TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Ghana Medical Association appeals to doctors trained for Ebola to be on standby for coronavirus

    Doctors and other health professionals in Ghana trained five years ago to respond to Ebola cases are being asked to immediately regroup and prepare to handle any possible case of coronavirus, which has been declared a global health emergency.

    Cases of the virus have reached nearly 10,000 in China, and more than 100 cases have been reported in 22 other countries. A total of 213 have died from the disease in China so far, according to the BBC.

    On the back of cases being recorded outside china where the outbreak originated, Ghana has stepped up surveillance at its entry points as passengers are screened for possible infection before being allowed entry.

    Government on Monday designated the Ridge Hospital and the Tema General Hospital as centres to manage possible cases of coronavirus in the country.

    It also said the country has triggered its emergency preparedness and response plan amidst the rising number of infections from the virus which was first recorded in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

    The Ghana Medical in a statement Friday said it is concerned about the disease.

    “The human interactions between countries make the possibility of an outbreak of the coronavirus in Ghana very real,” it stated.

    The situation, according to the association, requires that Ghana prepares in terms of logistics, protocols and trained personnel to deal with any possible case.

    Accordingly, it underscored the need for the reactivation of a well-coordinated rapid response team like the one set up during the Ebola pandemic in 2014/2015.

    “We urge doctors and other health care workers who were trained as part of that response team to immediately regroup and get involved actively as we strengthen our preparedness towards any possible case of coronavirus infection in Ghana”.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • Government to demolish buildings along Peduase-Aburi stretch causing rockfalls

    The Ministry of Roads and Highway Authority, as a matter of urgency, is set to demolish buildings on the Akuapim Ridge. This action is the first of many being taken to curtail the incidence of rocks falling from the top of the mountains onto the Peduase-Ayi-Mensah Aburi highway.

    In a statement signed by the sector Minister, Kwasi Amoako Atta, he explained that “the action would save the lives of motorists and pedestrians who use the major highway connecting the Greater Accra region to the Eastern region.”

    In October last year, some parts of the carriageway from Peduase Lodge to Ayi Mensah on the Aburi road got closed to vehicular traffic following a landslide incident which got rocks from the mountains falling onto the roads, preventing road users from using that stretch.

    As a safety measure Mr. Amoako Atta, who joined his technical team to assess the situation explained that such human activities, especially the construction on the ridge was a major contributory factor because they were affecting the arrangements and integrity of the sedimentary rocks.

    He, therefore, urged the relevant local authorities in the area to stop issuing building permits to developers in the mountainous areas.

    The Minister of GHA would liaise with its Local government and Rural Development Counterpart to draw the attention of assemblies on the danger of issuing permit for such projects.

    During the tour, the team realized that there were ongoing construction projects on the Peduase stretch with the development of some heavy equipment and vehicles.

    The Minister then Tasked GHA to clear the debris at section 3 on the closed road with one week for work to resume on the Peduase slope Aburi stretch.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 5 dead, 14 others in critical condition in Kasoa – Cape Coast highway accident

    Five persons have died while 14 others have been  dead in an accident at Gomoa Antseadze on the Kasoa  Cape Coast road, Saturday.

    The accident which occurred this morning is said to have caused a lot of traffic on the road.

    Officers of the Ghana Police Service and National Fire Service are on hand to control the situation.

    Gomoa Antseadze accident

    Gomoa Antseadze accident

    The accident was between an articulator truck with the registration number AS 8726-10 which collided with a Toyota minibus with registration number Gx 3045-18.

    According to an eyewitness, Emmanuel Amoh, the truck made a wrongful overtaking and collided with the passenger car with 19 people on board.

    The members of the Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Takoradi were attending the funeral of one of their members in Accra when they were involved in an accident.

    Gomoa Antseadze accident

    Gomoa Antseadze accident

    Meanwhile, Apam District Police Commander DSP Moses Osakonor said, those feared dead and the injured have been rushed to Apam Government Hospital.

    Gomoa Antseadze accident

    Gomoa Antseadze accident

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Sammy Gyamfi Arrest Is Not My Revenge — Nana Asante Bediatuo Clears

    The Presidency has debunked reports that the arrest of the National Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi is politically motivated.

    According to the Presidency, the NDC member had clearly committed a serious offence, which has the tendency of undermining the integrity of the highest office of the land, for which reason his arrest should not be politicized.

    The Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, in a statement, authored on January 31, 2020, urged the public to refrain from painting an erroneous picture that Sammy Gyamfi was being witch-hunted by the government, insisting that the Presidency is focused on moving the country into affluence so it has no time to witch-hunt anybody.

    “The attention of the Secretary to the President has been drawn to various commentaries on social media that suggest that the complaint lodged against Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, with the Criminal Investigations (CID), is borne out of revenge and/or malice or is politically motivated. That suggestion is erroneous and should not be entertained at all.”

    Nana Bediatuo stated that lack of co-operation on the part of Sammy Gyamfi to the CID on the alleged forged document from the Presidency, eventually resulted in the arrest of the NDC man, adding that had he (Gyamfi) co-operated with the CID about the case, he would not have been nabbed.

    He said a complaint was lodged against Sammy Gyamfi with the CID on November 28, 2019 following the publication and dissemination of a forged memo which had been attributed to the President’s secretary seeking to direct the Chief of Staff to convene a Cabinet meeting.

    Nana Bediatuo said the forged document was published with extra commentary on the Facebook page/account of Sammy Gyamfi, but he strategically refused to honour the invitation of the CID by also filing for application at the High Court to restrain the police from doing their work.

    “It was not until January 27, 2020 that Sammy Gyamfi was arrested pursuant to an arrest warrant and cautioned on the offences of possession of forged document and publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm, contrary to sections 166 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29),” he added.

    Luxury Time

    Debunking claims that Sammy Gyamfi’s arrest was borne out of malice, he said “if nothing at all, it is worth stating that no citizen of this land would have been given the two-month luxury of time and space that Sammy Gyamfi enjoyed following the complaint lodged on November 28, 2019, especially in situations like this.”

    “The position of the office of the secretary is that a crime has been committed; a serious crime at that. A document purportedly from the Secretariat of the President, allegedly signed by the secretary to the President, has been forged and published widely, and no one should accept that as being normal,” he said.

    Nana Bediatuo was of the view that the forgery of documents emanating from the president’s secretariat affects the integrity of any such documents and the instructions and directions conveyed, adding that it would be negligent on the part of the Secretary of the President if no action is taken in a matter as serious as this.

    He said in this era of social media, when people could use ‘ghost names’ to spread false news around and create unnecessary tensions and fears, “nobody should belittle the gross negative effects such forgeries and fake news can have on the governance of the state.”

    Nana Bediatuo, therefore, admonished the media, social commentators and the others to allow the police (CID) to do their work and stop making their work difficult, saying “as citizens, we all have a duty to protect the credibility, integrity and sanctity of official documents coming from the high office of the president of the republic.”

    —Daily Guide

     

  • We did not boycot one-year commemoration of Ayawaso West violence – Police

    The Greater Accra Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service has denied suggestions that it did not provide security for the One Year Commemorative Durbar of the Ayawaso West Wuogon By-Election Violence.

    In a press release dated today February 1, 2020 and signed by DSP Efia Tenge of the Public Affairs Unit, the police service said “it wishes to register for a fact that it provided adequate security coverage for the One Year Commemorative Durbar of the Ayawaso West Wuogon By-Election Violence, held yesterday 31st January 2020.”

    The release stated that as a measure to ward of “criminal elements who may take advantage to foment trouble and ensure adequate security before, during and after the event,” teams from the Regional Operations Counter Terrorism unit and SWAT within the jurisdiction, as well as personals from the Criminal Investigation Department, Operations Calm Life (Police and Military collaboration) and officers of the Motor and Traffic Transport Unit coordinated to provide security for the event.

    The release further states that “a tenmember military standby force was positioned at a tactical location to offer the needed assistance when and where necessary.”

    The Regional Command in the release reassured all political parties and the general public that it will continue to remain impartial in the delivery of its constitutional mandate of providing security for all and sundry.

    Before the ceremony yesterday, a wire message alleged to have been sent out from the Greater Accra Regional Command, warned officers of the police service within the jurisdiction to refrain from providing security for the event and to disassociate themselves from the event or risk “severe sanctions.”

    Former President John Mahama who addressed the ceremony yesterday after reading a copy of the alleged wire message said it goes to show the “personalisation of state institutions” under the current Akufo-Addo led administration.

    The former President who is the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the upcoming December Presidential Elections, added that he will ensure a reform of the police service should he be voted president on December 7.

    “I feel very sad, but I promise that we will take action when we come into office, to instil the confidence of the people of Ghana in the police service.” He hinted

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Five dead, many injured in crash on Accra-Takoradi road

    Five persons have been confirmed dead with about 15 others in critical condition after an articulated truck, with registration number AS 8726-10, collided with a Toyota Minibus with registration number GX 3045-18 at Gomoa Antseadze, close to Apam in the Central Region.

    The Minibus was on its way to Accra from Takoradi, while the truck was heading in the opposite direction towards Takoradi.

     

    Some eyewitnesses who spoke to Citi News said the truck wrongly overtook a vehicle ahead of it and veered into the path of the oncoming minibus, resulting in a head-on collision.

    The victims have been taken to the St Luke Catholic Hospital in Apam for medical attention.

    The Apam District Police commander, DSP Moses Osakinor has told Citi News that preliminary investigations show that the minibus was overloaded at the time of the incident.

    “On the ground, we were told five people died on the spot and they were all females. 14 people were injured and they are in the hospital.”

    “The investigator told me that the minibus had overloaded because it had 19 people on board… The articulated truck was overtaking another vehicle but I think because it was too early the visibility was not too clear,” he said.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Policewoman, 3 kids killed in gas explosion go home today

    A burial service is being held this morning for the policewoman, Inspector Kate Abban who died together with her three kids in a fire outbreak.

