TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • 5 things everyone needs to know about sex and dating, according to a relationships therapist

    You don’t need to be happily coupled up or in a rocky relationship to learn a lot from these dating and love lessons.

    When Harry Stopped Communicating With Sally. The Silence of The Doomed. Crazy, Silent, Divorced. If the disintegration of my parents’ marriage was a movie, I had a front-row seat. And as I watched the plot unfold, one thing became clear to me: Grown-ass adults have no idea how to communicate with each other.

    It was because of this realization though that I went on to become a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and eventually opened the Wright Wellness Center. Now, every day I get to teach couples (and singles, too!) how to better communicate—especially about touchy subjects like sex, fantasies, and pleasure.

    Bottom line: Sex-ed shouldn’t stop after high school, and even perfectly happy couples can benefit from working with a relationship therapist. Below are five things I want everyone to know about dating and sex—regardless of your relationship status or orientation.

    1. Sexual exploration can (and should) happen at any age.

    There’s a myth that sexual exploration is temporary, like for three months during a phase in college. That’s inaccurate and damaging in so many ways.

    For starters, exploring things sexually requires a baseline of trust. The more trust you have with someone the more explorative you should be able to be in bed. And let’s face it: Most people have longer, more trusting relationships after college.

    Further, the idea that your early 20s are your sexually explorative days doesn’t take into account the fact that your frontal lobes don’t develop until you’re 26, which means that the sensation of having your arm touched at 32 is going to feel different than how it felt when you were 22. Located at the front of your head, this section of your brain is in charge of giving meaning to touch. So even if you experimented with anal play or restraints at that age, the sensation it might bring you physically, mentally, or emotionally now is going to be massively different.

    In my opinion, the fact that STI rates are climbing in nursing homes and assisted living communities suggests to me that people are interested in experimenting sexually well into their golden years. So let me ask you this: Why wait until you’re 80 to experiment and have the sex you want to be having when you could have it right now? Yeh, exactly.

    2. Sexual exploration is not a “slippery slope”.

    There is an untrue, pervasive idea that sexual exploration is a slippery slope toward debauchery that you can’t come back from. People are genuinely afraid that if one month they add a new sex position or sex toy into the bedroom, the next month they’ll be having full-blown orgies with the entire city. Because of this, you could be too afraid to talk to your partners about your fantasies, turn-ons, and sexual desires. (Related: How To Introduce Sex Toys Into your Relationship).

    I can promise that expanding what pleasure, play, and, sex looks like in your relationship is *not* going to cause you and your partner to lose control. The only thing that could do this is a lack of communication and consent—period. (Related: 8 Common Communication Problems In Relationships).

    3. You *do* have time for sex.

    The only thing everyone has in common is that we all have exactly 24 hours a day. No more, no less. If you don’t think you have time for sex, one of two things is happening. Either, 1) in general, you don’t make time for *any* leisure pleasure, or 2) you don’t enjoy the sex you’re having enough to make time for it.

    If you are someone who struggles to make time for yourself, my advice is to start spending five to ten minutes a day doing something that centers you and brings you pleasure: journaling, masturbating, meditating, putting on a face mask, painting your nails, or dancing around your apartment.

    If, however, you get manicures every other week, read for pleasure, or get routine massages, the more likely reality is that you’re choosing to prioritize other things before sex. That says to me that you enjoy those other things more than you enjoy sex.

    The solution? Make sex as (or more) enjoyable than those other things, and that make take some work. I recommend dedicated 5 to 10 minutes a day to your pleasure: touching yourself in the shower (maybe with one of these waterproof vibrators), running your hands across your naked body, shopping for a sex toy online or in the store, or reading Come As You Are by Emily Nagasaki.

    Well, the more you have sex, the more you chemically crave sex. So, while that may not seem like much time (and it’s not), it’s a start that will likely lead to increased sexual cravings.

    4. Emotional intelligence makes you a better partner in and out of the bedroom.

    Emotional intelligence (or your EQ, if you will) is the ability to pinpoint your own emotions and express them and the ability to respond in kind to someone else’s emotions. It requires a combination of self-awareness, empathy, intuition, and communication.

    Let’s say you do something your partner doesn’t understand and they ask you why you acted that way. Emotional intelligence is the difference between responded with “I don’t know, I just freaked out” and “I was anxious and spiraled instead of getting a grip on the route of my anxiety”. It’s the ability to turn inward and name what you’re feeling, instead of avoiding self-reflection, responsibility, or a deep interaction.

    A low or high EQ impacts your sex life in an incredible number of ways. If you’re in the mood for a deep, connected sexual experience and are able to recognize that, you’re going to be able to help foster that experience. Likewise, emotional intelligence gives you the ability to tune into your partner’s body language and non-verbal cues and so you can know if they’re feeling disconnected, or guilty, or preoccupied, or stressed, and adjust accordingly, even if they don’t tell you outright.

    So, if what you want in your life is more sex or intimacy with your partner, I recommend working on your EQ by learning your own desires and stressors, asking more questions (and listening to the answers), practicing mindfulness, and working with a therapist. (Related: How to Ask Your Partner for More Sex Without Offending Them)

    5. Everyone needs someone to talk to about sex.

    Maybe you want to experiment with butt plugs. Maybe you want to experiment with other vulva-owners. Maybe you want to invite a third person into your bedroom. Because keeping something a secret creates a feeling of shame or wrong-doing, simply talking to a friend about it can help you let go of shame and normalize your desires. (Related: An Insiders Guide to Sleeping with Another Woman for The First Time).

    A friend can also help hold you accountable to those desires and interests. They might check in on you in a few weeks to see if you’ve made any “progress” on your desires, learned any more about your sexual interest, or talked to your partner about it.

    If you don’t have a like-minded friend you think would be open to talking about getting down, a sex therapist, relationship coach, or mentor can play a similar role.

    Source: shape.com

  • Terrible toll of Malawi electricity outages back

    Power black outs are now back in the country as the nation is pushed into darkness for prolonged hours, just a week after the state power distribution company put up press releases celebrating 40 days of no power cuts.

    Health workers using mobile phone light during blackout

    Publicist for Electricity Generation Company (Egenco), the country’s main producer of power, Moses Gwaza attributed the current spate of power black outs to break down of the company’s machines.

    “Three out of the four machines at Kapichira power station were down. these are obsolete machines which are support to go for overhauling maintenance every 20 years,” he said.

    Gwaza said the machines have not undergone the serious maintenance since they were installed in the 1960s.

    Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) h spokesperson Innocent Chitosi said the company was working with Egenco to minimise the power black outs.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • Chinese firm wants to build dam on Nile River

    Uganda has received an application for a licence to build a hydroelectric power plant on the Nile River from a Chinese firm, documents seen by Reuters News Agency show.

    The $1.4bn plant, if approved, will expand the East African country’s power generation by 40 percent, a regulatory official who also confirmed the application, said.

    The firm, POWERCHINA International Group Limited (PIGL), wants to develop the Ayago Hydroelectric Power Station, located on a section of the Nile between lakes Kyoga and Albert, according to its licence application.

    “We have called for comments from the public on their proposed project,” Julius Wandera, spokesman for the state-run power regulator, Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) told Reuters on Tuesday.

    The ERA licences all power generators in the country and is also responsible for setting generation and end-user power tariffs.

    The Ayago power plant will have a capacity of 840 megawatts (MW) and, when successfully developed, would be Uganda’s largest power plant.

    The Karuma hydroelectric dam, upstream of Ayago and due to be completed early this year by China’s Synohydro Corporation, is currently Uganda’s largest power project.

    The ERA would also conduct its own due diligence on POWERCHINA International to ascertain whether it had the financial and technical capacity to execute the project, Wandera said.

    “By April we should be communicating our final decision on their application to them,” he said.

    According to their application, the firm plans to raise funds for the project through a 25-75 percent mix of equity and debt.

    The project could potentially ramp up Uganda’s generation capacity by 40 percent to about 2,800MW according to calculations from data available from the energy ministry.

    In recent years, Uganda has been wooing private-sector energy investors and taking loans from China and other sources to help boost power production to meet fast-growing demand.

    To make the sector attractive to foreign investors, the government abolished subsidies for consumers and introduced a tariff-setting system that is benchmarked on movements in key parameters such as inflation, foreign exchange and oil prices.

    Uganda is one of six countries that signed a 2010 Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) that allows upstream Nile basin countries to develop projects along the river without Egypt’s consent as it was in a previous colonial-era agreement on the use of Nile waters.

    Building dams on the Nile has proven controversial in recent years with Egypt, which almost entirely depends on the water from the river, seeing them as a national security threat.

    Ethiopia is currently building a dam on its section of the Nile. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is about 70 percent complete and promises to provide much-needed electricity to Ethiopia’s 100 million people.

    However, Egyptian officials are concerned that filling the reservoir behind the dam could significantly reduce the amount of Nile water available to Egypt.

    The two countries are negotiating a way forward and are expected to strike a deal in the coming weeks.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • Covid-19: Give us timelines on evacuation process NUGS-China demands

    The National executive committee of NUGS-China wants the Foreign Affairs Ministry to come clean on arrangements towards the evacuation of Ghanaian students in Wuhan.

    This comes on the back of what the Executives say is the obvious inconsistency between the statements of the Minister and the agreements in their meetings held.

    “We have also made it clear, through the Hubei leadership, that recent statistics and situations in the epicenter do not favor any further delay of the evacuation process. For the safety of all Ghanaians there, action must be taken now.

    “With our credibility in question, we are left with no option than to express our frustration to the Ghana Mission-Beijing concerning how things are turning up. We firmly believe that our transparency and trust should be repaid with the safety of our members,” a letter by the leadership addressed to the Embassy in China read in part.

