TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Kotoko urged to keep coach Kjetil Zachariassen despite Africa failure

    The Management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko have been urged to keep manager Kjetil Zachariassen despite their disappointing exit from the CAF Champions League last Sunday.

    The Norwegian trainer after beating Etoile du Sahel 2:0 in the first leg encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the Porcupine Warriors were stunned by 3:0 in the second leg in Tunis.

    Read:Asante Kotoko to sack Kjetil Zachariassen and appoint a German coach?

    However, Kotoko former coach, Bashir Hayford, who is currently the Manager for Somalia national team says the club should stick to the Norwegian and focus on the task that awaits them in the Confederations Cup.

    “Sacking the current coach is not the best way to go. Management should look at how they can progress in the CAF Confederations Cup,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Angel FM

    Read:We were inexperienced against Etoile du Sahel Kjetil Zachariassen

    However, the former Black Queens gaffer was unhappy to see Kotoko lose by three unanswered goals to the Hamra and Bidhas.

    “Besides the 3-0 defeat away to Etoile Du Sahel in Monastir was unacceptable,” he added.

    The Reds have dropped to the CAF Confederations Cup following their loss to the Tunisian giants.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Police crackdown on tinted vehicles

    The police have started a crackdown on cars with tinted windows in the Greater Accra Region.

    The action, the police say, is to check possible crime by drivers who may hide behind the tinted film to carry out their nefarious activities.

    The operation, code named “Operation tinted windscreen”, was carried out by the Intelligence Unit of the Accra Regional Police Command, in collaboration with the Central Motor Traffic and Transport Department on the Spintex Road and Accra New Town.

    Within hours of the start of the operation last Wednesday, about 30 vehicles were impounded.

    Read: 128 cars impounded for traffic offences in Kumasi

    So far, 15 owners of those vehicles have suffered court fines between GH¢350 and GH¢480 each after they appeared before the La Motor Court in Accra and were compelled to remove the tints.

    All the vehicles impounded were salon vehicles used for commercial purposes, including taxis and others that use other Internet applications for their operations.

    Law

    The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, Inspector Bright Kwabena Danso, told the Daily Graphic that driving a vehicle with tinted glasses was illegal and the police had recorded incidents of some people using such vehicles for the wrong reasons.

    The deputy PRO said in recent times, with an upturn in celebrity culture and the youth wanting to mimic that lifestyle, car window tinting had been on the rise.

    Tinting the glasses of windows, he said, had been seen as a symbol of status and lifestyle, while others saw it as a security measure or for privacy.

    “Vehicle owners must know that there are strict laws around its application. To some people, tinted windscreens do have aesthetic value, and can serve as some level of safety, but they must remember the implications and the law,” he said.

    Read: Ghana Post trains MTTD officials on use of App

    He said a number of serious road accidents in recent years have cited tinted glass as a contributory factor.

    Mr said most of the vehicles which were impounded had the front and rear windscreens and their windows all tinted.

    “In relation to the recent cases of kidnapping and other forms of crime, it is important to identify the occupants in these vehicles,” he said.

    Aim

    The exercise, he said, was ongoing to ensure the safety of users of vehicles and other road users.

    “We actually realised that it was usually the drivers and not the owners of the vehicles who put tints on the vehicles. We are starting a mass sensitisation so that people can remove these tints without the intervention of the police,” he said.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • 2019 WAFU: Striker Joseph Esso wins man of the match in Black Star B opener against Gambia

    Black Star B striker Joseph Esso was adjudged Man of the Match in Ghana’s opener against Gambia in the 2019 WAFU tournament in Senegal.

    Esso besides his solitary goal in the 66th minute, gave a stellar performance in Tuesday’s encounter that has pushed Ghana into the quarter final stage.

    Read:WAFU Cup of Nations: Ghana opens title defence against Gambia today

    The former Ebusua Dwarfs attacker has been in top form since the start of the NC Special competition and has been tipped to blossom into a national treasurer.

    The Technical team of the WAFU 2019 tournament rewarded Esso with the best player of the game ahead of his compatriots in the hugely entertaining match that saw Eric Ofori Antwi saving a penalty.

    Read:WAFU U-20: Ghana loses first game to Niger

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Berla Mundi, Yvonne Nelson, Mcbrown get GOWA 2019 nomination

    Askof Productions, organisers for the Ghana Outstanding Women Awards (GOWA), has unveiled a short-list of prominent women to be honoured at this year’s awards ceremony slated for November 8, at the National Theatre, Accra.

    The second edition of the awards gala would confer honours on Ghanaian women, who have impacted the growth of the country in areas including showbiz, politics, health, education, entrepreneurship, among others.

    The likes of Nana Ama Mcbrown, Berla Mundi, Anne Kusi- Gyamfi, Regina Van-Helvet, Baciara Bentie Abigail and Martha Ankomah have all received nominations for the Brand Influencer of the Year category.

    Read:Stephanie Benson wins Best Outstanding Woman in Music at GOWA 2018

    Nominees for the Outstanding Woman of the Year category includes Afia Amankwaa Tamakloe, Velma Owusu- Bempah, Sally Akua Amoakowaa Mensah, Melissa Adarkwah and Tracy Boakye.

    The Woman in Film award category would see the likes of Yvonne Nelson, Shirley Frimpong Manso, Selassie Ibrahim, Benedicta Gafah, Rabby Bray and Tracy Boakye all vying for the accolade.

    Mrs. Afua Asantewaa Aduonum, Chief Executive Officer of Askof Productions, revealed that nominees were selected by the public after nomination opened in July while individuals who have embarked on various developmental projects were allowed to fill nomination forms.

    Read:GOWA 2018 pulls crowd

    ”A careful selection was made based on projects evidence (pictorial and videos) and the team and board of the Askof Production announced persons who made the final shortlist for this year’s awards,” she said.

    Sponsors of this year’s award include Verna Mineral Water, Nasco Electronics, Nkulenu Industries, Rush Energy Drink, Tasty Tom, TT Brothers, Joy Industries, Ceejay Multimedia, Es_lily and Breakfast Boutique.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Driver gets 1 year jail term for threatening to kill 2 policemen

    A 20-year-old driver, who threatened to kill two policemen at Afari, near Nkawie in the Atwima-Mwabiagya South municipality, has been sentenced to a one-year jail term by the Nkawie Circuit Court.

    Kwame Frimpong, alias “Danger” is said to have threatened to kill the Nkawie District Police Commander and a community police personnel at Afari, if they continued to pursue and arrest him for various offenses committed.

    He pleaded not guilty but was jailed by the court presided by Mr. Michael Johnson Abbey.

    Read: Video: Belt-wielding policemen assault man accused of theft

    Police Inspector Ruth Gborson told the court that the convict, who was involved in several cases had bolted and announcements were made at information centers at Afari and its environs for the people to volunteer information for his arrest.

    He said the convict threatened to kill the District Police Commander and the community police personnel if they continued to pursue him, and went into hiding at Nkasaeim, near Goaso, in the Ahafo Region.

    The police arrested him upon a tip-off and brought him before the court.

     

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • World’s most powerful passports revealed

    It’s been a two-horse race this year to be named the world’s most powerful passport, with both top contenders in Asia.

    Now, as we enter the final quarter of 2019, Japan and Singapore have held onto their position as the world’s most travel-friendly passports.

    That’s the view of the Henley Passport Index, which periodically measures the access each country’s travel document affords.

    Singapore and Japan’s passports have topped the rankings thanks to both documents offering access to 190 countries each.

    South Korea rubs shoulders with Finland and Germany in second place, with citizens of all three countries able to access 188 jurisdictions around the world without a prior visa.

    Finland has benefited from recent changes to Pakistan’s formerly highly restrictive visa policy. Pakistan now offers an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to citizens of 50 countries, including Finland, Japan, Spain, Malta, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates — but not, notably, the United States or the UK.

    Read:Passport office to publish names of 67,000 uncollected passports

    The European countries of Denmark, Italy and Luxembourg hold third place in the index, with visa-free/visa-on-arrival access to 187 countries, while France, Spain and Sweden are in the fourth slot, with a score of 186.

    Five years ago, the United States and the UK topped the rankings in 2014 — but both countries have now slipped down to sixth place, the lowest position either has held since 2010.

    While the Brexit process has yet to directly impact on the UK’s ranking, the Henley Passport Index press release observed in July, “with its exit from the EU now imminent, and coupled with ongoing confusion about the terms of its departure, the UK’s once-strong position looks increasingly uncertain.”

    The United Arab Emirates continues its ascent up the rankings, up five places to rank 15th.

    “It’s the strongest climber this quarter,” Lorraine Charles at Cambridge University’s Centre for Business Research says in the October release.

    “While the UAE may not be able to compete with Saudi Arabia — the regional hegemon — in terms of military strength and economic power, the projection of its soft power is uncontested in the GCC.”

    At the other end of the scale, Afghanistan is once again at the bottom of the rankings, with its citizens needing a prior visa for all but 25 destinations worldwide.

    Read:No passports for Zimbabweans as crisis deepens

    Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the creator of the passport index concept, says in the July release: “With a few notable exceptions, the latest rankings from the Henley Passport Index show that countries around the world increasingly view visa-openness as crucial to economic and social progress.”

    The best passports to hold in 2019 are:
    1. Japan, Singapore (190 destinations)

    2. Finland, Germany, South Korea (188)

    3. Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg (187)

    4. France, Spain, Sweden (186)

    5. Austria, Netherlands, Portugal (185)

    6. Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland (184)

    7. Malta, Czech Republic (183)

    8. New Zealand (182)

    9. Australia, Lithuania, Slovakia (181)

    10. Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Slovenia (180)

    The worst passports to hold
    Several countries around the world have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to fewer than 40 countries. These include:

    100. Lebanon, North Korea (39 destinations)

    101. Nepal (38)

    102. Libya, Palestinian Territory, Sudan (37)

    103. Yemen (33)

    104. Somalia, Pakistan (31)

    105. Syria (29)

    106. Iraq (27)

    107. Afghanistan (25)

    Read:48-page chip-embedded passports coming Ayorkor Botchwey

    Other indexes

    Henley & Partner’s list is one of several indexes created by financial firms to rank global passports according to the access they provide to their citizens.

    The Henley Passport Index is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations. It is updated in real time throughout the year, as and when visa policy changes come into effect.

    Arton Capital’s Passport Index takes into consideration the passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories — ROC Taiwan, Macau (SAR China), Hong Kong (SAR China), Kosovo, Palestinian Territory and the Vatican. Territories annexed to other countries are excluded.