    The fire outbreak resulted from gas explosion in January 2020.

    The late police officer, DGN Online understands, had returned from church to prepare food for her family on Sunday, January 5, 2020 when the explosion happened.

    She was rushed to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

    However, she passed on four days later while on admission at the facility.

    Her three kids also died as a result of the burns they sustained from the inferno, with the last kid passing on Sunday, January 12, 2020.

    The three kids are Ebenezer Yansom Kwakuru, aged 9; Joy Nmon Nobeh, aged 11, and Emmanuel Adjei Asiamah, aged 22, respectively.

    Their burial service is being held at the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), a suburb of Accra, after which their mortal remains would be laid to rest at the Osu Cemetery.

     

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to demolish dilapidated structures in the Metropolis

    The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly together with the Metropolitan National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) have issued a two-week ultimatum to residents in dilapidated structures to rehabilitate or have them pulled down.

    The Assembly has therefore served all identifiable occupants letters of notice in that regard.

    Some of the structures earmarked for demolition are located at Nkruful, Essikado, old Anglican Church, Sekondi komfoase, and Maxwell road all suburbs of Takoradi.

    The others are; the fence wall of the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) Guest house, which posed some level of threat to humans and vehicles.

    The affected owners were given two weeks deadline change the situation.

    Mr Edward A.K.Quartey, the legal Liaison officer of STMA, said the demolition exercise would be the final resolve since owners failed to comply with many Warnings.

    The Assembly would demolish the structures and surcharge the owners in court, he added.

    Mr Quartey explained that an offender of the assembly’s by-laws could be charged between 100 and 500 penalty units or both and in some cases served a custodial sentence.

    Mr Quartey however, expressed the hope that, the owners would comply and together build a better future devoid of disasters.

    Mr. James Obeng Junior, the Metropolitan Director of NADMO, said his outfit would work hard to prevent future disasters and a field report on the situation from NADMO Zonal officers necessitated the intended action.

     

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • Stop preventing people from contesting incumbent MPs Ken Agyapong warns Wontumi, others

    Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong has asked officials of the governing NPP in the Ashanti Region to desist from preventing people from contesting incumbent Members of Parliament.

    According to him, the party needs a succession plan and therefore preventing people from contesting incumbent lawmakers will not augur well for the party.

    He indicated that as a party that claims to uphold democracy, preventing people from contesting is in contravention with the principles of the party.

    The lawmaker, however, mentioned that he is against people who do not work for the party but come back after four years and want to be voted into power.

    He noted that such people are a threat to the party and there is the need to do away with them by disqualifying them.

    Speaking on indispensable lawmakers like Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Kennedy indicated that such a brain cannot be made to leave Parliament because of his rich experience.

    He said such persons should be allowed to be contested but party officials can adopt some “mafia” tactics” so he can win over his contenders.

     

    Source: mynewsgh.com

  • Nigerian Authorities shut down Chinese supermarket in Lagos over Coronavirus

    The Nigerian authorities have made moves to shut down a Chinese-owned Panda Supermarket in the Jabi area of Abuja as part of measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

    The FCCPC said in a series of tweets made hours ago that it had seized some frozen food items illegally imported from China into Nigeria.

    The pictures of some of the frozen food items posted on Twitter showed that they had expiry dates of 2089 which further aroused suspicion that they were not certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control before almost hitting the market.

    The agency said in a series of tweets, “The FCCPC inspected Panda Supermarket, Jabi, on credible reports that it discriminated and had a concealed area for Asian nationals. The allegation was confirmed. Seafood and animal products imported illegally from China were discovered.

    “The store was closed for cautionary reasons considering the Coronavirus. Products with expired and irregular shelf life were also discovered at Panda. Regulatory activities to remove all such products from the supermarket continue.”

    The Federal Government had earlier in the week assured Nigerians of its readiness to strengthen surveillance at five international airports in the country to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

    The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said the government would also set up an inter-multisectoral committee to scale up surveillance and vigilance.

    “The risk of importation is possible in all countries. However, the ministry wishes to assure all Nigerians that the capacity to detect, access and respond to this and other public health challenges are put in place,” he had said.

    The minister said that in addition, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had set up coronavirus group and was ready to activate its incident system for coronavirus if any case emerged in Nigeria.

    First identified by Chinese researchers with the pathogen behind a mysterious illness that had sickened 59 people in Wuhan, Hubei in 2019, a city of 11 million in central China, coronavirus is a group of viruses common among animals but now confirmed that it could also infect humans.

    The large family of viruses can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome otherwise known as SARS.

    The disease has spread to Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, as authorities of that country confirmed 1,975 cases of the new coronavirus, while death toll from the virus rose to 56.

    It had also spread to the US, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France, and Canada.

    See Photos Below:

  • Watchman jailed for assaulting third wife

    A 51-year-old watchman has been sentenced to one month imprisonment by the Tepa District Court for assaulting his third wife at Tepa, in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality.

    Mallam Issah Ibrahim pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea by the court presided over by Madam Lilian Kankam.

    Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Jonas Newlove Agyei told the court that the victim, Aishatu Fuseni, who was the complainant, was a petty trader and third wife of the convict.

    He said on January 21 this year at about 0730 hours, a quarrel ensued between the complainant and the second wife who called the complainant, a barren.

    The prosecution said the complainant retaliated by calling the second wife a prostitute.

    Prosecution said, Ibrahim who was present became offended with the third wife.

    He said the next evening, Ibrahim returned from work, entered into the room of the complainant who had just finished bathing with no clothes on, and subjected her to severe beatings with an iron rod, asking her to give reasons for referring to the second wife as a prostitute.

    Chief Inspector Agyei said a report was made to the Tepa police who arrested Ibrahim and in his cautioned statement, admitted the offence and was therefore charged with the offence after investigation.

     

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • John Nyankeh re-elected Jomoro Assembly Presiding Member

    The immediate past Presiding Member (PM) for Jomoro Municipal Assembly of Western region, John Nyankeh has been re-elected.

    He would lead the Assembly for another two-year term as the presiding member following his re-election.

    The 54-member assembly is made up of 37 elected and 15 government appointees, the District chief Executive and the Member of Parliament.

    Fifty (50) out of the fifty-four (54) members of the Assembly were present to take part in the voting exercise when Hon. John Nyankeh polled 38 votes as against 12 votes obtained by the contender.

    The former Presiding Member secured his position after two rounds of voting.

    Mr. John Nyankeh was challenged by a colleague member of the house, Mr. Augustine Pascal Yankey but he subsequently pulled out of the contest after the first round voluntarily.

    The first round of the elections gave Mr. John Nyankeh 32 votes while Mr. Pascal Yankey got 18 votes which did not constitute two thirds (2/3) of the total votes cast.

    The elections were officiated by the officials of Jomoro Municipal Electoral Commission and witnessed by the Deputy Minister for Communications, Mr. Vincent Odotei Sowah.

    The Presiding Member-elect in his short address thanked his colleague members of the house for the confidence reposed in him.

    He also thanked the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Ernest Kofie and the NPP Western Regional Chairman, Mr. Francis Ndede Siah for supporting him to be elected as the Presiding Member for the assembly.

    He promised to bring all members of the Assembly together as he did during his first tenure and unite them.

    He said the most important thing for members was for them to send development to their respective Electoral Areas.

    “It is my pledge that as I have been doing in the previous administration, we are going to work together. It is not my style to bring disunity and division. I am going to work with each and everyone, whether you voted for me or you did not vote for me, we are going to work to bring development to our various electoral areas, that is very key”, he said.

    He, therefore, seized the occasion to thank his fellow contestant, Mr. Augustine Pascal Yankey who pulled out of the race to allow him to run in the second round unopposed.

    He appealed to him to cooperate and coordinate with him, activities of the Assembly as he did during his first tenure.

    “…I want to give a special mention to my fellow contestant, Hon. Pascal Yankey for conceding and withdrawing to give me the contest, in fact when we were out there, I spoke to him and he promised me, he told me, Hon. John Nyankeh you are going to win this contest, once I have spoken to my disciples so-called, I know that they are going to vote for you and give you endorsement and really it has come to pass, Hon. Pascal, I say thank you. I hope that as you have given me the cooperation and coordination during the previous administration, Pascal I hope you are going to give me the same cooperation going forward 2020 and 2021”, he ended.

    On his part, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Hon. Ernest Kofie charged the Assembly Members to maintain a clo
    He said they should consult their electorates on issues to be discussed in the Assembly and collate their views, opinions and proposals.
    se contact with their Electoral Areas.

    He also charged them to participate in communal and developmental activities in the Municipality.

    The MCE urged them to use the Assembly bye-laws to enforce compliance in sanitation management and environmental health standards and rules to ensure a clean and healthy environment.

    “Let me emphasize that good governance entails active participation of the citizens in your Electoral Areas to ensure the delivery of quality services, improved infrastructure and good leadership”, he disclosed.

    On his part, Hon. Vincent Odotei Sowah, the Deputy Minister for Communications who represented President Akufo-Addo expressed his profound gratitude to the Assembly Members for peaceful election of the Presiding Member, who is among them to chair meetings of the assembly.

    He called on them to be united and rally behind the government to implement its programmes to benefit their electorates.

    He took the opportunity to praise President Akufo-Addo for the successful implementation of the flagship Free SHS programme and urged them to embrace it.

    The Chief of Half Assini who chaired the occasion, Nana Ayebie Amhire congratulated the Presiding Member-elect on his victory and called on Assembly Members to support him to deliver.

    He called on them to link up with their electorates for them to be abreast with what transpires at the Assembly.

