TIG Post

Author: Persis

  • Metro mass transit buses not observing social distancing

    Metro Mass Transit buses operating from ‘Kufuor station’ at Ashaiman has stopped observing social distancing as authorities now load to full capacity.

    A conductor of one of the buses told the Ghana News Agency that it was a directive from above for them to revert to loading full even though all commercial vehicles were directed by the President to observe social distancing in their vehicles to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

    She said all passengers were informed before loading and whoever was not agreement was not given access to the bus.

    The GNA observed that all buses loaded at the station on last Friday were fully loaded as seats which took one a passenger during the compliance to social distancing, now had two passengers.

    Madam Abigail Nartey, a trader who boarded one of the buses on Friday morning, refused to allow anyone to sit by her, saying coronavirus was real therefore the need for management to strictly obey the social distancing directive.

    Mr Samuel Adjei, another passager who was going to Accra, also confronted the driver on the issue, according to the driver, their management said they were running at a loss and therefore the need to resume their normal activities of loading the bus to its original capacity.

    Mr George Krobea Asante, Head of Corporate Communication at MMT, who took almost a week to respond to the issue, said “Management had served a stern warning to the operational crew at the various terminals on non-compliance with the social distancing protocol following some reports they received on such happenings at some of their terminals.

    “Management will not countenance any act of negligence and indiscipline that has the tendency of putting the image of the company into disrepute and that anyone found culpable under our investigation shall be severely dealt with”.

    He added that Management had issued an operational directive to reemphasize the need to observe all the safety protocols in all the 16 depots and loading terminals across the country saying “management remains very committed to fighting and helping to prevent the spread of this deadly COVID 19 pandemic”.

    Source: GNA

  • Akufo-Addo launches GHS219m GALOP project

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has launched the Ghana Accountability and Learning Outcomes Project on Thursday, 18th June, 2020.

    The US$219 million Project comprises a set of interventions that addresses constraints from teaching to learning in our schools.

    Through GALOP, teachers, in the early grades, will be provided with continuous training, in line with the new curriculum; schools will receive teaching and learning materials; heads of schools will be trained on improved school management techniques; and supervision and assessment systems will be strengthened.

    Ten thousand (10,000) low-performing basic schools, across the country, have already been selected to benefit from the Project, and I am confident that the implementation of GALOP will help drive standards and quality in these schools.

    Source: Class FM

  • Thieves rob Nima Police Station

    The Nima Police Station in Accra was Thursday dawn robbed by thieves.

    The thieves reportedly made away with items including laptops, printers, television sets and other stationery.

    A report by Starrfm.com said some officers of the station also say their shirts which were hanging in the offices have been taken away by the bandits.

    It is unclear how the thieves got access to offices of the police station.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

     

  • NPP Primaries: I’m not engaged in vote-buying – Asenso-Boakye

    An aspiring Member of Parliament for the New Patriotic Party in the Bantama constituency, Francis Asenso-Boakye has debunked allegations of vote-buying leveled against him by his opponent, Hon. Daniel Okyem Aboagye, Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency.

    Mr. Asenso-Boakye who is also a deputy Chief of Staff to President Akufo-Addo in a Facebook post wrote; “I have received with many surprises, snippets of interviews granted by Hon. Daniel Okyem Aboagye, Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency, repeatedly making baseless allegations of vote-buying against me. I have neither the means nor desire to engage in such discredited conduct. On the contrary, I am grateful for the goodwill extended to me by the executives and of our party in the constituency.”

    The soft-spoken politician also used the opportunity to urge his opponent to refrain from making scurrilous assertions that brings the reputation of the constituency into disrepute and reduces the standing of the MP in the eyes of the public. “Bantama is bigger than any of us and we owe it to the delegates and the party to conduct our campaign with the utmost decency and good faith”, Mr. Asenso-Boakye stated.

    “For my part, I remain committed to serving the people of Ghana and Bantama with integrity”, he concluded.

    The New Patriotic Party is scheduled to hold parliamentary primaries in constituencies where it has sitting Members of Parliament this Saturday. Francis Asenso-Boakye who is a development planner by profession has been highly tipped to defeat the incumbent MP over the MPs’ inability to bring development to the constituency.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Capital Bank trial adjourned to July 9

    An Accra High Court hearing the case involving William Ato Essien, Founder of the defunct Capital Bank, who is on trial with three others for allegedly misappropriating customers funds leading to the collapse of the bank, has adjourned the matter to July 9.

    The court presided over by Justice Kyei Baffour was compelled to adjourn the matter after the prosecution told the court that they were yet to conclude negotiations with regard to the refund of the misappropriated funds in line with Section 35 of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459).

    The court granted the prayer by both the prosecution and counsel for the first accused for one last adjournment to enable them to conclude the negotiations.

    Justice Baffour, a Justice of the Court of Appeal with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, said notwithstanding any possible outcome of the negotiation, trial would proceed on the next adjourned date.

    Earlier, the Prosecution, told the court that negotiations were still ongoing, saying the first set of proposal from Ato Essien was totally unacceptable to the prosecution.

    However, they have received another set of proposals which they had responded to, but counsel for Ato Essien was yet to receive same.

    The prosecution then prayed the court for a short adjournment and that if they were unable to reach a consensus by the next adjourned date, the trial should proceed even as negotiations continue.

    Counsel for Ato Essien, Mr Baffour Gyawu Bonsu conceded to the application.

    At the previous sitting, the court adjourned the trial after both the defence lawyers and the prosecution had agreed to negotiate a refund of the GH¢27.5 million to the state, by Ato Essien.

    The amount is part of a GH¢620 million liquidity support given to Capital Bank by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) between June 2015 and November 2016.

    Ato Essien, is facing 26 counts of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering, while the other three are variously being held for abetment of crime. They have all denied the charges.

    Ato Essien, who is also a Majority Shareholder of Capital Bank Limited, Tetteh Nettey, Managing Director of MC Management Services, a company established by Essien, and Fitzgerald Odonkor, a former Managing Director of Capital Bank, were admitted to bail in the sum of 200-million cedis each while Kate Quartey Papafio, a businesswoman and Chief Executive officer of Reroy Cables Company Limited, was admitted to bail in the sum of 75 million cedis.

    The four accused are to provide four sureties each who are of good character and substance.

    Source: GNA

  • Boy, 4, found dead in a car at Atafoa Palace

    A 4-year-old boy who had been missing for about one week was found dead inside a parked vehicle in front of the Atafoa Palace in the Suame Municipality in the Ashanti region.

    After an extensive search for him, the deceased, Agyemang, was found unconscious and rotten in a car parked in front of the Atafoa Palace yesterday between the hours of 2pm

    The Assembly Member for the Atafoa Electoral Area, Akwasi Acheampong disclosed this to Kingdom News today.

    He said, according to the family, Agyemang left the house to buy Indomie about a week ago which he never return back home until his lifeless body was found.

    According to the Assembly Member of the area, two suspects were arrested by the Suame Police Command earlier but have been discharged.

    He further disclosed that, the Suame Police Command has commenced investigations into the death of the four-year-old boy who was found dead in a parked vehicle at Atafoa Palace premises yesterday.

    Source: kingdomfmonline.com

  • Coronavirus does not discriminate on tribal, religious or political lines – Oppong-Nkrumah

    Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Thursday, urged heads of Regional Coordinating Councils and assemblies to enforce the wearing of nose masks in their respective jurisdictions.

    He implored everyone to wear nose masks, saying that citizens have a collective responsibility and interest to wear them to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    He said the wearing of nose mask was not a substitute for other safety etiquettes, but a complementary measure to prevent contaminated droplets from an infected person from infecting others.

    “The virus does not discriminate either on religious, tribal, economic, political or social status.

    “It can affect anyone and if you have underlying health conditions, it can worsen your health condition leading to death,” the Minister cautioned.

    Mr Oppong Nkrumah gave the advice in Accra on Thursday, during the Minister’s briefing, to update the public on COVID-19 case count and management.

    In enforcement of the Executive Instrument on mandatory wearing of nose masks, the Minister urged operators of public and private institutions, workplace managers and event organisers to strictly comply with physical distancing and ensure the availability of handwashing logistics at all time.

    On the re-opening of schools, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said, preliminary feedback from the 234 tertiary educational institutions indicates that compliance with sanitary and safety measures is commendable.

    He gave the assurance that government would continue to observe the compliance of safety and hygiene protocols in the schools to inform its decision-making.

    Source: GNA

  • Attorney General rejects Ato Essien’s proposal to refund GHS27.5 m

    The Attorney-General (A-G) has rejected a proposal by William Ato Essien, founder of the defunct Capital Bank, who is standing trial for allegedly collapsing the bank, to refund GH¢27.5 million to the state.

    Ms Marina Appiah Opare, a Chief State Attorney, told the Accra High Court Thursday that the proposal by Essien and his lawyers was totally unacceptable.

    According to her, Essien and his lawyers have presented another proposal which the A-G had responded to.

    She, therefore, prayed the court to adjourn the case to allow the two sides to conclude negotiations.

    The hearing continues on July 9, 2020, at the court, presided Justice Eric Kyei Baffour.

    Refund

    Ato Essien is standing trial together with three others on allegations of collapsing Capital Bank.

    The GH¢27.5 million that Essien wants to pay is part of a GH¢620 million liquidity support given to Capital Bank by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) between June 2015 and November 2016.