    The distraught National Executive Committee of NUGS-China is therefore demanding specific dates to communicate to their members in distress, considering the worrying dangers they face with the passage of time.

    Minority gives government 3-day ultimatum for evacuation

    The Minority has called on the government to immediately evacuate Ghanaian students currently locked up in China back home.

    According to the Minority, they will embark on their next line of action if government fails to listen to them.

    According to them, France, Switzerland, Philippines, Russia, and other African countries including war ravaged Libya have all evacuated their nationals from China as a result of the CoronaVirus.

    The United States of America, they noted, is doing a second round evacuation of their nationals, urging the Government to swiftly move in to save the Ghanaian students before anything bad befalls on them.

    Addressing journalists on the sidelines of Parliamentary sitting, Tuesday, the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and NDC MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said Ghana has the capacity to evacuate the Ghanaian students from China, especially, those trapped in Wuhan where the CoronaVirus originated from.

     

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Flashback: ECG to roll-out app to sell prepaid credit online

    Head of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Appiah in December 2017 disclosed that the utility company was creating an app that will enable its customers to purchase prepaid credits online.

    The move was aimed at facilitating the purchasing process as well as prevent customers from joining long queues at vending points anytime they want to buy prepaid credit.

    With the app, customers would pay for their electricity bills as well as make a purchase for another.

    According to him, his outfit got the inspiration to design the app after the utility company was faced with a server challenge that left about 30,000 customers sleeping in darkness.

    It is quite unclear yet what ECG app Dr Bawumia spoke about when he made the statements about a launch on February 18, but the vice president during his Town Hall meeting in Kumasi Tuesday announced that government will launch a mobile app that will enable ECG customers buy prepaid credits on their phones without necessarily moving to the vendor to make a purchase.

    This initiative is part of government’s plan to digitise the economy.

    Read the full story originally published by yen.com.gh

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is opting to start the payment of prepaid electricity credit through a mobile application.

    Head at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Appiah says the move will facilitate the fast purchase of credit so that customers will not have to move distances to buy prepaid credit.

     

    “Going forward, the company intends to ensure that all ECG payment metering system will be smart devoid of customers visiting vending points, but instead utilizing a mobile application to purchase credit online,” he said.

    What this means is that customers will also be able to pay their electricity bills through a mobile application.

    This move by the ECG follows recent challenges on the company’s server which has left about 30,000 ECG customers in some parts of Accra without power for days.

    Affected arrears suffering the challenge has seen residents of Dansoman, Korle Bu, Achimota and Kaneshie manage to live in the dark since Monday, December 4th. As at Tuesday, the number of persons reporting at the ECG for clarification om the development has reached over a hundred affected customers.

    YEN.com.gh has learnt that about four distressed customers have collapsed in the scramble for electricity units at the ECG office in Accra. According to Myjoyonline.com, the men “fell one after the other and were rushed to the nearest hospital”.

    Meanwhile, general manager of ECG Revenue Protection, David Asamoah has assured customers of an immediate resolution of the matter.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Great Olympics get Ghana Premier League referee banned

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Referees Committee has placed a four-match ban on Premier League official Hamid Sessay for a poor performance during a match between Great Olympics and Wafa.

    The central man was reported by Olympics who felt they were handed a raw deal in the match week seven home fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    The game ended in a 1-0 loss for Oly.

    “Referee Hamid Sessay has been handed a four-match ban in respect of the Ghana Premier League match between Great Olympics and WAFA in Accra,” the GFA announced via its official website on Tuesday.

    “The GFA Referees Committee took this decision after receiving two complaints from Great Olympics on the performance of the Referee.

    “The first complaint was on a penalty claim after Gladson Awako “was heavily brought down” on 62 minutes inside the penalty box.

    “The second complaint relates to a foul on the same player in the 70th minute which Olympics again felt they deserved a penalty.”

    The development fuels recent complaints by team officials against the performance of referees in the league.

    “After a critical review, the Committee found that the referee was correct not to give a penalty in the complaint on the 62nd-minute because the incident happened outside the box and there was no contact between the defender and the attacking player,” the publication added.

    “However it was found out that the second incident merited a penalty because the defender brought down the Olympics forward in the penalty box in the full view of the referee.

    “The referee, therefore, made a clear and obvious error in ignoring it.

    “The committee also found that Referee Hamid Sessay was generally not at his best for that particular game.

    “It was therefore recommended that a four-match ban be placed on referee Sessay for the clear and obvious error. The length of the ban takes into account the fact that this is the first infraction on his part this season.”

    Olympics are currently one place above the relegation zone after match week nine.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Adebayor completes move to Paraguayan side Olimpia

    Emmanuel Adebayor has signed for Olimpia as the Paraguayan side announced the former Arsenal striker’s arrival on Tuesday.

    Olimpia currently sits fifth in the early stages of their Apertura campaign, and President Marco Trovato promised to make a big splash by signing the veteran striker if the club signed up an additional 20,000 members over the weekend.

    Adebayor was without a club, with the 35-year-old recently becoming a free agent having ended a brief spell with Turkish side Kayserispor in December.

    And the forward’s latest move is most certainly his most surprising yet as he heads to the Paraguayan top flight after previously featuring in England, Spain, France and Turkey throughout his career.

    The move does include one familiar face, though, as it does reunite Adebayor with former Manchester City team-mate Roque Santa Cruz, who joined the club in 2016 and has helped lead Olimpia to titles in the 2018 Apertura, 2018 Clausura and 2019 Apertura.

    Both Adebayor and Santa Cruz joined Manchester City in 2009, but neither forward was able to truly make their mark with the club.

    Adebayor’s most prominent days came with Arsenal, with the forward playing over 100 Premier League matches for the club.

    His time with Manchester City included loans to Real Madrid and Tottenham before heading to Spurs permanently.

    Later in his career, Adebayor has represented Crystal Palace, Istanbul BB and Kayserispor, with the forward scoring two goals in eight appearances during his brief stay with the latter.

    Olimpia is Adebayor’s 10th professional club since leaving his native Togo in 2001 to head to France, where he featured for Metz and Monaco before sealing his big move to Arsenal.

    Adebayor, though, has not been able to amass much silverware throughout his career, with the forward’s only major honour the 2010-11 Copa del Rey, won during his time with Madrid.

    He has amassed the most caps and goals for his native Togo, having featured 87 times while scoring 32 goals for his country.

    Adebayor is set to be presented to the club’s supporters this week as they look ahead to a match against 12 de Octubre at the weekend.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Wendy Shay to rock Accra Sports Stadium in Legon Cities clash with Great Olympics

    Ghana’s hottest female musician Wendy Shay has been billed to perform at the Ghana Premier League match between Legon Cities FC and Great Olympics at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, February 14.

    The ‘Uber Driver’ hitmaker is expected to thrill fans at half time of the game between at the Accra based rivals.

    She joins a list of top stars to perform for Legon Cities in their home games, including Dancehall King Shatta Wale, Kwesi Arthur and AMG Medikal.

    Being a valentines day night, Legon Cities have announced there will be free chocolates for every fan that comes to the stadium on Friday.

    Gates will be opened for free for all female fans who make it to the stadium.

    Legon Cities have lost only a game in their last four matches and come up against Great Olympics who are yet to win a game since beating King Faisal.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Interdict some appointed MMDAs or face court action – Disability Federation bares teeth

    The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation (GFD) in the Bono region has given 9 out of the 11 MMDAs in the region a three-week ultimatum to interdict persons appointed by the MMDAs to represent the GFD as ordered by the Minister of Local Government, Hajiah Alima Mahama.

    At a press conference to petition President Akufo-Addo and the Minister for Local Government, they indicated that those selected to represent the GFDs do not know anything about FWD hence the need for the government to intervene.

    Addressing the media in Sunyani to channel their displeasure, the Vice President of the Bono regional chapter of the GFD, Miss Sirina Mahamadu, said the Local Government and Rural Development gave the directive on how 30 percent government appointees to the MMDAs will be selected.

    According to her, the document signed by the Minister for the Local Government, Hajia Alima Mahama, made it clear that MMDAs should liaise with or consult the GFD in identifying such persons with disability to represent the interest of PWDs in the various MMDAs in the country.

    She said despite the order from the Minister, 3 out of the 11 MMDAs in the Bono region complied, a situation she described as worrying.

    “The MMDAs went ahead to select persons who do not have any idea of the GFD while some were accident victims.”

    With the guidelines from the minister which they are not happy about, Miss Sirina revealed that Jaman North, Berekum East and Wenchi Municipal are the three whose assemblies complied with the guidelines.

    Sirina Mahamadu then called on the President, Akufo-Addo and Minister for Local Government, Hajia Alima Mahama to intervene or else they will proceed to court whiles appealing to the President to award three DCEs who appointed the GFDs representatives.

    “We are petitioning the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, the Local Government Minister Hajia Alima Mahama to intervene else we are giving the MMDAs three weeks from now to interdict those appointed to represent the GFDs in their districts or we will take them to court.”

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Lassa fever kills 1,047 Nigerians

    A total of 1,047 Nigerians have died of Lassa fever since the first reported case in 1969, the Nigerian Academy of Science, NAS, has stated.

    The NAS is the apex and official science academy of Nigeria, established in 1977 as an association of Nigeria’s foremost scientists.

    The President of NAS, Professor Kalu Onuoha, who made the declaration, said that over the past 50 years, Lassa fever has become a disease occurring in perennial outbreaks in nearly all the 36 States of Nigeria, with increasing numbers of suspected cases, dry season peaks, and unacceptably high case fatality rates.

    In a statement entitled: Lassa Fever Outbreaks in Nigeria: Time for Positive and Sustained Action, the NAS president said Nigeria should declare Lassa Fever disease a public health event of national emergency.

