Veteran broadcaster Fiifi Banson got married over the weekend in a private ceremony. The former Peace Fm broadcaster walked fiancé Akorfa Djankui to the altar.
Read:Jonathan Mensah marries longtime girlfriend
The marriage ceremony was graced by friends and family of both couples as well as colleagues in the media. Akorfa is the Head of Marketing at Startimes Ghana Limited.
Read:Man, 96, marries lover 93, after 50 years relationship
Congratulations are in order.
Source:.peacefmonline
In 2006, the current Minority Leader of parliament and MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu had his Master of Philosophy Degree revoked by the Academic Board of the University of Ghana on grounds that his thesis presented was plagiarized.
Haruna Iddrisu is a former Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, he has been in parliament for 15 years after contesting and winning the NDC parliamentary primaries in 2004,2008,2012 and 2016.
Read the full story originally published on October 18, 2006, on Ghanaweb
The Academic Board of the University of Ghana announced on Wednesday that it has revoked a Master of Philosophy Degree awarded Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, because of plagiarism.
A statement Mr A.T. Konu, Registrar, signed and made available to 10030700, Haruna Iddrisu, should be revoked on grounds that the thesis presented by the candidate was later found to have contained plagiarized material.
“In accordance with this decision of the Academic Board, the M. Phil Degree awarded to the Mr Haruna Iddrisu in December 2000 and published on 14th May 2001 is hereby revoked.”
Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah has revealed having held successful talks with five players in the Netherlands about pledging their international futures to the Black Stars.
Appiah has been on a European scouting mission from last week, with reports speculating planned trips to Germany, England, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The coach is expected to visit current players of the Black Stars and as well hold discussions with European-born players eligible to represent the West African nation.
Read:Coach Kwesi Appiah to scout for new players in Spain, UK this week
“I have been visiting the players. I have been to Holland [Netherlands] and Belgium. I have spotted about four to five players,” Appiah is quoted by Modern Ghana.
“I have seen them play a lot of times but I needed to see them and talk to them in person.
”Because some of them are willing to play for Ghana and others do not want to, so you will have to see them and talk to them.
”Out of the five I have spoken to from Holland, they are all willing to play for the Black Stars but there are some of them who have played for the junior national teams of Holland so we will have to do a nationality switch for them.”
Read:Kwesi Appiah reveals five Holland-born players want to play for Black Stars
Although Appiah has given no clues about the identities of the European-born players on his radar, reports state inform AZ Alkmaar striker Myron Boadu and PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo are top of the 59-year-old’s roster.
Both players are current members of the Dutch U21 team which beat Norway 4-1 in a Uefa U21 Championship qualifier on Tuesday.
Ajax prodigy Brian Brobbey and German-born Ragnar Ache – who currently plays for Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam – De Graafschap right-back Leeroy Owusu and fullback Robin Polley of ADO Den Haag could be among Appiah’s targets.
Source:Â Goal.com
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has urged the Module Implementation Partners (MIPs) to employ trainees of the Nation Builders Corp (NABCO) programme first when employment opportunities arise.
Speaking at the 1st anniversary of the inception of NABCO, on Thursday, 17th October, 2019, at the National Theatre, President Akufo-Addo commended the MIPs for their partnership of the scheme, and appealed to them to recognise and reward the sacrifices made by trainees.
Read: NABCO trainees really helping Ghana Akufo-Addo
“They should be the first to be considered when opportunities for permanent employment come up. Indeed, as the economy of our nation grows rapidly, largely as a result of competent management and appropriate policies, many more employment opportunities will be generated,†the President said.
He continued, “Through what we collectively aspire to achieve, and the steps currently being taken, I am left in no doubt that we can be a nation reliant on our creativity, hard work, sense of enterprise, and spirit of innovation.â€
NABCO trainees are guaranteed work placements lasting over 24 months, reinforced by on the job training, as well as generic soft skills training, to add value to their basic academic qualifications.
“When the current trainees are about to exit the programme, present concerns over their future will appear moot. This is because trainees would be equipped, and will thrive without recourse to NABCO planning their exit arrangements,†the President said.
One year on, NABCO, the President reiterated, is ready to deploy its learning platform, through online and direct instructions via its Designated Learning Centres across all regions of the country.
Read: Prioritize NABCo recruits for permanent employment Nana Addo to MDAs
NABCO will bring the full complement of its mandate into operation, i.e. guaranteed work placements, as well as skills training for work readiness.
Launching the the NABCO Skills and Talent Academy (NSTA Pathways), President Akufo-Addo noted that it is signalling and bringing clarity to the exit preparation of NABCO trainees.
“This, ultimately, will deliver the requisite value-addition to the entry qualifications and competencies of all trainees; thus, making them both work ready and career-driven in their future pursuits. The story has been commendable so far nearly eleven thousand have transitioned into their chosen future careers since deployment a year ago,†he added.
Source:Â dailyguidenetwork.com
A British Royal Air Force plane carrying the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was forced to abandon landing twice in Pakistan due to bad weather on Thursday.
The royal couple — and around 40 members of the traveling media — were returning to Islamabad on the converted RAF Voyager after a day of engagements in Lahore when they found themselves caught up in a severe thunderstorm.
Prince William and his wife Kate are on a five-day official visit to the country.
Read:Prince William surprises fans honoring Princess Diana
The journey — which should have been around 26 minutes — initially seemed fairly routine but as it got closer to Islamabad, lightning was visible on both sides of the plane. With poor weather in the area, the captain announced that the aircraft would circle while waiting for a gap in the weather system, according to CNN journalists on the flight.
When an approach was finally made around an hour later, severe turbulence shook the aircraft and the plane aborted its attempt to land. The pilot later tried to make a second descent at a different airport but again the turbulence was too much and the decision was made to return to Lahore.
Read:Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are moving away from Kensington Palace
The Airbus A330 ended up being in the air for nearly two hours. The aircraft was converted by the British Royal Air Force to provide VIP transport for government officials and the royal family.
Despite the rocky end to the day, the duke — a former air ambulance pilot — was in good spirits and went to the back of the plane to see journalists after landing. While there, he joked that that he had been flying the aircraft.
William added that he and Kate were “fine.”
The duke and duchess had spent the day in Lahore, touring a charity that helps orphaned children, visiting a cancer hospital and joining a cricket match, among other engagements.
Source:Â cnn.com
Content Developer and writer at MiPROMO Company, Nii Atakora Mensah, has been awarded an award at this year’s Forty Under Forty awards held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.
He was honoured based on his immense contribution and support to the entertainment industry in Ghana and beyond.
Nii Atakora Mensah works in the leading multimedia company called MiPROMO Company Limited where they offer services such as YouTube Monetization & Management, Online Music Distribution, Music Promotion, Social Media Marketing and more.
Read:40 Under 40 Awards: Anthony Dzamefe wins Technology and Innovation Award
MiPROMO’s way of doing business attracted legends like Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Wendy Shay, Stonebwoy, the late Ebony, Medikal, Kofi Kinaata, Joey B, McBrown Kitchen Show Esther Smith, Yaw Sarpong, Nana Ama McBrown, Quophi Okyeame and more, and upcoming talents like Maame Esi and more.
The 40 Under 40 Awards program honours leaders in a variety of industries who are younger than 40 years old — the men and women in the region who have played a key role in shaping the industry. They have proven their potential by taking business leadership roles.
Read:Quick Angels Limited CEO wins 40 under 40 investment category award
Source:Â Nii Atakora Mensah
The Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, has said innocent persons have been on the wrong end of justice delivery due to the inability of actors in the criminal justice sector to be time-conscious.
She said none of the various actors in the criminal justice sector can be exempted from this practice of delay and that the investigator, who comes to the court to ask for more time, the prosecutors, the judicial officers, and lawyers are all to be blamed for that.
Read: We need good lawyers, not lots of lawyers Chief Justice hits back
She said every delay on the part of any officer is a punishment to the person at the receiving end, and such a delay had the propensity to occasion negative repercussions for the person.
The CJ made this known when the Punctuality Ghana Foundation called on her to endorse a campaign against lack of punctuality among Ghanaians, especially those who work in the public sector.
“… because somebody, a lawyer or the party, was late and has missed the boat for so long that there is nothing that the law permits the court to do to put the actor back before it and all we have to do is struck it out because we will not even have the competence to deal with it
“For example, the interminable delays that often attend criminal trials and endanger the individual liberties of criminal suspects on remand can be traced directly, in part, to this phenomenon. The various actors in the criminal justice sector who are not immune to this unsavory practice are collectively culpable for this sad state of affairs.
Read: Chief Justice must step down now! Law students protest
Admittedly, punctuality is not an issue only for the public service. It has eaten deep into the very fiber of our nation, but it is safe to assume that the canker is particularly prevalent in the public service. There is enough literature to confirm that, and I am in no doubt that the majority of us gathered here to have our own personal experiences to share in this regard.
