Award-winning dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale has once again sent out some nice words to the camp of Jamaican dancehall legend, Vybz Kartel.
In his recent post, Shatta labelled Vybz Kartel has the best dancehall artiste in the world.
Sharing a photo of Vybz Kartel on his Instagram handle, he wrote;
“Any other #KING👑 a Burger King !!! #immortal #tonymontanna #totanesha
#worlboss
Mi best artiste ever in a Dancehall 👑
@vybzkartelâ€
Source:Â www.ghgossip.com
Former President and leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, has stated that in the next NDC government, each district would get a technical institute in order to improve upon the human capital of the Ghanaian youth.
In this regard, he called for the needed attention to be given to technical and vocational training in the country since not everyone could acquire secondary education.
Former President Mahama, who was speaking at separate rallies at Ahebenso, Afere and Kwasikrom all in the Bodi Constituency of the Western North Region to round up his three days tour of the Region, lauded the free senior high school policy but accused the NPP government of not implementing it properly.
He indicated that he would cancel the double-track system of the free SHS if the NDC wins the next general elections.
The former President called for unity among the rank and file of the Party and advised Party faithful to vote massively for the NDC parliamentary candidates.
Mr Micheal Aidoo, Western North Regional Chairman of the Party, asked the members to remain loyal and committed to the cause of the NDC, since that was the only party that had their interest at heart.
Deontay Wilder has blamed the extravagant costume he wore during his ring-walk for his defeat to Tyson Fury in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The previously undefeated American entered the ring in Las Vegas wearing a 40-pound outfit designed to celebrate Black History Month.
He went on to be stopped in the seventh round by Fury after assistant trainer Mark Breland threw in the towel.
Wilder was knocked down by a right hand from Fury in the third round and again by a body shot in the fifth.
The 34-year-old also fell another two times and appeared to struggle with his balance.
Speaking to Yahoo Sports in the aftermath of losing his WBC title, Wilder said: “He didn’t hurt me at all, but the simple fact is that my uniform was way too heavy for me.
“I didn’t have no legs from the beginning of the fight. In the third round, my legs were just shot all the way through.
“A lot of people were telling me, ‘It looked like something was wrong with you.’ Something was, but when you’re in the ring, you have to bluff a lot of things.
“I tried my best to do so. I knew I didn’t have the legs because of my uniform. I was only able to put it on (for the first time) the night before but I didn’t think it was going to be that heavy.
“It weighed 40, 40-some pounds with the helmet and all the batteries. I wanted my tribute to be great for Black History Month. I wanted it to be good and I guess I put that before anything.”
Source: skysports.com
Business activity in the US service sector fell last month for the first time since 2013, hurt by the coronavirus, according to a survey.
The drop came amid a “notable worsening” in the services sector, which includes finance and retail, the IHS Markit research firm reported.
New orders received by private sector firms also declined for the first time since 2009, it said.
US financial markets fell sharply following the report.
The latest IHS Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index data found that services business activity fell to 49.4, from 53.4 in January, while manufacturing output slowed to 50.8, compared to 51.9 in January, a six-month low.
The combined score was 49.6, down from 53.3 in the opening month of 2020. Anything below 50 indicates contraction.
The report added to fears spurred by recent trends in the bond markets, which suggest investors see the risks of holding short and long-term government debt as increasingly similar. That comparison is often tracked as an indicator of possible recession.
The blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average fell about 0.7%, while the S&P 500 dropped about 0.9% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq was more than 1% lower.
Investors also turned to US government debt, considered a less risky investment, driving the prices up and yields on bonds down.
The IHS survey found that manufacturing output was hurt by delivery delays from China, while services industries such as travel also took a hit.
Executives also reported spending more cautiously, amid questions about the upcoming presidential election and worries about the possibility of a wider economic slowdown.
The survey found a modest rise in business confidence, suggesting that executives are hopeful the slowdown will prove short-lived. But the rate of contraction last month was still severe, said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS.
“With the exception of the government shutdown of 2013, US business activity contracted for the first time since the global financial crisis in February,” he said.
In recent weeks, companies around the world, including Apple, sportswear firms, airlines and carmakers, have reported slowdowns.
But analysts have said that the US – where consumer spending drives much of the economy – should be relatively insulated from the effects, assuming the coronavirus outbreak wanes relatively soon.
US jobs growth beat expectations last month, while the overall economy is growing at about 2.1%, according to the most recent government figures.
However, traders are also now anticipating the Federal Reserve will move to cut interest rates further this year, although the head of the central bank said at its most recent meeting that it did not think the economy needed additional help.
The IHS Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) report will raise fears about the country’s underlying economic health, said Michael Pearce, senior US economist at Capital Economics, adding that the contraction in the service sector – which includes industries like healthcare – was especially alarming.
However, he added: “We have a hard time believing the apparent message…that the economy is on the brink of a recession.
“Unless job creation and consumer confidence suddenly craters, it’s difficult to see how the new downside risks that have emerged in recent months would be enough to sink the entire economy.”
Source: bbc.com
Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien met Wales manager Ryan Giggs in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The two were long time rivals in the English Premier League, when Essien played for Chelsea with Giggs playing for Manchester United.
“It was great meeting you again, Ryan Giggs, Legend,” he posted on Instagram.
The two have enjoyed several battles at the opposite ends but the most famous fixture between them was the 2008 Champions League final in Russia.
Giggs had the better of Essien, leading the Red Devils to their third title.
Michael Essien is now player manager at Sabail FK in Azerbaijan.
Source: GHANAsoccernet.com
Ghanaian actor turned preacher, Majid Michel has visited Dr Sonnie Badu at his church in the United States of America (USA).
Zionfelix.net has learnt Majid delivered a powerful message when speaking at The RockHill Church.
The lead pastor and popular Minister, Dr Sonnie Badu thanked Majid Michel for his visit and eulogized him for the message he delivered.
He wrote: “brother you did amazing and you spoke so much wisdom, thank you for visiting @therockhillchurch .. love you .. #DrBadu.â€
Swipe through the photos below.
Source:Â zionfelix.net
Kobe Bryant’s wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter on Monday at a packed memorial service for the two, who were among nine people killed last month in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles.
Speaking at times through tears, Vanessa Bryant praised her husband’s devotion to their family as she addressed thousands of fans gathered at Staples Center to remember Bryant and 13-year-old Gianna.
“God knew they couldn’t be on this Earth without each other,” Vanessa Bryant said. “He had to bring them home to have them together. Babe, you take care of our Gigi.”
The service took place at the downtown arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for the final 17 seasons of his two-decade NBA career.
Among the fans was Alyssa Shapiro, 27, of Huntington Beach, who said she was inspired to become a basketball player after watching countless Lakers games with her father.
The family’s love of the game – and Bryant’s work in women’s sports – prompted her to become a middle school girls’ basketball coach. Her team had played Gianna’s team and she would watch Bryant cheer for his daughter in the stands.
Holding homemade heart-shaped “Kobe” and “Gigi” signs, she said she went up to Bryant to introduce herself at a game.
“I just wanted to thank him for being such an inspiration to me,” she said. “I grew up watching him on the screen … It made me realise he’s more than just that guy out on the court.”
The concourse at the Staples Center was a sea of people dressed in the team colours of purple and yellow and others in black. On the scoreboard, the Bryant family’s life flashed by in pictures: Vanessa and Kobe, Kobe and Gianna, the whole family in costumes, Gianna on the court, baby pictures of Gianna and her father.
Fans were given a programme containing photos, a purple KB pin and a T-shirt with photos of the father and daughter.
Also in the crowd was Bob Melendez, 72, who has been a season ticket holder for 40 years. After seeing Bryant play for the Lakers for years – including at his retirement game – Melendez said he could not imagine missing the memorial.
He wore a black number 24 jersey and Lakers jacket he bought for Bryant’s final game.
“I’d never dreamed I’d be wearing this” at Bryant’s memorial, he said.
