TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • All Ghana Health Service staff on study leave recalled for Coronavirus ‘fight’

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has recalled all of its staff on study leave to help with the fight against the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has claimed three lives in the last two weeks with a total of 136 people testing positive in Ghana as of Friday morning.

    In a letter dated March 26, 2020 and signed by the Director-General, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the GHS said the recall was following the closure of all training institutions in Ghana and the increase in the workload at various health facilities across the country.

     

    “As you are aware, all training institutions in the country have been closed down following the directives from the president… due to the covid-19 pandemic.”

    “The number of recorded and combined cases in the country keep increasing by the day. This has resulted in increased workloads in the various facilities. There is therefore the urgent need for all staff to be at post in order to support in the management of affected persons,” the letter addressed to all regional directors of health and divisional directors said.

    The letter, a copy of which Graphic Online has seen added: “As a consequence of the above, all staff on approved study leave across all regions are therefore recalled from their leave with immediate effect.”

     

    “You are entreated to ensure that the content of this letter is strictly complied with,” it added.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • South Tongu District Assembly implements market reforms to prevent spread of Coronavirus

    The two busiest and major markets in the South Tongu District namely; Sogakope and Dabala markets to be observed now on a daily basis as a measure to avoid the overcrowding that hits the two major markets when it is a market day. Traditionally, the two markets days used to be observed every five days.

    The decision was reached yesterday, March 26 by a Market Days Implementation Committee which was set up by the District Chief Executive of the constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Louis Agama.

    According to the DCE, the change in the market observation days in the the district became necessary because of the overcrowding situation that always characterize major markets meanwhile, overcrowding is what is being advised against in this time of the deadly coronavirus.

    The DCE also revealed that he and the team will be on the airwaves soon to educate the citizens and markets, men and women, on the new changes and its importance in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

    Members of the committee who arrived at the decision include; the Assembly Members, Unit Committees representatives, market queens, traditional leaders; representatives from both towns, the Revenue Supervisor of the District Assembly, the District Assembly Covid-19 Task Force chairperson, the District Director of Health, and an official from the District Police and Fire Services.

    The DCE has however, charged the Market Days Implementation Committee members to work assiduously to ensure the sustainability of the market reform system in the district.

    He further explained to the committee members that, this reform will not only enhance a higher revenue collection but also to enable the assembly meet it revenue target resulting in accelerated infrastructure development in the district.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Police to enforce lockdown to the latter

    The Ghana Police Service is already anticipating a lockdown of some major cities in Ghana due to the increasing spate of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The Service has put in place a deployment strategy for a lockdown if it is announced by government.

    A letter issued by the Director-General in charge of Operations, DCOP Kwaku Boadu-Pepra, and sent to all regional commanders gave details about the deployment.

    It said the lockdown will be partial to full in some parts of the country, particularly Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Obuasi.

    The enforcement of the lockdown strategy will be undertaken in a joint internal security operation with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), DCOP Boadu-Pepra stated.

    “In line with the deployment strategy of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), the Service will foremost lay emphasis on enforcing the lockdown directives to the letter.

    “Furthermore, the GPS will continue to strengthen its role in strictly enforcing mandatory and self-quarantine guidelines in coordination with the GHS as required.”

    Among the tasks and responsibilities will be a 24/7 roadblocks and checkpoints to ensure compliance.

    The police shall arrest and detain all offenders, the letter said.

    All directorates within the Service have been alerted as personnel will join this operation.

    The Director of Police Hospital, for instance, is to release 100 medical corps including doctors and paramedics for the exercise in affected areas.

    The entire operation will be monitored by the National Joint Operations Centre (JOC), which will be under the direction of Chief Superintendent Raymond Adofiem.

    ACP Kwesi Ofori will be in charge of coordination and deployment in Accra.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • COVID-19: NSS nurses, midwives asked to remain at post

    The Ministry of Health has asked all nurses and midwives currently undergoing National Service to remain at post until the end of their service.

    Though the National Service Secretariat (NSS) earlier directed all Service Personnel to take a mandatory paid leave, the Ministry in a statement said nurses and midwives were exempt because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

    “The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Service Scheme would like to inform its stakeholders that in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, the service of nurses, midwives and other frontline healthcare workers are very critical and essential.”

    “The Ministry of Health is, therefore, requesting that all Nurses and Midwives currently undergoing national service should remain at post until the end of their service.

    In addition, all nurses and midwives who are due to commence the 2020/2021 national service “should report to the various posting centres to commence their service as required.”

    In addition to these measures, the Ministry is also “seeking financial clearance to engage the 2017-2018 graduate nurses and midwives.”

     

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Mutawakilu Fuseini rejoins King Faisal

    Ghana Premier League club King Faisal have confirmed the capture of defender Mutawakilu Fuseini.

    The defender has rejoined the Kumasi-based club after his last stint with them in 2014. However, the club has not disclosed the contract details of Mutawakilu Fuseini who is expected to shore up their leaky defence having conceded 29 goals in 14 matches.

    The club on Friday announced their new acquisition on Twitter: “We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with defender Mutawakilu Fuseini to rejoin the club.

    “Mutawakilu last ride for us in 2014 and is expected to link up with the team soon.

    Mutawakilu Fuseini becomes the latest player to join the club in this transfer window after Samuel Akurugu and Andy Oduro Acheampong.

    Source: Primenewsghana.com

     

  • Wa records Coronavirus case – Upper West Regional Minister confirms

    The Upper West Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Salih has confirmed that a 42-year-old Ghanaian who visited the United Kingdom and Spain and returned to Ghana through Egypt has tested positive for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    The Minister made the revelation at a press briefing in Wa Friday afternoon, March 27, 2020.

    According to Graphic Online’s Upper West Regional reporter, Emmanuel Modey, the patient is a male who started showing symptoms about eight days ago joined public transport from Accra to Wa.

    Speaking at the press briefing the Upper West Regional Director of Health, Dr Osei Kufour Afreh said the patient started showing signs 8 days ago and a test on Friday came out positive for Coronavirus.

    Announcing the case at the media briefing, the Upper West Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Salih said, the victim was said to have landed in Accra and travelled to Wa on board a public transport where he isolated himself later after reporting himself to the health authorities.

    The Minister said, the victim’s blood sample was tested at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) in the Ashanti Region and it was found to be positive.

    He said, efforts are being made to trace all the people he contacted from Accra to Wa for further action to be taken.

    He assured the public that everything will be done to contain the disease from spreading since it was an imported one.

    Whilst allaying the fears of the public and urged calm and not panic, the Regional Minister also urged all those who came into contact with the victim to come forward to be tested for their own safety.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Coronavirus: NIA suspends Ghana card registration despite court ruling

    The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced the indefinite suspension of the Ghana card registration exercise in the Eastern Region until further notice despite a High Court ruling which said it can go ahead with the registration.

    On Friday, 27 March 2020, an Accra High Court ruled that the NIA can go ahead with the Ghana card registration despite President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ban on public gathering to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    In his judgment, Justice Anthony Oppong said the applicants in the case have not shown any justifiable reason why the NIA should be restrained from its Ghana card registration exercise in the Eastern Region.

    “The application for interlocutory injunction ought to fail and same is dismissed”, Justice Oppong ruled.

    But the NIA in a statement said it is suspending the registration exercise because of “a careful assessment of the registration exercise carried out in the Eastern Region between Wednesday, 4th March and Friday, 20th March 2020. The decision to suspend the registration follows a careful assessment of the exercise in the region so far.”

    The NIA also said it took into account “the current trend in the spread of COVID-19 in the country since the suspension of the mass registration exercise on Saturday, 21st March 2020, following the service on the NIA of an interlocutory injunction application.”

    The NIA noted that it welcomes the dismissal by the High Court of the interlocutory injunction application and the substantive suit but, nonetheless, the Authority will continue to suspend its mass registration operations until further notice.

    NIA said it will use the period of suspension to continue with its preparations toward the establishment of its Regional, Municipal and District Offices and arrange for the co-location of its registration services at some of its cognate institutions such as National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), among other responsibilities.

    The NIA further stated that it will continue to observe developments relating to the management of COVID-19 in the country and will determine, at the appropriate time, when and how to resume its mass registration operations.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Eleven Wonders President calls for financial support from gov’t during coronavirus period

    President of Techiman Eleven Wonders, Nana Ameyaw Manu has called on the government to support clubs financially through these difficult times presented by the Coronavirus.

    According to him, clubs in the country remains overburden as they continue to pay players and other employers even though football activities have been suspended.