“Our repugnant and reprehensible attitude towards time must change drastically if the public service is to provide the leadership that is required to drive national development. We seem oblivious of the fact that time is a valuable, non-renewable resource that is irrecoverable when lost. If time is money, then have we paused to reflect for a moment on how much we lose as a nation each day as a result of our individual and collective tardiness at the workplace?â€.
Source:Â starrfm.com.gh
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has announced some strategies to mitigate the issue of traffic police misconduct and possibly putting an end to it.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of Police Public Affairs, ACP David Eklu, he said a number of special phone numbers will be released to the public to serve as a platform for individuals to send videos, pictures or any form of evidence, showing police misconduct.
Read: Ashanti Police Command interdicts 3 policemen; Man dies in operation
Police misconduct and unprofessionalism on the road including the acceptance of bribes, unwarranted detainment of drivers and the use of inappropriate language has long been an issue of concern.
But it seems this will end soon as the new IGP says police officers found guilty of engaging in unscrupulous behaviour by virtue of any messages sent to the announced numbers, will be “expeditiously dealt with†and held accountable for their inappropriate actions.
Read: 58 police officers in deprived areas promoted
The Police Administration urges the public to comply with these strategies and do their part in putting an end to this issue.
Below is the statement:
Source:Â Myjoyonline.com
Promoter Eddie Hearn has broken down in tears in paying tribute to American fighter Patrick Day and says boxing must unite to make the sport safer.
Day died at the age of 27 on Wednesday, four days after suffering a brain injury in a 10th-round stoppage defeat by Charles Conwell in Chicago.
The bout took place on a bill promoted by Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing USA.
After becoming upset, Hearn told IFL TV: “You can say ‘it’s boxing’ but it is so hard to justify.”
He added: “It has been a rough year for the sport. We need to make sure we get together as a community, we keep trying to evolve, we keep trying to make the sport safer.
“There are so many things we can look at as a community, particularly [brain] scans. One of the issues is the frequency of scans in my opinion. You can have a yearly scan but sometimes it doesn’t take into account the fights you have had since that scan.”
BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing’s Steve Bunce and Mike Costello, and American boxer Regis Prograis have all had their say on how boxing can be made safer.
‘Indefensible’ boxing saves lives too
Day’s is the fourth death in boxing in recent months, following the passing of Russian Maxim Dadashev, Argentina’s Hugo Santillan and Bulgaria’s Boris Stanchov.
Bunce said: “I have been ringside in the last 30 years for half a dozen deaths and maybe 12 or 15 other fights where boxers have been rushed to emergency procedures.
“I have been in waiting rooms, I’ve been there when doctors have told loved ones that their son, husband and father has died. I have been there when guys have been given no chance and pulled through after six or seven weeks in a coma.
“I have studied it, its an odd business and I love it, it’s what I do for a living but at the same time it is a sport that is indefensible. But, at the same time, boxing and boxers make perfect sense to me.
“I genuinely cannot see, I have wracked my brains, to come up with anything that can make boxing safer. In Britain, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) have the worlds’s finest safety measures yet we still have deaths. It is that simple, there is nothing that can be done.
“It’s when you go and meet people at a gym in the worst part of a city and you take their testimony of how this sport has saved their life. That may sound like cliche rubbish and I understand how it looks but that is the bottom line. Unless you are in the business, you can’t understand it. But I am not defending it, it is impossible to do so.”
‘The sport cannot be 100% safe’
Bunce questions whether the idea of scanning fighters before each fight is viable given the costs involved in doing so but says clamping down on white collar boxing events – where competitors pay to fight – would be a step forward.
His 5 Live colleague – BBC boxing correspondent Costello – also said the cost of head scans at every fight night would prove an issue and that fighters policing their own health can be key.
Costello said: “If they feel rough, have headaches, then don’t fight. Unfortunately they get this buzz, this addiction and this opportunity they have to change their life, sometimes it can be the ending of a life.”
Day’s fatal bout was sanctioned by the State of Illinois commission and Hearn praised the speed with which oxygen was administered and how Day was treated before being rushed to hospital.
The BBBofC – who sanction the majority of fights in the UK – has stringent rules in place stating a fighter must pass an annual medical – which includes an MRI scan – and also ensures fight nights meet rules.
The organisation’s chairman Robert Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We work very hard to make the sport as safe as possible but as I have always said, we cannot make the sport 100% safe.
“The medial provisions changed over the last number of years have been immense. But when a boxer gets in the ring he understands the risk and that doesn’t make it right when things go wrong.
“Every boxer will have an annual medical which will cover your brain scans, MRI, bloods, physical examinations, eye tests, etc. Before every bout you are medically examined to make sure you are fit. After the bout you are examined again and if a doctor has any doubts he can put conditions on you boxing again in the future, so it’s very strict.
“Ultimately, it is very difficult to stop these things happening. If you think about the amount of contests and tournaments that take place throughout the world, the number of incidents is relatively small. That doesn’t make it right.”
Read:Jaime Munguia floors Patrick Allotey to retain WBO Super Welterweight belt
‘You become a different person in ring’
American boxer Patrick Day (right) throws a punch during his fight against Charles Conwell (left)
Day – who had a university degree – started boxing at the age of 14 and had lost three of his 21 fights before facing the unbeaten Conwell.
The New York-born fighter was knocked down in the fourth, eighth and 10th rounds in Chicago and suffered seizures on his way to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he underwent brain surgery.
Those closest to him – including promoter Lou DiBella – said his fighter “didn’t need to box”, but did so for the love of it.
YouTube videos of Day speaking before his debut in 2013 capture him stating he took up the sport because he wanted to “have something to do” and that he was a “kid who wanted to be part of something”.
American fighter Prograis, who is in the UK to face Scotland’s Josh Taylor in a super-lightweight world-title contest on 26 October, said he met Day on numerous occasions and claimed the late fighter was “always happy”.
Prograis, 30, said Day’s death underlined the dangers faced in the ring, and he gave 5 Live Boxing an insight into the mentality many competitors in the sport adopt in the face of danger.
“As fighters you feel like nothing can stop you,” said Prograis.
“Sometimes you really feel like that, that you’d rather die in the ring. Hearing myself say it right now, it sounds crazy but when you’re in there you feel like ‘I’m not going to stop, you have to almost kill me to stop me’. That is the mindset of a fighter where in your heart you have that.
“I have kids, a family, people who love and depend on me but when you’re in there it really does feel like none of that matters.
“This is not the person who will walk to the ring. The words I say now sound crazy but I know how I feel when I get in the ring. A lot of fighters bring that same mindset to the ring. But you do become a different person.”
Calls for bans and a Day legacy
Brain injury charity Headway reiterated its stance on wanting boxing banned following Day’s death, citing the cases of other fighters who have died in the ring in 2019.
After offering condolences and support to Day’s family, the charity’s chief executive Peter McCabe said: “How many more lives have to be needlessly damaged or lost before this senseless sport is banned?”
Countless fighters – past and present – have paid tribute to Day, including the likes of former world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew, who urged fighters not to “prolong your stay in the business”, adding: “Get in and get out.”
In confirming Day’s death, his promoter DiBella said the tragedy can be a “call to action” to improve safety.
Hearn concluded: “Knowing what these guys give, we have to make sure as a sport we do better. We need to respect these fighters. There is no one to blame, it is a tragedy of the sport. We have to make sure the positive effect Patrick had on the community remains.
“The outpouring of love shows you the special person he was. He loved the sport, we love the sport but we must never take it, or the fighters, for granted.”
Source:Â bbc.com
Families in Kenya have received the remains of the 32 victims who died in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash seven months ago.
The process of formally identifying them through DNA analysis has taken months.
Read:Boeing crash: I miss them every minute
Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi reports from Nakuru.
At least 28 people have been killed and several others injured following eight days of torrential rains in north-eastern Ghana.
More than 1,000 houses have been destroyed and several people have been displaced.
Authorities fear the casualty figures could rise.
ReadFloods kill 27 in Upper East
The country’s National Disaster Management Organisation has started supplying relief items to the victims.
“The latest situational report indicates that 28 people have lost their lives in the Upper East region of the republic of Ghana. The rains are still ongoing. We have about 140 people displaced,” the agency’s spokesman George Ayisi said on Wednesday.
Read:24 bodies recovered from flooded gold mine in Zimbabwe
The displaced people are sheltering in churches and schools.
Ghana’s meteorological department has predicted more rains across the country in the coming weeks and has warned of the possibility of more flooding.
Relief organisations have appealed for more support for those affected.
Source:Â bbc.com
Leader and founder of the Christ True Word of God Ministry Rev. Kwaku Mensah Otabil has predicted the upcoming Ghana Football Association presidential elections will be won be the executive chairman of Dream Football Club Kurt E.S Okraku.
This he confirms was revealed to him by God in the spiritual realm with the tough talking George Afriyie coming a distant second.
“In the spiritual realm,God has revealed to me that Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku will win the GFA Presidential elections on 25th October,2019”
Read:GFA Elections: Kurt should observe and learn, his time is not due George Afriyie
“George Afriyie was second with the other Aspirants following him”he told Ashh Fm in Kumasi.