Melendez was joined by friends Tom Ling and Rene Vega, who said his grandchildren and Bryant’s children attend the same school. Bryant called Vega “Grandpa.”
Ling, wearing a silver number 8 jersey, said the news of Bryant’s death was initially too awful to accept.
“We didn’t want to believe it,” he said.
The service featured speakers reflecting on Kobe Bryant’s effects on his sport and the world, along with music and retrospectives on Bryant’s on-court achievements. Bryant became active in film, television and writing after he retired from basketball in 2016.
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and former Bryant team-mate Shaquille O’Neal were among the attendees at the “Celebration of Life” memorial.
Bryant’s family, dozens of sport greats and many major figures in Bryant’s public life attended.
Money from ticket sales were expected to be given to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports youth sports programmes in underserved communities and teaches sports to girls and women.
Vendors sold flowers, Lakers scarves and commemorative newspapers and jerseys. Buses drove up and down Figueroa Street with their signs lit up with “RIP KOBE.”
Business partners Donnell Dorsey and Ramon Acevedo slept along Figueroa Street on Sunday night to make sure they could claim a spot for their Lakers merchandise. Dorsey said he sold out of Bryant-related T-shirts and hats five times the day after the basketball superstar died.
On Monday, the duo sold framed photos and drawings of Bryant and Gianna for five dollars apiece, T-shirts and hats for $15 each and medallions for $25.
Dorsey said a friend told him about Bryant’s death. “He was like, ‘He’s gone. Gone where?”
“I was, I guess you might say, numb,” Dorsey said.
Bryant played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, including the final 17 seasons at Staples Center, which opened in 1999. The five-time NBA champion’s two retired jersey numbers – 8 and 24 – hang high above the arena where he became the third-leading scorer in league history until Lakers star LeBron James passed him on the night before Bryant’s death.
Bryant’s death caused an outpouring of grief across Los Angeles, where he remained the city’s most popular athlete into retirement. Dozens of public memorials and murals have been installed around the sprawling metropolis, and thousands of fans gathered daily outside Staples Center to commiserate after the crash.
A private funeral was held for Kobe and Gianna Bryant in Orange County on February 7.
Also on Monday, Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter that crashed, saying the pilot was careless and negligent by flying in cloudy conditions and should have aborted the flight.
The lawsuit seeks general damages, economic damages, punitive damages and more, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Pilot Ara Zobayan was among the nine people killed in the crash.
Source: aljazeera.com
Ghanaian musician, Akwaboah is full of confidence on the height his next song will attain.
In a post sighted by zionfelix.net on social media, Akwaboah revealed his next song featuring Sarkodie will be an instant hit.
He was hopeful the song will blow within a week of its release.
Akwaboah challenged himself that he will walk from Accra to Kumasi if his forthcoming song fails to be hit in a week.
Read his full post below.
Source: zionfelix.net
Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren says if fans want to see a unification fight with Anthony Joshua “we will make it happen”.
The British heavyweights now hold all of the division’s belts between them, after Fury, 31, beat Deontay Wilder, 34, to claim the WBC title.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn said “let’s give the fans what they want”.
“Of course we want to see the fight,” Warren told BBC Sport. “We’ve been trying to make it for two years.”
“Hearn kept saying was it’s got to be 70/30 [the purse] in favour of AJ and so on and so fourth.
“The tables have turned now. I have no problem with 50/50. I think Tyson would deserve more but 50/50, no problem.
“This is about the boxers and more importantly the fans. If they want to see the fight we will make it happen.
“In the meantime Eddie Hearn is acting like the guy standing outside your house with his nose pressed up against the window and keeps spouting off about Tyson.”
The immediate prospect of the fight hinges on the fact Wilder has the option of a rematch with Tyson Fury and has 30 days to invoke a clause in his contract.
Hearn says if that happens then Joshua, 30, will face Kubrat Pulev in a mandatory IBF bout, with the promoter in talks to hold the fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 20 June.
Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The fight we want more than anything is the undisputed fight. The person that holds the key to that is Tyson Fury. If we can get that next we are all in on that fight.
“I think 50/50 is a very straightforward deal. Frank’s going to have his views but it’s a pretty straightforward deal. Joshua is the bigger commercial draw.”
Source: bbc.com
Sadio Mane’s 81st-minute strike ensured Liverpool overcame an almighty scare to beat a spirited West Ham 3-2 at Anfield and re-establish their 22-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side trailed the Hammers with 22 minutes remaining, but goals from Mohamed Salah (68) and Mane ensured Liverpool equalled Manchester City’s Premier League record of 18 consecutive league wins.
Georginio Wijnaldum’s ninth-minute opener was immediately cancelled out by Issa Diop’s third league goal in six games, before substitute Pablo Fornals completed a remarkable turnaround nine minutes into the second half.
But a dreadful error from Lukasz Fabianski allowed Salah to level, before Mane nudged Liverpool to within four wins of their first league title in 30 years.
Substitute Jarrod Bowen squandered a glorious chance to level moments after Sadio Mane was denied a second following a VAR offside review, with the result leaving 18th-placed West Ham still deep in relegation trouble, a point adrift of safety.
Player ratings
Liverpool: Alisson (6), Alexander-Arnold (9), Gomez (6), Van Dijk (7), Robertson (7), Keita (6), Fabinho (6), Wijnaldum (6), Salah (7), Firmino (6), Mane (7).
Subs: Oxlade-Chamberlain (6), Matip (n/a).
West Ham: Fabianski (6), Ngakia (7), Diop (8), Ogbonna (7), Cresswell (6), Rice (7), Snodgrass (7), Soucek (7), Noble (6), Felipe Anderson (7), Antonio (6).
Subs: Bowen (5), Fornals (7), Haller (n/a).
Man of the match: Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Source: skysports.com
Peter Sedufia has shared his five important reasons why his new film – Aloe Vera is a must-watch for all films lovers in Ghana and beyond.
Prior to the premiere of the film in Ghanaian cinemas on March 6th, the director who is renowned for his impressive creative expressions on all his projects have been busy with media promo for the latest work.
Aloe Vera has caught the attention of film lovers for its uniqueness and breaking the long-standing drought of shooting with an already existing location.
He established and built his own community for the film, which has even made the film won hearts even before the premiere.
Watch Peter Sedufia below as he shares his five reasons why you should watch the film on March 6th across Silverbird Cinemas (Accra Mall and West Hills Mall):
Many musicians started their careers from the Church and for Gospel musician Ritaqueen, that should be the natural flow because the church is the best place for an artiste to hone his or her talent.
According to her, the church gives artistes the opportunity to learn the basics of music including playing any kind of instrument.
“Gospel music cannot be learned, is by inspiration. We can go to church to know who we are in Christ and build our faith, but I will tell any musician to start from the church if he or she wants to be successful. It is not surprising most of the good musicians started from the church” she told The New Publisher recently.”
Rita Nkansah, who doubles as a wife, a mother, an entrepreneur, and also work in the health care field in the States is set to release her maiden single titled ‘He Reign’.
According to her, she chose the title “based on the word of God and life itself, Revelations 11:15, and 1 John 4:4, meaning that as long as God Reigns forever we shall overcome.”
Ritaqueen revealed ‘He Reign’ is a true story to appreciate the goodness of God in all situation of hardships and struggles adding that, “God’s intervention is magnificent for His children.”
Source:Â thepublisheronline.com
Ghanaians have been urged to give President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government another four year-term, to complete many programs initiated.
Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Nana Adjei Boateng who disclosed this, indicated that, it would be suicidal for the country if President Akufo-Addo is not given another term to spearhead the development agenda already on track.
Filing his nomination forms to contest again for the New Juaben North parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NPP, the incumbent MP also emphasised on the need for constituents to extend his mandate to fulfil projects he is embarking, to ensure the people get their fair share of the national cake.
