Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana was named between the sticks for his consistency at club level in the Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League.
The defenders consist of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi who is on loan at Borussia Dortmund from Real Madrid, Cameroon and Liverpool centre back Joel Matip and Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur and Ivory Coast.
Arsenal forward and Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also made the squad.
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City, PSG star Idrissa Gana Gueye, Hakim Ziyech of Ajax and Morooco) and Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
African Best XI: Andre Onana (Cameroon), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal), Joel Matip (Cameroon), Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Senegal), Hakim Ziyech (Morooco), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mane (Senegal), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)
That could disrupt shipping in the world’s busiest sea route for oil, the Strait of Hormuz. Around a fifth of global oil supply passes through the strait which connects the Gulf with the Arabian Sea.
The Strait of Hormuz is vital for the main oil exporters in the Gulf region – Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait – whose economies are built around oil and gas production. Iran also relies heavily on this route for its oil exports.
Qatar, the world’s biggest producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), exports nearly all its gas through the strait.
After the latest attacks, the US aviation regulator banned American airlines from flying over Iraq, Iran and neighbouring countries. The ban includes the Gulf of Oman and the waters between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the decision was in response to heightened military activity, and increased political tension in the region.
Before the latest guidance, the FAA had already prohibited US airlines from flying below 26,000 feet (7,925 metres) over Iraq and from flying over an area of Iranian airspace above the Gulf of Oman since Iran shot down an American drone in June 2019.
At the same time Singapore Airlines has said that all of its flights would now be diverted from Iranian airspace.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United’s first-half performance after conceding against Manchester City was the “worst” they have played under him.
It was a sensational strike from Bernardo Silva that opened things up for City in their 3-1 Carabao Cup semi-final, first-leg win, after which United looked devoid of ideas.
Bernardo went on to assist Riyad Mahrez for the second City goal before an unfortunate Andreas Pereria own goal saw the visitors storm into a 3-0 first-half lead. Marcus Rashford pulled one back in an improved second-half performance from United ahead of the second leg in three weeks’ time, live on Sky Sports.
Solskjaer said: “From their goal until half-time, that is the worst that we have played. From the first goal to half-time we just could not cope with that setback. We were running in between. The pressure didn’t work and we let them play. Our heads dropped. We just made decisions that we should not do.
“We know they can play that way, we’ve seen them do that a few times. I went to see them last year against Chelsea, they played that way and won 5-0 at the Etihad so that’s not a surprise, but they’re good at what they’re doing.
“That needed sorting at half-time… Someone needed to take the responsibility and we did that in the second half.
“When you come in at half-time with that result then pride is one word that you speak about. Make sure you win the second half and you are in the tie. Of course, it’s a difficult task that we have got in front of us but that second half at least gives us something to hang on to. After that second half, we have got something that we believe in.
“Even though it is a steep mountain to climb, we can still climb it. We just need to look forward. We’ve shown before that we’ve been down from a home tie and turned it around, last year against PSG for example, so we’ve just got to believe when we go to the Etihad and know that we can put a performance on.”
Spanish giants FC Barcelona are reported to have rued their mistake of choosing Kevin-Prince Boateng over Erling Braut Haaland during their pursuit of a replacement for Luis Suárez last year January.
This time last year, Barcelona were looking to the January transfer window to find a back-up for the injured Luis Suárez, with the side not wanting to pay over the odds but needed a player who could fill in the gap left by the Uruguayan and lend a hand in the Copa del Rey and the odd league games.
At that point, Haaland was catching the eye and scoring goals at Molde in Norway, but the Blaugrana decided he would be too unpolished, opting instead for Prince Boateng from Italian side US Sassuolo, after his return of five goals in 15 games.
The Catalan club felt the Norwegian striker’s rawness would prevent him from hitting the ground running in LaLiga hence opted for experience instead.
To say the decision turned out to be the wrong one would be an understatement and during Boateng’s loan at the club the 31-year-old barely played and looked out of his depth, whereas Haaland moved to Salzburg and has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe, earning him a recent move to Borussia Dortmund.
Boateng himself has since moved from Sassuolo to fellow Italian club Fiorentina.
The Ghana forward is however yet to blossom for the Viola — making 13 league appearances and scoring one goal.
His performance along with 12-goal Norwegian Alexander Sorloth and Nigerian Anthony Nwakaeme have limited his playing minutes this season.
Currently starting from the bench the former Leeds United man could be back to the starting line up should Aston Villa secure the striker in the winter window.
Trabzonspor President Ahmet Agaoglu has insisted his club will not sell Sturridge to Villa who have been unconvincing in attack in the English Premier League.
Sturridge, 30, generally feels he has unfinished business in the Premier League after leaving Liverpool unceremoniously and is keen to return.
It is expected that Ekuban would be restored to the Trabzonspor line up should the English man leave.
A 103-year-old World War II veteran is finally being honored for his time in the military — 75 years later.
Peter Fantasia, of Somerville, Massachusetts, received eight medals including the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and American Defense Service Medal. US Rep. Seth Moulton presented him with the medals at a special ceremony Monday. Fantasia previously received his Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor in combat, Tim Biba from Moulton’s office told CNN.
Fantasia served with the Lima Company, of the 3rd Battallion, of the 104th Regiment of the 26th Infantry Division as a US Army medic, according to CNN affiliate WHDH.
Fantasia was captured in Rodalbe, France, in 1944 while tending to a wounded sergeant and lieutenant in a foxhole and was held as a prisoner of war until he was liberated by Russian forces on April 28, 1945.
It took so long for Fantasia to get home that he didn’t seek after his medals.
“God has been good. I don’t know what to say,” Fantasia told WHDH. He expressed gratitude for his comrades and said they were with him in spirit.
“It wasn’t just myself,” he said. “I had help one way or another.” “He is a true example to the rest of the country and the community what American heroism is all about,” Moulton said.
The aircraft belonging to Ukraine International Airlines crashed just after take-off from Iran’s Imam Khomeini airport in Tehran, said the Fars state news agency.
Preliminary reports suggest that the plane was en route to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
It is unclear whether the incident is linked to the Iran-US confrontation.
Rescue teams have been sent to the area, near the airport, where the aircraft crashed.
“The plane is on fire but we have sent crews … and we may be able to save some passengers,” Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran’s emergency services, told state television, according to Reuters news agency.
Iran has vowed to retaliate after its most powerful military commander was killed by a US drone strike at Baghdad airport.
“Severe revenge awaits” those behind the attack on General Qasem Soleimani, said Iran’s Supreme Leader.
So what do we know about Iran’s military capabilities?
How big is Iran’s army?
There are an estimated 523,000 active Iranian personnel in a range of military roles, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a UK-based think tank.