    It is the case of the prosecution that Essien, and the other accused persons engaged in various illegal acts that led to the dissipation of the GH¢620 million liquidity support.

    With regard to the GH¢27.5 million, the prosecution has accused Essien of carrying it in jute bags which he distributed to some individuals for business promotion purposes

    Essien wants to refund the money per the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), so that four of the 19 charges leveled against him by the state would be dropped.

    Escape

    The decision by Essien to refund the GH¢27.5miilion to the state is a legal move under Section 35 of Act 459 meant to escape prison sentence.

    He has ostensibly pleaded guilty to taking possession of the amount and is willing to correct his wrong for a lesser punishment.

    Under Section 35 (1) of Act 459, a person accused of an offence which had caused “economic loss, harm or damage to the state or state agency may inform the prosecutor whether the accused admits and is willing to offer compensation or make restitution and reparation for the loss, harm or damage caused.

    Section 35 (2) of Act 459 states that when an accused makes an offer of restitution, the prosecutor shall consider whether the offer is acceptable or not and inform the court.

    In the event the offer is not acceptable to the prosecution, the trial shall continue, but if the offer is acceptable, the accused person will plead guilty and the court will convict him on his own plea.

    When passing sentence, the court will then order the accused to pay the restitution based on conditions set by the court.

    However, per Section 35 (7) of Act 459, if the accused person fails to fulfill the conditions set by the court for the payment of the restitution, the court shall pass a custodial sentence on him.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Rebecca Foundation and COTVET donate machines and equipment to hairdressers and seamstresses

    The Rebecca Foundation and COTVET have donated some machines and equipment to some hairdressers and seamstresses across the country to enhance their businesses during this COVID-19 era.

    The donation was done in response to a request made by the Hairdressers and Beauticians Association in January to the First lady of Ghana, Mrs Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo who is also the Principal Person of COTVET.

    In all, about 32 individuals benefited from the gesture across the 16 regions of the country. The items included sewing machines and hair dryers.

    Making the donation on behalf of the First lady and The Rebecca Foundation, Mrs Akosua Newman, Director of Operations at the Office of The First lady said the Rebecca Foundation is determined to contribute to enriching lives of women as well as to support individuals grow their businesses.

    “I am glad to have this wonderful collaboration with COTVET and I know this machines will go a long way to help support your dreams and help alleviate the burdens on you during this trying moments,” she said.

    Mrs. Akosua Newman also took the opportunity to entreat them to also continue to observe the protocols associated with the COVID-19 and always stay safe.

    “I entreat you all to take good care of yourself and adhere to all the various protocols associated with COVID-19 since we are not in ordinary times,” she said.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • COVID-19 treatment centres in Ashanti run out of beds

    The two coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment centres in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region have run out of beds and are unable to admit new patients.

    The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), which has the capacity of 18 beds and the Kumasi South Hospital at Agogo, which also serves as the Regional Hospital with 20 beds, are both full as a result of the increase in the number of cases being recorded in the region.

    The region currently has 2,403 positive cases with 38 deaths.

    Briefing

    Addressing the media in Kumasi yesterday, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, said the rapid mutation of the virus was also exposing health workers to the disease.

    According to him, 97 health workers in the region had contracted the virus with one death.

    They include 18 doctors and 47 nurses, with the rest being auxiliary workers such as cleaners, contact tracers, physician assistants and administrative staff.

    Dr Tenkorang said 14 of the workers had recovered and were doing well while the other 82 were being managed at home.

    He explained that the changing signs and symptoms of the virus were posing a great danger to the health workers as many of them were being exposed inadvertently.

    Dr Tenkorang said because some of the patients did not report with the known symptoms of the disease, “before they are diagnosed of having coronavirus, the health workers have already been exposed. Most of the cases being recorded lately present with malaria-like symptoms and general malaise”.

    Concerns

    The director expressed worry about the rising cases in the region and appealed to residents to strictly adhere to the protocols and guidelines on safety to stem the spread.

    He said the region could be overwhelmed with cases if the people failed to change their attitudes and continue to behave in wanton disregard of safety protocols such as social distancing, washing of hands with soap under running water and wearing of nose masks.

    In the region, the KATH is the only facility with four ventilators; the other centres have none.

    Dr Tenkorang said plans were advanced for the expansion of the Kumasi South Hospital (KSH) treatment centre to increase its capacity to 41 beds, while seven beds had been secured at the Suntreso Hospital for the treatment of COVID-19 cases.

    He said a senior medical officer had also agreed to offer his facility as a treatment centre and when “that happens, we will have a total of 138-bed capacity for treatment”.

    The director further said there was the need for the establishment of more isolation centres to cater for the rising cases in the region.

    Currently, the isolation centre can only take 207 people “and luckily for us most of them were discharged yesterday”, Dr Tenkorang said, adding “we are in talks with the Ghana Registered Nurses Association who have also agreed to offer their hostel as an isolation centre”.

    Contact tracers

    On the purported strike action by contact tracers in the region, Dr Tenkorang admitted that the allowance paid to the volunteers had been slashed from GH¢150 to GH¢70.

    He explained that during the lockdown when the workload was high, the health directorate recruited volunteers to assist the staff of the Ministry of Health in the The amount was paid to only the volunteers while the staff of the ministry were paid only their usual monthly salaries.

    However, after the lifting of the ban on movement, the ministry decided to do away with the volunteers and use only the staff for the contact tracing and added that the volunteers were being used only in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, while the other regions relied solely on their own staff.

    The director said some of the districts later requested to also use volunteers for contact tracing as they did not have enough personnel to perform that task.
    According to him, it was subsequently agreed that those who wanted to use the volunteers should budget for them from their own resources and “they agreed to pay them GH¢70 a day and this was communicated to them”.

    “Besides, we have asked those who have any problem to report to the regional health directorate but we are yet to see any of them,” he said.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Ashanti Region: 97 health workers test positive for COVID-19

    Some 97 health workers in the Ashanti Region have contracted the Coronavirus disease with one death.

    They include 18 doctors and 47 nurses, with the rest being auxiliary workers such as cleaners, contact tracers, physician assistants and administrative staff.

    The Ashanti Regional Director of Health, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, who made this known at a press briefing in Kumasi, 14 of the workers had recovered and were doing well while the other 82 were being managed at home.

    He explained that the changing signs and symptoms of the virus were posing a great danger to the health workers as many of them were being exposed inadvertently.

    Dr Tenkorang said because some of the patients did not report with the known symptoms of the disease, “before they are diagnosed of having coronavirus, the health workers have already been exposed. Most of the cases being recorded lately present with malaria-like symptoms and general malaise”.

    Treatment centres full

    Dr Tenkorang also noted that the two coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment centres in Kumasi have run out of beds and are unable to admit new patients.

    The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), which has the capacity of 18 beds and the Kumasi South Hospital at Agogo, which also serves as the Regional Hospital with 20 beds, are both full as a result of the increase in the number of cases being recorded in the region.

    The region currently has 2,403 positive cases with 38 deaths.

    Concerns

    The director expressed worry about the rising cases in the region and appealed to residents to strictly adhere to the protocols and guidelines on safety to stem the spread.

    He said the region could be overwhelmed with cases if the people failed to change their attitudes and continue to behave in wanton disregard of safety protocols such as social distancing, washing of hands with soap under running water and wearing of nose masks.

    In the region, the KATH is the only facility with four ventilators; the other centres have none.

    Dr Tenkorang said plans were advanced for the expansion of the Kumasi South Hospital (KSH) treatment centre to increase its capacity to 41 beds, while seven beds had been secured at the Suntreso Hospital for the treatment of COVID-19 cases.

    He said a senior medical officer had also agreed to offer his facility as a treatment centre and when “that happens, we will have a total of 138-bed capacity for treatment”.

    The director further said there was the need for the establishment of more isolation centres to cater for the rising cases in the region.

    Currently, the isolation centre can only take 207 people “and luckily for us most of them were discharged yesterday”, Dr Tenkorang said, adding “we are in talks with the Ghana Registered Nurses Association who have also agreed to offer their hostel as an isolation centre”.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • 32,756 cases of multiple NIA registration detected

    The National Identification Authority (NIA) has detected 32,756 suspected cases of multiple registration in the ongoing registration exercise in violation of a law that requires each eligible citizen to be issued with a card.

    The Executive Secretary of the NIA, Professor Kenneth A. Attafuah, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Accra yesterday, said the authority would begin investigations into the matter and those found culpable would be prosecuted.

    “The NIA has a board which comprises heads of key state institutions and security agencies such as the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Births and Deaths Registry, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ghana Statistical Service and three other members.

    “The board will look at these double registrants on a case by case basis and when it is estimated that there are fraudulent motives behind their action, prosecutions will be done,” he added.

    The event was organised to provide updates on the activities of the NIA over the past one year and the way forward as the authority resumes the registration exercise in the Eastern Region today.

    A mopping-up registration exercise also begins today.

    Highlights

    Providing highlights on the activities of the NIA, Prof. Attafuah said the authority had registered 11,063,259 eligible Ghanaians as of the time the exercise was discontinued in the Eastern Region.

    He added that the authority had so far printed 11,034,174 cards since the exercise began last year and issued 9,050,346 to qualified citizens.