    Its 2019 index puts the UAE on top with a “visa-free score” of 177, followed by Germany, Finland, Luxembourg and Spain with 170.

    Source: cnn.com

     

  • GFA Elections: All the other candidates can merge against me, Ill still win — Defiant Fred Pappoe brags

    Former GFA Vice president Fred Pappoe is defiant of his chances of winning the upcoming Ghana Football Association presidential elections claiming that he will win even if all the other candidates merge against him.

    Mr Pappoe is battling against six other candidates for the right to be called the next President of the Ghana Football Association when the elections are held on October 25.

    However, the Accra Great Olympics Board Member believes he is the right man to help fix the challenges facing Ghana football due to his experience.

    Read:Fred Pappoe insists Ghana football needs military referees

    “I am not scared of any of my opponents and even if all of them join forces, I will never be scared of them. I have the capability and some positives that puts me ahead of them,” Pappoe stated on Happy FM.

    Pappoe is seeking to return the GFA to normalcy as it is currently being run by a Normalisation Committee appointed by FIFA in September last year 2018 following Nyantakyi’s exit.

    The former Black Stars Management Committee chairman has been identified as a knowledgeable and experienced person who would be a good candidate for the GFA Presidency and lead Ghana football back to glory days.

    Read:Former Asante Kotoko chief backs Fred Pappoe for GFA presidency

    He was deputy to Kwesi Nyantakyi during his first term and was also chairman of the Black Stars management committee.

    He was later appointed the chairman of Black Stars B management committee.

    Mr Pappoe will be hoping to lead the football federation since exit in 2015

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Militants kill Mali soldiers in attack

    The government of Mali says at least 25 soldiers have been killed and about 60 are missing in attacks by suspected jihadists on two military posts near the border with Burkina Faso.

    As intense fighting continued, the government said it had also lost significant equipment following the Tuesday attack.

    Read:U.N. keeps sanctions on persons blocking peace in Mali

    In response Malian troops, with air support, have begun a joint operation with forces from Burkina Faso.

    Jihadist violence and ethnic rivalries have caused conflict in Mali since 2012.

    Mali is part of a five nation anti-insurgency force operating in the Sahel. It includes Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Mauritania.

    Read:Mali leader sacks generals, disbands vigilantes after massacre

    The G5 Sahel, as it is called, is backed by a 3,000-strong French force.

    The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over escalating violence in the region, where civilian deaths increased four-fold between 2012 and 2018.

    Source: bbc.com

  • We don’t apply chemicals to fruits and vegetables – Traders

    Traders at the Tema Community One market have refuted a growing public perception that they apply chemicals to fruits and vegetables to get them mature early which inevitably lead to their short shelf life.

    They rather blamed consumers for improper handling and storage of the items.

    In a market survey, the traders told the Ghana News Agency that it was unfortunate that some residents of Tema would peddle such falsehood about their business.

    Read: Kasoa market traders lament low patronage of goods

    Consumers in Tema for some time now had been expressing worry at the rate at which vegetables and fruits they buy from the market rot within a short period even when preserved in the refrigerators.

    Some complained that vegetables such as carrot, garden eggs and fruits including pineapple and orange which hitherto could last for several days, now went bad just three days after purchase.

    The traders hinted that vegetables such as carrots, green pepper, lettuce and tomatoes do not do well in heat and water and must therefore be refrigerated or keep in the open.

    They noted that tomatoes could best be preserved by taking them out of the polythene bag and placed in a basket or put on a tiled floor saying “when put on the tiled floor, it stays fresh for at least four days”.

    Madam Rosina, a vegetable seller, noted that the best way to preserve okro was to tie it up in a plastic bag.

    They described as normal when fruits such as banana, oranges, watermelon, pineapple, and pawpaw rot within three days as they have a short shelf life, adding however that when refrigerated, they could sta fresh about two weeks.

    Read: Food prices in Kumasi generally stable

    “Banana can be preserved in the fridge for about two weeks while pineapples and pawpaw can go for a week when refrigerated, ”they noted.

    They however appealed to farmers to minimize the quantity of fertilizers they apply on the crops to give them a longer shelf life.

    They attributed short shelf life to the application of harmful chemicals and fertilizers.

    The meat sellers on their part told the GNA that one could add salt to meat for preservation adding that the other options were cooking and deep freezing.

     

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Ghana to get fertilizer plant to drive industrialisation agenda

    Ghana will soon get a fertilizer plant as thyssekrupp, a German multinational conglomerate will partner Government to build it to close the current gap in the industry.

    The plant will help in boosting fertilizer blending in the country, reduce the cost of production for blending facilities and create more jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.

    Read: Planting for food and jobs: Proper targeting should be done SEND GHANA

    Dr Philipp Nellessen, the Chief Executive Officer of thyssekrupp in the Sub-Saharan Africa who was addressing a roundtable on developing the chemical and fertilizer industry on Tuesday said the company had strategic plans to make Ghana its petrochemical hub in West Africa.

    He said they had already done a number of projects in Ghana and Africa at large and saw a lot of potentials for development in the country especially in providing industrial solution to companies.

    Dr Nellessen said the Company, which focused on industrial engineering and steel production would build a fertilizer plant in the country to start the production of all raw materials currently imported by fertilizer blending facilities reduce down importation.

    He said setting up the plant would help in developing the value chain to increase value creation and also prevent the import of ammonia since the plant would be situated.

    He said Ghana had huge potentials to build industry around the petrochemical industry, hence the willingness of the company to develop its Accra office to become the central office for West Africa.

    Mr Seth Miah, the Regional Manager for West Africa at thyssekrupp in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said the Company was committed to increasing the projects and personnel towards industrialisation.

    Read: COCOBOD, Genertec signs MOU to establish cocoa processing plant

    He said Ghana had the basic feedstock for the production of fertilizer in the form of gas and that the presence of the plant would support the local blending industry, while reducing the amount of foreign currency used for importing urea and ammonia as raw materials.

    Mr Miah commended government for its commitment in the industrialisation agenda and that once the process was due, the Company would continue its efforts in partnering all stakeholders to fully industrialise Ghana.

    He said it was necessary to make good use of the natural gases that God blessed the nation with and that the plant would be the beginning point to establish a real petrochemical hub in Ghana.

     

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Government increases cocoa price by 8.42 per cent

    The government has increased the price of cocoa from GHC7,600.00 to GHC8,240.00 a tonne and GHC475.00 to GHC515.00 a bag, Dr. Gyiele Nurah, a Minister of State at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) announced on Tuesday.

    That implies 8.42 percentage increment, making it an upward review of GHC640.00 and GHC40.00 for a tonne and a bag respectively.

    Read: 11,000 youth trained in cocoa farming

    Dr. Gyiele announced this on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, when he addressed a durbar organised by the Ghana Cocoa Board to mark the 14th National Cocoa Day Celebration at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani.

    The programme, on the theme “Sustainable Cocoa Production for Wealth and Health” was attended by people from all walks of life, particularly cocoa farmers and other stakeholders in the cocoa industry to climax the 2019 annual cocoa week celebration under the auspices of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

    The day was instituted in 2005 by the then government under former President John Agyekum Kufuor to create awareness on numerous health benefits of cocoa consumption and to usher in a new cocoa season.

    Dr. Gyiele announced that government would employ 1,343 agriculture extension agents (AEAs)to add to the existing number to provide extension and other support services for cocoa farmers to adopt best cocoa farming practices.

    He therefore stressed the need for cocoa farmers to join forces in the form of cooperatives to enable them to enjoy numerous benefits that come with cooperative formation.

    Read: Ghana, Ivory Coast to set Cocoa production ceiling

    Dr Gyiele appealed to the youth to take advantage of the various government interventions to promote the cocoa industry to enter into cocoa farming to create wealth for themselves.

    A number of the farmers interviewed by the Ghana News Agency commended government for the increment, despite the fallen price of the commodity at the world market.

    A young cocoa farmer from Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District of Bono Region who pleaded anonymity confessed that “the government has surprised us because we expected something in the region of GHC C500.00 per bag”.

     

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Acting IGP interdicts police officers who tortured man in custody

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, James Oppong-Boanuh, has directed the immediate interdiction of two police officers spotted in a viral video torturing a man in their custody.

    General Sergeant Patrick Amoako and General Lance Corporal Isaac Marfo were seen using belts to beat a man accused by his employer of stealing GH¢1,600.

    Read: Video: Belt-wielding policemen assault man accused of theft

    The video, said to have been shot by the complainant, has stirred public outrage regarding the maltreatment of the suspect by the police officers.

    But before the furore gets out of hand, the top hierarchy of the police has invoked its punitive powers by interdicting the officers.

    Read: Police probe accidental shooting of civilian at Senchi

    “The Police Administration is urging the public to exercise caution in the spreading of the video since the Police has begun investigation into the case,” a statement from the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service said.

    The incident happened at the Railways Police Station in Koforidua, the Eastern Region capital.

     

    Source: 3news.com

  • First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu banned from campaigning

    The people of Behenase in the Bekwai Municipality have dared the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bekwai, Lawyer Joseph Osei Owusu, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Kyei Baffuor, Bekwai constituency party executives and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) machinery not to step in the community to campaign for votes towards the 2020 elections.

    They claim the party has ignored them in their quest to seek justice for their relatives who have become victims of barbaric assaults unleashed on them by the police.

    Read: NPP to break NDC hold on Kpone-Katamanso

    Mr Lawrence Ntiamoah, a youth leader, in addressing a news conference on Monday morning, said in the evening of Monday, June 24, 2019, there was a clash between the Bekwai police and the youth in the community, which led to the death of one Mr Joseph Kingsley Ntiamoah, after he was hit by a stray bullet.

    He said others sustained gunshots and are currently receiving medical attention at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

    Mr Ntiamoah explained that the unprofessional conduct of the police caused the mayhem and that instead of protecting lives and properties, the police shot directly into the crowd in an attempt to disperse the people who were unarmed.

    According to the spokesman, they had petitioned the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, the Regional Minister, the Member of Parliament, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and Municipal Chief Executive for justice for the late Ntiamoah, an Agricultural Extension Officer who was about to go on retirement, yet nothing has been heard from those individuals.

    Read: Anguish, joy herald NPP primaries

    It is for this neglect that the community would not have anything to do with the NPP if the party cannot champion the cause of justice for the constituents.

    As a result of the seeming neglect, the community has appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene to ensure that justice is given to the community.