    Onuoha, who stressed that Nigeria must take positive and sustained action necessary to prevent and control Lassa Fever now, said the country should not wait until more fatalities are recorded as a result of the yearly occurrence.

    Onuoha said: “The NAS calls on the Federal government to declare Lassa fever disease a public health event of national emergency and to set up interdisciplinary One-Health Committee (comprising of medical and veterinary specialists, epidemiologists, social scientists, media practitioners, community representatives etc.) to advise and assist the Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control, NCDC, in investigating and managing outbreaks.”

    He recalled that since Lassa fever was first reported in Nigeria in January 1969, “a total of 16,783 suspected cases have been reported with 1,047 deaths. Of the fatal cases, 73 healthcare workers (doctors, nurses and other categories of hospital staff) have died.

    “Between 1969 and 2007, Lassa Fever was reported in only two states (Borno and Plateau). However, from 2008 to 2012, the disease spread to an additional 8 other states; from 2013 until 2019, at least 23 states report Lassa fever cases annually.

    “Over the 50-year period of Nigeria reporting 16,783 suspected Lassa Fever cases, 11,195 (67 percent) were reported between 2016 and January 29, 2020, while 632 (60 percent) of 1,047 Lassa fever deaths were reported during the same period.

    “In 2016, 921 suspected cases were reported. The respective figures for 2017 and 2018 were 1,030 and 3498 suspected cases. An alarm was raised over the tripling of the number of suspected cases between 2017 and 2018, only for the reported number of suspected cases to rise in 2019 to 5057 which was 145 per cent of the reported 2018 figures.

    “During the period 1969 to 1975, the range of Lassa Fever mortality in hospitalised patients was 33 per cent – 100 per cent. In recent years, the mortality rate has dropped to 20 per cent. Laboratory confirmation of suspected cases has been of great concern. Of the 3,498 suspected cases in 2018, only 633 (18 percent) were confirmed Lassa fever positive, while in 2019, only 833 (16.5 per cent) of the 5,057 suspected were confirmed.

    The NAS observed that: “Over the past 50 years, Lassa Fever has become a disease occurring in perennial outbreaks, in nearly all the States of Nigeria, with increasing numbers of suspected cases, dry season peaks, and unacceptably high case fatality rates.

    “While a drug exists for the treatment of the disease, the inefficient laboratory diagnosis and late hospital admission of patients, add up to make the drug less effective in treating patients. The spread of the disease throughout the country may have resulted from increasing human -rodent contact in an explosive population of rodents generated by pervasive poor environmental sanitation.”

    Acknowledging and commending the effort of the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Health, the NCDC, and other relevant agencies, the Academy hereby calls for more action and recommends that: “Government should provide adequate funds for a sensitive disease surveillance system backed by a reliable network of diagnostic laboratories. Given that only about 20 per cent of suspected Lassa fever cases are usually confirmed, there is the need to improve the capability and enhance the capacity of the national laboratory network for reliable and efficient definitive diagnosis of suspected cases.”

    Further, NAS said: “The Federal and State Governments need to mount an extensive and sustained public Lassa fever prevention and control awareness programme. Each State should establish a functional isolation ward for the treatment of Lassa fever patients.

    “It is important to set up a mechanism for improving environmental sanitation in a sustained manner throughout the country to reduce the rodent population and rodent human contact. Funds should be provided for research into finding new drugs for Lassa fever treatment and the development of vaccine.”

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • NPP has done more on the economy than it has highlighted – Franklin Cudjoe

    The Founder of policy think tank, Imani Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has indicated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has done more on the economy than it has highlighted.

    Speaking on the PM Express television programme on Joy News on Tuesday evening [February 11, 2020], Mr Cudjoe said the NPP was understating its achievements after Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia rendered an account of NPP manifesto promises delivered and delivering.

    Mr Cudjoe appeared on the television programme as part of the analysis of the 78 per cent manifesto promises fulfilled as put out by Vice President Dr Bawumia in Kumasi on Tuesday.

    Mr Cudjoe observed that there were significant commonalities between the Imanifesto work his outfit did in tracking government performance and what government did.

    According to Mr Cudjoe, the government has done more than what Dr Bawumia presented on Tuesday and encouraged the government to revisit the Imanifesto, which according to him shows more achievements.

    “If you look at the area of the economy for instance, we at IMANI believe government has done fantastically well and that ought to be highlighted “, he said.

    “I think they [NPP] have done far better in infrastructure than they think they have” Mr Cudjoe noted.

    The Townhall meetings create avenues for government officials to discuss with participants government policies by using a combination of graphs, tables and text to provide evidence to buttress claims that the Akufo-Addo administration had largely delivered on most of its promises.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Dangote remains Africa’s wealthiest person for 9th consecutive year

    For the ninth year in a row, Aliko Dangote of Nigeria has been declared as the wealthiest person in Africa, with an estimated net worth of $10.1billion.

    In the latest ranking of the world’s billionaires by Forbes, the American global media company, focusing on business, investment, technology, entrepreneurship and leadership, Dangote’s present worth is down from his estimate of $10.3 billion, a year ago; attributed to possibly a slightly lower stock price for his Dangote Cement flagship company.

    Africa has 54 nations, but only eight countries have billionaires according to Forbes, with South Africa and Egypt dominating not only the top 10 richest people in Africa list, but in the rankings overall with five billionaires each. Nigeria comes second with four billionaires, including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

    Nassef Sawiris of Egypt is the new number two richest, worth $8 billion, up from $6.3 billion last year. Sawiris’ most valuable asset is a stake in shoemaker Adidas worth a recent $4 billion. The increase in Adidas’ share price alone added nearly $1.5 billion to his fortune since January 2019. He also owns a significant stake in fertilizer producer OCI N.V. In 2019, Sawiris and U.S. investor Wes Edens purchased the remaining stake they didn’t own in U.K. Premier League team Aston Villa Football Club.

    Number three on the list is Nigeria’s Mike Adenuga, worth $7.7 billion. He owns mobile phone network, GloMobile as well as oil producer Conoil and extensive real estate holdings. His mobile phone network, Globacom, is the third largest operator in Nigeria, with 43 million subscribers while his oil exploration outfit, Conoil Producing, operates six oil blocks in the Niger Delta.

    One member of this elite group was worth 50% less than a year ago. Due primarily to the introduction of a new (weaker) currency in Zimbabwe, Strive Masiyiwa’s fortune fell to $1.1 billion from $2.3 billion in January 2019. Zimbabwe, which has battled with hyperinflation, had been using the U.S. dollar as its currency, but in 2019 it switched to its own currency, initially called the RTGS. When converted into U.S. dollars, the values of Masiyiwa’s stakes in Zimbabwe-listed mobile phone network Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and Cassava Smartech fell dramatically in dollar terms.

    Just two of the 20 billionaires are women: Isabel dos Santos, the eldest daughter of Angola’s former president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos; and Folorunsho Alakija of Nigeria. Dos Santos’ fortune has declined to an estimated $2.2 billion, down $100 million from a year ago. In late December, an Angola court issued an order to freeze the assets that Isabel dos Santos and her husband, Sindika Dokolo, own in Angola. Those include her stake in telecom firm Unitel and stakes in two Angolan banks; Forbes estimates those assets are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. A statement issued by Isabel dos Santos said the judgment contained “a number of untruths” and that she would fight the decision “by using all the instruments of Angolan and international law at my disposal.”

    Africa’s billionaires are as a group richer than a year ago. Altogether, the continent’s 20 billionaires are worth a combined $73.4 billion, up from $68.7 billion a year ago.

    Country rankings are unchanged from a year ago: Egypt and South Africa are tied with five billionaires each, followed by Nigeria with four and Morocco with two. Forbes found one billionaire each from Algeria, Angola, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. That’s the same as last year but a better representation than nine years ago, when only four African nations were home to ten-figure fortunes.

    Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man, founded and chairs Dangote Cement, the continent’s largest cement producer. He owns nearly 85% of publicly-traded Dangote Cement through a holding company. Dangote Cement produces 45.6 million metric tonnes annually and has operations in 10 countries across Africa. Dangote also owns stakes in publicly-traded salt, sugar and flour manufacturing companies. Dangote Refinery has been under construction for three years and is expected to be one of the world’s largest oil refineries once complete.

    Explaining the methodology used in the ranking, Forbes Africa said “Our list tracks the wealth of African billionaires who reside in Africa or have their primary businesses there, thus excluding Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim, who is a U.K. citizen, and billionaire London resident Mohamed Al-Fayed, an Egyptian citizen. (Strive Masiyiwa, a citizen of Zimbabwe and a London resident, appears on the list due to his expansive telecom holdings in Africa; Isabel dos Santos, a citizen of Angola, has been living in Europe but retains assets in Angola–although they were recently frozen by a court in Angola.).

    “We calculated net worths using stock prices and currency exchange rates from the close of business on Friday, January 10, 2020. To value privately held businesses, we couple estimates of revenues or profits with prevailing price-to-sales or price-to-earnings ratios for similar public companies. Some list members grow richer or poorer within weeks or days of our measurement date.”

    Sharing the third position with Mike Adenuga with $7.7billion worth is a South African, Nicky Oppenheimer. Heir to his family’s fortune, Oppenheimer sold his 40% stake in diamond firm DeBeers to mining group Anglo American for $5.1 billion in cash in 2012.