    The ongoing NIA card issuance which started on June 10, 2020, is expected to end today. And so far, the authority has distributed 1,950,245 cards out of the 3,934,073 cards available for collection.

    Prof. Attafuah said there were also 350 cases of eligibility of some persons suspected to be foreigners that were being challenged across the country.

    He said with the registration exercise nearing completion, the NIA would set up District Review Committees (DRCs) to look into specific cases and make appropriate recommendations.

    “In addition, the NIA has withheld the Ghana cards of some applicants because the personal identification numbers (PIN) indicate that they had previously been registered in the national identity register as foreigners, but attempted to register for the Ghana card as Ghanaians without showing evidence of acquiring a Ghanaian citizenship.

    “People in this category will be required to provide evidence to establish that they have subsequently acquired Ghanaian citizenship,” the executive secretary said.

    He further denied claims that the authority was deliberately printing multiple cards to people, saying “there are 525 incidences where multiple cards have been printed with the same PIN. This was caused by a system update which has been resolved. Only one card can be active against a set of biometrics such as face, fingers and iris”.

    On the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols, Prof. Attafuah urged people to wear nose masks when going to register: “We are saying that no mask, no registration,” he emphasised.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Joy FM alleges frequency interference from newly established Asaase Radio

    Management of the Multimedia Group Limited‘s Joy FM, which operates under the frequency 99.7, has alleged that a frequency interference from newly established radio station Asaase Radio (99.5mhz), has led to unwarranted interruptions for Joy FM listeners.

    In a notice on their news website, myjoyonline.com, Joy FM assured  its listeners that matter has been reported to the National Communications Authority (NCA), the industry regulator in the country.

    The new radio station has already captured some popular radio personalities in the country, including award winning media personality Caroline Sampson, who left YFM where she had been working for almost a decade as well as Kwaku Sakyi Addo, another popular radio personality.

    Asaase radio was launched on 14 June, this year.

    Read Joy FM’s notice below:

    Dear Discerning Listener,

    We have received numerous messages of concern about the difficulties you have experienced recently, in tuning in to your superstation, Joy 99.7 FM.

    This is due to signal interference from a radio station, broadcasting on 99.5mhz.

    We have alerted our industry regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA), to this interference.

    The Authority has informed us it is working to resolve the issue.

    We will keep you updated on progress, and look forward to receiving more feedback from you about your listener experiences.

    Thank you for choosing us. Please stay safe and keep listening.

    You can also listen to your favourite station Joy 99.7 FM on the following platforms;

    www.myjoyonline.com,
    myjoyonline mobile app,
    Facebook live,
    Alexa
    TuneIn
    Sonos platform
    DStv
    GOtv and among others.

    Signed
    Elvis Kwashie
    (Acting General Manager)

     

      

     

     

     Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Ibrah One threatens to kill the President?

    I wonder why anybody at all can just wake up and issue death threats at the president or other public officials without taking into consideration the repercussions of their actions, sadly many sane minds refuse to condemn these acts and only find their voices when such miscreants are arrested.

    Nobody is stopping #Ibrah from doing politics, none is preventing him from criticizing the president or his government but to go beyond that to threaten the life of the president is an issue that must not be taken lightly.

    There has been several instances where he has gone on this tangent and later went behind the scenes to go plead for clemency with the excuse of a hacked account but this time around the security operatives must go all out for him, get him arrested immediately and made to face the full rigors of the law.

    We can’t have just have anybody wake up to take the security of the nation for granted. He must be dealt with drastically, so as to serve as a lesson to others who think like he does.

    I know some people won’t condemn his utterances but will suddenly find their voices to roar when the gentleman is finally picked up just as they did when #KwabenaOwusuAdjei was arrested.

    Let us not condone such recklessness all in the name of politics, let us bear in mind that wrong is wrong, no matter who is doing it.

    #ArrestIbrahNow
    #BigScoutMedia

  • Ashanti Region: Bekwai, military hospitals to be dedicated to COVID-19 fight

    Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Oko Boye has said government is considering dedicating the Bekwai and the military hospitals in the Ashanti Region to fight against the novel coronavirus.

    According to him, the goal is to have the Ga-East hospital model replicated in the region.

    The move follows a request by medical officers in the region for government to provide dedicated facilities to the fight against the virus.

    The minister made the claim while speaking at a donation ceremony by the Chinese Embassy at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

    He opined that his ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of finance to make available resources for the Bekwai hospital to be completed and assigned to fight COVID-19.

    ”If you have a COVID case that is critical in Kumasi, they are handled at Komfo Anokye and one or two designated places. What the doctors are asking for is a Ga-East like facility. A facility completely dedicated to COVID-19 cases and two hospitals are being considered.”

    He added that ”The Bekwai hospital which is just near completion and also the military hospital in the Ashanti Region. So the Ministry is working with the Ministry of finance to make sure that we get the resources and quickly make them facilities that will be available for COVID.”

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • GRA launches probe into missing Kpoglu border cocaine

    The Ghana Revenue Authority has launched a probe to unravel the circumstances leading to the disappearance of some substances suspected to be cocaine.

    The substance with a street value of US$3,000 was intercepted at the Kpoglu Border Post in the Ketu South Municipality on June 5.

    Between the confiscation and transportation of the suspected drug to the offices of the appropriate authorities for testing and further investigations however, a percentage of the powdery substance got missing.

    In a statement signed by the Assistant Commissioner at its Communication and Public Affairs Directorate, the Ghana Revenue Authority explained that the operations leading to the interception of the substance were transparent, inclusive, and was “carried out with the utmost integrity on the part of the Customs Division.”

    The statement added that “when concluded, the outcome of the investigations and the findings will be of the Police Forensic Laboratory will be made public.”

    Meanwhile, the two institutions at the centre of the saga — the Narcotics Control Commission and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) are accusing each other of the issue at hand.

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • Chief advises EC to honour invitation of National House of Chiefs

    Togbe Kotoku XI, Paramount Chief of Kpenoe Traditional Area, in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region has appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to honour the invitation by the National House of Chiefs.

    He said Chiefs, who were custodians of the land were major stakeholders in national programmes and it was only fair for the Commission to schedule a time to honour their invitation for deliberations on the impending general election.

    Togbe Kotoku who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Ho said the National House of Chiefs represented various segments of the country and carried messages of peace to traditional areas, thus the need for the EC to work with chiefs, “if only it is advocating peaceful elections in Ghana.

    “If we are talking about peaceful elections, there should also be mutual respect for key stakeholders like chiefs,” he stated.

    Togbe Kotoku said chiefs played important roles in ensuring credible and peaceful elections and must not be kept in the dark in the Commission’s activities, adding that most national issues were resolved by prominent chiefs in the country.

    “We do the same work. We are all referees in this game. Ghanaians look up to the EC and chiefs for peace. When things get hard, the EC and others run to the chiefs so let’s not break the bridge,” he said.

    Togbe Kotoku also asked political parties to be mindful of the peace of the nation in their activities and not only winning of the polls.

    The Paramount Chief commended Government for efforts at containing COVID-19 and urged it to endeavour to complete abandoned projects in the country, especially roads such as the Ho-Kpenoe road as for accelerated socio-economic development.

    Source: GNA

  • LPG will be winners if elections were held today – LPG party organizer

    Organizer of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) in the Greater Accra Region, Mr Samuel Ayi Quaye, says the party is ready to take over the seat of government because it will win the 2020 presidential and parliamentary election.

    Appearing on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm he said the LPG is fully prepared.

    He opined if elections were held today, LPG will win because their grounds work has shown that Ghanaians are tired of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    The party he explained is currently collecting ideas and suggestions on all aspects of the economy to factor them in their party manifesto.

    Mr. Ayi Quaye indicated the LPG remains the only party will the solution to end the political duopoly of the two political; parties.

    Meanwhile, candidates in the Greater Accra region who have been disqualified in their parties to join the LPG and stand the chance of winning the seat for the party.

    The party is formidable, we are more than ready to win the 2020 polls, he added.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Misplaced focus – Baako tells NDC on NPP manifesto promises

    The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has said that the opposition NDC have misplaced priorities.

    Kweku Baako has asked the largest opposition party in the country to get their priorities right after they claim the ruling government had fulfilled only 14 per cent of its campaign promises.

    14% score charitable

    NDC had scored the Akufo-Addo-led administration 14 per cent on the fulfilment of its 2016 campaign promises.

    According to them, only 86 out of the 631 campaign promises made by the government have been delivered.

    Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says they were even charitable and that the actual figure is 13.6%.

    “We observed that only 86 promises have been delivered out of the 631 and if you do the arithmetic and divide the 86 by the 631, what you will get is 13.6% and so we have been generous to gift them 14%; we added 0.4% to it by rounding the figure up,” he indicated.

    Padded figures

    Kweku Baako in a discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, said the figures put out by the NDC were padded and deliberate; adding if this is the opposition party’s message five months to an election; they should ‘watch out’.

    “What is your target or what did you want to achieve? If this is your message 5 months to an election, watch out . . . what was your goal, what was your target for that exposure? You are a political party, you must have a strategy especially with 5 months to an election…” he stated.

    Fulfilling All Promises Mission Impossible

    Kweku Baako also noted that it is impossible for any political party to fulfil all of its electoral promises. He has asked the NDC to do an introspection and ask themselves if they were able to achieve all of its promises.

