TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • SONA 2020: Akufo-Addos full speech in infographics

    Parliament on Thursday morning, February 20 hosted the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was in the Chamber to discharge an important constitutional assignment to update Ghanaians on the state of affairs in the country.

    Dubbed the State of the Nation Address (SOTN), which is a constitutional obligation that gives the president the platform to recount salient happenings in different segments of society to the citizenry.

    Among some key topics addressed by the president were the outbreak of the Coronavirus in China, the banking sector clean-up, the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), digitization of the economy among others.

    Below are some quotes gathered in infographics by GhanaWeb.com

     

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Germany shooting: Nine dead after two attacks on Hanau shisha bars

    A gunman opened fire on two shisha bars in the western German city of Hanau, killing at least eight people and injuring several others, police say.

    In both places targeted on Wednesday night the clientele were reported to have been predominantly Kurdish.

    The suspect was found dead at his home along with the body of his mother.

    Federal prosecutors are treating the attack as terrorism, with officials saying there is evidence the gunman was a far-right extremist.

    Police say the suspect killed himself. The Bild tabloid reports he was a German citizen with a firearms licence, and that ammunition and gun magazines were found in his car.

    According to Bild, he expressed far-right views in a letter of confession and a video but this has not been confirmed officially.

    What do we know about the shootings?

    The shootings took place around 22:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Wednesday, and the first target was the Midnight shisha bar in the city centre of Hanau. Witnesses reported hearing about a dozen gunshots, and at least three people were killed.

    The suspect then reportedly fled in a dark car to the Kesselstadt neighbourhood and opened fire at the Arena Bar & Cafe, where at least five people were killed.

    Shisha bars are places where people gather to smoke a pipe known as shisha or hookah. Traditionally found in Middle Eastern and Asian countries they are also popular in many other parts of the world.

    Police at the scene
    The suspect was found dead at his home

    The shootings sparked a seven-hour manhunt, while officers searched for what they thought could have been more than one attacker. They found the suspect and the second body in an apartment near the scene of the second shooting.

    Hanau, in Hesse state, is a city of 100,000 residents about 25km (15 miles) east of Frankfurt.

    Hesse Interior Minister Peter Beuth said the case was being treated as a terrorist attack, with the first indications pointing to an anti-foreigner motive.

    Can-Luca Frisenna, who works at a kiosk at the scene of one of the shootings, said his father and brother had been in the area when the attack took place.

    “It’s like being in a film, it’s like a bad joke, that someone is playing a joke on us,” he told Reuters news agency. “I can’t grasp yet everything that has happened. My colleagues, all my colleagues, they are like my family – they can’t understand it either.”

    What has the reaction been?

    Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky told Bild it had been a “terrible night”, adding: “You could not imagine a worse night. It will of course keep us busy for a long, long time and remain a sad memory. I’m deeply moved.”

    Katja Leikert, who represents Hanau in the German parliament, the Bundestag, said: “Hopefully the injured recover swiftly. It is a horrific scenario for us all.”

    On Twitter, Germany’s government spokesman Steffen Seibert said: “My thoughts are with the people in Hanau this morning, where an appalling crime was committed.”

    This attack comes four days after another shooting in Berlin, near a Turkish comedy show at the Tempodrom concert venue, which killed one person.

    Gun laws in Germany are among the most stringent in the world, and were tightened further in recent years after other mass shootings.

    Source: BBC

  • Germany shooting: ‘Far-right extremist’ carried out shisha bars attacks

    A suspected far-right extremist carried out the attacks on two shisha bars in western Germany, killing at least nine people, officials say.

    Chancellor Angela Merkel said there were many signs the attacker in the city of Hanau had acted out of racism.

    Federal prosecutors are treating the case as terrorism. Some of those killed were believed to be of Turkish origin.

    The 43-year-old suspect killed himself, police say. He was found dead at his home along with the body of his mother.

    Local media have identified the suspect as Tobias R, a German citizen. The Bild tabloid reports he had a firearms licence, and that ammunition and gun magazines were found in his car.

    Authorities are examining a video that appears to be from the suspect, posted online days before the attacks, in which he expresses right-wing conspiracy theories. Bild said he had also left a letter of confession.

    The attack comes amid growing concerns about far-right violence in Germany. Speaking in Berlin, Mrs Merkel said: “Racism is a poison. Hate is a poison and this poison exists in our society and is already to blame for many crimes.”

    What do we know about the attacks?

    The shootings took place around 22:00 (21:00 GMT) on Wednesday, and the first target was the Midnight shisha bar in the city centre of Hanau. Witnesses reported hearing about a dozen gunshots.

    The suspect then reportedly travelled in a dark car to the Kesselstadt neighbourhood and opened fire at the Arena Bar & Cafe.

    Shisha bars are places where people gather to smoke a pipe known as shisha or hookah. Traditionally found in Middle Eastern and Asian countries they are also popular in many other parts of the world.

    Some of those killed were of Turkish origin, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted. Calling for a full German investigation, he said: “Racism is a collective cancer.”

    Location of the attacks
    The shootings sparked a seven-hour manhunt, while officers searched for what they thought could have been more than one attacker. Police identified the gunman through information from witnesses and surveillance cameras.

    Early on Thursday, they stormed the suspect’s home, near the scene of the second shooting, where he was found dead near his 72-year-old mother.

    Can-Luca Frisenna, whose father and brother run one of the two bars attacked, told Reuters news agency: “I heard my father was affected and my little brother… I saw them both – they were horrified and they were crying and everything. So everyone was shocked.”

    Hanau, in Hesse state, is a city of 100,000 residents about 25km (15 miles) east of Frankfurt.

     

    Hesse Interior Minister Peter Beuth said authorities were also examining a website attributed to the suspect. “What we know so far is that there is definitely a xenophobic motive. Whether there are claims of responsibility or documents, that’s still being investigated,” he said.

    Mrs Merkel also vowed to do everything possible to clarify the background to the attack, saying: “There are many indications at the moment that the perpetrator acted on right-wing extremist, racist motives, out of hatred towards people of other origins, religion or appearance.”

    Gun laws in Germany are among the most stringent in the world, and were tightened further in recent years after other mass shootings.

    Recent far-right attacks in Germany

    • July 2016: An 18-year-old shoots dead nine people at a shopping mall in Munich before killing himself. Bavarian authorities later classify the attack as “politically motivated”, saying the teen had “radical right-wing and racist views.

    What has the reaction been?

    Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky told Bild it had been a “terrible night”, adding: “You could not imagine a worse night. It will of course keep us busy for a long, long time and remain a sad memory. I’m deeply moved.”

    Katja Leikert, who represents Hanau in the German parliament, the Bundestag, said: “Hopefully the injured recover swiftly. It is a horrific scenario for us all.”

    In other reactions:

    • German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer: “The background must now be clarified further. Violence from right-wing extremists must not let us rest, we must stand against it”
    • Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President and former German government minister: “I am deeply shocked by the tragedy that took place… in Hanau”
    • French President Emmanuel Macron: “Immense sadness and my full support for Germany in the face of this tragic attack… I stand with Chancellor Merkel in this fight for our values and the protection of our democracies”

    Source: BBC

  • KiDi strikes “enjoyment” pose in new photo looking all sweet Check out Photo

    The gyal dem Sugar, KiDi has just released another sweet photo of himself with an “Enjoyment” pose.

    The “Odo” hit maker once again strikes the internet with his pose in the pool, which is being admired by fans and followers.

    KiDi posted this lovely pic on his Instagram page and captioned it, ” What could I be possibly thinking about ? #Enjoyment “.

    Watch photo below;

     

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    What could I be possibly thinking about ? #Enjoyment

    A post shared by KiDi (@kidimusic) on

    Source: Ghgossip.com

  • Chocolate danger: Ghana’s cocoa output hit hard by dry, hot winds

    Overly dry and hot winds in West Africa are damaging prospects for cocoa output for the second year in Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer, sources told Reuters News Agency.

    Cocoa futures on Intercontinental Exchange are near their highest in three years, driven in part by the adverse weather, which has also damaged the crop in neighbouring Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer.

    Four local traders and exporters, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said they see the 2019-2020 Ghanaian crop at 790,000 to 820,000 tonnes, a shortfall that if realised could help drive global prices higher. It is well short of the 875,000 tonnes forecast in a Reuters poll in late January.

    A source at Ghanaian cocoa regulator, Ghana Cocoa Board (or Cocobod), said the weather is a big concern. “It has not been raining for more than four months and the heat is so strong there are very few flowers, cherelles [young cocoa pods] and pods in the fields,” said an Accra-based exporter.

    Between 2018 and 2019, Ghanaian cocoa output totalled 815,000 tonnes, according to the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), far below the international body’s initial projection of 900,000 tonnes issued in February 2019. The ICCO is expected to publish its first projections for 2019-2020 crops later this month.

    “People have been reducing their numbers but not by 50,000 tonnes. Arrivals so far have been quite good and at this stage, [there’s only] the mid crop and tail-end of the main crop [left],” an analyst at a large chocolate maker said.

    Cocoa arrivals at Ghanaian ports stood at 596,000 tonnes from October 1 – the start of the season – until January 16, up from 591,000 tonnes the same period of the previous season, official figures show.
    But local exporters remain concerned.

    The director of a European company based in Accra said production will disappoint as the recent dry spell has reduced the crop. “We [have been] forced to lower our predictions,” he said.

    Ghana and Ivory Coast produce more than 60 percent of the world’s cocoa. Both countries’ output has been hit by the weather, but the situation in Ivory Coast is more severe as farmers and middlemen there have been hoarding in anticipation of higher prices next season, a Europe-based trader said.

    Ivory Coast and Ghana have introduced a $400-a-tonne living income differential or premium for their 2020-2021 cocoa sales in a bid to guarantee higher prices for farmers and combat pervasive poverty.