    He was the third generation of his family to run DeBeers, and took the company private in 2001. For 85 years until 2012, the Oppenheimer family occupied a controlling spot in the world’s diamond trade. In 2014, Oppenheimer started Fireblade Aviation in Johannesburg, which operates chartered flights with its fleet of three planes and two helicopters. He owns at least 720 square miles of conservation land across South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

    Johann Rupert is the fifth richest African. He is the chairman of Swiss luxury goods firm Compagnie Financiere Richemont. The company is best known for the brands Cartier and Montblanc. It was formed in 1998 through a spinoff of assets owned by Rembrandt Group Limited (now Remgro Limited), which his father Anton formed in the 1940s. He owns a 7% stake in diversified investment firm Remgro, which he chairs, as well as 25% of Reinet, an investment holding co. based in Luxembourg. In recent years, Rupert has been a vocal opponent of plans to allow fracking in the Karoo, a region of South Africa where he owns land. Rupert says his biggest regret was not buying half of Gucci when he had the opportunity to do so for just $175 million.

    Nigeria’s Abdulsamad Rabiu is in number eight position among the top 20 African billionaires. Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate active in cement production, sugar refining and real estate. In early January 2020, Rabiu merged his privately-owned Obu Cement company with listed firm Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, which he controlled. The combined firm, called BUA Cement Plc, trades on the Nigerian stock exchange; Rabiu owns 98.5% of it.

    Isabel dos Santos is one of the two women in the top 20 African billionaires coming in 13th position with a net worth of $2.2 billion. Aged 46, Dos Santos is the oldest daughter of Angola’s longtime former president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who stepped down in 2017. Her father made her head of Sonangol, Angola’s state oil firm, in June 2016, but Angola’s new president removed her from that role in November 2017. Forbes research found that while Isabel’s father was president, she ended up with stakes in Angolan companies including banks and a telecom firm. She owns shares of Portuguese companies, including telecom and cable TV firm Nos SGPS

    In the 19th position is Strive Masiyiwa with a net worth of $1.1billion. Masiyiwa, 58, overcame protracted government opposition to launch mobile phone network Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in his country of birth in 1998. He owns just over 50% of the publicly-traded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, which is one part of his larger Econet Group. Masiyiwa also owns just over half of private company Liquid Telecom, which provides fiber optic and satellite services to telecom firms across Africa. His other assets include stakes in mobile phone networks in Burundi and Lesotho, and investments in fintech and power distribution firms in Africa.

    Closing the 20 top African billionaire bracket is Nigeria’s Folorunso Alakija with a net worth of $1billion. Aged 69, Alakija is vice chair of Famfa Oil, a Nigerian oil exploration company with a stake in Agbami Oilfield, a prolific offshore asset. Famfa Oil’s partners include Chevron and Petrobras. Alakija’s first company was a fashion label whose customers included the wife of former Nigerian president Ibrahim Babangida. The Nigerian government awarded Alakija’s company an oil prospecting licence in 1993, which was later converted to an oil mining lease. The Agbami field has been operating since 2008; Famfa Oil says it will likely operate through 2024.

    Forbes Africa journalist Peace Hyde says she first interviewed Aliko Dangote in Nigeria about three years ago for the popular Forbes Africa show, ‘My Worst Day with Peace Hyde’, airing on CNBC Africa, and has since had the privilege of meeting and speaking with him several times at both official and private functions.

    “Dangote is someone who is extremely focused and driven with a bullish passion for Africa. For him, the goal is to dream as big and as grandiose as you can when it comes to the future of Africa because he believes, we have the human capital and resources to transform our continent. Everything is possible in his mind. His approach to business is testament to this fact.”

    The largest employer in Africa’s most populous economy, Dangote is also seen as a stabilising force within the economies of several countries across the African continent. His story, however, has not been without failure.

    “Dangote has had his fair share of ups and downs. But his advice to young entrepreneurs is having the ability to delay gratification and work hard through tough times so they can enjoy the fruits of their labour at a later date,” says Hyde.

    Through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which has the objective of reducing the number of lives lost to malnutrition and disease as well as combating Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children, thousands of children have been saved from the brink of death.

    Dangote is also known as a man of few words. “I have seen him spend an entire afternoon answering questions about his business to a room of MBA graduates and proceeding to take pictures with everyone before leaving. You will not find any of the obvious trappings of wealth like flashy cars or a big entourage with him and he takes the time to speak to anyone who approaches him at a function,” adds Hyde.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

     

  • Efia Odo & her rich Ex-Boyfriend unfollow each other on social media

    The truth has been brought to bear between television and social media personality Efia Odo and his alleged wealthy (lover) boyfriend Morgan Carter.

    The two were rumored to be in a flirtatious relationship over the past years but Efia Odo walked out of the relationship with reasons best known to them.

    In the final, Efia Odo and his 24-year-old rich boyfriend has grimly fallen out after months of dating. This was made known when Efia in a chat with a follower revealed.

    The fan questioned Efia Odo why the two are not seen together recently and in reply to the question she made such a revelation saying he f**ked up.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Efia Odo and Morgan Carter

    A post shared by Ghpage TV (@ghpage_tv) on

    Check out her comment:

    “Hi Efia, a little late, but what happened with you and Morgan? You seem to have had such a pure connection and friendship/partnership?”

    In response; Efia Odo wrote; “He fucked up but apologized but we cool now. Not like before tho.”

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Ghpage TV (@ghpage_tv) on

    Ghpage upon delving into this saw that both have unfollowed each other on Instagram.

    See for yourself:

    SOURCE: GHPAGE

  • Hot Video: Efya shocks viewers as she tw3rks and winds in new video

    Ghanaian female singer, Efya has showcased her twerking skills in new a new video.

    The sensational shocked a lot of people with her twerking video, leaving some in shock and others in admiration.

    Efya posted the video on her Instagram story and was in a shinny straight sexy dress, twerking her a$$ of.

    Watch video below;

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Twerk mama @efya_nokturnal

    A post shared by AnythingGh (@anythinggh) on

    source: nsemwokrom.com

  • Prince David Osei questions Bawumias Town Hall Meeting

    Actor, Prince David Osei, a known activist for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has questioned claims by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia that the current government has delivered on its promises to the people of Ghana.

    According to him, the NPP has not done what it promised the Ghanaian populace and the claims by the Vice President are untrue.

    He made this known through a tweet while following the Town Hall Meeting held in Kumasi on Tuesday February 11, 2020

    He quizzed “VP Dr. Bawumia you said you have delivered, you are delivering, as you put it. Well done!

    How are you delivering us from the Corruption that is smearing your administration and the 1 Region 1 Cinema when? It was part of your manifesto promise”.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Vigorous sex is the best way to lose weight Princess Shyngle to women

    Gambian Actress, Princess Shyngle says the best way to lose weight is to indulge in vigorous sex, MyNewsGh.com reports.

    According to her, sex works like magic when women want to lose weight urging women who are obese to be serious about the new discovery though it has not been scientifically proven

    Speaking in a video posted on Instagram, the Gambian actress said women who want to lose weight should ensure that they heed to her advice.

    Princess Shyngle emphasized the need for the woman to move her body in order to exert a lot of energy in order to achieve the needed results.

    She said while accompanying her video with a post that “Sex is one of the most effective workouts whoever agrees should click the link on my bio now and watch the full video of me giving the best tips for women to have a flat tummy”.

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Government to rollover 2-year bond

    After successfully raising US$3 billion Eurobond last week which was heavily oversubscribed 5-fold, the Government of Ghana through the Bank of Ghana will rollover a 2-year Government of Ghana bond which is expected to mature in 2022.

    It is however unclear how much the government is seeking to raise, but that will depend on the amount of bids and the demand yield.

    The bond issuance which is cedi-denominated and opened to both resident and non-resident investors is expected to be used largely to retire maturing debts.

    Each bond is expected to have a face value of GHC1 with a minimum bid of GHC50,000 and multiples of GHC1,000 thereafter.

    Class Business believes the bond will attract a favorable yield based on the fundamentals of the economy and the current investor confidence.

    Barclays, Databank, Fidelity, IC Securities and Stanbic are the joint book runners of this deal.

    The bond will be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange thereafter.

    Source: ghanaweb.com

  • Photos: Speeding Truck Catches Fire on Accra to Kumasi Highway

    A speeding Man Diesel Articulated truck heading towards Kumasi direction suddenly caught fire on reaching Mankrong near Teacher-Mante stretch of the Accra to Kumasi Highway.

    The Truck driver managed to park to safety and escaped with his mate before the entire head of the truck was consumed by the blaze.

    It took the intervention of some residents to extinguish the fire from spreading to the cargo bed fully loaded with some valuable goods.

    The cause of the fire is not known but electrical fault could not be ruled out.

    Source: mybrytfmonline.com 

  • AshantiGold risks GFA sanctions if head coach Gokyildiz returns to dug-out

    The Ghana Football Association has revoked the provisional license of AshantiGold coach Kasim Gokyildiz’s with immediate effect.

    The governing body says it cannot authenticate the UEFA A Coaching License of the Turkish trainer.

    “The Ghana Football Association (GFA) per its checks with both the German Football Association and the Turkish Football Federation is unable to validate the authenticity of Mr Gokyildiz’s license,” a letter signed by General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo read.

    “In the foregoing, the provisional license issued to Mr. Gokyildiz is hereby revoked.

    “Consequently, the GFA would delete his name from the Competition Management System and you are by this letter requested to cease using Kasim Gokyildiz as your Head Coach, failing which the necessary sanctions (s) shall apply. This directive is with immediate effect.”

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • John Antwi scores in FC Pyramids win over over Al Mokawloon

    Striker John Antwi scored for FC Pyramids in their 2-0 win over Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC on Tuesday in the Egyptian Premier League.

    The Ghana international-who is the highest scoring foreigner-has now tallied 70 league goals.

    Antwi found the back of the net in the 40th minute to double the lead of the visitors.

    Defender Mohamed Hamdi had opened the scoring four minutes earlier.