    He said anytime the Assembly Members were going for meetings, they should try and meet their communities first to solicit ideas before meeting.

    The elected Presiding Member, Hon. John Nyankeh is expected to be sworn-in by the Assembly next meeting.

     

    Source: Daniel Kaku, Contributor

  • Chartered Accountant pick forms to contest K.T Hammond

    A 52-year-old Chattered Accountant Mr Sammy Binfo Darkwa, has picked a nomination form to contest the upcoming Adansi-Asokwa constituency NPP parliamentary primaries.

    Mr Darkwa, thus, becomes the first person to contest the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr K.T Hammond.

    This is the first time the Adansi-Asokwa constituency of the NPP opened nominations for people to contest the incumbent MP, who went unopposed since multi-party democracy began in the country.

    Speaking to the media after picking his forms, Mr Darkwa, said that was a history in the constituency.

    He said since multi-party democracy began in the country, interested aspirants were denied the opportunity to contest the incumbent and things were changing and called on the delegates to vote for the right parliamentary candidate to enable the constituency speed up in its development agenda.

    Mr. Kwame Owusu, the constituency Chairman said the nomination was opened to any qualified member of the party to pick forms to contest.

    He however, urged all contestants to abide by the rules of the game and comport themselves to maintain unity of the party in the constituency.

     

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • 6 Chinese arrested for assaulting Ghanaian worker at Awutu Bosom Abena

    Six Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Awutu Bereku District Police Command for assaulting a 40-year-old Ghanaian employee, Baba Amadu at Awutu Bosom Abena in the Central Region.

    The victim is battling for his life after he was handcuffed, hanged on a tree and brutalized till he started vomiting blood.

    Baba Amadu, a worker at the J. F Stone quarry owned by the Chinese nationals narrated to Kasapa New Yaw Boagyan that a supervisor ordered him to offload stones to one of the machines not knowing that one Chinese man was wielding a damaged part of the machine.

    According to him, the Chinese man came out of the machine and he informed his other colleagues and he was sacked immediately.

    “I was called back today to come and continue my work, upon reaching the yard, the Chinese men who had ambushed the compound handcuffed me, hanged me on a tree, fired a warning shot close to my eyes and beat me mercilessly till I went unconscious,” he narrated.

    The senior brother of the victim, Kweku Gyatey expressed fear that his brother could die any moment from now because he is having internal bleeding as well as vomiting blood.

    Meanwhile, the Chinese suspects have been arrested by Awutu Beraku District Police Command.

     

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Cape Coast Teaching Hospital performs free ENT surgeries

    The Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) has performed free surgery for about 30 patients including children with various Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) conditions.

    It was an exciting moment as patients with chronically discharging ears and defects in their tympanic membrane had their hearing restored while others with difficulty in breathing through the nostrils were also corrected.

    Key among them was a four month old baby who was born without a hole in her nose and had to breathe through her mouth, was successfully operated on to breathe through her nostrils.

    The week-long annual outreach programme is a collaborative gesture between the hospital and a team of doctors from the University of Uttah in the United States of America.

    The team, led by Professor Jeremy Meier, a Pediatrician and an ENT surgeon was made up of ENT specialists, anesthesiologist and general surgeons.

    Dr Peter Appiah Thomson, Head of the ENT Unit at CCTH indicated that ENT surgeries were usually very expensive, which cost between $50 to $200,000 which many Ghanaian patients could not afford.

    He said CCTH had for the past six years collaborated with the University of Utah where ENT specialist, anesthesiologist and other general surgeons visit to offer complex ENT surgeries.

    He said the hospital during the exercise, performed surgeries that ordinarily, resources were not available for the patients.

    Dr Thompson expressed excitement about the exercise and said the team would also help develop the skills of staff to be able to solve such complex problems in future.

    He said 15 ENT trainee nurses, four doctors from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and various category of students from across the country were working with the team to improve their skills and techniques in ENT surgery.

    He expressed the hope that the collaboration would go a long way to attract more ENT specialists to the hospital as he remained the only ENT specialist at the facility.

    Dr Thompson encouraged mothers to vaccinate their new born babies and send their children to the ENT unit when they noticed any problem with their ear, nose or throat for early treatment.

    A member of the team, Dr Ryan Meier said the University hoped to tighten the collaboration to make surgery safer at the CCTH while assuring the hospital of their continued support to build on the knowledge of the anesthetist and improve their skills for better delivery at the facility.

    He said as part of their outreach, they had supplied various medical equipment to improve upon health care delivery at the hospital.

    Dr Eric Kofi Ngyedu, Chief Executive Officer of CCTH described the partnership as one that augmented the service delivery of the hospital and as well offered opportunity for transfer of skills and technology.

    He added that it would also be an opportunity for residents and doctors to learn high level technique in ENT surgery and to build their knowledge and skills.

    He said as part of the partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed between the hospital and University of Utah to augment the collaboration to include laparoscopy surgery training.

    Dr Ngyedu said CCTH as part of its five year strategic plan hoped to become a centre for the training of ENT surgeons in Ghana.

     

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • Christian Atsu rejects Celtic transfer on Deadline Day

    Christian Atsu has decided to stay at Newcastle and fight for his place after Celtic made an approach to take the winger on loan.

    The 28-year-old Ghana international was also under consideration by Championship promotion contenders Nottingham Forest, while Blackburn were rebuffed by Newcastle.

    Atsu has made 22 appearances in all competitions under Steve Bruce this season but is yet to score a goal for the team.

    He joined Newcastle in a £6.2m move from Chelsea in May 2017, having spent the duration of his career at Stamford Bridge on loan at Vitesse, Everton and Malaga.

    Tottenham and England left-back Danny Rose joined Newcastle on loan for the remainder of the season on Thursday, becoming their third January recruit following the signings of Nabil Bentaleb and Valentino Lazaro.

    Celtic are also in talks to re-sign Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama before Friday’s midnight transfer deadline.

  • MTN users to experience disruptions in data services on Saturday

    Telecommunications giant, MTN Ghana says it will today February 1 undertake a maintenance on its network to enhance the quality of its data services.

    According to a statement issued by the company, there will be intermittent disruptions to data services between 12:00am to 1:00am.

    “This activity will enhance the quality of our data services and MTN sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience,” the statement noted.

    Last month, subscribers of the MTN faced disruptions with regards to mobile data connectivity across Ghana and many areas in West Africa as a result of a double undersea fibre optic cable cut in its network.

    Ghana was not the only country affected by the fibre cable cut as the West Africa Cable System (WACS), which is in the Atlantic Ocean, connects many other African countries to Europe.

    The Consumer Rights Protection Agency suggested MTN compensate its subscribers for the service disruptions.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Video of 16 year old Elvis Tefe Proposing To An Mfantsiman Girl Goes Viral

    Recall somewhere last year when Elvis Tefe went viral because of his diminutive structure after gaining admission into Adisadel College?

    Most Ghanaians were of the view that he was too young to be in the Senior High considering his height but alas he has proved all naysayers wrong in more ways than one.

    In the viral video, Master Elvis was seen speaking to an Mfantsiman Girl who was on her knees in order to probably match up to his height.

    After a few words, one of his Seniors shouted at him to leave the girl alone but the girl pulled him back to continue what he was telling her.

     

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Elvis Tefe gets the Girls attention 🤣🤣🤣

    A post shared by Our World of information! (@nanansem.com.gh) on

  • Jawol Abraham joins Saboba NPP parliamentary race

    Mr Abraham Binapadam Jawol, Managing Director, Ghana Supply Company has declared his intention to contest the upcoming Parliamentary Primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Saboba Constituency of the Northern Region.

    Mr Jawol said his teaming supporters from the rank and file of the Party have hinted that they would pick nominations forms on his behalf voluntarily at their own cost as a proof of their confidence in his bid.

    The Managing Director has been in the Parliamentary race with the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Charles Bintin for three consecutive times.

    His party activism, commitment and dedication to work caught the attention of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, who appointed him in 2017, to steer the affairs of the state owned Company.

    Mr Jawol told journalists in an interview in Accra that the strength of any politician was not in the position he occupied nor the wealth he may have accumulated but in the people who have vested their confidence in him and therefore he was obliged not to abuse the trust of the people for any other consideration.

    Mr Jawol said that he would have to heed the calls to contest the primaries to restore the dashed hopes of the people in the current leadership and the dwindling fortunes of the party under the current MP.

    The incumbent MP, he said had failed to foster the needed peace and unity in the Party and he was the best man to restore the needed peace and unity among the rank and file of the Party to ensure Party cohesion, the most essential ingredient for any successful campaign.

    Mr Jawol promised to use his experience to help fix the many problems facing the Constituency when given the nod and admonished his supporters to engage in a campaign devoid insults, lies and character assassination but rather work hard to ensure his victory come April 25, 2020 and that of the Party in the general elections.

     

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • NPP Primaries: Obiri Boahen proposes online nomination forms in future

    The Deputy General Secretary for the National Patriotic Party, Nana Obiri Boahen has suggested an online filling of nomination forms due to heckles and complaints from several aspirants.

    According to him, to avoid heckles, he will propose to the party to consider an online registration of all types of nomination forms in the foreseeable future.

    The Deputy Secretary who has been assigned by the Party to the monitor Southern Zone including Eastern Region visited some areas today.

    He told Nkawkaw based Agoo FM that he has been embarking on an unexpected tour to the various constituency offices where he has been assigned to see how the purchase of nomination forms is going.

    Speaking to Obaahemaa Yaa Mirekua on the evening news analysis program, Nana Obiri Boahen disclosed that he was in the Eastern Region, Thursday, 30, January 2020 and purchase of the forms were encouraging at the places he visited.

    He also stated there was calm and did not record any challenges at all the places he visited in the Eastern Region.