“I am urging you all gathered here to give President Akufo-Addo and the NPP another term so we can complete all the projects and policies we have implemented. Let’s not make a mistake and bring in another government, because Akufo-Addo has really performed up to expectation”.
“So I am telling you all to vote massively for Akufo-Addo and also renew my mandate so we can deliver well to benefit all Ghanaians,” Nana Adjei Boateng told the crowd at the party’s office at Effiduase.
He mentioned the restoration of teachers and nurses allowance, free SHS, distribution of ambulances, planting for food and jobs, one district one factory, and many other achievements as a legacy of the NPP government within three years.
In attendance to support the MP were the New Juaben North Municipal Chief Executive, Madam Comfort Asante, some party executives and delegates as well as party supporters dress up in party colours.
Doctors in Ghana have hinted of planned strike action if the government fails to implement its part of a signed Conditions of Service.
An internal memo issued by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) reportedly directed their members to withdraw their services in all public health facilities if their demands are not met by February 29, 2020.
Dated February 21, 2020, and jointly signed by President of GMA, Dr. Frank Ankobea and General Secretary, Dr. Justice Yankson, the memo said that although the implementation date for the signed Conditions of Service document was 1st January 2020 as agreed by all parties, government had failed to meet the deadline.
The internal memo warned that, “The Association has accordingly given the government up to Saturday, 29th February 2020 to ensure full implementation (including payment of all occasioned arrears) of the CoS document at both the National and facility levels. If any default on the part of Government occurs Vis-à -vis the stated deadline, there shall be an immediate withdrawal of all services by members in all facilities.â€
The National Executive Committee of the Medical Association said it also observed that during the validation of February salaries, there was the absence of fuel allowance on the payslips of members; and urged members to put all discrepancies on notice for rectification.
In separate letters addressed to the Ministers for Health, and Employment and Labour Relations, the Association expressed grave concern over the development.
Both letters said the Conditions of Service document implementation has not taken place both at the National and facility levels despite numerous calls on Government to do so.
The Medical Association thus requested for the immediate facilitation of the Ministers to forestall an industrial action.
Previous actions
In 2014, doctors and pharmacist in the West African country continued a 21-day strike action following a long-standing dispute over salary arrears.
Only emergency cases or patients admitted before the start of the strike received medical attention.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in the Akatsi South District of the Volta Region, has described the incidence of fire outbreaks in the District last year as worrying.
The District recorded 22 domestic fire outbreaks and eleven road traffic crashes in 2019, as compared to eleven fire outbreaks and two road crashes in 2018.
Divisional Officer Grade ll (DOll) Simon Wardie, Akatsi South District Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, made this known to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview when GNA visited his office to discuss the growing rate of bushfires in the District.
He said the Command was poised to reduce the numbers through intensified fire safety education and enforcement of by-laws this year.
Mr Wardie also assured that his outfit would continue conducting inspections and fire audits on high-rise buildings, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and fuel stations, guest houses, educational institutions, private and government agencies in the District, aimed at reducing fire disasters.
He said educational campaigns would target market centres, churches, mosques and lorry parks and appealed to individuals to serve as fire safety volunteers in communities.
Mr Wardie called on traditional leaders and Assembly members to lead the campaign against fire outbreaks to protect life and property.
Checks by the GNA in the District revealed that access to houses in Akatsi during emergencies like fire disasters was a big challenge.
Mr. Leo Nelson Adzidogah, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akatsi South, cautioned against building without Assembly permit and charged officers from the Town and Country Planning Department of the Assembly to enforce the laws.
The DCE stated the Assembly’s readiness to help the Fire Service reduce fire incidences in the District.
Source: GNA
The Board Chairman of the National Theatre, Nana Fredua Agyeman Ofori-Atta, has reacted to the Minority’s walkout during the presentation of the State of the Nation Address by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in Parliament.
The Minority on Thursday walked out of the chamber repeating the latter part of the national anthem: “and help us to resist oppressors rule, with our will and might forevermore”.
At a press conference, they outlined reasons for their action which include the fact that Akufo-Addo is a tyrant.
However, Nana Fredua Agyeman, speaking on Monday’s edition of Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’ believes the minority walked out because of their ‘selfishness’ and nothing else.
Listen to his explanation in the video below
The Minority staged a walkout when President Akufo-Addo was about to present his 4th State of the Nation Address in Parliament, Thursday.
After the walkout, they held a press conference to tell Ghanaians the reason for their action and during the question and answer section, a journalist asked if they were going to apologize for “walking out when the National anthem was ongoing”.
Background
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday, February 20, delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address in Parliament of Ghana.
The address is in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution which states that “the President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before a dissolution of Parliament, deliver to Parliament a message on the state of the nation.â€
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo accounted for his stewardship during the previous year and projected the plans of the government for the coming year.
Sectors such as energy, finance, health and the economy, in general, featured prominently in the address.
Watch the reaction below
Source: peacefmonline.com
Journalist Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, has revealed that Minister of Education and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh was a beneficiary of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) scholarship in 2014 when he was MP and had already served about six years as such.
Clarifying the issue on Facebook due to perceptions that he was a Minister while on the scholarship, Mr Baako explained that Dr Opoku Prempeh was granted the scholarship in 2014 for a 3-week program in Harvard University in the US and not when he became Minister.
The Minister himself in denying that he had been a beneficiary of the scholarship scheme was careful to say that he has never been a beneficiary “since assuming†office as Minister.
According to the audit report on the grant of GETfund Scholarships, Mr Opoku Prempeh spent some US $24, 000 at Harvard University training in a programme dubbed “Senior Executive in National and International Securityâ€.
Mr Opoku Prempeh became MP in 2008 and was appointed Minister of Education in 2017. He reportedly owns a security firm and there is a widely held notion that the training was meant to help him better run the firm since it was on security matters.
Source: mynewsgh.com
It is emerging that chloroquine has the efficacy to thwart the viral agent that causes the coronavirus disease.
A professor of Epidemiology at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho in the Volta Region, said he is gathering that the popular drug for the cure of malaria, Chloroquine, has been certified as having capabilities to cure coronavirus.
It is not confirmed, nonetheless, he added.
Professor Fred Binka made this known while sharing his thoughts on the preparedness of Ghana in case of an outbreak of the deadly disease, on The Key Points on TV3/3FM on Saturday, February 22.
The outbreak, which started in Chinese province of Hubei, has already claimed over 2,000 lives with over 72,000 persons infected.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is said to have summoned top virologists to find a cure to the epidemic within the shortest possible time.
“In another three weeks, there will be a number of tests,†Prof Binka said, but indicated that chloroquine has so far been mentioned as a cure.
Already, antiretroviral drugs for Ebola and HIV-AIDS are also being tested for the same function in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
Ghana has heightened surveillance in the face of the epidemic as about 300 Ghanaian students are said to be at the epicentre, Wuhan.
The former Vice-Chancellor of UHAS urged the government to take immediate steps to get Ghanaian students in China back home as the Chinese will give priority to their own in the peak of the outbreak.
He said the leaders should consider the students as their relations and go to their rescue.
Source: 3news.com
Ghanaian rapper, singer and songwriter M.anifest has in a nice way responded to people who do not appreciate his rapping style.
He posted on Twitter “Rapping like this has taken me placesâ€.
Rapping like this has taken me places 💯#MondayMotivation #Absa pic.twitter.com/TpzskQEO3r
— M.anifest – May 28th! London #XOYO show! (@manifestive) February 24, 2020
M.anifest, who spent most of his life in abroad, has often been criticized for rapping in English and ditching his native languages.
M.anifest has six albums and won 11 awards.
Source:Â Ghgossip.com
Fans of Asante Kotoko were left furious after their team succumbed to a shocking 2-1 defeat to lower tier-side Asokwa Deportivo in the MTN FA Cup round of 64 at the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The defeat which comes on the back of the loss to Aduana Stars incensed the supporters, some of who decided to attack their players for losing back to back games.