    It is difficult to hoard in Ghana as the market is so tightly controlled by the government, the Europe-based trader said.

    Source: REUTERS NEWS AGENCY

  • Togo election: Main observer group barred from monitoring

    Togo’s national election commission has revoked a main independent observer group’s accreditation to monitor the country’s presidential election, just days before the vote is due to take place.

    Long-standing President Faure Gnassingbe is widely expected to win Saturday’s election, extending his family’s decades-long rule after seeing off a wave of anti-government protests in 2017 and 2018.

    In a letter dated February 17, the commission said it had cancelled the accreditation of the National Consultation of Civil Society of Togo to field their 500 observers nationwide, accusing it of “preparing to carry out interference” in the vote.

    The move came after authorities previously blocked Catholic Church monitors from observing the election, which government critics allege will not be free and fair.

    As the electoral campaign is under way, Togolese have to decide whether to grant a fourth term for Gnassingbe. The incumbent 53-year-old leader took office in 2005 after the death of his father Eyadema Gnassingbe, who led the country for 38 years after seizing power in a coup in 1967.

    A series of major protests swept the country of some eight million people in 2017 and 2018 demanding that Gnassingbe leaves power. However, demonstrations were choked by a fierce government crackdown and splits among the opposition, with Gnassingbe’s grip now appearing as solid as ever.

    The president pushed through constitutional changes in May allowing him to stand again this year, and potentially stay in office until 2030.

    The constitutional change caps the presidential mandate to two five-year terms, but does not take into account the three terms Gnassingbe has already served.

    “President Gnassingbe supporters believe that he provides the security and stability for the Togolese,” Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris, reporting from Togo’s capital, Lome, said.

    “But the opposition says it can only grow the economy and bring prosperity to Togo,” Idris said.

    While reviving the economy is a concern for many who live in rural areas where 60 percent of people lack access to electricity and clean water, some believe that reforms alone would not be enough to solve their problems.

    “There is widespread poverty among the population,” Togolese journalist Carlos Ketohou told Al Jazeera.

    “There is little or no economic empowerment for the poor. Some voters want a change of the current regime, to them it will mean economic freedom,” said Ketohou.

    According to the World Food Programme, about half of the population is affected by food insecurity, while almost 70 percent of rural households live below the poverty line.

    Meanwhile, Gnasssingbe has promised to create 500,000 jobs across the country by 2022 to ease the frustrations of the large number of unemployed youths in the country.

    But some doubted the upcoming ballot could create meaningful change.

    “I am not going to vote,” said student Laure Dzossou-Afanlete.

    “I can’t go and queue to cast my ballot for a change that never comes. When I know my vote will make a difference, maybe I will change my mind.”

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • NPP Primaries: Minister goes unopposed

    The Savannah Regional Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Salaga South Constituency , Salifu Adam Braimah, has filed his nomination to contest the seat for the second time.

    However, the Savannah Regional Minister is going unopposed as one Zakaria Ayawu who picked his nomination forms to contest the current MP decided to step down few days to the deadline for filing of nomination.

    Thousands of New Patriotic Party(NPP) supporters and constituency executives accompanied the member of parliament to file his nomination at the party office in Salaga.

    The NPP Salaga South constituency Secretary ,Abdulai Habib who received the nomination forms of the MP urged party supporters to stay united to enable the party retain the Salaga South constituency seat for the NPP come 2020 general election.

    The Member of Parliament for Salaga South Constituency , Salifu Adam Braimah, addressing journalists was hopeful that the massive developmental projects in the constituency will guarantee the NPP another chance to continue the good works they have started in the area.

    Mr. Braimah , called on Salaga south constituency party executives and supporters to support him during and after the general election to development the constituency for the betterment of the constituents and Ghana as a whole.

    The opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) have produced four members of parliaments and two from the NPP in the Salaga south constituency respectively.

    The NPP will on April 25,2020 hold primaries to elect its parliamentary candidates to present the party in the 2020 general elections.

     

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • We have four clean-sheets – Hearts coach fires back at critics

    Interim coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, Edward Nii Odoom has fired back at critics who describe his players as defensively poor despite a goalless draw against Karela United on Wednesday.

    The experienced trainer says critics must be constructive in their submissions about his team, confirming they have kept four clean sheets.

    “With the exception of the result against Bechem United that saw us giving two goals away we have managed to put together four clean sheets so far this season,” he said after the draw against Karela United. “People will say that we make mistakes but they are part of mistakes. What we will do is to correct them and that is our job.

    “I need to add that the same players people criticise are the same players who helped us keep those clean sheets.” The Phobians are on a run of five games without defeat, but have only won two and drawn three.

    Hearts are currently seventh on the Premier League table, five points adrift of leaders Ashantigold.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Govt launches Petroleum Product Marking Scheme to check stealing of subsidized fuel

    Government has expressed optimism that the diversion and stealing of subsidized fuel will be greatly reduced with the introduction of a new monitoring system known as the Petroleum Product Marking Scheme.

    The system uses a special marker to trace quantities of petroleum products at all operational depots in the country prior to distribution to the market.

    According to the National Petroleum Authority, NPA, the Petroleum Product Marking Scheme will have a marker that will help to distinguish the various types of petroleum products and expose dilution of products in the country.

    Demonstrating how the scheme works, the NPA explained that the marker works by testing samples of petroleum products at all retail outlets and bulk consumers across the country with proprietary analytical devices which detect additions.

    Speaking at the launch of the new system at the National Petroleum Authority, the Chief Of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare said government hopes to reduce losses in the petroleum industry by a significant margin to protect those who really need the subsidies.

    “It will interest you to know that the extent of violation in the petroleum industry translated into an estimated revenue loss and diverted subsidies in excess of 50 million cedis in 2013 alone” she said.

    She explained that the phenomenon continued to 2018 when government was losing billions of cedis.

    She urged the Oil Marketing Companies, OMCs, as well as the Bulk Oil Distributors to help the NPA to end the canker.

    A Deputy Minister for Energy, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, stated that since the Nana Addo government assumed power, it has worked at digitizing the operations of the NPA to reduce human interactions which lead to corruption.

    “For government, the best way to reduce these malpractices in the petroleum downstream sector is to digitize all activities to limit the human interactions”

    The Chief Executive of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Senyo Hosi, disclosed that already his outfit is undertaking a self-assessment exercise to help reduce or eliminate diversion in the petroleum industry which is worth billions of cedis.

     

    Source: citibusinessnews 

  • New cancer cases on the decrease in Mauritius

    New cancer cases are on the decrease in Mauritius. According to the National Cancer Registry Report 2018, released on the occasion of the World Cancer Day 2020, new cancer cases have decreased by 3.3% in 2018 as compared to 2017.

    The three most common types of cancer among females are breast cancer, colorectal and ovaries cancers while prostate, colorectal and lung cancers are more prevalent among males in Mauritius. There were 2380 new cancer cases, that is 959 among males and 1421 among females in 2018 in Mauritius, which represents a general decrease of 2.8 % of new cancer cases.

    The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Hon. Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, during the official launching of activities to mark World Cancer Day 2020 at L’Escalier Mediclinic, made an appeal to the population to go for free screening services available across the country. Dr Hon. K. K. S. Jagutpal pointed out that “early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment and reduces the risks of premature death”.

    “Cancer does not discriminate and can affect everyone regardless of social status, race, gender, and religion,” said the Minister of Health and Wellness, who urged all citizens to avail of the facilities provided by the Ministry for cancer screening. It was highlighted that many types of cancers common in Mauritius, including cancers of the cervix, breast and colon, can be cured when detected at an early stage.

    Dr Laurent Musango, World Health Organisation Representative in Mauritius, during his address, pointed out, “Cancer is a terrible scourge that results in immense tragedy, compounding physical problems and emotional distress for patients, their families, friends, acquaintances and colleagues”. He emphasized the importance of avoiding risk factors and lifestyles linked with cancers.

    “Eating a healthy diet, being physically active, keeping a healthy weight, as well as quitting smoking and alcohol remain the main recommendations to help reduce risk of some cancers”, said Dr Musango

    The WHO Representative in Mauritius recalled that globally, one in five people are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 75, and the incidence continues to rise as life expectancy increases and patterns of disease change. He said that the cancer burden in the African Region is projected to increase from over one million new cases in 2018 to over two million cases by 2040.

    Dr Musango emphasized that WHO is working with governments and partners to improve the availability of medicines and technologies, and to build capacities among health workers and communities to prevent cancer and care for patients.

    He congratulated the Government of Mauritius for its efforts in strengthening the National Cancer Prevention and Control Programme as part of efforts in achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals target 3.4 on reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases.

    “We need to accelerate action to prevent cancer and ensure people have access to early screening and people-centred care’, said Dr Musango who call on the Government of Mauritius to continue improving cancer services, building capacities, and strengthening surveillance systems to better understand cancer burdens and trends. An appeal was also made to all individuals and communities to support overcoming of the stigma that surrounds cancer. Family members and friends were encouraged to seek early screening, treatment and care.

    Various activities were offered by the Ministry of Health and Wellness namely breast and cervical cancer screenings, yoga demonstration, exhibition on healthy life style and healthy diet and medical check-ups to mark the World Cancer Day 2020 in Mauritius. In addition, sensitization campaigns on the theme ” I Am and I Will” are being broadcast on the national television while awareness sessions are held in the community at the level of Health Centres, Women Centres, Social Welfare Centres and schools. A pamphlet on ‘Mieux Comprendre Le Cancer’ was also distributed to the population.

    There has been a strengthening of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Programme in Mauritius which includes free cancer screening, vaccination programmes, in particular the HPV vaccine for young girls to prevent cervical cancer and intensive ongoing awareness campaigns across the Republic of Mauritius to educate the population.

