figure he was referring to appeared in a coronavirus impact report published by Imperial College London on 16 March.

    Mr Trump had previously said that Easter – 10-13 April – would be a “beautiful time” to be able to open at least some sections of the country. On Sunday he said that lifting restrictions at Easter was “just an aspiration”.

    “I wish we could have our old life back… but we’re working very hard, that’s all I know. I see things, I see numbers, they don’t matter to me. What matters to me is that we have a victory over this thing as soon as possible,” he said.

    The president also talked on Sunday about the medical response. He said that “rapid testing” had been approved to get Covid-19 results within five minutes, and that doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers would be tested.

    What about the shortage of equipment?

    Earlier on Sunday, Mr Trump accused hospitals in some states of “hoarding” ventilators, face masks and other critical medical supplies.

    “We do have a problem with hoarding… including ventilators. Hospitals need to release them – in some cases they have too many, they have to release medical supplies and equipment,” he said.

    Hospitals “can’t hold [ventilators] if they think there might be a problem weeks down the road”, he said, alleging that some were “stocked up”.

    The availability of ventilators is a major concern among health professionals as demand has surged with the spread of the virus. A number of states have warned that they will soon not have enough to treat patients suffering from Covid-19.

    The new coronavirus can cause severe respiratory issues as it attacks the lungs, and ventilators help to keep patients breathing.

    President Trump has ordered General Motors in Detroit to produce more of the medical machines to satisfy demand.

    In a separate development, a new breathing aid has been created that can help keep coronavirus patients out of intensive care. The device was built by the Mercedes Formula One racing team, working in collaboration with engineers from University College London.

    What is the latest from elsewhere?

    More than 33,000 people are now confirmed to have died worldwide after being infected with the new coronavirus.

    Some of the latest major global developments include:

    – Australia has tightened its restrictions on movement, with public gatherings now limited to just two people and playgrounds, outdoor gyms and parks closed from Monday

    – South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in has said emergency cash payments will be made to all households except the top 30% by income

    – In the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that about 20,000 former NHS staff had returned to work to help the fight against coronavirus

    – Spain recorded a new daily record of deaths, reporting 838 victims on Sunday, as new restrictions came into force requiring all non-essential workers should stay at home for the next 11 days

    – Italy recorded 756 new deaths over 24 hours, bringing the total to 10,779 a slight drop in the daily toll

    – France reported 292 new deaths, bringing its total to 2,606 as specially modified trains began transporting patients from the worst-hit areas in the east of the country to hospitals in the south

    – Tight new restrictions have been imposed on the movement of people in the Russian capital Moscow, with residents only permitted to leave their homes for medical emergencies, essential work and to shop for food or medicine

    – Hundreds of passengers on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship off Panama were told on Sunday that the Dutch-owned operator was still trying to “figure out” where people could disembark.

    Source: bbc.com

  • US regulator gives anti-malaria drugs emergency approval to treat coronavirus

    A limited emergency-use authorization for two antimalarial drugs touted as game-changers by President Donald Trump has been issued by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat coronavirus patients.

    In a statement published Sunday, the US Department of Health and Human Services detailed recent donations of medicine to a national stockpile including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, both being investigated as potential COVID-19 treatments.

    It said the FDA had allowed them “to be distributed and prescribed by doctors to hospitalized teen and adult patients with COVID-19, as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible.”

    Trump said last week that the two drugs could be a “gift from God,” despite scientists warning against the dangers of overhyping unproven treatments.

    Many researchers including Anthony Fauci, the United States’ leading infectious disease expert, have urged the public to remain cautious until larger clinical trials validate smaller studies.

    Two US medical bodies the National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority are currently working to plan such trials.

    Some in the scientific community fear Trump’s endorsement of the medicines could create shortages for patients who need them to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, diseases for which they are approved.

    The US has more than 140,000 novel coronavirus cases and 2,489 deaths, according to a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University.

    Source: France24

  • Coronavirus: NDC closes headquarters due to lockdown

    All officials and executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) working at the national secretariat will be working from home, 3news.com has gathered.

    They will be available for engagements with party officers and members through “phone calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages”.

    This is throughout the two-week period of the lockdown of Accra, Kumasi, Tem and Kasoa.

    Sources within the party, 3news.com gathers, have also indicated that all in-studio appearances of the party in radio and television stations in cities under the lockdown have been suspended.

    Communication officers are to engage the media via phone calls, Skype calls as well as other new communication platforms.

    Leader of the party John Dramani Mahama is also said to have directed communication officers in other areas to wear nose masks and observe the WHO protocols anytime they appear on panels for media discussions.

    “The National Communication Bureau is keenly monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the country and will review this directive as and when necessary,” a notice issued by National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi said.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • Here is Wendy Shays version of #HesGotTheWholeWorldChallenge – Video

    Singing has brought calm amid coronavirus with #HesGotTheWholeWorldChallenge.

    Musician Wendy Shay has joined millions across the world in the #HesGotTheWholeWorldChallenge .

    Here is Wendy Shay doing the #HesGotTheWholeWorldChallenge .

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    #hesgotthewholeworldchallenge @tylerperry

    A post shared by Queen Shay 👑 (@wendyshayofficial) on

    Source: ghgossip.com

  • Why orange juice prices are soaring on global markets

    The future price of orange juice has spiked by more than 20% this month as consumers look for healthy products during the Coronavirus pandemic.

    While demand has risen, supply has been hit as producers struggle to export goods due to transport restrictions.

    This has caused a rise in the so-called “futures” price of orange juice, which indicate its cost for delivery in the coming months.

    Orange juice futures are the best performing asset so far this year.