    In line with that, he wants the government to intervene and offer a helping hand.

    “Though the players are on a break they have to be paid, Startimes money is yet to hit our account so we are appealing to the government to support us (clubs) financially because the situation at hand is not our fault,” Eleven Wonders president Nana Ameyaw told OTEC Fm.

    He added, “During the Anas #12 expose, the boys were paid while on break, now the players are on break again due to the COVID-19 outbreak”.

    Because of the increase in the number of confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Ghana, it is not unclear when the Ghana Premier League, or any other sporting activity will resume in the country.

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Discuss possible lockdown thoroughly Economist

    Economist Professor, Godfred Bopkin has asked the government of Ghana to engage in broad discussions before considering a lockdown of any part of the country in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.

    He said although the country is faced with a serious situation as other parts of the world regarding the COVID-19, the government must act tactfully in its decisions.

    Ghana has so far recorded 136 cases of coronavirus with three deaths.

    Groups including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have asked the government to lock down the country to mitigate spread.

    Prof Bokpin told journalists in Accra: “Unusual times call for unusual measures. For that reason, the discussion of our debts, though relevant, we have to understand that the country is facing critical challenges that require us to think beyond the normal situation of debt-to-GDP ratio.”

    On the lockdown issue, he said: “A lot of conversation must go on to fill the gaps before such conversations start.”

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Baseball jerseys being turned into hospital gowns, masks

    Major League Baseball jerseys are being turned into desperately needed hospital masks and gowns to help health care workers combat the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to the league’s uniform manufacturer.

    MLB and official apparel maker Fanatics are absorbing all costs associated with converting machinery at the Easton, Pennsylvania, factory from uniform manufacturing to production of up to one million masks and gowns.

    “I’m proud that Major League Baseball can partner with Fanatics to help support the brave healthcare workers and emergency personnel who are on the front lines of helping patients with COVID-19. They’re truly heroes,” MLB president Rob Manfred said.

    “We hope this effort can play a part in coming together as a community to help us through this challenging situation.”

    The first fabrics used to make masks and gowns were New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies uniforms, which come complete with the pinstripes typically worn by players on those clubs.

    Jersey fabrics from all teams not already converted into uniforms will be made into new apparel for hospital workers and emergency personnel to combat a shortage of such equipment that has hampered efforts nationwide to control the deadly COVID-19 outbreak.

    The Fanatics plant plans to make the items as long as they are needed, with the US Health and Human Services department estimating up to 3.5 million face masks will be needed.

    “As the demand for masks and gowns has surged, we’re fortunate to have teamed up with Major League Baseball to find a unique way to support our frontline workers in this fight to stem the virus, who are in dire need of essential resources,” Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin said in a posting on the MLB website.

    The MLB season was to have started on Thursday but has been postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic.

    Source: France24

  • ESLA raises GH¢1.19 billion from 12-year bond

    GH¢1.19 billion was raised from a 12-year bond issued by Energy Sector Support Levy (ESLA) PLC on 24 March, 2020.

    The debt instrument which will mature on 29 December, 2031 had a yield of between 20.50 and 23.50%.

    ESLA had targeted GH¢600 million from the offer. However, the minimum offer was GH¢300 million while the maximum was GH¢1.86 billion

    Class Business understands that proceeds from the issuance will be used to settle portions of the outstanding legacy debt and other obligations due suppliers and other creditors within the energy sector.

    ESLA said it will continue to undertake buyback and cancellation of outstanding bonds using proceeds in the Lock Box Account via open market operations.

    The debt instrument which was originally issued on 13 January, 2020 was opened to investors on Tuesday 24 March, 2020.

    The offer constituted Tranche E4-B under the GH¢10 billion bond programme.

    ESLA said the target size of the Tranche E4-B is GH¢600 million. However, the minimum offer to be accepted by

    ESLA PLC has since inception issued bonds worth GH¢7.09 billion.

    This includes issuances in November 2017 (7-year tranche E1 and 10-year tranche E2-C), January 2018 (Re-opening of 10-year tranche E2-B), August 2018, June 2019 and January 2020.

    The establishment of ESLA has enabled government to settle all the legacy debts owed the banks.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Landlord killed for allegedly sleeping with his tenant’s wife

    The police are on a manhunt for a tenant, Kwaku Boadi, 32, who killed his landlord at Maama Krobo in the Afram Plains South District of the Eastern Region.

    The tenant, according to reports, shot and killed his landlord for allegedly sleeping with his wife.

    The landlord, John Monyo, 52, was critically injured by the gunshot and was rushed to the Donkokrom Presbyterian Hospital but referred to the St. Joseph Hospital in Koforidua.

    The wife of the tenant, who also got injured from a pellet, was given medical attention at the Donkokrom Presbyterian Hospital.

    The reports stated that, on Thursday, 26 March 2020, the suspicious husband called his landlord out of his room, shot at him and fled the farming community with his six-year-old son.

    The Assemblyman for the area, Ebenezer Kugbesika, called the police about the shooting incident and they rushed to the crime scene to meet the victims bleeding.

    The police command in the region has launched a manhunt for the suspect who is currently on the run.

     

    Source: Pulse.com.gh

  • Accept and assist pardoned prisoners reintegrate – Prisons

    The Ghana Prisons Service has appealed to Ghanaians to accept and assist the inmates granted amnesty by President Akufo-Addo.

    Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Service, Courage Astem bemoaned the discrimination and exclusion of ex-convicts.

    Such acts he lamented deprive these persons the opportunity to reintegrate.

    Courage Astem in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm said the pardoned prisoners need our support and assistance to reintegrate.

    He said the inmates released are qualified persons by the criteria used and do not pose a threat to society.

    A lot of diligence he explained went into the selection considering the fact that the president and the service were mindful of the threats.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has granted amnesty to some 808 prisoners.

    They include 783 first-time offenders, who have served half of their sentences, 11 seriously ill and very old prisoners.

    Seven (7) prisoners who have been sentenced to death, had their sentence converted into a life sentence.

    The pardon was issued on the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council in consultation with the Council of State, a statement issued Thursday by the Director-General of Prisons, Patrick Darko Missah, has said.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Lockdown: Suspend utility bills for 90 days – Oscar Doe to Akufo-Addo

    In the likely event of a lockdown on Ghana following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, businessman and philanthropist, Oscar Yao Doe is drawing the attention of President Nana Akufo-Addo to swiftly put in place measures to support the less privileged individuals in the country.

    In an open letter to the President which was sighted by GhanaWeb, Mr Doe says the measures, if placed well, would support and reduce “the anxiety, panic and excessive stress Ghanaians are currently going through.”

    Mr Doe enlists, among other measures, six key steps he says government must take in this regard:

    1. The suspension of all electricity bills payment to all households across Ghana for 90 days.

    2. The suspension of water bills payment for all households across Ghana for 90 days. Government should also sponsor water tankers to supply water to the most vulnerable communities across Ghana on a daily basis or at least thrice weekly.

    3. Halve all utility bills (Water & Electricity) to all businesses across Ghana for 90 days.

    4. Issue GH¢1,000 in cash or direct transfer payment to all Public Sector workers across Ghana, as well as guarantee full salary payment to all Public Sector workers for 90 days.

    5. Inject direct financial support to all districts, metropolitan & municipal assemblies relative to their sizes.

    6. Provide direct extra cash allowance to all frontline workers battling the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and take care of medical bills and feeding of Ghanaians who catch the virus.

    Additionally, Oscar Doe is asking for the Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang to seek and immediate approval from the Presidency, through the Ministry of Finance to protect Ghanaian pensioners.

    “SSNIT ought to issue direct cash or direct transfers of between GH¢1,000 up to GH¢2,000 based on salary grades as a Special Emergency Package to cushion pensioners across Ghana for 90 days.”

    “This gesture could go a long way to reduce Fear, Panic and Anxiety”, he added.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: Berekum Chelsea gives out sanitizers, nose masks and gloves

    Ghana Premier League side Berekum Chelsea has given out thousands of sanitizers, nose masks, as well as gloves to the Berekum community to use for protection against the Coronavirus.

    The number of confirmed cases of the Covid-19 which has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) keeps going up by the day in Ghana.

    The number currently stands as 136 with 3 persons having already lost their lives.

    As a way of giving back to society, Berekum Chelsea hit the streets and market centers of communities in Berekum on Thursday, March 26, to donate hand sanitizers, nose masks, and gloves.