    Mauritius is among few African countries that has the basic infrastructure and facilities for therapy of cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

    A new state-of-the-art specialised cancer care hospital equipped with upgraded modern equipment and evidenced-based specialized medical service will soon be operationalised in Vacoas to provide appropriate treatment to all cancer patients.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Kenyan woman held after disappearance of Belgian woman

    A woman in Nakuru has been charged in connection with the mysterious disappearance of Belgian national Dysseleer Mireille Lesoipa.

    Kiambu Chief Magistrate Patricia Gichohi on Wednesday granted orders allowing the police to continue holding Ms Lucy Waithera Njuguna, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Ms Lesoipa, for an additional eight days as investigations continue.

    The accused was arrested on February 1 at her residence in Milimani, Nakuru, with Ms Lesoipa’s ATM cards. The foreigner, who detectives suspect was murdered and her body dumped in an unknown place, lived in Nakuru Blankets Estate before her disappearance in early 2019.

    Mr Oliver Nabonwe, the lead detective in the case, told the court in a sworn affidavit that in March 2019 immediately after Ms Lesoipa’s disappearance, the suspect and her accomplices, who are still at large, leased the missing person’s residence to a company identified as Avipro East Africa and started collecting rent.

    They later gave Ms Lesoipa’s lawyer a death certificate alleging that she had died at MP Shah Hospital on July 14, 2019.

    “The said death certificate was used to file a succession cause No. 40/2019 at the Nakuru High Court in respect to the missing person’s estate where the respondent is one of the beneficiaries,” Mr Nabonwe says in his affidavit, in which he also revealed that the death certificate was a forgery.

    “The death certificate has since been confirmed to be unauthentic by the State Department of Civil Registration. MP Shah Hospital through its medical director has attested that the missing person was neither treated, nor passed on, at their facility,” says the detective.

    Ms Njuguna was also found in possession of Ms Lasoipa’s passport, with “immigration stamps indicating that (Ms Lesoipa) travelled to India on December 12, 2018 and returned on June 30, 2019.”

    Ms Njuguna explained she had visited Ms Lesoipa at Janaupuri Bhagat Hospital, where she had been admitted since December 2018, but detectives have disputed this theory, saying neither Ms Lesoipa nor Ms Njuguna travelled to India from Kenya.

    ” The respondent has been changing her assertions at one time alleging that (Ms Lesoipa) died in a hospital in India and was cremated at Kariokor. The crematoriums at Kariokor and Langata have no (such) records,” says the investigator.

    Mr Nabonwe told the court that releasing the accused on cash bail or a bond may jeopardise their investigations owing to the seriousness of the case and because the accused has been in contact with possible witnesses and other persons of interest.

    “Our investigations have revealed that the respondent is directly linked to the disappearance of the missing person believed to be dead and if released … will interfere with investigations,” he said.

    Ms Gichohi allowed police to detain the suspect at the Muthaiga Police Station for eight more days. The suspect has been in police custody for 11 days.

    The magistrate noted that the issue is complex and requires more time.

    Stressing that Ms Lesoipa has a constitutional right to life and liberty, Ms Gichohi said that the matter depicts a suspect who wishes to benefit from the violation of such rights.

    The magistrate also noted that the suspect is said to have presented false documents in an attempt to benefit from the victim’s property.

    She said there is no law that compels investigators to reveal the details of their investigations to suspects before investigations are completed.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Kenyan students in Wuhan, China to get upkeep – Govt

    The Kenyan government will disburse Ksh1.3 million ($13,000) for the upkeep of Kenyan students in Wuhan, the Chinese city that is the epicentre of the Covid-19 virus epidemic.

    In addition, Ksh500,000 ($5,000) worth of provisions from the Chinese government is also being processed.

    The move follows anxious appeals from Kenyans living in the country after a coronavirus lockdown left students confined to their residences and unable to procure groceries.

    State spokesman Cyrus Oguna says 100 Kenyans are currently living in the Chinese city, with 91 of these being students while nine are artistes.

    “We are aware there are two expectant Kenyans…they’ve been receiving medical services. They have necessary support and are in good health,” Col Rtd Oguna said in a briefing on Thursday.

    All transport, including trains, flights and public means have been halted by Chinese authorities to prevent spread of the viral disease.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • We cannot say we miss Annie Idibias semi-nude photos, because this is so much better to look at

    Annie Idibia all smiles in this new picture she shared with her Instagram fans. The mother of two indeed is a rare piece of art.

    Annie has been unapologetic when it comes to the way she dresses and nothing critics say have done much to dissuade her from changing her wardrope.

    Recently, she came under heavy criticism for revealing way too much skin in skimpy dresses she wore to events and all that she came close to saying was how comfortable she is in her skin.

    One thing admirable about Annie is her enviable relationship with her hubby 2face, her girls and how close she is with her 5 step kids. It is not every day that a wife understands and tolerates baby mamas so we commend Annie on that.

    In this photo, we see an up-close photo of Annie, wearing a subtle makeup and her signature smile of course— we cannot say we miss seeing her flesh because this is way too better.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    You Are RARE…👑 You Are MAGICAL 💫

    A post shared by Annie Idibia (@annieidibia1) on

    Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com

  • GPL Week 11: Ashantigold go top, Karela and Hearts share points

    The match-day 11 of the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League (GPL) produced some interesting results across various league centres.

    Ashantigold SC went top of the league after they defeated Dreams FC by a goal courtesy Abdulai Ibrahim, who struck late in the game.

    A last-gasp effort by Samuel Bioh was enough to secure three points for Aduana Stars as they edged Kotoko at the NAB I Park in a game, which produced some fascinating moments especially with both sides playing with 10 men for most parts of the first half.

    Karela United were held at home by resurgent Hearts of Oak while Elmina Sharks recorded a 1-0 victory against struggling Ebusua Dwarfs.

    Medeama SC delivered a superb away performance as they defeated Inter Allies 2-1 while Eleven Wonders and WAFA played a 1-1 draw at the Techiman Park.

    The match day 11 would continue on Thursday with Great Olympics, host Berekum Chelsea, Bechem United would face Liberty Professionals while King Faisal take on Legon Cities.

    Source: GNA

  • Fight against galamsey not lost – NPP

    The recent loss of the excavators in the country did not constitute the total failure of the fight against galamsey – the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated.

    Speaking at a press conference in Accra yesterday, Mr Yaw Buaben Asamoah, Director of Communications of the NPP, refuted the claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the NPP was not delivering on its mandate of eradicating galamsey in the country.

    He said the party had left the case of the excavators to the police to handle and was wholeheartedly supporting the police to find out where the excavators were and how they went missing.

    Mr Yaw Buaben Asamoah stated that despite the absence of the excavators, the NPP-led government had and was making significant strides in the fight against illegal mining through the policies and strategies implemented by the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Illegal Mining (IMCIM).

    “Through IMCIM, 4500 miners had been trained on good mining practices, a galamsey software application had been established to aid in the fight against galamsey, and 900 out of 1,300 small scale miners had been vetted and provided with QR codes to allow for easy monitoring and evaluation,” Mr Asamoah added.

    He stated that aside this, the committee had built the capacity of regulatory agencies and inculcated the use of technology to support mining activities and to monitor illegal mining activities.

    Mr Asamoah added that alternative livelihood programmes were instituted in 35 districts in 10 regions affected by illegal mining and 140 NaBCo graduates were trained in drone technology to monitor 70 districts to provide data on mining activities in the area.

    “We have also proceeded with the implementation of the Community Mining Programme (CMP) where 300 mining concessions had been demarcated throughout the country for this programme in areas like Birim North, Ashanti Akim, Mpohor, Adansi and Akrofuom districts,” he added.

    We had also built CHIPS compounds in those areas to ensure that the miners had access to healthcare, adding that, the decentralisation process had begun to reduce the application process for licenses and permits for small scale mining, the Communications Director stated.

    He further called on the NDC to provide concrete proof that the government was not effectively fighting galamsey and asked why the NDC was commenting heavily on galamsey and not on other issues like the Togoland issues, the creation of the new regions, the success of the Year of Return and the settlement of the arrears of the Oil Marketing Companies (OMC).

     

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Nigeria needs 100,000 more soldiers to crush Boko Haram – Borno Governor

    Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Wednesday said that Nigeria would require about 100,000 more soldiers to win the war against Boko Haram.

    He, however, suggested at least 50,000 of the recruits should come from Borno, irrespective of whether or not they have western education, to prosecute the ongoing war against terror.

    The governor urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the military to revisit the strategy used in 2016/2017 when Nigerians were almost celebrating the demise of Boko Haram so that the insurgents would be defeated once and for all.

    Zulum spoke yesterday in Maiduguri while playing host to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Defence led by its Chairman, Hon. Babajimi Benson.

    Also yesterday, the governor, in a broadcast, declared Monday a day for statewide fasting and prayers against Boko Haram insurgents.

    He said the war against insurgents could not be successfully won without manpower, technology and proper funding.

    He said: “Take my words, they (the military) don’t have the manpower; they don’t have the equipment. Kindly advise the speaker and the Senate president to tell Mr. President to approve the massive recruitment of soldiers. We need about 100,000 more to be recruited into the Nigerian Army. They should come and employ the locals whether they have western education or not.

    “We need to recruit nothing less than 50,000 men from Borno; we have able-bodied men that can join the Nigerian Armed Forces on an ad-hoc basis.”

    Zulum expressed doubt about Nigeria’s readiness to win the ongoing war against insurgency, saying that “you cannot fight this war without manpower, technology and proper funding.”

    The governor added that he will always admit the fact that the Buhari administration did so much to degrade Boko Haram when it came to power in 2015, but the situation has already degenerated with the renewed attacks on the state.