David Cudjoe’s brace secured the three points for Deportivo after the Porcupines took the lead in the first half of the game through Richard Arthur.
Though Asante Kotoko piled a bit of pressure on the lower division side for the remainder of the match, they could not break down their defense, forcing the defending champions to succumb to a shocking 2-1 defeat at the round of 64 stages of the MTN FA Cup.
In a video circulating on twitter, a section of the Kotoko fans were seen booing their players and calling them all sorts of names as the team prepared to journey back to the regional capital Kumasi.
See the video below. Meanwhile, the goal-scoring drought of the Porcupines continues as they have scored 2 goals in six consecutive games.
Wo di sika nanso wobeda gee… Kotoko fans booed their players after FA Cup exit pic.twitter.com/kDmgYud6Kc
— @the sports-scientist (@JOELESHUN4) February 24, 2020
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
Asante Kotoko is set to recall youngster Ibrahim Osman from King Faisal following his impressive performances in the on-going 2019/20 Ghana Premier League.
The 20-year-old has scored an incredible seven goals and provided three assists in 11 games for the Kumasi-based side as they languish at the bottom of the league with only five points.
Osman joined King Faisal on loan prior to the start of the season, however, he is set to make an immediate return to the Porcupine Warriors for the second half of the campaign.
“We have been monitoring him at King Faisal, he is doing well,” Coach Konadu said.
“I am very happy with his improvement so far. Let’s see what happens. He [Osman Ibrahim] is our player and everyone deserves a place. We farmed him out to get the best out of him.”
The highly-rated goal poacher was previously farmed out to fellow Ghana Premier League side Liberty Professionals last season.
Source: Footballghana.com
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) Mr Yofi Grant has urged Ghanaian football clubs to put the right structures in place to able to attract corporate investors.
The multifaceted administrator schooled the Ghanaian clubs to streamline their administrations to entice corporate institutions.
He said, “Our football administrators probably need to pick up the pace a bit, because like I said infrastructure is important, the micro economy is important, the infrastructure is not just the stadia, the infrastructure relates to the legal regime affecting footballers, the protection they get, the insurance, the financials, the sponsorship, there is merchandise all those put together form the infrastructure of the sports”.
Adding to the organizational framework, Grant called for a thorough rebuilding process at the club level.
“Clubs have to market their brands. There is no shop in Accra I can walk to buy Kotoko or Hearts T-shirt. But I bet you I can buy Arsenal, Manchester United, Man City Chelsea, etc in Ghana. So these are all the opportunities Merchandise. Sports are big, our corporates will rather go and put money in Miss Ghana because they see that a lot of people will watch it. But more people will watch sports in this country than any other thing. So sports itself is a commodity that can be a good package, well marketed and it is an investment opportunity. I think that the structure gives some tax relief to sports investment and the cooperations, but the marketing hasn’t been done well”.
He concluded by lamenting the no sponsor syndrome in the GPL despite the recent change in the Ghanaian terrain.
“I am very sad we couldn’t get a headline sponsor for the League. And I guess the headline sponsors never saw the returns”.
Source: Primenewsghana.com
Recently, Olivia Wilde brought her fiancé Jason Sudeikis to her old high school to show him around and let him meet the people who made up her experience there. And while it can be awesome to introduce your current guy to your old life for the first time, it can also bring up some seriously awkward moments-like, say, when he meets the ex who broke your teenage younger self’s heart. But with a little planning, it’s easy for both of you to have a blast. Just follow these four guidelines.[Tweet these tips!]
Know Your Title
Sounds obvious, but dating experts warn that a reunion-like environment is the worst place for “what are we, exactly?” misunderstandings to occur. Even if it’s a happy hour, make sure you and he are on the same page as far as how you guys will introduce each other. “Having the exclusivity conversation before you introduce him to friends as your boyfriend’ is key, even if it’s uncomfortable,” says Tara Richter, author of 10 Rules to Survive the Dating Jungle.
Play His Wingman
Instead of simply introducing him to the entire group as “my boyfriend,” make an effort to show him off one-on-one with a brief detail he shares with each person he meets-i.e., let your wave-worshipping cousin know he just came back from a surf trip. The more connections he can make with your old friends, the less you’ll feel like you have to be by his side every second, reminds Richter.
Get a Little Handsy
Grab his hand when you’re introducing him to a former flame, or rub his thigh when the conversation rolls back to the epic nights out you and your old roommate used to have. Making sure you and he have body contact will subconsciously remind him how much you want to be with him, even if the conversation is about yesteryear, reminds Karla Moore, an Atlanta based dating coach and matchmaker.
Remember the “We” in Weekend
If the two of you are spending a weekend with your old pals or extended family, research cool stuff you can do alone together, whether it’s taking in a baseball game or checking out a new bistro in town, suggests Moore. And be honest about expectations: Do you want him by your side the whole time, or are you fine with him solo sightseeing while you and your girlfriends catch up over manis? An upfront conversation will help you avoid misunderstandings, Moore adds.
Source: shape.com
Chief Executive Officer of Special Ice, Ernest Sarpong has constructed a new AstroTurf for his alma mater Presbyterian Boys.
Ernest Sarpong, who is brother to Business mogul Kwame Despite ensured the turf was completed on time as part of his effort to give back to his former school.
The Businessman completed Presec in 1985.
The facility has changing rooms, as well as a seating place and the pitch has been well fenced.
Presec is one of the best senior high schools in Ghana, having won the National Science and Maths Quiz five times.
Apart from producing scholars, the school has also excelled in sports in the past.
Nathaniel Ayettey a management and finance professional has filed his forms to contest as Member of Parliament (MP) for Ledzokuku Constituency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Greater Accra Region.
Submitting his forms recently at the constituency office, he said, “We have a constituency to heal because it is so disjointed that somebody must step up and heal the constituency,†he said.
According to him, it was sad that delegates and people at the grassroots were neglected after candidates were voted into Parliament.
He said he was inspired by the call of people in the party to contest the sitting MP, so he could come and assist them fulfill their expectations.
Mr Ayettey added that working hand in hand with delegates was what made him unique among other candidates and was of the view that he would not leave anyone behind.
Asked about his policies, he said he was going to be fair and open to everybody and also treat people equally when given the nod.
Mr Ayettey is a multi-skilled energetic and vibrant management professional with solid leadership skills in management and finance who will deliver projects with excellence using creativity, enthusiasm and years of solid experience in business analysis and project management.
He is an expert in business and process analysis with strong communication, problem-solving, analytical and negotiation skills with experience covering multiple industries and countries across West Africa.
He is the current serving patron for the current NPP executive committee for the Ledzokuku Constituency since 2006.
He was one of the huge contributors of funds and resources to the current MP for his campaign during the primaries and the main elections in 2016.
He has worked hand in hand with constituency executives on financial and matters of interest concerning members of the party and the constituency.
He served as an advisor to the Regional Youth Campaign team for the 2016 elections.
He is member of the Staunch Queens, Bold Patriots Accra Chapter and a patron of Teshie Youth for Change.
He was the Vice President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) for the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) from 2005-2006.
Source:Â dailyguidenetwork.com
The Auditor-General has hinted of plans to disallow and surcharge underserving GETfund scholarship beneficiaries.
A performance audit report of the Auditor-General on the administration of scholarships by GETFund from 2012 to 2018 revealed that some politicians, lecturers and media personalities benefitted from the scheme, a policy meant for needy but brilliant students.
The Education Minister, Mathew Opoku Prempeh is listed as studying National and International Security at Harvard University, receiving $12,800 for living expenses and $11,200 as tuition fees.
Procurement Minister Sarah Adwoa Safo is also listed studying at the Harvard Kennedy School enjoying $12,800 in allowances with $17,004 in tuition fees.
Dr. Armah is studying Philosophy in Education at the University of Aberdeen, which comes with a benefit of £38,400 for living expenses in addition to £33,000 for tuition fees.