The prophet has given further credence to his revelation by saying he will quit mounting the pulpit and doing the work of God should his prophesy fall short.
“I will quit doing the work of God if Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku doesn’t win the GFA Presidential elections”
He further stressed that all other aspirants making a lot of noise and talking tough will weep on the day of the elections.
Read:Kurt Okraku reveals vision for Ghana football after announcing GFA presidency decision
“Those talking will weep after the elections because as it stands now,Kurt Okraku is leading the race in the spiritual realm and it will come to reality”
“I know George Afriyie personally but I don’t know Kurt Okraku or any other candidate vying for the GFA Presidential seat but that is what God has revealed to me”
“I will feel very disappointed and betrayed by God and will close down my church if this revelations fails” he vowed.
Source:Â Ghanaguardian.com
Farmers in the Sunyani West District have complained over high cost of fertilizers, despite government subsidies under the implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJs) programme.
They lauded the PFJs programme, but added that the cost of NPK fertilizer was still high, and required downward adjustments to enable them afford it.
Instead of GH¢100.00 in the open market, fertilizers are being sold to farmers registered under the PFJs between GH¢70.00 and GH¢75.00.
But, in an interview with reporters, the farmers said despite the cost of the agro-chemicals, it was also difficult for them to access and buy the fertilizers.
Read:Farmers in 10 Northern communities introduced to drought-resistant legumes
Mrs Agartha Ayiwa, the spokesperson for farmers at Kankro in the District, observed that many of the farmers had registered under the PFJs and appealed to the government to review the subsidies.
She said reduction in the cost of the agro-chemicals and inputs would make the programme more attractive for the farmers to expand their farming activities.
Mr Gilbert Sonkpi, the Sunyani West District Director of Agriculture, explained that the government had directed the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to ensure that farmers bought agro-chemicals under the PFJs from certified dealers.
He advised the farmers to contact agriculture extension officers in their localities who would also assist them to identify the dealers to buy agro-chemicals from.
Read:Farmers schooled on fall armyworm infestation
Though, Mr Sonkpi could not immediately provide statistics, he said majority of farmers in the District had registered under the PFJs.
He said the implementation of the PFJs had made farming a lucrative business, and advised the farmers to plan well and keep records of their activities.
Mr Sonpki advised traditional authorities to support the PFJs by releasing lands to interested youth to engage in farming as a commercial and joint ventures.
Source:Â www.ghananewsagency.org
A flaw that means any fingerprint can unlock a Galaxy S10 phone has been acknowledged by Samsung.
It promised a software patch that would fix the problem.
The issue was spotted by a British woman whose husband was able to unlock her phone with his fingerprint just by adding a cheap screen protector.
When the S10 was launched, in March, Samsung described the fingerprint authentication system as “revolutionary”.
Read:Samsung introduces a new line of premium smartphones: Galaxy S10
Air gap
The scanner sends ultrasounds to detect 3D ridges of fingerprints in order to recognise users.
Samsung said it was “aware of the case of S10’s malfunctioning fingerprint recognition and will soon issue a software patch”.
South Korea’s online-only KaKao Bank told customers to switch off the fingerprint-recognition option to log in to its services until the issue was fixed.
Previous reports suggested some screen protectors were incompatible with Samsung’s reader because they left a small air gap that interfered with the scanning.
Read:Pre-order begins for Galaxy Note10 & Note10+ in Ghana
Thumb print
The British couple who discovered the security issue told the Sun newspaper it was a “real concern”.
After buying a £2.70 gel screen protector on eBay, Lisa Neilson found her left thumb print, which was not registered, could unlock the phone.
She then asked her husband to try and both his thumbs also unlocked it.
And when the screen protector was added to another relative’s phone, the same thing happened.
Source:Â bbc.com
A fifteen year old boy has been sentenced to two months imprisonment at Kampiringisa Rehabilitation Centre after being found guilty of stealing two Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) solar street light batteries.
The juvenile who is also a street kid was convicted on Wednesday by the City Hall grade one magistrate Valerian Tuhimbise after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Read:Motor rider dragged to court for stealing motorcycle
Prosecution says that the juvenile and others still at large stole two solar street light batteries on Jinja Road, Nakawa in Kampala on September 25, 2019. Court also heard that the batteries valued at Shs2.8m belonged to KCCA.
The magistrate ruled that the convict who is a minor, committed the offence with the help of some adults who are yet to be apprehended, adding that the offence is such a regrettable one.
Read:Boy,19, released from Prison for stealing plantain surrenders to Christ
“He however needs a sentence which can make him reform by going to Kampiringisa rehabilitation Centre for two months,†said the magistrate, who added that the sentence serves as a deterrent to the offender and other juveniles engaged in lawless activities.
Source:Â www.monitor.co.ug
Former Minister for youth and Sports under the erstwhile J.A Kufour administration, Mallam Yussif Issah says there is no difference between Kwasi Nyantakyi and George Afriyie.
According to the former Minister, the president of Okyeman Planners was part of the Nyantakyi led administration that was toppled by the number 12 documentary and is no different to his former boss.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi based Akoma Fm, Mallam Issah queried what he George Afriyie did under the former administration where he served as the vice president for some years before a fall out between himself and Kwasi Nyantakyi led to him been axed.
Read:GFA Elections: I have the best manifesto George Afriyie
“George Afriyie has been there for years when all these things were going on what did he come out to tell you or what did he come out to sayâ€
“Was he gagged not to talk or not to comment? Was he gagged not to come out to challenge the system that was operating by then?â€
Read:Team George Afriyie has 113 strategies to win GFA presidential race Abdul Salam
“Why was he not talking? Why was he not criticizing it was because they were all together. They are all the same and he is no different†he questioned.
He added that whoever wins the October 25th GFA elections will not do anything different from what the erstwhile Kwasi Nyantakyi did since they are all his appendages.
Source:Â footballghana.com
Political think-tank Alliance Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has ranked the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta as one of the worst performing ministers.
In a 2019 Ministerial Performance Tracking report, they listed the Finance Minister alongside the Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah and Hajia Alima Mahama, the Minister of Local Government as the worst performing ministers under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Read: Sanitation Minister worst-performing Minister ASEPA report
The report used 10 experts/Policy Analyst and 5000 public respondents sampled purposively across three regions.
Respondents for the survey, according to ASEPA, were sampled from, Civil Societies, the Media, Clergy, Students as well as lower and middle-income groups.
The report also recommended for the immediate scrap of the following: Special Development Initiative; Business Development, Planning; Inner City and Zongo Development; and the Minister of State at the Presidency in Charge of Agriculture.
Read: Arrest Mahama and Bagbin now Minister directs police
The report also placed the Finance Ministry as the second-worst performing Ministry and second-worst performing minister respectively.
The report, which assesses the performance of the various Ministries and Ministers on five key performance indicators has also found some key ministries to be under performing while giving others very high marks.
Source:Â www.pulse.com.gh
The long-awaited eighty (80) beds capacity of Kasoa CP Polyclinic in Awutu Senya East District of the Central Region has finally been commissioned by the Minister of Special Development and Initiatives Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson.
Addressing a mammoth crowd was Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency stated that it was her heart desire to bring the Polyclinic to life but there was no health equipment for Doctors and nurses to use.
Read: My ambulances can be compared to a clinic Hawa Koomson
She said with the help of this NPP government she has been able to provide hospital beds, incubators and other equipment to enable the clinic to start services.
According to her, there were a lot of false allegations circulating on social media that the hospital is fully complete but has been deserted.
Hon. Hawa Koomson stated that the hospital was not completed before the NDC was voted out of power hence wonders why anyone will say it was fully completed but has been abandoned.
Read: 80-bed Kasoa polyclinic left to rot; residents angry
Hon. Hawa Koomson noted that her Ministry is building a similar ultra-modern 26 hospitals across the country, financed by the 1million cedis per constituency fund.
Kasapa FM News Yaw Boagyan reports that the personalities who graced the commissioning ceremony were the Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Michael Yaw Essumang Mensah and other opinion leaders in the area.
Source:Â kasapafmonline.com
After MUYAD Social Services (MSS) petition against the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) about alleged religious dressing discrimination against Ms Rabiatu Mohammed, a national service candidate posted to SSNIT Tarkwa branch, SSNIT has responded to the petition.
In the petition, MSS sought to request for response to an alleged constitutional and fundamental human right abuse against a citizen on grounds of religious discrimination for denying Mrs Rabiatu Mohammed as opportunity to do her mandatory national service with the Trust because she refused to comply to remove her hijab (obligatory hair cover for Muslim ladies).
Read: Social media helping to promote hijab fashion trends
The petition was to ensure that, Article 21(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which allows every citizen to observe and manifest their religion in the country was fully and duly respected and applied.
SSNIT, in showing strong interest in the case responded to the petition through MSS and requested for some time to undertake investigation into the alleged case of abuse.