    He said: “I have always admitted that the federal government has done well under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari. At a time, about 20 local government areas were displaced but after May 29, 2015, almost all the roads were opened and the local government retrieved.

    “But notwithstanding the gains that we had, between March 2019 till date, we have experienced horrific and simultaneous attacks throughout the state. As I told the Theatre Commander, we are experiencing the attacks in quick geometrical ratio.

    “I therefore plead with Mr. President and as well as the Nigerian military to revisit the strategy used during 2016/2017 that we were almost celebrating the demise of Boko Haram so that we can deal with the insurgents once and for all.

    “One important thing that we have to do is to take the fight into their enclaves. The whereabouts of the Boko Haram is known to all of us. It is known to the people of Borno State; it is known to the military. It is known to all of us.

    “Another important thing that I raised is the issue of commercial activities. There is nexus between peace, security and development. There is nexus between poverty, unemployment and insecurity and in order to address causes of insurgency, we need to address our major challenges. And one thing I plead with the Nigerian military is to allow for free flow of commercial activities in Borno. This will reduce recruitment, fortunately enough the chief of army staff has lifted the ban on sales of fish and fish farming in Borno State, we have conveyed the message to the fish farmers.

    “Then coming down to the challenges of the Nigerian military, I think the theatre commander can inform you better, but to the best of my knowledge, their major deficiency is manpower. They lack manpower. Borno State has a large landmass and therefore they need manpower; they need technological warfare; they need logistics. You cannot fight this insurgency to an end without technology and without manpower and without funding, this is very germane.

    “Take my words, they don’t have manpower. They don’t have equipment.”

    According to the governor, military operation has to use stabilisation mechanism, which ensures stabilisation effort on ground during a military operation.

    He added that to ensure this, the military needs manpower to hold a place as “without manpower, you cannot hold a place; without people going about their normal activities, going to their farms peace cannot reign.

    “We have over 500,000 IDPs in Monguno, 120,000 IDPs in the Republic of Niger, we have 68,000 IDPs in the Republic of Cameroon that are eager to come back home and even in Dikwa how many IDPs do we have that have limited access to their farms. This issue will not stop until people have access to their farms.

    “And honestly speaking, we need to increase the firepower of the police to augment the military as well as the Civil Defence Corps because of their importance.”

    He noted that the paramilitary, police and others have to be allowed to carry sophisticated arms.

    “I think there is the need to allow for certain guns to be used by the paramilitary for certain period of time. After the insurgency is over, you can now go back to the old position,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, Zulum has declared Monday, a day of statewide fasting and prayers against Boko Haram insurgents.

    The governor, in a six-minute broadcast to the people of the state, however, said there would be no public holiday on Monday.

    The governor after enumerating ongoing collaboration with the military, including calls for mass recruitment, equipping and deployment of thousands of volunteers in the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes, said his call for prayers was strange but a necessary decision made based on popular wish of the people of the state.

    “Even though this decision is based on the popular demand of our people, some observers may rightly argue that it is a strange call. But then, Borno has been befallen with a strange evil since 2009; and sometimes, strange ailments require strange approaches.

    “As your governor, I hereby declare Monday the 24th of February 2020 as a day of devotion to pray for the return of peace in Borno. I intend to fast on that day and I appeal to every one of us in Borno, who can, to join in that simple, but pricelessly rewarding spiritual endeavour. I also appeal for the sacrifices of all other well-meaning friends and associates of Borno who can, to join us in fasting on Monday, insha’Allah, for the restoration of peace in Borno State and rest of Nigeria,” he explained.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • South Sudanese demand leaders ‘show us there is peace’

    From behind the razor-wire fence that she is too afraid to leave, under armed protection in her own land, Jenty John Musa hears that peace is apparently coming to South Sudan.

    “We just hear on the radio, ‘There is peace, there is peace.’ But we’re not sure,” she tells AFP in Wau, where thousands fled during the carnage of the civil war seeking UN protection.

    “Let them come to us, and show us that now there is peace.”

    After a string of failed truces and hollow promises, distrust runs deep in South Sudan as its warring leaders are once again pushed to end the ruinous conflict in their young country.

    International pressure is mounting on President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar, to honour a February 22 deadline to form a power-sharing government in Juba.

    The old rivals signed a ceasefire in September 2018, halting five years of bloodshed that left 380,000 of their countrymen dead and four million on the run.

    But they have since missed two deadlines to form a coalition, postponing again and again a major step towards a permanent truce.

    Both men have violated past agreements, and war-weary South Sudanese are uncertain this latest detente will hold.

    Their last two experiments with governing together degenerated into appalling violence. This time, they have pledged to unify their fighters under one army to protect all South Sudanese, but the force is far from ready.

    Round after round of talks have failed to chart a path towards unity. Violence, meanwhile, has surged in parts of the country nearly the size of France, undermining what little confidence exists that peace is near.

    Hopes of a breakthrough this week in the thorny issue of carving out states were stillborn, as negotiations deadlocked once again.

    – Deja vu –

    The haggling in Juba is painfully familiar to South Sudanese in Wau, who still bear the scars of past failed efforts at peacemaking.

    The northwestern city imploded in 2016, as the “unity” government born from an earlier truce between Kiir and Machar crumbled.

    Fighting rippled out from Juba and splintered along ethnic lines in Wau, as neighbours cut each other down in the streets.

    “What I saw, I cannot forget. It’s still dangerous out there,” said Jawahier Khelifa, a mother of four.

    She and thousands of others caught in the crossfire ran to a nearby UN base, banging on the gates and begging for help.

    Three years later, thousands are still camped outside in an overcrowded tent city, too terrified to venture beyond the safety of peacekeepers.

    They are not alone.

    Nearly 190,000 people live under UN protection in such camps across South Sudan, unwilling to leave despite assurances from Juba that peace is around the corner.

    Juleta Edward, 55, has watched her children grow up in overcrowded prison-like conditions in Wau — but at least they are safe.

    She has not stepped outside the camp since June 2016 — when she fled Wau after seeing relatives being killed — and is cynical about the latest declarations of peace.

    “Experience is the best teacher,” Sam Muhumure, head of the Wau field office for the UN Mission in South Sudan, told AFP. “That’s why they are carefully watching every step the political leaders take. There has been some good progress… but the scepticism is still there.”

    – ‘Serve your people’ –

    Security has improved in Wau since Kiir and Machar agreed 18 months ago to give peace another chance.

    The truce — though not universally honoured — has delivered South Sudan its longest lull in fighting since 2013, allowing a brief window for the shattered country to rebuild.

    Farmers have returned to their fields and traders to marketplaces, helping spur a ruined economy. Aid workers have greater access to the 7.5 million people in dire need, their burden less impeded by threats and conflict.

    But as political inertia drags on, the ceasefire is being sorely tested.

    This month, UN envoys reported that pro-government and opposition forces clashed in Maiwut, driving some 8,000 civilians over the border into Ethiopia.

    “The peace dividend, for the moment, it’s still quite thin,” James Reynolds, head of delegation for the ICRC in South Sudan, told AFP.

    Those clashing in the bush are supposed to be preparing for deployment as a united army. But basic training has not begun, hamstrung by a lack of cash and political will.

    Kiir says he is ready to form a government, but the international community has warned him against doing so without Machar.

    The stalemate has frustrated the country’s backers, particularly the US, which targeted top officials with sanctions in December and has warned against another delay.

    Others, including church leaders, have appealed for Kiir and Machar to think of their people, who have been slaughtered in droves and are subjected to unimaginable atrocities by their armies.

    In Wau, people want action, not words. “Many have died. We want our leaders to focus on the people, and deliver,” Edward said.

    Source: AFP

  • Keche supports Shades of Love Concert

    Versatile music group, Keche, has once again delivered a masterpiece live show at the Accra City Hotel, formerly Novotel over the weekend.

    The well attended concert was in support of colleague musician, Akwaboah Junior’s ‘Shades of love’ concert.

    As usual, the group, comprising Andrew Cudjoe and Joshua Ampah and endeared themselves to the cheering crowd who sang along and danced to their hit tracks.

    But it was their latest single – ‘Same Girl’, featuring Akwaboah that swept the many patrons who attended the show off their feet.

    Before ‘Same Girl’, the group had delivered ‘Odo me’ which literally means, he/she loves me with precision.

    Keche in a post concert interview said “We are here to support a brother, we think it is a campaign worth supporting, so we are here to lend a hand. Everything points to the fact that it has been successful. We salute our fans for the massive response.”

    The concert, put together by keyboardist and song writer Akwaboah Jnr., is an annual show held on Valentine’s Day in Accra and Kumasi.

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • How a Council of State member was stripped to his boxer shorts by EOCO

    The Economic and Organized Crime Commission (EOCO)Boss has revealed that contrary to the bravado of Ideal Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Council of State member, Nii Kotei Dzani that he was not arrested, he was actually arrested and stripped naked up to his boxer shorts in police custody.

    COP Frank Adu Poku  was speaking on Citi Eyewitness news Wednesday monitored by MyNewsGH.com.

    The CEO of defunct Ideal Finance Nii Kotei Dzani was on Wednesday arrested by the police for misappropriation of some funds in his care. He was arrested over the misappropriation of some millions of Ghana Cedis entrusted to him during the operation of his financial outfit.

    In a swift rebuttal by Groupe Ideal, media reports suggesting that Nii Kotei Dzani has been arrested and released on bail as a result of misappropriation of some funds in his care is “false.”

    It has however been disclosed that he was indeed arrested and processed including being stripped to his boxer shots as done to all arrested suspects.

    According to the EOCO Boss, Mr. Adu Poku, Nii Kotei Dzani was arrested.

