TIG Post

Author: Chris Kodo

  • Sierra Leone fans attack player’s house after penalty miss

    Angry fans of Sierra Leone’s national football team have attacked a player’s house after he missed a decisive penalty.

    Captain Umaru Bangura failed to convert a stoppage-time spot kick in front of a huge crowd on Sunday.

    It meant Sierra Leone failed to get through to the next stage of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

    Liberia qualified, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate. After the game fans pelted Bangura’s home with stones.

    The windows and doors of his residence in the capital, Freetown, were left badly damaged. A song has even been released mocking his penalty miss.

    “[It was] one of the worst days of my life,” Bangura told the BBC on Monday while holed-up in his bedroom. “I can’t even go outside because I didn’t expect this kind of hostility towards me.

    Read:Sellas Tetteh unveiled as Sierra Leone coach

    “I did my job by stepping up as the captain to take the spot kick,” he added. “I am really disappointed. But at the same time I wish to say sorry [and] beg for their forgiveness.”

    Had Bangura scored, Sierra Leone would have levelled the two-legged tie 3-3 and gone through to the next stage on away goals.


    Fans also threw stones at Red Cross ambulances after the match

    Red Cross staff also came under attack outside the stadium after they were accused of whisking Bangura away from fans, the BBC’s Umaru Fofana says.

    Read:Sierra Leone declares rape emergency

    Four Red Cross volunteers were injured in the unrest. People also threw stones at their marked ambulances, which were later pictured with smashed windows.

    “I was really disappointed with the Sierra Leoneans,” the country’s sports minister, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, told the BBC.

    “Some disgruntled hoodlums went to [Bangura’s] house and pelted stones at it,” he said. “It is not good for the game. He is our captain [and] football is a game of chance.”

    Mr Nyelenkeh added: “[Hooliganism] is becoming unprecedented. I think measures should be put in place to combat it.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • ‘Ban all watches from exams to stop cheating’

    All watches should be banned from exam halls to discourage cheating, says an inquiry into the extent of malpractice in exams taken by pupils across the UK.

    Smart watches, connected to the internet, are already banned from use by students taking public exams.

    But the review, commissioned by exam boards, says it is becoming difficult to distinguish between hi-tech and traditional watches.

    Review chairman Sir John Dunford called for a “blanket ban” on watches.

    The Independent Commission on Examination Malpractice, set up by exam boards to investigate the prevalence of cheating in public exams in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, says that overall there is a “very low level of malpractice”.

    Read:Guinea: I wrote exams 30 minutes after giving birth 18-year-old

    Confusing for invigilators

    But it warns of the increasing “sophistication of internet-enabled devices” which could be used unfairly in exams such as A-levels or Highers.

    Sir John, a former head teachers’ union leader, said smart watches could look like conventional watches, leaving them open to misuse by cheats.

    “It can look as if it’s a time-telling watch and actually, you press a button and it becomes an email-type watch.

    “If you don’t ban them all I think you’re giving a very difficult job to invigilators who are looking round an exam room.

    “So I think the obvious thing to do here is to ban watches.”

    There are exam centres which already do not allow pupils to wear watches – but the review says there needs to be clarity with such a ban applying across all exams.

    Pupils in exams would still need to know the time – and Sir John said schools would have to make sure there were enough visible clocks on the wall.

    Read:Teacher jailed for writing exams for student

    The review also raised other hi-tech cheating concerns – such as students potentially concealing a device below a false fingernail – and called on exam boards to check the “dark web” for illegal sales of exam papers.

    The Joint Council for Qualifications says it will consider whether such a ban on watches could be in place for exams taken next summer.

    There were also more mundane issues around cheating – with the review calling for “toilet sweeps” to make sure toilets were not being used to hide ways of getting information during exams.

    Extra time

    The report also highlighted concerns about the rise in schools seeking extra time for pupils in exams, such as if they have a particular special need or emotional problem.

    Sir John said there was no evidence that this was “malpractice”, but there needed to be more investigation to explain a “remarkable” growth in such pupils getting 25% more time.

    Read:Mfantsipim bans students from writing Nov/Dec WASSCE

    The most common form of cheating was using a mobile phone in exams.

    But despite the changing technology, Sir John said the review found no overall increase in cheating over time and that levels had remained relatively constant.

    Figures for England from last year showed 2,735 pupils had been penalised for cheating – marginally down on the year before.

    This represented 0.02% of entries and was more common at GCSE level than A-level.

    Hoax leaks

    As well as using technology to cheat, concerns were raised about online activity being used to “destabilise” pupils.

    Pete Langley, of the Student Room, warned of a growing problem of people pretending to leak exam questions online, with these “hoax” leaks confusing other students.

    This followed a series of online leaks of maths A-level questions.

    Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers’ union, backed the finding that cheating remained rare.

    “But the small number of reported incidents, particularly high-profile breaches, can have a disproportionate impact on the public’s perception of the exam system,” he said.

    The exam regulator Ofqual supported the finding that there was no “endemic problem of malpractice”.

    But a spokesman welcomed the call for “greater clarity” about when pupils should be able to get extra time to take exams.

    Source: bbc.com

  • U-23 AFCON qualifier: 15 Black Meteors players available to face Algeria

    Ghana U-23 coach Coach Ibrahim Tanko will play Algeria with only 15 players in the return leg encounter of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    Defender Zacharia Fusieni won’t be available for selection after collapsing in their final training in Setif ahead of the crucial game as Osman Bukari is doubtful.

    Read:Black Meteors to commence camping on Tuesday

    FC Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Majeed Ashimeru has also been ruled out due to the accumulation of yellow cards in the qualifying round.

    The Black Meteors were held to a 1-1 stalemate by the North African country in the first leg tie at the Accra Sports Stadium last Friday.

    Read:Black Meteors players cry out over ill-treatment

    Ghana will play against Algeria in the return leg encounter at the May 8 Stadium in Setif on Tuesday.

    Below is the available Black Meteros players:

    Kwame Baah, Richmond Ayi, Kingsley Fobi, Gideon Mensah, Nicholas Opoku, Yaw Yeboah, Joseph Painstil, Dauda Mohammed, Bernard Tekpetey, Joel Fameyeh, William Dankyi, Habib Mohammed, Isaac Twum, Emmanuel Cudjoe and Micheal Agbekornu.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Christian Amoah promises to win 3 gold medals at African Junior Championship

    Triple bronze medallist in the just ended African Games and one of Ghana’s Olympians Christian Amoah has arrived in the Ugandan capital of Kampala to compete in the Olympic qualifier, African Junior Weightlifting Championship.

    Christian who travelled without a coach due to financial constraints, will be handled by the coach of the Ugandan senior weightlifting team, as per an arrangement by the Technical Director of the GWF, he will also be the sole lifter from Ghana and will compete in the 89kg category.

    Read:Tokyo 2020: Ghana hockey teams fail to qualify for Olympics

    In a chat with Ghanaweb at the airport just before his departure, he promised that he is going to come back home with at least 3 gold medals, he had also hope that there was enough funds to have made it possible for the rest of the Junior team, Winnifred Ntumi, David Akwei, Jerry Benye, Sandra and Gabriel Owusu to have all travelled with him, since all of them have the potential of winning medals at the championship.

    Read:Dutch-Ghanaian Olympian becomes 7th member of Global Athlete start-up

    He thank the Federation President Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah for making it possible for him to travel. He is due back home on the 13th September

    Source: Richard Atchore

  • Taylor Swift ‘tried to sue’ Microsoft over racist chatbot Tay

    Taylor Swift tried to sue Microsoft over a chatbot which posted racist messages on Twitter, the president of the tech company has revealed.

    Taylor’s lawyers made a move on Microsoft in 2016, according to a new biography by its boss Brad Smith.

    She was unhappy with the name of its chatbot Tay, meant to interact with 18 to 24-year-olds online, because it was similar to hers.

    If you don’t remember TayTweets, it’s the Twitter chatbot that turned racist.

    What was TayTweets?
    TayTweets was controlled by artificial intelligence and was designed to learn from conversations held on social media.

    Read:Taylor Swift wants to re-record her old hits after ownership row

    But shortly after Tay was launched, it tweeted to say it supported genocide and didn’t believe the holocaust happened – among other things.

    Microsoft issued an apology and took Tay offline after less than 18-hours of offensive conversations on Twitter.

    Taylor Swift’s legal action wasn’t about what the chatbot had said online, but instead about the similarity to her own name.

    “I was on vacation when I made the mistake of looking at my phone during dinner,” Brad Smith writes in his new book, Tools and Weapons, reports the Guardian.

    “An email had just arrived from a Beverly Hills lawyer who introduced himself by telling me: ‘We represent Taylor Swift, on whose behalf this is directed to you.’

    “‘The name Tay, as I’m sure you must know, is closely associated with our client’,” he adds. “No, I actually didn’t know, but the email nonetheless grabbed my attention.”

    He says the lawyer argued that the name Tay violated federal and state laws and “created a false and misleading association between the popular singer and our chatbot”.

    Read:Taylor Swift tops Forbes list of highest-earning celebs

    Taylor’s trademarks
    Taylor and her legal team are pretty strict on people who come too close to the singer and her intellectual property rights.

    Her name, signature and initials are already trademarks and in 2015 she attempted to trademark lyrics from her album, 1989.

    Just before the record was released she successfully filed to make sayings like “this sick beat” and “nice to meet you, where you been” trademarks.

    This made sure she was the only person in the world able to use sayings like these on merchandise – and threatened Etsy sellers with legal action in 2015 for using them on their homemade products.

    Radio 1 Newsbeat has contacted Taylor Swift’s representatives for comment.

    Source: bbc.com

  • South African mom found guilty of murdering her 4 children

    Zinhle Maditla, who was accused of killing her four children in Klarinet, eMalahleni, Mpumalanga was on Monday found guilty of premeditated murder.

    Maditla was convicted in the Mpumalanga High Court sitting in Middelburg, National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said.

    Read:Tanzania teacher to hang for killing pupil

    “She pleaded guilty and Tuesday it will be arguments for sentencing,” Nyuswa said.

    Maditla had said in her plea agreement that she had taken some of the rat poison she gave to her children and asked the court for mercy, according to eNCA.

    She was arrested on December 30, 2018, after she handed herself over to the Vosman police station.

    Read:14-year-old facing five murder charges after confessing to killing his family

    This was shortly after the decomposed bodies of her four children two girls aged four and eight, and two boys aged seven and 11 months were found in her rented room.

    Police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi had earlier said that everything “seemed well at the time” that Maditla and her children were last seen on December 26.

    Source: News24

  • Newcastle United boss Bruce ‘very pleased’ with Atsu

    Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce is impressed by the performance of Christian Atsu following the attacker’s return from injury.

    After sitting out the Magpies’ opening two Premier League matches of the campaign, the winger made his season debut as a 17th-minute substitute in a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

    He capped his outing with the assist for the game’s only goal and went on to start in the 1-1 draw with Watford in their last match before the international break.