    Antwi was substituted after 73 minutes.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • GFA bans Referee Hamid Sessay for four matches

    The Referees Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has handed a four-match ban to Referee Hamid Sessay following the Ghana Premier League match between Great Olympics and West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    The decision was followed after the committee received two complaints from the home side, Great Olympics on the performance of the Referee.

    The first complaint was on a penalty claim after Gladson Awako “was heavily brought down” on 62nd minute inside the penalty box.

    The second complaint relates to a foul on the same player in the 70th minute which Olympics again felt they deserved a penalty.

    After a critical review, the Committee found that the referee was correct not to give a penalty in the complaint on the 62nd-minute because the incident happened outside the box and there was no contact between the defender and the attacking player.

    However, it was found out that the second incident merited a penalty because the defender brought down the Olympics forward in the penalty box in the full view of the referee.

    The referee, therefore, made a clear and obvious error in ignoring it.

    The committee also found that Referee Hamid Sessay was generally not at his best for that particular game.

    It was therefore recommended that a four-match ban be placed on referee Sessay for the clear and obvious error. The length of the ban takes into account the fact that this is the first infraction on his part this season.

    Source: GNA

  • GFA successfully holds meeting with premier league clubs

    The Ghana Football Association leadership has successfully held a meeting with representatives from the 18 Ghana Premier League sides

    The meeting was organized to help both the GFA and the clubs dialogue on happenings so far this season as well have talks on the future. Present

    The ongoing league season has been an exciting one with the buzz all over the respective platforms

    There has been fierce competition among the competing clubs so far with the Top 5 teams on the table all having 17 points.

    More details soon…

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

     

  • Nigeria’s roads: ‘My son died in a car accident – now I control traffic’

    During her free time, Nigerian Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem controls traffic in the capital, Abuja, eight years after her son was killed in a hit-and-run accident.

    On the day I met her she was clad in her blue traffic vest, feet spread apart, sweaty arms slicing the air at a frantic pace, as she directed cars in 38C (100F) heat fuelled by the idling cars.

    Around her was the busy chaos of the Berger roundabout in the city’s central area.

    The cars that were not moving were hunched on their front axles, horns blaring, impatiently waiting for her to say “go”.

    She was clearly in charge.

    “Many Nigerians are impatient and it shows in their driving,” Justice Dongban-Mensem told me.

    Dongban-Mensem campaigning
    Monica Dongban-Mensem (centre) received training from authorities to qualify as a traffic officer

    She did not know who was responsible for her son’s death but wanted to tackle some of the poor driving she witnessed.

    She started going to bus stations to speak to drivers about road safety in Nigeria.

    What she found shocked her.

    Most of the drivers had not received proper training and were not familiar with the traffic rules.

    Such ignorance might have caused the death of her son and she was determined to change that.

    The 62-year-old has set up a non-profit organisation named after her late son – Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand – to educate motorists about safety and she also plans to establish a driving school for potential commercial drivers, where they can receive training free-of-charge.

    Not content with that, Justice Dongban-Mensem wanted to play a role in controlling the traffic herself. After weeks of training with the road safety commission she qualified as a traffic warden.

    It was not until 2016, five years after the accident, that she felt able to visit the scene of her son’s death in the central Nigerian city of Jos.

    “My mission was to find someone who could just tell me or describe to me how my son died.”

    But once she got there, she was left terrified, sad and angry by the chaos she saw.

    Heavy traffic on the highway
    Many of Nigeria’s urban roads are notorious for their heavy traffic

    The Miners Junction, in the Tundun Wada area of the city, is one of the busiest junctions in the city, connecting several business districts in the Plateau state capital.

    She thought that the road planning was poor, she saw that a section of the road was deteriorating in parts and some traffic signs were absent.

    ‘Son was lying on the road’

    It was a dangerous setting that had led to several accidents such as the one that killed her son, 32-year-old Kwapda’as Dongban, in 2011.

    “From a layman’s point of view, I could see that the road was structurally dangerous and we learnt that many persons had been killed along that portion of the road and no government has been able to fix it,” she said.

    The authorities in Jos told the BBC they are rehabilitating the bad roads and sympathise with those that have lost loved ones. But, an official said, pedestrians and motorists must take responsibility for how they use the roads.

    People in the area told the judge that they saw her son lying on the road, but could not assist him.

    “He broke his two legs and neighbours within the area looked the other way as my son groaned in pain, bleeding from one end of the road to the other,” Justice Dongban-Mensem said in anger.

    “He gave up the ghost in the pool of his own blood but I am sure he would have survived if he was rushed to the hospital.”

    Her son had just graduated with a law degree from the University of Jos and had returned to the city for his certificate when he was killed.

    “My son wanted to be the best prosecutor in the world but died like a chicken on the street after being knocked down.”

    Since Kwapda’as Dongban was knocked down, the number of people who have died on Nigeria’s roads has remained fairly constant.

    Pushing for life sentences

    According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, there was a slight dip in 2013, but since then between 5,000 and 6,000 people have been killed every year.

    That works out at more than 13 people every day.

    Most of the accidents are caused by drivers without a licence, which is a common problem, the authorities say. In May 2019, for example, more than 60,000 people in Lagos state were driving without a licence.

    In addition, there is no national database for registered cars or road cameras to capture the identities of fleeing drivers.

    This makes it difficult to track hit-and-run drivers, like the one that killed Justice Dongban-Mensem’s son.

    If hit-and-run drivers are caught they can be charged with manslaughter and face up to 14 years in jail if found guilty.

    Justice Dongban-Mensem felt this was not enough. She argued that those found guilty should be imprisoned for life and the families of those killed should receive financial compensation.

    But this would still not help deal with the pain of losing a loved one.

    “I gave up sleep, hoping that my son will walk through the door and give me a big hug.

    “I also left a plate of food on the table hoping he would return hungry,” she said.

    She does not want other mothers to go through this and is determined to carry her road-safety message to every street in the country.

    “I can only feel fulfilled if no Nigerian dies as the result of a road crash,” she said.

     

    Source: BBC 

  • Odd News: Coronavirus infected man caught rubbing saliva on elevator buttons

    While everyone is trying to adopt their best hygiene habits to keep the Wuhan novel coronavirus at bay, you would be shocked to know that there are some unscrupulous individuals who have only tried to make things worse, more so within China, where cases of the virus have only increased in numbers as each day passes.

    One especially notorious act was caught on security camera footage and it will disgust you just as much as it would horrify you to witness.

    In the video which was shot in the city of Datong in Shanxi Province on February 7, the man can be seen entering the lift, spitting on a tissue paper before rubbing his saliva on the lift buttons, after which he exits the lift, making it clear that rubbing the saliva was his mission in the lift.

    Property management received a report from a resident who found the buttons were abnormal and investigated the case.

    Source: jupdateafrica.com

  • Becca opens up on the most romantic thing she has done for her husband

    Ghanaian songstress Becca, has opened up on the most romantic thing she has done for her husband.

    In an interview on Joy Fm, she admitted she could be romantic when she wants and when asked one romantic thing she had done for her husband, she openly narrated it to listeners.

    She said, she ignored a very expensive gig, just to surprise her husband on his birthday last year.

    Watch video below;

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    WHAT YOU MISSED: @lexisbill: What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for your husband? @beccafrica: … #DriveOnJoy

    A post shared by Joy 99.7 Fm (@joy997fm) on

    Source: Ghgossip.com

  • Re: Rawlings is a spokesperson for thieves

    The attention of the Forum for Probity and Accountability has been drawn to a publication on Ghanaweb on February 10, 2020, by one Alhassan Salifu Bawah a lecturer at the University of Education-Winneba.

    In as much as we believe and respect the right to free speech we are also aware of our cultural tenets which enjoins us to respect our elders.

    We want to emphasize that the publication of the Office of the former President Jerry John Rawlings clearly defined the basis for the former President Rawlings’ call and so attacking his person in the manner of Mr Bawah, demonstrates the moral hollowness that has engulfed the University as a result of the injustice reigning there.

    We want to remind Mr Bawah that at his age, former President Rawlings has distinguished himself as a Head of State and a voice of conscience on the continent of Africa and the world stage.

    The visionary leadership of former President Rawlings is what gave birth to the University of Education and paved way for people like Mr.Bawah to parade themselves as lecturers today.

    The statement by the former President’s office raises serious issues for which the University and people like Mr Bawah should be responding to instead of attacking the person of the Former President.

    We are surprised that Mr Bawah could think that the former President would speak for others but what do we expect? Mr Bawah needs to  defend his daily bread which is dependent on how much of the Vice Chancellor’s boot he leaks.

    We were expecting Mr.Bawah and the likes of him to respond appropriately to the numerous petition of their criminal activities that are flying in the corridors of the various state investigation Agencies to save the sinking image of the University.

    It is obviously clear that the University is suffering a huge dip in public goodwill hence the continuous visit of leadership to some prominent members of the Ghanaian society with the promise of an award of an Honorary Doctorate Degrees.

    The real intent of all these is to give the Prof. Afful Broni (Rev.fr) administration some whitewash in the eyes of the public. Thank God we have a very discerning Speaker of Parliament in Prof. Mike Ocquaye who would not fall for such face-saving agenda.

    We at this juncture invite the Office of the  Special Prosecutor to be interested in the matter of maladministration and impropriety going on in that University-The UEW deserves better.

    We want to advise Mr.Bawah to in future guide himself within the Mamprusi culture he referred to when he wants to make such comments and also avoid commenting on matters such as this one, which is obviously above his intellectual capacity.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

     

  • Lady kills herself as boyfriend ends 4yrs relationship

    An unidentified lady has taken her life after her boyfriend ended their 4-year relationship.