    “The Covid-19 outbreaks are hitting both the supply and demand for orange juice. The immune-boosting properties are the demand side attraction while there are simply not enough tanker spaces with airlines not flying to bring the product to markets,” said Stephen Innes, Chief Global Market Strategist at broker AxiCorp.

    On the supply side, there are also issues with not having enough workers as plantations introduce restrictions such as social distancing. “Traders are wondering if workers are around to man the plants here in Florida and in Brazil,” said Jack Scoville at trading firm Price Futures Group in the US.

    Orange juice futures have seen their biggest monthly gain since October 2015, at a time when global stock markets are being battered. In London, the FTSE 100 index is down more than 13% in the last month, while on Wall Street the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen more than 16%.

    Talking about whether the spike in orange juice futures prices will mean higher prices for orange juice in stores, Mr. Innes added: “The pass-on effect will be quick as orange juice producers pass the price rises onto to supermarkets and other buyers”.

    Most commodities have a “future” price, which can be traded on an exchange, such as the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Futures contracts help companies lock into a fixed price in the future to protect them from potential spikes in prices.

    Futures contracts are common for soft commodities like oranges and wheat which are vulnerable to sudden price rises due to bad harvests and natural disasters.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Lack of information and understanding led to panic buying – Prof Peter Quartey

    Prof. Peter Quartey Director for Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research(ISSER) says the panic buying that climaxed the President’s directive of a partial lockdown of Accra and Kumasi is clear evidence that many Ghanaians did not understand the directive.

    Markets in Accra and Kumasi saw an increase in the numbers that trooped to purchase goods on Saturday and Sunday.

    Even though the President announced that those in the food chain can operate, many still brushed off that directive and were at the market to buy goods needed to keep them alive for two weeks.

    The panic buying also resulted in price hikes as prices of many goods were bloated.

    Prof. Quartey says this is a clear example that many Ghanaians need further education on the situation we find ourselves in.

    “I don’t see why this panic buying happened, over the weekend, I experienced price hikes when I went to the market and I think Ghanaians need more education on this lockdown because they seem not to really understand, I think the lack of information and understanding contributed to the panic buying”.

    After the announcement of a partial Covid-19 lockdown in Accra, Kasoa, Tema and Kumasi which begun today, March 30, 2020, and will last for two weeks, most people rushed to the markets for some essentials products.

    Within the two days window before the lockdown, there were long queues at markets and gas filling station with no respect to the social distancing protocol.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Australian NRL teams to receive AUS$20m

    The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has announced that it will give AUS$2.5m ($1.53; £1.2m) to every club in the National Rugby League (NRL).

    The package, agreed after an emergency meeting on Monday, is intended to shore up the league’s 16 clubs in light of financial uncertainty created by the coronavirus outbreak.

    Earlier this month, the NRL announced that it would be suspending its season until at least 31 May.

    As part of this latest deal, the NRL will cut staffing levels by 95% during the shutdown period and cut executive salaries by 25%.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Kobe Bryant’s towel fetches $33,000 at auction

    The towel that Kobe Bryant wore over his shoulders during his farewell speech after his final National Basketball League game has fetched over $33,000 at auction, the US media said on Sunday.

    With the towel draped around him to help mop up his sweat, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar closed his speech with his signature phrase, “Mamba Out.”

    The towel ended up in the hands of a fan as Bryant walked off the court and was then sold several times before the latest online auction.

    The winning bid on Sunday was $33,077. The buyer also received two used tickets to the April 13, 2016 Lakers game.

    Bryant scored 60 points in the Lakers’ 101-96 win over the Utah Jazz that night.

    Jeff Woolf, president of Iconic Auctions, told American news broadcaster CNN that the winning bidder is famous for having a large Lakers memorabilia collection.

    “He is a devoted Lakers fan,” Woolf said. “His long-term plan is to create a museum in southern California.”

    Bryant died in January at age 41 in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles that killed eight others, including his daughter Gianna.

    Bryant played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers. The superstar guard led the club to five NBA titles during his stay.

    He was an 18-time NBA All-Star and the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player and also helped the United States capture Olympic gold in 2008 at Beijing and 2012 in London.

    Source: France24

  • Bisa Kdei charged me $13, 500 to feature on my song – Queen Ayorkor

    Bisa Kdei is in the news again and this time, it is about a feature on a song he has with fast-rising songstress Queen Ayorkor.

    Queen Ayorkor in a recent interview disclosed how she manged to get Bisa Kdei’s verse on her yet to be released song titled “Saa Side Ho”.

    Narrating how it happened, she said “the first day my management, West Jam Entertainment, approached Bisa Kdei with the feature, Bisa auditioned me, to test my voice and singing prowess before accepting to work on the project we wanted him on“.

    Speaking to Ghanaian blogger, Kobby Kyei, she added that “during the second meeting, Bisa Kdei demanded a whopping amount of money but my management and that of his finally agreed on $13,500 for his verse on the song and video appearance“.

    Talking about the cost of the collaboration, Queen Ayorkor stated that “even though I’m young and upcoming, this is Bisa Kdei, such a huge brand in Africa and the world. That is his business so my management respected his demands,”.

    The songstress is set to release the song, which has its audio production going to Fox Beat, soon promises that it is coming with its official video which has been directed by Prince Dovloo.

  • Plácido Domingo hospitalised

    Veteran opera star Plácido Domingo has been hospitalised with complications linked to Covid-19, US media are reporting.

    The 79-year-old is receiving hospital treatment in Mexico, with his spokesman cited as saying he’d “remain in the hospital as long as the doctors find it necessary” for a full recovery.