    Read:Christian Atsu pays admission fee of University student

    “I’ve only really seen Christian since the back end of last week because of the stuff with the Africa Cup of Nations and being injured, but as soon as he’s come in, he’s handled the ball well,” Bruce, who replaced Rafael Benitez as Newcastle manager in the summer, told the Newcastle Chronicle.

    “Whether it’s given him a new lease of life, I’m not sure, but I been very, very pleased with him.

    “He’s done very, very well. He ran himself to a standstill [against Watford] I have to tell you.”

    Read:Christian Atsu sidelined at Newcastle United because of 2019 AFCON injury

    In-between the matches with Tottenham and Watford, Atsu also made an appearance in a League Cup clash with Leicester City.

    The 27-year-old will hope to continue his good run when Newcastle play away to Liverpool on the Premier League’s return after the international break on Saturday.

    He was forced out of the Magpies’ opening games due to an injury picked up while on international duty with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations in July.

    Source: Goal.com

  • CAF Confed Cup: AshantiGold aware of RS Berkane threat – Da Rocha

    AshantiGold coach Ricardo Da Rocha believes his outfit are equipped to squarely face Moroccan side RS Berkane in the first round of the Caf Confederation Cup.

    The Ghanaians are set to lock horns with the North Africans in a double-header in September, having accounted for Equatoguinean fold Akonangui in the preliminary round.

    Berkane, who finished second in the championship last season, will visit Ghana for the first leg on Saturday and host the return fixture after two weeks.

    Read:Ashantigold leaves Ghana on Wednesday with 18-man squad

    “We are aware of the threat posed by Berkane and what they managed to achieve last season, reaching the final of the competition on their debut,” Da Rocha told Dailymailgh.

    “I know how dangerous they are at home and how good they can be on their travels on their day and my boys are very well prepared and ready for such a big game because we always train for such a big occasion.

    Read:CAF Confederation Cup: Mambo warns Ashanti Gold to study RS Berkane

    “I have a lot of tactically disciplined and technically gifted players which make me feel good about the match.

    “I believe that my boys will face them [Berkane] squarely on the day.”

    The Miners, Ghana’s Special Competition Knockout champions, are back in continental action for the first time since 2016.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Majeed Waris looks ahead after collapsed move to Alaves

    Ghana international Majeed Waris is ‘looking ahead’ following the dramatic collapse of his move to Spanish club Alaves, according to the striker’s agent.

    The Black Star, 27, completed a medical at Vitoria-Gasteiz before Alaves pulled out of a deal in the closing minutes of the European summer transfer window.

    Club president Alfonso Fernández de Trocóniz told Spanish newspaper Marca that the move collapsed because of a proposed clause by Waris’ parent club FC Porto, but the player’s agent Yussif Chibsah disagrees.

    Read:Nantes end chase for Majeed Waris following arrival of Moses Simon

    “To be honest Majeed [Waris] is already looking ahead after this disappointing and unprofessional episode in Spain,” Chibsah told BBC Sport.

    “He had three other options in France but after undergoing medicals and everything was agreed between both clubs, Alaves pulled out.

    “They came out to apologise to us but it was already too late. This is purely unprofessional and Alaves could’ve done things in a better way.”

    FC Porto have already registered Waris, who has previously played in Sweden, Russia, France and Turkey, for the 2019/20 Portuguese season.

    But former Ghana midfielder Chibsah has not ruled out a move in the future.

    Read:Why Abdul Majeed Waris failed to join Alaves from Porto

    “What is important is to turn the page and concentrate on his training because these things happen,” said Chibsah.

    “Transfers happen all the time and anything is still possible in football, but I believe this experience will only make him stronger.”

    Top scorer in Sweden in the 2012 season after scoring 23 goals for BK Hacken, Waris produced 33 goals in a combined 88 appearances for French clubs Valenciennes and Lorient, before moving to Portugal in 2017.

    He only managed eight games for Portuguese giants FC Porto before returning to France with Nantes on loan last season, scoring seven goals and producing six assists in 38 games.

    Despite an international career blighted by injury, Waris has won 32 caps for Ghana and has four goals.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Moroccan side RS Berkane fly out for AshantiGold clash

    Renaissance Sportive Berkane have departed Morocco for Ghana for the CAF Confederation Cup first round first leg fixture against Ashanti Gold SC.

    The two teams will lock horns at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi on Saturday.

    Read:CAF Confederation Cup: Mambo warns Ashanti Gold to study RS Berkane

    The Volcano Club left Berkane on Monday evening and are expected to arrive in Ghana on Tuesday or early Wednesday.

    The finalists of the last edition are making the journey with a 38-man contingent with 18 players, 7 technical staff with the others being officials.

    Read:CAF Champions League wrap: Kotoko, Enyimba progress to next stage

    Right back Omar Namsaoui did not travel with the team because he is serving a four-match ban imposed on by CAF.

    Also, new signings Soufiane Karkache, Patrick Henry Kaddu and Adama Ba did not make the trip since they were not registered for the competition.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • British Airways: Can strike-hit airline rebuild its reputation?

    It’s not been a great centenary celebration for British Airways. The operator officially reached the 100-year landmark on 25 August, just as the prospect of this week’s two-day pilots’ strike was starting to panic tens of thousands of customers.

    To rub salt into the wounds, a report by reputation management company Alva placed BA 55th out of 65 airlines. Stranded passengers, IT failures, and lost data from a hack attack were among reasons cited for the airline’s low ranking.

    Over several years BA’s profile has been defined by mishaps and operational issues, said Alastair Pickering, chief strategy officer at Alva.

    “What initially may have seemed like bad luck or bad planning, can quickly morph into a narrative of underinvestment; the company putting shareholder interests above those of passengers and employees,” he said. The BA name has too many negative connotations.

    Read:Nearly all British Airways flights canceled as pilots go on strike

    The days when the airline promoted itself as The World’s Favourite Airline have long gone, and Brian Strutton, general secretary of the pilots’ union Balpa, has a couple of reasons why: cost cutting and a dumbing down of the brand.

    As he told the BBC: “Management want to squeeze every last penny out of customers and staff.” This week’s strike is about pay, but Mr Strutton says there is a wider context – a lack of trust and confidence in management.

    Pilots, and other crew, have long complained about an erosion of benefits, such as poorer accommodation on long-haul stopovers. In the lean years when BA was recovering from the global financial downturn, staff say they gave up pay rises. The airline’s generous pension scheme has been closed, saving hundreds of millions of pounds.

    ‘Fight for survival’
    While a captain’s pay starts at about £78,000, according to Balpa, changes to the earnings structure mean it would now take much longer for a cadet to reach that level.

    There was an expectation that once the airline recovered financially, staff would benefit. But Mr Strutton says it hasn’t happened, which is why people whom he accepts are well paid are taking part in BA’s biggest industrial action to date.

    BA is part of International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company for carriers that include Aer Lingus, Iberia, Level and Vuelling. But BA is the biggest and most profitable part of the group.

    Last year, BA’s operating profits rose 11.6% to £1.95bn. Profits were also up in the first six months of this year. In February, IAG raised its shareholder dividend and also declared a special payout. Since January, IAG’s share price has risen from 465p to a year-high of 572p reached last week.

    In 2009, BA’s then chief executive Willie Walsh (who now runs IAG) said the airline was in a “fight for survival”. Intense competition on transatlantic routes and the popularity of budget carriers on European routes meant radical action was needed. The recovery cost almost 4,000 redundancies and everyone took a pay cut.

    ‘Deplorable’

    But now that those dark days are over, pilots want to share in the success of BA’s turnaround, Mr Strutton says. “British Airways needs to wake up and realise its pilots are determined to be heard. They’ve previously taken big pay cuts to help the company through hard times. Now BA is making billions of pounds of profit, its pilots have made a fair, reasonable and affordable claim for pay and benefits.”

    Read:Meet the Ghanaian who saved an old man on board British Airways from dying

    BA insists that offering a share in the turnaround is exactly what it is doing. Alex Cruz, BA’s chief executive, told the BBC that everyone at the airline, not just pilots, made sacrifices. “The company recognises that. This is why this 11.5% deal, way above inflation… is a very, very generous deal.”

    The impact on staff is only half the story, of course. Analysts say the reputational damage could be huge. Some 200,000 customers have been affected by the strikes, and with further action planned there will inevitably be lost bookings as travellers go elsewhere. Mr Cruz accepted that the strike would “punish customers” but also “punish our brand”.

    Duncan Lyon, whose flight was cancelled and who is now trying to get a refund of £400, echoed the feelings of many customers who have complained of having to make numerous telephone calls to BA and feel there has been a lack of communication. His message to British Airways? “You are a disgrace and your customer service is deplorable.”

    But, though serious, this strike is not the first time BA has weathered a customer storm. In addition to previous industrial action, the gradual dismantling of some of BA’s premium services has been a running sore for many long-time customers. Be it the removal of free meals on short-haul flights, introduction of checked baggage charges, or the ending of complimentary newspapers, BA’s loyal base has found many things to mourn about the airline.

    Yet, passenger growth has continued year-on-year, and the airline and its subsidiaries carried about 45 million people in 2018. That may have a lot to do with BA’s dominance of Heathrow Airport and a feeling among some travellers that they lack convenient alternatives.

    But BA says it underlines the expansion of its route network and investment in services. Indeed, the airline has a £6.5bn spending programme underway – a four-year investment on 73 new aircraft, training and services. The investment is, Mr Cruz told the BBC, the biggest in BA’s history.

    For Alva’s Mr Pickering, the investment could be key to “revamping the passenger experience” and addressing the “growing customer cynicism”, adding: “The situation is by no means terminal.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • IPLS Holds Graduation Ceremony For Professional Paralegals

    The Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies has held a graduation ceremony for graduates of Professional Executive Master in General Paralegal Studies on 7th September 2019.

    Mr Alex Nartey , a Lecturer of the Institute who represented the Governing Council of IPLS congratulated the graduands for investing time and financial resources in the acquisition of knowledge which is very relevant in the promotion of access to justice to our citizens.

    Read: The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants removes exemption fees

    “ Paralegal Professionals are very important in our justice system and we are encouraged by the growing interest of people with diverse professional backgrounds who are sacrificing time and financial resources to be trained as professional Paralegal Practitioners”, he told the graduands.

    Mr Alex Nartey advised the graduands to act in accordance with the ethics of the Paralegal profession and not to engage in actions which would undermine the standards of the Paralegal profession . “ You have been trained to perform your duties as Paralegal Professionals and you must act with integrity to reflect the training you have received from IPLS “ , he told the graduands .

    Other Lecturers of IPLS such as Mrs Kezia Kenneth Azumah , Mr Anthony Addy and Mr Linus Dzatashie commended the graduating students and stressed on the importance of continuous learning , building of a network among themselves and performing their duties based on the ethics of the Paralegal profession.