    According to reports, the said lady reportedly drank sniper after she was dumped by her boyfriend.

    It was further learned that they have dated for 4 years before the breakup.

    Inside the 20-second video, the young lady can be seen rolling on the floor and holding her stomach while onlookers capture the moment as some passbyers feel pity for the said lady.

    The groaning lady was neglected by tricycle rider who passed the scene of the incident and other passers-by.

    Watch the heartbreaking video below;

    Source: jupdateafrica.com

  • Speaker, Leadership of Parliament console Deputy Minority Leader

    The Speaker, Reverend Professor Mike Oquaye, and Leadership of Parliament on Tuesday commiserated with Mr James Klutse Avedzi, the Deputy Minority Leader, on the demise of his wife, Mrs Fortune Abla Fugah-Avedzi, in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region.

    The deceased, 47, a teacher, passed away on January 30, 2020.

    The Speaker was accompanied on the trip by First Deputy Speaker, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, Second Deputy Speaker, Alban Bagbin, the Majority and Minority Whips and the Majority and Minority Leadership; Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu and Mr Haruna Iddrisu.

    The Speaker extended the sympathy and condolence of the House to the bereaved family.

    He explained that he was informed last Friday by Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, Member of Parliament for Ho West and Chairman of the Volta Caucus, about the sudden demise of Mrs Fugah-Avedzi when he (Speaker) enquired about the absence of the Deputy Minority Leader.

    He described Mr Avedzi as a hard working legislator whose records and contribution in the House was there for all to see and urged him not to think only about the short life of his wife but the good days they spent together.

    “Count not the shortness of her life but the good days that you spent together. When you reflect on the good days and years, you can only say, God thy will be done,” the Speaker said.

    Prof. Oquaye urged the lawmaker not to grieve excessively, but to look after the children that his beloved wife left in such a manner that they would be an honour to their mother.

    “Now remember, your duty now is not to mourn as such, but to look after the children that your wife left in such a manner that they would be an honour to their mother.”

    Mr Mensah-Bonsu, on his part, said the news of the demise of Mrs Fugah-Avedzi came as a “thunderbolt.”

    He said the Deputy Minority Leader was one of the hardworking legislators, who had, for eight years, served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee.

    Currently he is the Chairman of the Public Account Committee (PAC) where he brings his experience, knowledge, wisdom and intellectualism to bear in his work.

    “So when he is not in Parliament, we do miss him and there is a vacuum in the work that you do….”

     

    Mr Haruna Iddrisu extended deep condolence and sympathy of the Leadership to the bereaved family.

    “I pray that God should give him the fortitude to accept this loss, for he gives and takes, since this can happen to anyone,” he said.

    Later, the Speaker and the Leadership donated GH₵10,000 to the bereaved family to enable them to cater for other expenses of the funeral.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Ajumako to host 2020 National Cross Country

    The National Sports Authority (NSA) has confirmed the Central Regional town of Ajumako as host of the 2020 edition of the National Cross Country.

    The event which is under the auspices of the NSA and Ministry of Youth and Sports is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2020.

    Hundreds of athletes are expected to participate in the race that will cover 10kilometres across different terrains in the Ajumako township.

    Per the arrangements, athletes are expected to arrive in Ajumako two days before the day of the race. They will have an experience of the route for the race on February 21 and then on Saturday, the competition will commence at 7:30 in the morning.

    The National Cross Country is used to mark the start of a new sporting year and also unearth promising talents for the country.

    The Minister of Youth and Sports, Isaac Asiamah, Director-General of NSA Prof Peter Twumasi, Central Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan and other dignitaries are expected to grace the event.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Dompoase driver granted GHC 300,000 bail

    Mark Mireku, the surviving driver of the Dompoase accident which occurred on Tuesday, January 14 killing 34 people has been granted a GH¢ 300,000 bail with two sureties to be justified.

    Mireku, 45, standing charged with dangerous driving, pleaded not guilty and would make his next appearance on Tuesday, March 10.

    Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Nicholas Oppong Twamasi told the court presided over Mrs Dorinda Arthur Smith that Mireku was driving a Hyundai Bus with the registration number (GN 3780- 10) with 47 passengers on board from Accra to Takoradi.

    He said on reaching Dompoase, near Komenda Junction, Mireku overtook a leading unidentified Articulated Truck whilst approaching a curve which resulted in an accident that claimed 34 lives including a baby while many others were injured.

     

    Source: gbcghanaonline.com

  • Herbalist jailed five years for possessing human parts

    A Cape Coast Circuit Court has sentenced Isaac Mensah, a 24-year-old traditional medicine practitioner (Herbalist) to five years imprisonment in hard labour for possessing a human skull and possessing fake currency.

    Mensah, pleaded not guilty to the charge of possessing human parts but the court, presided over by Mrs Dorinda Arthur Smith found him guilty after trial and was convicted accordingly.

    Police Sergeant Iddrissu Yakubu who prosecuted, told the court that the complainant, Evans Boakye, a mobile money merchant is a resident at Brimso- Apewosika while Mensah is a known herbalist who resides at Ankaful, a suburb of Cape Coast.

    He said on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, Mensah gave out fake GH¢500.00 currency notes to one Emmanuel Akonnor for a service rendered.

    Sergeant Yakubu said Akonnor unknowingly took the money to a mobile money merchant to deposit into his wallet but the merchant, upon suspicion that the money could be fake, called for his arrest.

    He said during investigations, Akonnor mentioned Mensah as the one who gave the money to him to settle his debt.

    Mensah was subsequently arrested and a human skull was found in his room during a search.

    According to Sergeant Yakubu, Mensah claimed ownership of the human skull but could not tell how he got it.

    He said the fake currencies has since been forwarded to Bank of Ghana (BoG) of which a report is being awaited.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • CK Akonnor can manage the Black Stars – Moses Foh Amoaning

    Former Ghana Boxing Authority President, Moses Foh-Amoaning says Charles Kwabla Akonnor is ready for the Black Stars job despite talks that he might be inexperience at National team level.

    Akonnor has had the experience of coaching Premier and Division One teams in the country such as Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, AshantiGold, Eleven Wise and others but at National team level he only assisted ex-Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and São Tomé prior to his appointment.

    There have been talks Charles Akonnor might not be up to the Black Stars job per his experience.

    According to Moses Foh- Amoaning, CK Akonnor has always admired the Black Stars job and he needs support to deliver.

    “Judging the way he managed Asante Kotoko. Built the team and played against Cotton Sport in Cameroon, you could see how the team played, he told FOX FM.

    “Yes, he can coach the Black Stars and has the idea and philosophy of how the team plays.

    “He understands the Ghanaian philosophy. CK Akunnor understands the Ghanaian game, looking at what he did at Kotoko especially in that game against Cotton Sports in Cameroon”.

    Meanwhile, Moses Foh-Amoaning stated he would have preferred if Akonnor passed through the ranks starting with the junior national teams before been handed the Black Stars job.

    “I would have personally preferred he passed through the ranks, starting with the Black Satellites or the Black Meteors, but once he has been handed the Black Stars let’s support him and I know he can deliver”.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Implementation of free SHS has improved but challenges remain – PIAC

    The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has observed that despite the gains recorded in the implementation of the Free Senior High School policy, some challenges remain outstanding.

    The independent statutory body – which is mandated to promote transparency and accountability in the management of petroleum revenues in Ghana – released its 2020 report Tuesday on the “2018-2019 Free SHS monitoring” where it made its observations on the policy known.

    Some positive observations

    According to PIAC, the Free SHS policy has resulted in a timelier reporting of students to school, compared to the period preceding Free SHS.

    “Students no longer have to wait for school fees to be provided them before reporting to school,” PIAC observed.

    On the supply of textbooks for Core Subjects, PIAC said they were provided in adequate quantities, albeit late in some instances.

    The Free SHS programme has also led to increased enrollment in 41 percent of the schools PIAC visited, the report said, wrote adding that the enrollment of girls, in particular, has increased.

    Concerns

    On the quality and timeliness of supplies, PIAC observed that “poor quality and unwholesomeness of some supplies, delays in supply of food and other items, and under or oversupply of some food items and provisions were pretty widespread.”

    “The abolition of cut-off grades in the admission of students has led to a situation of dumping of poor-grade students in schools, particularly deprived schools,” the report said.

    One of the major concerns PIAC observed textbooks for elective subjects were not covered by the policy.

    “However, this has not been clearly communicated to parents by government, leading to a situation where some parents are refusing to take responsibility for the purchase of these textbooks for their wards. This situation is negatively impacting on the quality of teaching and learning in the schools,” they wrote.

    Recommendations

    Among its recommendations, the anti-graft body encouraged “vigilance on the part of school authorities in monitoring the quality of supplies, such as inspecting the expiry dates among others.”

    This, they said “will prevent the suppliers from using the schools as dumping grounds.”

    “In order to avoid the recurrence of over and undersupply of food items, the supply of food items by the Buffer Stock Company should be based on orders from the schools,” PIAC added.

    They also recommended that government ensures “disbursements to the schools are done expeditiously as the non-free SHS students phase out, to avoid closure of the schools and disruptions to the academic calendar.”

    In improving quality of SHS students PIAC said “the Ghana Education Service should pay more attention to the basic schools to improve the quality of students for the second cycle schools.”

    Refer to the document below for the full findings and recommendations of PIAC

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Szczesny signs Juventus contract extension

    Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has signed a three-year contract extension until 2024, the Italian champions announced on Tuesday.

    The Polish international joined Juve in 2017 from Arsenal as back-up to club legend Gianluigi Buffon.

    The 29-year-old took over as number one after Buffon’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain and has held on to the role despite the veteran Italian’s return to Turin this season.