After the investigation, the findings admitted knowing Mrs Rabiatu who posted to SSNIT Tarkwa Branch for her national service but do not agree with Ms. Mohammed on exactly what happened.
However, it is heartwarming to MUYAD Social Services, the victim, lawyers and surely to the Muslim community in Ghana to learn that, SSNIT as law abiding entity that upholds human rights principles has decided to review its dress code policy to define requirements for hijab (obligatory dress rules for Muslim ladies) across the country.
“In the wake of this occurrence, the Trust has reviewed its policy on dress codes. Management has, in principle, acknowledged that the hijab, in particular, be acceptable in the dress code. Deliberation on acceptable definition of the hijab for the dress code policy are ongoing and close to conclusion.” SSNIT stated in its response to the MSS petition.
Read: Reports on sacked hijabbed national service personnel false SSNIT
“We hope this clarifies the position of SSNIT”, it added.
MUYAD Social Service and the Muslim community in general wish to thank The Board and Management, especially, Mr Michael Addo, the media, the Office of the Vice President and all stakeholders which helped for once again, Ghana being the winner in this peaceful coexistence among the various religious groupings in the country.
Source:Â www.ghananewsagency.org
In the late 1980s, mobile cinema businesses were burgeoning in Ghana, bringing film screenings to villages and rural areas without theatres or electricity.
These makeshift “video clubs” — usually made up of a diesel generator, a VCR and a TV or projector loaded onto a truck — would travel around the country showcasing Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters, as well as West African films.
To attract viewers, the video clubs needed to advertise their offerings. But they did not have the original movie posters or the means to print alternatives — the country’s military rulers had even restricted the import of printing presses.
So they made their own, commissioning local artists to hand-paint them on used flour sacks. They were large, usually 40 to 50 inches in width, and 55 to 70 inches in height.
The posters have since made ripples in the art world, with early originals commanding high prices from collectors.
Read:Meet Nanaba, the talented painter
The works are famous for their garish, exuberant style, full of muscles, blood and exaggerated features.
“They were designed to sell movie tickets, it was all about getting people through the doors,” said Brian Chankin, a dealer and collector, on the phone from Ghana. “So the vibe really was to try and make each poster as unique as possible, not to mention as crazy as possible.”
Occasionally, artists took creative license by depicting events that weren’t in the films. “I sometimes watched the movies and picked some actions from it,” said Heavy Jay, an artist who owns a studio in Teshie, near Ghana’s capital Accra, in an email. “But if the movie was so boring, then I had to do it by my own imagination, which mostly features some images and actions that (were) not in the movies, to attract more people to go watch them.”
By the 1990s, the height of the movie club business, several dozen artists were employed to produce the posters. Some of the most popular artists — or their pseudonyms — included Joe Mensah, Nyen Kumah, Leonardo, Socrates, Death is Wonder, Frank Armah and D.A. Jasper.
Brian Chankin began collecting the posters about 10 years ago, just as global interest started building around them. He displayed them on the wall of a video store he owned in Chicago.
“People started wanting to buy them off the wall, so we ended up selling quite a few,” he said. “I was able to gain a little following with them, so I started buying more and more with any money I had. Over the years, hundreds and hundreds of posters have come through my hands, and many of them I keep for my collection.
“There’s some that would go for well into the thousands if I decided to sell them, but those are the ones I am certainly not interested in selling. I know that other people have sold these posters for upwards of $50,000. Anything from the 1980s is just incredibly scarce and incredibly hard to find at this point.”
Demand for video club posters in Ghana started dying out in the mid-2000s when home viewing became more widespread and printing became more practical than commissioning original artworks, which took days to make. Since then, many artists have quit the trade, Chankin said. But some have kept the tradition alive and are now working on commission, either making copies of original posters or painting entirely new ones of both old and new movies.
Read:New logo for National Theatre is a useless piece of artwork Efia Papabi
In 2015, Chankin opened Deadly Prey Gallery, a Chicago-based studio that works with Ghanaian artists. Prices for commissioned posters vary from $300 to $600, and the most requested are from the big 1980s action blockbusters that made the posters famous. “Predator, Terminator, anything with Kurt Russell, anything with (Jean-Claude) Van Damme,” said Chankin, adding: “Horror is arguably the most popular genre.”
With interest seemingly on the rise, the posters are now easy to find online. But, Chankin warned, buyers should beware of modern copies masquerading as old originals.
“There are always bootlegs — they usually try to make the posters look older than they actually are,” he said. “Those ones I could spot in a second, but other people might not be able to.”
Source:Â cnn.com
The Ministry of Health will on Friday roll out the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) virus vaccine against cervical cancer in Mombasa county.
Speaking during a media briefing Wednesday, ahead of the launch in Mombasa, the Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said cervical cancer – one of the leading causes of death among women – is preventable through vaccination.
“Cancer of the Cervix, is the leading cause of cancer related deaths among women in Kenya. Nine women die from cervical Cancer in Kenya alone, every day. This is one too many! Cervical Cancer is now preventable through vaccination,” Kariuki said.
The vaccine that targets approximately 800,000, 10-year-old girls will be administered in two doses six months apart free of charge across the country.
Read:Vaginal bacteria linked to ovarian cancer
According to Benda Kithaka, a civil society representative working with communities to eliminate cancer, the vaccine is safe and aims at protecting adolescent girls against cervical cancer infection.
Safe vaccine
“HPV vaccine is safe and efficient and will be available to all 10-year-old girls. Let’s not sit and watch, save our girls,” said Kithaka.
The HPV vaccine pilot vaccination in Kenya was carried between 2013 and 2015 in Kitui covering 22,500 children of ages 9 to 11 resulting to 95 percent evidence based success.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that’s passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. There are more than 40 varieties of HPV which which are passed through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth, or throat.
Read:Cervical cancer still the leading cause of death in women Dr. Kwaku Ansah-Opoku
What does the HPV vaccine do?
Various strains of HPV spread through sexual contact and are associated with most cases of cervical cancer.
Gardasil 9 is an HPV vaccine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and can be used for both girls and boys.
This vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if given before a girl or woman is exposed to the virus.
In addition, the vaccine can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in women, and can prevent genital warts and anal cancer in women and men.
Source:Â www.allafrica.com
President Donald Trump’s Twitter attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi following an acrimonious White House meeting appears to have backfired spectacularly.
Trump tweeted a picture of the encounter Wednesday showing a standing Pelosi pointing at the president while he and everyone else in the room was seated, with the caption “Nervous Nancy’s unhinged meltdown!”
However, far from being upset at the picture, Pelosi posted it as her Twitter banner, and her supporters said it showed her literally standing up to Trump.
“Can a woman beat Donald Trump? Yes. Speaker Pelosi does it every day,” Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar said as she retweeted the picture.
“Thanks for the new cover photo @realDonaldTrump!,” tweeted Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill.
Read:Pelosi says public opinion shifting in support of impeachment inquiry
Others pointed out that several members of Trump’s cabinet looked as if they would rather be somewhere else.
“The men on your right reflect the embarrassment we all feel,” tweeted actress Mia Farrow.
Pelosi has previously gone viral with her apparent trolling of Trump, with her slow clapping of his last State of the Union speech becoming an instant meme.
After leaving the White House meeting, told the press she prayed for the president and his family “all the time.”
“Now we have to pray for his health, because this was a very serious meltdown on the part of the president,” she said.
Hours later, Trump pressed suggested Pelosi had mental problems of her own.
Read:Trump amps up complaints, says Pelosi may be guilty of treason
“Nancy Pelosi needs help fast! There is either something wrong with her ‘upstairs,’ or she just plain doesn’t like our great Country. She had a total meltdown in the White House today. It was very sad to watch. Pray for her, she is a very sick person!,” Trump tweeted.
One of the Democrats who attended the meeting, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, said Trump launched into a “nasty diatribe” against them, while Pelosi said the president experienced a “meltdown.”
Trump’s spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham rejected the Democratic version of events, saying the president had been “measured and decisive,” and that Pelosi walking out was “baffling but not surprising.”
The meeting was the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Pelosi since her explosive September 24 statement announcing a formal impeachment inquiry.
Source:Â France24
Hundreds of informal schools in Kenya will be shut down after a school building collapsed in Nairobi last month, killing eight children.
Officials blamed poor construction and overcrowding. Now, the education ministry has ordered 300 informal schools to be closed, affecting approximately 10,000 children.
Read|:Kenya school collapse: 7 dead, scores wounded in Nairobi
They are supposed to be transferred to nearby public schools which are already overcrowded.
Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi reports from Nairobi.
Boxer Patrick Day has died aged 27 – four days after suffering a brain injury in a fight against Charles Conwell.
The American was put into a coma on Saturday after he was knocked out in the 10th round of his super welterweight bout in Chicago.
Promoter Lou DiBella confirmed Day had died on Wednesday “surrounded by his family, close friends and members of his boxing team”.
“He was a son, brother, and good friend to many,” said a statement.
“Pat’s kindness, positivity, and generosity of spirit made a lasting impression with everyone he met.”