    On 22 March, he announced he’d tested positive and said he was “grateful and moved by the wave of messages I have received from so many people”

    The singer had recently resigned from the Los Angeles Opera after he was accused of sexual harassment.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Trump ditches hopes of quick virus bounce-back for US

    President Donald Trump has extended emergency coronavirus restrictions for the United States where his top scientist warned up to 200,000 people could die.

    The reassessment by Trump, who had previously said he wanted the country back to work in mid-April, came as Britain and hard-hit Italy warned measures to prevent the spread of the disease would be in place for months to come.

    COVID-19 has already killed almost 34,000 people worldwide, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University, with the number of confirmed cases nearing three-quarters of a million.

    As of Sunday, more than 3.38 billion people were asked or ordered to follow confinement measures, according to an AFP database, as the virus infects every sphere of life; wiping out millions of jobs, postponing elections and clearing the sporting calendar.

    Trump warned that the US crisis, which has seen a doubling of infections in only two days, would continue to get worse for some time.

    “The modelling estimates that the peak in death rate is likely to hit in two weeks,” he said, announcing an extension of social distancing guidelines until April 30.

    “Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won.”

    The president was speaking after Anthony Fauci, who leads research into infectious diseases at the National Institutes of Health, said he believed 100,000 to 200,000 Americans could die from the disease, and millions could be infected.

    Officials continued to sound the alarm over medical shortages, with some bemoaning a system that has states competing for desperately needed supplies.

    “We’re bidding against one another,” said Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

    The human consequences of a shutdown that has seen huge chunks of the US economy grind to a halt were playing out at food banks in New York, where organizers say demand has exploded.

    “Before, there were 1.2 million people in New York who needed help for food. Now, there are three times as many,” said Eric Ripert of City Harvest, a food rescue organization.

    Six months

    Trump’s re-evaluation of a back-to-normal timeline came as British officials said life may not return to usual for six months.

    The country’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries said it would be several weeks before doctors could tell if the current lockdown had slowed the spread of the disease.

    “But we must not then suddenly revert to our normal way of living — that would be quite dangerous. If we stop then, all of our efforts would be wasted and we could potentially see a second peak.”

    She said measures to contain the virus would be reviewed every three weeks, “probably over the next six months” or even longer.

    In Italy, which has logged a third of global deaths, the government warned citizens should be ready for a “very long” lockdown that would only be lifted gradually, despite the economic hardship it was causing.

    “We are in a very long battle,” said government medical adviser Luca Richeldi. “Through our behaviour, we save lives.”

    Yet the strains on Italian society imposed by measures that might have seemed unimaginable just weeks ago are gradually starting to show.

    The starkest example came when armed police began guarding entrances to supermarkets in Sicily after reports of looting by people who could no longer afford food.

    Global divide

    Africa’s biggest city, Lagos, was due to join the global stay-at-home from Monday, with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari ordering a two-week lockdown.

    The measures also apply to the capital Abuja.

    Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with some 190 million people, has so far registered just 97 confirmed infections and one death from COVID-19, but testing has been limited.

    Officials have warned that the country risks seeing an “exponential” rise in cases unless contacts of suspected carriers are tracked down faster.

    Authorities in Lagos, a sprawling megacity of 20 million, had already closed schools, shut non-food shops and restricted gatherings to limit movement.

    Enforcing a total lockdown will be a mammoth challenge for authorities in a country where tens of millions live in dire poverty and rely on their daily earnings to survive.

    The same holds true for large parts of Africa.

    In Benin, President Patrice Talon said his country could not enforce public confinement because it lacks the “means of rich countries.”

    Aid groups have warned that the coronavirus toll in the developed world could pale compared with the devastation it wreaks on defenseless populations in poor states and war zones such as Syria and Yemen.

    Three billion people around the world lack access to running water and soap, the most basic weapons of protection against the virus, according to UN experts.

    Source: France24

  • Update: No new coronavirus cases – 2 awaiting lab results to inform discharge decision

    The Ghana Health Service has announced that there are no new cases of the coronavirus infections as of 08:30hrs on Monday, 30 March 2020 despite a few tests having been carried out.

    In its update on its website, the Ghana Health Service said: “The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research tested 17 samples from the Upper East (3), North East (3) and Ashanti (11) regions, all of which were negative”, adding: “No new test results have been received from Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research since the last update”.

    This means the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ghana still stands at 152 with five deaths.

    All the five (5) that succumbed, according to the Ghana Health Service, “had underlying chronic medical conditions prior to the COVID-19 infection”.

    It said the number of patients who have recovered and been discharged still stands at two, “while two others are awaiting laboratory results to inform decision on discharge”.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo, on Friday night, declared a partial lockdown of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi as part of efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease and rein it in.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • 50% of what Ghanaians know about coronavirus is misinformation Report

    Despite it being a public health problem, the auxiliary effect of this pandemic cuts across all facets of life in terms of health, economics, education, just to mention a few.

    The scare of this pandemic keeps increasing each day as the incidence of the disease keeps increasing across the globe.

    With the disease currently in 190 countries despite the innovative effort by governments, international organizations and stakeholders, the numbers keep swelling with more than 560000/25000 confirmed cases/death recorded within a short time.

    With no cure at the moment to this pandemic, preventive measures stand as the only way to decrease the spread of the disease.

    Effective handwashing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoiding direct contacts, sneezing and coughing cautiously, staying physically active, among other preventive measures have been suggested by public health professionals to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Hence the need for the public to be well informed about Covid-19.

    Information and knowledge sharing are easily done in this modern era than years past and it will still get better and easier with the passage of time.

    However, the advent of social media and other forms of information sharing without verification of its authenticity has also brought about the throwing of junk and wrong information to the general public.

    The World Health Organization warns the world about trending myths wrongfully propagated by people through diverse means. This misinformation can mislead people thereby increasing their risk to the spread of the disease.