    Ms Rachel Naabia Boateng , the President of the 2019 Batch of Professional Executive Master in General Paralegal Studies ( PEMGPS) in her address at the graduation ceremony requested IPLS to support the efforts in the building of a strong Paralegal Professional Association in Ghana . Mr Alex Nartey responded to the speech of the representative of the graduating students by assuring them of the commitment of IPLS to work towards the building of a strong Paralegal professional association.

    Read: Ghana Institute of Architects to sue government over lack of board

    Rev. Dorcas Koomson , Mrs Naomi Acquah, Ms Rachel Naabia Boateng , Mr Tamakloe and Ms Amma Dedaa Gyimah presented some swivel chairs to the institute on behalf of the graduating students.

    IPLS is a private training and development institute and operates under the laws of Ghana and dedicated to the development and promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) , human rights , Paralegal Studies and capacity enhancement programmes .

    IPLS recently won an Education Community Award (EDUCOM award ) which is an award given to organizations and institutes that had made positive contributions within the education community .

     

    Source: asempanews.com

  • Nissan boss to step down amid pay scandal

    Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa will step down next week as the carmaker grapples with an executive pay scandal.

    The announcement followed a meeting of the carmaker’s board on Monday.

    Earlier, Mr Saikawa told Japanese media he was “keen to pass the torch” when asked if he was preparing to resign.

    The Nissan boss had come under pressure after saying he had been overpaid as part of a bonus scheme. However, he denied wrongdoing.

    Board chairman Yasushi Kimura told reporters that Mr Saikawa would quit on 16 September.

    “After the board discussion, the board asked Mr Saikawa to step down from the chief executive position. Mr Saikawa accepted this,” Mr Kimura said.

    Read:Ex-Nissan chair faces two new charges

    Nissan said it hoped to find a replacement by the end of next month. Chief operating officer Yasuhiro Yamauchi will take on the role temporarily.

    Slowing sales

    The 65-year-old had been accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of extra share option payments in 2013.

    It was the latest twist in a saga plaguing the firm that centres on improper payments to top executives.

    Following reports that Mr Saikawa was preparing to step down, the Nissan boss told reporters in Japan: “I’m keen to pass the torch to the next generation as soon as possible.”

    He has previously said he would resign in light of slowing sales and falling profits.

    Read:Nissan to cut 12,500 jobs worldwide

    The sliding performance prompted the firm to unveil plans to slash 12,500 jobs around the world.

    Mr Saikawa’s troubles are the latest scandal to hit the Japanese carmaker, following the arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn in November.

    Mr Ghosn, the architect of the Renault-Nissan alliance, faces accusations of financial misconduct and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing and has said his arrest in Japan was the result of a “plot and treason” against him.

    The saga has cast doubt over the future of the Renault-Nissan alliance and the outlook for the company.

    His long-running detention in Tokyo has also led to scrutiny of the Japanese legal system.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Baba Yara Sports Stadium set to be shutdown – Reports

    Baba Yara Stadium is set to be closed down for a major renovation in the coming days.

    Ghana’s largest stadium with a seating capacity of 40,528 will be undergoing a major facelift for the first time in 11-years.

    According to Kickgh.com sources, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will announce the closure of the stadium after Asante Kotoko’s campaign in the 2019/20 CAF inter-club competition.

    Read:Baba Yara Sports Stadium not up to international standard Akunnor

    The multi-purpose Stadium in Kumasi has not been renovated since 2008 when it hosted the Africa Cup of Nations where Ghana finished third after beating Ivory Coast.

    Baba Yara Stadium has hosted two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments thus 2000 and 2008 as well as FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

    Read:NSA Boss inspects Baba Yara Stadium to avoid ban from CAF

    It is currently the home venue of one of Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko.

    Meanwhile, the Porcupine Warriors are participating in the 2019/20 CAF Champions League and they will lock horns with Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel in the preliminary round.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Politicians hijack premix fuel; Inland Canoe Fisherman demand action

    President of the National Inland Canoe Fishermen Council, Jacob Tetteh Ageke, has bemoaned the incessant interference by political actors in the fishing industry, including in the distribution of premix fuel to fishermen.

    The inland fishing sector cuts across five regions, involving 32 districts and 1,600 communities along the Volta Lake.

    One of the areas, Mr. Ageke argues, in which political interference has gained ground currently is in the distribution of premix fuel, having been taken over by party functionaries.

    “Because the premix is a subsidised product, middle-men, politicians and other political actors of the ruling government have taken over so fishermen who are direct beneficiaries of this product hardly get it and even purchase it at a higher price rather than at the subsidised price. So, clearly, you can see that we have beautiful laws, but then, our regulators are not enforcing them,” he said.

    Read:Fuel prices go up 50% in 32 months IES

    Mr. Ageke further queried: “If a political party chairman is involved in premix distribution, what do you expect? This is a threat to national security. It is only not disturbing the fishermen but also vehicle owners who patronise adulterated fuel sold by distributors who have diverted the product and added other chemical products to make it look like super [petrol]”.

    According to him, the situation is getting worse because the existing laws and bye-laws are not enforced. “How can a regional minister, a district chief executive and a party chairman be in charge of distributing premix fuel? There is a legislative instrument (LI) that clearly states how premix fuel should be distributed,” he bemoaned.

    Nii Adjieteh Mattor III, Chief Fisherman of Ashaman in Tema, also alleged that the premix is not getting to the fisherman directly, but through political party members for distribution.

    “As Chairman of the premix committee here in the Tema Canoe basin, I do not have any control over the distribution let alone know how much sales they have made to the bank, because the distributors are not working hand in hand with us.

    Read:Redirect pre-mix fuel subsidy to sustain fisheries resource

    “When the product gets to the Tema Canoe basin, it does not go directly to the fishermen but to party members who then re-sell it to us. My responsibility is to ensure every fisherman gets the premix fairly and the amount made from the premix is accounted for, but the party Chairman who is in charge of the premix is not working with us.

    “Party members should leave the premix fuel for the fishermen, because it belongs to us; it does not belong to NPP, NDC or CPP. And if they get out from the premix, the problem of unfair distribution and selling the commodity higher than the subsidised price will stop,” he said

    The situation, according to the inland fishermen, has persisted for about three years now; and they have made several complaints to the premix authority, but to no avail. He therefore appealed for government to intervene as a matter of urgency.

    Source: thebftonline.com

  • Medeama CEO James Essilfie to step down on September 20

    James Essilfie will step down as Medeama Sporting Club chief executive on September 20, the Premier League club has confirmed.

    In a statement released on the club`s official website, the construction engineer and quantity surveyor said he is leaving to hand the baton to someone to continue.

    “It has been the greatest privilege to serve Medeama Sporting Club for 11 wonderful years,” Essilfie said

    “However, I have always been conscious of the fact that, as a member of staff, I was always just a temporary custodian of this marvelous institution.

    Read:Medeama withdraw from Special Competition

    “I worked with an amazing and hardworking staff who will continue to raise the image of this great club high.

    “I am extremely grateful to the president, board, management and supporters for their unflinching support over the years. It has been ups and down, but I will cherish every memory for the rest of my life.

    “It’s an appropriate time for someone to pick up the baton and continue to serve this badge.”

    During his tenure, the Mauve and Yellows won two FA Cup titles and played in the CAF Confederation Cup on two occasions, featuring in the group stage in 2016.

    Read:Medeama coach Samuel Boadu to be named as Ghana U-20 coach Reports

    He has been instrumental in the enviable brand and image of the Tarkwa-based side.

    Prior to his appointment at the club, he was an engineer at Consar Limited and worked as a supervisor at Taysec Construction Limited.

    He is also a former engineer at Desimone Construction Limited and a consultant at Civil works.

     

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • Michael Essien and Sammy Kuffuor named in The Sun Football’s African best XI

    Former Ghana internationals Michael Essien and Samuel Osei Kuffuor have been named The Sun football’s best African XI.

    The pair are in a star studded line up that includes legendary Ivorian forward Dedier Drogba and arguable Africa’s greatest player of all time Samuel Eto’o.

    Read:Essien and Drogba join Guardiola, Zidane in Fifa 20 Ultimate Team Icons

    Essien is revered in England following his exploits with Premier League giants Chelsea with Samuel Osei Kuffuor gaining prominence during his days with German side Bayern Munich.

    Both players won multiple titles including the UEFA Champions League.

    Read:Sammy Kuffour is my idol Joseph Aidoo

    They are joined by Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Rigobert Song of Cameroon and South African great Lucas Redebe.

    Liberia President George Weah makes the list with Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah also named in the best XI. ‘

    Four times African footballer of the year Yaya Toure completes the Sun’s best XI African players.

    See team below

     

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • BoG abandons old website; gets new one

    The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced that it is re-designing its website in order to serve the public well.

    According to the central bank, the new website has features that simplify access to information on it.

    Read:Cyber fraudsters attempt stealing GH¢329.7mn from banks BoG report

    A statement signed by Frances Van-Hein Sackey (Mrs), Secretary to the Governor said: “This new website retains the best features of the old and also includes several additions that make it easy to navigate and access while focusing on simplicity. The new website is also interactive, user friendly and has an improved overall “look and feel”.

    Read:Poor BOG supervision caused banking crisis Mahama confesses

    “The Bank of Ghana is therefore keen to make use of this digital channel to enable diverse stakeholders access information in an intuitive and seamless manner.”

    Source: laudbusiness.com

  • Russia’s ruling party hit badly in Moscow election

    Russia’s ruling United Russia party has suffered major losses in Sunday’s election to the Moscow city parliament, nearly complete results show.

    The party lost nearly a third of the seats in the 45-member parliament, but remains on course to retain its majority with about 26 seats.

    With most opposition candidates disqualified, the Communists, independents and others gained seats.

    The exclusion of the opposition candidates triggered mass protests.

    Read:Russian Airbus makes emergency landing in corn field

    Thousands of people have been detained, and riot police have been accused of a brutal crackdown on demonstrators.

    What’s the latest from Moscow?

    With nearly all the results in, United Russia is predicted to get 26 seats in the city parliament (Mosgorduma).

    The party’s brand has become so toxic lately that all its members ran as independents, the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford in Moscow reports.

    Turnout in Sunday’s election was about 22%

    In a major upset, the party’s leader in the Russian capital, Andrei Metelsky, was not re-elected.

    The Communist Party is expected to get 13 seats, while the liberal Yabloko party and left-leaning Just Russia will each have three seats.

    Read:Russia says rocket explosion caused 16-fold radiation spike

    Opposition leader Alexei Navalny promoted a strategy of “smart voting” after his own allies were all barred from running in this election.

    Mr Navalny’s team outed what they called “undercover” United Russia candidates, and campaigned for those best placed to defeat them. He described the result as “fantastic”.