This includes 350,000 in the regular army, and at least 150,000 in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
There are a further 20,000 service personnel in the IRGC’s naval forces. This group operates a number of armed patrol boats in the Strait of Hormuz, the site of several confrontations involving foreign-flagged tankers in 2019.
The IRGC also controls the Basij unit, a volunteer force which has helped suppress internal dissent. This unit can potentially mobilise many hundreds of thousands of personnel.
Image captionThe IRGC has its own navy and air force, and oversees Iran’s strategic weapons
The IRGC was set up 40 years ago to defend the Islamic system in Iran and has become a major military, political and economic force in its own right.
Despite having fewer troops than the regular army, it is considered the most authoritative military force in Iran.
What about operations abroad?
The Quds Force, which was led by General Soleimani, conducts secret operations abroad for the IRGC and reports directly to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It’s believed to be about 5,000 strong.
The unit has been deployed to Syria, where it advised military elements loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and armed Shia militias fighting with them. In Iraq, it has supported a Shia-dominated paramilitary force which assisted in the defeat of the Islamic State group.
However, the US says the Quds force has a wider role by providing funding, training, weapons and equipment to organisations that Washington has designated as terrorist groups in the Middle East. These include Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Image caption:Iran’s IRGC detained the British-flagged tanker the Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz in 2019
Economic problems and sanctions have hampered Iran’s arms imports, which are relatively small compared to those of other countries in the region.
The value of Iran’s defence imports between 2009 and 2018 was equivalent to just 3.5% of Saudi Arabia’s imports over the same period, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Most Iranian imports come from Russia, and the rest from China.
Does Iran have missiles?
Yes – Iran’s missile capabilities are a key part of its military prowess, given its relative lack of air power compared with rivals such as Israel and Saudi Arabia.
A US Defense Department report describes the country’s missile forces as the largest in the Middle East, comprising mainly short-range and medium-range missiles. It also says Iran is testing space technology to allow it to develop inter-continental missiles, which can travel much further.
However, the long-range missile programme was stalled by Iran as part of its 2015 nuclear deal with foreign countries, according to the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank. But it added that it may have resumed, given the uncertainty surrounding that deal.
In any case, many targets in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf would be within range of Iran’s current short and medium-range missiles, and possibly targets in Israel.
In May last year, the US deployed a Patriot anti-missile defence system to the Middle East as tensions with Iran increased. This is meant to counter ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.
Does Iran have nuclear weapons?
Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapons programme, and has previously said it does not want one. But it does have many of the elements required and the knowledge to create a military nuclear capability.
In 2015, the US government under President Obama estimated that Iran only needed two to three months to produce enough nuclear material to make a weapon.
The nuclear agreement that year between Tehran and six world powers – from which President Trump withdrew in 2018 – introduced limits and international checks on Iran’s nuclear activities.
It aimed to make it more difficult and time consuming to develop weapons-grade material.
Following the killing of General Soleimani by US forces, Iran has said it will not be bound by these restrictions. But it also says it will continue to co-operate with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.
Image captionThe US has accused Iran of supplying Houthi rebels with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Despite years of sanctions, Iran has also been able to develop drone capabilities.
In Iraq, Iranian drones have been used since 2016 in the fight against IS. Iran has also entered Israeli airspace with armed drones operated from bases in Syria, according to Rusi.
In June 2019, Iran shot down a US surveillance drone, claiming it had violated Iranian airspace over the Strait of Hormuz.
The other aspect of Iran’s drone programme is its willingness to sell or transfer its drone technology to its allies and proxies in the region, says Jonathan Marcus, the BBC’s Defence and diplomatic correspondent.
In 2019, drone and missile attacks damaged two key Saudi oil facilities. Both the US and Saudi Arabia linked these attacks to Iran, although Tehran denied any involvement and pointed to a claim of responsibility by rebels in Yemen.
Following a major cyber-attack in 2010 on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran ramped up its own cyber-space capability.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is believed to have its own cyber-command, working on commercial and military espionage.
In 2012, US officials blamed Iran for a series of cyber attacks on US banks intended to disrupt traffic to their websites.
A US military report in 2019 said Iran had also targeted aerospace companies, defence contractors, energy and natural resource companies and telecommunications firms for cyber-espionage operations around the world.
Also in 2019, Microsoft said a hacker group that “originates from Iran and is linked to the Iranian government” targeted a US presidential campaign and tried to break into the accounts of American government officials.
Senegal forward Sadio Mane has been named the 2019 African Player of the Year.
The Liverpool attacker defeated his club teammate Mohamed Salah and Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez to win his maiden individual award on the continent.
Mane enjoyed an outstanding campaign at club and international level last year, helping Senegal to the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where they eventually lost to Algeria.
Last season, the talisman scored 22 goals to share the Premier League Golden Boot with Salah and Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He also played a key role in helping Liverpool win the Uefa Champions League, Super League and the Fifa Club World Cup last year.
In Africa’s best XI of the year, Mane is joined by Aubameyang and Salah in frontline while Mahrez, Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech, Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye formed the midfield and Cameroon’s Joel Matip, Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ivory Coast’s Serge Aurier provide cover for goalkeeper Andre Onana in the defence.
Elsewhere, Mahrez’s match-winning free-kick against Nigeria at Afcon 2019 semi-final was picked as the Goal of the Year while Afcon champions Algeria won Men’s Team of the Year with Cameroon’s Indomitable Lioness claiming the women’s prize.
The Director-general of the Criminal Investigative Department of the Ghana Police Service COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah has been removed from the position in the latest shakeup to hit the service.
Former CEO of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Alex Kofi Mensah Mould, has confirmed the passing of his daughter Nah Densua Mould which was reported on Thursday.
The 28-year-old died in Mauritius where she was holidaying during the Christmas festivities, after a short illness.
Nah Densua was quarantined after she was diagnosed with malaria but the health agency in the country had little success in treating it.
This forced Mr Mould to travel to the island to get his daughter transferred to London but his efforts were not successful since she had been quarantined by then.
In a heartfelt message, Mr Mould thanked all well-wishers “for the continued outpouring of prayers, love and sympathy.â€
He, however, said the incident is a tough one for his family and is, therefore, pleading with all to “respect the privacy of our family as we come to terms with our loss.â€
Below is his statement:
It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and family member, Nah Densua Mould, following a short illness.
On behalf of my family, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the continued outpouring of prayers, love and sympathy.
This is a tough time for us, so we ask that you respect the privacy of our family as we come to terms with our loss.
Information gathered by this portal has confirmed that CK Akonor has been appointed as possible replacement for Ghana Black Stars coaching role though on a temporary basis.
Black Stars head Coach James Kwasi Appiah is set to re-apply for the role following the expiry of his contract.
The new football leadership have resolved to dissolve all technical teams of the various national sides all in a bid to re-shape the technical direction of these teams to ensure better performances and results.
In this vein, other national team coaches and their respective staff have been relieved off their positions.