     

    Source: thechronicle.com.gh

  • ‘Mad’ man, injured cop receiving treatment after ‘attack’ Police

    Director-General of Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu has reacted to a video in circulation of an allegedly mentally ill man who was shot at severally after attempting to attack Police personnel.

    The man who was restrained by some civilians while the Police fired shots had earlier invaded the premises of a bank with an alleged weapon in his hand. The action prompted the alerting of the Police.

    Confirming the incident to www.ghanaweb.com, ACP Eklu indicated that the alleged mentally ill man and one of the Police officers were receiving treatment after getting injured in the scuffle.

    Read:Police save mentally unstable man from being killed over alleged kidnapping

    He noted that the incident happened at Kasoa but the man was yet to be identified.

    “I’ve spoken to the Kasoa Divisional Commander and he confirmed the incident happened. A police officer and the suspect who is suspected have mental problems were injured and are receiving treatment”, ACP Eklu stated in a phone conversation.

    A two-minute footage of a scruffy-looking man approaching a bank with an unidentified object announcing his presence incited instructions from security personnel to surrender.

    Read:Mentally challenged person who slayed middle-aged man killed

    Despite the warning given by the gun-wielding security officer, the supposed mad man daringly drew closer.

    The police officer seemingly sensing danger gave a warning shot on the ground which resulted in a hot chase by the suspect.

    The two were engaged in a wrestle which caused other officers around to give several warning shots.

    People standing by could be heard pleading with the police not to shoot the supposed madman. He was later handed over to the officers.
    Announcing his presence with a megaphone at the unknown bank, he is heard saying, “I am here, are you ready?”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Prioritise safety of Ghanaians – Interior Minister to security captains

    The Minister for the Interior, Honourable Ambrose Dery has called on Security and Departmental Heads of all agencies to ensure Ghanaians feel safe by maintaining high standards of discipline, decorum and professionalism when enforcing law and order.

    He said the President of the Republic is focused and committed to ensuring high standards of security, therefore Security agencies must be up to the task and ensure the safety of the citizenry is prioritized.

    “The President will not compromise on any shortfalls and mishaps from you,” he asserted.

    The Minister made this statement when he addressed the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) yesterday in Tamale to begin a 4-day working visit to Agencies and Services under his Ministry in the Northern and Upper East Regions.

    Hon. Ambrose Dery also added that, “… we will not disappoint you, we will work to sustain the peace and security being enjoyed by the people of this Region,” he assured.

    Read:Help maintain democracy in Ghana Ambrose Dery to Ghanaians

    He admonished the security agencies to refrain from taking sides in chieftaincy and land disputes since that is not their purview but instead, ensure such situations do not affect the peace and serenity on the area.

    “Security agencies must know their limits, handling of chieftaincy and land issues are not in our purview. Our mandate is to ensure that in the unfortunate situation that such conflicts arise, it does not affect the peace and security of the country,” the Minister stressed.

    The objective of the tour is for him to gather firsthand information on issues on the grounds relating to their operations and challenges so as to inform policy directions.

    It is also to ascertain if policies initiated by government are being implemented at the grassroots, and have physical interactions with Officers and Men.

    The Minister affirmed that the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has called for all appointees to hit the ground running tirelessly since his assumption by getting in touch with professionals and people at the grassroots for an effective collaboration and cooperation between government and those on the ground.

    Read:Civilians own guns, so how is arming MTTD cops a threat? Ambrose Dery

    The Interior Minister commended the Chairman for Regional Security Council(REGSEC) who is also the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Salifu Sa-eed on the good work done in the metropolis by ensuring peace, harmony and providing amicable resolutions of all pocket conflicts reported in the area.

    As part of the tour, the Minister interacted with Officers and Men of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, the Gaming Commission, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Narcotics Board (NACOB) and the Regional Peace Council.

    The Minister would also visit some selected borders, approved and unapproved routes in the Upper East Region as part of his working tour to ascertain and observe the nature of the frontiers as far as security threats and safety of Ghanaians are concerned.

    Accompanying the Minister on the tour is the Deputy Interior Minister, the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service and the Special Adviser to the Interior Minister.

    Source: Ghana Immigration Service

  • Ghana FA presidential aspirant to be disqualified over forged GFA letterhead

    A leading candidate for the Ghana FA presidential elections is set to disqualified and thrown out of the race for ‘fraud and dishonesty’ after he was presented with a document showing he had forged the letterhead of the federation to carryout a fraudulent transaction, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively.

    The candidate, who is said to be among the front-runners for the post, was confronted with the evidence of the forged letterhead when he appeared before the Vetting Committee.

    The identity of the person is known to Ghana’as leading soccer news outfit Ghanasoccernet.com but has been withheld so not to gazump the work of the Vetting Committee.

    The evidence was presented to the Vetting Committee by an anonymous petitioner who prayed the body mandated to clear out the weeds among the presidential aspirants to prevent individual from contesting for the post.

    Read:Face integrity test vetting: Crucial time for GFA hopefuls

    When the candidate appeared before the committee he was asked if the signature was his. He confirmed that it was his signature but was taken aback by the unexpected and strong nature of the petition.

    The highly confident candidate was visibly shaken by the document and has now confided in campaign coordinators that he fears their ambitions would be scuttled by the petition.

    The outcome of the vetting will be known by Thursday but the candidate looks to have thrown in the towel as it is not the only sticky situation he faced when he appeared before the committee.

    Several key questions about his on issues that could disqualify him were raised as the committee sat between Friday and Saturday to vet the right candidates to face the electorate.

    But all the leading candidates also had tricky situations with already anticipated questions that could affect their credibility but the deadliest was the questions over the forged letterhead of the GFA.

    Read:Next GFA president must be of highest integrity, unifier Coach Sarpong

    Several persons have written to the election body alleging criminality, fraud, lack of integrity and lack of credibility against the leading candidates in the presidential race.

    There have been petitions against – in alphabetical order – former Ghana FA vice-presidents Fred Pappoe and George Afriyie, Kurt Okraku, Dreams FC Executive chairman, Phar Rangers president Nana Yaw Amponsah and Tema Youth owner Wilfred Osei Kwaku.

    There were no petitions against the only female candidate Amanda Clinton and George Ankamah, when they were grilled by the Vetting Committee.

    Even though the petitions do not automatically mean that a candidate has been disqualified the sticky and concrete information on the forged letterhead has convinced insiders that the culprit will be thrown out of the race.

    The election committee has already analysed the petitions as the seven aspirants appeared before them.

    Read:How to become the next GFA President

    With an impeccable integrity required to steer the affairs of the football association, all the aspirants must go through a rigorous integrity test before the five-member panel.

    Kurt Okraku was the first to face the five-man team and was followed by Amanda Clinton, George Ankamah Mensah, and Nana Yaw Amponsah.

    On Saturday, trio Fred Pappoe, Wilfred Osei Kweku and George Afriyie faced the committee.

    The Vetting Committee is chaired by Frank Davies Esq. and the other members are Mrs Marian Barnor and lawyer Mr Emmanuel Darkwah.

    Also on the committee are Reginald Laryea, a Marketing and Business Executive and Richard Akpokavie, a General Secretary of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and legal practitioner.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • GES applauded for tactical retreat over Comprehensive Sexuality Education

    Vice-President of IMANI Ghana, Kofi Bentil, has applauded the Ghana Education Service (GES) for beating “a tactical retreat” over plans to introduce Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) after it sparked public outrage.

    After widespread criticisms over the plan, the GES has said it has not approved any such document.

    One of the goals of the guidelines is to teach schoolchildren to “nurture positive attitudes such as “open-mindedness”, the “concept of gender” “courtship”, “unintended pregnancy”, “abortion” and “respecting gender differences”.

    Read: Ghanaians divided over new sexuality education

    Mr Bentil, speaking on the Joy FM Super Morning Show, Tuesday, called the document on CSE “a Trojan horse”, explaining it is a subtle conditioning of pupils to explore lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lifestyles.

    He said CSE has been “dressed as sex education” but it is not, explaining it is rather a persuasive teaching of children about controversial matters such as “gender choices” linked to transgender.

    Even liberal countries that accept LGBT, he said, have a problem with introducing schoolchildren to CSE.

    The GES has said it wants to insert into the guidelines a phrase that says pupils will be taught the subject “within the acceptable cultural values and norms of Ghanaian society.”

    Mr Bentil rejected this explanation insisting Ghanaians are “not naïve.” He explained that CSE is a global brand, which Ghana cannot deviate from in its implementation.

    Read: Sexuality Education curriculum not approved GES

    “You cannot look at a Trojan horse and call it a toy,” he said.

    President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council has warned against introducing CSE in public schools and has threatened a demonstration.

    Its president, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso has described CSE as a Comprehensive Satanic Engagement.

     

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Drop satanic sex education programme – Chief Imam

    The National Chief Imam Sheikh Dr. Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu has described the controversial Comprehensive Sexuality Education curriculum.

    According to him, Islamic teachings do not tolerate the exposure of children below age 10 to sex education.

    “We would like to state unequivocally that the Islamic Community does not accept any form of educating minors and pupils on sexuality. In our estimation, such a move is an attempt to hide behind educational reforms to brainwash the pupils with LGBT agenda. Ideally, Islamic jurisprudence recommends that sexual education be introduced to children above the age of 10. This is the time the children are expected to begin to understand the socio-moral consequences of the choice of sex orientation.”

    Read: CSE: A covet attempt to introduce homosexuality Ras Mubarak

    “We, therefore, urge the sector Ministry and GES to consider a broad consultation with relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the controversial policy.”

    “We appeal to the Ministry and GES to drop that satanic agenda in the interest of national cohesion and moral promotion,” the Chief Imam said in a statement.”

    The statement also urged the Ghana Education Service to embark on broad consultation on the matter before any attempt at implementation.

    It comes after the massive public uproar against the sex education initiation with some Ghanaians calling on the education ministry to withdraw it.

    For instance, the Concerned Teachers Association of Ghana says teachers in the country are not aware of the controversial curriculum which is starting next academic year.

    According to them, claims by the Ghana Education Service that teachers have been briefed about the curriculum are untrue.

     

    Below are details of the statement;

    THE CSE AT PRE-SCHOOL LEVEL

    The Office of the National Chief Imam (ONCI) wishes to add its voice to the ongoing debate on the agenda of Ghana Education Service (GES) to introduce what it calls Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) at the KG, targeting 5-year old pupils.

    The ONCI is joined in this endeavor by the Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana, the Islamic Peace and Security Council of Ghana (IPASEC), the Islamic Council for Development and Humanitarian Services (ICODEHS), the Islamic Research Association of Ghana and the Association of the 16 Regional Chiefs Imams.