In the report, Auditor-General said they may disallow and surcharged the individuals involved.
“The Auditor-General in accordance with article 187(7)(b) will serve the GETFund with a notice of the intention to disallow items of expenditure (the granting of scholarships) contrary to Section (2)(b) of of the GETFund Act, 2000 (Act 581) and may proceed to surcharge.”
Source:Â primenewsghana.com
The Kasoa Central District Police Command has arrested a man from Niger who allegedly attempted to register for a Ghana card.
The incident occurred at Adam Nana near Kasoa in the Central Region where the suspect, Abdulai Hakuy, 43, was arrested with a Ghana voter identity card undergoing processes to register for a Ghana card.
During a search, the police also found a Niger national ID card on him.
The District Police Commander, Superintendent Samuel Odame, confirmed the incident, adding that it happened on February 20, 2020.
He said the suspect went to the registration centre with another person identified as Nurudeen Mohammed, who also claimed to be a Ghanaian, to guarantee for him but the officials suspected he was a foreigner.
The policeman said to convince the registration officer that he was a Ghanaian, the suspect brought out his Ghana voters ID card but the officer was still not convinced and called in the police.
He said the two suspects, sensing danger, took to their heels but Hakuy was arrested in the process and handed over to the police.
He said when the police further interrogated him, he admitted he was not a Ghanaian but a Nigerien from Niamey.
“A search conducted on him revealed a Nigerien National Identification Card bearing his name and a Ghanaian Voter ID Card which the suspect claimed he had it done for him at a polling station at Kasoa Zongo Electoral Area during the recent limited registration exercise,†he added.
He said the suspect would soon be put before court after investigations into the matter are over.
Source: dailyguidenetwork.com
There may be labour unrest in the health sector soon as Medical Doctors and Dentists have served notice that they will embark on strike if the government fails to implement their signed Conditions of Service immediately.
A Ghana Medical Association (GMA) internal memo sighted by Citi News directed all members to withdraw all services in all facilities if the government fails to meet their demands by January 29, 2020.
The internal memo, dated February 21, 2020, and jointly signed by President of GMA, Dr. Frank Ankobea and General Secretary, Dr. Justice Yankson said that although the implementation date for the signed Conditions of Service document was 1st January 2020 as agreed by all parties, government had failed to meet the deadline.
“The Association has accordingly given the government up to Saturday, 29th February 2020 to ensure full implementation (including payment of all occasioned arrears) of the CoS document at both the National and facility levels. If any default on the part of Government occurs Vis-à -vis the stated deadline, there shall be immediate withdrawal of all services by members in all facilities,†the internal memo warned.
The National Executive Committee of the Medical Association said it also observed that during the validation of February salaries, there was the absence of fuel allowance on the payslips of members; and urged members to put all discrepancies on notice for rectification.
In separate letters addressed to the Ministers for Health, and Employment and Labour Relations, the Association expressed grave concern over the development.
Both letters said the Conditions of Service document implementation has not taken place both at the National and facility levels despite numerous calls on Government to do so.
The Medical Association thus requested for the immediate facilitation of the Ministers to forestall an industrial action.
The Ghana Medical Association in July 2015 embarked on a 3-week strike over the absence of a codified condition of service.
They were demanding a signed document detailing a number of entitlements to be given to them as part of their conditions of service.
Part of their demands included 40% of basic salaries as accommodation allowance per month, 20 percent as core duty facilitation allowance, 30% clothing allowance, 20% maintenance allowance, 20% utility allowance, 50% as professional allowance and 25% special risk allowance and vehicle tax exemption to doctors.
They called off the strike to return to the negotiation table after several appeals from many Ghanaians including members of the clergy.
The Conditions of Service was finally signed between the association and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission in November 2019.
Source: citinewsroomÂ
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened up on how the December 7 general elections will look like by likening it to remarkable victory Tyson Fury recorded against Deontay Wilder in the heavyweight division last Saturday.
Mr. Antwi-Boasiako noted that whilst President Akufo-Addo is ensuring that production in the economy is picking up and inflation is dropping, Mr. Mahama and his team look confused and have no message to sell to the voter.
According to Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako the success of President Akufo-Addo in managing Ghana’s economy makes him battle ready against the former President Mahama who is only remembered by electorates as someone who flourished acts of corruption under his tenure.
“It is going to be like the heavyweight match between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. Mahama would be beaten mercilessly by President Akufo-Addo. Just like Wilder believed in his right hand as his main weapon, Mahama believes in lies but Akufo-Addo will deal ruthlessly with him just like it was done to Wilder”, Chairman Wontumi said.
He continued that “Mahama will concede defeat even before the entire votes are counted. President Akufo-Addo doesn’t have any weapon to lean on, his only weapon is better performance and allowing God to lead him in serving Ghana”.
Britain’s Tyson Fury delivered a dominant performance in his heavyweight championship bout with Deontay Wilder on Saturday, overwhelming his opponent to earn a seventh-round TKO victory in Las Vegas.
Source:Â peacefmonline.com
Is Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim going through another heartbreak or she is just dishing out a piece of advise.
Juliet Ibrahim has once again made a two sided post on social media which is getting people confused.
Her post comes as an advise in one phase and the other as if she is going through another heartbreak.
According to her post, ladies should be careful with the female best friends and business partners of their boyfriends/husbands.
To her there could be more to the relationship that exist between these people than what they show.
Could it be that our fine actress is currently going through such or has once been through that.
What ever triggered such a post, we hope it is for the best and not the other way round.
See post below;
Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com
On February 24, 1996, the then president of the Ghana Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown in a coup led by Colonel E.K. Kotoka, Major A.A. Afrifa, Lieutenant General (retired) J.A. Ankra, and Police Inspector General J.W.K. Harlley.
According to Ghananmuseum.com, the CIA-backed coup in Ghana was carried out at the dawn of February 24, 1966, while Nkrumah was still on a peace mission in Asia.
Interestingly, one of the strong members of the group that took down the presidency of Kwame Nkrumah was Lt-Gen. Akwasi Afrifa who was once awarded by the president at Adisadel College.
In a photo sighted by YEN.com.gh, Afrifa was only 19 years old when he was being congratulated for academic brilliance by Kwame Nkrumah at Adisadel.
Nobody would have thought that 11 years later, this boy would be part of the tyrant group that would overthrow the government of Nkrumah. In the historic picture, Afrifa was spotted shaking hands with Nkrumah while both of them were beautifully adorned in Ghana’s beloved cloth, Kente.
Source:Â yen.com.gh
Anti-graft campaigner, Vitus Azeem, says public officials who used their positions to obtain GETfund scholarships in the past should be made to pay back the sponsorship fees to the state.
According to him, even though they could not be blamed for securing the scholarships, they should, out of good conscience, payback since they were not needy students as stipulated by the Act of the scholarship scheme.
“These are very unfortunate for a country that goes out there in search of loans. We need a more serious in-depth investigation into this matter”.
“The people who gave out these scholarships should be punished or made to face the law, and those public officials who received it, even though they cannot be blamed, they should pay back the monies to the state,†he told Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Monday.
It has emerged that some MPs and government officials were given scholarships from the GETfund scholarship secretariat to embark on courses abroad.
The mandate of the GETFund is to grant scholarships to brilliant but needy Ghanaians.
The list including some members of parliament and deputy ministers are contained in the audited report of the auditor general on the Getfund scholarship secretariat.
The Dome MP and procurement minister Adwoa Safo applied and obtained $12,800 in allowances with $17,004 in tuition fees to study at the Harvard Kennedy school.
The Executive Secretary of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), Prince Hamidu Armah also received £38,400 for living expense in addition to £33,000 for tuition fees, While Education minister Mathew Opoku Prempeh, who listed at number 38, is receiving $12,800 for living expenses and $11,200 as tuition fees at security course at Harvard University.
The Education Minister and the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment have explained they secured the scholarship before coming into public office.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has stated the scholarships were not given under the tenure of the current administration.