Day was taken from the ring on a stretcher after the conclusion of the fight on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight victory over Chazz Witherspoon in the US.
Read:Jaime Munguia floors Patrick Allotey to retain WBO Super Welterweight belt
“Patrick Day didn’t need to box,” the statement from DiBella Entertainment continued. “He came from a good family, he was smart, educated, had good values and had other avenues available to him to earn a living.
“He chose to box, knowing the inherent risks that every fighter faces when he or she walks into a boxing ring. Boxing is what Pat loved to do. It’s how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive.”
Fellow American Conwell, 21, wrote an emotional letter to Day following the fight.
“I never meant this to happen to you, all I wanted to do was win,” he said.
“If I could take it all back, I would. No-one deserves this to happen to them.”
Day won 17 of his 22 fights, with four defeats and one draw.
In July, Russia’s Maxim Dadashev and Argentina’s Hugo Santillan both died following injuries sustained during fights.
Read:Patrick Allotey laments the absence of trainer ahead of world title shot
“It becomes very difficult to explain away or justify the dangers of boxing at a time like this,” the statement continued.
“This is not a time where edicts or pronouncements are appropriate, or the answers are readily available. It is, however, a time for a call to action.
“While we don’t have the answers, we certainly know many of the questions, have the means to answer them, and have the opportunity to respond responsibly and accordingly and make boxing safer for all who participate.
“This is a way we can honour the legacy of Pat Day. Many people live much longer than Patrick’s 27 years, wondering if they made a difference or positively affected their world. This was not the case for Patrick Day when he left us.”
‘A brave, kind and wonderful friend’ – the boxing world reacts
Boxing announcer Michael Buffer was among the first to pay tribute to Day, describing him as a “wonderful young man”, before adding “everyone in the boxing community is crushed”.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said boxing had lost a “brave, kind and wonderful friend”.
This is very sobering. Sadly, Patrick Day has lost his toughest fight.
Like every man who climbs through the ropes chasing the glory, he risked it all.
My thoughts & condolences are with his friends and family at this very tough time. May he rest in eternal peace.
— Frank Bruno MBE 🇬🇧 (@frankbrunoboxer) October 16, 2019
Devastated to hear the news of the passing of Patrick Day.I met him for the first time last Thursday,what a charming young man with a dream and a smile that lit up the room.Our deepest prayers are with his family, his trainer Joe Higgins,Charles Conwell and promoter Lou DiBellaðŸ™
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) October 16, 2019
Source:Â bbc.com
Guinea’s government has confirmed that nine people have been killed during this week’s demonstrations against a possible change to the constitution.
Witnesses say police opened fire on the protesters as they blocked roads with burning tyres and ransacked military posts in the capital Conarky, according to news agency Reuters.
Read:Guinea: I wrote exams 30 minutes after giving birth 18-year-old
Opposition parties say at least 10 people have been killed, including a 14-year-old boy. They also say police raided victim’s families’ homes, Reuters says. The government has not responded to the allegations.
The demonstrators are protesting against the possibility of President Alpha Conde running for a third term.
Read:Tsunami threat as 7.0-magnitude quake hits Papua New Guinea
Mr Conde, 81, took office in 2010 and his final five-year term should end in 2020. He has, however, not ruled out a third term and has asked his government to look into drafting a new constitution which critics say aims at letting him run for a third term.
Source:Â bbc.com
The Police administration has warned its officers to be professional following reports that some officers on highway patrol duties deliberately plant weed in vehicles of civilians so they can turn around to arrest them.
A memo from the police headquarters to the various commands seen by Starr News said the reports are embarrassing and that such action must end immediately.
Read: Police arrest four football fans at Euro qualifier over racist abuse
The development comes days after the IGP ordered that senior police officers should lead operations and patrols in the various communities.
Additionally, the Police will announce a number to receive public complaints, videos and messages of unprofessional police behaviour.
Read: Arrest Mahama and Bagbin now Minister directs police
This was contained in a statement signed by the director of public affairs of the Police service, ACP David Eklu.
The move is intended to curb misconduct of the officers on the roads and society.
Oppong-Boanuh was confirmed as IGP by President Akufo-Addo having acted at the position for some months.
Source:Â starrfm.com.gh
Tragedy struck when a policeman fell off a police operational vehicle and died in an accident involving a civilian vehicle at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) traffic intersection on the Liberia Road, near the Accra Technical University.
Corporal George Nkwanna, alias Hero, was attached to the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Accra Regional Police Command.
Read: Police arrest 35 suspected criminals at Bantama
He is said to have died after falling off the back of a pickup truck which was carrying a number of policemen for operational duties.
The 37-year-old and the team were on their way to East Legon when their vehicle ran into a Nissan Highlander vehicle driven by a Catholic priest (name withheld).
Sources at the Accra Regional Police Command said Cpl Nkwanna and some other officers were standing in the bucket of the pickup when the accident happened.
Nkwanna fell off the pickup truck and died on the spot, while four others who sustained injuries were taken to the Police Hospital in Accra.
Celebration
A one-week observance ceremony held at the forecourt of the Accra Regional Police Command for Cpl Nkwanna attracted many police officers from all the 14 divisions of the command.
Read: Police training must be reviewed Security analyst
Dedicated man
They described the deceased as a dedicated policeman who was hard working.
A number of police officers also described the death of their colleague as unfortunate.
The police band played some gospel songs from the renowned Ghanaian gospel musician, Yaw Sarpong, which evoked sorrow among the mourners.
Cpl Nkwanna was not married.
Source:Â Graphic.com.gh
Lionel Messi believes La Liga is the “most important” competition for Barcelona, placing it ahead of the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
Across his trophy-laden career to date, the 32-year-old has lifted the La Liga title a stunning 10 times with four Champions League crowns and six Copa del Reys also to his name.
Speaking after receiving his sixth Golden Shoe on Wednesday, the Argentine attacker revealed his preference for domestic success, noting clubs stand a better chance of achieving in other competitions when they’re performing well in their own local leagues.
“The Champions League is something special for us and we want to win it every year,” Messi said.
“Although we know La Liga is the most important one because that will lead you to be competitive in the Champions League and the Spanish Cup.
“It’s difficult when you are not doing well in La Liga and trying to do well in the Champions League.
“It’s true we always speak about the Champions League but we don’t forget about La Liga and the Spanish Cup because we are Barcelona and we want to win all titles.”
The Catalans are eyeing their third straight La Liga title this season but have started slowly and currently sit second, two points behind Real Madrid.
In Europe, Barcelona last lifted the Champions League in 2015 when they beat Juventus 3-1 in Berlin.
Read:I wanted Ronaldo to stay at Real Madrid Messi
Since then, Messi’s side have failed to reach the final again across four attempts, dramatically squandering a 3-0 first-leg lead against Liverpool in their semi-final clash earlier this year and losing 4-3 to the eventual champions.
Barcelona currently sit second in their Champions League group this campaign after two games having drawn 0-0 with leaders Borussia Dortmund and scraped past Inter 2-1.
On the domestic front, Messi recently hinted in an interview he contemplated leaving Barcelona, an idea that sent chills down the spine of La Liga president Javier Tebas.
“With the interview, I got scared and I was relieved to see that, just as well, he decided to stay – in this low moment, he decided to continue,” Tebas said.
“I want to thank Messi for continuing in our league. If he feels down again, he shouldn’t have any doubts that we will support him and call him, that we will keep supporting him.â€
Source:Â Goal.com
Aviation Minister Kofi Adda has said the popular terminal 3 of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) was spotted with 513 defects when the Akufo-Addo government assumed office.
According to him, the ministry is still working with the Ghana Airports company to fix the defects in order to enhance the status of the facility.
Read: Terminal 3 debt chokes Ghana Airports Company Limited
Speaking to Bola Ray on Starr Chat Wednesday, the Navrongo Central MP said although the construction of terminal 3 is commendable, alot of things could have been done differently.
“Of course the initiative is commendable, as to whether the implementation was right is also another thing. As of the time we took over, we detected over 500 defects on the terminal 3. In fact at the last count, we had 513 defects, and these are things we are still working to fix,†he said.
The Terminal 3 constructed by the erstwhile Mahama administration became fully operational on September 15, 2018, following the completion of tests and simulation exercises.
Read: Information Minister cuts sod for Ofoase/Ayirebi Transport Terminal
The $250 million T3 projects partly funded by the African Development Bank is to ease pressure on the existing two terminals expected to handle up to five million passengers a year, with expansion potential of up to 6.5 million passengers.
The new terminal comprises of five levels spread across an area of 48,268m² and semiclosed areas for the Baggage Make-up Areas of 28,260m², Ultra Modern facilities and capacity to handle 5 million passengers a year; capacity to process 1,250 passengers per hour; six boarding bridges; 7 links (expandable to 8 in the future); Large retail area (7000m²), CIP terminal and 707 Car parking slots and a new Road network.
Source:Â starrfm.com.gh
The local agents of international automobile giant Daewoo, GH Daewoo has downplayed what the company claims is calculated, well-crafted mischief by lead social media propagandist Kelvin Taylor of ‘With All Due Respect platform.’