    “Apparently, the only place my attention has been drawn to so far is in the Krachi Constituency where I was told the forms have not reached the constituency office. As a political party I think the online forms will help us”. He added

    Some other regions including the Ashanti and few others have recorded a shortage of forms. At Ashanti Akim South Monday, Mr Eric Amofa Jnr experience same challenges when party executives present told him the constituency received three forms but have been sold out already.

    He says this and others may be the reason to consider the online nomination form.

    Nana Obiri Boahen also suggested that in the near future, card bearing members must also be allowed to vote when electing constituency chairmen since it has only been party executives who are given the mandate all the times.

     

    Source: Kasapafmonline.com

  • NPP Weija-Gbawe mafia at work as executives lock up party office

    When it was reported that there have been plots by some political Mafia in the NPP Weija Constituency, who intend to stop other candidates from contesting the sitting Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Health Tina Mensah, many thought it was a fabrication.

    It has obviously turned out that the true political Mafia is manifesting in broad daylight.

    There was drama when a Member of Parliament aspirant of the NPP Weija Constituency, Patrick Kobina Baidoo Popularly known as Blue Boy in the company of a number of his supporters showed up at the Constituency Office located at Weija to pick his nomination form on Friday.

    At their arrival as at 11:50 am, the NPP Weija Gbawe Constituency Office was locked up with all constituency executives absent from the office.

    None of the executives including the constituency chairman, secretary among the rest were nowhere to be found.

    This development gives credence to the earlier media reports of abuse of incumbency on the part of the sitting MP Hon. Tina Mensah.

    Ever since the NPP opened political nominations for MPs in the parent constituencies and presidential aspirants, there have been loads of alleged mafia plots to disqualify candidates seen as threats to sitting MPs.

    The plan of the Constituency Executives initially was even never to sell the forms to Blue Boy until the NPP through its General Secretary, John Boadu directed sternly that the forms must be made available to all members of the party in good standing.

    “I spoke to all the executives yesterday and this morning and I was given the assurance that the office will be opened. I dispatched a team on the grounds to monitor the office from 6:am today Friday 31st January 2020 and we all witnesses that the office has been locked up since morning.

    “We will use the appropriate party procedures to ensure that we appear on the ballot paper. We will go to the NPP regional office and if we encounter any hindrance, we will pick the nomination forms from the NPP National Headquarters,” he told the teeming supporters as he addressed them.

     

    Source: William Beeko

  • I will reform police service if NDC comes to power in 2021 John Mahama warns

    Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama says his government will ensure a reform of the police service should he be elected president in the December 7 general elections.

    Addressing party faithfuls and sympathisers at a ceremony to commemorate the one year anniversary of the violence that characterised the Ayawaso by-elections, the former president bemoaned what he described as the “personalisation of state institutions” under the current Akufo-Addo led administration.

    His comments were influenced by an alleged police wire message from the Greater Accra Regional office, sent out this morning directing officers in the region to “dissociate” themselves from the event held this morning or risk “severe sanctions.”

    “Which professional police officer will send out a message like this? It shows the personalisation of the institutions of state that have taken place under the current NPP administration. Of course, the NDC is coming, we will reform the police.”

    The former president after his comment cautioned police officers, telling them to be reminded that their dedication and duty is to the state and constitution. And in everything that they do, they must remain neutral and non-partisan.

    “It is a very sorry day for the police service to issue a communique like this, asking all security personals: One not to provide security for the event and then two, to dissociate themselves from the event.

    “I feel very sad, but I promise that we will take action when we come into office, to instil the confidence of the people of Ghana in the police service.

    The motto of the police service is Service with Integrity, we will work to restore the integrity of the Ghana Police Service.” Exactly a year ago today, a by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Electoral Area meant to find a replacement for the late Member of Parliament for the Constituency, Boakye Agyarko was marred by violence.

    The violence that erupted on that day resulted in several casualties even though there were no deaths recorded. The NDC whose members formed the majority of the victims of the December 31, 2019 violence held the ceremony today at the La Bawalashie Presby School to commemorate the incident.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Cancel debts, return stolen items of colonised countries Ghanaian-born UK MP tells British government

    The Labour Member of Parliament for Streatham, Bell Ribeiro-Addy has urged the UK government to return items forcefully taken from countries colonised; as part of efforts to rectify its history as slave masters.

    This, according to the MP, together with the cancellation of debts, will show that the Britain government is truly remorseful for its acts during the colonial days like slavery.

    This comes days after France announced a decision to return artifacts stolen from Benin during its colonial occupation by 2021.

    “I am someone who firmly believes that the only way you can tackle an issue is at its very root. And the racism which I and many others in this country face on a daily basis has its very root in these injustices.

    “Not only will this country not apologize, but they also have not once offered a form of reparations. People see reparation as handing over a large sum of money, but why could we not start with it today? Simple things like fairer trade, simple things like returning items that do not belong to us and simple things like cancelling debts that we have had paid over and over again.

    “And I believe the reason for this is because we only apologize to our equals,” she said as part of her speech on the floor of the House of Commons, during the Global Britain debate.

    The British politician of Ghanaian descent maintained that the UK will be left in the cold if appropriate measures are not taken to make amends and address issues of racism and injustice.

    “Whilst we spent years debating Brexit engaged in monumental self-harm, India surpassed the UK to become the fifth richest economy in the world. India, a former British colony, this country presided over bloody partition, the Amritsar massacre and Bengal famine.

    “We also see countries in Africa like Ghana, Kenya and Uganda amongst the fastest growing economies in the world. Countries that Britain deliberately underdeveloped stole resources from and brutally enslaved its people.”

    Bell Ribeiro-Addy, together with three other Ghanaians are in the UK House of Commons after securing a win in the elections held in December last year.

    The four, made up of two females and two males, won on the tickets of the Labour Party and the Conservative Party respectfully.

    While, Abena Oppong-Asare won the Erith and Thamesmead Constituency with 48 per cent of the votes and a majority of 3,758, Bell Ribeiro-Addy won the seat to represent the Streatham constituency after securing 54.8 per cent with 30,976 vTheir male counterparts, Adam Afriyie also retained the Windsor seat with 31,501 votes and Kwasi Kwarteng, also kept possession of his Spelthorne seat with 18,000

     

    Source: myjoyonline.com 

  • Police investigators reject over GHC6,000 bribe to drop case, arrest 3 suspects

    Police investigators in the Garu District of Upper East Region have rejected a 6,540 cedi bribe offered for a motorbike theft case to be dropped.

    Kofi Awuni, who has been arrested, was said to have offered the money to investigators handling the case on Thursday.

    Police intelligence led to the arrest of Amadu Yakubu in connection with a missing motorbike on Tuesday. January 28, 2020.

    A search conducted in his room led to the retrieval of three unregistered motorbikes which were suspected to have been stolen from their owners.

    Further investigations led to the arrest of Wudu Mohammed an alleged accomplice who is suspected for dishonestly receiving of stolen motorbikes and offering them for sale.

    “While investigation was on-going, suspect Kofi Awuni offered investigators 6.540.00 cedis for the case of stealing and dishonestly receiving to be dropped. He was subsequently arrested and cautioned for attempting to bribe public officer,” a police statement said Friday.

    The money offered, the police say, has been retained as exhibit for evidential purposes.

    All three suspects who are under investigation were expected to be arraigned on charges of stealing and bribing public officer Friday.

    The Police have urged the public to refrain from offering bribes to public officers during investigations.

    “Instead, they should assist police with information leading to the arrest and prosecution of offenders…it is an offence against the state to bribe a police officer.

    Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Police Command has intensified its operations to clamp down on criminals, especially those involved in motorbike theft, a crime it said, has been rampant along the Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso borders.

    Source: 3news.com

  • Ghanaian Times Editorial: Where are the galamsey excavators?

    Over the past few days, there have been intense debates over the whereabouts of excavators seized by the Operation Vanguard team in their operations across the country.

    The debates, which started following the announcement by the Chairman of the National Taskforce Committee, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, have led to some demanding full disclosure about the missing excavators.

    Indeed, some civil society groups including the Media Coalition Against Galamsey and pressure group, Occupy Ghana as well as Concerned Small Scale Miners have joined the long list of Ghanaians demanding to know the whereabouts of the over 500 excavators confiscated within 2017 and 2018.

    Prof. Frimpong Boateng had revealed last week that most of the seized excavators are missing although they were in the custody of district assemblies across the country.

    The Ghanaian Times is as surprised as many Ghanaians that the excavators have disappeared from the premises of the assemblies who were supposed to have watched over them.

    We also feel disappointed and sad about the revelation because it shows that once again we failed to enforce the laws of this country in a very bizarre manner.

    We cannot imagine why government agencies cannot enforce the law and allow equipment seized and deposited in their custody vanish in a dramatic manner without a trace.

    It is surprising that the chairman of the taskforce is unaware of the whereabouts of the excavators, when he is supposed to know where they were being kept.

    We are concerned that the galamsey activities may escalate in view of the disappearance of the excavators, many of which can find their way back to the illegal mining sites.

    We also regret that although it came to the notice of the taskforce that the excavators have disappeared, no one has yet been arrested in connection with the missing excavators.

    The question to ask therefore, is, “Where are the excavators?”

    We join many Ghanaians calling for full-scale investigation into the matter in order to unravel the circumstances leading to the disappearance of the excavators and if possible, apprehend those responsible for the missing excavators.

    The war against galamsey appears to be floundering and we share the view of many that we are losing the war because some unpatriotic and selfish Ghanaians are working against the well-intended campaign against illegal mining. That is unfortunate.

    We believe however, that, all is not lost yet. The revelation by the chairman of the taskforce is in itself a wake-up call and a rallying point for the entire country to redirect its focus and be more vigorous in the fight against the menace.