Source: starfm.com.gh
Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area in the Upper East Region of Ghana, Tongraan Kulgbilsung Nalebegtang, has added his voice to the Pwalugu Multi-purpose dam debate, calling on the NDC Minority to tread cautiously and also consider the interest of the country and people living in the north.
Tongraan Kulgbilsung Nalebegtang, who is a member of the Council of State representing the Upper East Region, is hopeful that the construction of the dam would to some extent address the perennial flooding, destruction of farmlands and the flood-related deaths.
For him, the Pwalugu dam is a single project that will facilitate a significant transformation in the beneficiary communities and regions and commended government to committing itself to ensure that the very important project is done.
“In recent times, we have heard of some Members of Parliament expressing concerns about the project. I am appealing to them to tread cautiously so as not to cause the stalling of the project for the second time, since it stands to benefit farmers in both the Upper East Region and the North East Regions, as well as generate electricity into the national grid for the benefit of the entire nation,†the chief said during Tengmaalug Laong Festival at Tongo in the Upper East Region.
He said “the dam has three components: hydro-electric, solar and irrigation. We must all, therefore, keep that in mind our pronouncement about the cost of the project… no two dams of equal outputs situated at different places will cost the same, because the topography of the sites play a major role in the total cost.â€
The prominent chief commended the government for the many developmental projects the Talensi District is benefiting from in the area of education, health and human resource capacity building.
In recent times, there have been suggestions that the airport in the Upper East should be relocated to Navrongo, others want more studies done on the Sirigu site to host the airport while another group insists that the current proposed site at Sumbrungu should be maintained.
But in all these, Tongraan Kulgbilsung Nalebegtang believes that having the airport in a community under regional capital Bolgatanga will be ideal, just as other regions have their airports in their regional capital.
The festival ushers the people of the Talensi Traditional Area into the planting/farming season.
It is marked by a durbar of chiefs and Tindanas (traditional landlords), queen mothers and son and daughters of the area.
The durbar was graced by some members of the Council of State, board members of the Tema Oil Refinery Board, the Upper East Regional Minister, the Talensi DCE and members of political parties, as well as the leadership of Fulanis in Ghana.
Source: dailyguidenetwork.com
A teacher at Crystal Heights International School in Nsawam, Eastern Region, on Friday, 21 February 2020, beat a 4-year-old kindergarten pupil with a mob stick until the little boy collapsed.
The teacher got enraged after the little boy vomited while feeding.
She ordered the child to clean the vomit and while at it, hit the KG1 pupil with a mob stick until the little boy fell unconscious.
The victim was rushed to the hospital where he was resuscitated after eight infusions.
The parents of the child have reported the matter to the Nsawam Police Station and are seeking justice.
Speaking to Benjamin Akakpo on the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class91.3FM on Monday, 24 February 2020, the father of the victim advised parents to listen to complaints from their children when they return from school.
The school authorities told producers of the EBS that they are aware of the incident and are currently doing their independent investigation so cannot speak on the matter immediately.
Source: classfmonline.com
The Assin Fosu Market Women who lost their properties in a fire outbreak at Assin main market last December have expressed their disappointment in the Assin Fosu branch of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).
They said the Organization had neglected them after it had inspected and recorded their lost properties in the inferno.
Madam Patience Nyarko, a fashion designer and a victim of the fire sharing her disappointment, said all her sewing machines together with that of her apprentice and people’s clothes got burnt.
She said the Municipal Assembly together with the NADMO came to take inventory of the disaster, but since then nothing has been heard or received from them.
“We have been at home ever since because there has been no help whatsoeverâ€.
She, therefore, pleaded with the Municipal Assembly and the government to come to their aid for them to restart life again.
The victim made this disclosure after Ghana Cooperative Fashion Designers and Beauticians Association donated an undisclosed amount of money and one sewing machine to her (Ms. Nyarko) at Assin Fosu.
All the other victims expressed similar sentiments and called for support from the central government to enable them to make a living.
Mr. John Essuman, the Central Regional President of the Association on behalf of the Association, encouraged the fire victims not to lose hope, but rather start life again because they could bounce back through hard work.
Source:Â GNA
A Justice of the appeals court, Justice Tanko Amadu, has lost his father.
Alhaji Amadu Omoro a resident of Dodowa passed away yesterday at age 105. The deceased was one of the few surviving if not the only veteran of the Gold Coast Constabulary, the colonial military force which saw many actions especially in Ashanti.
The indefatigable Alhaji Amadu Omoro did not rest even after his discharge from the Gold Coast Constabulary, as he proceeded to join the post-independence local government administration.
Upon his retirement from public service, the old man served his people as Chief Imam of the Shai Osudoku District.
With his vast experience about the benefits of education, he invested in the education of his children.
He was a disciplined gentleman whose military background and strict adherence to Islamic values impacted upon the upbringing of his children. He touched many hearts in his lifetime. His interment yesterday at Dodowa attracted many sympathizers from surrounding areas and Accra.
Source:Â dailyguidenetwork.com
Customers of the collapsed Microfinance and Savings and Loans firms are to begin receiving monies through CBG today.
According to a statment by the bank, customers whose investment go beyond the agreed threshold will have them converted into bonds.
It comes after President Akufo-Addo gave the assurance during his last state of the nation address that the monies will be paid in full.
“I am informed that the Receiver of the Savings and Loans and the Microfinance institutions will on Monday 24th February [2020], begin making payments to their customers, [with] these monies totalling GH¢5 billion being in addition to the GH¢13 billion being paid to the customers of the failed banks.
“I will like to repeat that all depositors of the savings and loans and Microfinance institutions including DKM which collapsed in 2015, will receive a 100% of their deposits once the validation exercise is concluded,â€Â he announced.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
All post-graduates and undergraduates freshmen are by this release informed that the medical exercise is scheduled to continue this semester, beginning 17th February 2020 and will end on 30th April 2020.
Please take note of the following procedures to follow:
1. Laboratory investigation.
2. Physical examination and X-ray.
3. Students are to report to the Main University Hospital for a chest X-ray at a rate of GHc 50.00, as well as the Student Clinic (Central Cafeteria), for the laboratory investigation.
4. Reporting times 8 am to 2 pm.
5. Please note that students who will fail to turn up for the said examination within the stated period would pay a penalty of GHc 100.00 (One Hundred Ghana Cedis) for the additional cost that would be incurred outside the medical examination period.
Source: kuulpeeps.com
Source:Â kuulpeeps.com
Kenya’s government said that its citizens stranded in Wuhan city; the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak are safer staying where they are.
The announcement came amid demands for evacuation by the families of about 100 Kenyans stuck in the city, a majority of them students on Chinese scholarships.
Speaking Thursday, government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said none of the students had contracted the disease, but if they flew back home, they could put others at risk.
“We are a very wise government that looks at things in broad totality, not based on what others are doing but based on what we think is right for our children,” Oguna said. “These Kenyans are coming from different locations of Wuhan and they will be assembled in one central location. Through that movement, the potential of one of them getting infected cannot be ruled out. If one of them gets infected, the possibility of the other 100 getting infected cannot be ruled out.”
In an effort to keep the virus at bay, a majority of African governments have chosen not to evacuate their citizens.
Trade between China and Africa has raised fears of a coronavirus outbreak across the continent because of the volume of air traffic between some African countries and China.
Most African countries have increased surveillance in their various ports of entry to ensure that the virus does not sneak in. Some African airlines, including Kenya Airways, have canceled scheduled flights to China as a safety measure.
Kenya’s Director General of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, said everything is being done to ensure that Kenyans stuck in China — including a team of acrobats — are comfortable.
“However, the situation in China is getting better in terms of the numbers, and we will continue to provide that psycho-social support,” Amoth said.