The Governing Board of the Tamale Teaching Hospital has asked the acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. David Kolbila to temporarily step aside to allow for investigations into alleged procurement breaches leveled against him.
Meanwhile, the board in consultation with the Ministry of Health has appointed Dr. Kareem Mumuni of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Ghana Medical School to act as the interim CEO of the hospital during the period of the investigation.
The governing board of the hospital said it received a notice from the Public Service Commission in October 2019 about petitions against Dr. Kolbila after members in a board meeting in May 2019 unanimously recommended him to the Public Service Commission (PSC) for an interview and subsequent confirmation as substantive CEO of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
The interview have thus been put on hold pending an investigation into the petitions.
The Tamale Teaching Hospital has had challenges in maintaining a Chief Executive Officer for some years now as persons appointed to occupy the position have had to face threats from some party youth groups of the two major political parties; NDC and NPP which subsequently lead to their removal from office.
The case of Dr. Kolbila is not different, but the board has explained that, Dr. Kolbila has not been fired, sacked or removed from office as reported in a section of the media.
According to the statement, the action is necessary to allow for independent and smooth investigations.
The statement entreated all staff and stakeholders to cooperate with the current acting CEO in discharging his duties.
“It is therefore, our desire as a Board that staff, clients and stakeholders would accord Dr. Kareem Mumuni the optimal support needed to successfully execute his duties as the interim acting CEO of the hospital for this periodâ€.
The UK and US considered a navy-backed oil embargo against Nigeria, following the 1995 execution of writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, a document released by the UK government reveals.
Saro-Wiwa and eight other campaigners from the Ogoni ethnic group were hanged on 10 November 1995.
They had been found guilty by a secret military tribunal of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs by a mob.
The nine denied the charge and said they had been framed.
Saro-Wiwa led mass protests against oil pollution in Nigeria’s Ogoniland.
The protests were seen as a major threat to Nigeria’s military ruler at the time, Gen Sani Abacha, and Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell.
The executions led to Nigeria suspension from the Commonwealth.
The UK’s then Prime Minister, John Major, called it a “fraudulent trial” and described the executions as “judicial murder”.
Notes of a meeting between Mr Major and US President Bill Clinton, nearly three weeks after the executions, show the steps the leaders contemplated to isolate Nigeria.
The two men met while Mr Clinton was on a visit to the UK.
According to the notes, the UK believed that an oil embargo would “only be effective” if done through the UN Security Council and “could only be made to work by a naval blockade”.
Such steps would result in “wrecking Nigeria’s economy” as it was heavily reliant on oil exports.
‘Sycophants surround Abacha’
Mr Clinton agreed, but said the US would only implement an embargo if “all other parties” were willing to do so, pointing out that sanctions would be vetoed by China if brought before the UN Security Council.
There had been pleas from across the world for Nigeria’s military leader at the time, Sani Abacha, to exercise clemency, but Western governments had struggled to reach the leader.
Mr Clinton’s special envoy to Nigeria, Donald T McHenry, had been unable to see Abacha and concluded that he was “almost wholly insulated from the outside world” and “information was filtered by sycophants: they had no idea of genuine opinion within Nigeria or internationally”.
The hanging of the Ogoni campaigners took place just as Commonwealth heads of state were meeting in New Zealand for their biennial gathering.
The UK issued a statement condemning the executions, but it was South African President Nelson Mandela who led the international criticism.
He called for Nigeria to be suspended from the Commonwealth “at once” and that the suspension should not be lifted until the country had shown “much quicker” progress in returning from military to civilian rule. All political prisoners should be released, he argued.
In this, Mandela was backed by his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe and Kenya’s Daniel arap Moi, but the suggestion was criticised by a number of other African leaders, including Ghana’s President Jerry Rawlings.
Mandela outspoken
The Commonwealth went ahead with the suspension, but Mandela was determined that the measures should not end there.
He continued his international engagement, making phone calls to Mr Clinton and keeping in touch with Mr Major by phone after the Commonwealth summit ended.
In demanding strong action Mandela appeared to have been isolated from the rest of his government.
Newspaper reports at the time indicate that then Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and the Deputy Foreign Minister, Aziz Pahad, had been reluctant to pursue sanctions against Nigeria.
The UK, together with the European Union (EU), took a number of steps.
Ambassadors to Nigeria were recalled, military training and aid were suspended and an EU-wide arms embargo was instituted.
While Mr Major was willing to consider wider economic sanctions, he was unwilling to do so alone.
The UK accounted for just 1% of Nigeria’s oil exports, while the US took 40%.
As a result, Mr Major told Mr Clinton, “we were not well placed to press for [sanctions]”.
The UK also had a good deal to lose if Nigeria retaliated.
There was a considerable British expatriate community in Nigeria and UK investments in the country totalled between $3.9bn and $6.5bn (£3bn and £5bn).
This included Shell, which extracted half of the country’s oil and was contemplating building a major natural gas project.
The Shell chairman at the time, Cornelius Herkströter, wrote to Mr Major at the height of the controversy, pointing out just how important these investments were.
He argued that the gas liquefaction plant would “make a major contribution to environmental improvement in the region” since it would reduce the need for the flaring of gas.
In the end, the problem of getting UN Security Council approval for an oil embargo appeared to have blocked progress on wider sanctions.
Nigeria was only re-admitted to the Commonwealth in May 1999, on the day on which the country’s new civilian government assumed power – ending three-and-a-half years of isolation.
Fiorentina and former Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has described as offensive they way football has become a giant money game.
According to the German-born Ghanaian, the opulence associated with football is a curse and not sustainable, adding that it should be checked before the sport self-destructs.
“All this money is a curse. Football is now just a business, said Boateng. and we are just numbers. If it doesn’t work, you are replaced. Simple. There is no more loyalty, and it is sad. I get annoyed when I see guys who don’t live their talents. I know what it’s like to throw it away.
Some at 19 years drive a Mercedes, they receive the salary and are satisfied. They have all that talent and do nothing, no extra training, nothing. They only play and post on Instagram. They arrive last at training and leave first. Once I used to do it too, but today in football you can’t afford it anymore â€.
You should take a survey and see how many players are happy to go to training, how many have fun. Obviously football for professionals is a job, – he added – but it is so well paid that it becomes a stress, the pressure is huge. And so it is easy to talk about depressions or things like that. There are times when I enjoy myself and moments when I don’t enjoy myself. Before I always had fun . ”
The 32-year-old joined the Serie A side from a loan spell at Barcelona but has failed to to meet the expectations at the La Viola.
Reverend Samuel Obeng-Mensah, the Senior Pastor of Pentecostal Church of Christ, Powerhouse Worship Sanctuary at Atadeka-Zenu in Ashaiman, has advised spouses to exercise caution over telenovelas as it can negatively influence their marriages.