    “No political party has been able to fulfil all promises; there’s none. The NDC should ask themselves if they were able to achieve all their promises in their manifesto? he rhetorically asked.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Fetish priest, two others arrested for faking death

    The Akyem Tafo District Police Command has arrested a popular fetish Priest in Akyem Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region Togbe Shetor over pseudocide creating panic that he may have died of coronavirus.

    The fetish priest reportedly conspired with his followers to stage his death on Monday.

    The alleged passing away of the fetish priest went viral which was published by some media houses.

    His followers mourned him at the shrine amidst firing of warning shots, sung and poured libation, and decorated the shrine black and red signifying that they are bereaved.

    Many unsuspecting sympathizers trooped to the shrine to also mourn him.

    Police detectives from Akyem Tafo dispatched to the shrine however established that the said death was staged.

    The fetish priest managed to escape but two of his followers were arrested and being prepared to be put before court. However, he turned himself up to Police Wednesday afternoon after a manhunt was initiated for his arrest.

    It is not clear the motive behind his action but sources indicate he is establishing a Church in Tema hence it is believed that his action was to deceive his potential congregants that he is not a fetish priest.

    The controversial fetish priest has been involved in many controversies and criminalities.

    He is currently standing trial before a Circuit Court in Koforidua for molesting some contestants of the 2019 Miss Commonwealth Beauty Pageant.

    He allegedly made his victims go naked at the shrine and lashed with a machete after Princess Duncan, the Chief Executive Officer of the Miss Commonwealth Pageant, organizer of the event, had allegedly dragged the beauty contestants to the shrine over a missing GH¢500.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Stop dictating to us – Alhaji Nasiru warns NPP over manifesto

    Member of the NDC Communications Team, Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed has cautioned members of the ruling government to stop dictating to them on what to do as a political party.

    According to him, it is fair and necessary that as members of the largest opposition party they make Ghanaians aware of how wicked and untruthful the ruling government has been to them in delivering their 2016 manifesto promises.

    “Who are members of the NPP to tell us what to do and at what time? We already know what is good for us as a political party,” he said.

    As a panelist on UTV’s late news political discussion, the NDC Communicator explained further that “we chose to go into NPP’s unfulfilled manifesto promises at this time, our vision for coming back into power is our own case to settle at the appropriate time”.

    Alhaji Nasiru mentioned they are ready each minute as a political party to prove to the ruling government on their strength and how far they have brought this nation under their care.

    Source: Peace FM

  • No prisoner will be excluded from National Health Insurance Scheme – NHIA

    The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Volta Region has given the assurance that no prisoner will be excluded from the National Health Insurance Scheme.

    “This is because their health is just as important as the health of the rest of the citizenry,” said Mr. Joseph Homenya, Regional Director of NHIA.

    Apart from that, he said that the congestion at the prisons was a great cause for concern for the health of the convicts.

    Already, 102 prisoners out of the total of 430 received new health insurance cards while 61 had their missing cards replaced in an exercise carried out by the NHIA at the Ho Central Prison more than a fortnight ago.

    Sixty-nine of the inmates at the correctional center earlier had their expired cards renewed during the exercise.

    According to Mr Homenya, the exercise to register convicts onto the scheme would now be extended to the Kpando and Kete-Krachi prisons, which had 210 and 356 inmates respectively.

    He said that officials of NHIA in those areas had been assigned to carry out the exercise to cover all the 1,004 prisoners in the region in a matter of weeks.

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) in-charge of the Volta Region, Mr Andrews Dzokoto, has lauded the exercise by the NHIA as most appropriate and timely.

    He said that hitherto, the prison authorities bore the medical costs on behalf of the prisoners who did not have health insurance cards.

    “Once they all get registered onto the scheme, will save money for administrative work and other operational duties,” he added.

    Still on the health of convicts, DDP Dzokoto said that the Ho Central Prison was set to expand its three-bed infirmary to take in 20 beds, while similar plans would be carried out at the Kpando and Kete-Krachi prisons in due course.

    He insisted that it was safer to treat ailing prisoners at the correctional centre than taking them to the hospital.

    “And in an era of COVID-19, we find it safer keeping the prisoners inside the prison,” he maintained.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • We must protect the independence of EC – Pius Enam Hadzide

    Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide says no political party has the right to dictate to the Electoral Commission of Ghana in the performance of its duties.

    The Deputy Information Minister spoke on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ on Tuesday, June 16, 2020.

    According to him, the EC’s independence should not be undermined, hence the Commission’s decision to compile a new voters’ register to conduct credible elections must hold.

    Hon. Enam Hadzide was commenting on the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) petition before the Supreme Court seeking a ruling on the EC’s decision to exclude the voters’ ID card from the exercise.

    The NDC sent two reliefs to the Supreme Court with one challenging the constitutionality of the EC to conduct the new voters’ registration exercise and the other on their decision to use only the Ghana card and passport for the exercise.

    But the party dropped their legal case on the constitutionality of the electoral management body to conduct the mass registration exercise and are now seeking a relief on why the voters’ ID card should be excluded from the exercise and whether it doesn’t violate the constitutional provisions on the country’s electoral system.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi, Enam Hadzide called on all political parties and figures to protect the EC instead of opposing it.

    “We must all protect the independence of the Electoral Commission. Whether in government or opposition, you shouldn’t be given the opportunity to dictate to the Electoral Commission,” he stated.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Over 90 health workers in Ashanti Region contract COVID-19 Regional Health Directorate

     Ninety-seven (97) health workers in the Ashanti Region have contracted the Coronavirus in line of duty according to the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate.

    This was revealed in a media briefing on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

    Giving the breaking down of the total infections, the Deputy Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Ofori Yeboah detailed that out of the number, 47 are nurses, 14 recoveries and 82 active cases.

    One medical superintendent with the Kwadaso SDA Hospital, Dr. Owusu Boateng have succumbed to the virus.

    One medical superintendent with the Kwadaso SDA Hospital, Dr. Owusu Boateng have succumbed to the virus.

    “A number of health workers have also been affected. As you can see, Ashanti Region, currently 97 health workers have also contracted the disease. Unfortunately, we have lost one them. Having said that, 14 have recovered and 82 are under treating. We are keeping an eye on them,” Dr. Ofori Yeboah announced.

    The Ashanti Region now has 2403 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 38 deaths and 778 recoveries.

    The Ashanti Region now has 2403 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 38 deaths and 778 recoveries.

    Ashanti Regional Health Director Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang further revealed at the news conference that all the treatment centers in the region are currently full.

    He also expressed worry over how residents in the region are disregarding COVID-19 safety protocols.

    He warns there could be a increase in COVID-19-related deaths if the public continue to disregard the protocols.

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • Eight arrested over notorious South African bank scandal

    Eight men have been arrested in South Africa, accused of involvement in one of the country’s most notorious corruption scandals the looting and eventual collapse of VBS, a provincial bank that served poor communities.

    The VBS scandal is alleged to have involved senior politicians, bankers and government officials in a giant web of corruption.

    The suspects were arrested in a series of co-ordinated, early morning raids and include senior officials at VBS Mutual Bank, and an auditor from the international accounting firm KPMG.

    This is a hugely significant moment for South Africa as it is alleged that bank officials conspired with prominent politicians and local municipalities to steal more than $100m.

    Much of that money belonged to poor rural families saving to buy homes. The bank collapsed in 2018.

    High-level corruption – known here in South Africa as “state capture” – is a huge problem, and prosecutors have been criticised for failing to put powerful figures on trial.

    The eight officials arrested face charges of racketeering and fraud.

    South Africans will now be watching closely to see if any implicated politicians will also be charged.

    Source: bbc.com

  • FDA approves convalescence plasma treatment for COVID-19 patients

    The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has approved an investigational convalescent plasma collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 for the treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients in Ghana.

    The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, who made this known on Tuesday, June 16, said the approval was given on Monday, June 15.

    According to him, government through the Ghana Health Service (GHS) was working with all the key stakeholders including the COVID-19 Treatment Team, to ensure the success of this intervention.

    What is convalescent plasma

    Convalescent plasma (CP) is the term used for plasma that is removed from the blood of a person who has recovered from a disease, then transfused into a patient still battling it.

    Researchers hope that CP can be given to people with severe COVID-19 to boost their ability to fight the virus. It also might help keep people who are moderately ill from becoming more ill and experiencing COVID-19 complications.

    National Blood Service

    The Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service, Dr Justina Ansah, had earlier at a programme to commemorate the 2020 World Blood Donor Day on Monday, June 15 explained that plasma intervention was based on research that patients who had recovered from disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, had a robust immune response to infections.

    She said the antibodies in the plasma of recovered patients could, therefore, be transfused to other COVID-19 patients to aid their recovery from the infection.

    She encouraged all recovered COVID-19 patients to step forward and donate their plasma to save the lives of other patients in critical conditions.

    Life saving drug

    Meanwhile, the BBC reports that a cheap and widely available drug called dexamethasone can help save the lives of patients who are seriously ill with COVID-19.

    According to the report, the low-dose steroid treatment is a major breakthrough in the fight against the deadly virus as it cuts the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators, while it cuts deaths by a fifth for those on oxygen.