    We would like to state unequivocally that the Islamic Community does not accept any form of educating minors and pupils on sexuality. In our estimation, such a move is an attempt to hide behind educational reforms to brainwash the pupils with LGBT agenda. Ideally, Islamic jurisprudence recommends that sexual education be introduced to children above the age of 10. This is the time the children are expected to begin to understand the socio-moral consequences of the choice of sex orientation.

    Read: Nothing wrong teaching kids about sexual orientations Franklin Cudjoe

    We, therefore, urge the sector Ministry and GES to consider a broad consultation with relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the controversial policy.

    We appeal to the Ministry and GES to drop that satanic agenda in the interest of national cohesion and moral promotion.

    The ONCI and its partners mentioned above take this opportunity to reiterate their commitment to discipline and morality among the youth and in the learning industry.

    We thank the media for helping us carry this and other messages across.

    Sincerely yours,

    Alhaji Khuzaima Osman

    Personal Assistant to the National Chief Imam.

    Director of Youth and Interfaith Programs, ONCI.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Thomas Partey’s Madrid house raided by robbers

    Ghana superstar Thomas Partey’s house was invaded by dangerous armed robbers in the Spanish capital of Madrid on Monday night while he was away with his Atletico Madrid team in Moscow.

    According to reports, the thieves forcefully broke into the house in the middle of the night while the talented playmaker was in Moscow where he will play the Champions League game against Lokomotiv.

    The thieves entered the house, located in Boadilla del Monte, and did so with force and intimidation but without personal injury to the domestic maid who was then at home.

    Read:Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey named man of the match in Madrid derby

    They threatened to harm the domestic maid who initially resisted their attempt but upon seeing their firearms the person was completely subdued allowing the robbers to ransack the house.

    Police was immediately called to the property after the thieves had left and investigations are currently underway to try to fish out the perpetrators of the crime which has shaken the maid and Partey.

    Read:I feel settled at Atletico Madrid -Thomas Partey

    Partey joins a long list of players who have been robbed in their homes, just as Casemiro was last Saturday while the Madrid derby was played.
    The Ghanaian is the latest footballer to have his house burglarized in Spain while the player was away.

    Casemiro, Jordi Alba, Geoffrey Kondogbia, William Carvahlo, Álvaro Morata, Joaquín, Ezequiel Garay, Kévin-Prince Boateng, Karim Benzema, Ramiro Funes Mori, Arthur, Gabriel Paulista, Piqué, now Thomas.

    The thieves pounce on the houses of these footballers when they know they are away from home.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • New curriculum has nothing to do with masturbation – GES responds to criticisms

    The Ghana Education Service has responded to the ongoing debate over the new Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into the basic school curriculum.

    The GES in a statement says they are surprised at the “wild speculations and claims” on the matter.

    Some of the speculation centred around fears on sensitization on sexuality and LGBTQ ideas.

    Read: Ghanaians divided over new sexuality education

    The new curriculum indicates that pupils from pre-school to the final year of Senior High School will be taught various modules of the course which is geared towards entrenching healthy sexual attitudes.

    But the GES maintains that the new curriculum being implemented “has nothing to do with LGBT issues, masturbation or explicit display/labelling of intimate body parts.”

    Portions of their statement read: “The new standard-based curriculum being implemented has nothing to do with LGBT issues, masturbation of explicit display/labelling of intimate body parts”

    “The GES is a state agency and will not under any circumstances implement any programme which goes contrary to the legal, cultural norms, values and believes of the Ghanaian people.”

    The Ghana government and United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) launched the CSE programme which the GES said: “does not seek to throw out the advocacy for sexual abstinence but rather seeks to reinforce it.”

    The GES explained that the member states of the United Nations are mandated to roll out CSE in accordance “with their cultural norms and values.”

    Read: Sexuality education will not undermine our cultural norms GES

    “It is, therefore, wrong to insist that CSE as practised in Europe or North America has the same structures and content as is being rolled out in Ghana.”

    The GES maintains that the curriculum will be implemented “within the acceptable cultural values and norms of the Ghanaian Society.”

    The service also assured that no special sessions “have been organised or will ever be organised by the GES to train students as advocates for sexual rights, let alone LGBT rights which are culturally, socially, legally, moral and religiously alien to Ghana.”

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Stonebwoy receives Millennium Excellence Award at Zero Borla Fashion & Music concert

    Livingstone Etse Satekla known in the music circles as Stonebwoy has received a Millennium Excellence Awards after his performance at the Zero Borla Fashion and Music Concert at the Accra Sports Stadium over the weekend.

    Ambassador Ashim Morton, Director of Wash Africa conferred on Stonebwoy the Global Ambassador to promote the ban of single-use plastic and polythene waste in Ghana.

    Read:I tried apologising to Stonebwoy but he kept ignoring my calls and texts Kelvyn Boy

    The night saw some exciting performances by Kwan Pa, Lady Jay, Efya, Tinny, Jupiter, Gyadu Blay Ambolley, Efe Kizz, EL and Joey B.

    Aseda Spencer, an Afro-pop artiste and former world boxing champion, the fresh King Kong, Joseph Agbeko thrilled the fans with a dance and modeling catwalk.

    Top models and fashion designers graced the night with wild and flamboyant outfits made from plastic and polythene.

    Read:VGMA bawls affected my deal with Samsung Stonebwoy

    Madam Betty Brown, General Manager of the Accra Recycling Compost Company advised Ghanaians to make good use of the plastics to earn economic benefits.

    The Zero Borla Fashion and Music concert was sponsored by Bank of Africa, Twellium Ghana Ltd, Wash Africa, Wahala Entertainment, TV 4 Live and Zen Garden.

    Source: GNA

  • Mahama mourns Deputy Chief Imam

    Flagbearer of the main opposition Natioal Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has sympathised with the family of the late Sheikh Kamal-Deen, Deputy National Chief Imam, following his passing over the weekend.

    According to Mr Mahama, Sheikh Kamal-Deen was one of the great pillars behind the National Chief Imam Sheikh Dr Nuhu Sharubutu and contributed immensely to the state of religious tolerance and cooperation the country enjoys.

    Read: Mahama mourns with Chief Imam

    “May Allah grant our late Sheikh Kamal-Deen Janatul Firdaus,” Mr Mahama posted on Facebook.

    Sheikh Ahmad Kamaludeen died in the early hours of Saturday, 28 September 2019.

    He was 103.

    Read: Chiefs, Imams unite against illicit drugs, vigilantism in Zongo Communities

    In line with Islamic tradition, a short funeral ceremony was held for him on the same day.

    Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, a close friend of the deceased, led the prayers at the ceremony.

    The remains of the Islamic cleric were later buried at the Awudome Cemetery following a long procession of Muslims who thronged the place to pay their last respects to the Islamic scholar.

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Man flees after allegedly murdering wife

    The Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Police Command are searching for Kwaku Afurumu for allegedly murdering his wife, Afua Florence, 36, on Thursday evening.

    Chief Inspector Augustine Kingsley Oppong, the Police PRO for the Command, said the incident occurred at Krakrom near Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District of Bono Region.

    Read: Murder suspect dies in custody

    He said the Police at Nkrankwanta had information at about 9:30 hours on September 26, that the suspect had shot and killed and had fled into the bush with the gun.

    Chief Inspector Oppong said the Police proceeded to the scene and saw deceased “lying in a pool of blood with a deep hole at her back”.

    He said the corpse has been deposited at Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital, Dormaa-Ahenkro, whilst efforts are being made to apprehend the suspect.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Moroccan journalist Hajar Raissouni jailed on abortion charges

    A Moroccan journalist has been sentenced to a year in prison for premarital sex and having an abortion, in a case activists say is part of a crackdown on critical reporters.

    Hajar Raissouni was arrested with her fiancé as they left a gynaecologist’s clinic in the capital Rabat in August.

    The 28-year-old denied the charges, saying she had sought treatment for internal bleeding.

    Ms Raissouni works for an independent newspaper critical of the authorities.

    Read:Morocco abortion trial postponed amid protests

    A journalist at the Akhbar Al-Yaoum daily, she denounced the case against her as a “political trial”, saying she had been questioned by police about her family and her writing.

    Wearing a black veil covering her head, Ms Raissouni appeared calm on arrival at the courtroom in Rabat. She and her fiancé, a Sudanese national, denied that an abortion had taken place.

    “We’re shocked by this verdict,” her lawyer, Abdelmoula El Marouri, told the Reuters news agency, saying that all the medical and legal evidence should have led to an acquittal. He said he would appeal against the verdict.

    Read:Morocco grants royal pardon to protesters

    The prosecutor in the case said the circumstances of the journalist’s arrest had nothing to do with her work as a journalist, and that the clinic she had visited was under police surveillance on suspicion of carrying out illegal abortions.

    The court sentenced her fiancé to a year in prison and her doctor to two years. The doctor’s assistant and a nurse at the clinic were also found guilty but were given suspended sentences.

    Ahmed Benchemsi, regional director for Human Rights Watch, described the verdict as a “black day for freedom in Morocco”, calling it “a blatant injustice, a flagrant violation of human rights, and a frontal attack on individual freedoms.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Sports Minister inspects Dormaa Ahenkro multipurpose centre

    Isaac Kwame Asiamah, Minister of Youth and Sports on Saturday, September 29, 2019 accompanied by Hon. Kwaku Agyemang Manu MP (Dormaa Central) who couples as the Minister of Health and others visited the one of the 10 Youth Centres of Excellence located in Dormaa Ahenkro.

    The Minister of Youth and Sports after showing dissatisfaction with the slow process at the site subtly commended Engineer Prince Baidoo (Contractor in Charge) on the good work done. “Wow I am very impressed” said the Minister, after He was taken through the 30 aside Washrooms, Dressing Room, Kitchen, space for Restaurant, Referees office and a hostel that can accommodate over 300 among others.

    As part of supervision process, the Minister tagged the contractor to be sending him daily updates of progress of the site in a form of pictures and videos to him directly just so he can keep an eye on the project away from here.

    Read:Sports Minister inspects Ho multipurpose centre

    The Multipurpose centre on completion can host about 25 different sporting disciplines, which shows clearly that Ministry is in fervently prepared to develop the grassroots as promised.

    After the inspection, the Minister in an interview with the Media stated that not only is the place going to serve as a site for sports and recreational development but as a tool for the creation of job for the youth.