He warned marriage couples and would-be ones against watching the serial television drama programmes, usually aired on prime time, saying; people should not allow it to influence their lives, since it could badly affect their thoughts and approaches to marriage life.
“These telenovelas are not real, there is more to marriage beyond these shows,” the Senior Pastor told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on the sidelines of a ceremony to mark his 20-years of marriage.
According to Mr Obeng-Mensah, who is also a Marriage Counselor, problems have erupted in many marriages in recent times because of perceptions couples built about the marriage institution through the influence of foreign movies.
He said the “foreign worldview†of marriage was completely different from the Ghanaian or African worldview of the revered institution, adding younger couples traded the rich values, which accompanied the Ghanaian marriage and love life.
He expressed regret that the right to support the family system, the spirit of sharing and caring for one another and respect for the marriage institution eroded over the years.
In recent times, he added, people’s expectation of marriage was void of commitment, sacrifice and teamwork, which resulted in many broken homes.
At the early stages of his marriage, the couple said their beginning was rather a humbled one and many did not believe in the future of it, but with commitment, family support and fear of God, they survived over the years.
Five Ghanaian workers at a Chinese plastic recycling company, LHP, in the Tema Industrial area were on Monday, December 30, 2019, rushed to hospital with injuries after a rifle being handled by one of the Chinese supervisors went off.
The workers were said to have queued up for their salaries, however, the suspect who was apparently guarding the main gate and allegedly fidgeting with the rifle on his lap pressed the trigger.
According to some of the workers, the discharged bullets hit the ground and spread out on impact.
In the process, five of the workers were hit, some in the ribs, thigh and legs. They were rushed to the Narh-Bita Hospital in Community 4 for medical attention.
A foreman at the facility who gave his name only as Eric, told Graphic Online that the workers had closed from work and had lined up for their salaries and end of year package when the incident occurred.
The police have picked up the suspect to assist with investigations after visiting the premises.
Residents of Bukunor Junction and its surrounding communities in the Upper Manya Krobo District of the Eastern region are demonstrating against what they say is the reckless driving by trucks transporting limestone from Asesewa to Tema.
The action by the residents was triggered by the sudden deaths of two residents -Tetteh Micheal,15, and Akwetey Paul-19 while two others Akorley Amos, and Akwetey Peter who suffered life-threatening injuries are receiving treatment at the hospital.
The late Akwetey Paul was the twin brother of injured Akwetey Peter.
Drivers of the trucks claim they failed their break leading to the accident.
The angry residents say they will not allow the company mining limestone to transport the raw materials through the Community henceforth.
An attempt by a six-member armed police team from Asesewa to force the residents clear the road initially failed as the residents began to fight the police.
The Police had to beg their leaders before they cooperated with them clearing the road for motorists with exception of the Trucks chased to return to Tema.
Ebenezer Tei Narteh, Assembly Member for the area tells Stare News they will not allow any of the trucks transporting limestone to pass through the community until they enter a memorandum of understanding.
He also accused the limestone company of insensitivity for not visiting the bereaved families to commiserate with them.
Ghana and Dalian Yifang F.C. Striker Emmanuel Boateng (EB21) tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Barbara in a beautiful wedding ceremony held at the Golden Bean Hotel on Saturday.
The wedding was attended by family members, Coaches such as Kwesi Appiah, Maxwell Konadu, some Black Stars players, (Frank Acheampong, Lawrence Atizigi, Nana Ampomah, Kumawood actors and actresses, Emelia Brobbey, Daabo, Kweku Menu and many more celebs.
Ernest Ohemeng, Caleb Salifu, Jerry Thompson, musicians Kwabena Kwabena, Fameya and friends of both Emmanuel Boateng and Barbara Boateng graced the occasion to celebrate the beautiful day with the newly wedded couples.
You are looking at the newly manufactured private and personalized vehicle of the Founder and Leader of Kristo Asafo Mission, Apostle Dr Ing. Kwadwo Safo, whose Kantanka Technological Centre of Excellence (KTCE), a subsidiary of the Kantanka Group of Companies on Sunday, December 29, outdoored the aeroplane-like vehicle.
The other was an armoured personnel carrier cum missile launcher named OkofoƆ which Inspector General of Police, IGP James Oppong Boanuh agreed after inspection, could be adapted for patrol duties by the police.
From January 2020, mobile phone users would be able to travel throughout the West African sub-region operating their mobile phones without any extra charges, Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has disclosed.
This comes into effect years after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) approved the decision in 2017.
Parliament earlier in the week approved an amendment to the Electronic Communication Act to make this move possible.
Speaking to Citi News, the Sector Minister noted that :
“Two years ago, Ministers of Communication and ICT within the West African sub-region met and agreed that the surcharge on international roaming traffic within the sub-region be removed so that travelers within the sub-region who are citizens of ECOWAS will roam like they are at home to facilitate regional integration.â€
“We were given two years within which we had to make that operational. And that two years ends in December 2019, so this directive comes into effect in January 2020. Ghana is one of the few countries that puts surcharge on international call so we needed to exempt intra-community traffic within the ECOWAS sub-regionâ€, she added.
The Electronic Communications (Amendment) (Act 775) (2009) is to provide a minimum rate for international incoming electronic communication traffic and for related matters.
Per the Act, the minimum rate for international incoming electronic communication traffic per minute is US $ 0.19.
The portion of the money to be kept by the National Communication Authority is 32%.
Huawei, a technology development firm has said it maintained the second place in global shipment quantity with an increase of 28.2 percent despite the Google ban.
A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said the International Data Corporation (IDC) a premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services for information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets, has authenticated the information.
The statement said while the company is enjoying great success in the premium market and a considerable lead in 5G technology, Huawei is keen to expand its presence in the light flagship device market.
It said the company recently launched its newest light flagship device, the HUAWEI Y9s in Ghana with powerful hardware such as the AI Triple Camera.
The statement said the Breathing Crystal variant of the HUAWEI Y9s looks incredibly fashionable and that the blue colour on the top of the rear cover transitions seamlessly into purple as it goes towards the bottom.
It said the HUAWEI Y9s features a glass cover and the 3D Arc design also contributes to a better grip, so even those endowed with smaller hands could easily and comfortably hold the device.
“The inspiration behind this design came from salt flats. In fact, the HUAWEI P30 Series launched earlier this year was also available in Breathing Crystal, and the variant was loved by both critics and consumers alike,†it said.
The statement said Breathing Crystal variant of the HUAWEI Y9s was created with a 21-step glass finishing process, six more steps.
“The nano texture on the Breathing Crystal variant bends light differently depending on the angle of incidence, creating a bluish-purple hue that is almost as captivating as the mesmerizing salt flats around the world,†it said.