    “This renewal is a demonstration of the club’s trust in me,” Szczesny told Juventus TV.

    “I’m very happy and I’ll try to give my best. I’ll be here for another four years and I want more titles, I want to win everything.

    “You have to sweat, run and sacrifice yourself to achieve this goal that is mine but also that of the club.”

    Szczesny joined the club following a two-year loan spell at Roma and has played 84 matches, winning two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia and an Italian Super Cup.

    Juve’s reign as eight-time Serie A champions is under threat this season as they sit in second place in Serie A behind leaders Inter Milan on goal difference.

    Third-placed Lazio trail the pair by a point.

    Juve play AC Milan in the Italian Cup semi-final first leg on Thursday, and are through to the Champions League last 16 where they will play Lyon later this month.

    Source: France24

  • Wilder v Fury II: Tyson Fury will be worried by first-fight knockdowns, says Deontay Wilder

    Deontay Wilder believes Tyson Fury is scared and will be having sleepless nights before their world heavyweight title rematch later this month.

    The pair fight in Las Vegas on 22 February for Wilder’s WBC championship.

    Their bout in December 2018 ended in a controversial draw with the American knocking Fury down twice, although the Englishman also thought he had won.

    “When you get knocked down by someone, you never forget it or how they did it,” said 34-year-old Wilder.

    Speaking on a media conference call from the United States on Tuesday, he added: “Deep down I feel he’s nervous, very nervous from what happened the first time.

    “When you go in there for a second time it has to be stressful and you definitely can’t sleep at night.

    “He’s worried and I don’t think his confidence is that high because of the state I left him in before.

    “I gave this man concussion and it will happen again because the head is not meant to be hit, especially by the power of Deontay Wilder, so he has a lot to think about.”

    Both men are unbeaten with their draw in Los Angeles 14 months ago being the only time they have not won a professional fight.

    Fury, 31, last fought against Sweden’s Otto Wallin and, despite sustaining a bad cut close to his eye early on, won via a unanimous points decision.

    However, since then Fury has changed trainers, moving from Ben Davison to Javan ‘Sugar’ Hill Steward, the nephew of the late Emmanuel Steward, who trained Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.

    “Fury can say he beat me by a wide margin but he doesn’t believe that – that’s why he wants to change so many things,” added Wilder. “If he believed he won he wouldn’t have changed much – the next thing he is going to do is go to a spiritual advisor.

    “Wallin had a game plan and executed it. That fight should’ve been stopped with a cut so deep and I look forward to re-cutting that eye.

    “Once it’s open again and the blood is in his face I’m coming in for the kill. I don’t play around.

    “I knocked him out the first time but I didn’t get it and I’m going to knock him out again.”

    Wilder not worried about ‘coward’ Joshua

    Wilder won the WBC heavyweight championship in January 2015 and has successfully defended the belt on 10 occasions – the same number of defences as legendary heavyweight Muhammad Ali managed between 1974 and 1978.

    The other major heavyweight titles – the IBF, WBA and WBO – are held by Britain’s Anthony Joshua after he regained the belts in December by winning a rematch against Mexican-American Andy Ruiz, a fighter he lost to six months earlier.

    But Wilder, who has 42 wins and one draw as a professional and never fought Joshua, said: “I’m not worried about that coward, he barely got his titles back, never mind trying to step in the ring with the king.

    “He never wanted to fight me. He has been out of the picture and no-one is talking about him anymore.

    “The heavyweight division is on fire and it’s my job to keep it that way. It’s a tie-break with Muhammad Ali and I’m looking forward to setting some history on February 22nd.

    “Fury has pillow-esque fists. After the first fight I didn’t feel sore. I took all of his punches. He’s just a big man who can move around the ring, his power is not there.

    “The Gypsy King is going to be floored and he’s definitely not getting up.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Barca’s Dembele out of Euro 2020 after hamstring surgery

    Ousmane Dembele will miss Euro 2020 after Barcelona announced on Tuesday the France international will be out for around six months following surgery on his right hamstring.

    Dembele’s absence also means he will be sidelined for the rest of this season for Barca, who will be without another attacker after losing Luis Suarez to a long-term knee injury last month.

    “The first team player Ousmane Dembele has successfully undergone surgery … for a ruptured tendon in his proximal hamstring in his right thigh. The Frenchman will be out for around six months,” the La Liga champions said in a statement.

    The 22-year-old has suffered a number of hamstring problems since joining from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017 in a deal worth up to 147 million euros ($160.5 million).

    Dembele has made only nine appearances this season.

    He was close to recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in November before suffering a relapse in training last week.

    The former Rennes attacker also missed the majority of his opening year at Barcelona with a similar problem which kept the forward out for four months.

    Dembele’s latest disappointment is a blow to France’s hopes of following up 2018’s World Cup triumph by winning the Euros this summer, while Barca coach Quique Setien spoke earlier this month of his excitement at the prospect of the youngster’s return.

    His long layoff could prompt Barcelona to buy a replacement up front, if the club are allowed to make an emergency signing by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

    Barcelona can apply for permission from the RFEF but any new arrival would have to be playing in La Liga or out of contract, and would not be allowed to feature in the Champions League.

    Real Sociedad forward Willian Jose, Getafe’s Angel and Lucas Perez from Alaves are all reported targets.

    Source: France24

  • Coronavirus disease named Covid-19

    The World Health Organization says the official name for the disease caused by the new coronavirus is Covid-2019.

    “We now have a name for the disease and it’s Covid-19,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva.

    It comes after the death toll from the virus passed 1,000. Tens of thousands of people have been infected.

    The word coronavirus refers to the group of viruses it belongs to, rather than the latest strain.

    Researchers have been calling for an official name to avoid confusion and stigmatisation of any group or country.

    “We had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease,” the WHO chief said.

    “Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatising. It also gives us a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks.”

    The new name is taken from the words “corona”, “virus” and “disease”, with 2019 representing the year that it emerged (the outbreak was reported to the WHO on 31 December).

    There are now more than 42,200 confirmed cases across China. The number of deaths has overtaken that of the Sars epidemic in 2002-2003.

    On Monday, some 103 people died in Hubei province alone, a daily record, and the national death toll is now 1,016.

    But the number of new infections nationally was down almost 20% from the day before, from 3,062 to 2,478.

    In recent days, Chinese authorities have increasingly been criticised for their handling of the crisis when the cases first emerged.

    The death of a doctor whose early warnings were suppressed by authorities sparked widespread public anger.

    Beijing has now “removed” several senior officials over their actions to control the disease.

    The party secretary for the Hubei Health Commission, and the head of the commission, were among those who lost their jobs. They are the most senior officials to be demoted so far.

    The central government has also sent a team from its highest anti-corruption agency to Hubei to investigate the treatment of Dr Li by police.

    Scientists from around the world are meeting in Geneva to discuss ways to combat the outbreak.

    Dr Ghebreyesus of the WHO said there was still a realistic chance of containing the disease if enough resources were devoted to the fight.

    He praised the measures being taken in China, which he said were “slowing the spread to the rest of the world”.

    The US Federal Reserve meanwhile has warned that disruption to the Chinese economy could spill over and affect the rest of the world.

     

    Source: bbc.com

  • Ofosu-Ampofo, Boahen’s trial adjourned to February 19

    The Accra High Court has adjourned the trial of Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and Anthony Kwaku Boahen, both Chairman and Deputy Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress respectively to February 19, 2020.

    This followed a letter from Ofosu-Ampofo’s counsel, Mr Tony Lithur that he had to appear before the Supreme Court.

    Dr Aziz Bamba, lawyer for Boahen, however, was not aware of the letter which was addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Mrs Yvonne Atakorah Obuobisa, the DPP, got the letter late and announced its content in court on Tuesday, February 11.

    Ofosu-Ampofo has been charged with conspiracy to cause harm and assault on public officers, whilst Boahen has been charged with conspiracy to cause harm.

    They have both denied the offences and have been granted a GHc100,000.00 bail with one surety each.

    SOurce: myjoyonline.com

  • GHS shocked over nurses murder

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Tuesday said it has received with shock the sad news of the murder of one of its dedicated Registered Community Health Nurse, Mrs Ruth Ama Eshun, in the Ashanti Region.

    “Mrs Eshun, we were informed, was murdered on February 3, 2020, while on her way back home from work,” a statement signed by Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, GHS Acting Director General and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra stated.

    The statement said until her death, Mrs Eshun was a staff of the Sewua Health Centre in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region.

    It said “the GHS Management and Governing Council wishes to express our deepest condolences to the husband, children and the entire bereaved family”.

    The statement further said the Service was relying on the expertise of the Ghana Police Service to unravel the cause of death and bring the perpetrators to face the full rigor of the law “as we seek justice for the victim”.

    It stated that the GHS and its Council would like to assure its staff that the Service was taking steps including liaising with the various Regional Coordinating Councils to prioritise the security and safety of all staff across the country.

    It further encouraged its staff to continue to deliver on their mandate as the necessary safety and security measures were advocated for.

    The Service, urged the public to contact the police with the relevant information that would help bring the perpetrators to book.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Todays newspapers front page

     

     

     

    Today's front pages new

    Today's front pages new

    Source: theindependentghana 

  • Bushfire consumes girl to death, another in critical condition

    A young girl has lost her life while another is in critical condition in bushfire incident that trapped them inside their room.

    The incident occurred at Issifu Korpe, a fishing community on Digya Island in Afram Plains North District of the Eastern Region on February 8, 2020.

    Information gathered indicates that the children were left home by their parents who traveled.

    Whilst asleep around 9 pm, a blazing bushfire engulfed the thatched house killing one of them while the other survived with serious burns.

