TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Coronavirus: KNUST manufactures and releases affordable hand sanitizers

    The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has manufactured its own alcohol-based hand sanitizers to help stop Coronavirus from spreading in Ghana.

    There has been a reported shortage of hand sanitizers following the confirmation of Ghana’s first Coronavirus cases.

    Even those with a few stocks have reportedly hiked the prices to astronomical levels following the announcement sanitizers with about 70% alcohol volume are the best substitutes for handwashing amid the Coronavirus scare.

    In what is a quick-fix solution to the problem by KNUST, the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the university has released their own sanitizers which are to sell at affordable prices.

    According to a report, the new Pharmaclean Hand Sanitizers will come in varied volumes.

    The school’s university relations officer, Dr Norris Bekoe, who is reported to have broken the news, is quoted to have put the price of the product between GHC15 – GHC25, depending on the volume or size.

    Dr Bekoe said the sanitizers were yet to hit the open market but were available for bulk order by wholesalers.

    Just like recommended, Pharmaclean has an alcohol content of 70% and it is expected to be highly effective fo combat the virus.

    The release of the product is expected to address the issue of shortage and reduce the abnormal cost of sanitizers in shops across the country.

    Coronavirus: KNUST manufactures and releases affordable hand sanitizers

  • Seyi Shay advises ladies who fight over men

    Nigerian based singer, songwriter and actress, Seyi Shay has dished out some dished out some advice to ladies who fight their fellow women over men.

    The singer took to her social media handle to share a stylish image of herself attached with an advice to woman which details that, women should do away with men when they realise his heart is with another.

    She advised women to desist from fighting or quarelling with other women because of a man. Her tweet reads;

    Listen! The day u gotta msg a female to leave your man alone is the day YOU gotta leave ur man… alone. Periodt.

    Source: ghgossip.com

  • Roger Mayweather dies aged 58

    Roger Mayweather, former world boxing champion and uncle and trainer to Floyd, has died aged 58.

    He was a two-weight world champion in stellar 72-fight career that spanned 17 years.

    He then became the trainer to his nephew Floyd Mayweather who famously built himself into boxing’s top attraction and its pound-for-pound best fighter during the 2010s.

    Floyd, in recent years, had addressed his uncle Roger’s poor health.

    Roger’s passing comes a week after the death of Josie Harris, mother to three of Floyd Mayweather’s children.

    Mayweather Jr released the following statement through Mayweather Promotions, saying:

    “My uncle was one of the most important people in my life inside and outside of the ring. Roger was a great champion and one of the best trainers in boxing. Unfortunately, his health was failing him for several years and now he can finally rest in peace.

    “Roger meant the world to me, my father Floyd Sr., my uncle Jeff, our whole family, everyone in and around the Mayweather Boxing Gym and the entire boxing world. It is a terrible loss for all of us.”

    “This is a sad day for the Mayweather Promotions family because that is truly what Roger was to us,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions who worked side-by-side with Roger for some of Floyd’s biggest fights.

    “On top of being a phenomenal fighter in his own career, Roger was one of the most essential parts of guiding Floyd to the incredible career he had in becoming the best ever. We hope you keep Floyd and the entire Mayweather family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.”

    “We are thankful for all the love and well-wishes we have already received as word travelled about Roger’s passing,” said Mayweather.

    “It helps me to see that he was able to touch so many people through his life in boxing, because he gave so much to the sport which was his first and longtime love.”

    Nicknamed ‘the Black Mamba’ Roger Mayweather became a professional boxer alongside his brothers Floyd Senior and Jeff.

    He was by far the most successful of the trio, and won world titles at super-featherweight and light-welterweight.

    Roger then became a key part of his nephew Floyd’s rise. Roger trained him for his debut although he was briefly replaced when Floyd Sr was released from prison and took control of his son’s career.

    From 2000 onwards Roger was in the corner for 20 consecutive fights with Floyd, including his famous battles with Arturo Gatti, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

    But Roger was struggling with diabetes in 2016 and was again replaced as Floyd’s trainer by the boxer’s father.

    Source: skysports.com

  • Coronavirus: Ghana Premier League club Ebusua Dwarfs to maintain training

    Ghana Premier League side Ebusua Dwarfs have no plans of giving players a temporary break despite the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

    All football activities, including the Ghana Premier League, have been temporarily suspended in the West African nation who have confirmed six cases of the deadly disease.

    This followed a national ban on all public gatherings including sporting events effective Sunday in the fight against Covid-19.

    “This outbreak comes with a lot of advantages and disadvantages because it has brought down activities,” coach Ernest Thompson Quartey told Otec FM.

    “But we will still continue with our training sessions because we have a lot to achieve.

    “With or without Covid-19, we will still work harder for a proper position on the league log when it resumes.

    “We will put in measures which will prevent our players from [contracting] that disease.”

    Most clubs around the world have excused players from camp or training. Dwarfs are not faring well in the Premier League as they are currently caught up in a relegation battle after Matchweek 15.

    The top-flight is hoped to resume in a month from now.

    Source: Goal.com

  • US coronavirus death toll surpasses 100, with case in every state

    West Virginia’s governor said on Tuesday night that the state has reported its first positive case of coronavirus, meaning all 50 US states now have confirmed cases.

    Governor Jim Justice said the confirmed case was detected in the state’s Eastern Panhandle, an area close to Washington, DC. He did not immediately disclose the county where the illness occurred.

    In a televised address, he also ordered bars, restaurants and casinos to close, except for carry-out food services.

    “We knew it was coming. We’ve prepared for this and we shouldn’t panic. We should be cautious and we should be concerned, but we should not panic,” Justice said. “We should go ahead and try to live our lives as best we can.”

    Death toll surpasses 100

    The confirmation of the West Virginia case came as the death toll across the US passed the 100 mark on Tuesday after Washington state reported six new fatalities, bringing the country’s total to 103.

    Washington has experienced the most deaths, with 54. Thirty of those deaths were connected with a nursing home in a Seattle suburb.

    New York on Tuesday reported more confirmed cases than Washington state for the first time. New York has topped 1,300 cases, while Washington was just over 1,000.

    For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and the vast majority recover in several weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause severe illness, including pneumonia.

    Worldwide, the coronavirus has infected more than 184,000, according to the World Health Organization. More than 7,500 people have died as a result of the virus.

    More than 80,000 have recovered from the virus, according to John Hopkins University.

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Hearts of Oak fielded an unqualified player Emmanuel Nettey against Elmina Sharks

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set for a showdown on its integrity after a whistleblower revealed that giants Hearts of Oak fielded an unqualified player in a Premier League match against Elmina Sharks earlier this month.

    By the new regulation of the federation, the GFA is bound by it’s own laws to implement the report of a whistleblower which means it must act on the report to deduct Hearts of Oak SIX POINTS for fielding an unqualified player.

    Top Ghanaian journalist Kwaku “Maestro” Obeng, who works with famous local radio station Asempa FM revealed on Wednesday that the former African champions fielded an ineligible player in a recent Ghana Premier League match.

    It has emerged that that mercurial midfielder Emmanuel Nettey received three accumulated yellow cards prior to the side’s 1-1 stalemate against Sharks where he featured prominently.

    Nettey received cautions against Ashantigold at home on match Day-8 on February 6, a second caution against Bechem United on match Day-10 on February 16 in Accra and a third caution at Karela United at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa on February 19, 2020.

    He sat out of the side’s 2-0 win over Danbort FC in the FA Cup on February 23 and returned to the pitch against Elmina Sharks on March 1.

    The decision to field him against the Fearsome Sharks is in sharp contrast to the controversial amended regulations of the Ghana FA which clearly stipulates that “Cautions received during one competition are not carried over another competition”.

    This is a massive test case for the Ghana FA after the association docked league leaders Medeama six points for the same offence in a protest filed by Great Olympics.

    While Sharks may have not filed a protest against the Phobians, the Ghana FA is now faced with the difficult decision to knock off points from the Ghanaian powerhouse following the revelation by the whistleblower as indicated by it’s own law.

    The decision to award boardroom points to Great Olympics has ruffed feathers and sparked a wave of criticism, opening the FA up for widespread attacks.