The statement said the new HUAWEI Y9s, with its stylish industrial design and robust specs, certainly was one of the more attractive choices within the GHC1499 price range.
The Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) Plc has extended the closing date for the GHS260 million 12-year Ghana cedi denominated bond.
It is seeking to raise GHS260 million additional funds which the offer began on 24 December, 2019 and ends tomorrow 30 December, 2019. The bond also represents Tranche E4 under the GHS10-billion programme.
In a statement, ESLA Plc said “we would like to announce the extension of the closing date of the Tranche E4 due to the holidays. New dates will be communicated on Monday 30 December, 2019 subject to SEC approval.â€
The minimum and maximum issue sizes are expected to be GHS100 million and GHS1 billion, respectively.
ESLA Plc has, since inception, issued bonds worth GHS6.664 billion. This resulted from issuances in November 2017 (7-year tranche E1 and 10-year tranche E2), January 2018 (tap of 10-year tranche E2-B), August 2018 (tap of 10-year tranche E2-C) and June 2019 (10-year tranche E3), August (tap of 10-year tranche E2-C) and June 2019 (10-year tranche E3).
Significantly, a buy-back and subsequent cancellation of bonds worth GHS664 million in June 2019 brought the total outstanding bond under the programme to GHS6 billion.
ESLA was introduced to facilitate the reduction of the energy legacy debts that had engulfed the energy sector.
The Bank of Ghana will auction US$715 million in Forward Foreign Exchange Auctions in the whole of 2020.
The months with the expected highest auctions of US$80 million each are January, February and March 2020.
In accordance with the Foreign Exchange Forward Auction guidelines issued on the 23 September 2019, the Bank of Ghana said bids are invited as per the prescribed format to purchase/sell US dollar against Ghana cedi separately on each auction date.
In addition to the auction guidelines, all Authorised Foreign Exchange Dealer Banks were to comply with the provisions of the Code of Conduct for the Interbank Foreign Exchange market in Ghana.
Since the introduction Foreign Exchange Forward Rate Auction, it has been recording a significant oversubscription.
Rawlings said on Radio Ghana that there was an attempted coup but was crushed after the loyal troops and the rebels fought for a few hours in Accra.
He faced four coup attempts against his ruling Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC).
At age 35, JJ Rawlings seized power in the West African nation twice, that is, in 1979 against a military government and 1981, against a civilian government.
Ghana was on a trajectory of prosperity in Black Africa when it gained independence from Britain in 1957 but alas through such military upheavals and bad governance by civilian administrations, the narrative has changed.
Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings & Capt. Quashigah after the successive crushing of an attempted coup d’etat, June, 1983. They closed border points & extended curfew hours to snare rebel soldiers who staged the fourth unsuccessful coup attempt against his military government. pic.twitter.com/oQaJl7NDZF
One hundred and twenty-six-year-old Salomay Boye was among thousands of widows who thronged the McDan La Town Park at La in Accra Thursday to participate in a health screening exercise organised by the McDan Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the McDan Group.
In the company of one of her granddaughters, Ms Boye, a mother of 16 with only four surviving arrived at the venue as early as 7 a.m. to have her eyes and other essential organs screened.
The centenarian, who was full of energy and could walk alone with little support from her walking stick, revealed that her health had always been her priority, hence her decision to participate in the exercise.
After successfully undergoing a full-scale screening, Ms Boye defied the hindrances associated with her age to challenge her daughters with energetic dance moves, a drive that threw the gathering into a state of shock.
The enthusiasm with which she performed and the euphoria that characterised the atmosphere summarised the extent to which the beneficiaries, including persons living with disabilities valued the gesture.
More than 5,000 widows drawn from La, Teshie, Nungua, Osu, Tema and surrounding communities benefitted from the exercise which has been running for the past six years.
The beneficiaries, some of whom had been widows for more than four decades, were screened for dental and eye diseases, diabetes, hypertension, malaria, typhoid fever, and other ailments.
Additionally, the beneficiaries were given free medication, where necessary, and counselled by a team of medical officers from the 37 Military Hospital, led by a Physician Specialist at the Hospital, Col. Dr Clement Nii Mensah Laryea.
It was a moment of celebration and merrymaking for the beneficiaries as they were also treated to good food, music, and thrilling cultural performances.
They also received food items, including assorted drinks, rice, biscuit, and cooking oil.
Rationale
The Chairman of the McDan Group, Dr Daniel McKorley, who led the presentation, said the annual exercise formed part of efforts by the Foundation to give back to society and assist the widows to experience the joy of the season.
“McDan has been very consistent. We believe in giving back to society especially in this season of love and giving. This is my own community and constituency and I believe it is about time we share. All the people here are my mothers and grandmothers and I feel it is about time I come here, break bread with them, and have the medical team check them up. This is what McDan Foundation can do to support society,†he said.
Dr McKorley, while interacting with the women, expressed profound gratitude to them for honouring his invitation and pledged his readiness to continue to support them.
He appealed to corporate organisations and persons in the position of extending help to the needy to support the less privileged and contribute to poverty reduction because “government cannot do it all.â€
For his part, a Deputy Minister for Communications and Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon, Mr Vincent Sowah Odotei thanked Dr McKorley for the gesture done his constituents.
He also appealed to all wealthy natives of La to “come back home†and support the development of the area.
Some of the beneficiaries of the exercise were full of praise for Dr McKorley for sustaining the programme, which they said, had become an important occasion on their calendar.
They also expressed appreciation to the medical team for the counselling offered them and resolved to adopt positive health practices to improve on their health conditions.
The Founder and Resident Pastor of Grace Community Church in Kumasi, Bishop Isaac Kankam Boadu has called on Ghanaians especially parents to thank God for President Akufo-Addo’s initiative of Free Senior High School (SHS).
According to Bishop Kankam Boadu, “if the Free SHS initiative has enabled your child to be in secondary school, then thank God.”
He made this known when was leading the congregation during a Thanksgiving Service for the last Sunday of the year.
“I am not a politician but let’s face the reality, the Free SHS has enabled some people who couldn’t have send their children to SHS gotten free access, why don’t you thank God” he added.
He said even men get offended when people refuse to appreciate their benevolence of how much God provides and protects us always.
He added that “We don’t have nothing to give to God but just to thank him for all that He has done for us through out the year”.
Bishop Kankam Boadu called on the congregation to dance to Diana Antwi Hamilton’s ‘Mo ne yo’ as well as other thanksgiving songs to express their appreciation to God.
He preached on “Let the redeem of the lord say so” from the book of Psalm 107:2 and allowed the congregants to express their appreciation through testifying about things God did for each person through out the year.
Popular American rapper, Rick Ross stuck to his words and invited up and coming artiste, CJ Biggerman to perform with him on stage at the Detty Rave concert on Friday.
This comes after the Ghanaian rapper impressed the Maybach Music Group owner with his rap skills at the Kempinksi hotel on Thursday.