    The club hopes the materials given out will go a long way to help the people in protecting themselves from contracting the deadly Coronavirus.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Tracey Boakye to give out sanitizers, face masks & other items to help prevent the spread of coronavirus

    Actress/entrepreneur/producer Tracey Boakye has announced that come Monday, March 30, 2020, she will give out hand sanitizers, face mask, and other relevant items as her way of supporting the efforts of the government to limit the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease.

    She made this announcement in an Instagram post sighted by zionfelix.net.

    This goodwill gesture from her will add her to the tall list of Ghanaian celebrities and public figures who have so far gone out to help people in their own small way during this pandemic.

    Check out her post below…

    Source: zionfelix.net

  • Suspected robbers arrested

    Five members of a robbery gang operating within Amasaman, Sowutoum and Tabora have been arrested by personnel of the Accra Regional Police Command.

    The suspects are Stephen Wajah Sakibu, aged 37, Muntari Ibrahim, aged 29, Prince Ayitey Tagoe, Abubakari Sadik Frenchman (a national of Guinea) and Evans Nortey.

    Eight of their victims have since identified them as their attackers, according to the police, and are assisting in investigations.

    The Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Frederick Adu Anim, who briefed the media on the arrest, said two of the robbers, Wajah and Ibrahim, were earlier arrested by Amasaman Police for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition; and the others during investigations by the regional operations unit.

    He said on March 9, 2020, around 11:30pm, the Amasaman patrol team arrested the two suspects while on their routine patrols at Amomorley junction, near Pokuase.

    He revealed that the suspects were spotted in a KIA Picanto taxi cab with registration number GE 5475-17 driven by suspect Ibrahim.

    “A search conducted on them led to the retrieval of two pistols and other incriminating items,” he said.

    DCOP Frederick Adu Anim added that suspects Sakibu and Ibrahim were transferred to the Regional CID/Accra on March 17, 2020 for further investigations.

    “The suspects later confessed to committing a series of robberies and mentioned their accomplices as Tagoe, Frenchman and Nortey,” he mentioned.

    The Accra Regional Police Commander continued that Tagoe was arrested at Mankrong where five mobile phones and assorted credit cards were retrieved from him.

    Suspect Frenchman was arrested at Olebu Estates, where three mobile phones were retrieved from him. Suspect Nortey was arrested at Odumase and a locally manufactured pistol, eight BB cartridges, three AA cartridges, a pair of handcuffs, six mobile phones and assorted credit cards and a car ignition key suspected to be stolen were found on him.

    DCOP Adu Anim said when Nortey was interrogated he confessed that the ignition key found belonged to a Toyota Yaris which he and his accomplices snatched from the owner on February 25, 2020 at Israel Lomnava.

    He said the vehicle was yet to be retrieved from where it had been parked by the robbers.

    “All five suspects gave different accounts of the series of robberies they had committed including the attacks on mobile money vendors in and around Tabora-Alhaji on two separate occasions from where they raked in an amount of GH¢10,000.00 and assorted credit cards from the victim; they also carried out similar attacks on victims at Ablekuma-Fanmilk, Santa Maria, Sowutuom, Olebu, Pokuase station and Amasaman,” he said.

    He said further investigations by the police established that the Kia Picanto taxi Cab which Wajah and Ibrahim were driving on the day of arrest was snatched from its owner at Sowutuom Lomnava on February 26, 2020 around 10:00pm at gunpoint.

    The regional commander said the eight victims, who reported at the station to identify the suspects during the identification parade, were all mobile money vendors.

     

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Quarantined woman ‘kills herself’ in Kenya

    Kenyan media report that a woman who was being quarantined in the western city of Nakuru has taken her own life.

    Health workers found her dead at the Kenya Industrial Training Institute facility where she was being held, having apparently hung herself, local media say.

    Local government officials also state that initial police investigations are “pointing to suicide”.

    The woman was said to be in her 20s. Nakuru county officials confirmed she arrived in Kenya from South Africa on Wednesday. They are not naming her until they have contacted her next of kin.

    Local media quote unnamed sources as saying the woman had recently complained she was being held in “deplorable conditions” and had asked to be transferred elsewhere.

    Many countries have imposed travel restrictions, plus mandatory quarantine for any new arrivals to curb the spread of coronavirus. Kenya’s quarantine period lasts for 14 days.

    Currently Kenya has confirmed 31 coronavirus cases, one of whom died. Meanwhile South Africa has the highest number on the continent – at more than 1,000.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Lovia came for her school fees – Obinim explains what happened in Ken Agyapong’s video

    Bishop Daniel Obinim, the founder and leader of International God’s Way Church has denied allegations by Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, that he has been sleeping with a girl called Lovia.

    According to Obinim, he does not have anything amorous to do with the said Lovia as being suggested by Ken Agyapong because she is like a daughter.

    Ken Agyapong has recently been on the case of Obinim describing him as a womaniser who sleeps around with women including the sister of his own wife.

    To prove allegations, Ken Agyapong caused some videos to be shown on his NET 2 TV station on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

    In one of the videos he showed, Obinim could be seen lying on his matrimonial bed while a girl identified as Lovia sat in a sofa nearby.

    According to Ken Agyapong, the video was taken from Obinim’s house at Kenyase-Bosore near Kumasi.

    Explaining further, the MP indicated that the girl recorded her presence in Obinim’s bedroom and sent to her boyfriend after they had had fun.

    But in a video of his own, Obinim has stated that Lovia is one of the young people he adopted and was looking after.

    According to Obinim, as at the time the video was taken, he had got the Lovia girl enrolled in a media school in Kumasi.

    On the fateful day, Lovia had come for her school but because he (Obinim) was not well and resting, he asked that she be brought into his bedroom.

    He had no ill intentions as he saw Ama Lovia as a daughter.

    Obinim also denied a second video of him dancing with a young lady in his bedroom which popped after that of Ken Agyapong.

    According to him, the lady in question is his biological daughter and there is no crime in dancing with her.

    source: yen.com.gh

  • US tops world in coronavirus cases, overtakes China and Italy

    The United States on Thursday took the grim title of the country with the most coronavirus infections and reported a record surge in unemployment as world leaders vowed $5 trillion to stave off global economic collapse.

    More than 500,000 people around the world have now contracted the new coronavirus, overwhelming healthcare systems even in wealthy nations and triggering an avalanche of government-ordered lockdowns that have disrupted life for billions.

    In the United States, more than 83,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, edging out Italy, which has reported the most deaths, and China, where the virus was first detected in December in the metropolis of Wuhan.

    The US has recorded 1,178 deaths, while the global death toll stood at 23,293.

    With about 40 percent of Americans under lockdown orders, Trump urged citizens to do their part by practising social distancing: “Stay home. Just relax, stay home.”

    Source: punchng.com

  • Coronavirus: Ghana’s Kassim to suffer 40% deduction on salary

    Many teams in Europe are planning to deduct some amount from the salaries given to their players to support the fight between the world and COVID-19.

    Spanish club Atletico Madrid reportedly announced to apply the same thing to their players due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    Some teams have also given their stadiums for temporarily use as health centers.

    Many footballers have also donated money and equipment to their countries to fight the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

    Ghanaian defender, Kassim Nuhu Adams plays for Fortuna Düsseldorf in Germany.

    Speaking in an interview with Kingdom TV, the Ghanaian footballer explains how the coronavirus has affected German football

    He revealed that his club are planning to slash his salary by 40%.

    “Our Club ‘Fortuna Düsseldorf’ are planning to slash our salary between forty to sixty percent due to coronavirus outbreak.” He revealed.

    According to him the team are planning to also donate some amount and equipment to the health centers in Germany to help fight the coronavirus.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Spains coronavirus toll hits new record with 769 dead in 24 hours

    The death toll in Spain soared over 4,800 Friday after 769 people died in 24 hours, in what was a record one-day figure for fatalities, the government said.

    Health ministry figures showed the number of deaths reaching 4,858, while cases jumped to 64,059, although the rate of new infections appeared to be slowing, registering a 14 percent increase compared with 18 percent a day earlier.

    Source: France24

  • Govt will investigate persons who escaped quarantine – Dep. Health Minister

    The Deputy Health Minister, Alexander Kodwo Abban says the government will investigate claims that some persons in mandatory quarantine have escaped.

    The government’s intended investigation follows claims by IMANI President, Franklin Cudjoe who wrote a piece indicating that he has gotten intelligence suggesting that some persons on mandatory quarantine have escaped.

    The mandatory quarantine follows a directive from the President in his nationwide broadcast on Saturday, March 20, 2020, that all travelers arriving in Ghana from tonight, March 21, 2020, regardless of nationality.

    These persons were to engage in a mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days.