    If we do not, we should blame ourselves for letting another opportunity slip by to save the environment.

    We are certain that posterity would judge us harshly if we are unable to enforce the law and stop the irresponsible behaviour by few selfish individuals that is threatening the environment and the future of the present and unborn generations.

    We need answers to the whereabouts of the excavators and we urge the government to investigate and bring all those who are involved to book.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Unresolved issues from Ayawaso violence may affect December polls – Adam Bonaa

    A security analyst, Adam Bonaa says unresolved issues from the violence that characterised the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election on January 31, 2019, may affect the 2020 general elections.

    According to Mr Bonaa, enough measures have not been put in place by the Peace Council to address issues surrounding the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence a year on.

    He stated that victims of the violence have not been compensated a year after suffering various kinds of injuries also, perpetrators of the incident have been left unpunished.

    Adding, with the Electoral Commission’s decision to compile a new voters’ register with political parties opposing in that regard, it is an indication of some kind of impending violence for the general elections in December 2020.

    In an interview on Starr FM, today Mr Bonaa Adam Bonaa questioned efforts of the Peace Council in dealing with electoral violence a year after the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.

    “Until such a time that these things are put together well it’s going to be difficult because it’s going to become, you do me, I do you and so the Peace Council if you should ask me where are they in regards to this whole conversation regards to of electoral violence in this country. I hadn’t heard about them one year on, what have they been doing? they haven’t done enough”.

    ”The victims have not been compensated, what are they saying about it and so these are things that if you ask me, looking at the tension that is brewing with regards to the electoral roll, if you ask me from where I stand I’ll tell you its a precursor to some kind of impending violence if we are not careful because the Ayawaso West Wuogon violence remains fresh in our minds and we want to have an electoral roll the EC wants to go ahead and register all of us again where the political parties are arguing and therefore if anything goes amidst what happens”?

    ”Tension is brewing up too much and I would have wished that the peace council should have by now resolved this issue about the Ayawaso West Wuogon, those who would have been compensated would have had their compensation, those who did wrong would have been punished. But we know the white paper rejected the substantial amount of the commission’s report by saying that Emil Short and his people deviated from the terms of condition given to them before they started their work.”

    The Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election was to replace deceased Member of Parliament Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko for the constituency who died in November 2018.

    The by-election turned violent when security operatives fired gunshots into a crowd at Bawaleshie a suburb of Accra on January 31, 2019.

    Though there was no death recorded, there were casualties. Ningo Prampram MP, Sam Nartey George was assaulted whilst others were wounded by gunshots.

    The government set up the Emile-Short Commission to investigate the incident and make recommendations on how to deal with electoral violence.

    A month after the committee presented its report, the government rejected many of the recommendations on its white paper.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Female Lawyer stabs her husband to death and cuts of his manhood off

    A High Court in Lagos Nigeria has remanded a 48-year-old female lawyer identified as Udeme Otike-Odibi, at Kirikiri prison for reportedly stabbing her 52-year-old husband, Symphorosa Otike-Odibi to death.

    The female Lawyer stabbed her husband and mutilated his corpse by cutting his manhood off.

    According to reports, the lawyer after a heated argument with her husband lost her cool and quickly ran to the kitchen to take a knife, before the husband could say jack he was on the floor with blood oozing from his belly region.

    The culprit ( Udeme Otike-Odibi ), was accused by the Lagos State Government on a two-count charge of murder and misconduct with regard to a corpse. She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The offences violate Sections 165 (b) and 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Section 165 (b) provides five-year imprisonment while Section 223 also stipulates death.

    The presiding judge, Adedayo Akintoye, despite that, remanded the accused in prison and adjourned the case until further hearing.

    Ghpage.com is steadily following the story to keep our cherished readers updated.

    Source: Ghpage

     

  • Sister Derby goes n@ughty on social media again

    Sister Derby has decided to use the exposure of her body to generate some buzz for her about to be released song titled “Kanzo”.

    In a series of photos, the African Mermaid has been releasing through this week, she has in a very cunning way put on display almost every essential part of her body as a woman on display.

    Flashes of her boobs, cameltoe, and other things have already been seen in the wild photos she has shared on her Instagram page.

    In a new photo sighted by zionfelix.net on her Instagram page, the “Libilibi” singer poses with her small but manageable @$$ facing the camera.

    Sister Derby captions the photo: “If you like #Kanzo then you will like my new track loading… “

    See the wild photo below…

  • Moesha Buodong to be a mother as she is set to tie the knot in few months

    Ghanaian actress and Instagram Photo model Moesha Babiinoti Buodong have put to light her intention of getting married and also how ready she is to become a mother in no time (sooner than we can think)

    Moesha Buodong having a baby would be the last thing anyone would expect from her. We cannot bring ourselves to imagine Moesha with a protruding belly lol!.

    Already Moesha is suspected to be pregnant that is why she wants to quickly married to cover up.

    We cannot immediately tell who is this lucky man to take her from the slay kingdom and put a ring on her finger to becoming a Mrs but trust us to give you the latest update from her camp. Congratulations in advance. Wink!

    Moesha disclosed her plan to marry in a video sighted by Ghpage.com. Check the video below:

     

    Source: Ghpage.com

  • Fuel prices to drop by 2.5% in February IES

    The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has predicted that prices of petroleum products are likely to fall by 2.5 percent at various pumps in the first pricing window of February 2020.

    The decrease, yet to take effect, is as a result of the fall in prices of Brent crude, gasoil and gasoline prices on the world market, the energy think thank indicated.

    In a statement issued by the IES, it stated that “from the 4.66 the decline in prices of Brent crude, coupled with the 8.00 percent and 5.69 percent considerable reduction in the prices of Gasoil and Gasoline respectively on the international market; the Institute for Energy Security (IES) foresees prices of fuel on the local market dropping by roughly 2.5.”

    It further said, “the expected fall of fuel prices for consumers is a reflection of market fundamentals as accepted in a deregulated market structure.”

    In the second window of January this year, fuel prices went up marginally by 9 pesewas where petrol was selling at GH¢5.50 per litre at various pumps from its previous price of GH¢5.41.

    The marginal increase was attributed to the upsurge in the price of the product on the international market.

    The Executive Secretary of Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, in a phone interview with GhanaWeb on January 14, 2020, predicted that “fuel prices may have to go up again because as we speak, oil companies have already taken the shield of some 6, 7 pesewas every litre they are selling. They are making loses to that amount and then the international market prices are also pushing upwards.”

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Photos of seriously injured Frank Naro in an accident surface online

    Ghanaian actor cum musician Frank Naro has got some of his fans going haywire on social media after some photos of him seriously injured hit online.

    The photos chanced on by zionfelix.net has the actor looking like a dead person after supposedly being involved in a very serious accident.

    In the photos, Frank Naro was being carried away in an ambulance, not one of those recently commissioned by President Akuffo-Addo but a private ambulance.

    Well, zionfelix.net can boldly report that nothing untoward has happened to the actor and fast-rising musician.

    The photos, we have been exclusively told are for his about to be released song.

    See the photos in question below…

    Source: zionfelix.com

  • Akua GMB reacts to reports that her husband, Dr. Kwaku Oteng has allegedly taken a fifth wife

    Sally Akua Amoakowaa, popularly known as Akua GMB has in a video sighted by zionfelix.net on Instagram reacted to wild reports that she is angry that her husband Dr, Kwaku Oteng has taken a 5th wife.

    In the video Akua GMB has released, she flaunts her natural beauty without any make-up on and blows a few kisses in between.

    She is also seen trying to sing along to a song that is playing in the background.

    While the video is very cute, the caption she adds is what she uses to subtly jab all those mentioning her name in these reports, especially Instagram gossip blog, Thosecalledcelebs who started all these speculations in the first place.

    She write in the caption: “Giant slayers do not waste their weapon on ants 🐜. By Dr Boadi Nyameky3. Thank you 🙏Papa 🥰😘😘❤️❤️. Thank God its Friday“

    Watch the video below…

    Source: zionfelix.com

  • I’m fired up for the music industry – Akuapem Poloo

    Ghanaian social Media sensation and actress, now a musician, Rosemond Brown affectionately called Akuapem Poloo has revealed that she is fired for the Ghana music industry following the release of video for her viral song “Sexy Poloo”.

    The song which was released last year under TNR Music, featured label boss, TiC and label mate, Tayst.

    Akuapem Poloo believes that this is a testament to her readiness to take Ghana music to the world.

    According to her, she is in the studio recording more songs, which would be released before the year ends.

    Akuapem Poloo further expressed her appreciation to music Legend, TiC for discovering the music in her and taking her to the studio to show Ghanaians her other side.

    She expressed her appreciation to Ghanaians both home and abroad for showing her tremendous support when her song was released last year.

    The song which was produced by Samuel G is Akuapem Poloo’s maiden music in her new career.

    The video for the song was directed by Director Scanzer, and it is available on all digital stores.

    Watch the video below.

    Source: Pulse.com.gh

  • Nairobi leads Africa in spoken and written English

    Nairobi has the most English proficient speakers on the continent, according to a new study.

    Nairobians’ knowledge of spoken and written English, according to the English Proficiency Index 2019, is 61.94 per cent, the highest for any African city.

    The EPI index, which ranked 100 countries and regions, reported that only two African cities — Nairobi and Lagos — which scored 58.47 are in the high proficiency band. About 13 African countries participated in the survey.

    Globally, Kenya’s English language skills ranked 18th, the second highest on the continent, after South Africa that ranked sixth in the world.

    Nigeria and Ethiopia ranked 29th and 63rd respectively while Libya ranked the lowest.

    The 2019 index saw eight new entrants in the survey, namely, Kenya, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal and Paraguay.