    “Ghana has been serving the world over the years when it comes to sports and it is one of the reasons we won the bid to host the 2023 African games . We have put all the necessary arrangements in place as far as African games is concern, we have their offices ready for proper planning and launching soon.”

    The sports Minister was pleased with the efforts of the President of the Republic of Ghana for his constant support ensuring that these projects come to reality.

    Read:NYA boss draws positives from multipurpose centres

    Honourable Kwaku Agyemang Manu, MP Dormaa Central “There will be a Job centre here at the Dormaa complex when completed to serve as bridge between people who need jobs and to those who have vacancies for etc.
    This structure when completed will also pave way for the people in and around Dormaa to exercise week in and week out as a way of keeping themselves fit
    We are looking forward to hosting the African University games in the coming future” the Healthcare inclined Health Minister said.

    Though the project is still under construction, the view from the top is one that must be can put be described “beautiful”

    The Resident Engineer/ Consultant (Samuel Mensah) and Contractor Prince Baidoo told the media how pleased they are to receive such laudable applause.
    Nonetheless, they are not going to feel complacent but rather put in more efforts to make sure the project is perfectly done and completed at the time due.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Liverpool faces possible expulsion from the English League Cup

    Liverpool faces possible expulsion from the English League Cup for fielding an ineligible player in last Wednesday’s 2-0 third round victory over MK Dons.

    Reports have identified Spanish midfielder Pedro Chirivella, who came on as a second half substitute in the win, earning the European champion a high profile tie against Arsenal in the last 16 of the knockout tournament.

    Chirivella, who was making his first appearance for Liverpool since May 2016, spent the second half of last season on loan at Spanish second division club Extremadura, which means he would have required new international clearance when he returned to his parent club in the summer.

    Liverpool requested that in July but the process can only be completed with the Football Association’s intervention and it is unclear if the necessary paperwork was in place.

    Read:Liverpool back on top after comfortable win over Bournemouth

    EFL investigation
    The English Football League (EFL), which administers its cup competition, said it was “currently considering the matter,” in a statement.

    The EFL has a range of sanctions at its disposal, ranging from a fine to being thrown out of the competition.

    Liverpool reacted to the reports by issuing its own statement.

    “The club are aware of a potential administrative issue pertaining to one of our players,” it said.

    “We are working with the relevant authorities in order to establish the facts of the matter and will be making no further comment until this process is complete.”

    Now third-tier Sunderland breached similar rules in 2014 by fielding ineligible player Ji-Don Won in four English Premier League and a League Cup match, but it was determined the mistake was with the authorities so the club escaped with a fine.

    Read:Liverpool refers Mo Salah to police

    Liverpool marches on
    Meanwhile, Liverpool’s dream start to the Premier League season continued Saturday with a slightly fortuitous 1-0 win over promoted Sheffield United Saturday.

    Georginio Wijnaldum’s second half strike went through the legs of Dean Henderson, the home goalkeeper reacting in horror as it trickled into the net behind him.

    READ: Liverpool maintains 100 percent record with Chelsea win
    Henderson made partial amends when he denied Mo Salah a second with a superb block, but the damage had been done.

    It was Liverpool’s seventh straight win from the start of the season and 16th overall, leaving Jurgen Klopp’s men five points clear of reigning champion Manchester City, 3-1 winners at Everton in Saturday’s late kick off.

    Source: cnn.com

  • Crystal Palace star Jeff Schlupp ready for Black Stars return after missing 2019 AFCON

    Crystal Palace versatile man Jeffrey Schlupp has told GHANAsoccernet.com he is ready to return to the Ghana national team after missing the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in the summer.

    The 26-year-old missed the continent’s flagship football tournament in Egypt after he picked an ankle injury at club level.

    However, the wideman has turned on the heat in style since recovering from the set-back to play an influential role for the Eagles in their Premier League campaign this season.

    Read:Jeffrey Schlupp hunts Fulham again as Crystal Palace return to winning ways

    And former Leicester City versatile player has told Ghana’s leading football portal, GHANAsoccernet.com he’s ready to return to the team.

    “Its always an honour to represent our country. Unfortunately, I missed the AFCON due to injury but I am fit and playing well,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com

    “Injuries have always been part of the game. I felt sad I could not make it due to the setback.

    “I am available to play whenever the manager decides to call me. These are decisions to be made by the national team manager.

    Read:Jeffrey Schlupp wants Jordan Ayew to score more goals for Crystal Palace

    “It’s up to the player to be ready physically and mentality when the opportunity avails itself, and I am more than ready.

    “We have to work hard and win something for our people. Unfortunately we couldn’t do that in Egypt but you never know in subsequent tournaments.

    The Black Stars will begin the qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in November.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Amnesty:US air strike killed Somali farmers

    Rights body Amnesty International says its investigation has found that a US air strike in Somalia in March killed civilians and not militants as the US Africa Command (Africom) alleged at the time.

    It says the US failed to investigate claims that the three victims were farmers and had no ties with Islamist militant group al-Shabab.

    The three men were returning from their farms to their homes in Mogadishu and Leego and Yaaq Bariwayne in Lower Shabelle when their car was targeted, Amnesty says.

    Read:Dozens dead after school bus carrying children hit by airstrike

    Eleven people interviewed including co-workers and family of the men killed “were adamant that none of the men was a member of al-Shabab,” it added.

    “It’s bad enough that the US Africa Command appears not to know who its air strikes are actually killing and maiming in its secretive war in Somalia,” Abdullahi Hassan, a Somalia researcher for Amnesty, said in a statement.

    Africom said in March that its assessment had determined that the air strike had “killed three terrorists” and it was aware of reports of civilian casualties.

    Read:Airstrikes kill 7 family members in northern Afghanistan

    Africom spokesman John Manley told news agency AFP that the “US Africa Command arrived at reasonable certainty the vehicle and its occupants were al-Shabab and actively supporting al-Shabab operational activity.”

    “US Africa Command minimises the risk to civilians by following a thorough, reasonable methodology that accounts for weapons effects and mitigates risk to civilians, ” he added.

    US air strikes in Somalia surged in April 2017 after President Donald Trump declared the south of the country an “area of active hostilities”. The rate of air strikes rose sharply in 2019.

    Read:The world goes on strike

    On Monday al-Shabab militants attacked a military base where US soldiers train commandos in Somalia.

    Military officials said the jihadists were repulsed without breaching the perimeter fence.

    Source: bbc.com

  • NPP to break NDC hold on Kpone-Katamanso

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate-elect for the Kpone Katamanso Constituency, Mr Hopeson Yaovi Adorye, has pledged to work hard to secure the seat for the NPP for the first time in the history of the Fourth Republic.

    The seat has for a long time been held by the NDC but the MP, Mr Joseph Nii Laryea Afortey Agbo, aka Lion, has hanged his parliamentary boots and handed the mantle to a business consultant and Managing Director of the JOBIZ Business Consult, Joseph Akuerteh Tettey.

    Read: NPP big shots win amidst drama

    However, the NPP has said the party is confident of wining the parliamentary seat.

    Out of the 652 votes cast last Saturday, September 28, 2019, Mr Adorye polled 321 votes to defeat his closest contender, Mr William Asante, brother of the convener of the pressure group, Let my vote Count Alliance (LMVCA), Mr David Asante, who polled 203 votes.

    Other contestants were Prince Dadzie who secured 56 votes, while Mr Mark Fuachie Sobreh, a banker, polled 22 votes, with Mr David Quaye Annang, a former MCE for Tema, getting 46 votes.

    Four ballots were rejected, while 39 delegates were absent.

    Humbled

    Mr Adorye, in an interview, said he was excited and humbled by the support shown, stressing that delegates bought into his message of how he and the NPP were going to help develop the constituency when given the mandate come December 2020.

    He promised to work hard and with the support of the other contenders and constituency executive members, campaign vigorously to unseat the NDC.

    “In previous elections, disunity among constituency executive members worked against the party’s quest to annex the seat but with the prevailing unity and the resolve of all including his contenders to wrest the seat, the NPP is more poised to cause a major upset by defeating the NDC which has held onto the seat,” he said.

    Peaceful elections

    Voting started at 9 a.m. and things got heated up few hours into the polls when a text message purported to have been created by one of the aspirants went viral among the delegates that Mr William Asante had stepped down from the race.

    Read: Ben Nador wins NPP parliamentary primaries in Nkwanta North

    A furious Mr Asante had to quickly step in to dismiss the said text message as it had generated anxiety among voters.

    A combined team of police and military personnel were on hand to provide security during the polls.

    Ashaiman

    Meanwhile from Ashaiman, Grace Osei & Mercy Akpene Amevor report that the 2016 parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Yakubu Labaran, was again re-elected to represent the party in the Ashaiman Constituency for the 2020 general election.

    He obtained 449 votes of the 1179 votes cast, beating Mr Eric Gregory Kwasi Kwatia and Alexander Narh-Gbeeku who secured 378 and 203 votes respectively.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Crude oil prices cause upward adjustments in water, electricity tariffs PURC

    The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has said that it factored in the prices of crude oil and natural gas to adjust water and electricity tariffs upward.

    The PURC on Monday 30th September, 2019 announced that water and electricity tariffs will go up effective Tuesday October 1, 2019.

    Read: PURC approves 8.01% increase in water tariff

    The statement signed by Mami Dufie Ofori, Executive Secretary of the PURC said: “Following a review of Electricity and Water tariffs for the fourth quarter 2019 which is from October December 2019, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission wishes to announce for the information of consumers of electricity and water that there has been an upward adjustment in the existing tariffs. The increase is 5.94% for electricity tariffs and 2.22% on water tariffs across board for all customer categories effective October 1, 2019.

    “The Automatic Adjustment Formula (AAF) is a tariff mechanism that seeks to track and incorporate movement in key determining factors to reflect the real cost of electricity and water quarterly.

    “The following factors were considered in computing he automatic adjustment formula

    Ghana Cedi-US Exchange rate

    Inflation

    Read: Electricity tariff up 5.94%, water 2.22%

    Price of crude and natural gas

    Fuel mix (crude, oil and natural gas

    Generation mix (hydro and thermal)

    Power purchase cost

    Electricity cost (a major cost component i water production)

    The Commission however wishes to restate its commitment to embark on effective tariff monitoring programme aimed at providing the end user improved quality of service.

     

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Ministry of Health not being truthful – Unemployed Private Nurse Assistants

    The coalition of unemployed Private Nurse clinical Assistants on Monday 30th September, 2019, besieged the premises of the Ministry of Health (MOH) demanding to be posted to health facilities in the country.