    Turnout in Sunday’s election was about 22%.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Nadal beats Medvedev to win 19th Grand Slam title

    Rafael Nadal won his 19th Grand Slam title after holding off Russian Daniil Medvedev’s exhilarating fightback in a gripping US Open final.

    Spain’s Nadal, 33, won 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 against the fifth seed in New York.

    Nadal, seeded second, was cruising at two sets and a break up, only for Medvedev to force a decider.

    But Nadal stopped his momentum to eventually clinch a thrilling victory in four hours and 51 minutes.

    Nadal’s victory moves him within one of Swiss rival Roger Federer’s all-time leading tally of Grand Slam victories.

    Read:Rafael Nadal beats Stefanos Tsitsipas to reach Australian Open final

    Those lucky enough to be watching among a near 24,000 capacity crowd were regularly left open-mouthed at what they witnessed, with the majority jumping to their feet and celebrating wildly after every point, helping create an electric atmosphere on a noisy Arthur Ashe Stadium.

    Medvedev, 23, was booed by the crowd earlier in the tournament, yet heard his name loudly chanted by many as he threatened to complete an extraordinary comeback.

    Ultimately it was too late as he was unable to become the first man outside Nadal, Federer and Serbia’s world number one Novak Djokovic to claim one of the sport’s biggest prizes since Stan Wawrinka’s victory here in 2016.

    Read:Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal to win record seventh title

    Nadal, Federer and Djokovic have won the past 12 Grand Slams after the Spaniard lifted the trophy in New York for a fourth time.

    Now Nadal has the chance to draw level with 38-year-old Federer, who was nine titles better off than his long-time rival in 2007, at the Australian Open in January.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Protesters urge Trump to ‘liberate’ Hong Kong, as clashes erupt

    Thousands of Hong Kong protesters urged President Donald Trump to “liberate” the semi-autonomous Chinese territory during a peaceful rally to the U.S. Consulate on Sunday, before violence broke out and police fired tear gas.

    Demonstrators flooded a park in central Hong Kong, chanting “Resist Beijing, Liberate Hong Kong” and “Stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom.” Many of them, clad in black shirts and wearing masks, waved American flags and carried posters that read “President Trump, please liberate Hong Kong” as they marched to the U.S. Consulate nearby.

    “Hong Kong is at the forefront of the battle against the totalitarian regime of China,” said Panzer Chan, one of the organizers of the march. “Please support us in our fight.”

    Hong Kong has been rocked by three months of unrest sparked by a proposed law that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. Many saw the extradition bill as a glaring example of the erosion of civil liberties and rights promised under a “one country, two systems” framework when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

    Read:Hong Kong police storm metro system after protests

    Hong Kong’s government promised this past week to formally withdraw the bill, but that failed to appease the demonstrators, who have widened their demands to include calls for direct elections for the city’s leaders and an independent probe into alleged police brutality against protesters.

    The unrest has become the biggest challenge to Beijing’s rule since Hong Kong’s return from Britain. Beijing and the entirely state-controlled media have portrayed the protests as an effort by criminals to split the territory from China, backed by hostile foreigners.

    Protesters on Sunday urged Washington to pass a bill, known as the Hong Kong Democratic and Human Rights Act, to support their cause. The bill proposes sanctions against Hong Kong and Chinese officials found to suppress democracy and human rights in the city, and could also affect Hong Kong’s preferential trade status with the U.S.

    A group of protesters sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before handing over an appeal letter to a U.S. Consulate official.

    Just before the rally ended, violence erupted after riot police detained several people and cleared a crowd from the nearby Central subway station. Angry protesters smashed glass windows, sprayed graffiti and started a fire at one at the station’s exits.

    The government said protesters also set street fires and blocked traffic at some thoroughfares. In the type of cat-and-mouse battle that has characterized the summer-long protests, riot police pursued groups of protesters down streets, but they kept regrouping.

    Police fired multiple rounds of tear gas in the Causeway Bay shopping area after protesters heckled them and refused to leave. They also searched dozens of young people on the street and inside subway stations.

    At the Mong Kok police station, clashes took place for a third straight night. Police fired projectiles at an angry crowd that was shining laser beams, and several people were detained.

    The U.S. State Department said in a travel advisory Friday that Beijing has undertaken a propaganda campaign “falsely accusing the United States of fomenting unrest in Hong Kong.” It said U.S. citizens and embassy staff were targeted and urged them to exercise increased caution.

    Read:Thousands of Hong Kongers brave rain to join anti-government rally

    Some American legislators are pressing Trump to take a tougher stand on Hong Kong. But the president has suggested that it’s a matter for China to handle, though he also has said that no violence should be used. Political analysts suggest that Trump’s response has been muted because he doesn’t want to disrupt talks with China over their tariff war.

    U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Wednesday that Hong Kong residents deserve real autonomy and freedom from fear. She urged an end to police violence against protesters and said Congress looks forward to “swiftly advancing” the Hong Kong bill.

    The protests are an embarrassment to China’s ruling Communist Party ahead of the Oct. 1 celebration of its 70th anniversary in power.

    Separately, well-known Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong said in a statement through his lawyer that he was detained at the city’s airport early Friday for breaching bail conditions. Wong, a leader of Hong Kong’s 2014 pro-democracy protest movement, was among several people detained last month and was charged with inciting people to join a protest in June.

    Wong had just returned from Taiwan, where he gave speeches on Hong Kong’s protests, and is due to visit Germany and the U.S. He said a court had approved his overseas trips.

    He described his detention as a procedural hiccup and said he expected to be released Monday. His prosecution comes less than two months after his release from prison for a two-month sentence related to the 2014 protests.

    Source: France24

  • I will consider a return to Europe if a good offer comes – Emmanuel Boateng

    Ghana international strike, Emmanuel Boateng still harbors the dream of returning to European football should the opportunity presents itself.

    Boateng enjoyed a combined five year period in Portugal and Spain before switching to China.

    In an exclusive chat with Weeklysportsgh.com Boateng says he will love to return to any major European League should a good offer is made.

    “Nobody knows tomorrow. If it is the will of God that I will return to Europe and play I will.”

    Read:Dalian Yifang forward Emmanuel Boateng returns to training after minor setback

    “If the opportunity comes and I am still in shape and I realize it(the deal) is going to help my career, I think I will take it.” Boateng told Weeklysportsgh.com

    After his exploits with the national U17 and U20 teams, he joined Portuguese club, Rio Ave in 2014 where he enjoyed one fruitful season.

    Strings of impressive displays caught the eyes of fellow Portuguese club Moreirense who signed him in 2015.

    His stay in Portugal was to be short lived when Spanish side Levante came pouring down desiring his signature after two seasons at Moreirense.

    Read:Ghana forward Emmanuel Boateng to work with Rafael Benitez at Dalian Yifang

    Boateng gave the move a shot and finally joined Levante in 2017 where he capped the journey with blistering performances.

    The defining moment arrived after he bagged a hat-trick against giants, Barcelona to end their unbeaten streak in La Liga in May 2018.

    The Barcelona “massacre” drew interest from several clubs but he opted to join Chinese side Dalian Yifang in 2019 in a deal reported to be in the region of $12.5 million.

    The Chinese odyssey has been fruitful so far and Boateng will look to translate his performance to the national team if given the opportunity by the national selectors.

    Source: weeklysportsgh.com

  • Worcester Park fire: Blaze engulfs four-storey London block of flats

    About 125 firefighters are tackling a major blaze at a block of flats in south-west London.The fire quickly spread to all four floors of the building in Sherbrooke Way, Worcester Park, after fire crews were called just before 01:30 BST.

    Some 20 fire engines were at the scene, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. The cause of the fire is not yet known and no injuries have been reported.

    The fire was under control at 06:30 but crews will remain there during the day.

    Dean Fowler, who lives with his family on the top floor of the building, said he was woken in the night by someone banging on his door.

    Read:Amazon fires: The tragic couple who died protecting their home

    “I then heard someone screaming ‘there’s a fire, get out’, and I just got my boys and went,” he said.

    He added he had only been living in the building for three weeks and had lost “everything” in the blaze, but “we’re alive, we’re breathing, that’s all that matters”.

     

    The building is made up of 23 flats and based in The Hamptons estate, which was built on a former sewage treatment works.

    Residents from the block as well as other surrounding buildings have been taken to a nearby community centre.

    One of those, Darren Nicholson, said he woke up to the sound of “crackling” and when he opened the curtains he “saw the flames and got myself and the family out”.

    He said fire alarms were going off in the community areas but not in his own flat and he believed the blaze began “on the balconies”.

    Read:Amazon wildfires: Brazil and France clash over burning rainforest

    BBC Radio London correspondent Greg McKenzie said white smoke was still “billowing” from the building which had been left as a “shell”.

    Graham Adams, from London Fire Brigade, said: “This is a challenging fire and firefighters are working hard to bring the blaze under control.

    “Firefighters will remain on scene for a number of hours and we would urge people to avoid the area if possible.”

    London Ambulance Service said: “We have not treated any patients, however we remain on the scene as a precaution.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • President’s Cup: Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak showdown called off

    Asante Kotoko’s encounter with arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in the 2019 Ghana President’s Cup will be rescheduled after the match was disrupted by heavy rains on Sunday.

    A new date is expected to be announced by the organisers of the game, the Ghana League Club’s Association (Ghalca).

    Played in honour of the West African nation’s sitting president Nana Akufo-Addo, the match was called off less than 10 minutes into action due to the soggy pitch at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

    Read:Hearts of oak deny knowledge of President Cup contest with Olympics

    Kickoff was originally delayed for about 30 minutes before finally getting the green light after several tests on the pitch’s playability.

    Then the match was ultimately called off as players struggled to control the ball on the pitch.

    The President’s Cup has made a return after a one-year absence. The 2017 showdown – held in Accra – was also contested between Hearts and Kotoko and ended 4-1 in a penalty shootout in favour of the latter.

    Read:President Cup: We are prepared for Kotoko Hearts MD

    The Phobians have won the Cup on four occasions, one less than the Porcupines.

    Hearts and Kotoko are the two most successful clubs in the history of the Ghana Premier League with 20 and 23 titles respectively.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Nearly all British Airways flights canceled as pilots go on strike

    British Airways says it was forced to cancel “nearly 100 per cent” of flights for Monday and Tuesday after the British pilots union went ahead with a strike.

    The strike was called for by the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) amid a heated dispute over pay with the airline.

    BALPA said Sunday on Twitter that it put forward a proposal to the carrier’s management Wednesday, but had yet to receive a reply.

    British Airways said in a statement posted Monday it remains “ready and willing to return to talks with BALPA.”

    Read:British Airways presents BA 2119; flight of the future

    The airline said it was forced to cancel so many flights because “with no detail from BALPA on which pilots would strike, we had no way of predicting how many would come to work or which aircraft they are qualified to fly.”
    Customers who had flights booked for Monday and Tuesday will likely “not be able to travel as planned,” British Airways said. The airline also advised customers not to go to the airport.