    “He [Dzani] can decide to say it [deny the arrest] but we [EOCO] are saying that he was arrested, the records are there, there was a bail condition that was given, so if you are claiming that you were [not arrested, the records are there], he was taken to the police station [Ministries], he was virtually naked, and was just about being put into the cells.

    “Kotei Dzani went through the process where when suspects are arrested, their clothes are taken off, stripped virtually naked and asked to wear only boxer shorts and then thrown into cells … I was not there, but I believe whether boxer shorts or pants or whatever, [he was going to be thrown into the cells], of course, yes.” We decided to give him the benefit of the doubt so that the following morning, he will come and then legalise whatever”.

    Source:  MyNewsGH.com

  • Stolen 18th Century crown returns to Ethiopia

    The Ethiopian government has received an 18th Century crown that had been stolen then hidden in a flat in the Netherlands for 21 years.

    The crown is thought to be one of just 20 in existence. It has depictions of Jesus Christ, God and the Holy Spirit, as well as Jesus’ disciples, and was likely gifted to a church by the powerful warlord Welde Sellase hundreds of years ago.

    Ethiopian Sirak Asfaw, who lives in the Netherlands, discovered the crown in the suitcase of a visitor he was hosting.

    Upon realising that it was stolen he held onto it until 2018 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was elected to office. He then reached out to art historian Arthur Brand and Dutch police to help keep it safe until its return home to Ethiopia.

    On Thursday, Mr Abiy tweeted photos of him receiving the crown from a delegation that included Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag:

    Source: bbc.com

  • UK seeks closer ties with Nigeria after brexit

    The United Kingdom has expressed its readiness to deepen and strengthen relationship with traditional partners in the commonwealth after exit from European Union.

    The UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Catriona Liang, expressed the country’s desire when she paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje at the Government House, Kano.

    “I think we are in a very good period at the moment because with the new government in the UK under Prime Minister Boris Johnson we are in a journey of re establishing and strengthening relationship with traditional commonwealth partners in Africa particularly Nigeria.

    “Nigeria is always important to relationship in Africa, we put our money where we have our biggest mission, we have 500 people working for us, 300 in Abuja and 200 in Lagos and another 30 or so in places like Kano,” she said.

    According to her, the previous Prime minister visited Nigeria few years ago and that she has been given clear instructions to deepen and strengthen the relationship and partnership.

    Liang said that one of her major jobs was to follow up to the UK -Africa summit, with focus on commerce and economic side of it.

    Speaking on Kano, the high commissioner said that the country would focus on three broad areas; governance, human development and economic growth.

    She said that the UK would slightly shift the way it worked in the country, saying that it was going to develop the concept called “neutral accountability”.

    “We are commending the governor for his efforts in human development. This is very encouraging. It is noteworthy to understand that we are strengthening our ties with African states.”

    “We are also looking at agriculture, the main stay of your state economy. Ours is to always strengthen our ties. It is known that Kano state has a long standing relationship with our country,” she said.

    Ganduje solicited for stronger synergy between the state and United Kingdom, hinting that policies around the sectors were deeply entrenched to have great impact on human development.

    “In the area of education, we came up with this policy, which we know is a heavy-loaded policy statement, which needs all hands on deck.

    “We all believe that with the right education, these issues of insecurity and joblessness would come to pass.

    “We also understand that education is a right to each and every citizen.

    “That is why we have a Law in place that whoever fails to take his child or children to school is committing an offence,” he said.

    “The issue of the integration of Almajiri system into our conventional education system is another task that must be accomplished. That is why we are also taking this matter very seriously.

    “In the area of agriculture I am informing you that apart from making sure that we maximize our production, we are doing our best to also see that farmers get all the necessary support to do well in their farmlands,” he said.

    According to him, the support comes from good and people-oriented agric policies to provision of quality seeds, other implements among others.

    Ganduje urged United Kingdom to help hand in propelling and supporting the noble programme that would address the issue of out-of-school children with all seriousness and determination.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • PHOTO: Asamoah Gyan in Parliament for #SOTN 2020

    Ghanaian footballer and owner of Asa Band, Asamoah Gyan has been spotted in Parliament on the occasion of the presentation of the State of the Nation Address to be delivered by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

    The President is addressing Parliament and the nation on the current state of activities and projects as far us his administration is concerned.

    Most showbiz people are waiting to hear what he would say about the creative arts sector.

    Also spotted in Parliament are former Presidents, John Rawlings and John Mahama as well as former first ladies, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and Naadu Mills.

    Wife of late former Vice President, Amissah-Arthur is also present in the public gallery of the House.

    Image

    Source: ghananewspage.com

  • Kennedy and Tracys wedding is the best ever since Ghana got Independence and no one can ever match it Lilwin voices Out

    Ghanaian actor, Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, has admired the wedding of Kennedy Osei and Tracy.

    In a video sighted by zionfelix.net, the Kumawood actor said the most talked-about wedding is the best in Ghana since the country got independence.

    He believed no one can ever much the Kennedy and Tracy lavish wedding in Ghana.

    Lil Win stated that the display of wealth and beauty of the wedding has put pressure on young Ghanaian men and women who are yet to get married.

    The comic actor revealed he has postponed his wedding which was to place after the elections because of what he witnessed from the Kency wedding ceremony. Lilwin said he budgeted Gh30,000 for his wedding but he is putting it on hold and prepare well.

    He thanked the father of Kennedy Osei, Dr Osei Kwame Despite, Dr Ofori Sarpong, Fada Dickson and all those who made the ceremony a memorable one.

    Lil Win wished Kennedy and Tracy well in their marriage.

    Watch the video below.

    Source: Zionfelix.net

  • I will rate Ghana Premier League 10% out of the best leagues in the world – Dan Quaye

    Ex-Great Olympics defender Dan Quaye says he will rate the Ghana Premier League 10% out of the best leagues in the world.

    Quaye believes the standard of the league has dropped due to the lack of quality players available at the various clubs.

    “Ghana Premier League is way below best standards and personally, I will rate it 10% out of the best leagues in the world,” he told Ghanasports page 1.

    The former Hearts of Oak ace also stressed that Ashanti Gold SC stand as favourites to win the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League title

    “Kotoko or Hearts cannot be the league champions, Ashgold have a solid team and have played very matured and good football so far,” he added.

    “I also think that Liberty Professionals, Berekum Chelsea, Aduana and Wafa have remarkably strong squad to challenge Ashgol

    Source: footballghana.com

  • GPL Week 11: Preview of King Faisal vs Legon Cities

    King Faisal’s game against Legon Cities comes off today at the Len Clay Sports Stadium in this match day 11 fixture of the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League.

    The game was re-scheduled to Thursday by the Ghana FA Competitions Department due to the closure of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium which was the originally venue for the game.

    King Faisal are yet to record a win in their last four games in the league. They have lost three games and drawn one.

    The Kumasi-based team is languishing on the bottom of the league log with four points after match day 10.

    King Faisal must aim for a win to revive their campaign and begin the battle to survive relegation.

    Meanwhile Legon Cities, will have the advantage of playing King Faisal at the Len Clay Sports Stadium due to the change in venue for the game.

    Legon Cities have also gone two games without a win in the league and will be seeking to bounce back against King Faisal.

    The two teams will be battling for a win to improve their standings on the league log.

    Prediction:King Faisal 2-1 Legon Cities

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Policeman arrested over motorcycle taxi rider’s death

    A policeman has been arrested in connection with the killing of a motorcyclist taxi operator in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

    The as-yet unnamed officer is expected to appear in court later on Thursday.

    He is being treated as a suspect in the killing of Daniel Mburu, who had taken a child that had almost drowned for treatment at a local hospital.

    Mr Mburu was accosted by guards for riding his motorcycle to the emergency sector, and after a scuffle the police were called.

    It was during that commotion that he was fatally shot in the chest.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Chocolate danger: Ghana’s cocoa output hit hard by dry, hot winds

    Overly dry and hot winds in West Africa are damaging prospects for cocoa output for the second year in Ghana, the world’s second-largest producer, sources told Reuters News Agency.

    Cocoa futures on Intercontinental Exchange are near their highest in three years, driven in part by the adverse weather, which has also damaged the crop in neighbouring Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer.

    Four local traders and exporters, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said they see the 2019-2020 Ghanaian crop at 790,000 to 820,000 tonnes, a shortfall that if realised could help drive global prices higher. It is well short of the 875,000 tonnes forecast in a Reuters poll in late January.

    A source at Ghanaian cocoa regulator, Ghana Cocoa Board (or Cocobod), said the weather is a big concern. “It has not been raining for more than four months and the heat is so strong there are very few flowers, cherelles [young cocoa pods] and pods in the fields,” said an Accra-based exporter.

    Between 2018 and 2019, Ghanaian cocoa output totalled 815,000 tonnes, according to the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), far below the international body’s initial projection of 900,000 tonnes issued in February 2019. The ICCO is expected to publish its first projections for 2019-2020 crops later this month.

    “People have been reducing their numbers but not by 50,000 tonnes. Arrivals so far have been quite good and at this stage, [there’s only] the mid crop and tail-end of the main crop [left],” an analyst at a large chocolate maker said.

    Cocoa arrivals at Ghanaian ports stood at 596,000 tonnes from October 1 – the start of the season – until January 16, up from 591,000 tonnes the same period of the previous season, official figures show. But local exporters remain concerned.

    The director of a European company based in Accra said production will disappoint as the recent dry spell has reduced the crop. “We [have been] forced to lower our predictions,” he said.

    Ghana and Ivory Coast produce more than 60 percent of the world’s cocoa. Both countries’ output has been hit by the weather, but the situation in Ivory Coast is more severe as farmers and middlemen there have been hoarding in anticipation of higher prices next season, a Europe-based trader said.