GH Daewoo led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ofori Poku, is admonishing Ghanaians and the general public to treat Kevin Taylor with the highest level of contempt particularly regarding issues relating to a bus contract by the Ministry of Transport to purchase 50 Daewoo buses which he (Kevin Taylor) claimed one is supposed to sell for $75,000.
Read: Akufo-Addo is a tyrant Kevin Taylor jabs
Kevin Taylor after making references to prices of the Daewoo buses sited on leading global E-Commerce platform Alibaba, claims bloated and overpriced figures.
But on the contrary, according to GH Daewoo, there is more to the listings on Alibaba and it is not just about the pricing.
GH Daewoo and its international partner Zyle Daewoo Commercial Vehicle have made it clear in a press statement that the company hold in high esteem the unblemished reputation of Daewoo motors and would not engage in anything fictitious let alone getting involved in over-pricing scandals.
Below is the full statement signed by the company’s Regional Manager, Overseas Division, T.K. Kim
RE: Daewoo Bus Price
The attention of Zyle Daewoo Commercial Vehicle has been drawn on a social media publication to the effect that our representative in Ghana GH-Daewoo has been implicated for overpricing the cost of our bus models GL6127HK and GDW6121HK for US$175,000 each instead of $75,000 as it purportedly shown on Alibaba website. We would like to state for the followings in order to understand the situation more correctly.
We would like to point out some issues why the broadcasting has not reflected the following facts;
The Guilin GDW6121HK model displayed on Alibaba is just a sample price and lowest and standard price in order to tempt the customer.
There is no specification fixed. It is an ideal price with no adding option price There is no trade terms such as EXW, FOB, CIF etc. It has to be discussed when the actual order made. It is only EXW price.
There is another model such as GL6127 (please see below) the price range $75,000-$135,000 on Alibaba. It really shows there will be differences by specification and price with option. Our exporting models to GH (GDW6121HK and GL6127HK) includes many Korean parts such as E/G, T/M, Clutch etc., we Zyle Daewoo HQ supplied to Gulin for assembly.
Meanwhile, the Alibaba price is based on only all Chinese components. There is no mention about Warranty condition, and training and PDI, parts and dealer margin for additional cost to be included.
Read: 2020 Elections: NCA to shut down social media Kevin Taylor claims
We, Zyle Daewoo HQ state categorically that we sold the models GL6127HK and GDW6121HK to our Distributor GH DAEWOO MOTORS LTD. In Ghana at cost of US$175,000 per unit.
We strongly issue a disclaimer and repudiate the claim by Kevin Taylor that our models GL6127HK and GDW6121HK should have been sold for $75,000.
Please check below website (Alibaba) www.alibaba.com/product-detail/55-seats-luxury-comfortable-bus-price_1293767040.html?spm=a2700.7724838.2017115.1.7928adfVQFL8L
Counting on your cooperation
T.K. Kim/Regional Manager
Overseas Business Division
 
Source:Â Ghana Daewoo
Liberia has been named number one in the world when it comes to helping strangers, according to the World Giving Index, an annual ranking of people’s generosity.
Helping strangers is one of the three criteria the UK-based Charities Aid Foundation used to draw up the overall index of generosity.
It also looked at how much money people donate to charity and how much time people give to volunteering.
Read:Liberia where no-one dares to tackle President George Weah
The index was based on a 10-year study that surveyed 1.3 million people across the globe.
In the overall rankings, Kenya was listed as the most generous country in Africa and the 11th most generous in the world.
Liberia was listed as 17th, Sierra Leone 20th and Nigeria 22nd.
Read:Liberian senator cuts his own salary
But it is in helping strangers that Africa excelled.
Including Liberia, there were seven African countries in the top 10 in that category: Sierra Leone (second), Kenya (fourth), Zambia (fifth), Uganda (sixth), Nigeria (seventh) and Malawi (joint 10th).
Source:Â bbc.com
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says five Holland-born players are willing to play for the Black Stars.
The soft-spoken trainer has been touring Europe to monitor players for the start of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Appiah did not disclose the identities of the players involved but says talks were successful.
Read:Coach Kwesi Appiah to scout for new players in Spain, UK this week
”I have been visiting the players. I have been to Holland and Belgium. I have spotted about four to five players. I have seen them play a lot of times but I needed to see them and talk to them in person,” Appiah is quoted by Modern Ghana.
”Because some of them are willing to play for Ghana and others do not want to so you will have to see them and talk to them.
Read:Kwesi Appiah in Netherlands to watch Ghanaian players, set to leave for Spain
”Out of the five I have spoken to from Holland they are all willing to play for the Black Stars but there are some of them who have played for the junior national teams of Holland so we will have to do a nationality switch for them.”
Source:Â GHANAsoccernet.com
The 110 pedestrians arrested for failing to use the Madina-Adentan footbridges have been granted bail.
The Madina Division Motor Traffic and Transport Department Commander, Paul Wesley Baah made this known on Eyewitness News on Wednesday.
Read: Adenta-Madina highway: 55 detained for failing to use footbridges
“We have arrested 110 pedestrians. It was a single operation. They flouted the Motor Traffic Regulations. We have granted them bail. We are not keeping them in custody. We will continue and make sure there is compliance on the road,†he said.
According to the Road Traffic Regulations 2012, a pedestrian who fails to use a footbridge or an underpass where one is provided commits an offence.
Mr. Wesley said those arrested will later be processed for court.
“We will take them to court. If they have any explanation, they will say it in court,†he told host of Eyewitness News, Umaru Sanda Amadu.
Most of those arrested did not use the footbridge located at Zongo junction but instead jaywalked thereby risking their lives and that of other road users.
The exercise was carried out after series of appeals by the police for pedestrians to use the recently completed footbridges failed.
Read: Adentan: Pedestrians abandon footbridges, cross road at unapproved sections
Authorities had complained about the low patronage of the footbridges despite an earlier national uproar over the lack of such facility on the Madina-Adentan stretch.
All the six footbridges, located at Firestone, Madina-Zongo Junction, Redco Junction, Ritz Junction, SDA Junction and WASS had until recently been left uncompleted and unusable.
Following several knock-downs in previous years, especially in 2018, and a violent protest, the government immediately mobilized resources and awarded the projects to various contractors.
But after the footbridges were completed, there was complaints that the bridges were too long and caused serious inconvenience due to the length.
Some pedestrians resorted to jaywalking instead of using the footbridges.
Source: citinewsroomÂ
Britain has dropped plans to demand age verification for people viewing pornography after concluding it would be better to help companies limit access to adult content, digital and media minister Nicky Morgan said on Wednesday.
Under plans announced in April, commercial providers of online pornography would have needed to check its users were 18 or over and websites that broke the law would be blocked or have their payment services withdrawn.
Read:Pornography leading influence on sexual behaviour among youth Study
Critics said the measures could be easily by-passed while privacy campaigners said they would be counter-productive and could lead to legal sites being blocked.
The scheme, which would have made Britain the first country to bring in age verification for online pornography, was supposed to launch in June but was delayed. Digital minister Morgan said the proposals had now been ditched.
Read:Asics apologises for porn playing for hours above Auckland store
“We are committed to the UK becoming a world-leader in the development of online safety technology and to ensure companies of all sizes have access to, and adopt, innovative solutions to improve the safety of their users,†she said in a written statement to parliament.
“This includes age-verification tools and we expect them to continue to play a key role in protecting children online.â€
Source:Â reuters.com
Four Bulgarian football fans suspected of subjecting black England players to racist abuse have been detained following police raids.
England’s 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifier win over Bulgaria in Sofia was stopped twice in the first half following racist chanting by home supporters.
“Work is still ongoing to identify others,” a statement from Bulgaria’s Ministry of the Interior said.
Bulgaria’s football chief Borislav Mikhailov resigned on Tuesday.
Bulgaria manager Krasimir Balakov said after the game he “didn’t hear” any chanting, having previously accused England of having a bigger racism problem.
But Balakov has since posted a statement on Facebook, acknowledging the incidents on Monday and apologising to “English footballers and to all those who felt offended”.
Read:Macron apologises to Albania for anthem gaffe at Euro 2020 qualifier
“I condemn all forms of racism as an unacceptable behaviour that contradicts normal human relations,” he added.
“I think that this form of prejudice should be buried deep in our past, and no-one should ever be subjected to it.”
Meanwhile, the English FA and Uefa have condemned the actions of the ‘ultras’ section of Bulgaria fans, with Aleksander Ceferin, president of the sport’s European governing body, calling for “football family and governments” to “wage war on the racists”.
Players condemn abuse
England midfielder Jordan Henderson called the behaviour of Bulgaria fans “disgusting”, after they were warned for making Nazi salutes and monkey noises.
Read:StarTimes acquire rights for Euro 2020, Euro qualifiers
“I obviously wasn’t happy with the situation that we were in – it wasn’t nice to be involved in and it shouldn’t be happening in 2019,” he said.