    A recent survey conducted by Leadccoach Consult, led by Emmanuel Kofi Bondah, Lead Researcher of Leadccoach Consult and a Public health researcher at Ensign College of Public Health, revealed interesting findings with regards to how Ghanaians scored when tested on these myths.

    With the majority (74%) of Ghanaians believing they know “a lot” and a few saying they know “some or only a little” about Covid-19, the average score of Ghanaians who took the test on Covid-19 myths was 50%. Thus on average, Ghanaians believe in about half of the misinformation thrown out there to them. Social media (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and radio/TV were the widely stated sources of information on Covid-19 among 88% and 59% of Ghanaians. Key myths that were wrongly believed by participants included the following:

    <video=95830>

    1. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body can kill the new coronavirus (37.5%)

    2. Eating garlic helps prevent infection with the new coronavirus (36%)

    3. Taking a hot bath can prevent the new coronavirus disease (33.4%)

    4. COVID-19 virus cannot be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates (30%)

    5. Regularly rinsing your nose with salt water help prevent infection with the new coronavirus (30%)

    6. Antibiotics are effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus (23%)

    7. Hand dryers are effective in killing the new coronavirus (27%).

    The survey was completed by mainly males(53%), 18-30 years(76%), mostly with tertiary level education (88%) and currently living in Greater Accra(36%), Ashanti(19%), Central(14%) and all other regions(31%) of Ghana.

    It is recommended that Ghanaians seek relevant information from credible authorities and that public health stakeholders address some of these misconceptions that are widely spread among Ghanaians.</video=95830>

     

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Reverend Obofour donates GHC100,000 to Tema General Hospital

    Founder and General Overseer of the Anointed Palace Chapel (APC), Reverend Obofour has donated some items to the Tema General Hospital to help them fight the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.

    Some of the items Rev. Obofour donated include; hand sanitiser, Veronica buckets, tissues, soaps, hospital beds and an amount of GHC 100,000 among other things.

    Gospel singer, Gifty Adorye’s husband, Hopeson Adorye was also present to support Rev. Obofour during the donation.

    Rev. Obofour joins a host of influential and business moguls who have supported various hospitals in the wake of the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.

    YEN.com.gh earlier reported that the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, had made a donation to Ridge Hospital.

    He donated a total of 3,000 pieces of face masks to the health center to help protect the health workers from the outbreak of the coronavirus.

    Mr. Agyapong disclosed that his gesture was in line with the observance of the preventive measures of the disease being preached in this coronavirus era. He further pledged that he would extend the gesture to other hospitals as he is expecting about 100,000 more of face masks and gloves to arrive in the country.

    The MP added that Ghana should not wait for the disease to get out of hand and asked all to go by all the preventive measures to curb the situation. The head of the hospital was thankful to Kennedy Agyapong for his intervention which he said came at the right time.

     

    Source: yen.com.gh

  • Shatta Wale pens down a caring message to Akufo-Addo in this trying times as a president

    The Shatta Movement boss, Shatta Wale has taken time to pen down a very caring birthday message to the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.

    Shatta Wale in his birthday message asked the president not stress too much on this day but to take time and enjoy.

    As the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo Addo is currently very busy trying to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic meaning he might be working extra, extra hard to keep his country safe.

    Shatta Wale very aware of this sent him this caring message that will definitely put a smile on his face after reading.

    See screenshot below;

    Source: ghbase.com

  • Coronavirus: Seek approval of educational materials from GHS before broadcast TV and radio stations told

    The Director of Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Da Costa Aboagye has advised Television and Radio stations to stop advertising COVID-19 educational materials and videos that have not been approved by the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service.

    Speaking to reporters after a press conference organised by the Ministry of Information, Dr Aboagye said unapproved materials and videos are sources of misinformation to the public and pose a serious threat to the fight against Covid-19.

    According to Dr Aboagye, only COVID-19 public education materials and videos approved by the Ghana Health Service, should be circulated and used on social media platforms, television and radio stations for public consumption. This is to help avoid misinformation, panic and fear among Ghanaians. We are working with the Bureau of National Communications, the National Communication Authority, Ministry of Communication, Food and Drugs Authority and Security Agencies to enforce this.

    “Training has been offered to most media houses on Risk communication and using approved materials has been stressed repeatedly. Information management and public education are crucial to the fight against COVID 19”, he revealed.

    The Ghana Health Service has come up with a lot of educational materials and messages to inform the general public.

    “All these educational materials have been made available to the ministry of information. Please contact the Ghana Health Service, Health Promotion Division or the Ministry of Information for these educational materials and videos to broadcast on your various outlets.

    We are in sensitive times and therefore encourage the television and radio stations to follow our advocacy of partnership as we defeat the coronavirus together”, he stressed.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Ibrah One donates bags of rice to the homeless as promised

    Ibrah One had promised a couple of days ago that he was going to provide food for the homeless should the Ghanaian government declare a lockdown in the country.

    The lockdown which has been declared by the president is supposed to begin at 1 am on Monday for the next two weeks; a measure which should help prevent the widespread of the recent pandemic(Coronavirus) in the country.

    Ibrah One who has proven that he is a man of his words bought several bags of rice which he donated to the homeless people a few hours ago. Ibrah will be doing more of this in the next two or more weeks depending on how long the lockdown lasts.