    Africa’s average proficiency score dropped, primarily due to score changes in South Africa and Ethiopia and to the inclusion of Sudan and Cameroon, which both fall in the “very low” proficiency band, the report said.

    Another key finding of the report was that the English proficiency gender gap is closing. In 2018, women’s average English level was higher than men’s worldwide and in a majority of countries. But in 2019, women outscored men by less than one point in Africa, Asia and Europe

    The scores are achieved through analysing results from 2.3 million adults who took an online English test in 2018 via EF Standard English Test.

    Authors of the EPI report also found a correlation between high English proficiency and various indicators of economic competitiveness, including higher income and increased labour productivity.

    While there’s no evidence that English proficiency directly drives economic success, the authors of the report say that the complex relationship between language skills and economic growth is that greater wealth facilitates more English training, and English skills help economies stay competitive hence highlighting the role that English plays in broader schemes for economic growth.

    “We consistently find a correlation between ease of doing business and a country’s English proficiency,” said Kate Bell, a co-author of the survey.

    The study further found a correlation between English proficiency and a country’s service exports as well as the value added per worker in services.

    As the complexity and sophistication of economic exchange increases, so does the demand for linguistic competencies, the survey explained.

    The report notes that in the last 30 years, many emerging economies closed the gap with richer countries, thanks to manufacturing.

    But as opportunities, especially in the manufacturing sector dry up, people will need to focus more on education, for both children and adults, to enable them tap into international trading opportunities and develop service-sector industries.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Dead man lies on an empty street at China’s virus ground zero

    A grey-haired man wearing a face mask lies dead on the pavement at ground zero of China’s virus epidemic, a plastic shopping bag in one hand.

    On what would typically be a crowded street in Wuhan, an industrial city of 11 million under quarantine, there are only a few passersby and they dare not go near him.

    AFP journalists saw the body on Thursday morning, not long before an emergency vehicle arrived carrying police and medical staff in full-body protective suits.

    The man lay straight on his back in front of a closed furniture store. Medical staff in blue overalls gently shrouded his body with a blue blanket.

    The ambulance left, and police stacked supermarket cardboard boxes to hide the scene.

    AFP could not determine how the man, who appeared to be aged in his 60s, had died. AFP contacted police and local health officials afterwards but could not get details on his case.

    But the reaction of the police and medical staff in hazmat suits, as well as some of the bystanders, highlighted the fear pervading the city.

    A woman standing near the man, wearing pink pyjamas and a Mao cap, said she believed he had died from the virus.

    “It’s terrible,” she said. “These days many people have died.”

    Wuhan is the epicentre of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, which is believed to have jumped from wild animals at a city market into humans.

    The virus, which emerged late last year, has claimed at least 213 lives and infected thousands in China, with at least 159 deaths in Wuhan alone.

    With the virus spreading to other countries, the World Health Organization has declared the crisis a global health emergency.

    Torment

    Authorities have imposed an unprecedented lockdown of Wuhan, blocking off roads out of the city and banning flights, in a bid to stop the virus spreading.

    Those who are trapped are enduring a tormenting wait for the lockdown to end, for a cure to be found, or even just for check-ups at overwhelmed hospitals.

    AFP reporters in Wuhan have seen long queues at hospitals, with some patients saying they had queued for two days to see a doctor.

    Many brought their own chairs for the wait.

    With most traffic banned, people who venture outside have to walk or bike everywhere in the huge city.

    The dead man on the street on Thursday lay one block from the Wuhan Number Six Hospital, one of the main medical centres for treating those with virus symptoms.

    A team of forensic experts who examined him were immediately sprayed with disinfectant by colleagues after removing their hazardous material suits.

    One man smoking near the scene was told sharply by police to put out his cigarette and don a face mask.

    He quickly followed their orders.

    In the two hours that AFP observed the scene, at least 15 ambulances passed by, attending other calls.

    Finally, a white van with blacked-out windows arrived to take away the man.

    The body was zipped into a yellow surgical bag, and carried into the van on a stretcher.

    Staff immediately began to clean the ground as the van drove away, disinfecting the streets where the body had lain.

    Source: France24

  • Coronavirus declared global health emergency by WHO

    The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China.

    “The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

    The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems.

    The death toll now stands at 170 people in China.

    The WHO said there had been 98 cases in 18 counties outside of China, but no deaths.

    Most cases have emerged in people who have travelled from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak began.

    However, there have been eight cases of human-to-human infection – in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States.

    Dr Tedros, speaking at the press conference in Geneva, described the coronavirus virus as an “unprecedented outbreak” that has been met with an “unprecedented response”.

    He praised China’s “extraordinary measures”, taken to prevent it from spreading.

    When has this happened in the past?
    The WHO declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern when there is “an extraordinary event which is determined … to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease”.

    It has previously declared five global public health emergencies:

    Swine flu, 2009 -The H1N1 virus spread across the world in 2009, killing more than 200,000 people, and a public health emergency was called to ensure the world was carefully monitoring its spread and able to respond, including with vaccines.

    Polio, 2014 – Although closer than ever to eradication in 2012, polio numbers rose in 2013. An emergency was declared due to fears the global fight against its eradication could face a major setback.

    Zika, 2016 – The WHO declared Zika a public health emergency in 2016 after the disease spread rapidly through the Americas. Although for many Zika symptoms are mild, it can be dangerous for pregnant women and the emergency was called to spur urgent research.

    Ebola, 2014 and 2019 – The deadly disease has twice been declared a public health emergency. The first one lasted from August 2014 to March 2016 as almost 30,000 people were infected and more than 11,000 died in West Africa. The WHO cited “the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and the weak health systems” in affected countries. A second emergency was declared last year as the disease spread in the DR Congo.

    Source: bbc.com

  • This man is boastful, vote him out!

    I’d last night (29/1/2020) watched with pains in my heart an interview granted the media by the Majority Leader in Parliament, who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for the Suame Constituency in the Ashanti Region, and the Minister for government business, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu.

    In the said interview, Mr. Bonsu was asked by journalists to comment on his chances of returning to Parliament in the upcoming elections since he’s been challenged fiercely by a young man in his constituency.

    With a smirking air of invincibility, the Majority leader said; and I paraphrase: “what’s the name of the guy who said he’s coming to challenge me for my seat? Haha, he’s just joking. Parliament needs people who work with their brains, brilliant intelligent people, to make laws. Parliament needs people who have stayed for long, we need experienced people there, as seen elsewhere in the developed countries………” (sic).

    As if a sharpened iron blade was used to scrape my brains, I forced myself through an agonizing moment watching our majority leader on television. And he was not ashamed of his boastfulness one bit. He went on ranting till I picked my pen to answer him this way, albeit deserving of his – my boiled up anger.

    Mr. Majority leader, the developed countries you cite for example to justify why you and your type are to be left go unchallenged, for God knows what number of years in Parliament, the Europes and the Americas, count what those long stayed parliamentarians have benefitted their representing constituencies and countries. Compare how developed their constituencies and the countries at large benefitted from the decisions that bear their signatures to that of Suame Constituency and Ghana, one that bears your thumbprint.

    A Ghana of which Parliament your long stay you’re comparing to the proverbial old wine that’s priced highly, do put it on the same scale with the Chuck Schumers and the Nancy Pelosis in America’s Parliament if your benefit to the old beautiful Ghana that was a pilgrim’s pride will not be a fraction to theirs.

    We’re sick and tired of you using your long stay in Parliament to thumbscrew us always in electioneering period that you’re the best for the country, and that aside you, no one else.

    My native Goka people say: amfom na 3kyer3 he ntoaso.

    To wit: (He’s to continue who has achieved the better).

    Show to us the better you’ve achieved for Ghana in your two decades stay in the Parliament.

    Have you not been in our Parliament that the very seating you occupy, not considering our local artisans, you contracted the Chinese to provide? The very Chinese who could build for the Africa Union’s office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and eavesdrop in on our presidents with bugging gadgets, they’re the very ones you married to to dress the very Parliament you join to make laws for Ghana, opening our important arm of government to an espionage.

    If they can do that, stealthily listening to decisions taken by leaders of the 54 and over countries, is Ghana safe, using anything of theirs at whatever place we sit, not even to talk about where we make our laws?

    Or you think it is for nothing that America is banning Chinese Huawei’s 5G network from its jurisdiction and urging all her allies to do same?

    Mr. Leader of government’s business, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonus, you were in the same Parliament when the Chinese entered our country to mine our gold illegally, lumbering our priced rosewoods unabating to our disadvantage in business terms, and all sorts of their illegal activities reported done here.

    Your acclaimed brilliance and intelligence I believe, is more strong in words and on paper, than its visible physical implementation.

    If your other long stayed colleague in Hon. Alban Bagbin from the other side of the political divide is bowing out, learn to bury your pride and walk out the stage with the little applause accorded you. Don’t use that your cliché silver bullet of “long stay the best” to stymie the patriotic young Ghanaians who are with the burning desire, filling all arms of government to erect again our fallen walls from the debris, and place Ghana at a vantage position in the NEW WORLD.

    Long Live Ghana!

    *Written by Charles Yeboah (Sir Lord)*

    *Contact/WhatsApp: +233249542111*

    *Email: sirlord42111@gmail.com*

    Source: Charles Yeboah (Sir Lord)

  • Leprosy still endemic in 18 states in Nigeria – Govt

    The federal government has said that 18 states are currently leprosy endemic, with few cases of the disease also being reported in others.

    It said Nigeria was among the few countries in the world still reporting above 1000 new cases annually, adding that in 2018 the country recorded 1095 new leprosy cases.

    According to the 2015 National Leprosy Review, government said 18 states were still endemic in leprosy although there were pockets of endemicity in few other states of the federation.