“We have also gone ahead to give further support in terms of financials. Yesterday the ministry of foreign affairs released Kenya shillings 1 million, to be distributed to the 100 students plus acrobats in China for their upkeep. Further, the People’s Republic of China donated 5,000 US dollars’ worth of provisions, which the Kenyan embassy in Beijing is processing for onward transition to the students.”
Over 2,000 people infected with the virus have died, while more than 75,000 infections have been confirmed. Cases have been confirmed in at least 26 other countries, but none in sub-Saharan Africa.
Journalist Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr, has revealed that Minister of Education and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh was a beneficiary of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETfund) scholarship in 2014 when he was MP and had already served about six years as such.
Clarifying the issue on Facebook due to perceptions that he was a Minister while on the scholarship, Mr Baako explained that Dr Opoku Prempeh was granted the scholarship in 2014 for a 3-week program in Harvard University in the US and not when he became Minister.
The Minister himself in denying that he had been a beneficiary of the scholarship scheme was careful to say that he has never been a beneficiary “since assuming†office as Minister.
According to the audit report on the grant of GETfund Scholarships, Mr Opoku Prempeh spent some US $24, 000 at Harvard University training in a programme dubbed “Senior Executive in National and International Securityâ€.
Mr Opoku Prempeh became MP in 2008 and was appointed Minister of Education in 2017. He reportedly owns a security firm and there is a widely held notion that the training was meant to help him better run the firm since it was on security matters.
Source:Â mynewsgh.com
A 53-year-old man has been remanded in a custodial centre for allegedly stabbing a bartender to death.
The accused person, Dennis Azuonye, reportedly committed the offence on on January 22, at No. 17, Jogunosimi str., Alausa area of Ikeja.
The prosecution counsel, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, told a Chief Magistrate court in Yaba, Lagos, on Friday that Azuonye stabbed the victim following an argument over payment for a bottle of beer he took in the bar.
She said that during the fight, the defendant picked up a knife and stabbed the deceased.
Olaluwoye told the court that the deceased was taken to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead by a doctor.
The offence, she said, contravened the provisions of Section 222 and punishable under section 223 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. (Revised), which stipulates death sentence for anyone found guilty.
Chief Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere, ordered that Azuonye be kept in the Ikoyi Custodial centre, Lagos State, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Oghere adjourned the case until April 21.
Source: allafrica.new
The police in Anambra State have rescued a 10-year-old girl suspected to have been kidnapped from Akwa Ibom State and sold for N800,000.
Confirmig the incident, the spokesman of the police in the state, SP Haruna Mohammed said the girl was stolen from Akwa Ibom since 2018 and sold to a couple in Anambra at the rate of N800,000 before she was rescued by police detectives attached to 33 Division, Onitsha following intelligence report.
He said preliminary investigation revealed that the child’s original name was Favour Asuqwo before her “new parents”, the suspects who are now in police custody, named her Faith Ezeukwu after they allegedgly bought her from her captors, who are presently at large.
“In view of the foregoing, you are kindly requested to disseminate this message through your medium to enable biological parents or close relatives of the victim who can identify her (to make contact).
“Anyone with useful information about the rescued child should report at the 33 Police Station Onitsha or contact PPRO Anambra State Police Command headquarters Awka through GSM no 08060970639,” he said.
Source: allafrica.com
Popular songstress, Yemi Alade in a recent social media post has revealed that her mom once made a sacrifice she will never forget.
In her post, she indicated when she was in primary 6, her mother had to pay her school fees by selling her economy class ticket adding that those days are behind them now and today they fly business class.
Sharing a photo she took with her mother in London, she wrote;
“London is more than just a city to my family, it marks a time in our lives (20 years ago) when mum had to sell her economy class ticket to pay my primary 6 school fees. Today we fly business class! Next stop #amsterdam.â€
Source:Â www.ghgossip.com
A warrant of arrest has been issued for EFF leader Julius Malema for failing to appear in court on five charges related to him allegedly discharging a firearm at an Eastern Cape rally in 2018.
Malema and co-accused Adrian Snyman faced the charges for allegedly discharging a rifle during the EFF’s fifth-anniversary celebrations at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane in 2018.
The East London Magistrate’s Court issued the arrest warrant after Malema failed to appear on Monday, SABC News and JoziFM reported. The State was meant to hand over video evidence to the defence on Monday.
Malema responded to the news on Twitter by posting a cryptic tweet.
Source: bbc.com
Anti-graft campaigner, Vitus Azeem, says public officials who used their positions to obtain GETfund scholarships in the past should be made to pay back the sponsorship fees to the state.
According to him, even though they could not be blamed for securing the scholarships, they should, out of good conscience, payback since were not needy students as stipulated by the Act of the scholarship scheme.
“These are very unfortunate for a country that goes out there in search of loans. We need a more serious in-depth investigation into this matter.
†The people who gave out these scholarships should be punished or made to face the law, and those public officials who received it, even though they cannot be blamed, they should pay back the monies to the state,†he told Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Monday.
It has emerged that some MPs and government officials were given scholarships from the GETfund scholarship secretariat to embark on courses abroad.
The mandate of the GETFund is to grant scholarships to brilliant but needy Ghanaians.
The list including some members of parliament and deputy ministers are contained in the audited report of the auditor general on the Getfund scholarship secretariat.
The Dome MP and procurement minister Adwoa Safo applied and obtained $12,800 in allowances with $17,004 in tuition fees to study at the Harvard Kennedy school.
The Executive Secretary of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), Prince Hamidu Armah also received £38,400 for living expense in addition to £33,000 for tuition fees, While Education minister Mathew Opoku Prempeh, who listed at number 38, is receiving $12,800 for living expenses and $11,200 as tuition fees at security course at Harvard University.
The Education Minister and the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment have explained they secured the scholarship before coming into public office.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has stated the scholarships were not given under the tenure of the current administration.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
At least three Togolese opposition candidates in the presidential election have said the vote was marred by fraud.
Provisional results from the presidential election in Togo indicate that the incumbent, Faure Gnassingbé, will secure a fourth term in power.
The electoral commission cited provisional results as showing that Mr Gnassingbé had received 72% of the vote, compared with about 18% for the best-placed opposition candidate, Agbéyomé Kodjo.
Mr Kodjo had earlier said the vote was marred by fraud, and that he considered himself the winner.
Another candidate, Jean-Pierre Fabre conceded defeat through his campaign manager Patrick Lawson-Banku.
“The first trends of the voting results put the candidates of the MPDD [which Mr Kodjo leads] and UNIR [the ruling party] in the lead,” said Mr Lawson-Banku.
Source: bbc.com
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday said it killed some key leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) at Jubillaram and Alinwa in the northern part of Borno State.
This came as troops of the Operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara State killed 13 bandits and arrested eight others in Zamfara State.
NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said yesterday in Abuja that the Air Force Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole, under the auspices of Operation Rattle Snake III, struck the ISWAP leaders as they assembled for meetings, after intelligence reports.
The statement however, did not give the number of those killed, their names or ranks in the group, but it added: “The mission was executed on the heels of credible intelligence reports indicating that some key ISWAP leaders had assembled for meetings, which were being held simultaneously at two separate venues, at Jubillaram and Alinwa in Marte Local Government Area.
“Accordingly, the ATF scrambled its attack aircraft to engage both locations, damaging the meeting venues and neutralising the terrorists,” Daramola said. He said they were neutralised in operations conducted on Thursday.
Daramola said NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain its air campaign to shape the battlespace in the North East for the effective conduct of further ground and air operations.
According to him, Operation Rattle Snake III which commenced on February 4, was aimed at targeting selected locations within the North East in order to shape the battlespace for more effective onslaught against the insurgents.
The multinational joint task force (MNJTF) also recently announced that it killed a high ranking ISWAP commander named Khalifa Umar.
A statement from the Task Force said the influential commander of the terror group was “eliminated” during an airborne attack on one of the insurgents’ hideout on a Lake Chad community known as Tunbums Sabo.