    Speaking on radio, Deputy Health Minister, Alexander Kodwo Abban stated that the Health Ministry is not aware of the situation and that the Ministry will probe into the matter

    ”Infact, it has not come to us in the Ministry at all that anybody has escaped. Of course, it calls for concern so we will have to take the necessary steps to ascertain the veracity or otherwise and then if it’s true we will look at whose negligence, recklessness or whether the person indeed run away regardless of every reasonable step taken to keep him at the place. So we are not just going to look at this and let it fly off, we will look into it”.

    However, a total of 1,030 people are on mandatory quarantine. On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 26 of them had tested positive for COVID-19.

    As at Wednesday, March 25, 2020, a total of 38 of those mandatorily quarantined were confirmed to have the virus.

    Meanwhile, Ghana’s Coronavirus case count has increased to 136 confirmed cases. Four new cases were recorded today, Friday, 27th March 2020 after 132 cases were reported, Thursday, 26th March 2020.

    The death toll, however, remains 3 as the Ghana Health Service confirmed in an update.

    As at March 27 2020, a total of fifty-seven (57) cases including three (3) deaths have been confirmed from the regular surveillance systems.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Dua Lipa: Critics rate Future Nostalgia as the best album of 2020 so far

    The future starts now for self-isolating Dua Lipa fans, after the star put out her new album a week early.

    Future Nostalgia, which features writing contributions from Tove Lo and Madonna’s producer Stuart Price, was brought forward after it leaked online.

    Early reviews have been glowing, with critics calling the record “viscerally brilliant” and “pop perfection”.

    With perhaps the best review headline of the year, The Independent called Future Nostalgia, “pure sonic spandex”.

    “Dua Lipa delivers hard truths to a soundtrack that’s ridiculously leotard and leg warmers – and there isn’t a duff track on the whole record,” wrote Helen Brown, awarding five stars.

    The NME gave the same top score, calling the album “powerful pop perfection from a star unafraid to speak her mind”.

    “The artist’s stunning second record tackles sex, inequality and empowerment. And all with a little disco shimmy,” reported Rhian Daly.

    The Guardian described the British-Kosovan singer as “a true pop visionary”, awarding four stars and applauding Dua for not taking “the easy path” of making an album full of star-studded collaborations.

    “Britain’s biggest female star tightens her grip on the crown with a viscerally brilliant second album,” declared Laura Snapes.

    ‘Conflicted’ The star’s second album is the follow-up to her Brit Award-winning, self-titled debut.

    It was due for release next week, but Dua announced it was being brought forward in a tearful Instagram live, after it leaked in full last weekend.

    But she admitted to having mixed feelings about releasing new music during the coronavirus pandemic.

    “I’ve been a little bit conflicted about whether it’s the right thing to do during this time because lots of people are suffering,” she said.

    “I’m not sure if I’m even doing the right thing,” she continued, “but I think the thing we need the most at the moment is music, and we need joy and we need to be trying to see the light.

    “I hope it makes you smile and I hope it makes you dance and I hope I make you proud.”

    On the eve of release, she issued another statement, saying: “I have never felt more myself in making this album.

    “And I’m grateful to some incredible people that held my hand through it – allowed me to believe, gave me confidence to dig deeper and create something fun, cohesive and reminiscent of my childhood influences.”

    One of those influences was evidently INXS’s Michael Hutchence – as the 24-year-old British-Kosovan star sampled the Australian band’s Need You Tonight on new single Break My Heart.

    The accompanying new video sees her hit the dancefloor, reach for the skies, and go deep under the covers, as she wonders, “Am I falling in love with the one that could break my heart?”

    As well as winning multiple Brit Awards in recent years, Dua also bagged best new artists at last year’s Grammys; so her new album was eagerly anticipated in the States, too.

    Pitchfork liked the sound of her musical memories from discos yet to come, comparing her to one of pop’s biggest names.

    “The ascendant singer’s star-making second album is a collection of sophisticated, hard-bodied pop-funk that gives way to slick, Kylie Minogue-inspired disco,” wrote Anna Gaca.

    Finally, Rolling Stone magazine declared that “the self-isolation dance party soundtrack is here”.

    “Future Nostalgia is a breathtakingly fun, cohesive and ambitious attempt to find a place for disco in 2020.,” wrote Brittany Spanos.

    “Incredibly, Lipa is successful: The upbeat album that she decided to release a week earlier than planned is the perfect balm for a stressful time.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Arrivals in Ghana since March 3 to be traced and tested

    All individuals who travelled into Ghana on or after March 3, 2020 are to be identified and tested for Coronavirus, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed.

    Information Minister and Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who confirmed the directive, said the President wanted all those individuals to be tested as was done with arrivals on Saturday night.

    “The Ghana Immigration Service, working with the Ministry of Communication and their agencies has a whole database of all these persons who came in,” he said, adding that some had been quarantined for two weeks without any signs of the disease.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah was speaking to journalists at the Parliament House, in Accra.

    He said President Akufo-Addo directed that the tracking began from March 3, against an original proposed date of March 15 by some government officials.

    As part of measures to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus in Ghana, the Government last Saturday began quarantining all passengers disembarking at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

    After the checks, passengers were sent to different hotels to begin a 14-day quarantine.

    Out of the latest update of 132 cases, 78 are from persons in mandatory quarantine. Those persons were not allowed into the general population and treatment has commenced.

    According to the Ghana Health Serviceealth jhEA, the sudden increase in reported cases was as a result of the mandatory quarantine and compulsory testing for all travellers entering Ghana.

    The majority of the confirmed cases are Ghanaians, who returned home from affected countries, while seven are nationals from: Norway, Lebanon, China, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom (UK).

    The number of confirmed cases of travellers under mandatory quarantine is 78.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah gave the assurance that the President would ensure that the nation did not run the risk of significant communal spread of the disease.

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo washes his hands but forgot to do this; internet corrects him

    The president of Ghana is seen in a video circulating social media, washing his hands, but he seems to have gotten something wrong after all, as the internet corrects him.

    As the virus continues to spread with Ghana recording 136 cases as of today 26th March 2020, the scare has become more fierce than ever.

    One sure way of curbing the virus from spreading is frequent washing of hands and the President is seen in the video suggesting that.

    At first glance it looks okay until social media users started to point out that it was wrong for the president not to have taken the tissue he wiped his hands with by himself; after washing his hand it was the assistant who picked up the wiping tissue for him.

    This is wrong because who knows what viruses and germs the assistant might have picked up before picking the tissue and handing it over to him .

    Watch the video below and be your own judge.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    What did Nana do wrong here? 🤔🤔

    A post shared by thedistin.com (@_thedistin) on

    Source: thedistin.com.

  • Coronavirus: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opens up on illness

    v

    Arteta tested positive for the virus on March 12, with his diagnosis hastening a suspension on top-level English football, which will remain in pace until at least April 30 due to the ongoing pandemic.

    The 37-year-old Spaniard positive test was confirmed shortly after that of Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who came into contact with Arsenal players after the sides played in the Europa League two weeks earlier.

    “I am feeling completely recovered,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website.

    “It’s true I started having some symptoms when we got the phone call from the club to let us know that we might be exposed to the virus because of the owner of Olympiacos and in that moment… I don’t know, I felt something within me, that I had it.

    “We had a game the following day against Manchester City, so I made a decision and called the doctor straight away and I asked him to drive home.

    “I said, ‘Listen, we have a couple of players that have been exposed. There is a massive risk there and as well I am the first one feeling the symptoms, very clear symptoms. So if that is the case, all of the players and the people related to the club who are in contact with me on a daily basis are exposed. So we cannot make that decision, we have to speak to the Premier League, to Manchester City and we have to make the decision pretty quickly.’”

    Having gone through what he describes as a difficult few days, suffering symptoms including a temperature, dry cough and chest discomfort, Arteta admitted catching the illness brought about “fear” of having spread it.

    With Arsenal’s return to training delayed amid the government’s instruction for the public to stay at home where possible, Arteta has urged fans to follow the club’s example.

    “Please to everybody, we are a little bit behind other countries, for example Spain, where I know the situation they are living at the moment, and while we are having the opportunity a little bit to minimise the risk, I encourage everybody please to be responsible and stay at home as much as possible,” Arteta said.

    “That is all we can do from our position, we don’t have the ability to help others in other circumstances, so please at least stay at home and do what is required.

    “We have to try to help the NHS as much as possible and we have to give the opportunity to the elderly people who needs this more than anybody else to get the treatment they require. We have to slow the process down and the virus down, so please stay at home.”