    Medeama have been docked six points for fielding an unqualified Nana Kofi Babil – who served his three match ban in the league after sitting out of the FA Cup tie against Karela United.

    It’s now emerging several clubs are unaware of the law they claim was ‘smuggled’ in as the amended regulation was done by the Executive Coouncil, setting the tone for long legal battles to further derail the league that has been halted by CoronaVirus.

    While Medeama has rejected the decision to dock of their points, the Ghana FA appears to have little choice to act against the former Africa champions for a similar infraction of the law. Failure to do so will show that favouritism is the order of the day.

    This situation is likely to throw the season into further chaos with a litany of legal battles looming.

    While Article 23(5) A & 25 (1) of the GFA statutes accords congress with the supreme and legislative authority and power, it appears Article 39(K) of the amended statutes has vested parallel legislative authority on the Executive Council – a situation which has divided opinions in the West African nation.

    The new article appears to be a clear departure and a practice in contradiction to the status quo ante.

    Critics says the new stipulation appears to elevate the Executive Council to the level of congress for no apparent reason as many football aficionados have vowed to ensure the authority of congress is jealously guarded.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • White House, Fed rolling out big plans to save US economy

    US President Donald Trump is drawing up a massive emergency spending package while the Federal Reserve opens the financing floodgates to contain growing economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic.

    After downplaying the severity of the outbreak for weeks, Trump on Tuesday called for bipartisan support to rush out immediate cash payments to American families.

    “We don’t want people losing jobs and having no money to live,” Trump said at a White House press conference, adding that the package “is a substantial number. We are going big.”

    With businesses shutting down nationwide due to the spreading pandemic, Americans need “cash now,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said at the White House.

    “We are looking at sending checks to Americans immediately… I mean now, in the next two weeks,” he said.

    He warned Republican senators on Tuesday morning that the pandemic could drive US unemployment to 20 percent, a Republican Senate source told CNN.

    That would be double the worst point of the financial crisis about a decade ago.

    Speaking on Capitol Hill, Mnuchin said the package could surpass $1 trillion, in addition to $300 billion in deferred tax payments, making it among the largest federal emergency plans ever and far surpassing assistance during the 2008 global financial meltdown.

    The package would include up to $500 billion in direct payments and up to $500 billion for small businesses, according to media reports, as well as the full $50 billion the airline industry has requested.

    Mnuchin said that, for airlines, “this is worse than 9/11,” with travel virtually ceased.

    And while Republicans balked at a large stimulus package in 2008, over concerns about the government deficit, Mnuchin told reporters “this is not the time to worry about it.”

    “Congress right now should be worried about American workers and small businesses.”

    The independent Congressional Budget Office last month said the deficit is expected to swell this year to more than $1 trillion and remain above that level for a decade as government debt balloons.

    The talk of stimulus cheered battered Wall Street indices, with the Dow closing the day up 5.2 percent after Monday saw its worst drop since 1987.

    Flooding the markets

    The US central bank in the past two weeks has moved aggressively to boost confidence and keep financial markets and the US economy from seizing up due to fear and a shortage of cash, acting far more quickly than it did during the 2008 turmoil.

    The Fed on Sunday slashed the benchmark borrowing rate to zero, ramped up purchases of Treasury debt, and repeatedly made massive cash infusions into financial markets.

    In its latest move Tuesday, the Fed unveiled two new credit facilities to help ensure households and businesses stay afloat.

    “By ensuring the smooth functioning of this market, particularly in times of strain, the Federal Reserve is providing credit that will support families, businesses, and jobs across the economy,” the Fed said in a statement.

    One mechanism is aimed at providing short-term funding to major financial institutions so they can push cash out to businesses and households.

    The other would allow companies to roll over commercial debt and repay investors.

    The more than $1 trillion market for commercial paper “is critical to the plumbing of the financial system” and will allow firms to continue paying their bills and their workers, said economist Mickey Levy of Berenberg Capital Markets, who applauded the moves.

    Though slow to react over a decade ago, “this time is very likely to be far different, as the Fed’s aggressive action is expected to achieve quicker results, even as the acute stage of the pandemic generates deep economic contraction,” Levy said in an analysis.

    ‘Bigger, stronger, better’

    Mnuchin presented the stimulus plan to Senate Republicans, but it is unclear when it will be ready for a vote.

    Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, current and former Democratic presidential candidates, warned that any bailout to airlines must come with strings attached, including a $15 hourly wage for workers.

    Trump again acknowledged that the economy could be headed for a recession but said it would come back strongly once the virus is defeated.

    “We’re going to take care of it, we’ll be bigger, stronger and better than ever before,” the president said.

    Source: France24

  • Hearts to drop to the relegation zone for fielding an unqualified player

    Hearts of Oak are set to be docked six points after it has emerged the Phobians fielded an unqualified player in Emmanuel Nettey in their league match against Elmina Sharks.

    The midfielder is said to have accumulated three yellow cards prior to the side’s 1-1 stalemate against Sharks where he featured prominently.

    Nettey received his first caution against AshantiGold at home on match Day-8 on February 6 before picking a second against Bechem United on match Day-10 on February 16 in Accra and his third was recorded against Karela United at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa on February 19, 2020.

    He sat out of the side’s 2-0 win over Danbort FC in the FA Cup on February 23 and returned to the pitch against Elmina Sharks on March 1.

    The decision to field him against the Fearsome Sharks is in sharp contrast to the controversial amended regulations of the Ghana FA which clearly stipulates that “Cautions received during one competition are not carried over another competition”

    In accordance with 33(1)(e) and 33 (2) of the Premier League Regulations, Hearts will lose the match and accordingly, three(3) points and three (3) goals awarded Elmina Sharks.

    Hearts will further lose three (3) points from its accumulated 21 points from previous matches in accordance with Article 33(5)(a) of the Premier League Regulations.

    This will leave them with 15 points and see them drop to 15th position.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • IMF rejects crisis-hit Venezuela’s request for $5 bn virus aid

    The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday rejected economically devastated Venezuela’s request for a $5 billion loan to help it cope with the onslaught of coronavirus on the country that an aid agency warned is as prepared as war-torn Syria.

    President Nicolas Maduro made the request earlier Tuesday but, in a statement hours later, the Washington-based institution indirectly cited a dispute over Maduro’s leadership in denying his petition.

    In a letter to IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva, Maduro said a $5 billion loan from the IMF’s Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) “will contribute significantly to strengthening our detection and response systems.”

    It was the country’s first loan request to the IMF since 2001.

    “Unfortunately, the Fund is not in a position to consider this request,” because there is “no clarity” on international recognition of the country’s government, the Washington-based institution said in a statement.

    “As we have mentioned before, IMF engagement with member countries is predicated on official government recognition by the international community, as reflected in the IMF’s membership. There is no clarity on recognition at this time,” the statement said.

    More than 50 countries including the United States have not recognized Maduro for more than a year, after switching allegiance to opposition leader Juan Guaido who declared himself acting president.

    Guaido branded Maduro a usurper over the president’s 2018 re-election in polls widely seen as fraudulent.

    But US sanctions and other international pressures have failed to dislodge Maduro, who is backed by Venezuela’s creditors China and Russia and retains the support of the powerful military.

    Five years of crisis

    The RFI from which Maduro sought the assistance is a mechanism by which all IMF member countries can get financial assistance without the need to have a full-fledged economic program in place.

    Venezuela’s health system is in tatters after five years of economic and political crisis that has sent millions of people fleeing for lack of basic staples.

    “We hardly have five percent of the medicine stocks we need,” Douglas Leon Natera, head of the Venezuelan Medical Federation, told AFP earlier.

    Jan Egeland, general secretary of the Norwegian Refugee Council, placed Venezuela in the same category as war-torn Syria and Yemen in its preparedness.

    Like those countries, “there will be carnage” when the virus reaches parts of Venezuela given that “health systems have collapsed,” warned Egeland.

    The country has 33 reported coronavirus cases, according to John Hopkins’ global tally, and Maduro has ordered a lockdown in the capital Caracas and six other states.