In an interview with JoyNews, CJ Biggerman said he saw an opportunity to get himself a recognition and is happy it turned out positive.
While on stage at the concert, Rick Ross warmly welcomed CJ Biggerman on the stage and watched while the young rapper kept impressing the audience with his flow.
According to the “Chuku Chuku†singer, he planned on meeting Rick Ross before his arrival in Ghana, adding that due to the incident, almost all news portals are talking about him, granting interviews, trending worldwide on social media and most importantly now has direct contact with Rick Ross.
Urging all not to give up on their dreams, he said “it will happen within a twinkle of an eye. You just need to persevere, push and add God,†he stated.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II, has urged businesses and trade associations to use dialogue and negotiations to resolve issues with government, regulators and other policy makers involved in their business operations.
This, he said, was in line with the tenets of the country’s democratic dispensation and demands of the 21st century, which called for innovative partnership models in policy engagement.
Otumfuo Osei-Tutu said this in an address read for him at the inauguration of the Trucks and Spare Parts Importers Association (TRUSPIA) in Kumasi.
He said building partnerships and cooperation for policy and compliance instead of antagonism, mistrust and extortions, were crucial to ensuring the state derived the required resources from industry to promote national development.
He commended the TRUSPIA for the initiative to become a formidable force to gain the necessary recognition and influence policies that would be beneficial to their business operations.
The Asantehene said choosing the path of partnership with the Government, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and all relevant regulatory and enforcement agencies to build cooperation and compliance to improve the trucks and spare parts trade was a good step by the Association’s leadership.
He appealed to the Government and other key stakeholders in the truck and spare parts trade to respond favourably to ensure a win-win situation to define a new regime of cooperation as partners in national development.
Mr Adade Mensah, the Chairman of the Association, said the trucks and spare parts industry, aside the revenues and employment generated in the country, was the pivot of the transport sector, which also drove all other sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
He said the inauguration of the Association signalled a new relationship with the state, regulators and enforcement agencies as it shifted its policy philosophy from that of confrontational to cooperation, dialogue and partnerships with policy makers and other relevant agencies.
Mr Mensah said the Association was going to institute an annual policy week to dialogue with all relevant government agencies involved in their business operations on all issues that might be affecting their business operations.
It would also be used as a platform to engage political parties to interact and factor into their manifestoes issues confronting businesses in the trucks and spare parts industry.
Many Africans cheered and applauded when Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara announced on Saturday “that, in agreement with the other West African Economic and Monetary Union Heads of State, we have decided to reform the CFA franc with the following three major changes: First, the name change of the currency from the CFA franc to the Eco.”
His speech marked the official end of the French-backed currency CFA francs for the eight countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo currently use the CFA franc which has been criticized by many as a French relic from colonial times. Further, France will stop holding “50 percent of the reserves in the French Treasury” and will withdraw “French governance” related to the currency. The Eco’s value will be pegged to the euro, just like the CFA has been for more than two decades.
The CFA is used in 14 African countries, split into the West African CFA and the Central African CFA. However, the changes will only affect the West African form of currency. Originally, the CFA franc was introduced by France in 1945 and at the time stood for “French Colonies in Africa.” Nowadays, it stands for “African Financial Community in West Africa” and “Financial Cooperation in Central Africa.” It is used by a population of about 150 million.
Students of the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar in Senegal were thrilled after the news hit. They told DW: “Many countries are fleeing the CFA Franc, that is why they do not want to invest in Africa. With this change from the CFA franc to the ECO, there will be more jobs for the youth.” Another student said: “I think these efforts are reassuring, even if the effect is not as desired by the Senegalese, but there will be improvement.”
Africa facing currency reform
A modest victory
However, not everyone is as optimistic. According to Mor Gassama, economist and researcher at the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, the introduction of the Eco is a victory to be celebrated with great modesty. He says that there are still many grey areas in relation to the introduction of the Eco.
“These are just words at the moment because the problem in Africa, as everyone knows, is not just a problem of money”, he told DW. “It is first and foremost a problem of the management of public funds. If a head of state does not respect his commitments if the best resources we have are squandered or not used according to our priorities, whatever the name of the currency, it will not do much good. The decision is more political than economic.”
Two separate Ecos?
The Eco is expected to be adopted on the first of July 2020, but since the concept arose in 2003, the target launch date for the currency has been postponed several times: in 2005, 2010 and 2014. Countries in the franc bloc and other West African nations such as Nigeria and Ghana, which have their own currencies, have for decades debated creating their own currency, the Eco.
This should promote regional trade and investment. “ECOWAS is ultimately about regional economic integration. Ultimately, that cannot be achieved without the currency,” Solomon Jamiru, Deputy Minister of Information of Sierra Leone, told DW this summer.
‘Worse than the CFA’
However, a July launch of the Eco is not being welcomed from all sides, Martial Ze Belinga, a Cameroonian economist, told DW: “In a way, we now have two Ecos. One that the 15 African countries voted for and whose name was already decided in 2003. And today there is a new Eco which France and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries have chosen — independently of the others. This seems astonishing. One could at least have waited for them to give their approval.”
In the economist’s view, it does not make sense to promote West African monetary integration without involving countries like Ghana or Nigeria. “A country that accounts for over half of the population in the region cannot be left out. ECOWAS must, therefore, react very quickly. Otherwise, its own project, the currency unit, will get into difficulties and it will lose credibility as an organization.” He also hopes that the Central African franc bloc is thinking further ahead. “My impression is: they are waiting and watching. It is urgent that Central Africa works on a plan B to create a perspective for itself that gives security.”
Senegalese economist Samba Sylla agrees: “The Eco could be worse than the CFA franc. If you take the criticism of the CFA franc seriously, you cannot go in the direction of ECO.” According to him, the CFA is firstly under French domination and secondly a common currency which does not work. “So far there is no work that shows that the two CFA zones are optimal monetary zones. The advantages of keeping these currencies are lower than the disadvantages. One replaces a dysfunctional common currency with another, even less functioning common currency. This does not seem like a good deal to me.”
Different philosophies about money
Sylla believes it is unrealistic that there will be the Eco for the whole of West Africa in 2020, due to lacking economic and political foundations. “That would require a treaty between the 15 ECOWAS countries, which does not exist. It would need a statute for a new central bank, and we would need to harmonize banking legislation. That does not exist at present.” Another problem would be different cultures and philosophies about currency and money. “Those are very different, for example between the Anglophone countries, such as Nigeria and Ghana, and the others.”
Before joining the currency, countries are required to meet ten key demands by the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI). Those include a budget deficit of less than 3 percent, an inflation rate of less than 10 percent, debts worth less than 70 percent of GDP and budget deficits of no more than 10 percent of the previous year’s tax revenue. Nigerian Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed said that only Togo was on track to meet all the financial requirements for the Eco zone. The International Monetary Fund welcomed the reform, saying it was “a key step in the modernization of long-standing arrangements” between the WAEMU and France.