    Before the Premier League was suspended, Arteta had overseen an eight-match unbeaten run that had lifted his side to within eight points of fourth-placed Chelsea, with a game in hand on their London rivals.

    While it remains unclear in what format or stage the Premier League will resume, Arteta explained the steps he’s taking to ensure his side are ready when that moment arrives.

    “We’re just trying to cover all the necessities that players, staff and employees need to try to sustain the club with healthy people,” said Arteta, who took over from Unai Emery in December.

    “They all have programmes and they all have individual work to do that they are really doing and really trying to maintain themselves so they can prepare themselves for when we have to get back playing.

    “There is the psychological support that they need, which we are giving them, and as well I’m giving them a lot of homework to do because I’ve been reviewing everything that we’ve been doing since I joined.”

    Source: skysports.com

  • Togbe Afede donates sanitisers, ¢100,000 to two hospitals to aid in coronavirus fight

    Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, has donated sanitisers and GH¢100,000.00 to two hospitals in Ho for the fight against COVID-19.

    The hospitals are; Ho Teaching Hospital-GH¢60,000.00 and Ho Municipal Hospital-GH¢40,000.00.

    Togbe Afede who is also the President of the National House of Chiefs also gave over 2,200 hand sanitisers to the hospitals and communities in the Asogli State.

    He said the gesture was to support the facilities and communities to fight the pandemic.

    Togbe Afede charged traditional authorities to champion environmental cleanliness and ensured that their subjects obeyed health protocols from the World Health Organization and directives from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    He commended the hospitals for their efforts so far in combating the disease and urged them to remain focused.

    Togbe Afede called for the protection of vulnerable, especially the aged in society and underscored the need for the country to learn valuable lessons from the pandemic to be self-reliant.

    Dr. John Tampouri, Chief Executive of the Ho Teaching Hospital, said the Volta Region was lucky not to have recorded any case yet and described the gesture as timely, saying the Hospital could not sustain the expenditure of GH¢240.00 daily on tissue paper for hand washing at the facility and called for more support.

    Dr. Lawrence Kumi, Medical Superintendent, Ho Municipal Hospital, expressed gratitude to Togbe Afede and assured that the support would be put to good use.

     

    Source: GNA 

  • France’s Euro 84-winning coach Michel Hidalgo dies aged 87

    Michel Hidalgo, the coach of the great France team that won the 1984 European Championship, has died at the age of 87, the French players union and the French Football Federation said on Thursday.

    Hidalgo, who had been ill for a number of years, died “naturally of exhaustion” at home in Marseille, his family told radio station France Info.

    He is best remembered for his eight years in charge of Les Bleus, which culminated with the great team of Michel Platini, Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana winning Euro 84 on home soil, beating Spain 2-0 in the final in Paris. It was their first ever major tournament success.

    Prior to that, his France team had reached the semi-finals of the 1982 World Cup, losing on penalties to West Germany.

    “As coach, Michel took the France team to its greatest heights, opting for a beautiful style of football which allowed each one of us to fully express our individual talents,” said Platini in a statement.

    “Michel Hidalgo left a considerable legacy. He rebuilt French football at international level.

    “His vision and his work still resonate today in every match our national team plays.”

    Hidalgo also enjoyed a richly successful playing career.

    He played for the great Reims side of the 1950s, featuring, and scoring, when they lost 4-3 to Real Madrid in the first ever European Cup final in 1956.

    Hidalgo went on to win two league titles and two French Cups with Monaco in the early 1960s.

    Source: bbc.com

  • If nothing changes in Africa after this coronavirus pandemic then we are fools Rudeboy

    Nigerian singer Rudeboy of the defunct P-Square music group has thrown a challenge at Africans to make sure to get something good out of the outbreak of coronavirus.

    He believes that this is the time Africans need to rise up and and fight for their rights as humans before this coronavirus crisis comes to an end.

    According to him, the outbreak of the virus has served as an eye opener for Africans to realize their leaders are just taking things for granted.

    Adding that the outbreak of the virus will force African leaders to stay in their countries to receive medical treatment in the poor health facilities they abandoned for the citizens.

    He took to his Instagram page to urge all Africans to fight for their rights making sure their leaders do the right thing in this crisis and hopeful, something good will come out of it.

    See screenshots below;

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

  • COVID-19: Don’t forget to drop your offerings online – Pastor Ashimolowo says sending the internet stitches

    Times are definitely tough in the world seeing as the coronavirus pandemic has been raging and is threatening to be a huge economic blow on a number of countries.

    In these tough times, some people have tried to alleviate the suffering of others by either donating money, reducing house rents, sharing relief items and more.

    However, some other people are not really regarding it as a setback and they continue to try to live their lives as it has always been.

    That seems to be the case for some religious leaders who are used to collecting offerings from their congregation but can no longer do that because public gatherings have been banned to curb the spread of coronavirus.

    Well, rather than be disturbed by the situation, some religious leaders have found other genius means to collect money from their members and this involves online payment.

    Just recently, a video made the rounds on social media showing Nigerian pastor, Matthew Ashimolowo, telling his followers not to forget to pay their offering online after the UK shut down public gatherings over COVID-19.

    As expected, the video has caused a wide range of reactions from Nigerians. While some people feel that he was only responding to questions asked from his members, others felt it was distasteful for him to be asking for offering during these trying times.

    Abiodun Samuel wrote: “What will Jesus do if he’s in this situation Bro Mathew Ashimolowo?

    Will he ask for offering or will he donate from the store house so as to help the downtrodden in the society?”

    Olugbenga Blacks tweeted: “Can any imagine someone will at this period of time still collecting the offering from the poor stupid people when Europe is looking at how they will feed those at home in their country? What a life we live in Africa.”

  • PZ Cussons donates to Ghana Medical Association to help protect frontliners

    PZ Cussons Ghana, a leading distributor of Personal and Home Care products in Ghana, on 26th March 2020 donated personal Care products worth GHS30,000 cedis to the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in support of the fight against Covid-19 in Ghana.

    Products donated included Carex hand Sanitisers, Camel Antiseptic liquid and Camel Antibacterial Bar soap.

    Hafsa Arthur, Head of Brand Development and Activations at PZ Cussons, mentioned during the donation that: “Although we currently do not have stock especially on hand sanitizers, these are products we specially set aside for public education and to provide our partners such as GMA in times of need. PZ Cussons recognizes the importance of our medical staff in the current Coronavirus pandemic and believes our first point of call should be to protect them especially those in areas that find it difficult to access these products”.

    She further stated that: “At the moment, stock of Carex hand sanitizers are depleted in our warehouse. I will therefore like to appeal to retailers with stock of these sanitizers to adhere to the recommended retail price. These are difficult times and certainly not the time for price hikes”.

    The executive members of the Ghana Medical Association received the donation and
    expressed gratitude to PZ Cussons for the numerous donations made in times of national need.

     

    Source: PZ Cussons

  • ‘I don’t even know whether we have signed a new player’ – Hearts of Oak MD

    Managing Director of Hearts of Oak Frederick Moore has taken a swipe on the signing of the Nigerien international, Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali.

    The rainbow club announced the signing of the Niger international on its official twitter handle on Thursday.

    The statement reads: “Accra Hearts of Oak is delighted to announce the signing of Niger national team player, Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali. The defensive midfielder has signed a 2-year contract with us”

    But in an interview with Kumasi based Fox FM, the Managing Director shockingly revealed that he was not aware of the signing of Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali from Niger.

    “I don’t even know whether we have signed a new player. You can ask the spokesperson of the club” said Frederick Moore.

    Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali formerly played for the Sudanese Premier League side Al-Merrikh FC

    Source: Footballghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Discuss lockdown thoroughly Bopkin

    Economist, Professor Godfred Bopkin, has asked the government of Ghana to engage in broad discussions before considering a lockdown of any part of the country in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.

    He said although the country is faced with a serious situation as other parts of the world regarding the COVID-19, the government must act tactfully in its decisions.

    Ghana has so far recorded 136 cases of coronavirus with three deaths.

    Groups including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have asked the government to lock down the country to mitigate spread.

    Prof Bokpin told journalists in Accra: “Unusual times call for unusual measures. For that reason, the discussion of our debts, though relevant, we have to understand that the country is facing critical challenges that require us to think beyond the normal situation of debt-to-GDP ratio.”

    On the lockdown issue, he said: “A lot of conversation must go on to fill the gaps before such conversations start.”

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Daily Guide: Coronavirus mischief unleashed

    There could not have been busier times for members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) than now. They are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to its seams and we predicted it.