    “At this crucial moment and aware of the high level of contagion of this disease, we will continue to take rapid and vigorous measures” to stop the advance of the pandemic, Maduro wrote in his letter to Georgieva.

    “We are convinced that in permanent coordination with the WHO (World Health Organization) and the support among the countries of the world, we will be able to overcome this difficult situation.”

    The country has banned flights to and from Europe, as well as Colombia, Panama and the Dominican Republic. It has also suspended school and university classes as well as sports events.

    Source: AFP

  • UEFA postpones Euros until 2021

    The Union of European Union Football Association (UEFA) has postponed the “Euro 2020” until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    According to the Norwegian Football Association Euro 2020, this follows an emergency videoconference meeting held on Tuesday, which was attended by 55 member associations.

    The NFF has tweeted it was decided that the competition would now take place from June 11 to July 11 next year.

    The decision is set to be signed off by UEFA’s Executive Committee later on Tuesday.

    The tournament had originally been due to be held from June 12 to July 12 this year, at venues across a dozen cities in as many different European countries.

    The postponement gives an opportunity for European leagues that have been suspended to now finish.

    In addition, UEFA’s Nations League and the European Under-21 Championships are also scheduled to take place next summer.

    The 2021 UEFA Women’s European Championship is set to be held in England and begins on July 7, five days prior to the proposed men’s final.

    The expanded Club World Cup, organised by world football’s governing body FIFA and scheduled for the summer of 2021, now appears unlikely to go ahead as planned.

    Source: GNA

  • Joe Biden wins Arizona for Democratic primary sweep

    Joe Biden won the Arizona primary over Bernie Sanders, giving him a sweep of the three US states which voted on Tuesday to choose a Democratic candidate to face President Donald Trump in November, TV networks reported.

    CNN and NBC both projected the 77-year-old centrist former vice president as the winner in Arizona over the 78-year-old leftist senator from Vermont.

    Biden also easily won primaries in Florida and Illinois on Tuesday to open up a commanding lead over Sanders in the contest for the Democratic nomination.

    A fourth state — Ohio — had also been scheduled to hold a primary on Tuesday but Governor Mike DeWine declared a “health emergency” because of the coronavirus outbreak and voting was postponed.

    Biden now has more than half of the total delegates needed to be declared the Democratic presidential candidate at the party convention to be held in July in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

    “We’ve moved closer to securing the Democratic Party’s nomination for president, and we’re doing it by building a broad coalition that we need to win in November,” Biden said.

    Source: AFP

  • Coronavirus: Were stranded – Ghanaian students in Italy

    The Ghana Union of Ghana Students in Italy has written to President Akufo-Addo asking him to come to their rescue as some of them are stranded in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.

    The union in its letter is asking that the president either brings them home or support them with the needed logistics to help protect them against the deadly virus in Italy.

    They want this to be done before things get out of hand.

    “The lockdown has also restricted our movement to and fro all other economic activities that support students to make ends meet,” they bemoaned.

    “In view of this, we have become financially handicapped to support ourselves even money for logistics to help prevent ourselves from the coronavirus have become difficult to buy.”

    Read the full letter below

    Tuesday, 17th March 2020

    The President, Ghana
    H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo
    Flagstaff House, Accra.

    We bring you greetings in the name of the Almighty God and as well as all Ghanaian students in Italy.

    On behalf of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS)-Italy, we write to make it known to the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, to come to the aid of the numerous stranded Ghanaian Students in Italy.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Korle Bu constructing 50-bed treatment centre in one month to deal with cases

    The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital is in the process of constructing a new epidemic disease treatment centre to deal with cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Joy News reports that the 50-bed capacity facility is expected to be completed within the period of just a month.

    When completed, it will augment the existing ones at the Tema General Hospital and the Ridge Hospital.

    The facility will also be used as a treatment centre for all cases of coronavirus and other infectious diseases.

    This comes after the number of Coronavirus cases recorded in Ghana rose to seven within the last one week.

    Last Thursday, the Ghana government officially confirmed that the country has recorded its first two cases of the coronavirus.

    Five more persons have since tested positive, with over 150 contacts traced by the Ministry of Health.

    Meanwhile, the government has put in place some travel restrictions into the country, with President Akufo-Addo also announcing a ban on all social gatherings and sporting activities.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: New admissions to be thoroughly screened – Prisons Service

    The Ghana Prisons Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Health has released a statement about additional steps being taken to contain the spread of coronavirus in our prisons.

    Public Relations Officer, Supt. Courage Atsem made it clear to Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5fm that as the novel coronavirus continues to spread across the country, the prison system in Ghana has begun new screening protocols for new admissions.

    The new protocols he explained include prisoners and all persons who enter their facilities.

    He said they have also made the provision of sanitizers and running water for use at the gate and vantage points inside prisons, wearing of face mask by prison staff and visitors, quarantining and referral of suspected cases to appropriate health facilities among others.

    The Ghana Prisons Service remains committed to ensuring family and friends can visit loved ones, with as limited disruption to the normal visiting process as possible, while also actively working to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country, he ended.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • More foreigners denied entry into Ghana over coronavirus

    Travelers from ten different countries seeking to enter Ghana were turned away yesterday at the Kotoka International Airport.

    The action of the airport authorities is in line with the government’s travel advisory issued on Sunday banning travels from epic centers of Covid-19.

    The directive became necessary after all cases recorded in Ghana were imported from foreign countries.

    “All travels at this stage is strongly discouraged until further notice, second any traveler except for Ghanaian citizens and persons with Ghana resident permit who within the last 14 days have been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases of Covid-19 will not be permitted into the Ghanaian jurisdiction. Airlines are instructed not to allow such persons to embark on any trip, border posts are not to allow such people into the jurisdiction.”

    The Managing Director of the Ghana Airport Company Yaw Kwakwa explained in a radio interview monitored by primenewsghana.com that some of the passengers were on Ethiopian Airlines, Emirate and Delta Airlines.

    He said the numbers of the turned away foreigners will be made known in due course.

    “All the people that fit the criteria of not being a resident and coming from Covid-19 affected countries were turned away, there were people on Ethiopia Airline, Emirate and one person on Delta Airlines. We publish a notice yesterday to alert all airlines from 1 pm admit people………. I cannot tell you everything but the numbers will come out in the due course.”

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Did Bill Gates predict coronavirus pandemic in 2015?

    In 2015, a year after some African countries had been severely hit by the deadly Ebola, leaving in its wake a long train of victims, American business magnate Bill Gates appears to have warned the world of a graver epidemic.

    In a video sighted by GhanaWeb, the co-founder of Microsoft noted that although the greatest threat to humanity when he was growing up was nuclear war, the narrative is different now since it would be taken over by a virus.

    “If anything kills over 10 million people in the next few decades, it’s most likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than a war”, he told an audience at TEDx

    Additionally, Mr Gates cited the Spanish flu of 1918 which killed more than 30 million people as an example of what could happen if there was an epidemic.

    Since its outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019 the coronavirus has obtained astronomical numbers with 190,837 recorded cases globally.

    The disease which has been described as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation has recorded a mortality rate of 7,528 casualties and a total of 80,889 patients recovering.

    Watch Bill Gate’s video below appears to have warned the world of a graver epidemic.

    In a video sighted by GhanaWeb, the co-founder of Microsoft noted that although the greatest threat to humanity when he was growing up was nuclear war, the narrative is different now since it would be taken over by a virus.

    “If anything kills over 10 million people in the next few decades, it’s most likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than a war”, he told an audience at TEDx

    Additionally, Mr Gates cited the Spanish flu of 1918 which killed more than 30 million people as an example of what could happen if there was an epidemic.

    Since its outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019 the coronavirus has obtained astronomical numbers with 190,837 recorded cases globally.

    The disease which has been described as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation has recorded a mortality rate of 7,528 casualties and a total of 80,889 patients recovering.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Weija-Gbawe has no coronavirus – Weija-Gbawe Municipality

    The Weija-Gbawe Municipality has not recorded a case of COVID-19, also called the corona virus the Municipal Assembly has stated.

    The denial is in reaction to some media reports that a case of COVID-19 has been recorded at the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital.