Team-mate Tyrone Mings, who was making his international debut on Monday, said he heard racist chanting “clear as day” during the pre-match warm-up in Sofia.
A number of players posted on social media following the game, thanking travelling fans for their support and expressing their pride in the performance despite the abuse.
“Not an easy situation to play in and not one which should be happening in 2019,” said striker Marcus Rashford. “Proud we rose above it to take three points but this needs stamping out.
Source:Â bbc.com
Archaeologists have found more than 20 ancient wooden coffins near the Egyptian city of Luxor, the country’s antiquities ministry says.
The coffins, whose brightly-coloured decorations are still visible, were uncovered at the Theban necropolis of Asasif, on the River Nile’s west bank.
They were in two layers, with the ones on top across those below.
Read:3000-yr-old 21-inch stone penis discovered in Sweden
The ministry described the discovery as “one of the largest and most important” in recent years.
More details will be released at a news conference on Saturday.
Source:Â bbc.com
Black Stars coach, James Kwesi Appiah is set to continue his scouting in Europe to Spain, the United Kingdom (UK) as well as Denmark this week in search of new players for his side.
The gaffer is on a quest to recruit new players into the Black Stars set up following a shambolic performance at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which sadly ended at the round of 16 stage.
Read:Kwesi Appiah in Netherlands to watch Ghanaian players, set to leave for Spain
Ahead of the qualifiers for the next edition of the AFCON, Coach Kwesi Appiah is touring Europe for new players whose quality can help his team achieve their goal.
Giving an update on the scouting, the coach has revealed that he is searching for young attackers who are ready to represent Ghana at the senior level.
“Am looking at a lot of strikers but what is important is the desire of the players to play for the national team. Once that is established will continue to follow and monitor to decide on who is ready to feature for the national teamâ€, Coach Appiah said in an interview aired on Asempa FM earlier today.
Read:Kwesi Appiah names replacements for Tanko, Stephen Appiah
He continued, “I have been to Belgium, I have finished with the Netherlands, from here I am going to Spain, from there I will go to UK before moving to Denmark. It is important for us to ensure we scout all young players in the various Premier Divisionsâ€.
Meanwhile, Ghana has been pitted in Group C of the qualifiers for the 2021 AFCON and will play their first match against South Africa at home on November 15.
Source:Â Modernghana.com
A rare and unfortunate sequence of events allowed a deadly type of malaria in gorillas to “jump” species and attack humans, according to scientists.
Hundreds of thousands of people die from malaria every year andPlasmodium falciparum- the type the researchers studied – accounts for most cases.
African great apes were the original host to the parasite.
Read:Upper West records highest malaria cases and related deaths
But a chance genetic mutation about 50,000 years ago turned it into a threat to humans, experts have found.
The findings, published in the journal PLoS Biology, could help uncover new ways to fight malaria, the Wellcome Sanger Institute researchers hope.
Malaria is caused by a parasite that gets into the bloodstream when an infected mosquito bites humans – or animals.
Read:First malaria drug in 60 years given approval
There are lots of different strains of parasite and one of the most important ones, which now affects only humans, isPlasmodium falciparum.
It switched host from gorillas at about the same time as the first migration of humans out of Africa, some 40,000 to 60,000 years ago, the researchers say.
Source:Â bbc.com
Aspiring Ghana Football Association President, George Afriyie says he trust delegates will elect him to serve the federation ahead of the upcoming FA elections.
The Okyeman Planners Bankroller is one of the leading candidates for the top job.
However with few days to the elections, there are fears over an upset as the popular saying goes “Fears delegates.”
Read:I will be a fool to have confidence in Normalization Committee George Afriyie
But a very confident George Afriyie insists he trust the delegates to make the very best decision of voting him into power.
“I don’t fear delegates, I trust them,” he told Sikka FM. “I’m part of the old stock. I know what we went through, and where we want to go,” he added.
The former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association encouraged delegates to vote for him as he plans on restoring the country’s lost glories in the sport.
Read:George Afriyie runs away from GFA Presidential debate
“Vote for George Afriyie, the number two on the ballot for the redemption and revival of our football,” he said.
“It is important to display some level of transparency to get public confidence back”.
George Afriyie is coming up against former Vice President Fred Pappoe, Lawyers Amanda Clinton and George Ankoma Mensah, Executive chairman of Dreams FC Kurk Okraku and Nana Yaw Amponsah of Phar Rangers.
Source:Â GHANAsoccernet.com
Former Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak coach David Duncan has popped up on the radar of Karela United as replacement for Johnson Smith.
The experienced tactician is believed to be the ideal replacement for Johnson Smith who joined Asante Kotoko as assistant coach over the weekend.
Read:I demand high salaries from clubs to avoid taking bribe David Duncan
Duncan has been out of work since leaving the Porcupine Warriors in dramatic circumstances two seasons ago.
Meanwhile, reports reaching GHANASoccernet.com indicates that Karela United are set to begin negotiations with tough talking gaffer.
Mallam Yahaya, formerly of New Edubiase and King Failsal is another name to have also popped up on Karela’s list of coaches for the job.
Read:Director David Duncan grabs AFRIMMA nominations
Karela United have been impressive since gaining promotion to the top flight and were runners up in the Normalisation Committee Tier Special Competition.
David Duncan previously managed Ashantigold, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko
Source:Â GHANAsoccernet.com
English born Ghanaian forward Eddie Nketiah is frustrated by playing more of a substitute role at Leeds United.
The on-loan Arsenal forward, who has already netted four times for the championship side this season believes he is good enough to be in the starting line up.
Nketiah scored a hat-trick on Tuesday night as England U-21 beat Austria 5-1.
Read:Eddie Nketiah delighted to snatch late winner for Leeds against Brentford
“I am really just trying to do as much as I can,” Nketiah told Sky Sports News after England U-21 5-1 thrashing of Austria on Tuesday.
“Obviously, I will never be happy with being on the bench. I want to play. I pride myself on being in the team. I think I am good enough to be in the team.
“All I can do is put in the performances that I do. When I come on [to] try and contribute and I think with the chances I have had, I have done really well.
Read:Eddie Nketiah included in Arsenal squad for preseason tour in USA
“In the two games I have [started], I have scored. I always try and help the team when I come on.
“I feel like going away with England is always a great opportunity for me to continue to put a case forward and show myself.”
Source:Â GHANAsoccernet.com
Afrobeat artiste, Kofi Byble, who has caught the eye of music lovers with his latest single, Dangote (featuring Fameye), has landed himself three nominations at the third edition of the Eastern Music Awards.
The musician was nominated in the Afro Pop Song of the Year, Afro Pop Artiste Of The Year, as well as Music Video Of The Year categories, and is likely to face stiff competition from Bhimnation Record Signee, OV, Kwaku Gee and a host of others.
Speaking in an interview, Byble expressed excitement for the support he had received within the short time he had been on the music scene, and is hopeful of winning the various awards.
Read:Joseph Matthew nominated at Emerging Music Awards 2019
”I am very grateful, my fans and label owners are doing well for me. In this short time of my career, it has been amazing. Performing here and there, almost all major shows, one will see me on. The support has been an interesting one. I urge all my fans to go hard in this so we win”, he said.
According to him, he would go all out to prove Ghanaians and his fans that he had what it takes to succeed.
Read:Complete list of winners: 2019 Ghana Music Awards UK
Kofi Byble’s love for music began in his Junior Junior High School days. He was inspired by his father before he later met radio presenter, Dr. Duncan, who was then host of rap show, Kasahare on Adom FM.
After featuring on the show, he realized he had the talent and decided to pursue music professionally. Kofi has over the years recorded songs such as Sugar, Mama, Ye Nya Bidi, Baby Mama among others. He is currently signed on to Gheneral Empire Records.
Source:Â thepublisheronline.com
Four children have been killed by a speeding driver at Egya No. 2, a suburb of Anomabo, a community along the Cape-Coast-Accra Highway.
One other child, according to eyewitnesses is in a critical condition at the Saltpond Hospital.
Read: 15 injured in accident involving 3 cars at Ofankor
The children were on their way home from school on Tuesday afternoon when the accident occurred as they crossed the road.
The driver of the Hyundai 4×4 vehicle has been arrested and is currently in the Saltpond Police custody.
But residents of the area are incensed. In their anger, they blocked the Anomabo section of the Highway in protest of the killings as they claim the accident is the second in a week.
Read: Police probe accidental shooting of civilian at Senchi
They claim that another driver knocked and killed seven people on the same stretch Monday.
According to them, many requests for speed ramps to be constructed on that portion of the road have fallen on deaf ears.
Police, however, managed to clear the road for traffic to flow and the driver will be put before court today.
Source:Â starrfm.com.gh
Ghanaian gospel musician Anita Afriyie is set to release her 7th album in November after releasing two funeral songs days ago.
Anita Afriyie who is a professional Nurse in the United States of America and still pursuing her passion in music has arranged an album in Ghana through her husband Daniel Kwabena Osei Jnr who doubles as her Producer.