    It said the drug was part of the world’s biggest trial testing existing treatments to see if they also work for coronavirus.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • HELEH Africa donates to Covid 19 National Trust Fund

    HELEH  (Health Evolution and Lifestyle Empowerment Hub) Africa Foundation, the health arm of B-HeCK Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) alliance has donated 10,000 to the Covid 19 National Trust Fund.

    The gesture according to the Global President of HELEH Africa,  Dr Benedicta Ohene-Manu is in line with the objectives of the organisation to undertake social interventions and humanitarian projects to improve the health and living standards of Africans.

    Presenting the cheque to the fund on Thursday (June 11, 20202), Dr Ohene-Manu said the organisation is set to commit  three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) towards the fight against the COVID 19 via public and private sector partnerships amidst its outlined dynamic and aggressive corporate-social-media campaigns and projects.

    She further explained that, “With the number of cases crossing the 10,000 mark in Ghana and with very close affiliates like Prof Jacob Plange-Rhule who was an awardee during the prestigious HELEH Africa 2018 award falling to the disease and also the increasing number of recoveries, the issue of social stigmatization, all inclusion and communal empowerment has become a key factor”.

    A call to duty

    Dr Ohene- Manu said the organisation therefore deem it fit to contribute it’s quota to help the nation’s effort to fight the outbreak of the disease.

    “With the situation pricking our core objective; we at HELEH Africa Foundation can’t but duly respond to the duty call to support the government and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that measures outlined to subdue the pandemic becomes successful”.

    She further stated that HELEN Africa has outlined dynamic and strategic events to that effect. “These activities include this cash donation – our widows might support the fund…but because we are well aware of the capital intensive nature of fighting such an outbreak we are also set to introduce a special corporate social media initiative dubbed the SCED challenge”.

    The SCED challenge, according to Dr Ohene-Manu, seeks to enable HELEN Africa to interlink the corporate and social sectors to eradicate stigmatisation, enhance public sensitisation, appreciate the country’s brave and selfless frontline workers while drawing from the benevolence of the general public to support the vulnerable, women and children during the Covid 19 period.

    “We shall also as part of our prime activities organise a special edition of our renowned prestigious HELEH Africa awards event to honor all recognised frontliners and stakeholders who played distinct roles in the fight against the pandemic”, she said.

    Receiving the cheque, a member of the board of trustees for the Fund,  Archbishop Justice Ofei Akrofi thanked the organisation for the gesture and also lauded HELEN Africa for focusing on advocacy against stigmatisation of Covid 19 victims.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Railway Ministry advances plans for the establishment of railway equipment assembly plant in Ghana

    The Railway Minister, Joe Ghartey has taken a giant step towards the establishment of a railway equipment assembly plant in Ghana.

    This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Railway Ministry, on behalf of the Government of Ghana and a leading global railway parts manufacturing company, Global Railway Manufacturing Ghana.

    This has become necessary as government pursues its vision of establishing railway sector as a viable transportation option for Ghanaians.

    Joe Ghartey noted that both parties have a shared responsibility to accomplish agreed tasks within a four-month period after which a decision will be made whether or not to execute the project.

    “This MoU gives them exclusivity for four months and within 4 months we expect that they would have finished their necessary feasibility study and would have decided whether we intend to go ahead or not.

    “The government of Ghana has responsibility under this MoU to provide facilities, give them information and to give them facilities where they can assemble the plants. We will leave it to them to look at our facilities in Tema, the GMU workshop, our facilities in Esikado at location and also our facilities in Takoradi.

    “After the 4 months exclusivity period, there is an opportunity to extend it further depending on how far we have reached,” he announced to the press after the signing ceremony.

    Government has begun the construction f railway lines across the country and the rehabilitation of old lines.

    The Akufo-Addo government upon assumption to office in 2017 made it clear it intended to revamp the ailing sector to create alternative and convenient means of transportation for Ghanaians.

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • Persons who flout face mask directive to pay GHC20

    The Ho Municipal Assembly has passed a by-law to ensure the compulsory wearing of face masks in the municipality.

    The assembly directed that anyone who fails to wear nose masks in public places will be made to pay a spot fine of GHC20.

    This follows after President Akufo-Addo in his 11th address made the wearing of face masks mandatory, pointing out that the police and law enforcement agencies will enforce this directive through an Executive Instrument.

    Speaking in an interview, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa said the Regional Security Council has positioned task force at the various assemblies to oversee the implementation of the directive.

    “The Ho Municipality passed a by-law to institute a fine of a minimum of GHS20 for those who will not comply with the directive of wearing a face mask. We are in the regional capital and we know what is going on. There is a lot of enforcement in the Ho township,” he said.

    Source: abcnewsgh.com

  • Government sets June 25 to evacuate Ghanaians stranded in the U.S.

    Government has indicated in a statement that it will evacuate stranded Ghanaians in the U.S. who are registered with the Consulate-General on June 25.

    The statement, issued by the Consulate General in New York, also revealed that, as part of the evacuation plans, the flight will take off from the Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey.

    “The airfare for the flight is $1,350 for Economy Class and $2,840 for Business Class. Two pieces of luggage of 50lbs or 22 kilos per passenger will be allowed,” the release stated

    When the returnees arrive in Ghana, they will be on a 14-day mandatory quarantine with the possibility for a 21-day extension, according to the statement.

    Also, the cost of the quarantine either at Kempinski Gold Coast and Africa Regent Hotel have been assigned as the shelter the returnees will be staying upon arrival.

    It will cost GHS650 a day to stay at Kempinski and GHS550 a day at African Regent.

    “Payment and proof thereof of the airfare and quarantine will be required before boarding and departure from the Liberty International Airport,” the statement indicated.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • CPP has made no decision to support EC’s new voters register – Kwesi Pratt

    Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr has refuted claims that the Convention People’s Party (CPP) supports the compilation of a new voters register by the Electoral Commission (EC).

    The new voters registration exercise is scheduled to begin on June 30 this year and will last for 38 days across the nation.

    Meanwhile, there is a strong opposition against the EC’s decision for a new register as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other individuals have dragged the Commission to the Supreme Court seeking several declarations over the registration exercise.

    The NDC placed before the Supreme Court two reliefs with one being that the court should direct the EC to include the voters ID card in the registration process and the other relief they sought was for the court to determine whether or not it is constitutional for the Commission to hold the registration exercise.

    The party, however, dropped their relief about the constitutionality of the EC’s decision to conduct the exercise and is now praying the highest court of the land to determine whether or not the decision to abandon the voters ID card as an identification document for the impending mass registration exercise is constitutional.

    Other parties are also praying the court to hear the case on whether or not the EC should compile a new voters’ register.

    Following all these lawsuits, the EC is poised to conduct the exercise and a publication in the Daily Graphic on Monday, June 16 indicates that six political parties including the CPP have thrown their weight behind the EC.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Kwesi Pratt stated the reports that the CPP is solidly behind the EC to compile the new register is a complete falsehood.

    He stated emphatically that there has been no such attempt by the CPP.

    “I am a member of the Central Committee of the Convention People’s Party. I am Chairman of the Logistics Committee of the party. The party has never taken any such decision. Yes, the party has not taken any decision to support the compilation of a new voters register,” he exclaimed.

    “So, how come CPP has been drawn into this whereas CPP hasn’t said any such thing?” he further questioned.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Stranded Ghanaians in Russia, Ukraine, others dejected over Embassy’s neglect

    Some stranded Ghanaians in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Armenia have said they feel dejected by the seeming treatment of neglect by the Ghanaian Embassy in Russia in relation to the government’s ongoing evacuation exercise.

    According to a group of Ghanaians in the mentioned countries who reached out to GhanaWeb, the Embassy which has oversight responsibility of Ghanaians in Ukraine, Belarus, and Armenia, in early May, posted a notice on its website stating that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in Ghana was collating data on citizens stranded in the foreign countries for an evacuation.

    Owing to the public announcement, they duly furnished the embassy with their details.

    Giving further details to GhanaWeb, the group explained that the embassy on May 30, 2020, sent out emails informing those who had heeded to the request that plans were far advanced with regards to the evacuation effort which would be done with certain conditions.

    A week after they received the mail, the group said they sent an email to the embassy on June 8, 2020, requesting information on the plans and procedures regarding their evacuation to Ghana.

    They subsequently received a response on June 9, 2020, from the embassy stating that there has been no directive from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with respect to the evacuation of Ghanaians from the earlier mentioned countries.

    The stranded Ghanaians told GhanaWeb that their continued stay in a foreign country amid the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on them financially and psychologically.

    They add that they feel dejected by the embassy seeing government’s efforts in making sure that Ghanaians in other countries in Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa are evacuated home with dates issued for the evacuation of those in such continents.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Wearing of nose masks declines in Hohoe

    The wearing of nose masks as a major precautionary measure against the spread of the COVID-19 is on the decline in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.

    Most people seen on the streets and markets are either not in nose masks or wrongly wore the masks exposing themselves to the virus.

    Mr Bright Agyekum, a nose mask vendor told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that nose masks sales had gone down in the past two weeks and that people were doubting the existence of the disease.

    Master John Avorgah, a trader who was not in a nose mask said he forgot his mask but did not think it was necessary.

    The GNA also observed that people no longer washed their hands before accessing services while most handwashing stations do not have tissue papers or soaps.

    Public and private offices, however, have “no nose masks, no entry” in their premises.

    It was also observed that market women continued to defy the ban on activities on Monday and Friday market days by the Assembly to fight the disease.