    In a statement, The Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly explained that on Monday, 16 March 2020, a 38-year-old lady reported at the hospital with a case of sore throat, high temperature and difficulty in breathing which are symptoms of the COVID-19 but laboratory tests at the Noguchi Medical Centre have proved negative.

    “The Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital, therefore, has no case of COVID-19,” the statement said.

    It added that the Hospital has erected screening tents at the entrances to ensure that all visitors to the facility pass through thorough examinations before entry.

    The Municipal Assembly further said it has also taken steps to ensure strict adherence to the President’s orders.

    Source: classfmonline. com

  • Police announce contingency measures for Coronavirus

    The Ghana Police Service has announced some contingency measures in their work over the outbreak of Covid-19.

    The Police Service in a statement said the contingency measures are taken in view of the latest information on the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Ghana has recorded its 7th Covid-19 case, this was confirmed yesterday by the Ministry of Health website.

    Responding to the latest development in the country with regards to Covid-19, the police administration has put contingency measures in place for strict compliance.

    They have set-up hotlines at the police hospital public health department for Police Officers to call in case of suspicion of covid-19.

    The administration also urges the public to limit unofficial visits to Police Stations and offices and resort to electronic means of contact as much as possible.

    The statement also assures the general public that officers will continue to carry out the duties of maintaining law and order, including preventing crimes, the arrest of offenders, investigation of criminal cases and attendant actions unabated.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

     

     

  • Covid-19: March 2020 teacher licensure exams postponed

    The March 2020 edition of the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) has been postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

    A statement released by the Council on Monday, March 16 said the candidates are to keep their vouchers and all required documents until the scheduled date.

    “The new date will be communicated as soon as appropriate (hopefully after four weeks)”, the statement indicated.

    This comes after President Nana Akufo-Addo in a televised address issued some emergency measures to be carried out nationwide.

    One more person tested positive on Tuesday, March 17, bringing the number of confirmed cases to seven.

    A tweet from the Ghana Health Service said, “This afternoon (17 March 2020); we have received a report from NMIMR that indicated one (1) more confirmed case as positive for COVID-19 in Greater Accra Region.”

    The patient is a 35-year-old male, and a Ghanaian citizen who returned to Accra from France within the past 14 days.

    Source:dailmailgh.com

  • Yvonne Nelson exposes provision shops for selling expired goods amid CODVID-19 scare

    Actress, Yvonne Nelson has disclosed that not only are business owners cashing in on the outbreak of the Coronavirus, some supermarkets and provision shops are also selling out their expired goods to unsuspecting clients

    She made this known in a tweet warning the public to be wary and underscored the need to check the expiry dates of products they patronize during this period.

    “Provision shop owners are happy! They selling all the expired goods! What a time!”. She revealed.

    Ghana since last week has recorded six official cases of the virus and the country has closed down its educational Institutions in a move to avoid its spread.

    The President in his address on Sunday said “we are in an unusual time and there is, therefore, the need for a collaborative effort at ensuring that Ghana wins the battle against Coronavirus”

    source: mynewsgh.com

  • Coronavirus: Canadian High Commission shuts down until further notice

    The Canadian High Commission in Ghana has shut down “until further notice” following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in the country.

    A Tweet posted on the Commission Twitter timeline reads, “In doing our part to #flattenthecurve & prevent the spread of #COVID19, our offices are closed to the general public until further notice.”

    Top officials of the High Commission are set to leave the country.

    This brings to three the number of foreign missions that have shut down due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana after the Netherlands and Norwegian Embassies halted operations.

    The Norwegian Embassy shut down last week after a top official imported the virus into Ghana.

    “The Embassy of Norway can confirm that one of our colleagues has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The person is in quarantine and the Embassy is in close dialogue with Ghana Health Service,” the Embassy stated via its Facebook page.

    The Netherlands Embassy also followed suit stating that “following the confirmation by the Norwegian Embassy that one of its staff has tested positive for Covid-19, and given that Norwegian and Netherlands Embassies share the same building, the Netherlands Embassy in Ghana is closed down until further notice.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Coronavirus: 350 contacts traced to six confirmed cases in Ghana

    Out of the total of six confirmed cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana, 350 contacts have been identified as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

    According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), for these confirmed cases, there are still no local transmissions as of now as all the cases are imported.

    A follow up for the identified contacts are still ongoing, the GHS has explained.

    The Minister of Health and relevant stakeholders met the Parliamentary Select Committee on health to deliberate on current progress and what the government of Ghana and the Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries, departments and agencies are doing to ensure the safety of Ghanaians with the current Covid-19 Pandemic.

    Coronavirus infects more than 182,424 people and has killed at least 7,155 worldwide.

    Globally, there are 95,836 existing cases of Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020, 182,424 confirmed cases and 79,433 recovered cases.

    In respect of deaths, there are 7,155 of them

  • Finding my root is an act of God – Black American development Chief

    Mr. Howard Robertson, the newly enstooled black American Development Chief of Pokesu, Princess Town, in the Ahanta West Municipality, says finding his root back to Africa was indeed an act of God.

    The new chief under the stool name, “Nana Abban” is a black American who discovered his roots some twelve years ago after the Chief of Pokesu Princess Town together with a German Volunteer shot a documentary about the village which was aired in Germany and other countries that prompted Mr. Howard Robertson who already knew his history to Africa to quickly follow up on his roots.

    The black American upon a series of investigations and a visit to the village followed it up with a DNA test which exactly matched with that of a chief seen in the documentary.

    The move led to the establishment of a sister city relationship between his descendent in Memphis-Tennesse in the United States of America and the Pokuse-Princess Town village some twelve years ago.

    Mr. Robertson, now called Nana Howard was therefore enstooled at a colourful ceremony in the village, with the blessings of all the sub-chiefs and principal elders in attendance.

    He said, “Most of us know our history, but tracing our roots has become difficult as African Americans…and we are blessed to know where we come from, we indeed represent the best of you”.

    He promised to work hard to improve upon livelihoods among the community members especially in the area of education…”I come from a family with lots of teachers and that will be the first projects we will tackle”.

    The Chief of Bakanta, Nana Akar Nwonza who supervised the Enstoolment, urged the community to rally behind the Development Chief to speed up development in the area, which had lagged behind due to unwarranted chieftaincy disputes.

    “Now that we have managed to settle all our differences, what we aspire for is the rapid development of the area and we believe our brothers and sisters from Memphis have been sent by God to help us make the difference”, the Bakanta Chief added.

    Mr. Stephen Abban, Secretary of the Sister City Relationship, lauded the historic return of Mr. Howard Robertson and family back to the community adding, “Though you were separated from us many years ago, destiny has won and we are happy to have you and other Relations back home”

    He encouraged the new Development Chief to use his connections at Memphis to help model the village to a standard Community comparable to any in the world.

    The community, he said has essential needs such as health personal, separate hospital with wards for males and females, laboratory, ambulance, roads, potable water and quality education facilities among others.

    Mr. Abban therefore entreated the Development Chief to help in solving many of the challenges facing the community.

    Mr. Howard Robertson was accompanied by his son Ryan Robertson and three sisters to witness the ceremony. They were clad in Lacoste T-Shirts with the inscription from Memphis and Back.

    Source: GNA

  • Beware! Houseflies can transmit coronavirus

    It has been revealed that houseflies can transmit the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Aboagye disclosed that houseflies can transmit the virus, especially in a dirty environment.

    “That’s why we say clean surfaces regularly and well . . . ” he answered to a question as to whether houseflies and mosquitoes can transmit the coronavirus.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Ghanas confirmed coronavirus cases climbs to 7

    The Ghana Health Service has confirmed another case of COVID-19, bringing the total number of recorded cases to seven.

    According to the Service’s website, the latest was recorded in the Greater Accra Region.

    “The case-patient is a 35-year-old male, a Ghanaian citizen, who returned to Acca from France within the past 14 days,” the statement said.


    The statement said the latest case is also an imported one and is “being managed in isolation and he is in stable condition.”

    The communique revealed that the latest case, like the previous ones, is also an imported one and is “being managed in isolation and he is in stable condition.”

    This announcement comes two days after the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service confirmed four more cases of the deadly coronavirus in the country.