Read:We now beg for money to bury gospel musicians Anita Afriyie
The funeral songs were said to have been recorded many months ago in honour of her late mother as a promise she made to her so she decided to commercially release it ahead of her album which is set to come off in November.
According to her husband who spoke to Attractivemustapha.com, the main album consists of four powerful songs which will be officially out-doored both in Ghana and the United States of America.
Read:Organizers of VGMA are fake Anita Afriyie
Daniel Kwabena Osei Jnr added that the four songs were all recorded in Ghana and America.
The Police in Ashanti have arrested 35 suspected criminals at Bantama, in Kumasi, during a swoop by the police.
The alleged criminals, which included 31 males and four females, are currently in police custody and would be paraded for identification in subsequent days as they have been accused of different criminal acts.
Addressing a news conference here, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Kwesi Mensah Duku, said, some of the suspects have already been identified by their victims.
Read: Police training must be reviewed Security analyst
He noted that, the police conducted the swoop after they received several complaints from residents about activities of criminals in the area.
“You know Bantama is one of our action spots, area of criminals, people were complaining and so we went and did some operations there,†he noted.
DCOP Duku also warned the public over some car snatching syndicate and their activities in the region explaining that, one of the members of the syndicate goes to car rental companies in other parts of the country especially Tema, Accra and Takoradi to rent a car to Kumasi for business transaction.
After renting the car, the suspect would travel with the unsuspecting drivers to Kumasi and when they get to Kumasi, they quickly place a call to their accomplices who then attack the drivers at gunpoint and rob them of the vehicles.
Read: 14 charged for narcotics offenses after military, police operation in Tamale
He also revealed that, the syndicates would also show interest in buying the vehicle and in the process of test-driving, they would tell the car owner to get down from the car and check the exhaust pipe and just as the owner gets down to check the exhaust, the suspect would quickly drive the car away and leave the owner behind.
According to DCOP Duku, most of the stolen vehicles included Toyota Prado, Toyota Pickups and other 4×4 vehicles disclosing some of the suspects have been arrested and arraigned before the various courts.
He advised the car rental companies to be cautious about the activities of the syndicate and should always demand proper identification documents from customers and also take their photographs which have the tendency to scare away people with bad intentions.
Moreover, DCOP Duku advised them to install tracking devices in their vehicles in order to be able to track the vehicles wherever they would be taken to.
Source:Â ghanaiantimes.com.gh
The Normalisation Committee of the Ghana Football Association will, in partnership with three media organisations: Global Media Alliance, Multimedia Ghana Limited and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, organise a live radio and television debate for five of the six Presidential Candidates of the upcoming GFA elections.
The debate will be held on Monday October 21 at the Physicians and Surgeons Centre in Accra at 6:30 p.m. It will be broadcast live on GTV, Joy FM, and Happy FM, as well as all affiliate media platforms (radio, television, online, social media) of the three media partners.
Read:George Afriyie runs away from GFA Presidential debate
The GFA Presidential debate will focus on key areas affecting the development of Ghana football and questions would seek to elicit solutions-based responses from the presidential candidates.
Five out of the six presidential candidates have confirmed their participation in the debate. They are: Amanda Clinton, Fred Pappoe, Kurt E.S. Okraku, Nana Yaw Amponsah, and George Ankomah Mensah.
Read:GFA Elections: Complete list of vetted and successful candidates
The Normalization Committee wishes the candidates well and appreciates and applauds their willingness to engage the delegates, football community and the fans and supporters of football with their vision and programs for improving the football enterprise of Ghana.
Their preparedness to debate each other as candidates for the top position of the GFA is refreshing and indicates their embrace of candor and the power of new ideas as essential in the reformation process.
Source:Â ghanafa.org
The Ghana Football Association has partnered the state broadcaster and two other private media groups to organise a live radio and television debate for five of the six presidential Candidates.
The debate will be held on Monday October 21 at the Physicians and Surgeons Centre in Accra at 6:30 p.m.
It will be broadcast live on GTV, Joy FM, and Happy FM, as well as all affiliate media platforms (radio, television, online, social media) of the three media partners.
Read:George Afriyie runs away from GFA Presidential debate
The GFA Presidential debate will focus on key areas affecting the development of Ghana football and questions would seek to elicit solutions-based responses from the presidential candidates.
Five out of the six presidential candidates have confirmed their participation in the debate.
They are: Amanda Clinton, Fred Pappoe, Kurt E.S. Okraku, Nana Yaw Amponsah, and George Ankomah Mensah.
Read:Official list of delegates for 2019 GFA elective congress
The Normalization Committee wishes the candidates well and appreciates and applauds their willingness to engage the delegates, football community and the fans and supporters of football with their vision and programs for improving the football enterprise of Ghana.
Their preparedness to debate each other as candidates for the top position of the GFA is refreshing and indicates their embrace of candor and the power of new ideas as essential in the reformation process.
Source:Â GHANAsoccernet.com
Nana Yaw Amponsah is the only Ghana FA presidential aspirant who has shown solidarity with disqualified candidate Wilfred Osei Kwaku, it has emerged.
The Phar Rangers president has shown mutual support to the Tema Youth owner in the wake of his unpopular disqualification from the race.
Other candidates Amanda Clinton, George Ankoma Mensah, George Afriyie, Kurt Okraku and Frederick Pappoe are yet to reach out to their colleague, it has been claimed in the media.
Read:GFA elections: Nana Yaw Amponsah leads vetting results Reports
Wilfred Osei Kwaku, nicknamed “Palmer’ was disqualified from the presidential race due to breaches of Article 33(5)(c) of the Ghana General Regulations, and the decision of the then Ethics Committee of the Ghana FA on December 13, 2017.
The former Executive member of the Ghana Football Association has vowed to fight the case to its logical conclusion, kick-starting the process to get justice.
He has hired top Ghanaian lawyer Thaddeus Sory to lead the charge as he battles his disqualification from the race.
The Normalisation Committee could be forced to postponed the elections scheduled for October 25 if the appeal to the global body is successful.
Read:Profile of GFA Presidential hopeful, Nana Yaw Amponsah
It’s even rumoured he will go to local courts in Ghana for stay of execution before heading to CAS for redress to prevent any election from being held behind their backs.
This means the date for the Ghana Football Association elections has been shrouded by doubt.
The elections slated for October 25th could be postponed as the disqualified candidate seek to go to CAS to seek clearance to contest for position at the Association.
Palmer, one of the popular and leading candidate for the election, is a known to be a fighter.
Source:Â GHANAsoccernet.com
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa was due in court Wednesday morning over chaos in Ganda Ward where one person was shot dead during a meeting by a candidate for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Ganda Ward by-election.
Mombasa Port Police chief Patrick Lobole confirmed that Jumwa was arrested on Tuesday night and taken to the station where she spent the night, but it still remained unclear what charges she was likely to face.
Read:Kenyan MP demands law to control farting on planes
“She was brought in last (Tuesday) night, but they are now heading to court,” Lobole told our Correspondent in Mombasa on Wednesday morning.
Jumwa is said to have stormed a meeting organised by ODM candidate Reuben Katana at his home, where chaos ensued, with locals accusing her driver of shooting a person.
Organisers of the meeting accused her of disrupting the meeting between Katana and ODM agents for the by-election scheduled for Thursday.
Read:Kenyan MPs are ATMs, lawmaker justifies demand for more funds
Jumwa is a member of ODM but pledges loyalty to the ruling Jubilee Party, often accompanying Deputy President William Ruto to political meetings.
A police report seen by Capital FM News indicated that it was not certain who shot the person identified as Ngumbao Jola, an uncle to the ODM candidate. He succumbed to injuries at the Malindi General Hospital.
Source:Â www.allafrica.com
A Â Taliban suicide bomber has killed at least three security officers and wounded dozens, mostly children, when he set off explosives in a truck near a police headquarters building in eastern Afghanistan, officials have said.
The spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs, Nasrat Rahimi, said Wednesday’s attack in Alishang district, in Laghman province, wounded 36 people, mainly civilians.
Asadullah Daulatzai, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said among the wounded were 20 children studying inside a nearby religious school, which was also damaged.
Read:Taliban car bomb hits hospital in Afghan province of Zabul
“The students were wounded by flying glass,” he said. “The explosion was huge.”
A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed in a statement that fighters had used a large truck, packed with explosives in the attack, leaving dozens of Afghan security forces dead and wounded.
Rescuers searched through the ruins of buildings destroyed by the blast.
Read:More Americans will die after Trump abruptly ends Afghan talks, Taliban say
“We, with the rescue teams, are still looking for bodies under the rubble,” Obaidullah, a resident, told Reuters news agency.
The attack came during a relative lull in violence after a presidential election last month that saw a surge in attacks by the Taliban, who denounced the vote as a sham.
The United Nations said 85 civilians were killed in election-related Taliban violence.
Afghanistan is currently awaiting the results of the first round.
Source:Â aljazeera.com