    We are glad people like Ibrah and a lot more are doing their very best to put smiles on the faces of those who need it most in these trying times. Watch this video below and share your thoughts with us.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    @ibraah_one donates bags of rice to the homeless as promised ahead of the lockdown in Accra

    A post shared by Ghbase.com (@officialghbase) on

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    @ibraah_one donates bags of rice to the homeless as promised ahead of the lockdown in Accra

    A post shared by Ghbase.com (@officialghbase) on

    Source: ghbase.com

  • One shot, 2 houses burnt in chieftaincy clash at Yong near Tamale

    One person has been severely injured and at least two houses burnt after heavy gunfire exchanges erupted between two rival chieftaincy factions at Yong near Tamale in the Northern Region, MyNewsGh.com reports.

    The two factions have been fighting over the Yong skin after one side rejected a successor chief selected by the Dakpemah of Tamale Naa Fuseini Bawa they accused of taking bribe and favoring one side against the other.

    Yesterday, at around 6pm, the fighting started after the resisting faction tried to stop the construction of a new chief palace in the small village.

    After an initial gun battle which went uninterrupted for almost an hour, the police was called in but the security left the community after few patrols and fighting resumed afterwards went on overnight.

    Northern Regional Crime Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Otuo Acheampong when reached confirmed the incident to MyNewsGh.com but said he was yet to receive a full briefing from the Divisional Police Commander.

    Meanwhile there is currently an uneasy calm in the area as reports suggest the other faction is arming itself for a possible reprisal attack.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Ghana grants 6-month moratorium on loan for airline, hospitality businesses

    The airline and hospitality industries in Ghana are to receive a six-month moratorium on principal loan repayments as part of a string of measures announced by the government to prevent a floundering economy due to the global coronavirus outbreak.

    This means operators of airlines, hotels and restaurants, as well as car rentals, food vendors, taxis, and Uber operators, will be exempted from repaying the principal of their loans with the various banks as the country go on a two-week lockdown from Monday, March 30 to contain the spread of the virus.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who announced this Friday night also said all other sector credit exposures will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

    Already the Bank of Ghana has announced a 1.5% decrease in the policy rate and 2% in reserve requirement with a ¢3 billion facility to support industry especially in the pharmaceutical, hospitality, service and manufacturing sectors.

    “We are aware that there will be discomfort and difficulties for all of us over the next couple of weeks,” the President admitted.

    He has thus extended tax filing date for businesses from April to June.

    “We are providing additional relief, such as…a two percent (2%) reduction of interest rates by banks, effective 1st April, 2020,” the stated.

    He said he has directed the Finance Minister to prepare for approval by Parliament, a Coronavirus Alleviation Programme to address the disruption in economic activities, the hardship of our people, and to rescue and revitalize our industries.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Nigeria announces two-week lockdown in main cities

    The president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has announced a lockdown in the cities of Lagos and Abuja in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.

    The restrictions, which will start from 23:00 local time (22:00 GMT) on Monday, will also apply to Ogun state, which borders Lagos.

    The lockdown will take effect for an initial period of 14 days.

    Mr Buhari said everybody would have to stay at home, all businesses and offices would have to close, and only food shops, hospitals and other essential service providers would remain open.

    Travel to or from other states will be banned. The president said a special fund of $40m (£32m) had been set aside to help deal with the pandemic.

    Nigeria has recorded 97 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and one death.

    Africa has not been hit as hard by the virus as most other continents, but the number of cases and deaths is on the rise.

    Source: BBC

  • COVID-19: Dont withhold relevant information from health officials Oppong Nkrumah

    In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana, the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has advised patients seeking medical care to desist from withholding relevant information from doctors and nurses.

    The Minister indicated that a refusal to divulge relevant information in the process of seeking medical care could put health workers at risk of contracting COVID-19.

    Mr. Nkrumah cited a situation where about 15 health workers had been put under self- isolation after a patient refused to offer relevant details.

    “We had recorded incidents where persons who eventually test positive, initially withhold relevant information from doctors and nurses. Take note; it puts our health workers at unnecessary risk. We have instances where about 15 or 16 workers have to be put in self-isolation.”

    “What that means is that they are first of all at risk and secondly you are reducing the number of health workers that we have to attend to so please you have no reason or basis to withhold relevant information,” he pleaded.

    Ghana has confirmed 152 COVID-19 cases so far with five deaths.

    Regions affected

    Cases have also been confirmed in the Ashanti Region, Northern Region and the Upper West Region.

    Upper West region 1 case

    Ashanti Region 8 cases

    Northern Region 10 cases

    Greater Accra Region 133 cases (including 79 people mandatory quarantine)

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • McDonald’s and other brands are making ‘social distancing’ logos

    It’s not just people that are social distancing. Brands are doing it too.

    McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Audi and Volkswagen are just a few of the corporate conglomerates that are interpreting “social distancing” with logo redesigns.

    The term has become popular recently because of the spread of the novel coronavirus. Social distancing means standing 6 feet apart from others in an effort to lower the risk of contracting the illness.

    The messages and logos created to promote social distancing have pros and cons, according to two experts in the design field.

    “Our current global situation is no joke. It’s a serious matter,” Douglas Sellers, executive creative director for firm Siegel+Gale told CNN Business.

    “And brands designing social distancing logos have the potential to diminish the severity of what we are going through. The creativity, passion, and thought that goes into wanting to help, educate, and be part of the physical distancing movement is a worthy note,” Sellers said.

    Brian Braiker, the editor-in-chief of Ad Age, says its time for brands to provide a “real, meaningful service,” referencing companies like the Gap (GPS) making masks for healthcare workers or LVMH, the parent company of Christian Dior and Givenchy, manufacturing hand sanitizer.

    “Understanding the situation, shutting up and doing something helpful is really the only way to go here. When you see brands like McDonald’s or Coca-Cola spacing out their logos in ‘solidarity,’ it strikes a sour note,” he told CNN Business.

    McDonald’s Brazil

    McDonald’s Brazil separated the golden arches.