    Ivory Coast and Ghana have introduced a $400-a-tonne living income differential or premium for their 2020-2021 cocoa sales in a bid to guarantee higher prices for farmers and combat pervasive poverty.

    It is difficult to hoard in Ghana as the market is so tightly controlled by the government, the Europe-based trader said.

     

    Source: reuters.com

  • We played with 10 men because Kotoko played with 10 men – Aduana Stars

    Ghana Premier League side Aduana Stars have revealed why they decided to start their match week home tie against Asante Kotoko with ten players instead of the usual eleven.

    The Dormaa based side decided the leave defender Farouk Adams from their starting eleven after Kotoko showed up on the pitch without midfielder Martin Antwi.

    The two players later joined the field of play for their respective teams and Aduana went on to win the tie 1-0 courtesy a late goal from Samuel Bio.

    After the game, an Aduana Stars player[name withheld] told Ghanaguardian why his team decided to play with ten men.

    “Kotoko came to the pitch with their number 20(Matin Antwi) and they said the player was no where to be found.

    “the referee waited for a while but the player did not turn up so we(Aduana Stars) also told one of our players(Farouk Adams) not to play”, the Aduana Stars player said.

    He continued that, “The Kotoko player came later but decided he is not going on the pitch until our player goes first.”

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Coronavirus: New research places Nigeria among high risk African countries

    A new research has revealed that Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa are at high risk of suffering from the deadly coronavirus, while Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, Angola, Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya will all need support to detect and handle imported cases of the epidemic.

    The Lancet medical journal, in a report released yesterday, said that the three African countries were at particular risk because of higher levels of travel and trade with China, where the COVID-19 virus first arose.

    Egypt’s health ministry announced last week the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in Africa – a foreigner whose nationality was not revealed.

    “African countries have recently strengthened their preparedness to manage importations of COVID-19 cases,” said the author of the study, Dr Vittoria Colizza, of France’s Sorbonne University.

    These include temperature screening at ports of entry, recommendations to avoid travel to China and improved health information provided to health professionals and the general public.

    However, she said “some countries remain ill-equipped” to deal with the threat and more needed to be done with surveillance and rapid identification of suspected cases, patient isolation and contact tracing.

    “While almost three-quarters of African countries have influenza pandemic preparedness plan, most are outdated and considered inadequate. Fortunately, Egypt, Algeria and South Africa have “the most prepared health systems in the continent”, the report said.

    The new findings are from a modelling study estimating the preparedness and vulnerability of African countries, as well as their likelihood of importing COVID-19 cases from China.

    Algeria, Ethiopia, South Africa and Nigeria were included in the 13 top priority countries identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO), based on their direct links and volume of travel to China.

    China is Africa’s leading commercial partner with high volumes of travel between the two locations.

    However, some African countries simply do not have the resources, including beds and quarantine premises, the study warned.

    “Crisis management plans should be ready in each African country, and involvement of the international community should catalyse such preparedness,” said Colizza.

    The death toll from the COVID-19 virus has risen above 2,000, almost all of them in mainland China where 74,185 cases of infection have been confirmed since it first emerged in late December.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Saddick Adams to get GFA communications job

    The Ghana football association according to unconfirmed reports is set to appoint Angel FM journalist, Saddick Adams popularly know as the SportsObama as the deputy communications director.

    The association’s acting communication director Taminu Issah turned in his resignation letter on Wednesday and that has compelled the FA to act with immediate effect hence appointing new communications director.

    The Former Atinka Fm journalist will be deputy to Henry Twum Asante who is set to be confirmed as the new Ghana FA communications director.

    The 2018 sports journalists of the year has been tipped by many sports lovers of the nation to do a great work should he be appointed as the deputy communications director of the FA.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak drop points in Premier League

    Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak were denied three points as Ashanti Gold registered a win to move top of the Ghana Premier League table in matchweek 11.

    Coming into the matchday on the back of three draws and one defeat in their last four games, Kotoko extended their winless streak with a 1-0 loss away at fourth-placed Aduana Stars. Samuel Bioh’s 94th-minute efort sunk the Porcupine Warriors in Dormaa.

    At Akoon Park in Tarkwa, eighth-positioned Hearts and third-from-bottom Karela United played out a 0-0 draw.

    AshGold, on the other hand, did not miss an opportunity to take up the top spot as they registered a 1-0 home triumph over Dreams FC at Obuasi’s Len Clay Stadium. Abdulai Ibrahim netted the lone goal in the 80th minute, sending Dreams to 10th on the log.

    Medeama have moved to second on the standings following a 2-1 away victory over Inter Allies. Victorien Adebayor’s consolation for Allies has taken him top of the goalscorers’ chart with 11 goals. Nana Kofi Babil and Prince Opoku Agyemang found the back of the net for the Yellow and Mauves.

    At Nana Agyemang Park in Techiman, Eleven Wonders and Wafa settled for a 1-1 draw. Hosts Wonders took the lead through Abu Musa Sule on 52 minutes but Eric Asamany hit back for Wafa six minutes after the hour mark.

    Benjamin Boateng’s eighth-minute strike was enough to win all three points for Elmina Sharks who pipped second-from-bottom Wafa 1-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium.

    Source: Goal.com

  • PLAYBACK: Akufo-Addo delivers 2020 State of the Nation Address

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is delivering his fourth State of the Nation Address since became president of the republic.

    The address is in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana which states: “The President shall, at the beginning of each session of Parliament and before dissolution of Parliament, deliver a message on the state of the nation.”

     

    Source: backend.theindependentghana.com 

  • Kennedy and Tracy make their official appreciation speech after their lavish wedding Video

    Kennedy and Tracy, also known as Kency, had a very beautiful, lavish and flashy wedding over the weekend.

    Their wedding raised eye brows and got people talking throughout the weekend due to how beautiful it was.

    Lot of photos and videos were on display on peoples, Whatsapp statuses, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all over the net.

    Kency, have finally come out with an appreciation speech in a video form where they thanked God and everyone who helped to make their wedding a success

    According to the newly wedded couple they were overwhelmed with the way things turned around.

    Kency2020 is definitely a historic event, and will be talked about time to time and compared to any lavish wedding that will be done.

    Watch video below;

    Source: www.ghgossip

  • Minority to petition US government over McDan Aviation deal

    Members on the Minority side in Parliament have given indications that they will petition the United States government for details regarding a management contract offered to McDan Aviation for the handling of logistics for the US military at the Terminal 1 of the Kotoka International Airport.

    The Minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the decision to petition the US is due to the fact that the only agreement Parliament ratified with regards to the use of Terminal 1 of the Airport was for the US military to make use of it and not a private entity.

    “What are the terms of that agreement with McDan? Parliament is not aware of any such agreement. What Parliament ratified was a bilateral state to state agreement. There was no role for private companies or private entities and so we are alarmed about this revelation,” he told Citi News.

    The Minister of Aviation, Joseph Adda on Wednesday [February 19, 2020] told Parliament that the ground floor of the Terminal 1 building has been rented out to McDan for 15 years for the delivery of logistics.

    “The Marque Tent used as the departure lounge has become dilapidated and needed to be replaced. The Ghana Airport Company, therefore, took the renovation from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 to save money and also ensure efficiency in operations and passionate comfort. Mr. Speaker, the Ghana Airport Company has rented out the ground floor of Terminal 1 to McDan Aviation for use as a logistics operation centre for a period of 15 years from January 2019,” he said.

    “Pursuant to the Ghana government agreement with the United States government, McDan has also signed a management agreement with the United States military and provides logistics and handling services to the US military through Terminal 1,” Mr. Adda added.

    But the news came as shocking to members of the minority as they insist that they never approved an agreement to that effect.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Why Asante Kotoko and Aduana Stars were afraid to play with 11 men

    It was an interesting spectacle on Wednesday when Asante Kotoko and Aduana Stars each fielded 10 players in the first half of their Ghana Premier League clash in Dormaa.

    The game, which ultimately ended 1-0 in favour of home side Aduana, was undoubtedly the top-liner of the matchday 11 round of games.

    In the end, Samuel Bioh’s 94th-minute effort dramatically secured all three points for the hosts at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park.

    For what is believed to be for superstitious reasons, Aduana and Kotoko each fielded 10 men in the first half, holding onto a conviction the team who first put 11 men on the pitch would end up as the losing side.

    At the start of the game, each team held on to a member of their starting XI on the sidelines, portraying the player to be receiving treatment for a late injury just before kickoff while waiting for each other to first send on their 11th player onto the pitch.

    Aduana held off Farouk Adams from completing their set while Kotoko did same with Martin Antwi.

    Their antics, which briefly delayed kick-off, went on until the end of the first half as neither side was ready to take the plunge with their 11th man.

    On their return for the second half, however, both teams sent 11 players each onto the pitch.

    Things looked headed for a draw in the keenly-contested tie until Bioh scored a dramatic winner in the fourth minute of injury time to win it for Aduana.

    The victory has left the Fire Boys in third position on the league table, one place above the Porcupine Warriors.

    Two-time African champions Kotoko are the most successful club in the history of the Premier League with 23 titles. Aduana have two titles to their name.

    After the match, some fans took to social media to share their amazement at Wednesday’s bizarre incident.

    Source: Goal.com

     

  • Tomorrow is not promised- Davido preaches forgiveness

    Popular Nigerian actor and DMW Boss, Davido has chosen to preach about forgiveness and grudges on his social media page.

    The Nigerian Singer took to his twitter page on Wednesday evening to advise everyone to forgive each other when they wrong each other. He went to encourage everyone not to hold grudges against anyone even after they grudge.

    The young richest guy also called the “OBO” further also urged his fans to text or call anyone they are grudging and also show more kindness and not take anything for granted because tomorrow is not promised.