A host of high profile personalities from the African diaspora have arrived in Ghana for the maiden Africa Premier Leadership Awards, to be held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Sunday, December 29, 2019.
The event is dedicated to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II who will be honoured with the title “Pillar of Peace” for the extraordinary leadership role he played in restoring peace to the Dagbon Traditional Area after almost two decades of chieftaincy dispute that led to the loss of lives and massive destruction to property.
Among the diaspora personalities are the Mayor of the City of Newark – New Jersey, USA, Ras Jua Baraka (PICTURED ABOVE); the Vice President of the 33rd Legislature of the Virgin Islands, Senator Myron D. Jackson; the founder of the Panama World Trade and Investment Foundation, Dr. Melida Harris Barrow, and the Group Executive Chairman, GBSH Consult Group Worldwide, Prof. Dr. Ambassador Tel Edgars.
The African Premier Leadership Awards is instituted under the patronage of the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights (CIPDH Africa) in collaboration with E ON 3 Group, a Ghanaian Business Solutions Provider based in Accra.
Other implementing partners include GBSH Consult Group Worldwide, UAE-Africa Development Consortium, Future Africa Foundation, Novel Vision and the State Enterprises Commission.
The Executive Director of E ON 3 Group, Mr Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori Atta, told reporters in Kumasi on Friday that Dr. Melida Harris Barrow will be the Guest Speaker at the event, which will be chaired by Nana Otuo Siriboe II, Juabenhene and Chairman of the Council of State.
The ceremony ties in with the ‘Year of Return’ and will mark the last Akwasidae for the year.
Mayor Baraka, who is married to Linda Jumah, the daughter of former Kumasi Mayor and current Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries, Mr Kofi Jumah, expressed delight to be part of the event in Kumasi, at which he will be making a statement.
“It is always a privilege for us here in the African diaspora community in Newark to unite with Africa itself, for commerce, cultural programmes and, most importantly, the pursuit for global peace,” he said.
The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) has temporarily opened the Accra bound carriageway from the Peduase Lodge to Ayi Mensah on the Aburi – Accra road to vehicular traffic.
The Ghana Highway Authority closed that section of the road in October 2019 due to some slope failures and rock falls, with potential for further rock falls and slope failures.
Consequently, the Ayi Mensah to Aburi-bound double carriageway was been turned into a single carriageway to enable traffic flow to and from Aburi and beyond.
But in a press statement, the GHA said the road is being opened temporarily on Saturday December 28, 2019 for use during the festive season.
“The Ghana Highway Authority wishes to inform the general public, especially motorist using the Aburi Road that, the South-bound lane; Peduase to Ayi Mensah section which was closed to the public due to slopes failure is OPENED for use during this festive season from Saturday 28th December, 2019 to 30th January, 2020.”
“While we want to assure the Public that work is under way to ensure repair works begin soon on the Slopes, motorists are entreated to drive with caution and respect road regulations. We are counting on your usual Coorperation.”
At least 30 people are reported to have been killed by a car bomb during morning rush hour in Somalia’s capital.
The blast took place at a checkpoint at a busy intersection in Mogadishu.
“The blast was devastating, and I could confirm more than 20 civilians killed, there were many more wounded,” police officer Ibrahim Mohamed was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bomb but al-Shabab militants have often carried out attacks there.
Al-Shabab – a group of Islamist militants, allied to Al-Qaeda – has waged an insurgency for more than 10 years. It was forced out of the capital in 2011 but still controls areas of the country.
Who are Somalia’s al-Shabab?
Witnesses described carnage at the scene.
“All I could see was scattered dead bodies … amid the blast and some of them burned beyond recognition,” said Sakariye Abdukadir, who was close to the blast.
Read: Australian brothers guilty of IS plane bomb plot
Many were severely injured in the blast
One Somali MP, Mohamed Abdirizak, put the death toll at more than 90, although the information he said he had received has not been independently confirmed.
“May Allah have mercy on the victims of this barbaric attack,” the former internal security minister added.
Five people were killed earlier this month when al-Shabab attacked a Mogadishu hotel popular with politicians, diplomats and military officers.
Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale has extended well wishes to his fans both in Ghana and abroad.
In a statement, the artiste said a person who acts with a goal is opened to a number of opportunities hence he administers his fans to always have a plan so they can achieve their goals.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway has urged members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ‘stop talking’ and complaining that they’ve received nothing since their party assumed office.
Speaking at the recently held National Delegates Conference of the party, she pleaded “with Ghanaians especially NPP members to stop talking and complaining; we talk too much; I have not received this and that. What will you get if your party is not in power? We are going into a new year; an election year so let’s come together to campaign”
President Akufo-Addo has promoted five Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCOP) and 16 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP).
Those who have been newly-promoted include the Director of Police Public Affairs, David Eklu who was elevated from his previous ACP position to DCOP rank.
The promotions which followed the recommendations of the Police Council also take effect from January 1, 2020.
A statement from the Police Service making the announcement noted that:
“The Police Administration wishes the newly promoted officers heartiest congratulations. Of particular mention from Officers of the Public Affairs Department is their Director-General, DCOP Mr. David S. Eklu.â€
Commissioners who have been promoted are:
1. DCOP/Mr. Samuel Monney, Director-General/Technical Department
2. DCOP/Nana Asomah Hinneh, Director-General/Human Resource Department
3. DCOP/Mr. Ebenezer Francis Doku, Director-General/Special Duties
4. DCOP/Mr. Patrick Atampugre Akolgo, Director-General/National Protection Department
5. DCOP/Mr. Edward Tabiri, Director-General/Police Intelligence Department
The official TV partners for the 2019/20 Ghana Premier League is set to go down as one of the most fiercely contested bidding wars with DSTV and Fox Sports leading the lot.
Ghana Football Association opened bids from the media fraternity for the official broadcasting right of the upcoming domestic season in Ghana with as many as seven bids racing for the package.
South Africa based Multi Choice DSTV, is currently leading the log with an expected partnership with GTV spicing their bids.
DSTV has reportedly agreed to sublet part of their media right to GTV that will see the 2019/20 domestic screened live.
FOX Sports, according to sources, are also using their unique coverage of the WAFU tournaments to earn favor from the Ghana FA as they seek to become the flagship TV partners for the upcoming season and beyond.
The communication department of the Ghana FA meanwhile released an official statement extending the radio bids for the upcoming season.
Below is a copy of the press statement issued on the media rights for the league
December 27, 2019
PRESS RELEASE: UPDATE ON MEDIA RIGHTS AND MEDIA ACCREDITATION
The Ghana Football Association wishes to inform its stakeholders that at the end of the deadline for submission of bids for Television Broadcast Rights of the various GFA-organised competitions, the GFA received bids from seven organisations for the television rights.