    Members of the pilots union voted 93% in favor of a strike in July. BALPA said last week that it would be willing to call it off if British Airways returned to the negotiating table.

    Read:British Airways strike due to start at midnight

    According to its website, BALPA represents more than 10,000 pilots in the United Kingdom — more than 85% of all commercial pilots who fly there.

    The pilot’s union also intends to strike September 27. British Airways said Monday that it will be in contact “in the next few weeks” to let customers who are traveling on or around that date know if they are affected.

    While the union is calling for higher wages, British Airways has said its offer of an 11.5% increase over three years “fair” and above the United Kingdom’s current rate of inflation. In a statement released last month, it said the strike could “destroy the travel plans of tens of thousands of our customers.” It called the strike “a reckless course of action.”

    Source: cnn.com

  • The UK’s ‘worst’ airport revealed

    Long queues, crowded terminals and pricey parking charges have led to Belfast International being rated the UK’s worst airport in a survey by consumer magazine Which?.

    Customers gave the airport an approval score of 42%, saying it was “shabby”, “understaffed” and had a poor layout.

    It came just behind London Luton on 43% and Manchester T3 on 47%.

    By contrast “cosy” Doncaster Sheffield came top, followed by Birmingham and Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

    In April and May this year, 4,499 Which? members were surveyed about 6,237 airport experiences in terms of satisfaction.

    People could mention up to four experiences, and an airport would only be included if it got more than 30 responses, with the results then weighted.

    Read:US woman held in Philippines after airport staff find baby in her bag

    Belfast International acknowledged passengers had faced problems during the past 18 months, but said satisfaction had improved since the Which? survey.

    The airport has invested £1m in expanding its security area after long delays meant passengers had to queue outside the airport in freezing conditions in March.

    It has also expanded its range of food and drink outlets amid complaints from Which? members that the choice was too limited.

    Of the largest airports with more than 10 million passengers a year, Luton was the worst performer, a position it has held for four years running.

    Despite terminal improvement works finishing in December, Luton travellers complained about “limited seating” and “congested” security queues.

    Aberdeen International was ranked the worst Scottish Airport for the fifth year in row, with a customer score of 50%.

    Customers criticised its staff and seating, with one telling Which? they only used the airport for “geographic convenience”, not out of choice.

    Read:Hong Kong protests: Airport cancels flights as thousands occupy terminal

    Best performers

    By contrast, Doncaster Sheffield topped the survey for the third year in a row, with customers calling it a “cosy airport” with no queues that was “easy to navigate”.

    The Yorkshire hub got a customer satisfaction score of 86% – although some respondents said they wished it offered more connections than its current 55.

    Heathrow Terminal 5 was the best performing large airport, with a score of 66%. Customers praised its ample seating, helpful staff and toilet facilities, although there were complaints about its high parking charges.

    A spokesperson for London Luton Airport (LLA) said: “We’re disappointed by our ranking but pleased to see this year’s customer score has improved 23% compared to last year. This highlights passengers are now beginning to see the benefits of our £160m redevelopment.”

    They added that of the 4,499 people surveyed by Which?, only 273 had used Luton, while the airport has more than 16 million passengers a year.

    Steve Szalay, managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, said Which’s survey was “months out of date and in no way tallies with the hugely positive feedback we’re receiving from the tens of thousands of passengers who are travelling through our doors on a weekly basis”.

    Source: bbc.com

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

    India has located the lander from its Chandrayaan-2 mission to soft land a rover on the moon but has not yet been able to establish communication, India’s space agency said.

    The historic mission appeared to end in failure on Saturday after scientists lost contact with the Vikram lander moments before touching down on the lunar surface.
    Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) spokesperson Vivek Singh said that cameras from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter had taken a thermal image of the lander and efforts were underway to establish a signal.

    The level of damage to the lander is unclear.

    Its descent went as planned until it reached an altitude of around 2 kilometers above the moon’s surface. “Subsequently the communication from the lander to ground station was lost. The data is being analyzed,” said K. Sivan, chairman of ISRO. A soft landing seeks to minimize damage to the lander and its contents by controlling the speed of its descent.

    Read:India set to re-attempt Moon mission launch

    ISRO said the mission was “highly complex” and “represented a significant technological leap” compared with other missions.

    The next phase would have been for the robotic rover, named Pragyan (meaning “wisdom”), to deploy and collect mineral and chemical samples from the lunar surface to find evidence of water molecules on the moon.

    But all is not lost, the space agency said. Even if communications with the rover cannot be recovered, the orbiter is expected to continue its mission of mapping the lunar surface and studying the outer atmosphere of the moon.
    “(The orbiter) shall enrich our understanding of the moon’s evolution and mapping of the minerals and water molecules in the Polar Regions, using its eight state-of-the-art scientific instruments,” the ISRO said in a statement on its website.

    Read:Pakistan braces for protests against India moves in Kashmir

    The space agency said that the lunar had “functioned excellently” and that “90 to 95% of the mission objectives have been accomplished and will continue (to) contribute to lunar science, notwithstanding the loss of communication with the lander,” ISRO said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the mission control room when the lander was supposed to touch down
    .
    “In life, there are ups and downs. The country is proud of you. And all your hard work has taught us something … Hope for the best … You have served the country well and served science and humanity well,” Modi said after the announcement.

    The Chandrayaan-2, which means “moon vehicle” in Sanskrit, took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in southern Andhra Pradesh on July 22. Weighing 3.8 tons and carrying 13 payloads, it had three elements: lunar orbiter, lander and rover.

    A successful landing would have brought India into the elite group of nations who have successfully accomplished a soft landing on the moon, after the United States, the former Soviet Union and China.

    Source: cnn.com

  • The game shouldnt have started’ – Fans unhappy with GHALCA over President Cup fiasco

    Fans of both Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak expressed their displeasure at the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) for calling off the 2019 President Cup.

    The match — at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi — was called off after 10 minutes of action due to the soggy nature of the pitch following a heavy downpour earlier in the day, which made ball control extremely difficult.

    According to the fans, the game shouldn’t have started, after hours of heavy rains, which made the pitch soaked and not conducive for football.

    Read:GHALCA boss confirms new date for 2019 President Cup

    Both teams exhibited high sense of professionalism to play on the soaked pitch after officials and representatives from both GHALCA and the two clubs gave the green light for the game to kick-off, but the pitch made it difficult for the game to continue with only 10 minutes of action in the first half.

    This prompted the match officials to call off the game, with a new date to be communicated later.

    In an interview with some Kotoko fans after the abrupt end of the game, they blamed GHALCA for not calling the game off earlier, as the stadium was virtually empty when the game kicked off.

    Read:GHALCA honours Dan de Van

    They said players of Kotoko stood the risk of getting injured ahead of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League against Etoile de Sahel of Tunisia at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Sunday 15th September, 2019.

    To them, the game should be scheduled for after the two-legged games of the CAF Champions League game to afford Kotoko the needed time to make it up for the President’s Cup.

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Hearts of Oak correct factual inaccuracies regarding Pobiman project

    Accra Hearts of Oak have Set the record straight regarding the construction of the Pobiman Academy Project:

    Reports had been rife that the Pobiman Project would cost the Phobians a $700,000 dollars which the club has refuted.

    Another report sprang up indicating that the highest shareholder of the club, Togbe Afede the XIV was financing the project at a 25% interest rate.

    Read: AFCON U-23 Qualifier: Ghana held 1-1 at home to Algeria

    In a press release, Hearts of Oak have laid bare the nuances involved in the project.

     

     

    Source: weeklysportsgh.com

     

  • Insurance companies submit recapitalization plans to NIC ahead of deadline

    The National Insurance Commission (NIC) says 95 percent of insurance companies have submitted their plans to recapitalise their operations.

    This follows an August 30th, 2019 deadline set by the NIC for the insurance industry to present their plans following the increment in the minimum capital requirement for insurance companies.

    Read: Insurance companies to submit recapitalisation plans by Friday, August 30

    “Most of the insurance companies have submitted. There were some who could not meet it due to certain peculiar issues. They needed a little bit of extension. About 95% of all the insurance companies and the brokerage companies have submitted,” Head of Supervision at the NIC, Seth Eshun said.

    The NIC increased the capital for insurance companies from GH¢15 million to GH¢50 million and that of Reinsurance companies from GH¢40 million to GH¢125 million. That for Insurance Broking companies was also been increased from GH¢300,000 to GH¢500,000.

    The companies have up to June 30, 2021, to recapitalize.

    According to Mr. Seth Eshun, his outfit is compiling all information received by the various companies.

    Read: Insurance contribution to GDP remains low NIC Manager

    “We are in the midst of compiling all that information that we have received from all those firms and after that, the commission will make a decision on the next steps on that.”

    The NIC also revealed that there are 142 regulated insurance firms made up of 24 life insurance companies, 3 reinsurance companies, 29 non-life insurance companies, and 85 insurance brokers with the total assets of the insurance sector as of 2018 is in excess of GH¢6 billion.

     

    Source: citibusinessnews.com

  • Sekondi-Takoradi, Effia Kwesiminstim hit by Africa Swine Fever outbreak

    The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and the Effia Kwesiminstim Municipality have been hit with an outbreak of the Africa Swine Fever.

    The fever is suspected to have affected the government allocated pigs under the Rearing for Food and Jobs programme.

    This was captured in a letter addressed to the Minister of Agriculture by the Western Regional Agriculture Directorate and sighted by citinewsroom.com.

    “Under the Rearing for Food and Jobs, Western Region has been allocated pigs but because of this outbreak as ASF we wish to appeal for a replacement of sheep and goats to Western Region since it will take a long time to eradicate the disease in the region.”

    Read: 98.5% of government funding to mental health spent on emoluments

    The letter said samples of the dead pigs sent to the National Veterinary Laboratory for analysis tested positive for the fever.

    The Western Regional Agric Director, Samuel Apiiga, confirmed the outbreak to Citi News and added that it is under control but refused to give further details on the subject since the letter was yet to reach the Ministry.

    The last outbreak of the fever was in the Central Region last year.

    The Central Regional Veterinary Services Department had to place a ban on the movement of pigs and piggery products in the region.

    In July 2017, outbreaks of the fever were confirmed in the Ashanti and Upper East Regions, which led to the destruction of over 15,000 pigs.

    About the African Swine Fever

    African Swine Fever is a severe viral disease that affects only pigs. It can be spread by live or dead pigs and pork products.

    Transmission can also occur via contaminated feed and items such as shoes, clothes, vehicles, knives, equipment etc, due to the high environmental resistance of ASF virus.

    Read: Ghana Health Service to embark on yellow fever vaccinations

    There is no approved vaccine against ASF unlike classical swine fever, also known as Hog Cholera, which is caused by a different virus.

    Mortality is usually close to 100 percent and pigs of all ages are affected, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

    Historically, outbreaks have been reported in Africa and parts of Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

    Since 2007, the disease has been reported in multiple countries across Africa, Asia and Europe, in both domestic and wild pigs.