    Last week, McDonald’s (MCD) Brazil pulled apart its iconic golden arches in a picture posted to its Facebook page. The ad agency explained that despite the temporary separation between its customers and the company caused by closures of some of its restaurants, they “can always be together.” McDonald’s is offering food through delivery and drive-thru.
    The McDonald’s ad sparked backlash, including from Senator Bernie Sanders, who tweeted Wednesday about the company’s sick leave policy for its employees. The company didn’t immediately return CNN Business’ request for comment about the ad.

    Coca-Cola

    Coca-Cola’s billboard in Times Square is promoting “Social Distancing” amid the coronavirus outbreak.

    Coca-Cola (KO) is currently running an ad in New York’s deserted Times Square that shows each letter of its logo separated with the slogan “Staying apart is the best way to stay connected.” The brand typically celebrates togetherness and love in its ads.

    Audi and Volkswagen

    Two automotive companies that share ownership, Audi and Volkswagen, tweaked their logos for their social media accounts.

    Audi separated its four rings in a short video telling people to stay at home and keep their distance.

    Audi created a social distancing logo for its social media accounts.

    Volkswagen also promoted a similar video with inspirational messages and separated the V and W.

    Volkswagen separated its V and W.

    Nike

    Nike (NKE) didn’t tweak its logo, but it launched a large social media campaign with its global roster of star athletes including NBA player LeBron James and golfer Tiger Woods. Sports ground to a halt in the past few weeks because of social distancing rules and the ban on large gatherings, like in stadiums.
    The campaign encourages people to play inside. Nike had to close several of its global stores because of the virus.
    Source: CNN

  • Ghana Premier Leagues Legon Cities pays tribute to late Opoku Afriyie

    Ghanaian top flight side Legon Cities FC have offered their a touching tribute to the departed Ghana football legend Opoku Afriyie.

    The former Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak player died on Sunday March 29, 2020 in Kumasi at the age of 75.

    Known fondly in the football circles as Bayie, Opoku Afriyie was an immense contributor as Ghana won her third Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 1978.

    He netted twice as the Black Stars beat the Cranes of Uganda 2-0.

    Opoku was also the top scorer in the Ghana elite football league in 1979 and 1981.

    After retiring from playing, Bayie took up roles as team manager and welfare officer of the Black Stars. He was also named team manager of Kotoko in 2003.

    Shortly after his death, Legon Cities took to Twitter to pay homage to the former Ghana international.

    They wrote “One of the greatest ever to have played the game…Former Black Stars striker Opoku Afriyie…Our hearts and thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time…Rest in Peace Bayie…”

    Source: Footballmadeinghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Vivo Energy supports lorry stations

    As a contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Vivo Energy Ghana, distributors and marketers of Shell-branded products and services, has donated hand sanitizers and liquid soaps to some lorry stations to ensure basic hygiene is observed in the discharge of their duties.

    In addition, the company has equipped its Shell Service stations with hand sanitizers and other cleaning solutions as a precautionary measure against the virus.

    Customer Service Champions have also been engaged to wash their hands regularly and sanitize them as often as possible when transacting business with customers and on the Point of Sale devices.

    The Managing Director of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Ben Hassan Ouattara reiterated the company’s robust Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) procedures, especially at the forecourt, to ensure the safety of customers.

    “As we continue to follow the President’s directives, we need to maintain basic personal hygiene to minimise the spread of COVID-19. As a company that believes in safety, we owe it a duty to the citizenry to support them in these difficult times. At Shell, your safety is our priority and we will continue to observe all the safety protocols prescribed by the Ghana Health Service at our Shell service stations,” he said.

    He reminded everyone to follow the safety measures, particularly regular and thorough hand washing, social distancing, and respiratory hygiene among others to keep everyone safe from contracting the disease.

    At the 37 Lorry Station, the Vice Chairman of the GPRTU, 37 Branch, Mr. Richard Mensah, who received the items, expressed his appreciation to the management and staff of Vivo Energy Ghana for supporting them with the hand sanitizers and liquid soaps to keep them safe from the CODVID-19 as their work exposed them more to the virus.

    “I wish on behalf of my colleagues, thank Vivo Energy Ghana for these items. We need them at this critical time and you will all agree with me that our work exposes us more to the virus because our work involves people. I am very happy that these items will help us protect ourselves and passengers against the virus,” he said.

    Mr Commodore Mensah, who received the items on behalf of Shell retailers, also commended the timely intervention by Vivo Energy Ghana.

    Source petrolworld.com

  • Black Stars coach CK Akonnor saddened by death of Opoku Afriyie

    Head coach of the Black Stars, CK Akonnor has expressed sadness about the death of former Ghana striker, Opoku Afriyie.

    The legendary Asante Kotoko striker died on on Sunday, 29 March, 2020 in Kumasi aged 75.

    Bayie was a prominent member of the Black Stars squad that won the 1978 African Cup of Nations.

    He scored the two goals in the final of that tournament.

    Source: Footballmadeinghana.com

     

  • Watch late Opoku Afriyie’s two goals in the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations final

    Former Ghana striker, Opoku Afriyie, who died in Kumasi on Sunday scored all the two goals in the final of the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations for the Black Stars win the title.

    Ghana defeated Uganda 2-0 in the final of the tournament with the Kotoko attacker scoring both goals to seal the title for the West African country in style.

    He was the joint top scorer of the competition with three goals along with Nigeria’s Segun Odegbami and Philip Omondi of Uganda.

    The feared striker, who is among the few players to have played for both arch rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, passed away on Sunday with family members present.

    The 1978 Africa Cup of Nations winner had his final breath in his hometown of Kumasi after serving Ghana football in various capacities as a footballer and an administrator.