    Clad in a red armed band, the aggrieved unemployed Private Nurse Assistants revealed that, the ministry came out with a statement middle of this year claiming to have employed all private graduate nurses but only employed degree and diploma nurses leaving the certificate nurses who completed between 2012-2016.

    Read: Nurses and Midwives call for financial clearance

    Speaking to Ernestina Afeke of Hot 93.9FM, the public Relations Officer(PRO) of the coalition of unemployed Private Nurse Assistants, Patrick Aseidu accused the ministry of health of not being truthful to them:

    “Yes, from the look of things, we can clearly see that the Ministry is not being truthful…though the Ministry has urged us to wait because they are still awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Finance, we can no longer sit at home …they need to post us because we are also Ghanaians..” he told Ernestina Afeke

    “.We will continue to put pressure on Ministry by besieging the premises until they post us,” he added.

     

    Source: hotfmghana.com

  • Electricity tariff up 5.94%, water 2.22%

    Three months after the last adjustment, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission has announced an upward review of electricity by 5.94%

    It also announced increase water tariffs by 2.22% bringing the combined increase to over 8%.

    In a statement Monday, the PURC explained, the increase in tariffs was determined by the Automatic Adjustment Formula (AAF) which considers eight factors including inflation, in arriving at a review.

    Read: Utility tariff increments long overdue Oteng-Gyasi

    PURC announced, consumers should expect the increase to kick in on October 1, 2019.

    The PURC in June 2019 announced a 11% increase in electricity which took effect July 1.

     

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Get all your children’s colourful and yummy cakes on ROSA Kids app

    Cakes , Cakes, Cakes !!!!

    Who loves a yummy cake?

    School is back in business and the birthdays are rolling in.

    Are you looking for the perfect place to find a birthday cake fit for your little prince or princess.

    Read:Benefits of after school activities in Ghana

    A character cake, cupcakes or rainbow cakes to share with their class. Look no further, the ROSA Kids app is just what you need.

    Jason cakes on the Rosa Kids app offers a wide variety of cakes which can be customised to match the birthday theme. They also cater for various other occasions too such as christenings, baby showers and seasonal festivities

    Cakes @ Jason Cakes, Pantang Hospital

    Also, if you are looking for snacks for school fairs or PTA sponsored walks, Unichriss Bakery, will be able to provide pastries suitable for all events.

    Cakes @ Unichriss Bakery, P.O.Box 143 YK/Kanda

    If you are parent or school looking for something to cool your precious little ones down in the Ghana sun then why not opt for Yummy Bite Ice cream.

    From the mobile cart, guests, schools and families can enjoy freshly made ice cream in lots of appetizing flavours.

    Perfect for all kids events, birthdays, church programs and more.

    Ice cream @ Yummy Bite Ice Cream

    If you would like to find out more information about Jason cakes, Unichriss Bakery or Yummy Bite Ice cream download the Rosa Kids app on the Google play store and click the Food and drink tab, to contact any of the vendors.

    Also, if you are a business providing children services why not expand you advertising sources by joining the Rosa Kids app directory which already has thousands of users looking for services for their children.

    Just fill out the form to be added as a vendor on the app

    By joining the Rosa kids app you will also benefit from the huge social media exposure, radio advertising, and Ghanaweb features.

    So what are you waiting for Join ROSA Kids app now.

    Source: Rosa Kids

  • 3000-yr-old 21-inch stone penis discovered in Sweden

    A large stone penis has been uncovered by archaeologists in Sweden who believe it may have been used for sacrificial fertility rituals.

    The impressive 21-inch stone was discovered during an excavation in Rollsbo near Gothenburg.

    It was originally thought to be a Bronze Age grave but has now been linked to a fertility cult.

    Read:President Trump demands Sweden free US rapper

    Archaeologist Gisela Ängeby told local paper the Göteborgs-Posten: ‘It has a distinct phallus shape. I thought when I came across it that “oh my god it can’t be true.”

    ‘I showed the picture to colleagues and there is no discussion, it has a very penis-like shape.’

    Phallic stones often show up during excavations but it is rare to find one so closely modeled on the real thing, leading the team to their fertility ritual theory.

    In addition to the stone phallus, the archaeologists found animal bones and shaped stones.

    No human bones were found, leading them to discard their original theory of a graveyard but evidence show that animals may have been slaughtered there as part of a fertility ritual.

    Read:Skydiving plane crash kills nine in Sweden

    The researchers believe it was a sacrificial site from the later part of the Bronze Age, between 1800 and 500 BC.

    Gisela said: ‘I believe that in connection with the erection, it was used to offer sacrifices, for example within the framework of a fertility cult.’

    Remarkably, the archaeologists believe the stone may have had its shape naturally before it was later refined.

    Source: dailymail.co.uk

  • We were inexperienced against Etoile du Sahel – Kjetil Zachariassen

    Asante Kotoko head coach, Kjetil Zachariassen, has admitted that his team lacked the requisite know-how to handle the their second leg of the CAF Champions League qualifier against Etoile du Sahel on Sunday.

    Kotoko held a 2-0 lead from the first leg and they needed to avoid losing heavily to stay in the competition.

    However, they could not handle the task and lost 3-0 on the night leading to their exit from the CAF Champions League and entry into the CAF Confederation Cup playoff stage.

    After the match, Zachariassen told reporters that the team did not have what was needed in such a situation and they paid dearly for that.

    Read:Caf Champions League: Asante Kotoko have no fear ahead of Etoile Sahel trip Zachariassen

    “We did not stick to the plan today and we were strange on the pitch. We did a lot of things that we would not do and we chose a bad day to do those things.

    They showed that they had more experienced and they used that knowledge. We showed that were we did not have too much experience for this level.

    We have to learn from this and use the lessons in the CAF Confederation Cup.”

    Before the start of the competition, Zachariassen was given a task of getting to the group stage of the competition but he conceded that his team was currently not fully built to face the tests the competition.

    Read:Zachariassen impressed with the mentality of Kotoko players

    “We need to learn a lot of things from the experience. We were not good mentally and we have to improve on that. This is our level at the moment.

    We are in the Confederation Cup and I think that is the right level for us. We have to be realistic. I have told the fans to be realistic because we have only worked together for three months and other teams have been working for years.”

    Kotoko will now wait for CAF to conduct the draw for the Confederation Cup playoff to see if they can get into the group stage of the competition.

    They will face any of the teams that have made it from the previous round of the Confederation Cup.

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Im not dead – Agyeman Badu

    Black Stars player, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, has rubbished his death news.

    Recent media reports had suggested that the Ghanaian international had died.

    Read:Agyemang Badu diagnosed with blood clot in the lungs

    But the skipper who is currently playing for an Italian tier two club told DGN Online Sports that when he saw the news about his death, he laughed it off.

    According to him, God was on his side and that he was very healthy.

    Read:Agyemang Badu better after being hospitalised

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Fugitive on run for 17 years found living in cave by a drone

    Chinese police have arrested a fugitive who’d been on the run for 17 years, after they used drones to spot his cave hideout.

    The 63-year old, named Song Jiang by the police, had been jailed for trafficking women and children but escaped from a prison camp in 2002.

    He had been living in a tiny cave cut off from human interaction for years.

    Yongshan police received clues about Song’s whereabouts in early September, they said on their WeChat account.

    Read:China says its drone can hunt like Spiderman

    Those clues led them to the mountains behind his hometown in Yunnan province in south-west China.

    After regular searches failed to find anything, authorities sent additional drones to help the officers.

    The drones eventually spotted a blue-coloured steel tile on a steep cliff as well as traces of household rubbish nearby.

    Police then moved in on foot and found Song in a small cave where he’d been hiding for years.

    Read:Drones hit 2 Saudi Aramco oil facilities, cause fires

    According to the police, the man had been living in seclusion for so long that it was difficult for him to communicate with the officers.

    Can a fugitive remain on the run forever?

    The fugitive caught as he met his wife at airport
    State media said the man had used plastic bottles to get drinking water from a river, and had used branches of trees to make fire.

    He has been sent back to jail.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Last day for Kenya’s old banknotes

    It’s the last day of legal tender for Kenya’s old 1,000 shilling banknote and other smaller denominations.

    New banknotes were introduced in June, with customers given four months to exchange them for the new currency.

    The governor of the Central Bank Patrick Njoroge said the operation was intended to tackle corruption and illicit financial flows.

    The design of the new currency, which features an image of a statue of Kenya’s first President, Jomo Kenyatta – the current president’s father, has sparked anger among some Kenyans.

    Read:Anger in Kenya after MPs fight in church

    A human rights activist challenged the use of the former president’s image arguing it contravened the constitution which outlaws the use of portraits of individuals in any currency.

    The High Court ruled last week that President Jomo Kenyatta’s statue was not a portrait.

    The court also declined to extend the expiry date of old Sh1,000 notes.

    The old 1,000 shilling notes is being withdrawn to crack down on embezzlement and tackle counterfeits

    In recent days, shopkeepers have reported a number of large transactions being made in cash – including that of a luxury Mercedes car.

    Read:Kenyan MP demands law to control farting on planes

    One bar is offering to swap the banknotes for its clientele and is holding an “Old Notes Send Off Party”.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Cameroon dialogue starts as Anglophone separatists pull out

    Cameroon starts a national dialogue on Monday in a bid to end a separatist conflict in the country’s anglophone provinces though key rebel leaders have already refused to participate.

    Nearly 3,000 people have died and half a million fled their homes since fighting broke out in 2017 between the army and armed fighters who want independence for Cameroon’s two English-speaking provinces.

    The talks, led by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, are scheduled from September 30 to October 4 at the Congressional palace in the capital Yaounde.

    President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 37 years, hopes the talks will end crisis that is also hurting the economy of the coffee and cocoa-producing Central African state.

    October 1 marks the second anniversary of the spiral towards conflict – the declaration of the self-described “Republic of Ambazonia” for Cameroon’s English-speaking minority.

    Even before it began, the national dialogue ran into trouble with many activists arrested and experts voicing scepticism that it would yield tangible results.

    English-speakers account for about a fifth of Cameroon’s population of 24 million, who are majority French-speaking.

    Read:Cameroon leader wants talks to end separatist crisis

    Anglophones are mainly concentrated in two western areas, the Northwest Region and the Southwest Region that were incorporated into the French-speaking state after the colonial era in Africa wound down six decades ago. Many locals here complain of discrimination and marginalisation.

    In a report published last week, the International Crisis Group (ICG) estimated that around 3,000 people have been killed by separatist violence and the military crackdown.

    The ICG said the talks do not include separatists or Anglophone leaders who support more federalist solutions.