    Various chapters from their agenda book, each of them exposing them even more, continue to make it to social media. Their flag bearer is providing them with the covering fire, with his toxic remarks telling us more about the man who was once President of this country.

    The lockdown issue which many have offered suggestions on is one area which for them presents an opportunity to savour.

    Of course, when it is necessary to lock down some parts of the country such as Accra and Kumasi, such an action should be taken.

    A President and his government must, however, ponder over an issue before taking action, and for us that is exactly what the Commander-in-Chief is doing.

    It was a similar pondering which informed the decision not to return Ghanaians from China.

    Developments are being monitored by qualified persons and when it is appropriate to take certain decisions there would be no tardiness in that regard.

    Ghana, like other nations, is faced with a challenge never before witnessed in its annals and requiring that each step that would be taken by government should be one whose dividends are overwhelming and in the interest of the people.

    Unfortunately, the opposition NDC, as we have observed in previous commentaries, continues to politicize a subject which should be spared such trickeries.

    Yesterday, President Akufo-Addo took the bold decision of releasing some prisoners, something he could not have done earlier.

    The NDC had earlier gone to town with the subject unknowing to them about what was being discussed by the President and his team.

    The deliberate efforts to present the President as not taking appropriate actions against the pandemic can only emanate from evil-minded persons.

    While the lockdown issue is in order, we should bear in mind that it comes with myriads of challenges for both the homeless and those living in their homes in areas outside the better organized parts of the cities.

    The economic cost too is enormous as are the discomforts associated with it. We are already in a situation of closed borders, with the main international airport in the shut.

    At this stage, we can only pray for the President to take a decision which would be in the overall interest of the nation.

    Pandering to the whims and caprices of the NDC should, however, not be the way to go. The interests of Ghanaians supersede those of a desperate political grouping.

    Sincere suggestions at this time are what we need, not the mischief-laden remarks by NDC activists who are behaving as though coronavirus is discriminatory about its targets.

    We are hopeful that the coronavirus, like others before it, would soon evaporate into thin air, as God hears the cries of his creatures.

     

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Hearts MD in the dark over signing of Nigerian player

    Managing Director of Hearts of Oak Frederick Moore has taken swipe on the signing of the Nigerien international, Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali.

    The rainbow boys announced the signing of the Niger international on it official twitter handle on Thursday that: ”Accra Hearts of Oak is delighted to announce the signing of Niger national team player, Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali. The defensive midfielder has signed a 2-year contract with us.

    But in an interview with Kumasi based Fox FM, the managing director shockingly revealed that he hasn’t been aware of the signing of Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali from Niger.

    “I don’t even know whether we have signed a new player. You can ask the spokesperson of the club” said Frederick Moore.

    Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali formerly played for the Sudanese Premier League side Al-Merrikh FC

     

  • Great Ampong releases powerful song on the deadly coronavirus disease Listen

    You might have not heard any new song from him for some time now but the deadly coronavirus disease seems to have brought him out of hiding.

    With news of the disease infecting a lot of people each passing day and killing many others in the process, award-winning Ghanaian gospel music sensation, Great Ampong has something for all believers.

    Great Ampong uses a different approach to address the issues about the spread of the disease in his song and it sounds perfect.

    Check out the song below;

    Source: zionfelix.net

  • Eleven Wonders coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu calls for 2019/20 GPL to be cancelled

    Eleven Wonders coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu has called on the Ghana Football Association to abrogate the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The league is currently on a break following a government directive, banning all public gatherings including sporting events as part of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

    The Covid-19 has so far infected over 510,644 worldwide and claimed 23,028 lives.

    “I’m a fan of a proper calendar. If we’re going to have a prolonged suspension, it may be better to abrogate the current season and start afresh to synchronise with all the other leagues in the world to allow proper transitions and transfers,” Osei-Fosu told Goal on Thursday.

    “We should not rush the league back because human lives are much more important than our work which is entertainment. Calling off the league will also be a blessing in disguise for me to get a grip on my team. Even if the league is to resume in two weeks time, it’s unlikely we can play games immediately because it will take us another two weeks to prepare to play games.

    “At where we are now, it will be very difficult to just regroup and head straight into games. We may even go another month before the suspension is lifted and the more the players stay in the house, the more training we will need to get the players’ physical level back up for matches because you don’t want to risk players for injury. They have their careers on the line. We may be getting to a point where we will need another pre-season. Or else we will have a form of pre-season, play about 17 games and go for another pre-season for the next full season.

    “I think what the GFA should do now is to come up with a clear guideline in anticipation of what could happen in each case’s scenario, so clubs will be clear on how to deal with the situation in advance. But for me, I’m for the abrogation of the league if the suspension extends beyond one month.”

    Eleven Wonders are currently 12th on the league table with 19 points, just six points adrift of third-placed Asante Kotoko.

    “Looking at the dynamics and our position in relation to our position from the top four, we are at a place where only two matches can push us into the top four. We are one of the teams that have shown our worth and picked a lot of away points. It is easier for me to get into the top four than to get into the relegation zone.

    “We next play Hearts of Oak who are only two points above us and Liberty Professionals who are below us. In essence, all the teams below us are also relegation-threatened. So it is not a situation that I’m making that suggestion because we are not doing well.

    “When the league went on suspension, we were still training and many people were trooping to watch us which is not safe at this time. So for me, it is about the lives of our players too. It’s about humanity and the safety of all. Not about relegation or not.”

    On their ultimate goal for the season, he said, “Our objective is to finish among the top four. It is highly possible. When you look at the club on top of the table, Aduana Stars, they are just nine points away from us which could take only three matches to catch up.”

    “When you look at the points build-up, you will see everything is possible. If we are able to strengthen our team in some positions, we can be among the top four. For us, the top four is the least we want to achieve.”

    Ghana has so far recorded 132 cases of the coronavirus involving three deaths.

    Source: Ghanaguardian.com

  • Watch the skills and artistry of Hearts of Oak new signing Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali

    Hearts of Oak announced the signing of Niger international Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali on Thursday.

    The 23-year-old signed a two-year contract after leaving Sudanese side Al-Merrikh.

    Lawali, a defensive midfielder, also played for Nigerien giants AS Douanes where he won two league titles in 2016 and 2017

    He was also a Niger Cup winner in 2015.

    Lawali once featured for JS Tahoua.

    Watch the skills and artistry of Hearts of Oak new signing Abdourahamane Mamane Lawali

    Watch highlights of Abdourahamane Mamane,

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Rwanda coronavirus cases rise to 50

    Rwanda has announced nine new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 50 cases in less than two weeks since the first case was reported.

    Of the latest cases, five came from Dubai, one from the Netherlands and one from the US. All were quarantined on arrival.

    Two others were infected within the country, the country’s health ministry said in a statement.

    Rwanda has set up three health centres to deal with the coronavirus pandemic – two in Kigali and one in the south of the country.

    The patients being treated are recovering and many of them are not showing symptoms, the ministry said.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Intercity transport operators decry low patronage amidst coronavirus outbreak

    Operators of intercity transport services in Accra are recording one of their dry seasons as passenger traffic keeps declining due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Traveling by bus forms part of the transportation bloodstream through which coronavirus has rapidly spread.

    Reports indicate that intercity bus terminals are complaining of hardly meeting even three trips a day.

    GhanaWeb visited O.A Travel and Tours, one of the busiest bus terminals in Accra to ascertain the situation.

    O. A. Travel & Tour is a Ghanaian registered company specializing in the provision of transport management services to the general public.

    Their transport terminal is known to be one of the busiest places for travelers and other commercial activities.

    But the outbreak of covid-19 is wrecking havoc for transport operations in this yard.

    Micheal Owusu is a manager at the O.A. Travel and Tours and he tells GhanaWeb TV that the drop in patronage can be blamed on nothing but health risks associated with traveling.

    “On the average, we could load over twenty-five buses but now, we even struggle to get three buses full in a day. The turnout is low. Everyone is just being cautious”.

    According to him, it takes longer hours for coaches to be loaded halfway and forever to get a bus with passengers filled to full capacity.

    Tens of buses are parked without knowing when it could be filled with passengers.

    Some drivers at the terminal also shared similar experiences of having a bad business day.

    They told GhanaWeb TV that although, safety measures have been put in place to stem the various outbreak, fear continues to scare travelers away.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • DR Congo capital Kinshasa declares coronavirus shutdown

    The Democratic Republic of Congo authorities have announced a shutdown of the capital city, Kinshasa, from Saturday to stop the spread of coronavirus

    Governor Gentiny Ngobila said all residents, apart from essential workers such as medical staff, would have to stay at home for four days, starting on Saturday. They would then be allowed to stock up on food in the following two days. The same pattern is scheduled to be repeated for the next three weeks.