    This comes two days after the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service confirmed four more cases of the deadly coronavirus in the country.

    Today’s revelation also provided details on the extent of contact-tracing undertaken so far following Sunday’s announcement.

    “With regard to contact tracing, a total of 350 contacts have been identified and are being followed up,” it read.

    More soon…

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • One more Coronavirus case confirmed in Ghana

    The Ghana Health Service has confirmed one new case of Coronavirus in the country.

    The case was reported in the Greater Accra Region and now brings to 7, the total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ghana.

    A tweet from the Ghana Health Service said, “This afternoon (17 March 2020); we have received report from NMIMR that indicated one (1) more confirmed case as positive for COVID-19 in Greater Accra Region.”

    The patient is a 35-year-old male, and a Ghanaian citizen who returned to Accra from France within the past 14 days.

    The case is, therefore, another imported one.

    “The case is being managed in isolation and he is in stable condition,” the Ghana Health Service said.

     

    More soon.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Some residents in Western Region appeal to Akufo-Addo to distribute hand sanitizers

    Some residents in the Western Region have pleaded with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to, as a matter of urgency to provide Ghanaians with free alcoholic based hand sanitizers to protect themselves from contracting and spreading the coronavirus.

    In an exclusive interview with Ghanaweb.com, a resident complained about the fact that alcoholic based hand sanitizers are not available in some drug stores and other places to buy.

    “As we speak we can’t get hand sanitizers, nose masks and hand gloves to buy”, he emphasized.

    According to him, citizens residing in rural areas are at high risk of contracting the virus since adequate measures have not been put in place.

    He also urged the government to quarantine individuals before granting them access to the country.

    “We should quarantine those who will enter Ghana for 14 days before we leave them because if we leave them in the country they will definitely shake hands and they have been infected they will spread it”.

    He seized the opportunity to commend President Akufo-Addo for releasing an amount of 100 million dollars to fight coronavirus adding that part of the money should be used to provide Ghanaians with hand sanitizers and other protective equipment.

    “President Akufo-Addo must use part of the 100 million dollars to buy hand sanitizers, nose masks and hand gloves and give to all Ghanaians because we don’t get some to buy”.

    Another resident (name withheld) also emphasized the need for the government to organize public sensitizations across the country adding that some people have little information about the virus and how to protect themselves.

    He bemoaned how alcoholic based hand sanitizers have run out of stock in the Western region, a situation which has compelled most residents to wash their hands with raw alcohol.

    “As for us in the rural communities we are not safe because we don’t know what is going on in the country and nobody has come to us to educate us about the virus, it is only at this market I am hearing the virus so government must think about us”, Another trader stated.

    Government’s measures

    The government has put measures in place to curb the spread of the virus.

    This includes a travel ban, closure of schools and ban on public gatherings including church services and mosques.

     

    Source: Daniel Kaku

  • Six Coronavirus patients came into contact with about 350 people GHS

    The government has so far traced 350 people who came into contact with the six Coronavirus patients in the country.

    The contact-tracing process is still ongoing to identify more contacts.

    This was captured on the website set aside to update Ghanaians on the virus.

    According to the Ministry of Health, it is following up on the contacts as part of efforts to stop the spread of the virus in the country.

    “A total of six cases have been confirmed so far with no local transmission. 350 contacts have been identified for these cases. Follow up for these contacts have commenced,” the Health Ministry stated on the website.

    As at noon on Sunday, March 15, 2020, about 180 contacts had been traced with about 130 contacted.

    Persons contacted are encouraged to self-isolate and continuously monitor symptoms before tests are conducted.

    The Coronavirus patient who tested positive in the Ashanti Region had come into contact with at least 30 people.

    Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services at a press briefing on Monday said all such people are being closely monitored by health professionals to determine whether they have been infected in the next 14 days.

    Journalist ordered to self-quarantine

    Meanwhile, a journalist volunteering with the state broadcaster, GBC, has been ordered to self-quarantine after it was determined that he had come into contact with a COVID-19 Patient.

    He allegedly had contact with the Norwegian Ambassador who has been identified as one of the COVID-19.

    The Health Ministry is yet to test the student for Coronavirus as he has not shown any symptoms.

    But the journalist said he was contacted on 12th and 13th March by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service respectively.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Akufo-Addo meets leadership of Parliament over Coronavirus pandemic

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Monday [March 16, 2020], met with the leadership of Parliament, at the Jubilee House, to discuss wide-ranging issues bordering on the Coronavirus pandemic.

    With the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye; 1st Deputy Speaker, Mr Joe Osei-Wusu; 2nd Deputy Speaker, Mr Alban Bagbin; Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensa-Bonsu; and Minority Leader, Mr  Haruna Iddrisu, in attendance, President Akufo-Addo described the pandemic as a medical crisis that is bringing in its wake deaths and economic difficulties, and is spreading fear and panic throughout the world.

    Whilst outlining the initial measures that were put in place to confront the menace, the President told the leadership of Parliament that the increased number of cases recorded in the country, i.e. from two (2) to six (6), necessitated a review of the measures, the reason for his broadcast to the nation on Sunday, 15th March.

     

    Expressing his encouragement with the broad acceptance of the enhanced measures by Ghanaians, he stated that the measures announced will be under constant review, as will the enhanced hygiene protocols being observed by establishments and businesses.

    To this end, President Akufo-Addo urged the leadership of Parliament to support the Executive, as the Attorney General prepares to submit to the House emergency legislation to govern the measures announced.

    The President assured that Government is determined to do whatever is necessary, including providing the requisite resources, to ensure the safety of the population.

    On behalf of leadership, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye assured President Akufo-Addo and the Executive of the support of Parliament in passing into law the legislation to be laid before the House in dealing with the pandemic. The Speaker was supported in his statement by the Majority and Minority Leaders.

    The Speaker added that Members of Parliament will also assist with the effective dissemination of the dos and donts of the disease, as approved by the Ghana Health Service.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Caf confirms CHAN 2020 postponement over coronavirus

    The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has postponed next month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) over concerns around the coronavirus pandemic.

    The fate of the tournament, for African players based in their own leagues, had been in doubt after defending champions Morocco pulled out, while host nation Cameroon had already asked Caf for a delay.

    It had been set to run between 4-25 April.

    Caf said their emergency committee had decided to postpone the CHAN “until further notice.”

    This was because of two key reasons:

    – That the crisis is “not yet stabilized” in Africa and it is difficult to forsee how it will develop;

    – The increasing difficulty of travel across the continent.

    The president of CHAN’s local organising committee had already said he believed a postponement would be “the most sane decision”.

    “Human life hasn’t got a price,” said Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.

    “This is a tournament many African football lovers look forward to but the severity of the current health crisis makes it tough for us to host now.”

    At least 30 African nations have reported cases of coronavirus so far, including over half of the 16 teams – which includes Cameroon itself – who are earmarked to contest this year’s CHAN.

    “We were heading towards a situation where we could end up with only four teams in the CHAN,” said Kombi, who is also Cameroon’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education.

    “The health crisis has triggered logistical problems and even if countries were willing to come, it would be impossible for them to travel to Cameroon as borders have been closed.

    “For precautionary reasons, we think the most sane decision is to postpone CHAN.”

    Caf has recently postponed this month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but the African Champions League final and Confederation Cup final, both due to played at the end of May, are still scheduled to go ahead.

     

    Source: BBC 

  • COVID-19: Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority suspends all crew vessels to Ghana

    The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has suspended with immediate effect all crew vessels heading to Ghana.

    This is one of the measures by the GPHA to control the spread of the pandemic, COVID – 19.

    Speaking with JoyBusiness, Head of Communication and Corporate Affairs at the GPHA Esther Donkor disclosed that the directive has been communicated to all stakeholders at the ports.

    According to her, GPHA activated the temporary suspension to ensure that the country’s marine ports are not used to import the deadly Coronavirus.
    With immediate effect, all vessels coming to Ghana except cargo vessels will have to return to the port of sail.

    According to Esther Donkor, the Authority is hopeful that the move will help control the pandemic.