    The Minister of state for Health, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, who stated this at the ceremonies marking the 2020 World Leprosy Day, held in Abuja recently, said the federal government has made notable progress in tackling the scourge through the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control programme by ensuring treatment for over 33,000 patients from 2009 till date, including men, women and children.

    He also said the country was among the countries that met the target of reducing the prevalence to one leprosy case to 10,000 persons.

    “We have been to reduce the registered prevalence from 250,000 in 1989 to about 2000 in 2018. The number of newly registered leprosy patients has fallen from 7,827 in 1994 to 2,095 in 2018,” he said.

    The minister said that the country presently has at least one multi-drug therapy clinic for management of leprosy patients in each of the 774 local government areas, while it maintains free medical treatment for the patients.

    He said the World Leprosy Day celebration which is usually observed on the last Sunday of every January was used to mobilise support for leprosy control.

    He said that the occasion provided opportunity for Nigeria to focus attention on the ancient disease which has caused a lot of pain and misery to humanity over the years.

    He said the day gives government an opportunity to appraise stakeholders with updates on efforts to deal with leprosy, as well as things being done to monitor progress made at attaining global targets set in that direction.

    According to Mamora, leprosy is a mildly infectious disease, known by its slow multiplying bacteria, with an incubation period of about five years, while its symptoms may take as long as 20 years to appear.

    The National Director, Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Udoh said the group will be launching its knowledge-driven chemoprophylaxis Pilot Programme (PEP) in the six geographical zones of the country in order to accelerate efforts towards achieving zero transmission of the disease by 2035.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Sisters tried to poison mom days before allegedly killing her for life insurance money – report

    Two sisters from Mpumalanga allegedly attempted to poison their 62-year-old mother a few days before she was killed and raped, reportedly to collect an R80 000 life insurance payout.

    Mpumalanga police are investigating a murder case in which it is alleged that the woman’s daughters killed her to cash in on her life insurance. Two male accomplices also allegedly gang-raped the woman, News24 reported on Thursday.

    The daughters, aged 30 and 39, have been arrested, according to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi.

    EWN reported that Hlathi said the sisters allegedly tried to kill their mother just two days before she was murdered, but failed.

    “A substance was poured in her liquor that she was drinking, by one of her children. When she came back from the loo, she found her drink was mixed with a chemical and did not continue drinking,” Hlathi told EWN.

    The younger sister appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on a murder charge on Wednesday, and the case was postponed to February 5.

    According to Hlathi, the younger sister invited her mother for a visit on January 6.

    “Information indicates that [she] organised her 41-year-old boyfriend, as well as two other male friends and then waited for her mother to arrive. When [the mother] eventually arrived… she was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted, senselessly gang-raped by the two male friends while [the younger sister] and her friend were holding her.”

    The mother’s body was dumped on the side of a road in Barberton, apparently to make her death look like an accident. After the body was discovered, a case was opened and an investigation ensued.

    Well planned

    “The police investigation revealed that [the] death was well planned,” Hlathi said.

    It later surfaced that in November 2019, the friend of one of the siblings allegedly took out a life insurance policy in the mother’s name to the tune of R40 000. In the case of an unnatural death, such as an accident, the policy would pay out double.

    Sowetan reported that the friend allegedly obtained the mother’s documents from the two sisters and took out the policy.

    The police reportedly instructed the insurance company to stop the payment.

    Police suspect the two sisters conspired to have their mother murdered for the insurance money and have launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects, according to Hlathi.

    “I’ve been in the police for 30 years, I have never heard of a horrific incident like this,” Hlathi told EWN.

    Source: news24.com

  • South Africa’s university shutdown threatened

    The South African Union of Students (SAUS) has called for a shutdown of all universities following a breakdown in talks with the Department of Higher Education and Training late last year.

    The talks were attempting to address demands raised by SAUS and Student Representative Council (SRC) representatives from across the country.

    SAUS submitted a list of demands to the department on 16 January. These included: wiping out of all student debt, re-opening of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) applications, free registration for vulnerable, and poor students, and improvement of dilapidated student accommodation and infrastructure.

    According to SAUS, it has held talks at 24 universities and numerous student representative bodies have agreed to join the proposed shutdown.

    On Sunday the Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande released a statement addressing SAUS’s demands.

    His statement suggests that NSFAS may be looking into erasing a substantial amount of historic student debt. It has “processed” about R450 million so far, wrote the minister. But he also said that public funds for universities are “constrained” and “there is no possibility for debts of students who are not NSFAS beneficiaries” to be eradicated.

    Nzimande said that all students under NSFAS who are carrying debt from 2019 can sign an acknowledgement of debt form in order to register in 2020 at the university they are returning to.

    Protests started this week at the University of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN), University of South Africa (UNISA) Pietermaritzburg campus and North West University (NWU).

    According to a UKZN statement, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, protesting students set alight the Security Control Centre building on the Westville campus.

    Students at UNISA’s Pietermaritzburg campus blocked Langalibalele Road with burning tyres to protest NSFAS students being excluded.

    NWU spokesperson Louis Jacobs confirmed that the institution has had to close its Mafikeng campus since Monday due to students protesting in solidarity with SAUS’s demands.

    In a statement, the Department of Higher Education and Training “strongly condemned the violent protests… which led to damages at two university campuses”.

    SAUS spokesperson Thabo Shingange said that the organisation “condemns any violence during these protests”. He distanced the organisation “from any acts of criminality that seek to undermine our genuine cause”. But he said the union condemned the recent use of private security guards at universities. He also reported that many SRC members involved in the protests are being threatened with suspension.

    “While some universities are already protesting, we believe that if we all discuss these issues in good faith we can find a way forward before the other universities … join the shutdown,” said Shingange.

    GroundUp is being sued after we exposed dodgy Lottery deals involving millions of rands. Please help fund our defence. You can support us via Givengain, Snapscan, EFT, PayPal or PayFast.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • It’s time to change the face of Black Stars – Akonnor

    New Ghana coach Charles ‘CK’ Akonnor is looking to inject new blood into the Black Stars in his bid to establish a formidable team.

    The 45-year-old took over the West Africans’ coaching job earlier this month, replacing James Kwasi Appiah.

    Akonnor has been tasked to lead Ghana to victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon and guide the Black Stars to secure qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    “I think we have to dig deep and look all over for Europe who have had the chance to play for Ghana and those who have not had the chance to do so,” Akonnor said, as reported by Citisportsonline .

    “We have about 15 names of players who are playing at different levels and it is important to talk to them and gauge their interests in playing for Ghana.

    “I believe it is time we slowly changed the face of the team in terms of energy and pace. I look forward to getting some of these young, dynamic and energetic players.

    “In terms of players based in Ghana, there is a setup of four scouts who will watch the league and so, once we are interested in a player, we will watch for a period of about four or five matches and see his performances.

    “We have put together a lot of things to help bring out good talent from the Ghana Premier League.”

    The Black Stars suffered a Round of 16 elimination at last year’s Afcon in Egypt and failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Egypt.

    Akonnor’s outfit will first be in action in a 2021 Afcon qualifying double-header against Sudan in March.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to reach Australian Open final

    Novak Djokovic moved a step closer to retaining the Australian Open title with a straight-set semi-final win over injury-hit rival Roger Federer.

    Serbia’s Djokovic was 4-1 and 40-0 down in the opening set before recovering to win the tie-break.

    That laid the platform for the 32-year-old second seed to go on and win 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-3.

    Djokovic, aiming for a 17th Grand Slam title, will face Dominic Thiem or Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.

    “The match could have definitely gone a different way if he had used those break points [in the sixth game],” Djokovic said.

    “He started well – I was nervous.

    “Respect to Roger for coming out tonight. He was obviously hurt and wasn’t close to his best in terms of movement.”

    Victory would mean a record-extending eighth Australian Open triumph for Djokovic, who has lost just three matches at Melbourne Park in the past 10 tournaments.

    It would also move him within three of 38-year-old’s Federer’s all-time record of 20 men’s Grand Slam singles titles and within two of Spain’s Rafael Nadal, who lost to Thiem in Wednesday’s quarter-final.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Lakers try to refocus on basketball after Bryant’s death

    The Los Angeles Lakers, shattered by the death of franchise icon Kobe Bryant, are trying to wrench their attention back to their pursuit of an NBA title, a chase that resumes Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

    “We’re concentrating on the work,” head coach Frank Vogel told reporters at the team’s practice facility in suburban El Segundo. “There’s therapy in the work.”

    Before getting down to the most serious work, however, the Lakers warmed up outside with a little soccer and American football designed to lighten the atmosphere.

    “We are striking a balance of trying to make guys feel good,” Vogel said. “Laughter is always a good remedy for something like this when it’s appropriate.

    “Today’s workout outside, it’s not the first time we’ve done that. But it does feel good to be out there.”

    The Lakers were on their way home from Philadelphia when Bryant — who won five NBA titles in a 20-year career with the club — was killed in a helicopter crash in suburban Calabasas on Sunday.

    The 41-year-od was among nine people who died, a group that included his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, her Mamba Academy basketball teammates Payton Chester and Alyssa Altobelli, Altobelli’s parents John and Keri, and Chester’s mother Sarah.

    Pilot Ara Zobayan and Christina Mauser, an assistant coach of the Mamba Academy team, also died.

    Lakers superstar LeBron James was among many in the NBA — and the greater sports world around the globe — to express his anguish at Bryant’s death on social media.

    But James and other Lakers players have yet to speak publicly about the loss of a player who defined one generation of NBA players and inspired another.

    Bryant’s wife Vanessa broke her silence in an Instagram post on Wednesday night, saying she was “devastated” by the sudden loss of her husband and daughter.

    “Kobe, and our baby girl, Gigi, are shining on us to light the way,” she wrote. “Our love for them is endless — and that’s to say, immeasurable.”