    African swine fever was first detected on the African continent in 2012.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Ghana Beyond Aid not NPP, NDC project Senior Minister

    Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo has urged all Ghanaians to see the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda as a national project and not a political project.

    He said Ghana Beyond Aid is not for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or any other political party in the country.

    Read: Ghana Beyond Aid cannot be a short-term goal Adei

    The Senior Minister was speaking in an engagement with some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Friday, September 6, 2019, at a ceremony organized by the Ghana Beyond Aid Committee.

    Mr. Osafo-Mafo who doubles as the Chairman of the Ghana Beyond Aid Committee said even though President Akufo-Addo conceived the vision for the Ghana Beyond Aid project, it should be seen for Ghana and not for him.

    He noted that Ghana cannot continue to rely on aid and grant because they were on sharp decline.

    He therefore called for all Ghanaians to embrace a new mindset and do away with the dependency mindset.

    The meeting with the CSOs forms part of series of meetings and consultations the Ghana Beyond Aid Committee is holding with key stakeholders to ensure Ghana move beyond aid.

    The CSOs were drawn from broad spectrum including gender, finance, disability and management.

    Read: Ghana Beyond Aid: Why not Ghana Beyond Corruption? Dutch Ambassador quizzes government

    The meeting was to seek their inputs into making the document viable one.

    The Committee has already met with Council of State, World Bank Officials, among others.

    According to the Senior Minister, the President requested each ministry to put in a paper on their own vision of Ghana Beyond Aid.

    He added that many Ghanaians decided to contribute papers to the Committee, “people showed dedication and concern about Ghana Beyond Aid.”

     

    Source: Dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Government committee finds no valid demand guarantee in PDS deal

    Government report on electricity concessionaire agreement has revealed over $12 million allegedly paid by Power Distribution Services (PDS) as guarantee was not received by the Qatari insurance firm Al Koot.

    This is contrary to a MiDA commissioned investigation which found no evidence of fraud.

    Read: PDS has not been cleared Deputy Information Minister

    It can be confirmed that government’s delegation sent to Qatar to verify the $12.25 million demand guarantee posted by PDS found Qatari insurance firm Al-Koot, did not issue a valid guarantee on behalf of PDS.

    This is contrary to a Millennium Development Authority commissioned investigation which seeks to clear PDS of any wrongdoing.

    Read: President, Gabby played no role in PDS — PDS Chairman

    Government suspended the concession agreement with the electricity distributor on July 30 after it found breaches in the demand guarantee.

    The five-member committee tasked to look into the matter also found the insurance officer who supposedly forged the signature of the Chief General Insurance Officer at Al-Koot had been suspended and may face prosecution.

     

    Source: Myjoyonline.com

  • Asawase will ‘boil’ until you do the right thing Asiedu Nketiah, others warned

    Supporters of the disqualified parliamentary aspirant of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Asawase Constituency, Massawudu Mubarick, have asked the General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and other executives in the constituency to prepare for more demonstrations.

    “This is not the end; they have not seen anything yet,” Nana Wiafe, one of the supporters said in an interview on Neat FM.

    Nana Wiafe who is a member of the Concerned NDC Youth of Asawase threatened fire until the right thing is done.

    Read:Asawase: Disgruntled aspirant backs NDC conflict resolution committee

    According to him, “Asiedu Nektiah and others should understand that we also have our rules that we work with. For now, we have taken over the party office . . . Asiedu Nketia is nobody for us; if he sees himself as an important person, we don’t. Asiedu Nketiah and some other people are running their own business with the party. We want democracy and that was why we were calling for an election but since that is not what they want, we will make sure NDC Asawase constituency boils until the right thing is done. We will make sure every week something different happens.”

    Background

    Supporters of Massawudu on Thursday went on rampage in the constituency, setting car tyres on fire and locking an already locked constituency office.

    Read:Asawase NDC: Supporters of disqualified aspirant burn tyres near party office

    This was to register their displeasure over the disqualification of their candidate.

    The party disqualified Mr. Mubarick from contesting the Asawase Constituency Parliamentary Primaries for the 2020 elections.

    The incumbent Member of Parliament for the constituency, Muntaka Mubarak is set to go unopposed after Massawudu was disqualified from contesting.

    According to a statement issued by the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, on September 3, 2019, the decision to disqualify Massawudu followed the acceptance of the report of the Committee for Settlement of Outstanding Disputes (the Doe Adjaho) Committee at a Functional Executive Committee sitting.

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Sekondi-Takoradi, Effia Kwesiminstim hit by Africa Swine Fever outbreak

    The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and the Effia Kwesiminstim Municipality have been hit with an outbreak of the Africa Swine Fever.

    The fever is suspected to have affected the government allocated pigs under the Rearing for Food and Jobs programme.

    This was captured in a letter addressed to the Minister of Agriculture by the Western Regional Agriculture Directorate and sighted by citinewsroom.com.

    “Under the Rearing for Food and Jobs, Western Region has been allocated pigs but because of this outbreak as ASF we wish to appeal for a replacement of sheep and goats to Western Region since it will take a long time to eradicate the disease in the region.”

    Read:Dredging of drains continues at Sekondi-Takoradi

    The letter said samples of the dead pigs sent to the National Veterinary Laboratory for analysis tested positive for the fever.

    The Western Regional Agric Director, Samuel Apiiga, confirmed the outbreak to Citi News and added that it is under control but refused to give further details on the subject since the letter was yet to reach the Ministry.

    The last outbreak of the fever was in the Central Region last year.

    The Central Regional Veterinary Services Department had to place a ban on the movement of pigs and piggery products in the region.

    In July 2017, outbreaks of the fever were confirmed in the Ashanti and Upper East Regions, which led to the destruction of over 15,000 pigs.

    About the African Swine Fever

    African Swine Fever is a severe viral disease that affects only pigs. It can be spread by live or dead pigs and pork products.

    Read:3 missing Takoradi girls: The story so far

    Transmission can also occur via contaminated feed and items such as shoes, clothes, vehicles, knives, equipment etc, due to the high environmental resistance of ASF virus.

    There is no approved vaccine against ASF unlike classical swine fever, also known as Hog Cholera, which is caused by a different virus.

    Mortality is usually close to 100 percent and pigs of all ages are affected, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

    Historically, outbreaks have been reported in Africa and parts of Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health.

    Since 2007, the disease has been reported in multiple countries across Africa, Asia and Europe, in both domestic and wild pigs.

    African swine fever was first detected on the African continent in 2012.

    Source: Citinewsroom.com

  • Afghans seek justice for men killed ‘in cold blood’ by spy agency

    At a funeral ceremony of four young men in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad city, Siffatullah said his hands were trembling when he buried the dead.

    “I met them on the day they were killed. I was with them three hours before the incident,” he said.

    Siffatullah is the uncle of the four brothers, who were killed in a raid on Wednesday night by the CIA-trained and funded 02 Unit of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency.

    Abdul Qadir Siddiq, 30, Abdul Qadeer Bahar, 28, Jehanzib Omar Zakhilwal 26 and Saboor Zakhilwal, 24, were beaten and later shot dead in their house by the strike force, friends and family have told Al Jazeera.

    The 02 Unit said in a statement that a financier of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group along with his three allies were killed in the operation, but officials later backtracked following public outrage.

    People who knew the brothers rejected the claim as well saying the brothers had no links to the armed group. They added that two of the brothers worked for the government while the other two ran their own businesses.

    Read:Death toll in Afghanistan wedding blast rises to 80

    “They were kind and humble people, anyone who knew them loved the boys. They were very social as well. They cared for people and also had a good sense of humour,” Naqeeb Sakhizada, who owns a shop in the area of the incident and knew the brothers for more than 10 years, told Al Jazeera.

    “Every gathering they went to, they used to make everyone laugh and happy with their jokes. How can they have any links to Daesh [ISIL]? It is a lie. We are all in shock and have lost faith in the government and security forces once again.”

    Hamayun Umar, who was friends with Saboor – one of the brothers – said he could not believe his friend was dead and linked to ISIL.

    “Saboor was my best friend. I [have known] him [for] six to seven years. We studied in the same university. I was the captain of our university’s cricket team and he was in my team. He was a fast bowler and a very talented player,” he said.

    “When I heard the news, I felt like I have no heart or soul in my body. I could not work or go to university. I could not eat for almost 24 hours.”

    ‘Zero tolerance for civilian casualties’
    Former finance minister and ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, said the killing amounted to “war crimes”.

    “I was told by the survivors that their house was raided at around 10:00pm last night by 02 Unit… They were all handcuffed, interrogated inside their house then their father and two sons taken away while the four remaining brothers – two of whom were worked for government,” Zakhilwal tweeted.

    Read:Roadside bomb tears through bus in Afghanistan, officials say

    Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, the director of the NDS, resigned after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said there has “zero tolerance for civilian casualties”.

    “I have regretfully accepted the resignation of NDS chief, Mr. Stanikzai who had had success in other areas of his work,” he tweeted.

    Ghani has announced an investigation to “bring the perpetrators to justice”.

    Afghan security forces have come under frequent criticism for their tactics while conducting nighttime raids that have resulted in heavy civilian casualties.

    The United Nations noted a big increase in the number of casualties caused by government and NATO-led troops in the first half of 2019, with at least 3,812 civilians killed or wounded.

    At the funeral, Nangarhar’s Governor Shah Mahmood Miakhel assured the family that an investigation will be carried out into the incident.

    “We promise we are with you and we will investigate and bring those who’ve done wrong to justice,” he said in his speech at the funeral.

    But Siffatullah said nothing can bring back his nephews. He said he cannot forget the images of his nephews covered in blood.

    “Jehanzib was stabbed in his chest and then shot in the eye that took his brains out. Qadar was shot three times and Saboor was shot under his ear on his head.”

    “Now the governor is saying he will do an investigation into the incident, but I don’t think justice will be served. I don’t trust them and never will after this tragedy.”

    Source: aljazeera.com

  • Agogo Worldwide Association fundraising dinner dance in New York

    Agogo Worldwide Association (AWA) is the coordinating unit for Agogo Citizens in Europe (UK and Continental Europe), USA, Canada and the rest of the world. One of our strategic objectives is to promote social and economic infrastructural development to improve the quality of life for the people of Agogo. In pursuance of this objective, AWA organized a Fundraising Dinner Dance event in the Bronx, New York on August 24th, 2019.

    In a keynote address, the president of AWA, Emmanuel Kofi Adu-Boahen, who is a Pharmacist by profession, reminded the participants of the self reliance and the resilience of the people of Agogo and how much Agogo Citizens love their town.

    He made it known that for the good thinking and good hospitality of an Agogo Chief to a Missionary called Ramsyer, Agogo got the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Agogo Nurses Training School, The Teacher Training College and Agogo Girls Boarding School.