    Below are the two goals scored he scored for Ghana in the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations final.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

     

  • No fuel shortages during two weeks lockdown NPA

    The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has assured that gas filling station shall remain open during the two weeks lockdown in some parts of Ghana.

    It has therefore encouraged the general public to stop panic buying.

    In a statement issued by its corporate affairs department, NPA says it “has noted with concern the panic buying of petroleum products as a result of anticipated shortages especially in areas affected by the two weeks mandatory lockdown in both Greater Accra and Ashanti regions which is to take effect at 1:00am on Monday 30th March 2020.”

    According to the statement, this is resulting in crowding of consumers at retail outlets and thereby violating the social distancing protocols which health experts have advised is an important measure of controlling the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID19).

    “The NPA wishes to assure the general public that the country has adequate stocks of petroleum products and all retail outlets will be fully operational during the lockdown period. In view of this there will be NO SHORTAGES OF LPG, PETROL OR DIESEL in the country during and beyond the lockdown period,” it added.

    It explained that the NPA has a duty to ensure consumers have access to petroleum products and will continue to work with Petroleum Service Providers to ensure security of supplies.

    “We therefore appeal to consumers of petroleum products to avoid the temptation of crowding at fuel stations.”

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • How to disinfect and clean your phone to help protect you against Coronavirus

    Regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, practicing social distancing, avoid touching of the face (nose, mouth and eyes) are some of the foremost measures health experts have recommended against getting or spreading Coronavirus.

    While it is one thing to stop touching your face, it is another thing to stop touching your phone to keep germs out of your fingertips.

    Phones are considered “high-touch” surfaces by the America Center for Disease Control Nd Prevention and it has the potential of becoming a carrier of the Coronavirus.

    Phones also spend better part of the day in our hands and we press them up against our face multiple times a day.

    How do you clean your phone?

    To begin with, wipe your phone with a product that has 70 percent ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, both Apple and Samsung have recommended.

    Make sure to wipe the front and back of your phone gently without too much pressure.

    Many people use phone case or cover, make sure to clean them as well using alcohol-based wipes.

    What you should not do?

    Do not dip your phone into any alcohol-based solution/substance.

    Avoid using bleach or aerosol sprays to try to clean your phone. It can affect the function of the phone.

    Also avoid passing your phones to people. In situations you want them to look at a photo a something on your phone, forward it to them via Whatsapp or any appropriate channel.

    Why should you take these measures serious?

    A study in 2017 found high level of bacterial contamination on 27 phones owned by teenagers. The study hypothesized that phones “may play a role in the spread of infectious agents in the community.”

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Accra lockdown: Travellers stranded at bus stations

    Many travellers have been left stranded at various bus stations and terminals across the country, with hundreds finding it difficult to get a bus to their destinations. Transport activities have come to a virtual halt in some parts of Accra.

    This follows the announcement of a partial lockdown directive by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Ghana that has so far claimed some five lives with 152 confirmed cases as at today March, 29, 2020.

    Ghana will for the next two weeks go into a partial lockdown with security personnel manning various posts and roadblocks in some parts of the country to restrict human movement.

    A visit by GhanaWeb to some VIP bus terminals in Accra saw some empty spaces with long queues, as people waited their turn to get aboard the next available bus to their destinations.

    source: www.ghanweb.com

  • SC Paderborn to lose Christopher Antwi Adjei to Bremen

    Ghana midfielder Christopher Antwi-Adjei could leave German outfit SC Paderbon, with some reports linking him to Weder Bremen.

    A move away from the Benteler Arena looks imminent as the Ghanaian has become a sensation in the Bundesliga.

    According to the 90min.de the Ghanaian could be the suitable replacement for Milot Rasshica.

    The 26-year-old Ghanaian feels comfortable in both offensive positions and his contract will only run until 2021. Due to his age and possible relegation of Paderborn to the lower tier, he would be relatively cheap. Real top teams will not try to reply to Antwi-Adjei, so Werder could be interesting for him.

    Antwi-Adjei has featured in all 25 league matches for Paderborn this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

    Source: Ghanaguardian.com

  • German state minister kills himself as coronavirus hits economy

    Thomas Schaefer, the finance minister of Germany’s Hesse state, has committed suicide apparently after becoming “deeply worried” over how to cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus, state premier Volker Bouffier said on Sunday.

    Schaefer, 54, was found dead near a railway track on Saturday. The Wiesbaden prosecution’s office said they believe he died by suicide.

    “We are in shock, we are in disbelief and above all we are immensely sad,” Bouffier said in a recorded statement.

    Police and prosecutors said factors, including the questioning of witnesses and their own observations at the scene, led them to conclude that Schaefer killed himself.

    Hesse is home to Germany’s financial capital Frankfurt, where major lenders such as Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank have their headquarters. The European Central Bank is also located in Frankfurt.

    A visibly shaken Bouffier recalled that Schaefer, who was Hesse’s finance chief for 10 years, had been working “day and night” to help companies and workers deal with the economic impact of the pandemic.

    “Today we have to assume that he was deeply worried,” said Bouffier, a close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

    “It’s precisely during this difficult time that we would have needed someone like him,” he added.

    Popular and well-respected, Schaefer had long been touted as a possible successor to Bouffier.

    Like Bouffier, Schaefer belonged to Merkel’s centre-right CDU party.

    He leaves behind a wife and two children.

    Source: NEW AGENCIES

  • No football, no problem; Ghana defender Harrison Afful turns hairstylist

    The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus which has grinded almost all football activities to a halt is taking a toll on clubs, players and the other stakeholders of the game.

    Most have had to shelve plans and stay home as the world works out a cure for what the WHO has termed a global pandemic.