    Jeanie Buss, the controlling owner and president of the Lakers, offered condolences via Instagram on Thursday to Vanessa Bryant and the couple’s other three daughters: Natalia, Bianka and Capri.

    She also expressed sympathy and support for the families of the other victims.

    “The entire Laker family mourns with you,” she said.

    Buss, the daughter of longtime Lakers owner Jerry Buss, said Bryant helped her go on after her father died — three years before Bryant retired in 2016.

    “My father loved you like a son, which makes us family,” Buss wrote.

    Amid the grief, Vogel said he had been gradually ramping up the team’s preparations for the Trail Blazers.

    Players and staff got together Tuesday for little more than a light workout and lunch together. Wednesday saw a more normal practice and Thursday “was very focused on playing the Trail Blazers and executing some of the things we need to do to prepare for them.”

    ‘Do the job’

    The Lakers have won 16 NBA championships, one shy of the record held by the Boston Celtics. But they have endured six straight losing seasons since their last playoff appearance, including the final three campaigns of Bryant’s career.

    This season, with James and the newly arrived Anthony Davis, the Lakers lead the Western Conference with the second-best record in the NBA, at 36-10.

    “Our whole belief since I got here is that we’re just going to put our head down and do the job,” Vogel said. “That really hasn’t been any different the last two days.”

    However, it will be an emotional night at Staples Center, where the Lakers will honor Bryant’s memory.

    Vogel said he’d been briefed on the plans, but the club is not revealing them beforehand.

    “I’m going to let that all play out tomorrow night,” he said, acknowledging that whatever tributes are planned will make the night more difficult.

    “But we shouldn’t do it any other way,” he said. “It’s the right thing to do and an important night for our franchise and Laker Nation.”

    Source: France24

  • Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United agree deal with Sporting Lisbon

    Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon.

    United will pay an initial fee of around 55m euros (£47m) for the 25-year-old, though add-ons could increase the overall cost to 80m euros (£67.6m).

    Fernandes’ move is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.

    The two clubs have been negotiating throughout the transfer window with a breakthrough made on Tuesday amid reports of interest from Barcelona.

    United, linked with the 25-year-old last summer, initially refused to meet Sporting’s demand for 80m euros up front.

    For the Portuguese club to receive the full amount, a series of conditions must be met – including United’s qualification for the Champions League.

    United would pay an additional 5m euros (£4.2m) if they achieve Champions League qualification, with a further 5m euros subject to player participation. The remaining payment of 15m euros (£12.6m) is based on individual player prizes.

    Fernandes joined Sporting from Sampdoria for £7.2m in 2017 and has gone on to score 64 goals in 137 matches in all competitions, winning the Portuguese Cup with Sporting in 2018-19.

    He has played 19 times for Portugal and was a member of the squad that won the Uefa Nations League.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Inter make fresh Giroud bid as Lazio join race

    Inter Milan have made a fresh bid to try and sign Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud after a late attempt to try and sign Fernando Llorente from Napoli fell through, according to Sky in Italy.

    Antonio Conte’s Inter registered an interest in the 33-year-old before the January transfer window but were considering pulling out of the race for his signature due to concerns over their squad size being too big.

    Earlier on Thursday, Lazio also entered the race to sign the France international and the Serie A side are looking to secure an agreement with Chelsea before Friday’s transfer deadline.

    Sky in Italy are reporting that Lazio are looking to bring Giroud to the Stadio Olimpico on a two-and-a-half-year contract, worth an estimated 3m euros per season.

    Giroud has turned down two approaches from Newcastle this month, while the player would be open to a move to Tottenham.

    Frank Lampard wants to sign another forward before permitting Giroud to leave, and Chelsea remain in talks with Napoli over a move for Dries Mertens.

    Giroud’s current deal at Chelsea expires this summer and he has made just five Premier League appearances for the Blues this term.

    Source: skysports.com

  • Salah stars as Liverpool go 19 points clear

    Mohamed Salah was the star man as Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to a huge 19 points by beating West Ham 2-0 at the London Stadium.

    Salah crashed in a first-half penalty (35) to put the visitors on their way and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain slotted in a second (52) as Liverpool made the most of their game in hand on their distant pursuers.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side may not have been at their absolute best but they have now beaten every one of their league opponents at least once this season – a feat they last achieved 124 years ago.

    Their 23rd victory from 24 Premier League games this season leaves their latest victims 17th in the table, only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

    Liverpool immediately took control of possession, with West Ham happy to sit off their visitors until they moved into their half, but, despite dominating the ball, Liverpool initially struggled to find a way through David Moyes’ well-drilled defensive lines.

    Instead, there were promising moments for West Ham on the break, with Manuel Lanzini firing wide from an offside position and 19-year-old debutant Jeremy Ngakia clipping a dangerous cross into the Liverpool area.

    However, Liverpool eventually began to find their rhythm and should have gone ahead on 25 minutes when Salah played in Andy Robertson, but the left-back’s chip over Lukasz Fabianski did not have enough on it and Issa Diop was able to get back to hack clear.

    Robertson then fizzed a cross through the West Ham box as Liverpool stepped up the pressure before neat play from Roberto Firmino found Divock Origi in the box and some quick feet from the striker – in for the injured Sadio Mane – drew the foul from Diop.

    It appeared to be a clear penalty but Salah was forced to wait for a protracted VAR check on a potential handball against Firmino. The Egyptian was not rattled, though, and, once cleared to take the spot-kick, he fired the ball into the bottom corner to get Liverpool rolling with his 12th Premier League goal of the season.

    West Ham should have levelled shortly after half-time when Lanzini scuffed a shot from Declan Rice’s cross straight at Alisson, and they were made to pay moments later.

    Firmino was denied by a fine save from Fabianski but the West Ham goalkeeper could do nothing when Liverpool broke away from defending a corner and Salah sent Oxlade-Chamberlain through on goal to slot home.

    West Ham almost pulled off an immediate response of their own but Alisson, at full stretch, pushed away Robert Snodgrass’ drive from the edge of the area before Fabianski traded a similar stop at the other end to keep out Origi.

    The hosts were almost given a lifeline in bizarre circumstances when Trent Alexander-Arnold fired a clearance against his own post on 72 minutes after Rice had capped a superb run by firing straight at Alisson.

    But Liverpool were in the ascendancy and, with their fans singing ‘We’re going to win the league’, Salah hit the woodwork with a fine curling shot before Fabianski saved from sub Naby Keita.

    West Ham – who had good chances throughout – nearly earned a late consolation when Rice forced Alisson into another good diving stop, but there was no stopping Liverpool as they notched up another convincing win on their march towards glory.

    Source: skysports.com

  • Vanessa Bryant says ‘completely devastated’ over Kobe’s death

    Vanessa Bryant spoke out for the first time since her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna were killed in a horrific helicopter crash, saying the family is “completely devastated” by the tragedy.

    Vanessa, who married Kobe Bryant in 2001 when she was still a teenager, took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to communicate her grief but said she was at a loss for words.

    “We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri,” she wrote on her account.

    Her comments come three days after Bryant and their 13-year-old daughter died when the Sikorsky S-76 they were in slammed into a rugged hillside in thick fog in Calabasas, northwest of Los Angeles. The crash also killed seven others.

    The helicopter was headed to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, where Gianna was scheduled to play a basketball game

    “There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now,” Vanessa said.

    “I just wish I could hug them, kiss them and bless them. Have them here with us, forever.”

    Source: France24

  • Davido speaks on the hate Nigerians give him

    It does not come as a surprise to hear Davido speak out of emotions on the way his own country treat him with so much hate. You can tell the artiste would even wish to switch citizenship.

    The DMW and 30BG boss expressed his displeasure on how Nigerians are planning his downfall with false allegations on his music, his family and his engagement with other people.

    The distressed artiste has been in the news with issues surrounding Peruzzi and his former boss, King Patrick and the worse of them all, issues about him not being the biological father of his son.

    The tweet by the ” risky ” hitmaker, makes it clear that a person cannot live in Nigeria and expect to be treated fairly or with good heart and intentions.

    See tweet below:

    Source: ghgossip.com

  • Take a look at Lebron James new tattoo of Kobe Bryant on his thigh

    Lebron James still pays tribute to his friend and former teammate Kobe Bryant who lost his life together with his daughter on sunday when his helicopter crashed.

    He has since been emotional and has been seen in videos, crying uncontrollably over the demise of his friend in the game.

    King James has been spotted with a new tattoo of what appears to be a black mamba snake which signifies Kobe and some inspiring words underneath it. The tat is yet to be revealed fully to the public.

    It is believed that his teammate Anthony Davis has also gotten a tattoo in loving memory of the legendary Kobe Bryant.

    See image below:

    Source: ghgossip.com

  • The current state of Birim River as a result of illegal mining

    The Birim River is one of the main tributaries of the Pra River, flowing through most communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana from the Atiwa forest range.

    The Birim River also flows north through the gap between this range and the Kwahu Plateau then runs roughly south-west until it joins the Pra.

    Read: Galamsey forcing GWCL to consider shutting down Daboase plant

    The upsurge in a mad rush for gold over a decade ago led to thousands of illegal miners, including some foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, invading the gold deposit belt of the country to prospect for gold.

    The phenomenon led to the pollution of the Birim River and other river bodies which used to be a major source of drinking water for millions of Ghanaians.

    The Birim river has been degraded as a result of illegal mining activities.

    The community members and some organizations have requested the government to take action against the illegal miners and protect the river.

    Read: Four die in galamsey pit in Ellembelle

    The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) earlier said the water is highly polluted, unwholesome and beyond treatment and any attempt to treat the water would be too expensive.

    In 2017, the government waged a war against illegal mining, popularly called galamsey, placing a ban on the activities, having impounded mining equipment.

     

    Source: Pulse.com.gh