    Read:National Cathedral Fundraising Dinner: A table for $10,000; chair, $1,000 Duncan-Williams

    Collins Secondary Commercial School was established by Mr. Collins Asabre, a private citizen of Agogo. Agogo State Secondary was established by Nana Kwakye Tutu from money saved by the Framers of Agogo. The beautiful Town layout was done under the leadership of Nana Kyei Mensah.

    The Presbyterian Church has established the Agogo Presbyterian University for Nursing and AWA contributed immensely toward its establishment. Agogo has relied on the citizenry for development rather than the Government of Ghana. AWA is therefore following the footsteps of the previous leaders as stated in the history of Agogo, to do their part so future generations will remember AWA as they have remembered those who came before them.

    Agogo has also produced very important people in Ghana such as, GNTC general manager Mr. Aninakwaah, Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong the Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Council and a renowned Lawyer, as well as Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) the late Mr. Kwaku Kyei.

    Additionally, the late Honorable Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Finance minister of Ghana, and best Finance Minister of Africa and Ghana 2 years in a row, is also from Agogo.

    Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Adu-Boahen thanked all the participants of the event and especially those who donated generously towards the fundraising. Present at the event was the Queen Mother of Agogo, Nana Afrakomah Serwaa Kusi Oboadum, graced the event and thanked all for coming. The MP for Ashanti Akim North, Mr. Andy AppiahKubi, briefed the participants of the policies and developments in the District in general and Agogo in particular.

    Also present was Honorable Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, former MP for Ashanti Akim North, along with Doctors, Pharmacists, Lawyers, Accountants, Nurses, Chairpersons of all the Chapters of Agogo Associations, and other business leaders from Agogo, who helped make the event successful.

    Agogo Worldwide Association (AWA) is the coordinating unit for Agogo Citizens in Europe (UK and Continental Europe), USA, Canada and the rest of the world. One of our strategic objectives is to promote social and economic infrastructural development to improve the quality of life for the people of Agogo. In pursuance of this objective, AWA organized a Fundraising Dinner Dance event in the Bronx, New York on August 24th, 2019.

    In a keynote address, the president of AWA, Emmanuel Kofi Adu-Boahen, who is a Pharmacist by profession, reminded the participants of the self reliance and the resilience of the people of Agogo and how much Agogo Citizens love their town.

    He made it known that for the good thinking and good hospitality of an Agogo Chief to a Missionary called Ramsyer, Agogo got the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Agogo Nurses Training School, The Teacher Training College and Agogo Girls Boarding School.

    Read:OKESS Alumni Association of North America organizes 3rd annual celebration in NJ

    Collins Secondary Commercial School was established by Mr. Collins Asabre, a private citizen of Agogo. Agogo State Secondary was established by Nana Kwakye Tutu from money saved by the Framers of Agogo. The beautiful Town layout was done under the leadership of Nana Kyei Mensah.

    The Presbyterian Church has established the Agogo Presbyterian University for Nursing and AWA contributed immensely toward its establishment. Agogo has relied on the citizenry for development rather than the Government of Ghana. AWA is therefore following the footsteps of the previous leaders as stated in the history of Agogo, to do their part so future generations will remember AWA as they have remembered those who came before them.

    Agogo has also produced very important people in Ghana such as, GNTC general manager Mr. Aninakwaah, Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong the Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Council and a renowned Lawyer, as well as Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) the late Mr. Kwaku Kyei.

    Additionally, the late Honorable Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Finance minister of Ghana, and best Finance Minister of Africa and Ghana 2 years in a row, is also from Agogo.

    Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Adu-Boahen thanked all the participants of the event and especially those who donated generously towards the fundraising. Present at the event was the Queen Mother of Agogo, Nana Afrakomah Serwaa Kusi Oboadum, graced the event and thanked all for coming. The MP for Ashanti Akim North, Mr. Andy AppiahKubi, briefed the participants of the policies and developments in the District in general and Agogo in particular.

    Also present was Honorable Kwadwo Baah Agyemang, former MP for Ashanti Akim North, along with Doctors, Pharmacists, Lawyers, Accountants, Nurses, Chairpersons of all the Chapters of Agogo Associations, and other business leaders from Agogo, who helped make the event successful.

    Source: Francis Boanoh

  • Ministry clears air over housing contracts

    The Ministry of Works and Housing has cleared the air over some housing deals it has signed which have caused controversies.

    There have been some social media and mainstream media reports that the Ministry headed by Samuel Atta-Akyea, had signed contracts with prospective private developers for affordable housing without requisite prior approvals.

    Read:200,000 housing units to be erected this year to bridge housing deficit Atta Akyea

    But the Ministry in a statement described the reports as “malicious commentary,” clarifying that the fundamental obligation of the Government of Ghana is to secure unencumbered land for the developer, to persuade and seek approvals of Cabinet and Parliament.

    It said the said contracts would only become effective upon the fulfilment of conditions including the necessary authorizations and approvals by Government of Ghana and the readiness of the project site to meet all conditions of the contract.

    Read:New mortgage law to push interest rates below 20%Atta Akyea

    Additionally, it explained that the contract terminates if financial close is not reached between the parties.

    One of the contracts is reported to be for a 100,000 affordable housing units at an estimated cost of $4.5 billion.

    It is believed to have been awarded to an Irish company (name yet to be known).

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Xeno attacks: Three Ghanaians injured, five arrested in SA

    Three Ghanaians have sustained injuries in the ongoing xenophobic unrest in South Africa, the foreign ministry announced Friday.

    “The Mission [in Pretoria] is ensuring that the injured Ghanaians receive the necessary medical attention,” a statement said.

    It further added that five Ghanaian nationals are behind bars at the Sunnyside Police Station following a swoop by the police to check on permits of foreigners.

    Read:Xenophobic Attacks: I wish I can return to Ghana Ghanaian shares horrific experience

    “Officials of the High Commission have visited the Police Station to provide consular assistance to the detained Ghanaians and are following up on the matter,” the Ministry said.

    It added: “Our Mission continues to send regular updates and advice to the leadership of the Ghanaian communities in the various South African provinces about the need to remain calm and stay away from crowded places and large gatherings.

    Read:Nigerians offered free flight to flee xenophobic attacks

    “The Ministry wishes to urge the good people of this country to remain calm as we seek the interest of our nationals who are caught up in this situation and an end to the unrest.”

    Black natives in South Africa have for the past week taken to looting and burning of shops owned by other nationals in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

    South African police have arrested dozens of the protestors who claim immigrants, especially Nigerians are taking over their jobs and selling illicit drugs.

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • US woman who hid baby in bag charged with human trafficking

    A US woman has been charged with human trafficking in the Philippines after she allegedly attempted to smuggle a newborn baby out of the country.

    Jennifer Talbot, 43, was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila on Wednesday.

    A six-day-old boy was reportedly found in her carry-on bag as she attempted to board a plane to the US.

    Read:Palestinian Harvard student arrives on campus after initially denied entry into U.S.

    Authorities allege that Ms Talbot did not declare the baby to immigration officials.

    The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) alleges that Ms Talbot intended to “conceal and sneak the baby out”.

    The baby’s mother and father have been charged under a child protection law, authorities said. The boy has been placed in the custody of social services.

    Ms Talbot, from Ohio, was not able to provide a boarding pass or any documentation for the baby, the agency said.

    Wearing an orange shirt and in handcuffs, Ms Talbot attended a news conference on Thursday, when the charges against her were announced. She made no comment.

    If found guilty, she could face life in prison, Manuel Dimaano, head of the NBI’s airport division, told reporters.

    Read:US woman held in Philippines after airport staff find baby in her bag

    US Embassy officials have been informed of Ms Talbot’s arrest, the Associated Press reported.

    Following her arrest, Ms Talbot did present a document which she claimed gave her consent to take the baby to the US, the NBI said.

    But the document was not signed by the baby’s mother, the agency said.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Normalization Committee Appreciate FIFAs Support

    The Normalization Committee of the Ghana Football Association have extended its warm gratitude to FIFA for their assistants to help in running Ghana Football.

    FIFA set-up the Normalization Committee to administer Ghana football after dissolving the executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association.

    Read:FIFA snubs Normalisation Committee statutes to disqualify top Ghana FA election candidates

    The body (NC) which was headed by Dr. Kofi Amoah were tasked to revise the statutes of the Ghana Football Association and also conduct election for a new FA President before their mandate ends later this Month.

    “The NC appreciates the opportunity to work with all of you, and the pieces of advice received from many of you,” Dr. Kofi Amoah said at the extra-ordinary Congress in Accra.

    Read:Accept new statuses or forget about elections FIFA tells Ghanaian clubs

    “Believe me, we truly listened! And we also appreciate and applaud the collaboration and assistance received from FIFA especially our lead contacts Mr. Luca Nicola, Manager of Governance, Mr. Veron Mosengo-Omba, Manager of Development for the African and Caribbean area, Mr. Solomon Mudege and others as well as indirectly with Madam Fatma Samoura, GS/FIFA, Mr. Ahmad Ahmad, CAF President and Mr. Gianni Infantino, FIFA President”

    Having fulfilled all their duties, the NC now have their last mission to fix a date for the election of the new Ghana Football Association President.

    Source: GhanaSportsonline.com

  • US-Based Kits Manufacturers Capelli Sport Group Visit Inter Allies

    The soccer lifestyle, training and fitness brand had some of its representatives in the country to observe activities at the Ghanaian side.

    They also held training workshop for officials of the Club and also embarked on some training programs with the playing body.

    Read:Inter Allies first team to resume training on Tuesday

    Capelli remains the official kits sponsor of Inter Allies where they have been providing the La-based side with soccer equipment.

    The US-based firm also work with some European Clubs including Greek giants AEK Athens, German Bundesliga II side MSV Duisburg as well as Danish side HB Koge. In addition the Lebanon FA also have a sponsorship deal fast-growing firm.

    Read:Inter Allies striker Prince Appiah dies after fatal car crash

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • GFA Congress ‘a landmark breakthrough’ – Kofi Amoah

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) Normalisation Committee chairman Kofi Amoah is delighted by Thursday’s Meeting of the Extraordinary Congress which marked a significant move towards the restoration of normalcy to the nation’s sport.

    With the event, the West Africans have inched a step closer to resuming regular football activities as it paves the way for an electoral congress to select a new GFA leadership and subsequent return of the local league.

    Domestic football has taken a backseat since an Anas Aremeyaw Anas investigative documentary exposed bribery and corruption activities in the GFA in June 2018, causing an overhaul of the body and pulling the plug on major local football events such as the Premier League and the FA Cup.

    Read:Dan Kwaku Yeboah makes interesting revelations about Kofi Amoah

    “This is a landmark breakthrough and we must applaud [Ghana] president [Nana] Akufo-Addo, [Fifa] president [Gianni] Infantino, [Fifa secretary general] Madam Fatma Samoura and [Caf] President Ahmed Ahmed for this historic and landmark bridge that will create Fifa and the independent state’s crossover legislation for exorcising malfeasance from football,” Amoah said at the meeting, as reported by the FA’s official website.