    “It thus risks further frustrating Anglophones widening the gulf between the two sides and empowering hardliners,” the group said.

    “The government should make greater space for Anglophones, particularly federalists who are willing to attend. It should also seek a neutral facilitator.”

    Biya’s government has rejected both a return to more federalism and any proposed separation.

    But Anglophone supporters are also divided between those two options for their regions.

    The government’s dialogue spokesman George Ewane said Cameroonian authorities had held preliminary discussions with some separatists, adding that even hardliners were welcome to join the talks.

    ‘Smokescreen’

    Mark Bareta, a separatist leader who is very active on social media, was the one most open to dialogue and it was through him that invitations to the others were sent, Ewane said.

    But on Friday, Bareta announced that he was pulling out, saying that “the only way to have real negotiations is to hold them on neutral territory.”

    Read:Cameroon prisoners live stream riot

    Of the 16 separatist leaders invited, those heading armed groups such as Ebenezer Akwanga and Cho Ayaba are also snubbing the talks.

    Akwanga told AFP that the event was a “smokescreen for the international community rather than an attempt to secure a complete and lasting solution… to the annexation of our country, Southern Cameroons”.

    Most of the leaders have expressed willingness to hold talks with the government but in the presence of an international mediator and in a foreign country with the terms for secession the main item on the agenda, according to the ICG.

    However, more moderate Anglophones like Cardinal Christian Tumi, the influential archbishop of Cameroon’s commercial capital Douala, have welcomed the initiative and urged the separatists to participate.

    ‘We can’t talk to ghosts’

    An official from the Southwest region said traditional chiefs had asked armed groups to attend the talks but they had spurned the offer.

    The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, however asked the groups to “emerge from the woodwork”, adding that “measures have been taken to ensure the security of those who attend.

    “We cannot talk with ghosts,” the official said.

    Locals are meanwhile divided about the outcome of the talks.

    “No good can come of this. It’s a game,” said a hardcore secessionist who identified himself as Agbor.

    “If we must go for talks, it would be to discuss the terms of separation and not anything else,” he said.

    But Jeannette Benga, a prominent figure of civil society in Buea, the capital of the Southwest region, voiced hope that “the two come to an agreement.”

    Blaise Chamango, the head of an NGO said the five-day talks were not enough to “debate the anglophone crisis and the other major problems in Cameroon.”

    Source: aljazeera.com

     

  • Late monsoon fury kills 100 in north India

    At least 100 people have died in northern India over the last three days in unusually heavy late monsoon rains which have submerged streets, hospital wards and houses, officials said Monday.

    Dozens of boats were pressed into service on streets overflowing with gushing rain water in Patna, the capital of the eastern state of Bihar, after torrential downpours far stronger the normal.

    At least 27 people have lost their lives across the state and another 63 in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh since Friday, authorities said. With more rain predicted, weather experts say September could end as the wettest in more than a hundred years.

    Read:Indian woman, 73, gives birth to twin girls

    “Patna alone has recorded some 226 millimetres (8.9 inches) of rainfall since Friday,” Bihar disaster response official M. Ramachandru told AFP.

    Photos showed patients lying on hospital beds in dirty rain water at the state-run Nalanda Medical College and Hospital in Patna.

    It has also been raining heavily in southern India and in the western state of Gujarat.

    The annual monsoon usually lasts from June to September.

    Read:India is trying to reconnect with lost lunar lander on the surface of the moon

    With the Indian Meteorological Department Monday predicting excess rainfall across 15 states, this year’s monsoon will end as the wettest since 1917, the mass-circulation Times of India said.

    “There are no signs of withdrawal for at least four-five days,” senior IMD officer Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told the daily.

    The monsoon, which is vital for farmers across the South Asian region, killed some 650 people in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan in July this year.

    Source: France24

  • Asics apologises for porn playing for hours above Auckland store

    Sports company Asics has apologised after screens outside a flagship store in Auckland, New Zealand, showed pornography for several hours.

    The content played on the store’s promotional outdoor screens above the entrance until staff arrived at 10am on Sunday to open the shop.

    The Japanese sports company said hackers had gained access to the system to show the explicit content.

    “We would like to apologise to anyone who may have seen this,” the firm said.

    Read:Pornography leading influence on sexual behaviour among youth Study

    In a Facebook post, Asics said “an unknown person gained access to the screens above our central Auckland store and some objectionable content was displayed on the screens”.

    “We are working with our software and online security suppliers to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” the statement added.

    According to the New Zealand Herald, the pornographic content had been playing for nine hours until turned off by staff.

    Read:Senior US official resigns after viewing porn on work computer

    The paper cites security offer Dwayne Hinango saying that “some people were shocked, but others just stopped and watched”.

    The Herald also cites one woman who witnessed the videos while walking past with her seven-year-old son.

    “I took a second look because I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” she said.

    “It’s totally inappropriate and offensive, not something that you want kids exposed to.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Bridge over River Pra restored

    The steel bridge over the Pra River at Paawudu which links the Akyemansa District in the Eastern Region to New Edubiase in the Ashanti Region has been repaired and reopened to traffic.

    The bridge was damaged about six months ago when a low-bed articulated truck carrying an earth-moving machine destroyed parts of it and blocked access to other road users on March 28, 2019.

    Read: Bridge brings relief to residents of Kasena-Nankana; curbs drownings

    Get Digital Versions of Graphic Publications by downloading Graphic NewsPlus Here. Also available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store

    Damage

    Most of the bolts and nuts holding the steel bridge in position got removed from their joints, causing half of the bridge to cave in.

    The collapse of the bridge compelled drivers and other commuters travelling from Oda, Ayirebi, Akyem Ofoase, Asamankese and Agona Swedru to Kumasi, Obuasi and vice versa to make a detour through Akyem Aperade to join the main Cape Coast-Kumasi road at Brofoyedu at a huge cost and inconvenience.

    The Akyemansa District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Paul Asamoah, opened the rehabilitated bridge in a ceremony at Paawudu last Wednesday.

    Gratitude

    He said he and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayirebi, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, had appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Chief of Staff, Ms Frema Osei-Opare, and the Ministry of Roads and Highways for the early rehabilitation of the damaged bridge to restore traffic along that route.

    Read: V/R: Sokode-Bame road closed due to weak bridge

    Mr Asamoah said the appeal yielded positive response, as the Bridge Maintenance Unit of the Ghana Highways Authority was awarded the contract to repair the bridge, which took the department about six weeks to complete.

    The DCE expressed gratitude to the government and other personalities and organisations which contributed towards the rehabilitation of the bridge.

    He advised motorists plying the route to be conscious of traffic regulations and the weight they carried across important projects such as the bridge and to avoid overloading their vehicles to sustain the full life span of the bridge.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Saudi crown prince warns of ‘Iran threat’ to global oil

    Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has warned that oil prices could rise to “unimaginably high numbers” if the world does not act to deter Iran.

    Mohammed bin Salman said a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran would ruin the global economy, following an attack on its oil facilities two weeks ago which it blames on Tehran.

    Speaking to CBS News, he also said he accepted some responsibility for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

    But he denied personally ordering it.

    The prince, who is considered the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, is suspected of personally targeting Mr Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist critical of the government in Riyadh.

    Mr Khashoggi was killed in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Turkey on 2 October 2018.

    In an interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes news programme on Sunday, he said: “I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it [the killing] was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government.”

    Read:Saudi Arabia deports 22 Ghanaians

    However, he denied ordering the killing of Mr Khashoggi directly, or having knowledge of it at the time.

    Saudi authorities have since blamed a “rogue” operation for his murder and put 11 men on trial.

    What about the crown prince’s oil warning?

    Iran has denied any involvement in the attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities.

    But Mohammed bin Salman, the heir to the Saudi throne, said: “If the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests.”

    “Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven’t seen in our lifetimes.”

    He said the Middle East region “represents about 30% of the world’s energy supplies, about 20% of global trade passages, about 4% of the world GDP”.

    “Imagine all of these three things stop. This means a total collapse of the global economy, and not just Saudi Arabia or the Middle East countries,” the prince said.

    And what about the drone attacks?

    Saudi Arabia says 18 drones and seven cruise missiles were fired on the country’s two oil facilities in Abqaid and Aramco on 14 September.

    Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have said they were behind the attacks.

    Read:U.S. briefly overtakes Saudi Arabia as top oil exporter IEA

    But Saudi Arabia as well as the US, a key ally, blame Iran for the strikes that knocked out about 5% of global oil supply and sent oil prices soaring.

    US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington has “many options” in response, including an “ultimate option”.

    What’s the background to all this?

    Iran is the regional rival of Saudi Arabia and an opponent of the US, which pulled out of a treaty aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear programme after Mr Trump took power.

    US-Iran tensions have risen markedly this year.

    The US said Iran was behind attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf in June and July, as well as on another four in May.

    Tehran rejected the accusations in both cases.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Customs, NACOB seize cocaine concealed in bag

    The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) have seized 12.1394kg of cocaine at the Kpoglo Border Post in the Volta Region.

    The white, powdery substance, which was concealed in a bag, was on its way into Ghana, but officials could not immediately tell its intended final destination.

    A preliminary test at the Customs Office in Aflao proved positive for the banned substance, the Chief Revenue Officer (Communications and Public Affairs) at the Customs Division, Mr Johnson?Menlah Yankey, told the Daily Graphic in Accra on Sunday, September 29.

    Read: Ghanaian arrested in India for selling cocaine, sex pills

    He could, however, not indicate the estimated street value of the seized contraband.

    Arrest

    Two suspects, Samuel Chemremeh, 23, and David Chibake, 22, both Nigerians, were arrested and are in the custody of NACOB for further interrogation.

    The two men were in charge of the bag in which the banned substance was found.

    Mr Yankey said the cocaine had also been handed over to NACOB.

    “The cocaine seizure is yet another tremendous accomplishment of the Customs Division, working in collaboration with NACOB,” he said.

    Checks

    According to Mr Yankey, about 5 p.m. last Saturday, Customs officers at the Kpoglo Border Post undertook their usual security checks on passengers crossing the border.

    Read: NACOB arrests Zimbabwean with 7kg cocaine at KIA

    In the process, they saw a wrapped substance in a bag, and, suspecting that it was a banned drug, the officers brought in NACOB and further examination proved that it was cocaine.

    “The two men were immediately arrested and handed over to NACOB for further investigations,” he said.

    “Our men at the entry points will continue to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies to prevent contrabands from entering our country,” he said.