    “With immediate effect, we have decided to suspend all crew vessels coming into the country except it is a cargo vessel. The Authority has also suspended all tourism activities at the ports including school excursions and all forms of institutional visits so that we can be able to manage the situation.”

    She has also been explaining what the Port Authority is doing to avoid suspected cargo vessels from entering the port.

    “We have dedicated a separate anchorage area in terms of any suspected cases where the crew are checked and when the result is negative before we allow them to berth and offload so that we don’t spread the virus,” she said.

    Meanwhile, trading at the port is expected to decline as a result of the outbreak.

     

    Source: Joy Business 

  • Railway Company postpones reopening of Kojokrom-Tarkwa railway line to April 11

    The management Ghana Railway Company Limited has postponed the reopening of the Kojokrom-Tarkwa railway line from Monday, March 16, 2020, to Saturday, April 11, 2020.

    The management of the company in a press release issued on March 15, 2020, said the postponement is due to a request from the Ghana Railway Development Authority to help the contractor extend some culverts.

    “This is after GRCL received a letter from the Ghana Railway Development Authority, the regular, indicating that the request by the contractor, Amandi Holdings Limited who is constructing the standard gauge railway line alongside the existing narrow gauge line and the consultant, TEAM Engineering ASPA expanded the number of culverts between KM16+000 TO KM 23 + 500 on the western line.”

    The Management further indicated “the extended period would enable the contractor to achieve significant progress before the onset of the rainy season.”

    The Ghana Railway Company Limited first suspended passenger service on the Takoradi-Tarkwa line on Monday, March 2, 2020.

    The suspension was initially expected to last for two weeks.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • AMA rolls out measures to prevent spread of COVID-19 in Accra

    The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has issued a set of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, Accra to be specific.

    Among other things, the conduct of marriages at the AMA City Hall have been limited to only the couples and witnesses (two from both the groom and the bride).

    “All food vendors in the metropolis should provide handwashing facilities and observe hygienic
    standards per the Food Safety and Hygiene Bye-laws, 2017 of the Assembly. All public toilets in the metropolis have been directed to provide handwashing facilities at their entrances under acceptable sanitation standards as prescribed in the Sanitation Bye-law, 2017 of the Assembly,” a statement from the Assembly read.

    In a statement issued by the Head of Public Relations of the Assembly, Gilbert Nii Ankrah disclosed that these directives after “the Public Health Emergency Response Management Team (PHERMT) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Monday 16th March 2020 met to discuss the public health preparedness against COVID-19 pandemic for the Accra Metropolis”.

    They further urged the general public to adhere to the safety measures put out to prevent being infected by the disease.

    Click here to read full statement.

    Since the confirmation of six cases of coronavirus in Ghana, many institutions and associations have released precautionary measures for their members to comply with to prevent or limit the spread of the virus.

    This worsened when President Akufo-Addo introduced new directives on public gatherings on Sunday.

    On the back of this, schools have been shut down, and concerts, workshops, sporting events and all religious events have been banned.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Man, 24, arrested for stabbing woman multiple times to death at Nkawkaw

    A 24-year-old bread seller at Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region has died after a man allegedly stabbed her several times in her abdomen.

    Esther Afrifa who trades by the roadside in Asona, a suburb of Nkawkaw was said to have been attacked by her assailant while trading at about 10 pm on Friday.

    A statement issued by DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, the Regional Police PRO said Emmanuel Oppong Yeboah, husband of the deceased accompanied by one George Frimpong came to Nkawkaw Central Police Station to report that his wife, had been stabbed by Yaw Johnson, 24, without any provocation.

    The statement said the deceased was rushed to Holy Family Hospital, Nkawkaw for treatment but died eventually.

    The Police say they proceeded to the Hospital and found the deceased at the mortuary with multiple knife wounds in her abdomen and on her two hands.

    Preliminary investigations led the police to Odumasu, a village near Nkawkaw where suspect Yaw Johnson was apprehended.

    Source: www.myjoyonline.com

  • TV presenter KMJ goes off air for 14 more days

    After leaving his seat for the United Kingdom, Joy Prime TV presenter Kpekpo Maxwell Justice (KMJ) is back to Ghana and has announced he will not be on air for the next 14 days as he follows a directive that citizens who return from their foreign travels should quarantine themselves for a period of 14 days as part of measures to try curb the spread of coronavirus.

    “I will be staying off all major activities including hosting my TV show; Showbiz Now which airs on Joy Prime, Multi TV and also on DSTV channel 281,” a statement issued on Tuesday read.

    “While others may be scared of the stigmatization that comes with this decision, I believe this is the right thing to do as a responsible public figure to ensure that people around me are safe. This will also help me thoroughly access my health as I may have come into contact with persons who may have the virus or not during my stay in the UK, filming my documentary.”

    Declared pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), coronavirus has killed more than 7,000 people, sickened over 115,000 and spread to 75 countries and regions worldwide.

    Ghana is currently faced with six confirmed cases of the widespread virus, with over 150 people having had contact with the affected persons being observed.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March 15, 2020, issued a directive that all outdoor events including funerals, church activities and naming ceremonies, be suspended. Schools have also been asked to close down temporarily for a period of 4 weeks.

    These, according to Akufo-Addo, forms part of precautionary measures to fight the virus and prevent any more spread after the 6 confirmed cases in Ghana.

    Did Bill Gates predict coronavirus pandemic in 2015?

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • U/E: Mining pits kill 2 miners in Talensi District

    An illegal mining pit at Yamsok a suburb of Yameriga in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region caved in on Monday, March 16, 2020, killing one person and injured another.

    The deceased Pii-Naab Joel, age 20 and a native of Yamsok was mining in an illegal mining pit with his colleagues when the pit caved in.

    Unfortunately, his colleagues could not rescue him on time leading to his death.

    He was later rushed to the Tongo district hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The body was released to his family for burial.

    However, his other colleague Joe Arong, age 24, and a native of Datuko survived the incident but sustained mild bruises.

    He was also rushed to the Tongo District hospital for treatment and was later in the afternoon discharged.

    The incident was confirmed to Citi News by the Upper East Regional police command, however, they declined to give details on the matter until preliminary investigations are completed.

    Regional Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP David Fianko-Okyere, confirmed that the incident did happen but added that police would want to put the facts of the case together before addressing the public accordingly.

    Even though residents of the area accused the SWAT team from the Regional police command, led by Van Kofi, of protecting the activities of the illegal miners in the area, ASP Fianko-Okyere said, the command will appropriately respond to the allegations when the preliminary investigations are over by close of day.

    In another related development, a miner aged 36 also slipped from a mining pit belonging to one Nashiru, at the Obuasi site in the Gbane mining area has passed on.

    The deceased Kwesi Billa, a native of Gorogo on Monday [March 16, 2020] charged the pit for blasting with explosives and as he was coming out of the pit, slipped mid-way his journey and fell back into the pit inhaling blast fumes leading to his untimely death.
    The body has been deposited at the Bolgatanga regional mortuary for autopsy.

    Confirming the matter to Citi News, the police command says, the matter is under investigation.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Negotiate for free airtime, provide sanitisers at market places Alima Mahama directs MMDCEs

    The Local Government Minister has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to negotiate for free airtime on FM station so they can educate the public on coronavirus preventive measures.

    According to Hajia Alima Mahama, the MMDCEs are also expected to make available handwashing facilities with running water and hand sanitisers at vantage points in markets and all public places.

    The instruction follows a directive by President Akufo-Addo to the Ministry of Local Government to liaise with relevant authorities to improve hygiene standards in the markets.

    President Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation on Sunday, March 15, directed schools in the country to shut down effective Monday, March 16, 2020.

    He also announced a ban on all public gatherings before directing the Ministry of Local Government to liaise with other institutions to curb the spread of the virus which has affected some six individuals.

    Responding to these directives in a press release to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the sector minister asked the assemblies to adhere to the directives with immediate effect by putting the necessary measures in place.

    Find the press release below

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Nigerian doctors go on strike amid coronavirus outbreak

    Doctors in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, have gone on an “indefinite strike” over delayed pay and unsafe working conditions.

    The announcement came just after Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, confirmed a third case of Covid-19.

    The president of the Abuja branch of the doctor’s association, Roland Aigbovo, said it was a “difficult decision”.