    Mr. Seidu Alhassan, a Station Master told GNA that most passengers were not wearing masks and bemoaned the absence of a task force to enforce directives on precautionary measures such as wearing of nose masks.

    He said although drivers were adhering to reducing the number of passengers, wearing nose masks by passengers had not been encouraging and called on the government to put in stringent measures to ensure the compulsory wearing of nose masks.

    When the GNA contacted Mr Emmanuel Yawlui, the Hohoe Municipal Environmental Health Officer (MEHO), he said the Unit had put in measures to ensure that food vendor adhered to wearing of nose masks with offenders having their goods seized.

    He said the Unit had challenges in enforcing the precautionary measures especially wearing of nose masks due to the absence of a task force to support in educating, monitoring, and supervising adherence of the measures.

  • EPA boss warns of severe water crisis in Northern Region

    The Northern Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Abu Iddrisu has warned that the region could soon be hit with severe water crisis if urgent measures are not taken to protect the environment from further degradation.

    According to him, a research conducted in 1947 revealed that the region was resourced with 6050 dams and streams, but cross-checking research conducted in 2017 indicates these water bodies have reduced significantly to 2011 due to bad environmental practices.

    “Some research was done on water bodies such as streams and dams and it was realized that we have 6050 total dams and rivers so that means there was no water challenge in Northern Region, but in 2017 a cross-checking research was done and it was found that we now have 2011 dams and streams” he stated

    He indicated that the huge loss of water bodies in the region was due to the rampant destruction of the environment through acts such as bush burning, deforestation, siltation among others, stating that “because of the huge gaps in the region that is why we are struggling with water shortage, most of our water bodies are either killed through siltation or deliberately through farming practices such people farming close to water bodies or blocking such water bodies to make sure they die naturally”.

    Protecting the environment

    Mr Iddrisu stressed that “this is a very serious thing and we need to be very careful and if we do not take the responsibility of ensuring that our community leaders play a key role in environmental management we would have ourselves to be blamed”.

    “The environment belongs to the people, those who are dead use some part of the benefits and have bequeathed some value to us who are living, so we must make some effort in investing in the environment,“ he added.

    He indicated that bush burning, illegal hunting and sand wining were the major activities hurting the environment and therefore admonished all the district assemblies to prioritise tree planting to help safeguard the environment.

    Soil infertility

    Mr Iddrisu observed that soil fertility was declining in the region and attributed the trend to the abuse of the environment through bad farming practices including bush burning and the use of weedicides.

    While stressing on the need for traditional authorities to show keen interest in the protection of the environment, he advised farmers and hunters to desist from those practices.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Dont let pastors, chiefs pressure you to withdraw abuse cases Police advise

    The Chief Inspector of the Accra Regional Office of the Domestic Violence & Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), Kofi Atimbire has advised complainants of child abuse cases not to be persuaded by pastors and chiefs to withdraw cases reported to them for investigations.

    He made the statement earlier today, June 16, 2020, at the Ministry of Information in Accra, as Ghana celebrates the 30th anniversary of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).

    According to Mr Atimbire, complainants of child abuse cases are pressurized by people they hold in high esteem in the society to settle the cases with the abusers, in order to protect them. This continues a non-ending cycle of abuse in society.

    “Complainants … whoever comes with a child that has been abused, whether physical, sexual and the others, after they have reported and evidence has been gathered and presentation has been made to the court, ready for persecution, then you find these same people backtrack in pursuit of justice for these children. Sometimes the pressure from chiefs, from elders, from pastors, is mounted on these complainants to not continue with the cases,” he said.

    He added that complainant sometimes report child abuse cases very late, and gathering evidence during that period is not as easy as gathering them when they are reported earlier.

    “Most of these cases are reported very late to us for investigations. And once most of the cases are reported very late, most of the evidence that we need to persecute, sometimes we find it difficult to get them, and that is the reality,” he said.

    He advised parents to stop backtracking cases reported to the police to ensure that justice is served for children who have suffered abuse.

    “Parents should endeavour to report to us as early as possible. Parents should also desist from the settlement of cases,” he concluded.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Driver jailed for killing four persons

    A Koforidua circuit court has sentenced a 35-year old driver to three years imprisonment for killing four persons as a result of dangerous driving.

    The accused, Mawuli Gokah, pleaded guilty to all five counts including dangerous driving and four counts of negligently causing harm. He was convicted on his own plea.

    Assistant State Attorney, Ms Zennaira Adum-Atta, told the court, presided by Madam Miriam Afoh, that on November 10, 2018, the accused person was driving a Howo Tipper Truck with registration number GN7830-16 from Adeiso-Nsawam with one person on board.

    On reaching an axle weighing station at Anoff, he crashed into a KIA Avella Taxi Cab with registration number GR7277-09, trapping the driver, Samuel Addo, and three passengers on board.

    The three passengers, who were siblings, were identified as Emmanuel Okoe 47, Samuel Ayikoe 44, and Afrifa Boateng 29.

    They were later removed from the wreckage and rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

    Gokah, after his arrest, was granted police enquiry bail to be reporting periodically but was charged with the offence after investigations.

    Source: GNA

  • Staff who tested positive for coronavirus have been isolated Ogbojo Polyclinic clarifies

    The Management of Ogbojo Polyclinic has clarified that only three COVID-19 cases have been recorded among staff of the facility and not six as reported earlier.

    According to the hospital, the three affected staff have been isolated and are being taken care of.

    It comes after reports that staff of the hospital were panicking after workers who tested positive were reportedly still showing up for duty.

    In a statement, the hospital said: “It is NOT TRUE that Six workers of Ogbojo Polyclinic have tested positive for COVID-19. It is rather the case that Three of our staff have contracted the disease.

    “It is also NOT TRUE that our Three staff who are infected with the virus continue to come to work as starrfm.com.gh would like to portray. We have isolated such staff and they are not at post let alone to infect others. Management has provided free medication to the affected officers. Contact tracing and testing has been equally done. As curative health care facility that is even understaffed, we will not subject our workers to any health hazards let alone subjecting them to COVID-19”.

    Source: 3 News

  • NHIA CEO tests positive for coronavirus, calls on friends to isolate

    The CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby, has announced that she has tested positive for the novel Coronavirus.

    Speaking in an interview on Asaase Radio, Tuesday, June 16, 2020, she revealed that tests conducted on her by health professionals came out positive on Sunday.

    Since then, she has tried her possible best to reach out to family and friends to appeal to them to isolate and contact appropriate health professionals.

    In her explanation, she noted that the NHIA head office has since been disinfected and some staff who came into contact with her also asked to self-isolate. The facility, together with its affiliates across the country remains operational.

    Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby in the same breath cautioned Ghanaians to continue adhering to safety precautionary measures to avert the dire consequences of contracting the disease.

    Meanwhile, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu who also tested positive for the virus has been discharged from the University of Ghana Medical Centre, where he was receiving treatment.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Four remand prisoners test positive for coronavirus

    Four remand prisoners have tested positive to Covid-19 at the Asamankese Police Cell in the Eastern Region, the West Akyem Municipal Health Director has confirmed.

    Dr. Samuel Agyeman Boateng explained that after a fumigation exercise, the police requested samples of prisoners be taken because some were coughing.

    Samples of 10 in-mates available then were taken.

    Test results from Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research (NMIMR) which came in confirmed four positive cases out of the 10 that were taken.

    The four are in isolation and doing well, Dr Agyeman Boateng said.

    Two have been kept at the unused female cells and two at the male cells.

    Samples of police personnel have also been taken, awaiting results.

    Dr. Samuel Agyeman Boateng pointed out “this becomes the sixth case count for my municipality”.

    “We had an index case which recovered,” he noted. “A new case was recorded over the weekend before these four. So we have five active case now.”

    Asked what recommendation he gave to police officers to manage new inmates, he said “the courts are still working.

    “Ideally fresh in-mates should have their samples taken and quarantined before they join others, but the cells do not have space.”

    He added: “This issue is a challenge for all of us as stakeholders to find solutions to.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Government struggling to get hotels to isolate evacuated Ghanaians – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey says the difficulty for government in finding relatively smaller hotels who are willing to open their facilities to be used as isolation centres for Ghanaians who have been evacuated from foreign countries has contributed to the high cost of hotel bills for evacuees.

    “It is difficult to get hotels that can be used for quarantine. It is a major problem. It is the ones that have agreed to be used that are currently being used,” she said.

    The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent closure of borders by several countries including Ghana has caused some citizens of the country to be stranded in foreign countries.

    Government heeding to calls to the stranded Ghanaians over the past week has been conducting an evacuation exercise which according to the minister has so far seen about 856 Ghanaians brought back home.

    However, besides the minimum $700 flight cost the evacuees have had to bear, they are also required to pay GHC500 minimum daily for their 14-day mandatory isolation in designated hotels. This according to some critics and some of the stranded Ghanaians is expensive.

    But answering a question on the cost, the Foreign Affairs Minister said there exists the challenge of finding hotels with the right logistics besides their willingness to give up their facilities for the exercise.

    “The second issue that we have is that even if a small hotel agrees to be part of this, the problem would be that you will have a hotel or guest with ten rooms, seven rooms, five rooms, and the logistics to make sure that the health professionals are able to visit them as they normally would be a problem. Also, the security services would have to be posted at these quarantine centers and that would also be a problem. So we are always looking for larger hotels that will be able to cater for large numbers to make it easier for us,” she said.