    “Its implementation and application architecture is now under consideration and development by Fifa and the Government of Ghana lawyers.

    Read:GFA Elections: Mandatory integrity tests await club administrators Kofi Amoah

    “It is also important for this Congress to embrace this new landmark opening that should help focus our energies more on football development and less on the discussion of football politics and issues of bad governance.”

    Thursday’s meeting was to mainly review and adopt new GFA statutes as well as regulations on elections to pave way for an electoral congress.

    The Normalisation Committee is imminently expected to announce dates of events in the electoral roadmap.

    The unit has been in charge of the administration of football in Ghana since September last year.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Davido declines to confirm if Chioma is pregnant or not

    Davido had an interview at Beat FM in Nigeria where he spoke about his upcoming wedding to his lover, Chioma and also addressed rumours that she is pregnant.

    The 27-year-old singer, who had his wedding introduction on Monday, September 2, said their wedding will hold in 2020.

    Read:Davido to wed girlfriend in 2020

    “We have not started all [those] plans yet. 2020 is the year for sure,” he said.

    When asked to confirm if she is expecting, Davido replied: “Wait and see now.”

    When reminded that it was on the radio station that he revealed his second baby mama, Amanda, was expecting his daughter Hailey, Davido responded;

    Read:Chioma is the love of my life Davido tells the World

    ”This one is special.”

    Watch a video clip from the interview below:

    Source: adomonline.com

  • Chemical seller operating as a doctor arrested in Northern Region

    The Police in the Northern Region have arrested a chemical seller in Tamale, Issifu Razak, for turning his shop into an admission ward for clients in his neighbourhood at Choggu.

    Popularly known in his neighbourhood as Dr. Razak, he allegedly admits, injects and carry infusions on patients.

    Upon a tipoff, the police together with the Northern Regional Pharmacy Council arrested Dr. Razak in the act on Saturday night.

    His makeshift ward is unhygienic and the room poorly is ventilated.

    Read: Illegal tramadol dealer arrested in Tamale

    Three dirty old mattresses are used as beds for his patients.

    The room has a bare floor that has no tiles.

    The quack doctor had just admitted a minor on one of those dirty mattressesgiving him drip when the team arrived.

    Community members revealed to Citi News that for years, that has been his business including performing abortions.

    The sources further disclosed that many people have lost their lives at his hands at the facility.

    “This is how he has been killing people here, and no one can stop him”, an unnamed source told Citi News.

    Expert say, admitting patients under such condition has dire implications.

    Apart from the fear of incomplete treatment, the clients also risk contracting infections.

    Such infections can occur in unhygienic hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and clinical settings among others.

    What the law says

    Under the pharmacy license Act in Ghana, chemical shops are not allowed to admit, inject or carry infusion on patients.

    Over the counter sellers are licensed to sell Category C type of drugs which include certain painkillers.

    They are not supposed to sell prescribed drugs on prescriptions except pharmacies.

    Read: Two arrested for highway robbery in Savannah Region

    His arrest became confrontational for a moment but the police whisked him into their vehicle to the Tamale police station.

    Community members who declined to speak publicly but alleged that the self-styled doctor had been practising illegally for several years now.

    The team confiscated his working tools including the mattresses.

    “Chemical sellers are not licensed to give injections, infusions and admit patients in their shops. So what he is doing is criminal. He can kill. So, we are seriously going to deal with him,” the Northern Regional Director of the Pharmacy Council, Michael Anim Ameyaw said.

    According to the Pharmacy Council, interference of chiefs and politicians continue to hinder their operations.

    In 2018, the same decision was taken to clamp down on illegal practitioners in the Tamale metropolis.

    The then chief of Tamale allegedly summoned the regional head of the Pharmacy Council after a similar arrest was made and the suspects were made to go scot-free.

    But the Council says it will push for the prosecution of such persons to sanitize the system and save lives.

    “We have observed that it is a serious problem now. It is widespread. It is in almost all the districts and we have decided to end it once and for all”, he added.

     

    Source: citinewsroom.com

  • Kenya cannot stand in our way – Black Queens Coach

    Madam Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo Head Coach of the female national football team, the Black Queens has said Kenya, will not be a stumbling block to their quest of qualifying to the next round of matches for the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualifiers.

    Madam Tagoe made this known in an interview in Accra after the Queens did a double over their Gabonese counterparts 5-0 in aggregate over the two legs played.

    According to her, though she is building a formidable team for the future, their aim of qualifying to the next Olympic Games still remained a priority and Kenya would not stand in their way.

    Read:Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo to share her story at Ladies in Sports Conference in Lagos

    “Kenya would not be a difficult game for us, we have played them in their backyard before and it ended in a draw.

    “I believe with the crop of players I have put together coupled with a little more of camping time and the right blend, we would gel and Ghanaians would see good results.

    Read:Lack of competitive football has affected my call-ups Mercy Tagoe

    “We have a target of qualifying to the Tokyo 2020 Games and we are determined to take each game at a time, so Kenya wound not stand in our way, they are women like us and we would see to them,” she said.

    The coach said the team was well determined and focused and there is nothing like pressure to distract them.

    A goal each from Queens captain Portia Boakye and Juliet Acheampong in the 16th and 75th minute helped Ghana to beat Gabon by 2:0 in Accra, after beating them 3:0 in the first leg in Libreville to book a date with Kenya in the next qualifying match.

    Source: Ghananewsagency.org

  • l will comeback from illness stronger – Agyemang Badu

    Ghana and Hellas Verona midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu insists that suffering from a blood clot on his lungs will make him ‘psychologically stronger.’

    The 28-year-old admits that he was left worried after the initial diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism after he was rushed to hospital by his club suffering from a sudden bout of dizziness.

    He is yet to return to even light training since being hospitalised on 14 August, he is still undergoing tests and awaits the all-clear to start working in the gym.

    “I have never heard of such illness in my life so I was shaking after the explanation from doctors what my situation was,” he told BBC Sport.

    “It’s a bit better now and I am responding to treatment and I’m on the verge of returning to gym work.

    Read:Hellas Verona to sign free agent Afriyie Acquah to replace Agyemang Badu

    “What happened we just have to give thanks to God because it could have been worse.”

    The setback came as he was trying to relaunch his career with Hellas Verona after a frustrating two years with Italian rivals Udinese.

    His last two years at Udinese have seen him loaned out to Turkish club Bursaspor and then return with an injury that kept him out for almost the whole of last season.

    “When you go through what I went through last season and return to have a good pre-season and this happens of course you will be disappointed,” he explained.

    “I am a footballer but first I am a human being so I go through all the emotions too.”

    Recovering mentally

    Understandably his illness also left his family and in particular his mother back in Ghana worrying about him.

    Since signing his first professional contract in 2007 with Ghanaian club Berekum Chelsea at the age of 16, Badu has been the bread winner of his extended family.

    Read:PFAG wishes Hellas Verona midfielder Agyemang-Badu speedy recovery

    “My family were sad and panicking once the news started flying in that I had been rushed to the hospital,” he said.

    “The timing and everything was a bit weird because I had just returned from my summer holidays (in Ghana) and they has seen that I was well.

    “I heard they started praying for me and it was not until they heard from me and I explained that I was out of intensive care were they able to relax in a small way.”

    Hellas Verona coach Ivan Juric Hellas Verona coach Ivan Juric is hoping for a swift recovery for Ghana’s Emmanuel Agyemang Badu The mental aspects of footballers recovering from injuries and illness are often overlooked especially when family and friends are not nearby.

    Badu found himself alone and surrounded by a team of medics and some club officials, as he underwent hours of tests and quizzes to find out what had happened to him.

    He admits he has managed to come out of the experience even more mentally tough than he could have imagined.

    “This diagnosis has made me psychologically very strong,” he insisted.

    “They say you never know how strong you are until you go through something that doesn’t kill you. Mentally I have always been strong but this has made me stronger.

    “I am just happy it’s almost over and I will be able to get back to the gym and hopefully get to join the group in the few weeks-time.”

    His manager Ivan Juric who was hugely impressed with the midfielder during pre-season expressed hope that it was only a matter of time before he had the Ghanaian as an option for games.

    “We all know the quality of the player and the situation was a big surprise to us all,” Juric said soon after Badu’s illness.

    “The report I have from the medical team is that he is in a good place and should be able to come back in after a few more tests.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • GFA Congress: Clubs adopts new statutes; elective congress imminent

    The Ghana League clubs have today September 5, adopted new statues for the governing of Ghana Football Association at an Extraordinary Congress held at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra.

    After hours of deliberation upon the proposed Normalisation Committee statutes, the clubs finally accepted to go with the revised statutes.

    Out of 123 Delegates present at the Congress, 115 voted “YES” in support of the adoption of new GFA statutes. More than 75% required and thus Statutes has been adopted.

    Read:Accept new statuses or forget about elections FIFA tells Ghanaian clubs

    Below are some of the changes made

    – 12 members on the Executive Committee Members (ExCo)

    – 120 delegates accepted (formally 123)

    – a 2-term of office of 4 years for the President and 3 terms for other ExCo members

    The NC President notified the Clubs they cannot have a board member which is more the company’s code of 12. The Clubs obliged and reduced their previous number (15) to 12.

    Read:Ghana drops in latest FIFA ranking

    Below is the breakdown

    5 Premier League reps

    3 DOL reps

    2 RFA reps

    1 Women’s League rep

    1 President with an automatic vote

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • GFA Congress: GFA accounts to be audited by a Private firm

    The Normalisation Committee has proposed that the Ghana Football Association accounts will be audited by private firms hence reliving the Ghana Audit Service from that role.

    Normalisation Committee member Naa Odorfoley Nortey made this known to Congress as part of the reviews of the new statues.

    Read:Normalisation Committee deny seeking for extension from FIFA

    She also revealed that the audited accounts must be published in the national dailies before any Congress meeting as it is done in the Corporate world.

    Read:Normalisation Committee tells Kofi Manu not to attend GFA Congress

    The Normalisation Committee have touched on a lot of proposals to be reviewed and accepted by Congress.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

  • GFA Congress: NC proposes two terms of office for GFA President

    The Normalization Committee have proposed two terms of office for the new Ghana Football Association President subject to approval by the congress.

    The proposal was revealed by member of the Normalization Committee Naa Odofoley Nortey at the GFA Extraordinary Congress which is currently ongoing at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Ridge, Accra.

    Read:Normalisation Committee tells Kofi Manu not to attend GFA Congress

    Originally, there was no specific term limits for the Presidency, but the new proposals presented by the NC, which is subject to Congress approval will see elected President spend two terms of four years, whether consecutively or otherwise the president cannot stand again.

    Read:GFA NC in trouble,transfers money into wrong account, cash disappears!

    Congress will take decision on the proposal later in the day.

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com