    While footballers worldwide find alternative means to keep busy during this period, Ghanaian international Harrison has come out with something strikingly odd but unique.

    In this Covid-19 era, the Columbus Crew defender has decided to hang his football boots albeit briefly and taken to hair styling.

    As can be seen clearly in a video shared on Twitter, the former Esperance de Tunis and Asante Kotoko player is seen busily and happily styling the hair of his daughter.

    The moment depicts a perfect daddy and daughter moment.

    Perhaps Harrison Afful would start considering hair styling as an option in the aftermath of his playing career.

    Watch video below

    Source: Footballmadeinghana.com

  • Locked down under Mile 7 bridge in Accra

    Families rushed up and down gathering foodstuff and other provisions. Unending queues stood at gas filling stations.

    Everybody prepared for a partial lockdown in Greater Accra Region and Greater Kumasi metropolitan areas as part of collective precautionary measures the President, H.E. William Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced recently to fight the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

    The nation looks helpless as it seeks external facilities to fight the pandemic. But, more helpless are the homeless who dwell on the streets and under bridges in the affected areas.

    In Accra, a friend, Kwame Kekeli Bokpe took a depressing photo of some people who have built a tent of mosquito net under the Mile 7 bridge on the Accra – Kumasi Highway. He says, “it’s depressing…”

    They are locked down under a bridge in the rich nation of Gold, cocoa and now oil. This is but the story of not a few citizens. There are depressingly many a vulnerable citizen like them across the affected cities.

    They live at the mercy of perennial heavy rains and their concomitant floods in their homes on the streets. They have survived harsher seasons than such a lockdown.

    But, this time, they will observe unusually silent roads and streets as city dwellers adhere to government directives and shut themselves up in their homes. Those who sold them food on the streets may not come. Those whose goods they carry for some coins may not come. Yet, their nets are empty.

    Do we have any plans for such vulnerable people in the affected cities? Do we have some supplies for them? In times like this, do we have any place for them? The nature of what many of them do for a living makes them highly susceptible to infectious diseases. Some of them may be infected already. Do we have plans to test them as part of proactive measures to stop the spread?

    Of course, no nation was prepared for this pandemic. Bigger and more developed nations are kneeling hopelessly under the burden of a plaque that seems like a sign of the end times foretold in Scriptures. So, it is understandable that a nation like Ghana will have challenges.

    But, what makes her situation more pitiful is that such a naturally rich nation has to depend on external facilities in the face of this conspicuous threat. If external help delays or do not come, the implications may be devastating to say the least.

    Jack Ma’s donation to Ghana is in. Philanthropic citizens are also making donations.

    The question is how prudently are these donations being administered to save lives; how equitably are they being distributed to impact the lives of those locked down under bridges in our streets?

    Every life matters. Every life is important and needs to to be saved. How are we saving their lives?

    Raymond Ablorh is a former student leader, professional journalist, media development practitioner, corporate communications specialist and a prolific feature writer who has written thought-provoking articles for the Daily Graphic and other local and international mainstream and online media since the year 2000.

    Columnist: Raymond Ablorh

  • Market activities in three regions to be halted for disinfection

    The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ahafo, Bono, and Bono East Regions to close down markets in their jurisdiction for a disinfection exercise.

    The exercise would be undertaken in 43 markets in Ahafo Region, 125 markets in Bono Region and 78 markets in Bono East Region from March 30, 2020.
    The move was in pursuant to the directives from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to the Ministry to coordinate with the MMDAs to enhance the conditions of hygiene in markets across the country.

    A statement signed by the Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama and copied to the Ghana News Agency said, a number of activities have been initiated including the disinfection of markets, public education and sensitisation of market women on Coronavirus.

    It urged the MMDAs to collaborate with market queens and leaders to undertake the exercise.

    The statement said the markets would be opened on Tuesday, 31st March, 2020 for business.

    It called on the Coordinating Councils of the three regions to coordinate and ensure compliance with the above directives by the MMDAs in the regions.
    “The Ministry requests the cooperation of the public, especially our traders and all persons conducting businesses in the markets, in all this all-important exercise.”

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Ghana Tourism Authority issues directives for partial lockdown

    The Ghana Tourism Authority has issued guidelines for hotels, restaurant and night clubs amid the partial lockdown which will take effect at 1am on Monday 30th March 2020.

    The GTA said this at a press briefing organised by the ministry of information, to clarify issues concerning the partial lockdown announced by the president.

    The president on Friday 27th March in his address to the nation, imposed restrictions on movements at certain parts of the country identified as hotspot to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. The places where the restrictions were imposed includes Accra, Tema, and Kumasi.

    However some essential services including members of the security agencies assigned lawful duties; staff of electricity, water, telecommunications, e-commerce and digital service providers; members of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary; production, distribution and marketing of food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, medicine, paper and plastic packages; staff of VALCO were however exempted from the restrictions.

    Read the full brief below:

    Following the directives by the President, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on the imposition of restrictions on movement of persons in specific areas, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and in conjunction with the National Security Task Force on COVID-19, issues the following directives for the Hospitality Industry.

    1) All Hotels can operate as normal and host their guests. Their Restaurants, gyms and other facilities will service only the resident guests, subject to the specified enhanced hygiene protocols and social distancing. Their staff will be provided special passes by National Security, which must be worn in addition to their normal IDs.

    3) Food Chains and Restaurants must operate only pick-up and delivery services. Their staff will be provided special passes, which must be worn in addition to their normal IDs.

    4) All drinking bars, night clubs, pubs etc within the specified areas must remain closed during the period.

    In all situations, facilities should observe the protocol and precautionary measures on public gathering as spelt out in the imposition of restriction Act, 2020.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com