    But members had not been paid their salary for two months despite repeated “warnings and ultimatums”, he said.

    The problems stem from a new payroll system introduced by the authorities in Abuja.

    Other health workers at government-run hospitals in the city were also affected by the pay dispute and would be joining the strike in 48 hours if their demands were not met, Mr Aigbovo said.

    Nigeria reported sub-Saharan Africa’s first case of coronavirus in February.

     

    Source: BBC 

  • Beauty runs in my blood Bobrisky brags over new stunning photo

    Popular Nigerian cross dresser Idris Okueneye, affectionately called Bobrisky has sent tongues wagging over her new sizzling photo.

    Bobrisky shared a new photo of her face in stunning makeup and bragged that beauty runs in her blood.

    The photo was sighted by Ghgossip.com on her Instagram page.

    See her post below;

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Beauty runs in my blood 😍😍😍😍😍😍

    A post shared by okuneye idris Olanrewaju (@bobrisky222) on

    Source: www.ghgossip.com

  • GBC journalist ordered to self-quarantine after coming into contact with COVID-19 patient

    Citi News can confirm that the Ministry of Health has ordered a journalist with the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), to self-quarantine over the period of 14 days after coming into contact with a COVID-19 Patient.

    This comes after the student journalist of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) had contact with the Norwegian Ambassador at the Norwegian Embassy last Tuesday during an assignment.

    The Health Ministry is yet to test the student for Coronavirus as he has not shown any symptoms.

    Ghana has confirmed six coronavirus cases recorded between 12th to 15th March 2020 with no deaths so far.

    Health officials say all cases were imported into the country.

    Three of the newest cases were recorded in Accra while one other was recorded in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.

    Already, as part of new travel measures, any traveller, except for Ghanaian citizens and persons with Ghana residence permits, who within the last 14 days, has been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases of the novel coronavirus, will not be admitted into the Ghanaian jurisdiction.

    The government said airlines have been instructed not to allow such persons to embark.

    Border posts have also been instructed not to allow such persons into the jurisdiction.

    In general, the government has strongly cautioned travellers against coming into the country because of the new cases detected.

    The government has also essentially placed a ban on gatherings which will be in force for four weeks.

    The ban started on March 16, 2020.

    There are some exemptions like funerals attended by less than 25 people.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Rev Obofour speaks about president Akufo-Addos ban on churches

    The leader and founder of Anointed Palace Chapel (APC), Reverend Obofour has reacted to a directive by President Akufo Addo to ban public gatherings which include church services in Ghana following the outbreak of coronavirus.

    In a video sighted by Zionfelix.net, Rev Obofour said he will adhere to the directive implemented because he values human life.

    Commanding a huge crowd, the Man of God stated he should be the first to adhere to measures to protect people.

    Rev Obofour revealed a mega crusade which was to be held at Takoradi and Tamala has been postponed.

    According to him, all church activities which fall within the four weeks ban on public gatherings have been cancelled.

    He said members will be updated on a new decision they will be taken.

    Rev Obofour emphasized that he is a good citizen so it is important to obey the laws of the land.

    The APC leader has therefore declared a national prayer via three times church services on his television.

    He urged Christians, Muslims and everybody to pray hard to save the world.

    Source: zionfelix.net

  • GPRTU to ban preaching on commercial buses over coronavirus

    The Chairman of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), Kwame Kuma, has hinted that the Union will no longer allow preachers on their vehicles until further notice.

    This according to him is because some preachers spew spits on passengers, an act that has the potential of spreading the dreaded coronavirus.

    He advised all passengers using public and commercial transports in the country, to stop engaging in political arguments, saying all are measures being adopted to control the spread of the virus.

    Mr Kuma argued that some Ghanaians have the habit of engaging in unnecessary arguments about politics and football on commercial transports and by that means, saliva is spread from one person to another.

    “My advice to passengers is that they should stop enga

    ging in unnecessary arguments and debate when they are in commercial transport and rather have them when they go home.”

    Speaking on Accra based radio station, StarrFM, Mr Kuma said GPRTU would also stop all those who mount public transport to sell local medicine.

    He alleged commercial drivers have been asked to offer passengers going on short distance journeys, hand sanitisers to protect themselves, while passenger going long-distance would be provided with soap and water in addition to the hand sanitisers.

    He revealed that the Union supported all the directives issued by the government and would meet tomorrow to educate their members on

    how to enforce the directives.

    He added that after tomorrow’s meeting, GPRTU would visit the various transport unions to ensure strict enforcement of these directives.

    Meanwhile, an observation made by Daily Heritage yesterday morning indicated that some commercial vehicle drivers were yet to use sanitisers and other measures.

    Background

    Ghana announced two suspected cases of coronavirus last Thursday, March 12, 2020 but as of yesterday, March 16, the cases had risen to six confirmed cases leading to the shutdown of basic and secondary schools as well as universities and other tertiary institutions.

    Source: www.myjoyonline.com

  • Chinese billionaire Jack Ma donates masks, test kits to all countries in Africa

    Chinese billionaire and co-founder of Alibaba, Jack Ma, says he will donate masks, test kits and protective suits to all countries in Africa to help the continent in its fight against the novel coronavirus.

    Ma’s foundation will donate at total of 1.1 million testing kits, six million masks, and 60,000 protective suits and face shields.

    They will also work with local medical institutions on the continent to provide online training material for coronavirus clinical treatments.

    “The world cannot afford the unthinkable consequences of a COVID-19 pandemic in Africa,” he said in a statement tweeted Monday.

    Africa has so far confirmed more than 300 cases, Egypt being the hardest hit with 110 cases.

    The items will be delivered to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will oversee the distribution of the supplies to other African countries, Ma said.

    On Friday, the billionaire founder of Alibaba said he would donate 500,000 coronavirus testing kits and one million face masks to the United States.

    He has also shared his plans to give to Europe as well as Iran.”Now it is as if we were all living in the same forest on fire.

    As members of the global community, it will be irresponsible of us to sit on the fence, panic, ignore facts, or fail to act. We need to take action now,” Ma said.

  • This is not time to make supernormal profits: Economist cautions in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana

    An Associate Professor of the Institute of Social, Statistics and Economic Research (ISSER), Professor Robert Darko-Osei, has called on those selling protective products against the coronavirus (COVID-19) to desist from over-pricing them beyond the reach of the ordinary person.

    According to him, much as the high demand is most definitely going to impact the prices because of supply shortages, people need to be cautious to focus on how to prevent contracting the disease and not necessarily to make supernormal profits

    Prof. Darko-Osei, who is also the Vice Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, gave the advice in an interview with the Graphic Business in Accra on Sunday.

    Market developments

    With the intense education about how people can prevent catching the virus using hand sanitisers, alcohol-based wipes and rubbing alcohol, the demand for those products has suddenly soared to the roof tops as a result of high demand over supply.

    A random check from the various pharmacies, chemist shops and the open markets have revealed that the price for some of the alcohol-based hand sanitisers and wipes have been increased by more than 120 per cent on the average.

    Deva hand-sanitisers (500ml), which used to be Gh¢13 was being sold for Gh¢25 as of Friday. By Saturday, that same brand was now selling for between Gh¢70 and Gh¢90 at Okaishie and other areas, for instance.

    Carex, one of the best known international brands, which used to be sold for Gh¢5, per the mini bottle, is now averaging Gh¢20 for the same size of bottle, depending on where it is sold.

    Suddenly, many different brands, which authenticity cannot be verified, have also found themselves on the markets as cheaper options.

    Let’s be cautious

    Prof Darko-Osei described the development, in terms of the sudden price hikes, as normal but not the best considering the nature of the spread of the disease at hand.

    “We know that when such developments happen, the power of the forces of demand and supply comes into play very forcefully and that is what we are experiencing,” he said.

    He said traders and suppliers, in these times would want to consider making supernormal profits as they cash-in on the situation to make extra money.

    Prof Darko-Osei warned that considering the nature of the virus, should the products to prevent it remain beyond the reach of the ordinary people, many would not be able to afford to save them from the fast spreading disease.