    She however indicated that the government remains committed to making sure every stranded Ghanaian is brought home safely while indicating that there are plans to ensure the cost on evacuees are reduced from the current state.

    She also called on hotels to help the exercise by giving up their facilities to be used for the exercise.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Government to employ 8,076 jobless nurses in November

    The government through the Ministry of Health has been given clearance to employ 8,076 nurse assistants who completed in 2017 in both clinical and preventives.

    According to a letter dated June 9, 2020, from the Ministry of Finance and signed by the Deputy Minister, Abena Osei-Asare, is to take effect not earlier than November 1, 2020.

    Here’s the letter from the Finance Ministry

    FINANCIAL CLEARANCE

    Please refer to letter No. HRHD/DIR/03/19/40 from the Ministry of Health on the above subject:

    The Ministry of Health is hereby granted financial clearance to enable the Ministry post eight thousand, and seventy-six (8,076) Nurse Assistant Clinical and Nurse Assistant Preventive who completed in 2017 from various Public Health Training Institutions.

    The emoluments of the personnel should be charged against the Compensation of Employees vote of the Ministry of Health in the 2020 Annual Estimates.

    The Ministry of Health is to ensure that the Nurse Assistant Clinical and Nurse Assistant Preventive staff have their documents processed in time and placed on the Mechanized Payroll to enable the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department effect payment of their salaries.

    The effective date of the appointed personnel should not be earlier than 1 November 2020.

    By a copy of this letter, the Controller and Accountant-General is requested to effect the payment of their salaries and make appropriate deductions of Social Security and Income Tax to SSNIT and the Domestic Tax Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) respectively.

    Please note that the financial clearance expires at the end of 31st December 2020 and cannot be used thereafter.

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Mass registration for Ghana Card to continue in the Eastern Region

    The mass registration exercise for the Ghana Card in the Eastern Region is to resume on Thursday, June 18, 2020, and end on Saturday, June 27, 2020.

    The exercise was halted on March 21, 2020, due to measures rolled out to contain the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country.

    A statement by the National Identification Authority (NIA), the body in charge of the exercise, however, said the issuance of cards which began on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at 5,635 registration centres nationwide is set to continue till Thursday, June 18, 2020.

    According to the NIA, nearly 800,000 Ghanaians have received the Ghana card since the re-commencement of the exercise last Wednesday and about 3,934,073 more who could not receive theirs during the mass registration could do so.

    “By the end of the exercise on 18th June 2020, over 11 million Ghanaians will possess the Ghana Card which they may use for social, economic and political purposes”, the statement stated.

    The authority has also urged all individuals who have registered but have not received their Cards to go to their registration centres to pick up their cards.

    Things needed for the pick-up

    According to the authority, one was expected to present the application form, the printout or a receipt that was given at the time of registration or provide relevant information to be cross-checked against his/her photograph and personal details contained in a Registration Centre Album.

    Originally the Authority had insisted one would need biometric verification to pick up the card, however that requirement has been shelved without any explanation.

    Persons with concerns about the card issuance process may contact NIA on Whatsapp number, 0205044793 or call 0302-738-333 and 0242438615.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • It’s time for MPs to initiate development projects – David Asante

    The Managing Director of Ghana Publishing Company, David Asante wants parliamentarians to refrain from relying solely on development projects initiated by the government for their constituents.

    He thinks it is about time MPs initiated development projects on their own to complement what central government brings to the constituents.

    Speaking on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, David Asante said even though the 1992 Constitution does not state that MPs are responsible for development projects in their constituencies, the role has gradually shifted to be a part of their job description and must therefore be executed with all seriousness.

    According to David Asante, “If you take a critical look at the constitution, it clearly stipulates that developmental projects must be done by Municipal and District Chief Executives and the core mandate of MPs is to exercise an oversight role over the other arms of government and state institutions to ensure maximum accountability. But things have evolved and so MPs must adjust to the change.

    “The constitution states that MPs must exercise an oversight responsibility over the executive and other arms of government. It did not state that MPs are responsible for developments in the constituencies, however, this has become part of the job and constituents expect that MPs implement projects to develop their constituencies”.

    David Asante who is aspiring to lead the NPP as the parliamentary candidate for Nkawkaw constituency in the Eastern region said a good MP is the one with the ability to move developments into his constituency through his/her own initiatives.

    The aspirant said it is therefore important to vote for someone who is socially connected to influential people so that the person can use his connections in and outside the country to lobby for projects for his constituency.

    He explained that even though the President will ensure that each constituency gets its fair share of developments, it is certain the development from government will not be enough for every constituency.

    “The people are interested in development. The President will send development to every constituency to reflect the good deeds of his office however as an MP you must bring in development by activating your social contacts who can support you in developing your constituency”, he advised.

    Mr. David Asante further advised his colleague aspirants not to make unachievable campaign promises that they know deeply in their hearts that they are unachievable.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • KATH ICU doctors, nurses self-quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 case

    The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is operating at half capacity after majority of its doctors and nurses were exposed to a COVID-19 case.

    A memo dated Friday, June 12, from the Head of Directorate to the Medical Director of the KATH said the health workers have thus been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

    The ICU would therefore not run at full capacity for the next 14 days due to the reduced number of staff, the memo said.

    “Most of our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Doctors and Nurses got exposed to Polytrauma patient on admission in the ICU who tested positive for COVID-19. The risk assess puts most of them at high-risk exposure and have self-quarantined for 14 days,” the memo said.

    KATH in the memo said in view of that, an urgent management meeting was held and the duty has been modified such that:

    1. The remaining Doctors will do cover for emergencies and obstetric cases only at NAKSA Theatre

    2. The ICU will not run at full capacity for 14 days

    Ghana’s COVID-19 cases as at Tuesday, June 16, stood at 11,964 with 4,258 recoveries and 54 deaths.

    Of the total number of cases, the Ashanti Region has 2,205 cases.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Health Minister reportedly discharged from UGMC

    The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, has been discharged from the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), 3news.com can confirm.

    Mr Agyemang Manu, who was admitted on Tuesday, June 9, contracted the deadly Covid-19 in the line of duty.

    Hospital officials, who would not speak on record, indicated that the Health Minister is in stable condition and responding to treatment but not currently at UGMC.

    The sector minister, who has not been seen in public since the last media briefing on May 28, is reported to have taken some days off and was yet to resume to work.

    Source: 3 News

  • NPP primaries: Who leads NPP Yendi Constituency?

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cleared three aspirants namely Umar Farouk Aliu Mahama, Baba Osman Daney and Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah to contest the Yendi constituency parliamentary primaries slated for June 20, 2020.

    About 608 delegates in 110 polling stations and 30 electoral areas are expected to vote for a candidate to lead the party in the December 7 general election in the Yendi constituency.

    The Yendi constituency is a traditional seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) until 2008 when an independent candidate won the seat.

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Yendi who doubles as the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Habib Tijani won the seat back for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2012 and 2016.

    The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs has, however, decided not to seek re-election.

    The three aspirants hoping to lead the NPP in the Yendi constituency are all optimistic that come June 20, they will come out victorious.

    Umar Farouk Mahama

    Umar Farouk Mahama, the number one on the ballot paper and the son of the late Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama believes that he is the preferred candidate by delegates in the Yendi constituency.

    According to him, his organisation Livelihood Empowerment Support Programmes has supported farmers, traders, created job and developmental opportunities for the Yendi constituency which will win him the primaries.

    “ I have supported farmers, provided water facilities to communities, built schools and the delegates know what Farouk can do for the people of Yendi constituency.”

    Baba Osman Daney

    When DGN Online visited the Yendi constituency, the second on the ballot paper is Baba Osman Daney was out of town but his campaign team were seen touring various communities to campaign for him.

    They indicated that their candidate was a grassroots man and has impacted the lives of the people of Yendi which will earn him to massive victory on June 20.

    Abibata Shanni Mahama

    The Deputy Masloc CEO, Abibata Shanni Mahama Zakariah, the third on the ballot paper told DGN Online that she was winning the parliamentary primaries one touch due to her credibility.

    “ I care so much about my reputation and integrity for that matter I am someone who has no scandals surrounding me.”

    According to her, she is the only candidate amongst the other candidates who is credible, committed and transparent for the Yendi constituency.

    “I am a development person and for that matter, I created employment opportunities, developmental projects and supported farmers and market women in the constituency and committed to do more which I strongly believe will win me the primaries.”

    Hajia Abibata called on delegates to vote wisely for her to bring the needed development to the Yendi constituency.

    The NPP Constituency Chairman for Yendi, Alhaji Abubakari Sadiq in an interview told DGN Online that all is set for the primaries in the Yendi constituency come June 20.

    He urged the aspirants to a campaign devoid of insults and unprinted words in the last days to ensure that the primaries are peaceful during and after the election.

    Source: Ghana Celebritie

  • Teacher Licensure Exam fixed for June 21

    The National Teaching Council has fixed Sunday, June 21 for the writing of the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination.

    Unlike the previous ones where the candidates used three days to write the three papers, this time around, the candidates will write all the three papers the same day.

    In all, 9,027 fresh candidates and 5,521 resitters, making a total of 14,548 candidates will be expected to write the examination in 27 centres throughout the country.