    His tweet reads ;

    Make that call . Send that text. Forgive that person . Tell them you miss them . Let go of that Grudge . Show more kindness . Dont take it for granted because tomorrow isnt promised.

    Source: www.ghgossip

     

  • Timo Werner penalty downs Spurs

    Tottenham are facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals after they suffered a 1-0 loss to RB Leipzig in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

    Timo Werner scored from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Ben Davies had fouled Konrad Laimer, but the final score could have been far worse for Jose Mourinho’s side had the visitors converted a string of early chances.

    RB Leipzig were totally dominant in the first half, pinning the hosts back and carving them open repeatedly, only to be thwarted by a combination of their own wasteful finishing and Hugo Lloris’s sharp reflexes.

    Spurs did improve after Werner finally broke the deadlock, with Giovani Lo Celso going closest when his curling free kick was tipped onto the post by RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, but it was too little too late, leaving them with a major task to overturn the deficit in next month’s second leg.

    Player ratings
    Tottenham: Lloris (8), Aurier (5), Sanchez (6), Alderweireld (6), Davies (5), Gedson (6), Winks (6), Lo Celso (8), Alli (6), Bergwijn (6), Moura (6)

    Subs: Ndombele (6), Lamela (6)

    RB Leipzig: Gulacsi (8), Mukiele (7), Halstenberg (7), Ampadu (7), Klostermann (7), Angelino (8), Sabitzer (7), Laimer (7), Nkunku (7), Schick (6), Werner (8)

    Subs: Hairdara (6), Poulsen (6), Forsberg (6)

    Man of the match: Angelino

    Source: skysports.com

  • Mahama bemoans state of Benchema-Oseikojokrom road

    The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has bemoaned the state of the Benchema-Oseikojokrom road in the Western North Region.

    Speaking at various stops on the second day of his tour of the region, Mr Mahama said “I am disappointed travelling on the Benchema- Oseikojokrom road, still in this really terrible state. We had begun work on the road when I was in office but the Akufo-Addo government decided to stop the project”.

    He has therefore assured the communities affected that all abandoned road and other infrastructure projects will be fully resumed in 2021.

    The NDC Flagbearer has so far visited Elluokrom, Adjoafoa, Moseskrom in Debiso and Oseikojokrom all in the Bia West Constituency.

    Responding to the concerns of the farmers who gathered at Elluokrom, Mr. Mahama assured them that he will reinstitute the free fertilizer programme in 2021 when he wins the 2020 elections. The programme was stopped by President Akufo-Addo. Mr. Mahama explained that the supply of free fertilizers and other incentives given to cocoa farmers is to motivate them and increase annual production.

    He also assured the chief and people that the next NDC administration will absorb into the government system, the Elluokrom Community College.

    At Adjoafua, in response to the request of the chief and his people, former President Mahama promised to construct a Community Day Secondary School for the area.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Photos: Kafui Danku puts her huge camel toe on display as shes on vacation

    Ghanaian actress Kafui Danku has given birth to a baby boy not too long ago. Well, the movie star is back in Canada chillaxing.

    Kafui Danku took to her IG page to share some vacation photos of her, as she flaunts her camel toe in style.

    Check The Photos Out

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Snow goodness 😘

    A post shared by Kafui Danku, FAA (@kafuidanku) on

    Source: Ghgossip.com

  • How much money does Counsellor Lutterodt have to be advising people to not marry poor men? Kwahu Chief fires (+Video)

    Controversial self-acclaimed marriage counsellor, Counselor George Lutterodt has been backlashed by the Chief of Kwahu Nana Okogyeedom Oheneba Ntim-Barimah for encouraging women not to marry poor men.

    According to the chief, Counselor Lutterodt is always on radio stations and TVs making unnecessary noise and giving bad advice.

    “How much money does Counselor Lutterodt have to advise young girls from marrying poor men? Does he know the number of poor men who have put their children through university? He has to stop the noise he is making…” He reiterated.

    Nana further on advised radio and TV to desist from giving him airtime to say all kinds of things.

    Listen to more from the video below;

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Kwahu Chief Nana Okogyeedom Oheneba Ntim-Barimah blasts @Counselorlutterodt over his “don’t marry a poor man” comments

    A post shared by Zionfelix.com (@zionfelixdotcom) on

    Source: Ghbase.com

  • Ronaldo is a predatory striker and it’s only normal when he scores – Messi

    Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi isn’t surprised by Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent Serie A scoring streak for Juventus as he praised the striker’s ability to find the back of the net.

    Ronaldo has scored in 11 straight league games for his Italian club despite turning 35 this month and has an impressive 24 goals to his name this season.

    Messi, meanwhile, has gone four matches without a goal but has contributed six assists in his three most recent appearances for the Catalans.

    Though both players have always been prolific in front of goal, Messi believes Ronaldo has made scoring his obsession and isn’t surprised to see the Portuguese star continue to fire in the final third.

    “It’s normal that he continues to score, he is a predatory striker, he loves to score, any day he plays he will score,” Messi told Mundo Deportivo when asked about Ronaldo’s recent performances.

    “He has many good attributes as a forward and at the minimum he converts.”

    Messi himself has struck 14 times across just 19 La Liga games this season for Barcelona as he also shows he still has an eye for goal at the age of 32.

    Former teammate Carles Puyol recently backed the Argentina attacker to play on until he’s 38, with Messi himself admitting he’s feeling good despite his advancing age.

    “The reality is that one is turning years old and does not know, but I feel very good, better than in previous years, and that I am not making goals, but on a physical level and legs I feel very good,” he said.

    Asked if he could play on until he’s 40, Messi replied: “We will see, we will see.”

    Barcelona are currently one point shy of Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title this season and Messi believes the battle for first will go down to the wire.

    “It is true that it is a year that in the league both Madrid and we are being very irregular, where we lost many points and in that sense I think we will be fighting until the end and that the league does not end after El Classico, whatever happens,” Messi said.

    “There will be important matches. We have hard outings and they do too.

    “Afterwards, it is true that if we want to qualify for the Champions League we have to continue growing a lot, because I think that today it is not enough for us to fight for the Champions League.”

  • Manchester City cruise past sorry West Ham

    Manchester City returned to winning ways after a tumultuous week off the field with a comfortable 2-0 victory over West Ham on Wednesday.

    Postponed by 10 days due to Storm Ciara, the champions let their football do the talking with a display of attacking dominance in their first game since receiving a two-season ban from all UEFA competition.

    Rodri opened the scoring on the half hour with his first Etihad Stadium goal before Kevin de Bruyne wrapped up the three points after the hour as Pep Guardiola’s side consolidated second in the Premier League by moving four points clear of third-place Leicester, who they face on Saturday.

    For West Ham and David Moyes, their failure to register a single attempt on target on their way to a fourth league defeat in six leaves the Hammers in the relegation zone and in desperate need of points.

    Player ratings

    Man City: Ederson (7), Walker (7), Otamendi (7), Laporte (7), Mendy (7), Rodri (8), David Silva (7), De Bruyne (8), Bernardo Silva (7), Jesus (6), Aguero (7).

    Subs: Stones (6), Gundogan (6), Foden (n/a).

    West Ham: Fabianski (5), Fredericks (5), Diop (4), Ogbonna (4), Cresswell (5), Masuaku (5), Snodgrass (5), Noble (4), Rice (6), Soucek (5), Antonio (5).

    Subs: Zabaleta (6), Bowen (n/a).

    Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne

    Source: skysports.com

  • Adam Lallana: Liverpool midfielder set to leave Anfield this summer

    Liverpool are set to let Adam Lallana leave in the summer when the England midfielder’s contract runs out.

    There are no talks taking place between the European champions and the 31-year-old over a new deal and he will be available on a free transfer.

    Lallana, who has been linked with Leicester City, moved to Anfield for £25m in 2014.

    He was signed from Southampton by then-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who is now in charge of the Foxes.

    Adam Lallana has played 13 times for Liverpool in the league this season, scoring once.

    His only goal this season was against Manchester United, when his equaliser maintained the club’s unbeaten record.

    Lallana’s time at Anfield has been hampered by injuries in the past two seasons but he was a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s side in the early days of the German manager’s reign.

    He helped the Reds win the Champions League last season and has scored 18 times in 126 league games for the club.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Woman burnt after husband pushed her into burning charcoal

    A woman was severely burnt after her husband angrily shoved her onto burning charcoal.

    The incident occurred Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at Akotoe a farming community in the Upper Manya Krobo District of the Eastern region.

    According to a witness, the couple had a misunderstanding while burning biomass to produce Charcoal which is their source of livelihood.

    The man, identified as Yaow Abotsi could not control his anger and gave the wife a hefty shove which landed her on the burning charcoal.

    The woman,Theresa Abotsi, suffered severe burns around the body particularly her back and buttocks.

    The case has not been reported to the Police neither the victim sent to the hospital.

    However, some officials of National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in the Upper Manya Krobo District who got a hint of the incident during a routine exercise in the area are reported to have taken the matter up.

    Women in Ghana continue to suffer varied forms of domestic violence despite the existence of the Domestic Violence Act of Ghana which prescribes criminal sanctions for perpetrators of domestic violence and offer remedies for domestic violence victims.

    Concerns have been raised over the low rate of prosecution of culprits of domestic violence, and governments fail to set up Victims of Domestic violence Support Fund instructed under Section 9 of the Domestic Violence Act 732.

    The “Victims of Domestic Violence Support Fund” if established, will seek to support the basic material needs of victims, train the families of victims, rehabilitate and reintegrate victims with families, construct of reception shelters for victims in the regions and districts and training and capacity building of persons connected with the provision of shelter.”

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Todays newspapers front page

    Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Thursday, February 20, 2020Today's front pages: Thursday, February 20, 2020

    Source: backend.theindependentghana.com 

  • Inter-Ministerial committee retrieves seven missing excavators

    Seven of the seized excavators that went missing have been retrieved during an operation by the Inter-Ministerial Committee against Illegal Mining.