    “What we should bear in mind is that when people are unable to buy, they may be infected and ignorantly pass it on to us without knowing.”

    “Let us be moderate to ensure that the majority of the people are able to buy so that we can all be saved from this viral outbreak”, he said.

    Hit on general economy

    From an economic perspective, the key issue is not just the number of cases of COVID-19, but the level of disruption to economies from containment measures,” Analysts are saying that the widespread lockdowns such as those imposed by China have been enacted in some virus hotspots. But there are fears that such measures — if taken disproportionately — could induce panic and weaken the global economy even more.

    Fears of the coronavirus impact on the global economy have rocked markets worldwide, plunging stock prices and bond yields.

    Downgrades in economic forecasts

    The outbreak has led major institutions and banks to cut their forecasts for the global economy. One of the latest to do so is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

    In a March report, the OECD said it downgraded its 2020 growth forecasts for almost all economies.

    The trigger

    It began like one of those ordinary disease outbreaks in China but after a few months, COVID-19 has arrived on the shores of the country with six confirmed cases as of Sunday.

    The phenomenon has suddenly triggered the behaviour of the forces of demand and supply with the market reacting sharply to the development.

    Source: www.graphic.com.gh

  • Government seeks $10m tax waiver for Zipline

    Government has asked Parliament to waive taxes to the tune of over US$10 million to enable the Ministry of Health to purchase materials and equipment for Fly Zipline Ghana Limited.

    The request is to pave the way for Zipline to deliver emergency health and blood products to public health facilities in the country under the service agreement between the company and the Government of Ghana.

    The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, presented papers for the waiver, which the Speaker, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, referred to the Finance Committee for consideration.

    Fly Zipline Ghana Limited has a service agreement with Ghana to use drones to distribute essential medicines to remote areas of the country, and per the terms of the agreement, the company will install, operate and maintain the drones.

    The contract is expected to run for a four-year period.

     

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Coronavirus: 350 contacts traced so far Ghana Health Service

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has disclosed that a total of a hundred and ninety-nine (199) more contacts have been traced from the six (6) confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total to 350.

    This was disclosed by the Disease Surveillance Department of the Ghana Health Service on their Twitter handle, Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

    “A total of six cases have been confirmed so far with no local transmission. 350 contacts have been identified for these cases. Follow up for these contacts have commenced.”

    About coronavirus

    Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

    Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

    Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

    Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Get tested if youve travelled over the past 30 days – Gane to government officials

    Independent presidential aspirant, Marricke Kofi Gane says our best chances in dealing with the coronavirus lies in prevention considering the gaps in our health system.

    He said each of us should be part of the campaign to prevent the spread by reporting cases.

    He called on the government to show leadership by ensuring that every public official who has travelled outside Ghana in the last 30 days to get tested.

    This he suggested will show both the severity and non-discriminatory nature of the threats that confront us as well as give confidence to the recovery procedures the government has put in place for citizens.

    He called for hand hygiene supplies in all public buildings, supply enough protective equipment and test kits in health facilities.

    About coronavirus

    Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

    Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

    Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

    Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

    Over 150 Ghanaians have had contact with Coronavirus patients Ghana Health Service

  • Free inmates in congested prisons to reduce coronavirus threat Sosu

    A human rights lawyer has called on government to decongest prisons across the country in a bid to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus among inmates.

    Francis-Xavier Sosu in a statement said the overcrowded nature of prisons puts all inmates at risk should one of them get infected with the dreaded pandemic.

    He has, as a consequence, called on government “to decongest the prisons by freeing prisoners whose crimes are not a threat to society and who are serving low sentences.”

    “Ultimately, it will support the fight against the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Sosu argues.

    According to him, “the state stands to benefit more for putting offenders of minor offences to community and other social services.”

    “The current situation is costly for governments to be funding prisoners whose economic and other contributions to the state is zero,” he said.

    Read his full statement below

    On the 3rd of March, 2020 the BBC reported “Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners in an effort to combat the spread of the new coronavirus disease in crowded jails”

    The report further stated “Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters the inmates were allowed out of prison after testing negative for Covid-19 and posting bail”

    Can similar measures be taken to help in the combat of the disease in Ghana? Ghana prisons are 52.87% overpopulated. The 44 prison stations in Ghana have a total holding capacity of 9945 inmates but currently house 15,203 inmates.

    At the Nsawam prison for instance, currently houses over 3500 inmates although originally built for about 900 inmates. Every single cell contains an average of 44 inmates instead of 20. Of the 44 inmates, 18 sleep on beds and the 26 sleep on the floor. During sleeping hours, the inmates are arranged in a “canned sardine” way. One dares to wake up at night; you may stand until dawn breaks for the doors to be opened.

    As a result, there is poor ventilation thereby increasing the room temperature beyond the normal temperature prevailing outside. All these are perfect conditions for the spread of COVID-19.

    At the moment, there is no precautionary measure implemented at the gates of the prisons and within the prison yard to ensure convicts, officers and the general public visiting the Nsawam Prison are properly screened. This puts inmates at serious risk of the pandemic.  The prison clinic is poorly resourced to even manage or quarantine a suspected condition.

    It is therefore suggested for governments to consider the option of freeing prisoners serving minor sentences and whose offence is not a threat to national security.

    In the long term, governments should consider seriously the idea of improving the conditions at the prisons. Significantly, there is a need to review the criminal code of Ghana to come to terms with international standards. The state stands to benefit more for putting offenders of minor offences to community and other social services. The current situation is costly for governments to be funding prisoners whose economic and other contributions to the state is zero.

    In conclusion, COVID-19 is a threat to the overpopulated prisons of Ghana and thus the need to decongest the prisons by freeing prisoners whose crimes are not a threat to society and who are serving low sentences. Ultimately, it will support the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

     

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Two Italians prevented from entering Ghana over Coronavirus

    Two Italian nationals who tried to enter Ghana from the epicentre of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Europe were prevented from entering Ghana Monday night, [March 16, 2020].

    This was in compliance with the travel advisory directive issued by the government of Ghana to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

    The Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who disclosed this said: “Last night there were two Italians, who it was clear they were coming from the epicentre …even though the aircraft was still in the air, we had to make arrangements at the airport to ensure that they did not get off the aircraft and they are returned to their originating destination.”

    “So though we are yet to hit the 1 pm timeline today [Tuesday, March 17, 2020], some soft enforcement has already commenced at our ports of entry,” Mr Nkrumah said.

    He said details of the travellers who were en route to Ghana on an Air France flight were confirmed which triggered the action to deny them entry.

    On whether there would be a total ban on flights from the epicentre, Mr Nkrumah said: “as the President said the guidelines that have been given are subject to review at any point in time. At this stage, this is what we believe is appropriate to do and this is how we are enforcing it at this stage.”

    Mr Nkrumah disclosed this at a trainer-of-trainers workshop for Regional Information Officers in Accra on Tuesday [March 17, 2020].

    As part of measures being taken by the government to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus disease in Ghana, the government has banned travellers who want to come to Ghana but have been to any country that has been affected by the disease (COVID-19) within the last 14 days.

    The ban takes effect Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 1 pm.

    Ghana has so far confirmed six cases of the Coronavirus disease with over 200 contacts being traced, some of whom have been quarantined with others asked to do self-quarantine for the next 14-days.

    As part of the travel advisory measures, the government has “strongly discouraged” travelling into Ghana until further notice.

    A statement from the Ministry of Information on Sunday, March 15, 2020, however, said that Ghanaian citizens and persons with Ghanaian residence permits would be allowed into Ghana but would be made to observe a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine.

    Source: www.graphic.com.gh

  • Bobrisky goes hyper after instagram verifies her account – The party just got started!

    How did we not see this coming?—how did we even miss this?

    It is a dream come true for our only female Barbie Bobrisky. Instagram has finally verified her and she is lit up.

    Instagram verification makes people, mostly celebs ecstatic because it means they have been recognized which ultimately means more money, more deals, and happy life.

    With all the noise that Bob makes on Instagram, some of us were surprised that she had not been verified already.

    That reminds us, what happened to her surgery in Dubai— we remember she telling us homes were about to be broken because her new looks.

    Which home is Bobrisky breaking?— we are curious as our readers…

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com