    The candidates will be examined in Numeracy, Literacy and Essential Professional Skills.

    Change of centres

    The Public Relations Officer of the NTC, Mr Dennis Osei-Owusu in an interview in Accra with Graphic Online alerted the candidates that some of the centres selected during the time of registration had been changed.

    He said for instance, candidates who chose St Louis in the Ashanti Region, the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) and the University of Cape Coast Centre, Papa food, “shall receive text messages to confirm their exact centres.

    “They may also visit the registration portal using their login details,” he added.

    In all, out of the 27 original centres, 14 of them have been changed.

    Mr Osei-Owusu reminded the candidates that they would not be permitted to write the examination at any centre other than their assigned centres.

    He explained that the change in venues was occasioned by the fact that SHSs originally selected as centres would have to be changed to make way for fumigation exercises.

    Dos and don’ts

    He said the candidates would begin the first paper, which will be Numeracy at exactly 9 am to 10.45 am, while the Essential Professional Skills would start at 11.45 am to 1 pm and the last paper, Literacy would be taken from 2 pm to 3.15 pm.

    Outlining the dos and don’ts, he said all candidates would be required to wear face masks before, during and after each paper.

    “Candidates shall follow all the Covid-19 protocols including washing of hands, use of hand sanitizers and observance of social distancing.

    “Candidates shall encounter seated 30 minutes before the start of each paper,” Mr Osei-Owusu stated.

    COVID-19

    The examination, which was to have taken in March 2020, was postponed until now because of the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

    Mr Osei-Owusu explained that even though the March edition delayed because of the COVID-19, the second one which was normally written in September would still come off.

    The first licensure examination was held in September 2018

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • I’ve paid over GH₵9.6m to Menzgold customers, rest to be paid by Dec NAM 1

    The Chief Executive Officer of defunct gold dealership firm, Menzgold, Nana Appiah Mensah, alias NAM1 says he has paid over GH₵9.6 million to customers whose monies were locked up in his firm.

    He has also assured customers who are yet to receive their monies that they would receive their monies before the end of December 2020.

    In statement published on Instagram, NAM1 dispelled rumours that he had neglected customers affected by the shutdown of Menzgold to sign on a new artiste onto his Zylofon Music record label.

    According to him, it would be wrong to say that Zylon and Menzgold were one and the same and that the only way he has been able to settle his indebtedness to affected customers was because of the other sources of revenue being generated by the former.

    Below is his full statement

    A cardinal trait or element in business is the assets and liabilities phenomenon. All operational businesses have assets, premised on liabilities (All debits/obligations such as debts, faulty machinery, salaries etc. In fact, any obligation owed to another party (susceptibility) can be termed as a liability. Liabilities would forever be a part of all human endeavors.

    Liabilities in the immediate instance aside serving as a driver (motivation) for business owners/managers to get corporate objectives achieved, are also employed to widely open income streams. It is when your liabilities exceed your assets as a Company that you have a problem, and as a State is when you’re termed a failed state. Thankfully, Ghana is working just fine and we as an entity within the republic would utilize our assets (the ones we can reverse or mobilize) to make it possible to overcome all our liabilities.

    To say that, Menzgold and Zylofon are one and the same is a very low shot at logic and a glaringly incredible display of intellectual deficiency or bankruptcy. A child and his/her sibling may have the same biological parents, are obviously from the same family but are two different individuals in every respect. This is a firm factual point at law and in principle.

    In any case, if one is indebted and does not get productive, how is he or she expected to generate income to service or pay off the debt? We as a formidable group need, we must and shall open up our income streams by resorting to the very little human and capital resources at our disposal, to wisely and tactfully, get productive as a group to pay off completely soon just so we can salvage an ailing proud member of our sect as quickly as possible.

    As of now, we hold documentary evidence, clearly showing that we have paid over ninety six (96) billion old Ghana cedis (GHC9.6M) even in our state of dormancy and continue to humbly make payments every now and then. We’re capable, committed and shall continue to appreciate the paid up figure to a conservatively minimum amount of Six Hundred (600) billion old Ghana cedis (GHS60M) before the end of the calendar month of December, 2020 as we commence productivity now.

    Many see the Menzgold customer body purportedly locking horns with the Company; I see a customer body in the light of a readily available huge market, representing an embodiment of personal and corporate brands unmatched confidence, a preservation of which is extremely necessary for our possible present and future endeavors. Consequently, our immediate very swift resolution of this still pending partial debt matter, is a need and a must in other to be able to happily shake hands again with these cherished customers.

    We as a group cannot and would not wait for a perfect timing or favorable, perfect condition before we get productive as that would never happen. Perfection is the sole preserve of deities.

    Sadly, we are just mortal human beings. Let us be minded also that unfortunately, Utopia too is a myth. For us at Zylofon, if there is a time to get to work, adjust and readjust to get productive whether or not we were productive yesterday lies in yesterday. I urge you all Zylofonians as we affectionately call ourselves, that the time is NOW. I would only entertain a conversation IF anybody can convince me based on thorough research work and data, that music business (contents creation and its monetization) is not a trade and that, producing music/content and monetizing it the right way does not yield income.

    In as much as we share more in, regret deeply and sincerely apologize for the consequence of our shipwreck, which obviously has contributed to somewhat sour socio-economic plights for our patrons and mainly for us as a company, our period of lamentation is over, we are very much motivated, our hearts and spirits are poised to wrestle and to win. Admittedly, our journey seems very dark amidst earthquake and boisterous thunderstorms with persistent unnecessary and unjustifiable heckles. Refreshingly, we are human; fearfully and wonderfully made in the image and likeness of the almighty God, we’re bestowed with limitless potentials and can do ALL things through God who strengthens us. For this reason, we shall subdue this intimidating fowler and worrisome elements comprising the “forces of darkness”. WE SHALL OVERCOME.

    May the Lord God almighty, Allah most merciful and most gracious bless us all and continue to be a LIGHT unto our path and a lamb unto our feet. #FollowTheLight.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Blood clots targeted in treatment trial

    Scientists are to test whether an experimental drug can prevent potentially deadly blood clots associated with Covid-19.

    The trial, funded by the British Heart Foundation, will test the theory the clots are caused by a hormone imbalance triggered by coronavirus infection.

    It will become one of several drugs currently being trialled to prevent the disease’s worst effects.

    A third of hospitalised coronavirus patients develop dangerous blood clots.

    The drug, TRV027, works to rebalance hormones involved in blood pressure, water and salt.

    Scientists from Imperial College London, involved in the trial, think that when the virus enters the body, it uses an enzyme as a “handle” to enter the cells.

    But this disables the enzyme, which plays an important role in balancing the key hormones. When out of balance, the blood can become sticky, leading to clots.

    They theorise that TRV027 – which won its creator a Nobel Prize in 2012 – can step in to play this rebalancing role.

    Many of the treatments being trialled to treat Covid-19 focus on the body’s inflammatory response.

    But the hormonal imbalance is a “quite distinct problem” which may provide clues to the question of why some people get severely ill why others do not, says Dr David Owen, one of the study’s leads.

    Blood clotting could also explain why Covid-19 seems to particularly affect people who already have cardiovascular disease despite being a respiratory illness, according to the British Heart Foundation.

    Different drugs trialled

    Since Covid-19 is such a complex disease which effects many of the body’s systems, this treatment could be used in combination with other drugs says Dr Kat Pollock, a joint lead on the study.

    About 60 patients will be given either the new experimental drug, or a placebo, starting next month.

    It has been shown to be safe in patients with acute heart failure, although it was not effective as a treatment for this condition.

    TRV027 is just one of several different drugs being trialled to ease the disease’s worst effects or help the body fight it off.

    At least 10 different antiviral drugs including HIV treatment lopinavir/ritonavir are being, or have been trialled to see if they can help fight off the disease.

    None has yet been shown to be effective on its own, although there is still hope several could be used together to shorten patients’ illnesses.

    Remdesivir, a drug that has shown promising effects, works by attacking an enzyme that a virus needs in order to replicate inside body cells.

    Meanwhile plasma – the liquid part of blood – taken from people who have recovered from coronavirus might also help, by giving sick people who haven’t recovered the right antibodies to fight it off.

    And a number of other treatments are focusing on the body’s dangerous inflammatory response to fighting Covid-19, known as cytokine release syndrome.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Ghana’s case count increase by 542

    Ghana’s Covid-19 case count has increased by 542 more positive cases bringing the number of confirmed cases to a total of 11,964 with 4,258 recoveries.

    The total number of active cases currently stands at 7,652 with 54 deaths.

    During President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo 11th address to the nation Sunday, [June 14, 2020], he said 13 people are critically ill while three others are on ventilators.

    He added that it is important to follow through the efforts made to control the spread of the virus adding that people should adhere to the health protocols.

    “This is how we can prevent our health care services and our heroic health care workers from being overwhelmed due to an increase in demand for hospital,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

    He also urged people to avoid stigmatising recovered patients. Adding that the stigma undermines the fight against the virus.

    “Our survival is in our own hands. If we are relax and inattentive, we will continue to have serious challenges with the virus. If we are mindful and self-disciplined, we have it in us to defeat this pandemic, and help return our lives to normalcy. I appeal to each and every one of you for your help in this regard.”

    Source: graphic.com.gh