    The governor urged the people of Kinshasa not to panic or be misled by disinformation.

    Earlier this week, President Félix Tshisekedi ordered a ban on all travel to and from the capital.

    The country has confirmed 54 cases so far and quarantined nearly two thousand people who have been in contact with Covid-19 patients.

    A representative of the consumer rights association has warned against attempts by some businesses to increase prices during the shutdown

    Kinshasa is the only city to have recorded coronavirus cases in the country.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Nigeria records 176 deaths from Lassa fever outbreak

    Amidst the burden from COVID-19, Nigeria has recorded three new deaths from Lassa fever, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 176 since the outbreak in January.

    This was contained in the latest Lassa fever situation report published last night by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    The report shows that within the last one week, 28 new cases have been recorded while the total confirmed cases in the country are 932 since the last 12 weeks.

    Of the 28 new confirmed cases since the past one week, Edo and Ondo states had the highest with eight and five cases respectively.

    For the week under review, no healthcare worker was affected.

    The distribution of cases across the country also shows that only 10 states have so far not been affected by the outbreak since January.

    The states are Zamfara, Niger, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, Kwara, Cross Rivers and Imo and Yobe.

    “Of the 932 recorded cases since January, patients currently being managed in the country are 48.”

    The report also showed that since the past five years, the burden of the outbreak is highest this year.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Teen hangs herself over four-year ‘burden’

    A Walvis Bay teenager allegedly committed suicide on Monday evening after leaving a note saying she has been living with a burden for four years.

    According to the family of 15-year-old Frieda Dhiginina Mapowe, she seemed to be in good spirits and going about her daily chores that day.

    However, 20 minutes later, Frieda’s elder brother, Daniel Mapowe, forced open the bathroom door to find her hanging from the roof with a scarf around her neck.

    Erongo police crime investigations coordinator Erastus Iikuyu confirmed the incident, saying the police are investigating and have a suicide note Frieda allegedly wrote.

    The suicide note was found on her bed, among her school books. According to Mapowe, his sister wrote, “something like a prayer” in which she thanked God for her life, her brothers and sisters, parents and teachers.

    “But she also told God about something she was carrying inside her heart for four years. She told God that He said that if someone asks, they will receive, but wondered why God was not responding on this issue,” Mapowe told The Namibian yesterday in a telephonic interview.

    The family is grappling with their sudden loss and unanswered questions. She was the lastborn of 12 children.

    “We have no idea what she was struggling with for so long. Four years is a long time for a child to carry a burden. Until she died, we never have suspected anything amiss. We could see nothing. She was always just happy,” said Mapowe.

    He told this newspaper that the last time he saw his sister alive was when he returned from work between 18h00 and 19h00 that evening. Frieda lived with Mapowe and his wife, who is a teacher at Duinesig Combined School, where Frieda was a Grade 8 pupil.

    Frieda had been living with the couple for about eight years, along with their 10-year-old niece. Her parents are in the north.

    Frieda had gone to school that day and returned home to start her household chores.

    “I came home from work and she was washing dishes and eating something. As we taught her good manners, she stopped and greeted me, before continuing her chores. Everything seemed fine,” said Mapowe.

    He went to his bedroom to drop off his work stuff and then returned to the living room where he assisted his little niece with homework.

    His wife later came home and after a while, the couple instructed their niece to take a bath.

    “She [niece] said Frieda was in the bathroom, so she could not go in. The door was locked. My wife went and knocked a few times but there was no response, so I got up to check. I knocked, but nothing. I looked through the key-hole and saw her arm and handshaking unnaturally.

    “I ran to the garage to get a crowbar and hammer and forced the door open. She was hanging there. I grabbed her to try and alleviate the pressure from the scarf around her neck, but then her tongue protruded, and I knew it was too late,” Mapowe recalled. “It all happened so quickly and so suddenly.”

    Mapowe said he ran to the neighbour to call the police. They declared Frieda dead.

    According to Mapowe, Frieda was always happy, singing and dancing. Although she did not have many friends, she had a few good ones. She was also a leader at the Sunday school, and enjoyed reading the Bible, watching cartoons and soap operas.

    “She did not show any signs of unhappiness even on the day when she took her life,” he said.

    Duinesig school principal Stanley Uri-Khob said the school received the news with shock on Tuesday.

    A council support group at the school was immediately mobilised to explain to Frieda’s classmates what had happened. The news was announced at a school assembly.

    “It was very solemn. There was silence as everyone was stunned,” Uri-Khob told The Namibian, adding that counselling will continue, while a memorial table (her school desk) with candles and a photo of Frieda was set up.

    “She was a cheerful girl. That’s how we remember her. She always greeted and smiled, and was often referred to as ‘that friendly girl’,” he said.

    Mapowe said the memorial service for Frieda will be held at Oshikweyo Village near Ondangwa on Friday where her parents live. The funeral will be held at 10h00 at the Ukwiyu Uushona parish.

    This is the second reported suicide at the coast this month. On 6 March, Abraham Uuwanga (47) hanged himself at his home at Kuisebmond. He leaves his wife and two children behind.

    Source: namibian.com.na

  • Tourism Federation appeals to government for incentive package

    The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has appealed to Government to grant members incentives to compensate for the negative impact of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on the industry.

    The Federation is seeking for subsidy in water and electricity tariffs, suspension of taxes such as VAT, Tourism Levy, National Health Insurance Levy, Property rate and Business Operating Permit.

    A statement signed by Mrs Bella A Ahu, President of the Federation and copied the Ghana News Agency, expressed concern on the drastic effect of COVID-19, which is crippling various institutions across the globe more especially, the tourism and hospitality industry.

    It said GHATOF in the past two weeks engaged its trade associations across the country in all the 16 administrative regions of Ghana, adding that the impact of the disease on businesses of the trade associations’ members was huge and scary.

    “The Federation is therefore appealing to the Government of Ghana and its implementing agency Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) for support,” it said.

    It also appealed to government to help with the supply of essential commodities such as washing detergents, sanitizers, dispensers, nose masks, hand gloves, thermometer guns, Veronica buckets, hand washing soaps, tissue towels and cleaning materials at highly subsidized prices.

    The Federation called on government for more stakeholder engagements during and after the crisis and urged its members to stay calm and to adhere to the directives of the World Health Organisation and Ghana Health Service.

    Source: GNA

  • Tanzania overwhelmed by rising TB infections

    Tanzania is overwhelmed by high cases of tuberculosis with limited capacity and resources for treatment and care and the situation is made worse by ignorance among the victims who report late to health centres for treatment and care.

    About 7,800 people in Kagera Region contract Tuberculosis (TB) every year, but the only 2,300 patients were treated, according to the Regional Tuberculosis and Leprosy Coordinator (RTLC), Dr Paschal Peter.

    Dr. Peter, who is based at Bukoba Regional Referral Hospital, calls for concerted efforts to curb the spread of the disease. Compared with other diseases caused by a single infectious agent, Tuberculosis is the second biggest killer, globally,” he said.

    He says it is crucial for people to report to health facilities early for testing noting that of the 7,800 cited cases, only 2,300 patients were treated due to limited capacity and resourced. At the national level about 154,000 patients contract TB each year.

    Lack of knowledge and delays in reporting to health facilities for early detection limit efforts to curb the spread of the disease. TB, as it’s commonly called is a contagious infection that usually attacks the lungs. It can also spread to other parts of the body, like the brain and spine.

    Dr Peter says the number of TB patients increased from 1,732 cases detected in 2014, to 1,934 cases in 2015 and 2,121 in 2016. Figures for 2017 and 2018 were 2,158 and 2,214, while between January and April 1, this year 441 TB were detected. The prevalence of Tuberculosis in the country is 269/100,000.

    This shows that TB is still a major burden in the country and this calls for renewed efforts by all to strengthen the current health delivery system and programme interventions for Tuberculosis in Tanzania.

    Between January and March, this year nine patients were confirmed to have contracted Multi-Drugs Resistant (MDR) TB. Compared to 10 patients last year, he said adding that about 100 Accredited Drugs Dispensers (ADOs) and 20 registered traditional healers from Muleba, Missenyi, Ngara and Karagwe Councils were recently trained on TB management skills while efforts were being made to mobilise funds to conduct more sensitization seminars in controlling TB.