The statement signed by Timothy Antigha, the spokesman of the MNJTF, indicated that Khalifa Umar was killed during an “ongoing offensive operations against ISWAP and other purveyors of violence and instability in the Lake Chad Basin.”
Although ISWAP’s main area of operations is further east in the Lake Chad area, the group has attacked a number of military locations in the Maiduguri-Biu-Damuturu triangle in recent months. In late July, ISIS claimed ISWAP fighters killed 25 Nigerian troops in Benisheikh and earlier that month claimed ISWAP fighters fought off a Nigerian military assault in the Damboa area.
In a related development, troops of the Operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara State killed 13 bandits and arrested eight others in Zamfara State, the Acting Force Information Officer, Captain Ayobami Oni-Orisan said in a statement yesterday.
Source: allafrica.new
The military at the weekend dismissed the threat issued against President Muhammadu Buhari by the leader of Boko Haram insurgents, Abubakar Shekau, not to visit the North-east.
Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, told THISDAY that Buhari was free to visit any part of the North-east at any time as troops are on the ground all the time in the region to ensure his safety along with that of other Nigerians.
This is as the president yesterday condemned the insurgents’ attacks on Garkida in Adamawa State at the weekend, and sympathised with the families of the victims.
The military also urged the international community to curb proliferation of arms and block the sources of funding for terrorists, saying that 75 per cent of illegal arms in Africa are in Nigeria, Congo, Central African Republic, Mali and Sudan.
Shekau, in a nine-minute video released last week, had mocked Buhari after his recent visit to Borno and warned him not to visit Maiduguri again or risked being attacked.
He also threatened the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Patami, for vowing to block the communication facilities of the insurgents.
Besides, he asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, whether he had become weary of leading the war against insurgency.
Buratai had in a letter to war commanders in the North-east at the weekend, congratulated them for their gallantry, stating that with their renewed vigour, the war would be won in a matter of days.
However, just about the time Buratai wrote the letter to the troops, the insurgents launched fresh attacks on Adamawa, burning police barracks, churches and the home of Buhari’s classmate, Major-General Paul Tarfa (rtd).
However, Nwachukwu described Shekau as a rat moving from one hole to another.
He said: “Our president is free to go to anywhere in the North-east whenever he feels like. Our troops are dominating the ground.
“I have told you the major terrorist strategy is hit and run; target women, soft targets and take off. That was why I called Shekau a rat. He is running about, hiding himself in holes. He does not have what it takes to confront the armed forces of Nigeria.”
He explained that Shekau and his terror group had become factionalised, depleted and defeated, adding that the armed forces cannot be cowed by terrorists’ ranting.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot be brought to their knees. That’s the truth. Boko Haram, having been defeated, I have told you why you must agree with me that Boko Haram has been depleted before they started fresh efforts to self-regenerate by embarking on recruitment drive.
“Between 2015, 2017 and 2018, Boko Haram was completely depleted; the leadership was in turmoil. That was why they were factionalised; that’s why Shekau lost grip on the group and that was why Albanawi took over.
“That’s why he was endorsed because Shekau couldn’t deliver. Why was Albanawi deposed? It is simply because, he couldn’t deliver. Why was Mamman Nuhu eliminated? He was eliminated because he was not delivering and as a matter of fact, he was even compromising.
“But the fact is that they could not meet the force of the armed forces of Nigeria,” he added.
Nwachukwu said the group’s ultimate ambition was to have a caliphate in Nigeria but the military frustrated the dream.
“Nigeria is not a ground for any terrorist caliphate. It’s not happening. That’s why we keep telling you that these guys are not holding any territory in Nigeria,” he stated.
The defence spokesman also gave an insight into the location of Shekau and his gang.
“Where they are is in the Lake Chad Basin where they have surrounded themselves with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and mines. What they do is hit and run.
“They hit soft targets to project themselves as being virile and potent. The strategy is to make themselves unreachable. We can conduct ground offensives to dislodge them and take over the place of course but what will be the outcome, there would be a lot of fatalities.
“They keep running in and out of the place, running across the border and running back. It is a hit-and-run kind of a thing. That was why I called Shekau a rat. He is running about, hiding himself in holes. He does not have what it takes to confront the armed forces of Nigeria,” he said.
He also queried the sources of funding for terrorists, saying that the international community must as a matter of urgency interrogate terror financing.
He stated that West Africa must not allow global terrorism to take root in the sub-region.
“There is a turn of events in the North-east. We must not allow it as a nation. For global terrorism to come and project itself, to have a grip on our land, we must never allow it.
“As a sub-region, we must not allow global terrorism to come and establish its roots here. It must never be allowed. The international community must address the issue of arms proliferation.
“How can we cope with the fact that three quarters of illegal arms are in Africa? They are in Mali, Sudan and Nigeria. They are in Central African Republic; they are in Congo.
“These are issues that should be interrogated. We are talking about funding. Who is funding global terrorism? Who are those behind it? I told you that the situation in the North-east has taken a new turn because of the efforts of ISIS to save the face of global terrorism by coming to establish a root in West African sub-region,” he said.
He called on the international community to pay urgent attention to the situation.
He added: “We need to look at these issues. When we look at the international level, efforts must be made to checkmate arms proliferation.
“We have made great efforts from the strategic perspective of our country, border closure, intensification of border monitoring and surveillance but what is the international community doing to prevent illegal acquisition, manufacturing and sales of weapons, light and small weapons and firearms?”
Buhari Condemns Attacks on Adamawa, Vows to Rout Boko Haram Soonest
Meanwhile, President Buhari at the weekend condemned Boko Haram attacks on Garkida in Adamawa State and sympathised with the families of the victims.
The president also vowed that “in the coming weeks, Nigerians would witness an aggressive campaign to rout Boko Haram once and for all.”
Buhari, who said the federal government would not abandon any part of Nigeria to their fate, also claimed that Boko Haram’s attacks on soft targets now are mere expressions of its frustrations.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, last night, said the president commended what he described as the gallantry of the members of the armed forces whom he said went after the insurgents and repelled the attacks.
The president also said the frequent attacks by the terrorists on innocent civilians in recent times were a mere ploy to portray themselves as strong and fool the public.
“These attacks on soft targets by the terrorists are obvious signs of frustration because my administration has significantly weakened Boko Haram’s military capability to invade and hold Nigerian territory unchallenged.
“Our gallant forces deserve our appreciation for repelling the attackers but they must go beyond this point. They have our full support to go after the terrorists and have them pay a huge price. I want to assure the country that terrorists will continue to face the combined power of our military until they give up their mistaken ways.
“These occasional and episodic attacks on poor civilians by the terrorists are mere propaganda efforts to portray them as strong in order to fool the public into believing that they haven’t been militarily weakened by our gallant troops,” he said.
The president argued that since the advent of his administration, Boko Haram’s plan to occupy Nigerian territories and hoist their flags had been frustrated.
He promised adequate funding for security and appealed to Nigerians to give required support to the military in its battles against insecurity.
“Security will continue to be well funded despite the competing needs of social services. I appeal to Nigerians to continue to support our troops in their gallant efforts to protect the citizens and secure the country,” Buhari added.
Source: allafrica.com
Bishop Daniel Obinim also known as Angel Obinim is a “Ghanaian pastor†known for self-proclaimed spiritual powers, magician and extreme Christian practices which have often sparked national outrage for infringement on rights of church members.
Many have accused him of being a bogus preacher, however, he remains a blessing to many other people who throng his meetings to receive their miracles and breakthroughs. Obinim is the Head Pastor of the International Godsway Ministries, â€
He once proclaimed himself as Angel. Obinim has intercourse with his female church members at the altar. He explained this weird act as a command from God.
He said it was a commandment from God that he must sleep with church members before performing a miracle.
In an interview with channel concerning how he performs his wonders, he emphasized that sleeping with his female congregation is the secret behind his own miracle.
Wetin Musa no go see for gate.
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Source:Â broadcastghana.com