    The seven are part of some twenty excavators that were impounded in Apraman and Topraman in the Eastern Region.

    The exercise which was undertaken by a special committee under the IMCIM tasked to retrieve all missing excavators could only move ten of the excavators to the Apraman Police station due to the immobility of the other ten.

    Three persons were arrested during the operation and have since been granted bail.

    Leader of the team Nana Yaw Boadu in an interview with Citi News expressed the resolve of his outfit to retrieve all missing excavators.

    “The team responsible for retrieving the excavators that have gone back to the miners and again stopping the operations of the galamsey people went to Apraman and other areas and we were able to impound 20 excavators but unfortunately out of the 20, we were able to track only ten to Apraman police station.”

    “And out of the ten that were tracked to the Police station, seven were part of the seized ones that were returned to the miners. When we went there, the miners were able to disengage the excavators. You go there, you will notice that the monitor and other parts [of the excavator] have been removed to the extent that some removed the starter from the machine.”

    Missing excavators and arrest

    The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng had disclosed recently that most of the excavators that were seized from illegal miners had vanished.

    He subsequently petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the suspended First Vice Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party, Horace Ekow Ewusi over his alleged involvement in the missing earth-moving equipment.

    Ekow Ewusi was contracted by the government to cart excavators and other vehicles and pieces of equipment seized by Operation Vanguard to designated areas for safekeeping.

    So far, six persons arrested over the disappearance of the missing equipment have been granted bail.

    The six, including Ekow Ewusi, have been cautioned with the offence of stealing and abetment to stealing.

    It will be recalled that at the peak of the fight against illegal mining between 2017 and 2018, about 500 earth-moving machines were seized by the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry.

    The then sector Minister, John Peter Amewu who sanctioned the seizure directed them to be parked at the premises of the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Minority wants Minister of Trade summoned over demolition exercise at Trade Fair

    The Minority caucus on the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee of Parliament is set to push for the Minister of Trade and Industry to be summoned before the House to provide answers for the recent demolition at Trade Fair.

    The caucus intends to achieve this through the filing of an urgent question.

    Some days ago, structures of some companies were demolished to pave the way for the Trade Fair Company to redevelop the area.

    The firms demolished include that of a popular journalist, Raymond Archer.

    Speaking to Citi News after visiting the site where the demolition took place, Ranking Member of the Trade, Industry, and Tourism Committee, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Bua, described the exercise as simply unjust.

    “Look at the control panel over there, it is completely on the ground and everything here is destroyed and it is very sad. And if you listen to the chronology of events, they [companies operating at the premises of Trade Fair] had gone to court and the court put an injunction on any destruction of property until the matter is resolved and there was a decision made. The injunction was lifted and they went back to court and so the court processes have not ended and it means that as citizens, they still have the complete right and this is completely unjust”.

    The Ranking Member indicated that they will file an urgent question to summon the Trade and Industry Minister to come and explain why this was done.

    “We are not going to end this matter. We are immediately going to summon the Minister of Trade to come to Parliament to explain and answer questions on why this was done and we will follow up from there.”

    The Member of Parliament for the Tamale Central constituency, Inusah Fuseini who was at the scene also said the people who did that lack compassion and are wicked.

    “We came with you to see the level of destruction and to understand the lack of compassion of those who did this. And having seen this, I believe the people who carried out this had no soul and they are wicked people and impure humanity in them”.

    Background

    The Ghana Trade Fair Company demolished some buildings on its premises on the dawn of Monday, 17th February 2020.

    In a statement, the company insisted that it “took all necessary steps” to inform the businesses of a redevelopment project it intends to undertake.

    The Trade Fair has for some years now stated its intentions to revamp the facility to restore the once vibrant trading hub to its hay days.

    It is for this reason that all of its occupants were asked to vacate the premises in 2018.

    According to the management of the company the demolition was to allow for work to begin on-site.

    The occupants were sensitized on the fact that the facility had to be broken down because the current makeshift structures do not fit an international trade fair site.

    The company also said, “no business or businesses have ever been targeted for demolition because of their political or other affiliations.”

    Giving some background to the issue, the company said it had informed all the tenants about the redevelopment project and gave them “the mandatory 6-month notice on July 10, 2018, to vacate the site by 31st December of the same year.”

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Mahama never called me when he was President but now disturbing me with calls Chief jabs

    His Royal Eminence, Nana Oko Twansuo III, Chief of Sefwi Asempanaeye in the Western North region has scolded Mr John Mahama flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress for not visiting his palace during his presidency though slept in his chiefdom.

    “Finally Mr John Mahama has visited me, As President, he came to sleep in my chiefdom on 3 occasions but never paid me a visit,” Nana Oko Twansuo said.

    “Mahama always used this route to adjourning towns but never stopped to pay homage” he added.

    ”I always ask the NDC officials in my area why do you guys always leave our town out?” He ended.

    Nana Oko Twansuo made these assertions when Candidate Mahama kicked off his nationwide “Speakout Tour” from the Western North region on Tuesday, 18th February 2020.

    Mr Mahama was accompanied by his national executives including Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, campaign aides and regional and constituency executives.

  • KIAs Terminal 1 rented out to McDan Aviation Aviation Minister

    Following the introduction of the Motor Insurance Database (MID) to check the menace of fake insurance stickers, the Greater Accra Regional Executives of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of the Trades Unions Congress (TUC), has pledged their support to the National Insurance Commission to ensure a smooth implementation of the programme.

    The group gave the assurance wen they paid a courtesy call on the management of the National Insurance Commission (NIC), the Regulator of the insurance industry in Ghana.

    Moved by their excitement at the new development, they lauded the NIC for its bold initiative, saying it was long overdue.

    The delegation led by its Chairman, Emmanuel Nii Ankrah, nonetheless expressed their concerns regarding their assumption that the premium rates have been increased particularly those being charged on 2020 registered vehicles.

    The Commissioner of Insurance, Justice Yaw Ofori, explained that premiums had not been increased, except that insurance companies are now complying and charging the appropriate  regulated premiums on particularly the 2020 registered vehicles through the database effective January 1, 2020.

    Mr. Ofori bemoaned the situation in the past where some insurance companies were undervaluing vehicles and competed on prices rather than on service, thus making it quite challenging for some of them to pay genuine claims promptly.

    “Huge claims arising out of fatal accidents involving commercial vehicles had been a major headache for many insurance companies as they were not liquid enough to honour claims promptly resulting from the lower-than-regulated premiums they had charged in the past”.

    The Commissioner  cited these as some of the reasons some members of the insuring public do not have confidence in insurance companies.

    He however stated that with the MID, it is expected that insurance companies will be in a better position to pay genuine claims promptly to the utmost protection of policyholders and innocent third parties.

    The delegation expressed their delight at the move as it has been the challenge of the leadership of the GPRTU when their members fall victim to the menace fake insurance stickers.

    They lamented the situation where some of their unsuspecting member drivers were cowed into purchasing cheap motor insurance with stickers which looked exactly like the original ones. The reality dawned on these drivers only after they were involved in accidents that warranted a claim which was repudiated by the Insurance Companies they were purported to have insurance cover with.

    Mr. Justice Ofori expressed his appreciation to the leadership, not just for their cooperation at the new development in the Insurance sector, but also saw it as an issue of national importance and had embraced the initiative that would help sustain the livelihoods of families of accident victims economically.

    About the Motor Insurance Database

    The MID was  implemented on January 1, 2020, and is providing a centralized system from which security agencies and the general public including passengers of vehicles can check the validity of a vehicle insurance instantaneously.

    The checks can be done through the use of a mobile phone, receipt of acknowledgement of transaction via a text message or by scanning a QR code on the insurance sticker by the Police MTTD.

    Mr. Ofori also told the delegation that the NIC has since launched a nationwide training of personnel of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD) to enable a smooth enforcement of the database.

    The Executives having received a conviction after obtaining these clarifications, pledged their support to the Commission by way of educating their members so as not to fall prey to dealers of fake insurance, and requested copies of the actual regulated premium rates which they were provided.

    They used the opportunity to intimate their plans of rolling out an educational campaign for their members. The NIC welcomed the idea and pledged its unflinching support to one of its biggest stakeholders the GPRTU.

    As of February 17, the MID had recorded over 78,000 newly insured vehicles.

  • Terminal 1 of Kotoka International Airport being used by US military Aviation Minister reveals

    Aviation minister, Joseph Kofi Adda, has revealed that the United States military has secured some parts of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) for its military operations.

    This arrangement is part of the defence cooperation agreement signed with the superpower and approved by Parliament in 2018.

    Addressing parliament on Wednesday, Kofi Adda said the North American country is using Terminal 1 for logistical support and hangaring services.

    According to the aviation minister, Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), has a 15 year rented agreement with McDan Aviation which is providing services to the US military.

    “It is a fixed-base operation agreement, McDan, per an agreement with the Ghana Airports Company, can offer the same services to private jet operators as well,” he told parliament.

    All transactions are expected to be subjected to customs checks, he assured.

    What is the agreement about?

    In 2018, Ghana signed a defence agreement with the US and this move raised controversies in Parliament and the country.

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) blamed government for downplaying its sovereignty to the US.

    Previous administrations, including John Mahama, John Kufuor and Jerry Rawlings all signed similar agreements, says government.

    The agreement amongst other things allows the US Military to use Ghana as a base for staging and deploying forces.

    Despite the unrestricted access and tax exemptions, Ghana also agreed to bear the cost and take primary responsibility for securing the US facilities in Ghana.

    Ghanaian soldiers are expected to get some counterterrorism training as part of the agreement while the state also benefits some $20 million.