    The region allocated one Genexpert TB testing machine to each of the district councils as more efforts were being made to control the spread of the disease as there were indications that the preventable disease was on the increase.

    World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) celebrated annually on March 24 is marked to create public common awareness about efforts to combat one of the deadly diseases that is curable with the right administered drugs.

    Furthermore, results have shown that TB is more prevalent in males than in females while the prevalence of HIV infection among TB suspects is 4.8 percent and 6.5 percent among TB patients.

    There was considerable regional variation as in the previous years with 50 per cent of cases being contributed by only 6 regions – Dar- es-Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya, Morogoro, Arusha and Tanga. Data indicated that 15 regions notified below the national average of 129 cases per 100,000 people.

    The notification rate of new and relapses TB cases was 129 cases per 100,000 population which was slightly higher compared to that of 2015 that was 125 per 100,000 population. Since 1980, Tuberculosis patients have been on the rise up to 65,000 cases detected in 2013, compared to 11,000 cases reported in 1983.

    In the past five years 63,000 people have been recorded by health facilities to be TB patients and each year securing treatment. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs. Tanzania is the first country in the world to successfully combine the control of TB and Leprosy into a single programme.

    The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme (NTLP), which works to eradicate the disease as well as Leprosy, has been in the forefront in laying emphasis on early detection and treatment services to stop its spread.

    Epidemiologists hint that several factors contribute to the spread of the disease in the country including HIV/AIDS scourge, which reduces the body’s immunity to become susceptible to be invaded by the bacteria. They also point failure by TB patients to report to health facilities on time for diagnosis, treatment as well as poor housing and over-crowding in stuffy places.

    The Mycobacterium Tuberculosis bacterium causes TB. It is spread through the air when a person with TB (whose lungs are affected) coughs, sneezes, spits, laughs, or talks. TB is contagious, but it is not easy to catch. The chances of catching TB from someone you live or work with are much higher than from a stranger.

    Most people with active TB who have received appropriate treatment for at least 2 weeks are no longer contagious.

    Since antibiotics began to be used to fight TB, some strains have become resistant to drugs. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) arises when an antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria, with the surviving bacteria developing resistance to that antibiotic and often others at the same time.

    MDR-TB is treatable and curable only with the use of very specific anti-TB drugs, which are often limited or not readily available.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Ghanaian duo Papa Arko and John Antwi among history makers in Egyptian league

    Ghanaian forwards Ernest Papa Arko and John Antwi have been listed in top five foreign strikers who shined in the Egypt Premier League away from the two giants Al Ahly SC and Zamalek SC.

    There have been so many strikers who have graced the Egypt top-flight. Some have come from other African countries, others also came from the South America and Asia.

    Here is a review of those who succeeded playing for other sides and not Al Ahly and Zamalek SC.

    John Utaka

    The former Nigeria attacker played for El Mokawloon and Ismaily SC where emerged as top scorer of the Egypt league before heading to Qatar.

    Utaka went ahead to play European clubs Racing Lens, Stade Rennes, Montpellier all in France and also played for English side Portsmouth FC.

    Utaka represented Nigeria at the World Cup in 2002 and 2010.

    The former Enugu Rangers forward returned to Egypt to play for Ismaily again before moving to Nogoom El Mostakbal and Aswan SC.

    Ernest Papa Arko

    The Ghanaian forward spent over ten years in the Egyptian premiership playing El Gaish, El Mokawloon, Smouha SC and Entag El Harby.

    He had a short stint at Zamalek SC but wasn’t successful.

    Papa Arko played with top players during his time and was the Egypt league top scorer in the 2008/2009 season.

    Even though he didn’t win the top scorer award again, he was a consistent scorer making him one of the all-time top scorers in the history of the league for his series of brilliance.

    John Antwi

    Antwi started with Ismaily SC when he first made it to Egypt. After emerging top scorer in the league, he made a move to Saudi Arabia side Al Shabab in a deal worth €1.95 million.

    Antwi returned to giants Al Ahly and didn’t live up to expectation. He spent three seasons at Misr El Makasa on loan and was scoring for fun.

    Last season he joined moneybags Pyramids FC.

    Antwi is currently the highest scoring foreigner in the history of the Egypt Premier League.

    Diego Calderon Caicedo

    Coming from Colombia, the striker joined Ismaily SC for two seasons through which he was the league top scorer with 18 goals in his spell.

    After the wonderful debut season, Calderon joined Al Faisaly Club in Saudi Arabia for around €1.3 million.

    Fans called for Calderon to granted Egyptian nationality at a time the national team was lacking a real striker.

    A delay in documentations and other procedures prevented the completion of the nationality switch.

    Cherno Mansaray

    The former Sierra Leone striker and one of the best African players who participated in the Egyptian league outside the top clubs throughout history.

    He played for Al Qanat Port Said and was in Al Ahly because of his influential goals.

    Mansaray moved to Al Ahly to completely hide his star and left the Red Devils without putting a real footprint with the team.

    He later played for Ittihad Alexandria, Al Masry SC and Aluminium Nag Hamadi FC.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Court convicts pastor for holding church service

    Nkawkaw District Court presided by Albert Kwasi Owusu has convicted a 40-year old Pastor to a fine of 50 penalty units (GH¢600) each on two counts of unlawful assembly and offensive conduct.

    According to GNA, Pastor John Jeremiah Addo of the Kingdom of God Church, pleaded guilty to all two charges and was convicted on his own plea. He would serve 18 months imprisonment in default.

    Police Inspector Emmanuel Ankrah, prosecuting, told the court that on March 22, 2020 in the morning, Nana Mireku Assumeng, sub-chief of Nkawkaw and Kwaku Obeng, a resident, called the Nkawkaw Central Police Station to report that the victim was holding a church service.

    He said both reported that despite the directives issued by the President, they saw the said Pastor performing a church service with a congregation of about fifty people and called on the Police for his arrest.

    The Prosecutor said, a police patrol team proceeded to the church premises and found the Pastor, leading the congregation in a service and arrested him.

    He said upon interrogation, the accused said that he was performing the service because he did not understand why authorities would allow those selling at the market to do so, but prevented church activities.

     

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • “Pappy Kojo, no shortcut to heaven” Taxi driver trolls Pappy Kojo

    Hiphop and highlife recording artiste, Jason Gaisie, popularly known as Pappy Kojo has suffered trolls from some Ghanaians over his plea to the president of Ghana to fly him out from Italy amid coronavirus outbreak.

    The rapper has been getting response and reactions from the Ministries and some Ghanaian media houses. Few days ago, some media houses made trolled the rapper for crying unto the president after his request was denied by the ministries.

    The latest of the troll is a taxi driver who had a trolling inscription boldly written on rear glass of his car. It reads;

    Pappy Kojo, No Shortcut To Heaven

    Pappy who felt sad about the troll replied saying;

    These things really no need

    See image below:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    These things really no need

    A post shared by PAPPYKOJO (@pappykojo) on

    Source: www.ghgossip

  • Tamale and Ho Teaching Hospital to begin coronavirus test next week

    Deputy Minister for Information, Pius Hadzide has disclosed that two additional testing centres for Covid-19 will be ready next week.

    According to him, the Tamale Teaching Hospital and the Ho Teaching Hospital will be ready next week for Covid-19 testing.

    The additional facilities being added will take the sole burden of testing from the two existing facilities, Noguchi Memorial Institute and Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research.

    In a television interview, Pius Hadzide said calibration of systems at the hospitals is underway and hopefully early next week the facilities will be ready for Covid-19 testing.

    “I also do know that by next week we should be able to start doing the test in Ho and Tamale. Calibration of the system is now being done, so that very early next week we can start..”

    Ghana records four more Covid-19 cases, total now 136

    Ghana has recorded four more Covid-19 cases bringing the total number of cases to 136.

    As at the morning of 27 March 2020, a total of fifty-seven (57) cases including three (3) deaths have been confirmed from the regular surveillance systems. All the three (3) cases that unfortunately succumbed to the disease were aged and had underlying chronic medical conditions. All the other fifty-four (54) cases are well; fourteen (14) are being managed at home and the rest are responding well to treatment on admission in isolation. They are awaiting their test results and will be discharged when the results are negative.

     

    Majority of the confirmed cases are Ghanaians, who returned home from affected countries. Seven (7) are of other nationals namely: Norway, Lebanon, China, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom (UK).

    The number of confirmed cases among travellers under mandatory quarantine who have been tested is seventy-eight (78).

    In respect of contact tracing, a total of 1,006 contacts have been identified and are being tracked.

     

    Source: Primenewsghana.com