The GFA has since been evaluating the bids and it will announce a decision next week.
For Radio Commentary Rights, the Association has decided to extend the period for expression of interest by radio stations to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
Meanwhile, the GFA is processing accreditation requests received from media houses and journalists. The GFA will inform stakeholders in due course for journalists to pick up their accreditation badges.
Until then, media personnel are to use their current GFA Media Identification Cards to access entry into venues of the Premier League.
Dr Daniel Asare, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), has advised Ghanaians to be wary of their lifestyle as there has been an upsurge in chronic kidney disease as well as other diseases.
Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney failure, is the gradual loss of kidney function.
Chronic kidney disease is commonly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases, he stated.
Dr Asare revealed this at a media engagement in Accra.
He said the KBTH alone, in 2018, recorded a total of 547 chronic kidney disease cases which, he said, was alarming because the figures from other facilities were unknown.
Dr Asare said other diseases that have seen an increase include stroke 488, Pulmonary Tuberculosis 277, hypertension 223, and pneumonia 221.
The others are Diabetes Mellitus 201, congestive cardiac failure 195, severe anaemia 162, Pleural Effusion 105, as well as Hepatitis B and viral infection 71.
“These are the top ten causes of death recorded in the hospital,†he said.
He said in order to prevent the occurrence of such diseases, there was the need for people to make healthy food choices, make physical activity part of their routine, and aim for a healthy weight.
The CEO said it is advisable for everyone to get enough sleep, stop smoking and limit alcohol intake.
This, he said, when taken seriously would help reduce the numbers.
Twenty-one people, including five in critical condition, remain on admission after two coaches collided head-on at Ohene Nkwanta on the Kumasi-Accra road, on Boxing Day.
Some 24 others who were on admission at three different health facilities have been discharged.
Apart from the five said to have sustained life-threatening injuries who are on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, the rest are at Stewards Hospital, Juaso and the Konongo Government Hospital.
Konongo Government Hospital has eight patients, including a family of four whilst the Juaso Government Hospital and Stewards Hospital have six and two respectively.
There was pandemonium at the Kotoka International Airport when a lady with a huge backside entered the terminal three passengers lounge.
The yet to be identified lady wore striped colorful trousers which were tightly fitting with her huge buttocks protruding from her behind and profusely shaking with each step she takes whiles wearing high heeled shoes.
All manner of persons flooded the scene with most of them men with shouts of surprise which time was a bit embarrassing.
The lady on the other hand never lifted an eyelid as she continued walking majestically to wherever she was going while others pulled their phones to capture her huge buttocks.
The Inter-party Dialogue of the Volta Region has begun vigorous preparations towards promoting peace ahead of the 2020 general elections.
The Volta Region Director of National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Kenneth Kponor, said peace is a prerequisite for national development hence the urgent need to make sure that peace is maintained in the country, before, during and after the general election
“It is important that we maintain the peace we enjoy in the country before, during and after the election,” Mr Kponor said.
The Committee will also provide an effective platform for key stakeholders to engage the various political parties on securing the prevailing peace in the Region for accelerated socio-economic development.
Mr Kponor noted that the reactivation and preparations by the committee ahead of the 2020 elections are necessary in order to re-energize members and come out with ideas which would help them on best practices towards a peaceful election
Mr Ken Kponor, who was speaking at a meeting of the Committee in Ho, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and chaired by Elvis Van Lare, also said they would initiate measures to deal with issues of defacing of posters, biased media reportage and campaign violence.
He said the Committee in collaboration with other stakeholders would be able to identify potential conflict zones in order to give the necessary attention to those areas to deal with any eventuality that may trigger violence.
“The committee will be critical in the use of provocative language abuse by the political parties, issues of vote-rigging as well as abuse of incumbency among others, “he said.
According to the director, distribution of gifts and money to the electorate and declaration of results by political parties and members of the parties would be monitored keenly and strict measures would be put in place so as to avoid such issues
Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at NCCE, Joyce Afutu said the nation’s quest for socio-economic development and democratic growth can only be a reality in a peaceful country.
She encouraged members of the committee to work hard to achieve the purpose of which the committee was formed.
Volta Region Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev Seth Mawutor urged the political parties to avoid activities that could destroy the peace of the country. Mr Pascal Agbagba and Mr Ronald Kaykay Kodzo Fiakpui of the NDC and NPP, respectively, urged the various political parties to ensure a peaceful general election.
The Acting Ada West District Director, Social Welfare Department, Madam Abigail Teye, has disclosed that the Assembly spent about Gh¢ 260,000.00, three per cent of the common fund, on Persons With Disability (PWD) in 2019.
This was done as part of government’s programme to reduce poverty among persons with disability.
She told journalists that the Assembly had over 700 registered PWDs who are invited to apply for support.
“Over 54 items which are deep freezers, overlock machines, fridges, industrial sewing machines, laptops, knitting machines, barbering tools and accessories and many more have been given to equip and establish the PWDs in their various vocations,” she said.
She said, they always undertook needs assessment while they await the full release of the fund since government did not release funds on time.
“Through the quarterly field monitering cum needs assessments by the District Disability fund Committee and Social Welfare and community Department, we get to know what they want,” she said.
Mr A. Lawer Akrofi, Ada West District Chief Executive told the PWDs that the Assembly and Government would always support them to be successful in their various pursuits.
Mr. Amuyao Narh David, former Presiding Member and Chairman for the occasion, told the PWDs that, “The Assembly and the government wants your life to change through empowering you to work for your own success and happiness”.
The Member of Parliament for Sege, Mr. Christian Corletey Otuteye, in his brief speech said, “The Assembly has done well in equipping the PWDs and we have to appreciate their efforts.”
Family spokesperson and a sister of the deceased, Lauretta Kuunyen, who confirmed the news to Ghanaguardian.com said Kennedy died at the hospital’s Emergency Centre on Thursday, December 26, 2019.
“He was in Techiman. Actually we didn’t know he was sick. On Tuesday, we called his line throughout the day but he never answered …so Wednesday morning, my mum asked me to go check on him. It was after I arrived in his house that I realised his condition had deteriorated so brought him to Sunyani and we rushed him to the Municipal hospital where he died at the Emergency Centre”, Lauretta told Ghanaguardian.com in an interview.
Asked whether she knew the cause of his death, she replied ‘no’.
Oheneba Kennedy worked for Space FM in Sunyani for nearly a decade before joining Techiman based Akina Radio in 2016.
Until his sudden demise, he was also studying Human Resource Management at the Valley View University in Techiman.
He was 41 years old.
His body has since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue awaiting autopsy while colleagues in the media fraternity have become inconsolable over his sudden demise.