    Three weeks earlier

    Mr Yankey disclosed that about three weeks ago, other “large quantities of cocaine and heroin were busted at the same Kpoglo Border Post”.

    He said the drugs were in a Toyota Highlander vehicle, where quantities of fake $100 notes were also found.

    The driver of the vehicle, however, escaped.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Hearts of Oak beat Okwahu United 2-1 in Nkawkaw in friendly

    Hearts of Oak beat Okwahu United 2-1 in a pre-season friendly played at the Nkawkaw Park on Sunday.

    The match had to wait until the 53rd minute for the first goal when defender Chris Bonney converted a penalty to give the Phobians the lead.

    Read:Hearts of Oak to cut sod for Pobiman project on November 11

    But Okwahu United levelled after 66 minutes when MacLean Ampadu leveled the scoring.

    Hearts of Oak managed to snatch the winner in the 84th minute after William Dankyi beat the offside trap to slot home.

    Read:Hearts of Oak quintet retained in Black Stars B 25-man squad for Burkina Faso clash

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • 15 armed policemen storm court as convict refuses to move to jail

    The premises of the Koforidua High Court was thrown into a state of disturbances by a convict who launched a profane tirade in courtroom after he was slapped with a total of 25 years imprisonment with hard labour on Friday, September 27.

    The convict, Yaw Antwi, 31, a farmer refused to be taken away by the few police personnel on duty at the Court to begin his prison sentence creating confusion at the Courtroom. It took the intervention of about 15 armed Police Officers dispatched from the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters to forcibly move him into a waiting vehicle to the Koforidua Prison.

    Yaw Antwi, an ex-convict notorious in Akyem New Tafo for death threats and causing harm was convicted by the Koforidua Circuit Court “B” presided over by Her Honour Mercy Adei Kotei on three different cases Prosecuted by Inspector Owusu Ababio.

    Read: Police search for marijuana farmers

    He was found guilty on varied counts of death threats, causing harm and disturbing public peace.

    The convict -Yaw Antwi was sentenced 10 years for attempting to kill his father, Boakye Boateng, at Akyem New Tafo. The convict haven threatened life of the father many times in November last year, attempted to slash the father with a cutlass. Again, he was sentenced eight (8) years for attempting to hack a Police Officer Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Yaro stationed at the Akyem New Tafo District Police Headquarters.

    According to the Prosecutor, Inspector Ababio on February 3, 2019, at about 6:30pm, the convict pulled a cutlass to hack the hand of the Police officer while in taxi had the driver not sped off, sensing danger.

    Lastly, the Court jailed Yaw Antwi to seven(7) years imprisonment on charges of disturbing Public Peace, threat of death and assault for storming a drinking spot with cutlass and brandishing same in fearful manner.

    The convict on February 2, 2019 at about 7:00pm went on rampage In Akyem Tafo township Wielding cutlass and in the dreadful melee invaded EDIMA drinking spot in Akyem New Tafo township and forcefully demanded he was served alcohol for free but was denied.

    This angered the convict who brandished cutlass amidst threats of killing the customers causing many to flee the spot.

    Yaw Antwi went out of the bar and without provocation attacked complainant in this case -Oteng William a driver and resident of Mid Tafo

    He hit him several times with the side of the cutlass and threatened to kill.

    Read: Police foil robbery attack at GCB bank at Kasoa

    After committing the act, the convict went into hiding but on March 25,2019 he resurfaced at Tafo Zongo to inflict cutlass wound on fingers of one of the youth having bitten him. This infuriated the youth who overpowered and handed him over to the Police.

    Before delivering the Judgement, the Prosecutor told the Judge that the suspect is notorious even after serving a five-year jail term in 2012 on the same offenses.

    Therefore the sentence will serve as a deterrent and also inure to his safety from the hands of angry community members.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Businessman wins ultimate prize in MoMo@10 Promo

    A 45-year-old businessman, John Quayson has won the ultimate prize in the MTN Mobile Money 10th anniversary, (MoMo@10) promotion.

    He took home a Hyundai Santa Fe 2019 edition, at a ceremony held in Accra, after emerging the customer with the highest number of points in using MoMo for transactions.

    Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Mr Quayson, a fish distributor, expressed excitement for emerging the winner.

    Read: MTN hands over GHS5.5m maternity block to Tema General Hospital

    He urged all subscribers to continue to use the MoMo for their transactions and called on new subscribers to register with it to win amazing prizes.

    Mr Eli Hini, the General Manager, Mobile Financial Services of MTN Ghana, said the company took delight in changing and improving lives of the people adding that their utmost aim was to provide an excellent customer service through innovation, hence the MoMo@10 promo.

    He said the MoMo was safe and customers should not discuss their account, disclose their wallet pin, or give their phones to anyone to undertake transactions on their behalf saying their pin was their secret.

    Touching on recent rumours that emerged of a possible collapse of the MTN MoMo Service, which subsequently led to panic withdrawals by some customers, Mr Hini said MTN MoMo was safe and that the Network was working with security agencies to arrest the perpetrators involved in the audio recording and circulation.

    Alhaji Majeed Rufai, Senior Manager, Commercials, MTN Ghana, congratulated current and past winners of the promo and advised customers to be cautious of calls that claim they had won prizes and should send some money before claiming their prizes.

    “MTN will call you with its own number, thus, 0244300000, also bear in mind that MTN won’t extract money from anyone before they are awarded with their prizes, so beware,” he noted.

    Read: MTN Hitmaker season 8 officially launched

    Mr Rufai, however, urged customers to send a text message to a Toll Free number 1515 to report anyone who tried to defraud them.

    Cash prizes ranging from Gh¢500.00 to Gh¢3000.00 and Samsung flat screen television sets from 49 to 65 inches were presented to the other winners.

    Presentations are still underway in the regions as four remaining cars are still up for grabs.

    The MoMo@10 Consumer Promo is a transaction driven and points-based system designed to reward MTN MoMo customers.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • SMEs confident of improved access to finance post-banking sector cleanup

    Some players in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are hopeful that the recent banking sector cleanup will result in improved access to finance for their businesses.

    For many years, difficulty in accessing funds brought on by poor record-keeping, lack of collateral, and the reluctance of banks to design products for startups, has constrained the growth of the SME sector.

    Speaking to JoyBusiness at the 2018 Vodafone SME Ghana Awards, Project Lead of SMEGA Foundation, organizers of the SME Ghana Awards, Kwesi Ofori Jnr said, banks have become more liquid following the recent reforms in the sector, hence the need for improved support to budding entrepreneurs as they are seen as the drivers of economic growth.

    Read: Vodafone unveils period of masterclass for SMEs at SMEGA 18

    “The issue is the debit financing that we are going through and the banks are not willing to even do long term financing; I know that with this cleanup the banks are now liquid to support the SMEs and what I hope the banks will do is to walk the talk,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Founder of Salt and Light Ministry who was the Special Guest of Honour at the awards ceremony, Joyce Aryee, has urged SMEs to build strong brands and take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

    The 6th SME Ghana Awards saw Sariam Company Ltd. emerge the Best Performing SME of the year. Chief Executive of the company, Mariam Abdullah Naajia urged women entrepreneurs to be daring in the field of their respective endeavours.

    Meanwhile, general insurance company, Activa International Insurance, has pledged insurance protection amounting to GHC3 million to the award winners.

    The Deputy Managing Director of Finance and Administration at Activa International Insurance, Genevieve Tachie said, “We are providing them with some covers so we are going to give personal accident cover to the CEOs of the companies of the award winners, we are going to give them accident cover and we are also going to give them public liability cover up to the tune of GH¢3 million.”

    Some other winners at the event were MBA Mode Institute winning multiple awards including Community Impact Award for its Kayaye project, Jilfa Trends as SME discovery of the year, Aide Chemist as Trade Sector pharmaceuticals and cosmetics SME of the year, among others.

    Read: Lifeline for SMEs imminent Trade Ministry

    About SMEGA:

    The SME Ghana Awards is a national Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Award Scheme instituted to recognize the countless achievements of Ghanaian SMEs and individuals of entrepreneurial excellence of various categories.

    The Award focuses on innovation, creativity, productivity, technology application, good management practices, corporate governance and business growth and profitability.

    It also considers product quality, market competitiveness among businesses that ultimately promotes “Made-in-Ghana” products for local and global markets.

     

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Government to rebuild Ehi Gari Factory

    Mr Kofi Dzamesi, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has said Government was working towards the reconstruction of the Gari Factory at Ehi in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region.

    The factory would be equipped with modern facilities and revived to produce for local and foreign markets while creating jobs for the people.

    Read: COCOBOD to construct $60m cocoa processing factory

    Mr Dzamesi said this at the 2019 Ehi Nutome Galiza, on the theme; “Empowering Women through Agriculture and Entrepreneurship.”

    The Ehi Gari Factory was built by government in the late 1990s but collapsed some 12 years later.

    The Minister said in two weeks, construction works would begin on the Ehi Market to pave the way for the new factory.

    He said Government believed in industrialization and called for support from the people to open up the area and grow the local economy.

    Madam Kosi Antwiwa Yankey, the Chief Executive Officer of National Board for Small Scale Industries, in a speech read on her behalf, encouraged businesses in cassava processing to be innovative and diversify products into wide array of value added commodities such as sweeteners, cassava chips and industrial starch.

    She asked them to adhere to standards to be able to access opportunities in international markets.

    Dr James Klutse Avedzi, the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, commended the chiefs and people for using the festival to develop the area and urged the Government to fix the roads for easy transportation of farm produce to market centres.

    Read: Akufo-Addo opens Omnifert Fertiliser factory

    Torgbui Dzeble Adukpo IV, the Dufia of Ehi, said the festival was bringing jobs, physical development and improvement in farming systems.

    He, however, said the continuous use of hoes and cutlasses and outdated farming practices, especially by women, was negatively affecting the gari business.

    Torgbui Adukpo reiterated the need to for Government to fix roads leading to market centres and improve facilities in schools with incentives for teachers to enhance teaching and learning.

     

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • Ben Nador wins NPP parliamentary primaries in Nkwanta North

    Mr Ben Nador has been elected the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Nkwanta North Constituency of the Oti region.

    He polled 259 votes to beat his contenders; Mr Joseph Nayan who polled 131 votes, Mr Batu Kwaku Osei, 45 votes, and John Makja, eight votes.

    Read: NPP picks female GIMPA student to contest Wa Central seat

    The election was highly successful under the supervision of officials of the Electoral Commission and personnel from the Ghana Police Service.

     

    Source: ghananewsagency.org