    The Afram Plains Area is notorious for bushfire incidents caused by herdsmen who deliberately set fire into bushes in anticipation of sprouting of new grasses to graze their cattle.

    Three weeks ago, a family of three at Makofi in the Afram Plains South District were rendered homeless after their homes were burnt by similar bushfire incident caused by the herdsmen.

    Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization, NADMO, Kwame Appiah Kodua has directed District Directorsbin the Afram Plains area to intensify education among the herders to desist from the indiscriminate bush burning.

  • Video: Former Miss Universe winner Pearl Amoah quits modeling to preach in trotro

    Former winner of Miss Universe Ghana beauty pageant, Pearl Amoah has traded modeling for preaching in commercial buses.

    Pearl Amoah has left the glitz and glamor of modeling to preach the gospel of Christ in commercial buses.

    In the year 1994, young Pearl Amoah won the crown as Miss Northern Region.

     

    Moving to Accra she participated in the Miss Universe Ghana beauty pageant in the year 1996 and deservedly won the crown.

    Today Pearl Amoah has moved from modeling to winning souls for Christ through preaching the word of God.

     

  • DuvetXperience Cupid Fair slated for February 15

    GHOne TV is back with the second edition of the most talked about adults-only love extravaganza, DUVETXperience. This year’s event, dubbed CUPID FAIR will take place at the plush Alisa Hotel on Saturday February 15, 2020.

    The Cupid Fair will be an exhibition of all things sensual from erotic lingerie, beads, oils, candles, chocolates, wine and many more.

    “Cupid will not appear in only red, he will come in many colors” – Ms Nancy, host of Duvet on GHOne TV and Dstv channel 361.

    #DUVETXperience features learned love doctors and respected personalities to speak and offer relationship counselling.

    This year experience is part of GHOne TV’s LOVELY FEBRUARY to commemorate the month of love. There will be a sexy sizzling runaway exhibition and sensual performances from Dark Suburb Kidi, Gifty Osei and Afriyie Wutah.

    “There will be loads to eat and drink. Couples will stand the chance of winning dinner vouchers, full spa treatments loads of hampers and fabrics from, and other amazing gifts for patrons so we entreat all to hurry and get their tickets. Tickets can be bought with Momo by dialing *713*5*42# ” — Mr Astus Ahiagble, GM, GHOne TV said.

    Source: Kelly Nii Lartey Mensah, Contributor

  • Re: Immigration Service boss causes accident

    The attention of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has been drawn to publications in the media to the effect that the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Mr. Kwame Asuah Takyi has caused an accident at Suhum overhead on the Accra to Kumasi highway in the Eastern Region.

    To set the record straight, the CGI, who was returning from a working tour of the Bono East Regional Immigration Command, later in the evening, on Sunday, the 9th of February, 2020, has not been involved in an accident or caused any, as been purported.

    It was rather one vehicle and that of the CGI that was being trailed for over an hour by a private vehicle. All attempts by the dispatch rider to stop the said private vehicle, failed until they got to Suhum. The dispatch rider and vehicle of the CGI were caught in between by the private vehicle which posed a security risk.

    At Suhum, at the roundabout of the overhead, the dispatch rider stopped the said private vehicle this time around. The bodyguard of the CGI alighted, took the registration number of the vehicle and rejoined the CGI and his team to continue with the journey where a complaint was lodged with the Police Officers on duty at the Doboro Police Barrier.

    It was after this exercise that the CGI and his team continued with their journey back to Accra only to hear that an accident had occurred at Suhum with two persons injured and hospitalized.

    Our checks indicates that indeed there was an accident at the same spot where the CGI and his team stopped the private vehicle, but that was after they had left.

    We wish to implore all media houses to contact the Public Affairs Department of the GIS for confirmation of information in their custody before publishing them.

    Lastly, we wish to reiterate that the CGI has not caused any accident, and the story as published by the media is incorrect and should be disregarded.

    SGD.

    SUPT. MICHAEL AMOAKO-ATTA

    HEAD OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

    Tel: 0555027024

    Email: mikesbridge2020@yahoo.com

    Source: Ghana Immigration Service

  • While Nigerian music is flying, Ghanaian music is crawling Nabil Alhassan

    The  discussion surrounding which country has the best music industry has been going on between Ghana and Nigeria for a while now.

    The newest person to stir up this conversation is an event organizer known as Nabil Alhassan.

    In a recent Facebook post, Nabil stated that there is no way Ghana can compare itself with Nigeria music because while Nigerian music is getting recognized on big platforms, Ghanaian music is still trying to gain some ground.

    He wrote: “Ghana cannot compare itself now with Nigeria Music. They are Gone flying and we are still crawling.”

    The likes of Kuami Eugene amongst other artists in Ghana have blamed DJs and radio stations in Ghana for promoting Nigeria songs on their various platforms rather than play Ghanaian songs.

    Source: Ghbase.com

  • GFA slaps four-match ban on referee Hamid Sessay

    The GFA Referees Committee took this decision after receiving two complaints from Great Olympics on the performance of the Referee.

    The first complaint was on a penalty claim after Gladson Awako “was heavily brought down” on 62nd minute inside the penalty box.

    The second complaint relates to a foul on the same player in the 70th minute which Olympics again felt they deserved a penalty.

    After a critical review, the Committee found that the referee was correct not to give a penalty in the complaint on the 62nd-minute because the incident happened outside the box and there was no contact between the defender and the attacking player.

    However, it was found out that the second incident merited a penalty because the defender brought down the Olympics forward in the penalty box in the full view of the referee. The referee, therefore, made a clear and obvious error in ignoring it.

    The committee also found that Referee Hamid Sessay was generally not at his best for that particular game.

    It was therefore recommended that a four-match ban be placed on referee Sessay for the clear and obvious error. The length of the ban takes into account the fact that this is the first infraction on his part this season.

    Source: ghanafa.org

  • Man United apply for permission to install rail seating at Old Trafford

    Manchester United have applied for permission to install rail seating for up to 1,500 fans at Old Trafford.

    United, one of the major supporters of safe standing, made the request to their local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) in December 2019.

    The club proposes to replace some existing seats in the north-east corner of the stadium.

    Season ticket holders in that area have been told a safe standing trial is likely to take place later this season.

    In minutes published from a recent fans’ forum meeting, United said it believed the introduction of rail seating will “enhance spectator safety” in areas of “persistent standing”.

    It added that the SAG is still reviewing the request.

    Tottenham’s new stadium has “safe seating” which has been “future-proofed” for the potential introduction of standing, while Wolves installed rail seating at their Molineux ground in the summer.

    “It is fantastic news that the world’s most famous club is seeking to enhance spectator safety in this way,” said Jon Darch, of the Safe Standing campaign group.

    “Hopefully, they will be very soon be able to not only install rail seats but also to operate any areas of Old Trafford fitted with this form of seating as official standing areas.”

    It comes just days after a government report found stadium seating areas which incorporate barriers have a “positive impact on spectator safety”.

    The interim report from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) found such seating areas “mitigate the risk of crowd collapse”.

    The government previously stated it “will work with fans and clubs towards introducing safe standing”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Some Arsenal players had bad attitudes – Emery

    Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has accused some of his ex-players of not having “a good attitude” in a stout defence of his 18-month reign at the Emirates Stadium.

    The Spaniard was relieved of his duties in November last year after a run of seven games in all competitions without a win, with the Gunners eight points adrift of the Premier League’s top four.

    He departed amid claims that he had struggled to motivate the club’s biggest names, although he has hit back at those suggestions and insisted he was turning things around.

    Unai Emery told France Football: “Arsenal was a club on a downward slope for two years before I arrived. We stopped this fall and even began to rebuild the club with the Europa League final and fifth place in the league, only one point off Tottenham despite the fact that we took just one point in our final five matches.

    “We had Champions League qualification in our grasp and it went wrong in the end. But it was a good season and we had this notion of continuing to improve.

    “But we lost our four captains: [Laurent] Koscielny, [Petr] Cech, [Aaron] Ramsey and [Nacho] Monreal. They were personalities that we missed this season to stay on the right track, and some stars did not have a good attitude and asked for more than what they were giving back.

    “Taking all of that into account, we needed time to succeed with our transition to a new Arsenal, which is what I wanted.”

    Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette have both gone public with comments that they feel the team has united under new manager Mikel Arteta’s tactical philosophy.

    “As a team, we are much happier and everyone wants to give everything for this club,” said Ozil.

    Source: skysports.com

  • Nivea signs Funny Face as Brand Ambassador

    Nivea have signed Ghanaian comedian Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng popularly known as Funny Face as their brand ambassador.

    The move was completed and announced on Monday.

    According to him, this is his 18th brand endorsement contract ever since hitting the limelight.

    NIVEA is a German personal care brand that specializes in body-care. It is owned by the Hamburg-based company Beiersdorf Global AG. The company was founded on 28 March 1882, by Paul Carl Beiersdorf. In 1890, it was sold to Oscar Troplowitz.

    Source: Ghgossip.com

  • SHS girl caught confidently and arrogantly smoking weed in a video

    A trending video on Twitter depicts a rather bizarre situation where a senior high school student (girl) is seen clothed in her school uniform smoking Indian hemp.

    This video is the second to hit the internet in recent times after some girls of the Ejisuman Senior High School were seen in a video asking their fellow female students to avail themselves to men for sex.

    Punitive measures have since been taken against these students who according to reports have been sacked from the school.

    Hence, this video of this girl smoking weed has sent shivers down the spine of all and sundry who are concerned about the standard of education in the second cycle institutions in Ghana.

    Further checks by Celebritiesbuzz.com.gh reveals that the said girl in the video is a student of Swedru Senior High School in the Central Region.

    Check The Video Below:

    Source: celebritiesbuzz.com